DOCSLIB.ORG

The Agrarian System Concept

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Agrarian System Concept European Commission Workshop on « Systems Approaches for sustainable agriculture – Part I » Brussels, 5-6 December 2016 Systems approaches for sustainable agriculture : the Agrarian System concept Sophie DEVIENNE UFR Comparave Agriculture and Agricultural Development UMR PRODIG, AgroParisTech, CNRS, EPH, IRD, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, Paris-Diderot University , Paris-Sorbonne University , Paris [email protected] Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 1 Challenges of sustainable development in agriculture What producve processes to promote and how to manage to support farmings types in order to : • Ensure abundant and quality food producon • Preserve exploited ecosystems and their inhabitants • Preserve and even create jobs and income • Contribute to reducing the inequali@es = economic viability, ecological sustainability and social equity Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 2 Challenges of sustainable development in agriculture In order to propose effecve and adapted projects or policies to support sustainable agricultural development, it is necessary : • to understand agricultural reali@es • To idenfy the condi@ons (not only at the farmers level) so that the farmers – Have the means to implement sustainable producon systems – Find it worth their while. Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 3 An agricultural reality • A complex ecological and economic object • Ecological, technical, economical and social elements in interac@on • These elements to be apprehended at different scales : parcel, unit of produc@on, territory, region, naon… • Geographical diversity of forms of agriculture • In a given agricultural area : different categories of farms, of produc@on systems • A reality in movement : necessary to understand the reasons for the evolu@ons and their consequences Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 4 The concept of agrarian system (M. Mazoyer) A combinaon of different variables : • The mode of exploitaon of a given environment : – one or several ecosystems – the matching technical qualificaons (equipment, knowledge, prac@ves, know-how) – the historically acquired transformaons – the resul@ng environment ar@ficialisaon method : landscape • The condions of access to resources and distribu@on of value added • The different agricultural produc@on systems, implemented by the different categories of farmers : farm typologies • The relaons with upstream and downstream industries, and between producers and consumers. • The economic, social and poli@cal condions, in par@cular the relave prices system. Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 5 The concept of agrarian system An intellectual tool that enables : • to apprehend the complexity of an agricultural reality : organizaon and funconing – Relaons of causality or interdependency between the various elements – stages of evolu@on of the agrarian system • To apprehend the problem of sustainability : condi@ons of balance and reproduc@bility of : – The cul@vated ecosystem : reproducon of fer@lity – The social produc@on system. Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 6 What scale of analysis? • A concept that can be used at different scales of analysis : from agricultural district to country level • Micro-regional approach, at the agricultural district level : – Based on field work – In-depth understanding of mechanisms and processes : relaons prac@ces/ecosystem; differenciaon of systems of producon – Agro-ecology : systems adapted to pedoclimac and socio- economic condions – Studies of different cases judiciously choosed : possibility to adress the issues at the regional or naonal level Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 7 Analysis of the organisaon and funconing of an agrarian system : combinaon of scales of analysis, At the regional level : agrarian system Cul@vated ecosystem : landscape analysis Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 8 Analysis of the organisaon and funconing of an agrarian system : combinaon of scales of analysis, At the farm level : produc1on system = a group of farms : - Same range of resources : surface and localisaon, level of equipment, size of workteam - Comparable socioeconomic condions - Similar combinaon of producons Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 9 Analysis of the organisaon and funconing of an agrarian system : combinaon of scales of analysis, Each produc@on system : a characteris@c combinaon of : - At the plot level : cropping system - At the herd level : livestock system Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 10 Diagnosis of agrarian system : the steps • Reading the landscape : – principal components and their combinaon – elements of persistance and elements of change – Different parts of the cul@vated ecosystems • Understanding the landscape evolu@on : – the ways and the reasons why the farmers used to exploit the different parts of ecosystem – why it has changed : cause-and-effect relaonships between the variables (technical changes,market opportuni@es, prices, public policies…) • Understanding the differenciaon of agricultural produc@on systems : idenfying and explaining the diversity of producon systems = typology of producon systems – Different kind of resources – General movement / « alternave » systems Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 11 Diagnosis of agrarian system : the steps • Iden@fy the produc@on systems before characterizing and modelling their funconing; idenfy and priorize the difficules they have to face. • Economy of agricultural produc@on applied at the produc@on system level : measuring the performances of producon systems – Gross product and physical labour produc@vity – Value added and economical labour produc@vity – Agricultural income • Compare the economic performances of the different producon systems : assump@ons on their future evolu@on. • Iden@fy the challenges for the agricultural development. • Under which condi@ons the different types of farmers may change their prac@ces in a more sustainable way? Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 12 The Bocage vendéen : an agricultural district in the western part of France specialized in cale producon Source : Garambois, 2011 Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 13 Since the 1950’s, a significant increase of physical labour produc@vity in dairy producon Hand milking Milk buckets Milking Parlour 2x4 Milking Parlour 2x5 Feed Temporary grassland, silage Maize units/ha Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 14 Source : Garambois, 2011; Garambois & Devienne, 2012; Garambois & Devienne, 2013 A connuous trend… 1989 2009 Evoluon prédominante Predominant dans la région evolu@on in the area Source : Garambois, 2011; Garambois & Devienne, 2012; Garambois & Devienne, 2013 Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 15 Driven by the rapid downward trend in agricultural prices 140 Prices evoluLon in constant currency Machinery and 1970 = index 100 equipment 120 100 Intermediate consumpLons 80 Animal products 60 Vegetal products 40 20 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 16 Source : INSEE NaLonal accounts Outside this mainstream development, the emergence of agroecological systems, autonomous and inputs saving : the 1989 grasslands producon systems 2009 Evoluon prédominante Predominant dans la région evolu@on in the area Evoluon towards Evoluon vers un grasslands système herbager system Temporary grasslands (grass –white clover Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 associaon) 17 Source : Garambois, 2011; Garambois & Devienne, 2012; Garambois & Devienne, 2013 Grasslands systems follow the principles of agroecology • Associaon grass – clover, different species adaptated to pedoclimac condions: – No chimical fer@lizers – Balanced feed for cows • Increase the importance of grazing – Less costs of inputs, machinery and building costs • Moderate the produc@on per cow • Adaptaon of the lactaon period to the grass growth period… Autonomous and inputs saving systems Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 18 A dras@c decrease in input consumpon, par@cularly in ammonium nitrate Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 19 Source : Garambois, 2011; Garambois & Devienne, 2012; Garambois & Devienne, 2013 Grasslands systems follow the principles of agroecology • Associaon grass – clover, different species adaptated to pedoclimac condions: – No chimical fer@lizers – Balanced feed for cows • Increase the importance of grazing – Less costs of inputs, machinery and building costs • Moderate the produc@on per cow • Adaptaon of the lactaon period to the grass growth period… Autonomous and inputs saving systems Maximisaon of value added instead of gross product Developed by a small group of farmers, previously involved in the mainstream movement of development : concep@on and development of an adapted technical framework. Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 20 High economic efficiency of grasslands dairy producon systems : CI = Gross Intermediate product consumptions Income Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 21 Source : Garambois, 2011; Garambois & Devienne, 2012; Garambois & Devienne, 2013 An higher labour produc@vity for grasslands systems Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 22 Source : Garambois, 2011; Garambois & Devienne, 2012; Garambois & Devienne, 2013 A similar income for grasslands systems with smaller surface per agricultural worker Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 23 Source : Garambois, 2011; Garambois & Devienne, 2012; Garambois & Devienne, 2013 Agrarian system diagnosis • Combinaon of ecological, technical, economical and social components • Explanaon of dynamics of agrarian system, landscape, producon systems and their consequences • Economy of agricultural produc@on applied at the produc@on system level • Iden@fy the condi@ons of transi@on for the different types of farms towards sustainable systems preserving environment, added value and employment Sophie Devienne 6/12/2016 24 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Highest Concentration of Qualified Students
    Education The Highest Concentration of Qualified Students Paris Region offers a world-class education system with an ever-increasing number of programs catering to the needs of international students and families. Universities, engineering, business and specialized schools rank among the most prestigious in the world and offer an internationally renowned education, providing everyone with the best adapted training curriculum. © GOBELINS, l'école de l'image The French Primary and Secondary Education (public and private) Education System 3,200 nurseries 6,925 pre-schools and primary Nursery Pre-school / Primary school Secondary High school The education system is schools starting Kindergarten 6 to 10 years old school 16 to 18 years old operated by the French Public 1,997 secondary and high schools from 2-3 to 11 to 15 Baccalauréat Education Authority. 3 months old 5 years old years old Diploma 1,330,500 pupils Schooling is compulsory from 6 90.2% in public schools to 16 years old. 1,087,184 students 3,129,966 21% Public pre-school is available for 80.7% in public middle students in primary, of France’s student children starting from 2 years old. and high-schools middle and high-schools population in primary, middle, and high schools Higher Education Post A-Level year European grades and credits (ects) Internship Internship +8 PHD Internship +5 Medecine MASTER’S Grandes Ecoles Pharmacy Odontology +3 +2 BACHELOR’S Pro Bachelor’s CGPE BTS DUT Entrance examination A-Levels MESR (French Ministry of Higher Education and Research) - BTS: Technical programs - DUT : University Diploma of Technology Grandes Ecoles : Engineering & Business schools - CPGE : class which prepares students to enter the Grandes Ecoles 20 Paris Region Facts & Figures 2021 Education Highly Educated Students Main Branches of Higher Education (in 2019-20) 91 doctoral schools Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD: University programs in technology: 17,566 PhD students, incl.
