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Land grabs are cheap deals for rich countries
September 22nd, 2010

Anuradha Mittal – A recent report from the Oakland Institute shows the important role that the World Bank and its institutions have played in the processes of land acquisition (or land grabs) recently experienced in many countries. In an interview with Farming Matters, its executive director, Anuradha Mittal, questions the role of such institutions and … Read more

Modern Holland: built on centuries-old system
September 22nd, 2010

A large percentage of the country is below sea level. Keeping the land dry requires a comprehensive system of dykes and dams, which have made Holland famous. But water management is also based on traditional governance structures. While the Dutch water boards are centuries old, they still have the responsibility for preventing floods. Holland is … Read more

The role of a local committee in changing times: Irrigation management in the Himalayas
September 22nd, 2010

The Trans-Himalayan region of Nepal is often referred to as the country’s desert. Water is a scarce resource that has traditionally been managed through local norms and institutions. The remoteness of the region has limited the role and influence of the central government. Although the locally managed irrigation system has been running for centuries, recent … Read more

Theme overview: Water is everybody’s business
September 22nd, 2010

We all use water: we drink it, use it to grow, process and cook food, to make other products and cool things down. Water also plays a key role in conserving nature: ecosystems depend on flows of water. The availability (and quality) of water is of concern to everybody. But different uses and different interests … Read more

The Future of Family Farming – Reaching “another level”
September 22nd, 2010

Mr Saruni Duya’s eight-acre farm, near the village of Nguruman, in southern Kenya, produces mangos, bananas, cucumbers, and also many different “Asian vegetables”, most of which are meant for the market.’ He farms the same land that his father farmed for many years, and his grandfather before him, but the few innovations which Mr Duya … Read more

Thinking beyond credit
June 22nd, 2010

Yes, credit can be a useful instrument for farmers to improve their income. But it does have its drawbacks. Credit programmes often undermine farmers’ independence and oblige them to take all the risk. Jan Douwe van der Ploeg assesses the pros and cons, and looks for alternatives. Farming Matters | 26.2 | June 2010 Credit … Read more

Ensuring finance with a contract
June 22nd, 2010

The eagle flies in Zambia: Zambian Breweries, a subsidiary of the brewing giant SABMiller, produces a local beer from locally produced sorghum. Contracts with a large number of subsistence farmers provide these farmers with a link to a commercial market, and a secure income. Advanced payments help farmers buy the necessary inputs. Is the Eagle … Read more

Our ambition matches the size of the problem
June 22nd, 2010

Jose Antonio Osaba – The World Rural Forum wants the United Nations to declare an International Year of Family Farming. In an interview with Farming Matters, José Antonio Osaba explains why. “Family farming can be a very significant instrument to overcome hunger and poverty.” Osaba and his team have set themselves a huge task, but … Read more

Local resources: Great capital
June 22nd, 2010

How can farmers access capital when commercial banks consider them “unbankable”? The solution lies in making the most of local resources. Rural villages can raise their own funds and use these for loans, says Alfred Lakwo, of the Agency for Accelerated Regional Development in Uganda. As in many other countries, smallscale farmers in remote rural … Read more

Theme overview: Everybody benefits from financial products for small-scale farmers
June 22nd, 2010

Money for farming not only means access to credit, but also access to other financial products and services. Small-scale farmers can also benefit from being able to insure themselves against risk and being able to save. When it comes to money, there is a gap between what small-scale farmers need and what they have access … Read more