Table 4. Selected Characteristics of "Recently
Established" and "Old-Line" farmers.
(Adapted from Sondeo, 1981.)
Farm Group
Characteristics Old-Line Recently Established
kin/social
networks strong weak
land, frequently open market purinherited or chases; av. holding
purchased from 196 ac.
f amily; av.
holding 184 ac.
labor/ family labor; hired labor;
equipment more assured -uncertain availavailability; availability; purchase
own/share equipt. or hire equipt.
capital low cash flow high cash flow
low indebtedness high indebtedness land as collateral; -informal loan institutionalized loan
arrangements arrangements
The data presented above-have been verified by extension
agents and continued research in the region. The initial survey established the existence of a clientele who desired to farm but faced many problems in doing so. The farm household members interviewed were interested in a program focused on their needs and willing to incorporate their opinions into the research design. The nature of the problems they faced is the subject of the next section.
Most of the on farm work conducted by the FSR/E team has involved old-line farm households, reflecting the predominance of this group within the clientele.