Originally published in English in 1957 this book quickly became a classic of comparative agricultural studies. The book brings together a wide range of case studies from the UK, Europe, Africa and South East Asia which together form a broad yet highly detailed view of world agriculture in the 20th Century.

Originally published in 1985, this book argues forcefully and practically for new relationship between science and the small farmer. It advocates scientific research seeking out changes which are already taking place within the smallholder farming sector and building on local initiatives. Drawing on his experience of West Africa, the author demonstrates that many of the most successful innovations in food-crop production during the 20th century have indigenous roots and that there should therefore be less emphasis on ‘teaching’ farmers how to farm and more emphasis on how to foster and support local adaptation and inventiveness. This book will be of interest to students of agriculture, environmental studies and rural development as well as those working with relief and development agencies.

Originally published in 1986, Coping with Hunger demonstrates that effective agricultural development in resource-poor regions must be based in a respect for the indigenous farmer’s understanding of the environment. Based on participant-observation of rice farming in Sierra Leone, the book challenges the prevailing of attitudes of policy makers in the late 20th Century and restores indigenous culture and local wisdom to their rightful place. After analysing the fate of a number of ‘top-down ‘attempts to improve rice cultivation in Sierra-Leone the author derives an alternative agenda of research and development issues more closely reflecting the resource-poor farmers’ major interests and priorities. As a significant research-based contribution to the widespread general debates about the relevance of social factors in technological change, this book will be of interest to students in social and environmental sciences.

Originally published in 1969, the contributors to this volume examine the natural and social environments of selected areas in Africa and study in detail some particular problems and their solutions. Climate, landforms, soils and vegetation are discussed as fundamental aspects of the physical environment. The next section discusses the social and political environment: demography, agricultural systems and the legacies of colonial administration. Case studies in Malawi, Nigeria, Sudan, Eswatini and Kenya are analysed. The book is aimed at students of African studies, geographers and agriculturalists.

Originally published in 1971, this book is a systematic study of the major features and factors of the location and distribution of global agricultural enterprises. Special emphasis is given to approaches to the subject developed by economists and economic geographers, but all aspects of agricultural geography are reviewed including physical environmental problems. An introduction to the problem of classification and data collection together with instruction in some simple analytical techniques is given to equip the student with the basic methods for their own research.

Originally published in 1984, this text was written as a guide to agricultural policy makers, planners and project managers in developing countries, particularly for those in the areas of programme formulation and implementation. Elements from successful agricultural and rural development plans have been selected. The work discusses the link between agricultural and overall planning, the various aspects of agricultural planning (including the usual components and deficiencies of plans, time horizons and scope of plans, and regional planning), and it concludes with brief look at the preparation of a plan and objectives for agricultural development.

Originally published in 1989, this book is a unique examination of subsistence farming in the developing world, and its potential for development. The author writes from the conviction that the farming system is limited in its potential for development by the energy value of manpower and that unless the plight of developing world communities is understood and the importance of manpower constraint recognized, inputs of development funds will be wasted. Clarifying the strengths and limitations of the subsistence farming system, the book makes clear the complexities and difficulties encountered in achieving agricultural development in the poorest countries – providing an informed insight into the inevitability of future famine.

Originally published in 1973, this book tells the story of the English countryside and its inhabitants between 1560 and 1760; the time when British agriculture became the wonder and envy of the world. The history of the land itself is covered, as well as farming techniques and a farming as a business. The day-to-day existence of rural people, their ambitions and conditions of work are brought to life. The book distils the history of rural England and takes the reader to the heart of England itself.

Originally published in 1967, this was the first book to discuss why agricultural supply became more ‘responsive’ and to provide broadly based evidence of the ways in which that ‘responsiveness’ may have influenced the growth of the economy. The editor chose 7 essays, reprinted in full, to illustrate altered perspectives of agricultural change. His substantial introduction places the beginnings of a significant rise in farm output as far back as the mid-seventeenth century and concludes that agriculture played a vital but complicated role in the economy of eighteenth-century England.

