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This book considers women’s access to land and their role in food production in developing counties.Articles in this collection assert that women’s contribution to global agricultural production for food and for profit continues to be largely unacknowledged and undervalued, and that their ability to farm is constrained by lack of control of land, agricultural inputs, credit, and other essential resources. Thirty years after the first studies, women’s role in farming remains underestimated and misunderstood by development planners and policymakers. ... Read more

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Risk Management for Agriculture addresses the issue of price risk as a management function versus a marketing function.Price risks impact not only the marketing of a product but the cash flow and the overall financial health of the business.The use of derivatives such as futures contracts, options contracts, and swaps need to be viewed as tools that can be used solely or in combinations to control price risk. Each of these derivatives and subsequent combinations is examined closely and comprehensively within the text. Price forecasting is addressed as well as fundamentals of futures hedging and options hedging. There is a complete glossary of terms at the end of the text to help reinforce the terms that are used throughout. Although price risk is the focus of the text, there is also a chapter devoted to the management of other agricultural risks. Students and professionals will benefit from this text that takes a comprehensive, management approach to price risk. ... Read more

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Dryland agriculture is of more consequence now than ever because the worlds dependence on food produced in dryland areas is even greater. In recognition of this, and the fact that global food supply is increasingly interconnected, this volume takes a world view of dryland production continent by continent. The initial chapters of the monograph address the principles that underlie all dryland farming, and are the basis for the following chapters that address dryland farming issues around the world.

Also available:

Irrigation of Agricultural Crops, Second Edition - ISBN 0891181628
Phosphorus: Agriculture and the Environment - ISBN 0891181571
Crops and Man, 2nd Edition - ISBN 0891181075

The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America are prominent international scientific societies headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The Societies specialize in peer-reviewed, high-quality science titles for a wide variety of audiences.
Some of the many areas we publish in include:

-Soils Methods and Management
-Crop Development and Improvement
-Agrosystem Management and the Global Food Crisis
-Environmental Conservation and Climatology ... Read more

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Agricultural production environments have been changing constantly as a result of factors such as shifts in government macroeconomic policies and climate change. There is a need to constantly test new possibilities and strategies to match changing environments. It may be difficult for scientists, with a formal approach to technology development, to keep up with constantly changing production environments and to provide agricultural technologies that would sustain farmers income levels. In this context the farmers indigenous knowledge, particularly in developing economies, is critical for tackling issues arising out of changing agricultural production environments. This volume emphasizes that demands for new agricultural sustainable technologies may not be realized merely by the application scientific knowledge, but would require a combination of scientific inputs and the indigenous knowledge of the farming community. ... Read more

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Providesa comprehensive, analytical account of theprinciples as well as the practical implications of agroforestry.Focuses on understanding how agroforestry systems function while taking into account the conflicts and compromises that arise because of farmers' requirements. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great book for the seriously interested
I would highly recommend this book to anyone seriously interested in persuing tropical agroforestry. It is full of information, covers social and political ramifications and obstacles to tropical agroforestry, BUT, it is USD114, which is quite high. Having said that, it is a fantastic book and well written, refuting some of the hype of the 1980s, but still very optimistic about agroforestry. For anyone who wants to know the nuts and bolts of these systems, this is your book.
I work in organic cacao production, and know much about TA, however, nearly every page has me learning new things, realizing that the problems we face here are problems shared by others elsewhere, or seeing things in a new light.
The writer is well informed and clearlyu empathetizes with small scale producers. ... Read more

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The process of nation-building in Latin America transformed the relations between the state, the economy, and nature. Between 1760 and 1940, the economies of most countries in the Spanish Caribbean came to depend heavily on the export of plant products, such as coffee, tobacco, and sugar. After the mid-nineteenth century, this model of export-led economic growth also became a central tenet of liberal projects of nation-building. As international competition grew and commodity prices fell over this period, Latin American growers strove to remain competitive by increasing agricultural production. By the turn of the twentieth century, their pursuit of export-led growth had generated severe environmental problems, including soil exhaustion, erosion, and epidemic outbreaks of crop diseases and pests. This book traces the history of the intersections between nature, economy, and nation in the Spanish Caribbean through a history of the agricultural and botanical sciences. Growers and governments in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, and Costa Rica turned to scientists to help them establish practical and ideological control over nature. They hoped to use science to alleviate the pressing environmental and economic stresses, without having to give up their commitment to export-led growth. Starting from an overview of the relationship among science, nature, and development throughout the export boom of 1760 to 1930, Stuart McCook examines such topics as the relationship between scientific plant surveys and nation-building, the development of a "creole science" to address the problems of tropical agriculture, the ecological rationalization of the sugar industry, and the growth of technocratic ideologies of science and progress. He concludes with a look at how the Great Depression of the 1930s changed the paradigms of economic and political development and the role of science and nature in these paradigms. ... Read more

