Rural development research - farm productivity : feasibility of small farm development strategies

After describing the structural and demographic characteristics of low- and middle-income countries, the author compares bimodal and unimodal agricultural development strategies, with emphasis on the latter"s advantages in low-income countries. Key obstacles to developing such strategies are identified as macroeconomic policies that favor industry over agriculture and (within agriculture) large over small farms, and a research bias towards developing technologies that are labor-saving and capital-intensive rather than labor-using and capital- and land-saving. Prospects for overcoming these two obstacles are discussed. It is concluded that small farm development strategies are feasible and highly advantageous in low-income countries where the labor force is growing and predominantly devoted to agriculture. Positive experiences in Asia (including China) and negative experiences in Latin America and Africa are cited. Appended is a 76-item bibliography (1966-84).