Increasing Production from the Land a Resource Book on Agriculture for Teachers and Students in East Africa (Book Review)

Abstract

Agriculture is an important contributor of food, incomes and employment all over the world. It is extremely important in the Global South where majority of the poor people live in rural areas where main source of livelihood is agriculture. Notwithstanding the notable contribution of agriculture to socio-economic development, African agriculture is said to be at crossroads. The sector faces numerous challenges including, growing population pressure and climate change. Authors have discussed these challenges and prospects of African agriculture in three parts which comprise twelve chapters using simple and straight forward English language and case studies. Despite its subtitle focusing on East Africa, the book is of immediate relevance to Tanzania. The main weakness of this book is the failure of the authors to discuss issues related to land conflicts between pastoralists and cultivators and how they impact smallholder farming in Africa. However, it is a very good resource for researchers, university lecturers and students especially those pursuing co-operative, agriculture and rural development courses, donor agencies and policy makers at both local and national levels.