Originally published in 1994, this book examines the importance of family agricultural systems in both the developed and the developing worlds. Throughout the world, and throughout history, the family unit has been at the heart of agricultural systems. Working together, families not only furnish their own needs, but form the basis for society itself: they provide the labour, population, resources and the market to maintain much of the world’s economic and social development. But the global race for financial prosperity, with its large-scale intensive farming techniques, is increasingly undermining the family’s role in food production and social cohesion. This book explores both traditional and modern farming techniques and looks at their different consequences for national agricultural resources and for rural societies. Finally, it suggests ways in which technology can be harnessed to meet the needs of the family rather than undermine it, in order to achieve a viable and sustainable agriculture for the future.

Originally published in 1987, this book is written primarily for planners, public administrators and project managers in countries or international agencies considering a development strategy in which agribusiness and rural enterprise projects are viewed as a desirable policy instrument for generating employment and income. It makes available the background and methodology of project analysis so that agribusiness and rural enterprise project can be designed, implemented and reviewed effectively in a wide range of circumstances. It outlines how to establish objectively the potential and limitations of agribusiness and rural enterprise projects; provides guidelines for deciding whether a project can be effective; considers the policy issues relating to such projects and suggests techniques for judging project performance.

Originally published in 1991, this book includes a detailed case study of Kenya’s co-operative movement – one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. Co-operatives have been given a major role in rural development strategies in both socialist and capitalist states. However in both context the results they have achieved have fallen short of expectations. The book focuses on specific elements of the institutional setting within which agricultural marketing co-operatives operate. Factors like land tenure, market regulations, co-operative legislation and direct development support are discussed and shown to have had dire effects on the managerial behaviour and social impact of the co-operative sector.

Originally published in 1975, yet prophetic in its wisdom this book deals with major aspects of man’s ecological destruction in an industrial framework. As well as discussing the destruction of forests by early civilizations the book examines the rate and extension of environmental deterioration in more recent times and the importance of the integrated ‘feed-back’ controls which maintain stability in the ecosphere of which humankind forms a part. Examining the role of entropy, energy quanta and indeterminacy in overthrowing both science and economic theory, the book provides examples from the 20th Century of the uncontrolled demands for energy and material resources, as well as of increasing toxic hazard in the biosphere.

In recent years, computer vision is a fast-growing technique of agricultural engineering, especially in quality detection of agricultural products and food safety testing. It can provide objective, rapid, non-contact and non-destructive methods by extracting quantitative information from digital images. Significant scientific and technological advances have been made in quality inspection, classification and evaluation of a wide range of food and agricultural products. Computer Vision-Based Agriculture Engineering focuses on these advances. The book contains 25 chapters covering computer vision, image processing, hyperspectral imaging and other related technologies in peanut aflatoxin, peanut and corn quality varieties, and carrot and potato quality, as well as pest and disease detection. Features: Discusses various detection methods in a variety of agricultural crops Each chapter includes materials and methods used, results and analysis, and discussion with conclusions Covers basic theory, technical methods and engineering cases Provides comprehensive coverage on methods of variety identification, quality detection and detection of key indicators of agricultural products safety Presents information on technology of artificial intelligence including deep learning and transfer learning Computer Vision-Based Agriculture Engineering is a summary of the author's work over the past 10 years. Professor Han has presented his most recent research results in all 25 chapters of this book. This unique work provides students, engineers and technologists working in research, development, and operations in agricultural engineering with critical, comprehensive and readily accessible information. It applies development of artificial intelligence theory and methods including depth learning and transfer learning to the field of agricultural engineering testing.

The perfect gift for fans of All Creatures Great and Small, this is a charming collection of classic stories from James Herriot's much-loved books with insights into his life and work from his children Rosie and Jim. With astute observations and boundless humour, country vet Herriot captures the spirit of the Yorkshire Dales and of rural communities on the cusp of change, before tractors and machines had taken over and modern medicines and antibiotics transformed veterinary work. Along the way a beloved cast of characters emerges, from the squabbling brothers Tristan and Siegfried to Herriot's hapless courtship and eventual family life with Helen Anderson. But it's the animals which are at the heart of Herriot's stories. Whether he's dodging a raging bull on a risky artificial insemination assignment, becoming pen pals with Tricki Woo the spoilt Pikingese or the inevitable trials and tribulations of lambing season, there's never a dull moment in Herriot's company. At times moving and often laugh-out-loud funny, The Wonderful World of James Herriot will delight fans old and new.

