African agriculture in reserve: thoughts on agricultural innovation and intensification in tropical Africa
Couty, P.
Cahiers d' Etudes Africaines 31(121/122): 65-81
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-0055 Document Number: 352793
It is argued that where African agricultural systems are concerned, the interpretation of data is not a clear-cut exercise, and requires consideration of a complex set of relationships. E. Boserup's (1970) theory of intensification is seen as useful when linked to the theory of innovation. Innovations which bring about increased production on a smaller surface area are seen to correspond directly to intensification. Cases of intensification due to innovation adoption are shown to be rare on the African continent. In fact innovation often occurs without intensification of agricultural production.