Energy use in agriculture and the articulation of modes of production in Zimbabwe
The political economy of energy utilization in Zimbabwe's agricultural sector is analyzed. The geography of agricultural energy use is assessed by tracing the articulation of modes of production through time. It is argued that in the production process, labor mediates between humans and the environment. The level of development of the productive forces indicates the intensity that labor applies energy to a given space. Production relations influence the rate and direction of energy flows. Hence, energy is a fundamental component of a mode of production. The linkage between energy use in farming and the articulation of modes of production is made through the conceptualization of distinct agricultural production systems consisting of social relations and productive forces, the relationship to the state, and access to natural resources. After independence came changes in state-peasant relations and industrialization of African production in high potential reserves. Changing social relations on settler farms has caused a rapid displacement of labor by capital at a time when national job creation is dangerously low. In the absence of significant land transfers, a contradictory distribution of agricultural energy resources will continue. New forms of uneven agricultural development are emerging.
- Research Organization:
- Clark Univ., Worcester, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6620111
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
PRODUCTION
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
ZIMBABWE
CAPITAL
GEOGRAPHY
LABOR
AFRICA
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
320300* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes
298000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Consumption & Utilization