With the most acute water-deficit in the world, the Near East Region challenge for economic and social development is likely to be jeopardized unless drastic measures are taken. The increasing need for water stems from population growth, national economies based primarily on agriculture and harsh climatic conditions and climate change...

The Livelihood Support Programme (LSP) evolved from the belief that FAO could have a greater impact on reducing poverty and food insecurity, if its wealth of talent and experience were integrated into a more flexible and demandresponsive team approach. The LSP works through teams of FAO staff members, who are...

There are presented analysis of machinery operating costs in 143 family farms between 5 to 30 ha. Average costs is 5,7 thousand zl per farm. The main part of costs consist fuel and oil - about 43%, investment - 24%, maintenance and repair - 23% and insurance. The analysis shows...

Frequently asked questions related to Conservation Agriculture

The objective of this study, commissioned by the FAO Regional Office for Europe and SDRR, is to analyse the status of and future needs for information and communication systems of private and government organizations in the national agricultural research system and its relevant partners with respect to agro-ecological and organic...

 El presente capítulo contextualiza la situación actual del medio rural, lo que ha significado el impacto de la globalización, el libre mercado y la modernización. En un segundo punto se caracteriza la situación de la pequeña agricultura campesina (PAC) y las organizaciones cooperativas en la actualidad. Finalmente se da cuenta...

For nearly three decades the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has focused its mission on helping developing countries turn agriculture into an engine of propoor, sustainable economic growth. Conflicts and natural disasters have often interfered with this mission, and disrupted the long-term work in strengthening human and institutional...

El presente documento recoge de manera sintética los criterios y procesos expuestos y descritos con mayor detalle en los informes de seguimiento (6), en los talleres de evaluación e intercambio de experiencias (2), en las diferentes jornadas de capacitación y en las actividades desarrolladas en torno al congreso-feria de proyectos...

This text analyses the development o f organic farming in Brazil.  Itfshows the great variability of social models of organic production recognised by Brazilian Law:  organic, agroecological, ecological or biodynamic agriculture, pcrmaculturc etc. It dcpicts how the political and social concerns in the spheres of family farming and environment caused...

Rural livelihoods in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa are under considerable stress. Economies and the political environment are experiencing a period of significant transformation, and poverty is endemic. Agriculture remains at the core of rural livelihoods and farm power (from human, draught animal and tractor sources) is a crucial input...

Poverty is a complex phenomenon involving failure to meet a range of basic human needs and the denial of options that have consequences for opportunities to live long, healthy and creative lives. Poverty in fishery-dependent communities, therefore, is not solely related to the abundance of the catch, market opportunities or...

This issue of Caravan provides examples of ICARDA's work with its partners to help ensure sustainability of livelihoods for the poor in marginal areas.

For effective administration of agricultural credit, financial institutions while granting credit to farmers for agricultural purposes consider a number of factors. This paper focused on the evaluation of the critical factors that are considered by financial institutions in disbursement of credit to farmers in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria....

Artículo presentado en el VIII Encuentro de Nutrición y Producción de Monogástricos, en Venezuela en el año 2005, destaca beneficios del sistema al aire libre y la utilizacion de razas rústicas como la pampa-rocha en Uruguay con las bondades que poseen al ser utilizadas en este sistema de pequeños y...

Como se revisó en el capítulo anterior, la Pequeña Agricultura Campesina, dado el contexto político económico que se encuentra, presenta serias dificultadas para poder perdurar en el tiempo y alcanzar mayores grados de desarrollo. Evidentemente el escenario de desprotección en que se presenta, sumados a otros factores impiden la sustentabilidad...

Grasslands with legumes, as the basic source of nitrogen, should play an essential part in organic agriculture systems. The proportion of grasslands of the total area of all types of organic croplands in Poland in 2002 highlights its importance (>45% of the total 41 thousand ha) (Zastawny et al., 2003)....

European consumers have become increasingly more aware of food safety issues, as a consequence of a number of food ‘scandals’. Most of these ‘scandals’ have been related to livestock products. However, most consumers still believe that it is possible to produce ‘safe’ food at low prices, while a small group...

During the past decade, the general attitude of the population towards health, nutrition, quality and environment has remarkably changed. Consequently, organic farming is increasing, especially in economically developed countries. Due to the growing demand, government subsidies and other economic advantages, the cropping area has increased. In Hungary, organic farming principally...

Developing nations such as Fiji are grappling with how they can utilise their environmental resources to improve local living conditions while protecting the integrity of ecological systems. Different development approaches are adopted but in these areas, the environment is altered and polluted as a result of sustained human activities. The...

Organic milk production in the UK increased from 16 million litres in 1997/98 to 218 million litres in 2001/02 (MDC, 2002). Consumers often cite health benefits of organic food as a reason for purchase (Hill and Lynchehaun, 2002; MDC, 2002). To date, only minor differences in composition between organic and...