We study off-diagonal Ramsey numbers $r(H, K_n^{(k)})$ of $k$-uniform hypergraphs, where $H$ is a fixed linear $k$-uniform hypergraph and $K_n^{(k)}$ is complete on $n$ vertices. Recently, Conlon, Fox, Gunby, He, Mubayi, Suk, and Verstraëte disproved the folklore conjecture that $r(H, K_n^{(3)})$ always grows polynomially in $n$. In this paper, we show that much larger growth rates are possible in higher uniformity. In uniformity $k\ge 4$, we prove that for any constant $C\gt 0$, there exists a linear $k$-uniform hypergraph $H$ for which

\begin{equation*} r(H,K_n^{(k)}) \geq {\textrm {twr}}_{k-2}(2^{(\log n)^C}). \end{equation*}

Land expansion by existing smallholder farmers (SHFs), aka stepping-up, is a major pathway to the rise of medium-scale farmers (MSFs) in Africa. In this paper, we investigate if and how armed conflicts constrain the ability of SHFs to transition to MSFs. We find that increased conflict intensity reduces the likelihood that a SHF will expand to a larger scale, especially for farmers who rely mostly on farm incomes, rather than off-farm incomes, for their livelihoods. These findings uphold other evidence that peace and stability influence private investment, including land-based investments, that are associated with economic transformation.