    [Show full text]
  • ASPIRE Exchanges Factsheet Sorbonne University
    ASPIRE Exchanges Factsheet Sorbonne University Paris, France Spring Semester 2020 GENERAL INFORMATION University Sorbonne University (SU) Student body 55,600 International students 10,200 at university Main site: http://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en Exchange site: Sciences and engineering: http://sciences.sorbonne- Website universite.fr/en/international/international_applicants/exchange_progra mme.html Arts and humanities: http://lettres.sorbonne-universite.fr/l-international • Faculty of Science and Engineering Academic units • Faculty of Arts and Humanities Course load IU students are expected to take 15 credits (30 ECTS per semester) Faculty of Science and Engineering: https://www.sorbonne- universite.fr/en/academics/degree-programs/sciences-engineering Course catalogs Faculty of Arts and Humanities: http://vof.paris- sorbonne.fr/fr/index.html French Students should have sufficient oral and written skills in French. SU Language of recommends the B1/B2 (intermediate high) level on the CEFRL. A student instruction who has successfully completed at least one 300-level class is likely to be at this level. Note: Some master’s level classes are conducted in English. Students may consider these on a case-by-case basis and must consult with their academic advisors. https://cts.admissions.indiana.edu/transferin.cfm Course equivalencies (U Paris Sorbonne and U Pierre Marie Curie) SU uses number grades based on a 20-point grading scale, with 10 being the passing point. SU will provide transcripts for students taking part in Grades and the exchange. At the student’s request, the College will review courses to Transcripts determine how they will apply to your degree. Please note that IU does not accept Pass/Fail.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Booklet (PDF, 1Mo)
    EUROPEAN STUDIES PROGRAMME 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS SCIENCES PO AT A GLANCE .......................................................................................................... 3 PROGRAMME ..................................................................................................................................... 4 The team ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Overview of the programme ............................................................................................................. 7 Course structure ............................................................................................................................... 8 Course syllabus ................................................................................................................................ 9 Recommended readings ................................................................................................................ 11 Course planning .............................................................................................................................. 14 Institutional visits in Paris ............................................................................................................... 15 USEFUL INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 16 The library ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Academic Grades & Notation Sorbonne University
    International Relations Office Incoming Erasmus+ Mobility Cécile Rochefort & Roberta Giubrone Phone : 00.33 (0)1.40.46.47.79 [email protected] ACADEMIC GRADES AND NOTATION AT SORBONNE UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES Sorbonne University is using the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a tool which enables students to collect credits for learning achieved through higher education. ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes. At Sorbonne University, all our marks are out of 20. For information, Sorbonne University – Faculty of Arts and Humanities stands amongst one the most difficult grading systems in France. It is important to note that a 10/20 is a good grade, and that it stands for the passing grade. The credit part refers to the number of European credits the course provides. It is based on the 30 credits per semester system that French students must pass to validate one semester. It does not refer to the number of hours taken for one course. When noted “ Absentee ”, it means that your student did not attend the course. When noted “ Attended ”, it means that your student attended the course but didn’t sit the exam. You can freely choose to give them the ECTS or not. When noted “ Passed ”, it means that your student attended the course and passed the exam, but there is no grade because the professor doesn’t give grades to their students. The local grade ( /20) is the most relevant information you should consider to validate your students’ semester/year at Sorbonne University - Faculty of Arts and Humanities .