Fresh? Juice? Paste? Canned? Stewed? Diced? Pureed? Sun Dried? Salsa? Sauce? Ketchup? Rare is the cuisine that does not make use of the tomato in some way, shape, or form, and the resulting culinary popularity of the tomato has led to its proliferation in fields and farms around the world. While some may still argue whether the tomato is a fruit or a vegetable, few would argue that tomato crops are highly lucrative, attractive to farmers in both developing and developed countries and on large and small farms alike. In fact, for those crops with significant global volume and market share, tomatoes are the highest valued among those crops that lack an affiliation to mind-altering drugs. But, the tomato can be a persnickety critter. The tomato doesn't like it too hot, too chilly, too wet, too dry, or too fertile. Many don't ripen at the same time. Most are easily bruised. And, the selective breeding that has yielded a larger, more attractive, and deep red tomato has also mercilessly drained much of the taste and flavor from a once sweet and delectable fruit. Enter the world of sensors and modern sensing technology. The Internet of Things (IOT), when using well chosen, well networked, and well aggregated sensors, has shown tremendous potential to support precision agriculture, providing a more detailed picture of crops than was previously possible using conventional crop monitoring techniques. But, the stringent resources and tight profit margins that are a fact of life among many tomato growing operations, large and small, mean that sensor technologies must be chosen and used carefully. There is no doubt that each sensor must earn its keep in producing the perfect tomato. With that in mind, this book explores key opportunities to marry the potential of sensors that are networked within the IOT to the needs of tomato production in ways that are economically fruitful, technologically robust, and sustainable overall.

Innovative Strategies for Managing Weeds in an Environmentally Protective Manner Successfully meeting the challenge of providing weed control without relying on dangerous chemicals that endanger the ecosystem or human lives, this compendium focuses on management strategies that reduce herbicidal usage, restore ecological balance, and increase food production. It also provides new insights and approaches for weed scientists, agronomists, agriculturists, horticulturists, farmers, and extentionists, as well as teachers and students. In the Handbook of Sustainable Weed Management, experts from Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia organize in one resource information related to weeds and their management from different ecosystems around the world that has been until now been scattered throughout the literature.. The text captures the multifaceted impacts of and approaches to managing weeds from field, farm, landscape, regional, and global perspectives. Generously illustrated with tables and figures, this book not only describes the various techniques for weed management but shows you what methods work best in a given region, or in response to a specific, invasive weed or invaded crop. Covering the full scope of modern weed science the handbook examines different aspects of weed management, including- * Cultural practices * Cover crops * Crop rotation designs * Potential of herbicide resistant crops * Bioherbicides * Allelopathy * Microorganisms * Integrated weed management In spite of advancement in technologies and procedures, weeds continue to pose a major ecological and economical threat to agriculture. Handbook of Sustainable Weed Management takes a broad view of weeds as a part of an agricultural system composed of interacting production, environmental, biological, economic, and social components all working together to find balance. This comprehensive book is a vital addition to the debate over how global weed management is changing in the 21st century. Also available in soft cover

