**INDICATORS****

tgitau@ovcnet.uoguelph.ca
Fri, 4 Nov 94 14:13:52 EST

>I am looking for indicators - economic, social, and biological - to
>assess the effects of the transition from traditional farming to
>sustainable farming. Any references to publications or experience in
>this area would be helpful.
>
>Thanks
>Cheryl Fox
>

I am interested in the same. Specifically: what indicators would be
practical and adequate to measure in order to assess the sustainability
(biologic, economic or otherwise) of a farming system? The systems I have in
mind are small-holder dairy farms in the tropics. These are small farm units
(about 2 hactares) in which mixed farming is practised. The crops are mainly
for subsistence but dairy production is quite important (with the small-
holders producing up to 80% of the total dairy output). All comments wellcome.

Thomas Gitau