Originally published in 1969, the contributors to this volume examine the natural and social environments of selected areas in Africa and study in detail some particular problems and their solutions. Climate, landforms, soils and vegetation are discussed as fundamental aspects of the physical environment. The next section discusses the social and political environment: demography, agricultural systems and the legacies of colonial administration. Case studies in Malawi, Nigeria, Sudan, Eswatini and Kenya are analysed. The book is aimed at students of African studies, geographers and agriculturalists.

The overall objective of this volume is to show the impact of farming systems research (FSR) activities in Ethiopia on agricultural research and on the development of technologies and policies for small-scale farmers. The work reported is based on research conducted by scientists at the Institute of Agricultural Research, in collaboration with staff from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the International Center for tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Livestock Center for Africa (ILCA). Ethiopia is one of the few developing countries where FSR activities have been institutionalized and have had and important influence on the development of new technologies for farmers. Consequently, the research results, as well as the policy analysis, methodology and the institutionalization process, will be relevant to all researchers and change agents concerned with the developing world, whether they be economists, policy makers or administrators.