    [Show full text]
  • Fall Semester 2021)
    Sorbonne university : List of courses opened to 4EU+ students (fall semester 2021) Course title Responsible University Description Language Prerequisites Credits Duration Dates Learning content & Type of objectives examination Representation of Lubov Jurgenson Sorbonne The twentieth century has often been thought of French & 2 or 3 Course starts in Literary and artistic The student violence and (luba.jurgenson@wa Université as a century of mass violence, of which Central Russian according to September – currents of the 20th must produce a literary modernity nadoo.fr) Europe and Russia (and later the USSR) were the the work exact date to be century and their personal work on privileged theater. This violence, at the origin of provided by announced dialogue with the one of the profound cultural mutations, had a considerable the student events that provoked seminar themes: influence on the evolution of epistemological Every second mass violence. either a frameworks in literary studies and the humanities Tuesday (3-6 pm) presentation or a and gave rise to a protean corpus of literary, written paper testimonial or theoretical narratives (and even visual works) that question the legitimacy of culture and knowledge while contributing to the construction of new representational models. How does this complexity relate to the literary modernities of the 20th century? Multiculturality in Delphine Bechtel Sorbonne "Museum, monument, memorial site in Central French & 2 or 3 Course starts in Study of the Students will Central and (delphine.bechtel@
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Sandra Rigot Associate Professor Of
    Sandra Rigot Associate Professor of Economics at University Sorbonne Paris 13 Born in Paris French Citizenship Research Fellow at Centre d’Economie Paris Nord (CEPN) Research Fellow at Chaire Energy and Prosperity (Ecole Polytechnique – Ecole Normale Supérieure - ENSAE) Research Fellow at IFRIS (Institute For Research and Innovation in Society) University Sorbonne Paris 13 99 boulevard J-B Clément, 93430 Villetaneuse E-Mail: [email protected] Office: +0033 (0)1.49.40.38.39 ACADEMIC EDUCATION 2014 Ability to Supervise PhD Students in Economics (University Sorbonne Paris 13) Title of dissertation: Strategy and Regulation of Financial Intermediaries Related to Long-term Investment Supervisor : Pr. Dominique Plihon (University Sorbonne Paris 13) Examiners : Pr. Michel Aglietta (Paris-Nanterre University) ; Pr. Florence Legros (Paris- Dauphine University), Pr. Hélène Raymond (Paris-Nanterre University) ; Pr. Robert Guttmann (University Sorbonne Paris 13) 2010 PhD in Economics (Paris-Nanterre University) Magna Cum Laude Title of thesis: Strategy and Governance of Pension Funds Doctoral Supervisors: Pr. Michel Aglietta (Paris-Nanterre University) ; Pr. Laurence Scialom (Paris- Nanterre University) Examiners: Christian de Boissieu (PR, Paris-Panthéon Sorbonne University) ; Gunther Capelle-Blancard (Paris-Panthéon Sorbonne University) ; Olivier Garnier (Chief Economist, Société Générale Bank), Pr. Pierre-Yves Gomez (EM Lyon) 2008 Master’s Degree in Business Law (Paris-Panthéon Sorbonne University) 2006 Master’s Degree in Economics (Paris-Nanterre
    [Show full text]
  • The Academic Structures of Boston, London and Paris: a Comparison Report Prepared for CNRS
    The academic structures of Boston, London and Paris: a comparison Report prepared for CNRS CLIENT: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) DATE: October 2016 [email protected] - www.sirisacademic.com 2 THE ACADEMIC STRUCTURES OF BOSTON, LONDON AND PARIS: A COMPARISON October 2016 Submitted to: Centre Nationnal de la Recherche Scientifique By SIRIS Academic Av. Francesc Cambó, 17 08003 Barcelona Spain Tel. +34 93 624 02 28 [email protected] www.sirisacademic.com For more information and comments about this report, please contact us at [email protected] 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 6 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 8 LINKS TO THE INTERACTIVE VISUALISATIONS PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT .................................................... 12 Rankings overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 Maps of science ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Visualisation of ranking’s qualitative vs. quantitative criteria ................................................................................... 12 Visualisations of ranking’s qualitative criteria vs.
