Agricultural Systems. Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development

Description

Agricultural 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. Content: Front-matter,Copyright,List of Contributors,Preface to the Second EditionEntitled to full textSection I: Reinventing Farming SystemsChapter 1 - Introduction, Pages 3-32, George Kanyama-Phiri, Kate Wellard, Sieglinde Snapp Chapter 2 - Agroecology: Principles and Practice, Pages 33-72, Sieglinde Snapp Chapter 3 - Farming-Related Livelihoods, Pages 73-91, Barry Pound Chapter 4 - Farming Systems for Sustainable Intensification, Pages 93-122, Sieglinde Snapp, Barry Pound Chapter 5 - Designing for the Long-term: Sustainable Agriculture, Pages 123-167, Sieglinde Snapp Chapter 6 - Low-Input Technology: An Integrative View, Pages 171-201, Robert Tripp Chapter 7 - Ecologically Based Nutrient Management, Pages 203-257, Laurie E. Drinkwater, Meagan Schipanski, Sieglinde Snapp, Louise E. Jackson Chapter 8 - Participatory Breeding: Developing Improved and Relevant Crop Varieties With Farmers, Pages 259-301, Eva Weltzien, Anja Christinck Chapter 9 - Research on Livestock, Livelihoods, and Innovation, Pages 303-330, Peter Thorne, Czech Conroy Chapter 10 - Gender and Agrarian Inequities, Pages 333-370, Rachel Bezner Kerr Chapter 11 - The Innovation Systems Approach to Agricultural Research and Development, Pages 371-405, Barry Pound, Czech Conroy Chapter 12 - Outreach to Support Rural Innovation, Pages 407-439, Vicki Morrone Chapter 13 - Climate Change and Agricultural Systems, Pages 441-490, Richard Lamboll, Tanya Stathers, John Morton Chapter 14 - Tying It All Together: Global, Regional, and Local Integrations, Pages 493-520, Malcolm Blackie Index, Pages 521-542