More than a textbookit's also a valuable reference book for researchers and crop science professionals! The Handbook of Statistics for Teaching and Research in Plant and Crop Science presents the fundamental concepts of important statistical methods and experimental designs to the students and researchers who need to apply them to their own specific problems. This comprehensive handbook takes what can be the difficult and confusing topics of statistics and experimental design and explains them in easily understandable terms, making them accessible to nearly every reader. More than a student textbook, it is an essential reference for researchers and professionals in a multitude of fields. Designed as a two-semester statistical textbook, the first section of the Handbook of Statistics for Teaching and Research in Plant and Crop Science focuses on statistical concepts, providing a foundation of useful knowledge on which you can base your own research. The second section concentrates on experimental designs in plant and crop sciences. The material is presented in a way that helps readers with a minimum of mathematical background to understand important theories and concepts. Derivations of formulas are avoided, and mathematical symbols are used only when essential. To illustrate the computational procedures, data is drawn from actual experiments. At the end of each chapter, examples and exercises are given to provide clear insight into real-life problems. A comprehensive appendix of clearly presented statistical tables is included. Part One of Handbook of Statistics for Teaching and Research in Plant and Crop Science focuses on statistical methods, principles, and procedures, exploring: methods of display of statistical information, such as tables, diagrams, graphs, etc. symbols and their use in denoting variables descriptions of types of statistical data methods of computation from raw and graphed data the importance of studying variables and dispersion in research the use of normal probability integral tables and their application to practical problems descriptions of different types of experiments, such as determinate and nondeterminate the significance of expected value in research special techniques in descriptive statistics explanations of population, sample, and statistical inference the significance of null hypothesis in research methods of correlation studies assumptions and principles in regression analysis Part Two concentrates on experimental design, principles and procedures, exploring: basic principles of experimental design the fundamental concepts of linear models and analysis of variance method and layout of Completely Randomized Design (CRD) the advantages and disadvantages of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) methods and procedures for comparison of several treatment means the important features of Latin Square Design factorial experiments split plot design completely confounded design analysis of covariance the Chi Square Test of Significance the transformation of experimental data quality control and so much more! The Handbook of Statistics for Teaching and Research in Plant and Crop Science serves not only as a textbook for instructors and students in experimental design and statistics but also as a reference book on plant and crop sciences for professionals and researchers. The comprehensive text is also useful for professionals in other statistic-heavy fields.

Get cutting-edge agroforestry research and data Deforestation and the rampant use of fossil fuels are major contributors to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and are enormous influences on global warming. Agroforestry systems and tree plantations can help mitigate the resulting climate change and degradation of biodiversity and accelerating climate change. Environmental Services of Agroforestry Systems addresses these global concerns with an essential collection of presentations on biodiversity and climate change from the First World Congress in Agroforestry (Orlando, Florida, 2004). Respected experts discuss the latest research and data on how agroforestry systems can help solve environmental problems through carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Years ago, agroforestry's environmental benefits were mainly seen as being soil amelioration, erosion control, microclimate control, and the alleviation of the effects of drought in semiarid areas. Environmental Services of Agroforestry Systems goes beyond the regional considerations of years past to focus on the challenges of today's most pressing global environmental concerns. The contributors describe the latest research and concepts in agroforestry systems, reforestation efforts, soils, vegetation, and agriculture while reviewing their economic aspects. Incentives for reforestation and agroforestry are explored in detail. Each chapter is carefully referenced and includes tables to clarify ideas and data. Environmental Services of Agroforestry Systems addresses: advantages of mixed-species plantations tropical pasture and silvo-pastoral systems tropical forest ecosystem management research on the economic feasibility of various land-use systems socio-economic considerations of coffee-growing ecosystems agroforestry systems in Costa Rica Environmental Services of Agroforestry Systems is essential reading for researchers and scientists, as well as professionals in agroforestry, forestry, soils, global change, climate change, and environmental studies, educators, and graduate and undergraduate students.

The depletion of land resources is one of the greatest challenges for mankind in this millennium. Shrinking land resources, weather aberrations, deterioration of land quality, and the globalization and liberalization of market economies have become intertwined to influence the sustainable management of land resources and land use plans. This important volume, Sustainable Management of Land Resources: An Indian Perspective, addresses these challenges. This comprehensive volume, covering important research, much of it gathered with the use of new technology, tools, and applications, is organized into four sections: (add bullets) land resource inventory and characterization geospatial technologies in land resource mapping and management soil nutrient status and management land use planning and livelihood security The volume looks at how scientists translate their knowledge and experience in sustainable land resources and management into implementable policy decisions, with a particular focus on India. Since India is an agrarian economy, the land resources assume a very critical role affecting the livelihood of a vast majority of populace in the country. The information gathered-and the methods by which it is gathered-is applicable globally. This comprehensive publication will be highly useful for the researchers, academicians, extension workers, policymakers, planners, officials of land resources survey, planning and management institutions/agencies/departments, and others.