    [Show full text]
  • Innovation and Sustainability in French Fashion Tech Outlook and Opportunities. Report By
    Innovation and sustainability in French Fashion Tech outlook and opportunities Commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Innovation Department of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in France December 2019 This study is commissioned by the Innovation Department of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in France and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl). Written by Alice Gras and Claire Eliot Translated by Sophie Bramel pages 6-8 INTRODUCTION 7 01. Definition and key dates 8 02. Dutch fashion tech dynamics I 9-17 THE CONVERGENCE OF ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION 11-13 01. Key players 14 02. Monitoring impact 14-16 03. Sustainable innovation and business models 17 04. The impact and long-term influence of SDGs II 18-30 THE FRENCH FASHION INNOVATION LANDSCAPE 22-23 01. Technological innovation at leading French fashion companies 25-26 02. Public institutions and federations 27-28 03. Funding programmes 29 04. Independent structures, associations and start-ups 30 05. Specialised trade events 30 06. Specialised media 30 07. Business networks 30 08 . Technological platforms III 31-44 FASHION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: CURRENT AND FUTURE OUTLOOK 34-35 01. Mapping of research projects 36-37 02. State of fashion research in France 38-39 03. Key fields of research in fashion technology and sustainability 40 04. Application domains of textile research projects 42-44 05. Fostering research in France IV 45-58 NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO INNOVATE IN THE FRENCH FASHION SECTOR 47 01. 3D printing 48 02. 3D and CAD Design 49-50 03. Immersive technologies 51 04.
    [Show full text]
  • Sarah Schneider-Strawczynski
    SARAH SCHNEIDER-STRAWCZYNSKI Citizenship: French and Swiss. 48, boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris. 4th floor, office 72. Personal website [email protected] Placement Officer Placement Assistant Professor David Margolis Ms. Roxana Ban +33(0)1 80 52 18 58 +33(0)1 80 52 19 43 [email protected] [email protected] CURRENT POSITIONS Paris School of Economics j Paris 1 Panth´eon-Sorbonne Sept. 2017 - ... Ph.D. Candidate in Economics. Thesis: \Essays on the Economic and Political Effects of Migration". Thesis supervisor: Prof. Hillel Rapoport. Thesis jury: Prof. Simone Bertoli, Prof. Christina Gathmann, Prof. Julien Grenet, Prof. Sergei Guriev, Prof. Vincent Pons, Prof. Hillel Rapoport. Institut Convergence Migrations March 2018 - ... Fellow at the Economic Department (Dynamics). Harvard Kennedy School Sept - Dec. 2021 Visiting Scholar, Center for International Development. Hosting scholar: Prof. Dani Rodrik. REFERENCES Hillel Rapoport Sergei Guriev Paris School of Economics Sciences Po Paris 48 boulevard Jourdan, 28, rue des Saints P`eres, 75014 Paris, France 75007 Paris, France +33(0)1 80 52 16 14 +33 (0)1 45 49 54 15 [email protected] [email protected] Liam Wren Lewis Vincent Pons Paris School of Economics Harvard Business School 48 boulevard Jourdan, Morgan Hall 289, Soldiers Field, 75014 Paris, France Boston, MA 02163, United-States +33(0)1 80 52 17 23 +1 617 899 7593 [email protected] [email protected] RESEARCH FIELDS Applied Microeconomics: Primary Migration Economics, Political Economy Secondary Labor Economics, Development Economics 1 /4 PRE-DOCTORAL EDUCATION Paris School of Economics j Paris 1 Panth´eon-Sorbonne 2015 - 2017 M.Sc.
