A review of mixed farming systems in the semi-arid zone of sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The paper is divided into four chapters. The frist chapter is the introduction. Chapter two discusses the conceptualisation of the farming system with reference to the livestock component and reviews some alternative typologies that have been employed or proposed. A typological framework that is consistent with ILCA's objectives is then outlined. Chapter 3 develops a regionalisation of the semi arid zones of sub-Saharan Africa in four orders of increasing scale. The first order sub-division is between "West and North" and "East and South" geographical regions. The second order follows LPG zones by country. The third order is according to agroclimate, employing moisture, modality and monthly regimes. The fourth order subdivision develops a set of 83 environmental units. Chapter four reviews the characteristics of mixed farming system through a sample of published and unpublished literature.