A History of Farming Systems Research
A History of Farming Systems Research

Author: Michael P. Collinson

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 9789251043110

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This book provides a detailed history of farming systems research (FSR). While it includes the application of FSR to developed country agriculture, its main focus is on FSR in its original role, with small scale, resource-poor farmers in less developed countries. There are some 40 contributions from nearly 50 contributors from 20 countries, illustrating both the diversity and yet the coherence of FSR. The five parts of the book cover: (1) FSR - understanding farmers and their farming (FSR origins and perspectives; understanding farming systems); (2) the applications of farming systems research (FSR in technology choice and development; FSR in extension and policy formulation); (3) institutional commitment to FSR (FSR: some institutional experiences in national agricultural research; dimensions of the organization of FSR; training for FSR); (4) FSR: the professional dimension (regional and international associations; FSR and the professional disciplines); and (5) cutting edge methods, abiding issues and the future for FSR.

Measuring the Contribution of Small-scale Aquaculture
Measuring the Contribution of Small-scale Aquaculture

Author: Melba G. Bondad-Reantaso

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13:

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The FAO Expert Workshop on Methods and Indicators for Evaluating the Contribution of Small-scale Aquaculture to Sustainable Rural Development held in Nha Trang, Viet Nam, from 24 to 28 November 2009, attempted to develop an indicator system to measure the contribution of SSA. The workshop used a number of processes and steps in the developing the indicator system, including: (i) understanding the subject of measurements; (ii) identifying an analytical framework and ratting criteria (iii) developing a list of SSA contributions; (iv) categorising the contributions; (v) devising and organising the indicators of contribution; and (vi) measuring the indicators. The major outcome was the development, through an iterative process, of an indicator system which can provide a good measure of the contribution of SSA based on agreed criteria (accuracy, measurability and efficiency) and the sustainable livelihood approach analytical framework which consists of five capital assets (human, financial, physical, social and natural) and can be used for various livelihoods options.

Organic Farming
Organic Farming

Author: Charles A. Francis

Publisher: ASA-CSSA-SSSA

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 382

ISBN-13: 9780891181736

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This book represents a current look at what we know about organic farming practices and systems, primarily from the U.S. and Canadian perspectives. the discussion begins with history and certification, ecological knowledge as the foundation for sustaining food systems, and biodiversity. The next chapters address crop-animal systems; forages, grain, oil seed, and specialty crops; organic cropping and soil nutrient needs; and vegetation and pest management. Readers will next learn about marketing organics, organic foods and food security, and education and research. The book concludes with a survey of the future of organic farming and a perspective on the agricultural industry and the future of the rural sector.--COVER.

Farming Systems Research And Development
Farming Systems Research And Development

Author: W. W. Shaner

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-03-08

Total Pages: 433

ISBN-13: 0429704933

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In recent years, policy makers have been paying more attention to the problems of small farmers in developing countries with the idea of increasing their pro-duction and standard of living. The policy makers' objec-tives are twofold: I 1 I to help those whose welfare is materially below the rest of society, and 121 to help a coun-try increase its agricultural production. With adequate agricultural policies, these two objectives are mutually reinforcing. For example, increased food production gives farm households additional food for consumption and surpluses for sale. Farmers can then use the money from these sales to buy items they do not produce, and the buyers of farm products benefit from the increased sup-plies.

Farming Systems Research into the 21st Century: The New Dynamic
Farming Systems Research into the 21st Century: The New Dynamic

Author: Ika Darnhofer

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2014-06-11

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789401783576

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Farming Systems Research has three core characteristics: it builds on systems thinking, it depends on the close collaboration between social and biophysical sciences, and it relies on participation to build co-learning processes. Farming Systems Research posits that to contribute towards sustainable rural development, both interdisciplinary collaborations and local actor engagement are needed. Together, they allow for changes in understanding and changes in practices. This book gives an overview of the insights generated in 20 years of Farming Systems Research. It retraces the emergence and development of Farming Systems Research in Europe, summarises the state-of-the-art for key areas, and provides an outlook on new explorations, especially those tackling the dynamic nature of farming systems and their interaction with the natural environment and the context of action.