    [Show full text]
  • A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Environmental Sciences And
    A thesis submitted to the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy of Central European University in part fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Science An assessment of the ecological embeddedness of a farmers’ market in Hungary Case study on Szentendre farmers’ market Gábor KIRÁLY CEU eTD Collection July, 2013 Budapest i Notes on copyright and the ownership of intellectual property rights: (1) Copyright in text of this thesis rests with the Author. Copies (by any process) either in full, or of extracts, may be made only in accordance with instructions given by the Author and lodged in the Central European University Library. Details may be obtained from the Librarian. This page must form part of any such copies made. Further copies (by any process) of copies made in accordance with such instructions may not be made without the permission (in writing) of the Author. (2) The ownership of any intellectual property rights which may be described in this thesis is vested in the Central European University, subject to any prior agreement to the contrary, and may not be made available for use by third parties without the written permission of the University, which will prescribe the terms and conditions of any such agreement. (3) For bibliographic and reference purposes this thesis should be referred to as: Király, G. 2013. An assessment of the ecological embeddedness of a farmers’ market in Hungary. Master of Science thesis, Central European University, Budapest. Further information on the conditions under which disclosures and exploitation may take place is available from the Head of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University.
    [Show full text]
  • Pushing the Frontiers of Innovative Research
    LERU Office tel +32 16 32 99 71 Minderbroedersstraat 8 [email protected] Pushing the frontiers B-3000 Leuven www.leru.org Belgium @LERU_Office of innovative research The League of European Research Universities has published the following papers: Position papers: Advice papers: League of European Research Universities • Women, research and universities: excellence without gender bias (July 2012) • Good Practice Elements in Doctoral Training (January 2014) • Research universities and research assessment (June 2012) • LERU Roadmap for Research Data (December 2013) University of Amsterdam University College London • Doctoral degrees beyond 2010: training talented researchers for society • The future of SSH in Europe: collected LERU papers on the SSH research agenda Universitat de Barcelona Lund University (March 2010) (September 2013) University of Cambridge University of Milan • Harvesting talent: strengthening research careers in Europe (January 2010) • International Curricula and Student Mobility (April 2013) University of Edinburgh Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München • What are universities for? (September 2008) • Social Sciences and Humanities: essential fields for European research and in • The future of the European Research Area (September 2007) Horizon 2020 (June 2012) University of Freiburg University of Oxford • Doctoral studies in Europe: excellence in researcher training (May 2007) • The TTO, a university engine transforming science into innovation (January 2012) Université de Genève Pierre & Marie Curie University • Universities
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview of Economic Development of Britain a Study Of
    An overview of Economic Development of Britain Introduction A study of economic development of Britain holds special significance as in Britain agriculture and industrial development has started simultaneously. Communication and transport development were the basic factors which led to industrial development in Britain. At the end of the 19th century Britain became the wealthiest and most powerful economy of the world. The per capita income of its citizen was highest in the world. It was the first country to witness industrial revolution ,the first to install modern transportation system, the first to develop the financial infrastructure required to support its industries at home . The British economy grew pretty well throughout the period from 1860-1914. The productivity of labour continued to increase throughout the period in the sense that it got more from the resources which were available to it. The life expectancy ,which had been static since 1830 began to rise in the 1860s and at an increasing rate thereafter. However the infant mortality did not begin to fall until the early years of 20th century, so that the direct cause of overall fall was improvement in the mortality rate of first young and then older adults. The change was not uniform across all parts of the country or all social groups but there was overall and substantial improvement in the important indicator of social welfare. Another important fact is that the physique of the population changed. Heights ,weights of the adult increased because of the intake of the better food, better housing , less disease , reduction in the need to undertake hard physical work in childhood, all helped the children to grow taller and become healthy.
    [Show full text]