Systems Research for Agriculture
Author: Laurie E. Drinkwater
Publisher: Department of Agriculture
Published: 2016-06-01
Total Pages:
ISBN-13: 9781888626162
DOWNLOAD EBOOKPosts
Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Published: 2010-07-25
Total Pages: 598
ISBN-13: 0309148960
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIn the last 20 years, there has been a remarkable emergence of innovations and technological advances that are generating promising changes and opportunities for sustainable agriculture, yet at the same time the agricultural sector worldwide faces numerous daunting challenges. Not only is the agricultural sector expected to produce adequate food, fiber, and feed, and contribute to biofuels to meet the needs of a rising global population, it is expected to do so under increasingly scarce natural resources and climate change. Growing awareness of the unintended impacts associated with some agricultural production practices has led to heightened societal expectations for improved environmental, community, labor, and animal welfare standards in agriculture. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century assesses the scientific evidence for the strengths and weaknesses of different production, marketing, and policy approaches for improving and reducing the costs and unintended consequences of agricultural production. It discusses the principles underlying farming systems and practices that could improve the sustainability. It also explores how those lessons learned could be applied to agriculture in different regional and international settings, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on a systems approach to improving the sustainability of U.S. agriculture, this book can have a profound impact on the development and implementation of sustainable farming systems. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century serves as a valuable resource for policy makers, farmers, experts in food production and agribusiness, and federal regulatory agencies.
Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development
Author: Sieglinde Snapp
Publisher: Academic Press
Published: 2017-02-17
Total Pages: 560
ISBN-13: 0128020954
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAgricultural Systems, Second Edition, is a comprehensive text for developing sustainable farming systems. It presents a synthetic overview of the emerging area of agroecology applications to transforming farming systems and supporting rural innovation, with particular emphasis on how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture. The inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design allows students to gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic and sociological aspects of farming systems science for rural livelihoods. This book explores topics such as: re-inventing farming systems; principles and practice of agroecology; agricultural change and low-input technology; ecologically-based nutrient management; participatory breeding for developing improved and relevant crops; participatory livestock research for development; gender and agrarian inequality at the local scale; the nature of agricultural innovation; and outreach to support rural innovation. The extensive coverage of subjects is complemented with integrated references and a companion website, making this book essential reading for courses in international agricultural systems and management, sustainable agricultural management, and cropping systems. This book will be a valuable resource for students of agricultural science, environmental engineering, and rural planning; researchers and scientists in agricultural development agencies; and practitioners of agricultural development in government extension programs, development agencies, and NGOs. - Provides students with an enhanced understanding of how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture - Incorporates social, biological, chemical, and geographical aspects important to agroecology - Addresses social and development issues related to farming systems
A History of Farming Systems Research
Author: Michael P. Collinson
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Published: 2000
Total Pages: 452
ISBN-13: 9789251043110
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis 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.
Methods of Introducing System Models into Agricultural Research
Author: Lajpat R. Ahuja
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Published: 2020-01-22
Total Pages: 480
ISBN-13: 0891181806
DOWNLOAD EBOOKWhy model? Agricultural system models enhance and extend field research...to synthesize and examine experiment data and advance our knowledge faster, to extend current research in time to predict best management systems, and to prepare for climate-change effects on agriculture. The relevance of such models depends on their implementation. Methods of Introducing System Models into Agricultural Research is the ultimate handbook for field scientists and other model users in the proper methods of model use. Readers will learn parameter estimation, calibration, validation, and extension of experimental results to other weather conditions, soils, and climates. The proper methods are the key to realizing the great potential benefits of modeling an agricultural system. Experts cover the major models, with the synthesis of knowledge that is the hallmark of the Advances in Agricultural Systems Modeling series.
Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Author: Edwards
Publisher: CRC Press
Published: 1990-06-01
Total Pages: 718
ISBN-13: 9780935734218
DOWNLOAD EBOOKA unique look at how the adoption of sustainable farming methods is being pursued throughout the world. This comprehensive book provides clear insight into research and education needs and the many points of view that come to bear on the issue of sustainability. Essential for agricultural leaders in research, education, conservation, policy making, and anyone else interested in creating an economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture worldwide.
Agricultural System Models in Field Research and Technology Transfer
Author: Lajpat R. Ahuja
Publisher: CRC Press
Published: 2016-04-19
Total Pages: 374
ISBN-13: 1420032410
DOWNLOAD EBOOKMost books covering the use of computer models in agricultural management systems target only one or two types of models. There are few texts available that cover the subject of systems modeling comprehensively and that deal with various approaches, applications, evaluations, and uses for technology transfer. Agricultural System Models in Field Res
Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems
Author: James Stuart Schepers
Publisher: ASA-CSSA-SSSA
Published: 2008
Total Pages: 994
ISBN-13: 9780891181644
DOWNLOAD EBOOKReview of the principles and management implications related to nitrogen in the soil-plant-water system.
An Introduction to Agricultural Systems
Author: C. Spedding
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Published: 2012-12-06
Total Pages: 197
ISBN-13: 9401164088
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIt would have been very easy to expand on all the sections of the first edition but I decided to try to retain the relatively short, introductory nature of the book. Some new material has been added, particularly where it has been possible to update data, and there has been some change of emphasis in places, in order to reflect changing world conditions. The book retains its original purpose, however, of introducing systems thinking as applied to agriculture. I am grateful to Angela Hoxey for help in preparing this edition, especially in relation to the preparation of tables and figures. C. R. W. SPEDDING v Preface to the First Edition The agricultural systems of the world represent a very large subject. Their study involves a great deal of fairly detailed knowledge, as well as a grasp of the structures and functions of the systems themselves. This book has been written as an introduction to such a study and it concentrates on an overall view, rather than on the detail, partly because of the need to relate the latter to some larger picture in order to appreciate the relevance and significance of the detail. This problem-of seeing the relevance of component studies and the significance of physical, biological and economic detail, and indeed principles-is encountered by many agricultural students right at the beginning of their university careers.
Agricultural Systems Management
Author: Robert M. Peart
Publisher: CRC Press
Published: 2004-01-28
Total Pages: 296
ISBN-13: 9780203021835
DOWNLOAD EBOOKRunning a productive agriculture system has always been about having the right tools and the know-how to pursue optimization and efficiency. In the 21st century, the case can be made that the agriculturist's most important tool is not the cultivator, but the computer. While you still need to know how to adapt to the day-to-day challenges of land an
