This article shows that the measurement of the sustainability of a production system should be conducted using a systems approach which corresponds best with the social, economic and bio-physical parameters of the African smallholder farming system. The case study shows that the system as a whole is not sustainable, that improvements would be possible if the system were made more efficient, and that it is vital to introduce new technologies if complete sustainability is the ultimate aim. It would be better to analyse the concept of sustainability at the community level, rather than at the level of the individual farmer. Multiple-objective mathematical programming models are appropriate to address such issues.

https://doi.org/10.1300/J064v06n0404

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https://doi.org/10.1300/J064v06n0404

Smallholder Farmers; Farming Systems

Farmers; Farming Systems

Africa; Acp; West Africa; Europe

Nigeria; Belgium