Adapting to Climate Uncertainty in African Agriculture: Narratives and knowledge politics

Author:   Stephen Whitfield
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
ISBN:  

9781138849334


Pages:   190
Publication Date:   08 September 2015
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
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Adapting to Climate Uncertainty in African Agriculture: Narratives and knowledge politics


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Full Product Details

Author:   Stephen Whitfield
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.317kg
ISBN:  

9781138849334


ISBN 10:   1138849332
Pages:   190
Publication Date:   08 September 2015
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

1. Narratives of Change in African Agriculture Part 1: Uncertainty from Above and Below 2. Constructing Uncertainty 'from Above': Knowledge and narratives of climate change adaptation 3. Constructing Uncertainty from Below: Continual adaptation in Kenyan smallholder farming Part 2: Technologies of Agricultural Change 4. Breeding for an Uncertain Future: The case of 'drought tolerant' and 'water efficient' maize for Africa 5. Ciritcal Perspectives on Conservation Agriculture in Zambia and Malawi 6. What is Climate 'Smartness'? A review of case studies of 'climate-smart agriculture' 7. Governing Adaptation in Africa's Agricultural Future

Reviews

"""No matter whether you agree with his framing of the issues or his conclusions, this book is essential reading for all working in the broad fields of agricultural research and development studies. Stephen Whitfield breaks new ground in a brave and timely ‘political agronomy’ analysis of the knowledge agenda relating to the impacts of climate variability and change on African smallholder agriculture. You will be challenged to rethink your own approaches and assumptions on issues central to future food production in Africa."" –Ken Giller, Professor of Plant Production Systems, Wageningen University, Netherlands ""There is a lot of abstract theorising around climate adaptation in the developing world; and competing claims are made about what knowledge or technology is most needed. Stephen Whitfield's Adapting to Climate Uncertainty in African Agriculture is a rich empirical study of what actually happens on the ground among small-scale Kenyan farmers. Woven together through following the thread of knowledge, his arresting account shows that uncertainty, ambiguity and ignorance are the currency of climate adaptation, as much for climate-crop modellers and biotech companies as for the farmers themselves. Whitfield shows that knowledge is only useful when its limitations are exposed."" –Mike Hulme, Professor of Climate and Culture, King's College London, UK ""Risk, uncertainty, ignorance, ambiguity –these are not simple words of speech but rather conditions of incomplete knowledge. In a lucid analysis of problem-solution storylines of climate impact, the author reveals assumptions that govern high level science and the everyday adaptation of farmers. The book begins with the analysis of the social context within which knowledge bases are framed and, through case studies, moves to unpack climate-crop science and the local knowledge of farmers. Recognising the gaps in both knowledge bases, this book calls for an integrated and participatory approach to climate change. Deeply thought-provoking, the book is an important guide for innovative thinkers in the design and implementation of climate smart agriculture in Africa."" –Hannington Odame, Executive Director, Centre for African Bio-Entrepreneurship; and Regional Coordinator, East African Hub, Future Agricultures Consortium, Nairobi, Kenya"


No matter whether you agree with his framing of the issues or his conclusions, this book is essential reading for all working in the broad fields of agricultural research and development studies. Stephen Whitfield breaks new ground in a brave and timely 'political agronomy' analysis of the knowledge agenda relating to the impacts of climate variability and change on African smallholder agriculture. You will be challenged to rethink your own approaches and assumptions on issues central to future food production in Africa. -Ken Giller, Professor of Plant Production Systems, Wageningen University, Netherlands There is a lot of abstract theorising around climate adaptation in the developing world; and competing claims are made about what knowledge or technology is most needed. Stephen Whitfield's Adapting to Climate Uncertainty in African Agriculture is a rich empirical study of what actually happens on the ground among small-scale Kenyan farmers. Woven together through following the thread of knowledge, his arresting account shows that uncertainty, ambiguity and ignorance are the currency of climate adaptation, as much for climate-crop modellers and biotech companies as for the farmers themselves. Whitfield shows that knowledge is only useful when its limitations are exposed. -Mike Hulme, Professor of Climate and Culture, King's College London, UK Risk, uncertainty, ignorance, ambiguity -these are not simple words of speech but rather conditions of incomplete knowledge. In a lucid analysis of problem-solution storylines of climate impact, the author reveals assumptions that govern high level science and the everyday adaptation of farmers. The book begins with the analysis of the social context within which knowledge bases are framed and, through case studies, moves to unpack climate-crop science and the local knowledge of farmers. Recognising the gaps in both knowledge bases, this book calls for an integrated and participatory approach to climate change. Deeply thought-provoking, the book is an important guide for innovative thinkers in the design and implementation of climate smart agriculture in Africa. -Hannington Odame, Executive Director, Centre for African Bio-Entrepreneurship; and Regional Coordinator, East African Hub, Future Agricultures Consortium, Nairobi, Kenya


Author Information

Stephen Whitfield is Lecturer in Climate Change and Food Security at the University of Leeds, UK.

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