This book is based on my earlier text ‘African Farm Management’; indeed the last six chapters are largely unchanged. However, since this version is to appear in the Wye Studies in Agriculture and Rural Development series, which is intended to serve all parts of the developing World, it seemed appropriate to broaden the scope to cover all the tropics. This required a complete revision of the early chapters, which are intended to set the broad framework of the ecological, social and economic environments within which tropical farming systems function.

At the suggestion of referees, who unfortunately remain anonymous so they cannot be thanked personally, more emphasis is placed on ‘farm household economies’. This takes account of the fact that most tropical farm households are both producers and consumers, and provides a more realistic analysis than the traditional theory of production alone. For this reason the theoretical chapters have been completely rewritten from this broader viewpoint.

A difficult decision must be made regarding the use, or non-use, of mathematics to express and analyse theoretical, socio-economic relationships. For those who are happy with the use of mathematical formulae and models, this can greatly simplify and clarify analysis. However, for those who are le,ss happy with this approach, it may confuse and obscure the theory. It also makes for ‘dry’ reading. In the event I have chosen to use a few mathematical equations, in support of largely verbal analysis. It is presented with apologies to my more numerate readers.