First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

A reference text with the latest information and research for educators, students, and researchers! World hunger and malnutrition remain an alarming concern that spurs researchers to develop quality technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is an extensive reference text for educators, students, practitioners, and researchers that focuses on the underlying mechanisms of seed biology and the impact of powerful biotechnological approaches on world hunger, malnutrition, and consumer preferences. This comprehensive guide provides the latest available research from noted experts pointing out the likely directions of future developments as it presents a wealth of seed biology and technological information. Seed science is the all-important foundation of plant science study. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology provides an integrative perspective that takes you through the fundamentals to the latest applications of seed science and technology. This resource provides a complete overview, divided into four sections: Seed Developmental Biology and Biotechnology; Seed Dormancy and Germination; Seed Ecology; and Seed Technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology examines: the molecular control of ovule development female gametophyte development cytokinins and seed development grain number determination in major grain crops metabolic engineering of carbohydrate supply in plant reproductive development enhancing the nutritive value of seeds by genetic engineering the process of accumulation of seed proteins and using biotechnology to improve crops synthetic seeds dormancy and germination hormonal interactions during dormancy release and germination photoregulation of seed germination seed size seed predation natural defense mechanisms in seeds seed protease inhibitors soil seed banks the ecophysiological basis of weed seed longevity in the soil seed quality testing seed vigor and its assessment diagnosis of seed-borne pathogens seed quality in vegetable crops vegetable hybrid seed production practical hydration of seeds of tropical crops seed technology in plant germplasm The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is extensively referenced and packed with tables and diagrams, and makes an essential source for students, educators, researchers, and practitioners in seed science and technology.

The English systems of land tenure have influenced land-holding far beyond Britain. Freehold, for example, a common-place in many places, has its origin in the feudal tenure of Anglo-Norman England. Much has been written about the origins of English land ownership but the contributions are hidden. This book, originally published in 1958 draws together legal, economic and social historical themes, introducing the reader to the authoritative texts of the many aspects of the subject up until the 16th Century.

Rethinking Wilderness and the Wild: Conflict, Conservation and Co-existence examines the complexities surrounding the concept of wilderness. Contemporary wilderness scholarship has tended to fall into two categories: the so-called 'fortress conservation' and 'co-existence' schools of thought. This book, contending that this polarisation has led to a silencing and concealment of alternative perspectives and lines of enquiry, extends beyond these confines and in particular steers away from the dilemmas of paradise or paradox in order to advance an intellectual and policy agenda of plurality and diversity rather than of prescription and definition. Drawing on case studies from Australia, Aoteoroa/New Zealand, the United States and Iceland, and explorations of embodied experience, creative practice, philosophy, and First Nations land management approaches, the assembled chapters examine wilderness ideals, conflicts and human-nature dualities afresh, and examine co-existence and conservation in the Anthropocene in diverse ontological and multidisciplinary ways. By demonstrating a strong commitment to respecting the knowledge and perspectives of Indigenous peoples, this work delivers a more nuanced, ethical and decolonising approach to issues arising from relationships with wilderness. Such a collection is immediately appropriate given the political challenges and social complexities of our time, and the mounting threats to life across the globe. The abiding and uniting logic of the book is to offer a unique and innovative contribution to engender transformations of wilderness scholarship, activism and conservation policy. This text refutes the inherent privileging and exclusionary tactics of dominant modes of enquiry that too often serve to silence non-human and contrary positions. It reveals a multi-faceted and contingent wilderness alive with agency, diversity and possibility. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of conservation, environmental and natural resource management, Indigenous studies and environmental policy and planning. It will also be of interest to practitioners, policymakers and NGOs involved in conservation, protected environments and environmental governance.