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This is a story of resistance against all odds, of Cuba's remarkable recovery from a food crisis brought on by the collapse of trade relations with the former socialist bloc and the tightening of the U.S. embargo. Unable to import either food or the farm chemicals and machines needed to grow it via conventional agriculture, Cuba turned inward toward self-reliance. Sustainable agriculture, organic farming, urban gardens, smaller farms, animal traction and biological pest control are part of the successful paradigm shift underway in the Cuban countryside. In this book Cuban authors offer details-for the first time in English-of these remarkable achievements, which may serve as guideposts toward healthier, more environmentally friendly and self-reliant farming in countries both North and South. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An amazing story that inpsires hope for the world
As a practitioner of sustainable agriculture and organic farming (I am a farmer, teacher and researcher) I found this story of how Cuba used organic farming to beat all odds and overcome a food crisis to be awe inspiring.Every professor, teacher, researcher, analyst, student, thinking farmer and advocate of sustainable agriculture MUST read this book.It will restore your hope.So should everyone interested in Cuba, Latin America, and Third World development.I loved to read it in the cuban's own, well-translated words.

You can skip this one
Cuba has done an amazing job of switching over to organic, local food production. They did so to survive the assinine embargo of thier island, but in doing so they have shown the way for all of us to move to a sane mode of food production.You would want this book to be a delightful description of that process.You would be wrong.It is a leaden, tedious exercise in socialist writing with all the wit and charm of a phone book.Skip the book and just go to Cuba and see the results for yourself.Then come home and plant a garden. ... Read more

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*First ever collection of findings about the proliferation of urban agriculture written by the world’s leading authority in the field
*Urban agriculture feeds hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is a rapidly emerging issue in urban and development studies
*Accessible, jargon-free style, making it ideal for policymakers, city managers, students, and general readers

Urban agriculture is an increasingly popular practice in cities worldwide, and a sustainable future for it is critical, especially for the urban poor of the developing world. This book presents the first findings of original field research projects funded by IDRC’s AGROPOLIS International Graduate Research Awards on Urban Agriculture. Countries studied include Cuba, Argentina, Botswana, France, the UK, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Togo, and Tunisia. Together, these studies examine concrete strategies to better integrate "city farming" into the urban landscape. ... Read more

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Urban agricultural issues revealed
Luc J.A. Mougeot's AGROPOLIS: THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE offers a detailed, in-depth survey of urban agricultural issues, presenting the first findings of original field work funded by IDRC's AGROPOLIS project, conducted in mostly third world countries around the world. These studies consider how to blend 'city farming' into an urban landscape, discussing changing perspectives on regional urban agriculture, local sustainable development programs, and political and economic issues from urban area samplings. ... Read more

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The development and business communities recently have experienced a tremendous resurgence of interest in promoting value chains development as a way to add value, lower transaction costs, diversify rural economies, and contribute to increasing rural household incomes. This Guide is designed for those who want to know more about value chain-based approaches and how to use them in ways that can contribute to sound operational decisions, improved market linkages, and results for enterprise and industry development.Using real examples, mostly from African countries, this book reviews and iillustrates a range of concepts, analytical tools, and methodologies centered on the value chain that can be used to design, implement, and evaluate agricultural and agribusiness development initiatives that strive to enhance productivity and competitiveness. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Canning and preserving ... Read more

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Rudolf Steiner, the often undervalued, multifaceted genius of modern times, contributed much to the regeneration of culture. In addition to his philosophical teachings, he provided ideas for the development of many practical activities including education—both general and special—agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, religion, and the arts. Today there are thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and many other organizations based on his ideas.

Steiner's original contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct spiritual research, the investigation of metaphysical dimensions of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries of life.

Topics include: the evolving human being; cosmos as the source of life; plants and the living earth; farms and the realms of nature; bringing the chemical elements to life; soil and the world of spirit; supporting and regulating life processes; spirits of the elements; nutrition and vitality; responsibility for the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

mind opening
When I first read this book several years ago, I couldn't stop laughing it seemed so absurd. For example, the passage on gnomes as living beings that are imprisoned in the earth but in love with the cosmos. I still do not know what to think. One of my skeptical psychiatrist friends,who nonetheless appreciates the depth of his insight,accuses Steiner of "overspiritualizing".
However, if you accept another more gnostic oriented view of reality, it no longer seems absurd at all. That the material world we look at can also be seen as more of a surface structure underlying "more real" reality. Does Steiner's ability to see the various spiritual entities at work in nature mean that he can see through the matrix and you can't? The thought is worth considering.

From a practical point of view, the book itself was of limited use for me as a gardener. For the actual practical application of bio-dynamics, I would recommend other books such as Thun's , biodynamic calendar or just about anyone who has built on the foundations Steiner laid. It is not a "how to" book. But I value this book for the understaning imparted of the principles behind bio-dynamics.

Steiner has influenced the manner in which I look at my garden,which seems much more a place full of mystery and poetry. I was also intrigued enough to do further research and apply their astrological calendar and utilize their various sprays and treatments which I purchased from a place called the Josephine Porter Institute.

And my garden the past few years has indeed been much more productive and this year more than ever. Was it just luck or weather? Or can I thank the spiritual and cosmic forces that were brought down from the heavens in concentrated form into the vortex which formed whileI was mixing the various sprays?

I have read some critics who refer to Steiner as a crackpot due to some of his apparently whackier ideas. However, I personally plan to do more bio-dynamically inspired zodiac planting next year, and I intend to use the horned silica and their various sprays.I will also be scattering the ashes of Japanese beetles and other pests when the stars and planets indicate thaat it is an auspicious time astrologically for the proper alchemical interactions with the group souls of these beings so that their intrusion into my gardening space can be deterred.


Yes, go ahead and laugh. But personally,I am also pleased to see that more and more stores such as Whole Foods and many farmer's markets are selling more bio-dynamic products.

Can we thank the gnomes, sylphs and undines for this success?

Agriculture and Nutrition
This book contains a wide range of topics relevant to the subject of agriculture and nutrition.
What interests me greatly includes the chapters on nutrition and vitality. In response to a question concerning people's lack of will and progress in spiritual activites despite Rudolf Steiner's guidance, Rudolf's answer pointed to the problem of nutrition at that time which did not supply the strength necessary for those spiritual activities. I have also came across other articles which said that highly processed food, most of them grown chemically (using chemical fertilizers and pesticides) have a negative impact on the mind's will power and can lead to conflicts among human beings.
Another point I like to highlight is the topic on the nutrition of animals as discussed in this book. In 1923, Rudolf had already warned that if the ox would to consume meat, it's body would produce all kinds of harmful substances such as uric acid and urates. The urates would enter the brain and the ox would go crazy. These remarks had great relevance to the modern history of mad cow disease.

organic farmer POV
The only reason I haven't given 5 stars is because Steiner's writing is not the easiest to read and most translations are somewhat clumsy.

As to Christian values from an earlier review, I suggest that dogma and doctrine which disallow plants and animals from God's kingdom are not what the Bible says. We are all part of God's creation (Genesis books 1 and 2) and all beings are worthy of respect and sympathetic care.

To be able to grow food and raise animals without depleting the earth's resources has been my family's work for generations. Biodynamic agriculture is the equivalent of homeopathy for the soil. It not only doesn't damage the soil but replenishes it. It stops pests without chemicals.

Conventional agriculture methods compress the soil, lock up nutrients and destroy friability. It' chemical add salts and residues that continue to damage for years.

We will be paying the price for their use in lower nutrition and higher health costs.

The future standard of feeding the world
I very much disagree with the previous reviewer. Saying that Steiner's methodology is incompatible with Christian values makes me think that the reviewer has absolutely no idea about how Christianity relates to agriculture.

Plants and animals are living creates and are aware of their surroundings and likely to be influenced by them as much as humans are. You can ask any pet owner if this is true.

Biodynamic farming maybe the only way out of a sick system of conventional (read: chemical) farming that is slowly poisoning the soil and it's crops and inevitably: ourselves. Much agricultural land (and there is not much of it. Think about it: Most of our earth is not suitable for agriculture) is absolutely depleted of any fertility and most of that is due to chemical farming. It is one reason for the global price insurge of basic foods (wheat, dairy, vegetables) this year.

In the future, knowing how to grow food maybe the most valuable commodity. This method is an introduction to growing food the most sustainable way and may save many lives in the days to come.

I burned this book
Before reading this book, I had been intrigued at the idea of Biodynamic Agriculture.My thought was to learn about Biodynamics from the source- Rudolph Steiner.
I couldn't even stomach reading this book.It is so New Age.It talks about plants and animals having spirits, and other things that are too dangerous to one's soul to read or mention.This book is incompatible with Christian values.I burned it. ... Read more

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Over the past two decades, how has urban agriculture changed in sub-Saharan Africa? Is city farming now better integrated into environmental management and city governance? And, looking ahead, how might urban agriculture address the needs of the low-income households and modernizing cities of Africa?In this book, leading specialists in the fields of urban agriculture and urban environment present a unique collection of case studies that examines the growing role of local food production in urban livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa. Amongst many issues, the authors probe the changing role of urban agriculture, the risks and benefits of crop–livestock systems, and the opportunities for making locally produced food more easily available and more profitable. Concluding chapters reflect on the policy and governance implications of greater integrationof urban natural resources and the built environment, an expanded role for urban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and the crucial role of women in urban food systems.African Urban Harvest will be of interest to decision-makers, development professionals, researchers, academics, and students and educators in urban planning, development studies, African studies, and environmental studies. ... Read more