Agricultural systems : agroecology and rural innovation for development / edited by Sieglinde Snapp, Barry Pound.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Vendor-supplied metadata.

Front Cover; Agricultural Systems; Copyright Page; Contents; List of Contributors; Preface to the Second Edition; I. Reinventing Farming Systems; 1 Introduction; Agricultural Systems in a Changing World; The Green Revolution: On-going Lessons; Evolving Agricultural Systems Research; Different Paths Taken; Impact at Local and Regional Levels; Local Institutions for Agricultural Innovation; Catalyzing Directions of Change; Road Map; References; Internet resources; 2 Agroecology: Principles and Practice; Introduction; Ecosystem Drivers; Agroecozones; Community Structure; Organism Niche.

Community EvolutionPlant Growth Types; Ecological Principles Applied to Agriculture; Complementarity; Redundancy; Mosaics; Farming Systems by Agroecology; Application of Ecological Principles to a Changing World; References; Internet resources; 3 Farming-Related Livelihoods; The Complexity of Farmer Decision-making; The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework; Participatory Rural Appraisal as a Part of Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis; Complementing Qualitative Information With Quantitative Data; The Influence of Insecurity on Livelihoods; Credit Initiatives to Kick-start Livelihood Changes.

ConclusionsReferences; 4 Farming Systems for Sustainable Intensification; Introduction; The What and Why of Sustainable Intensification; Alternatives to Intensification; Successful Sustainable Systems; When Is Sustainable Intensification Relevant?; Sustainable Intensification Indicators; Trade-offs and Synergies; The Elements of Sustainable Intensification; An Enabling Environment; Reducing Losses; Risk Mitigation; Integration of System Elements; Pathways to Sustainable Intensification; The Way Forward; References; 5 Designing for the Long-term: Sustainable Agriculture; Introduction.

Indigenous System ModelsSustainable Agriculture Design; Biodiversity; Soil biodiversity; Diversifying plant species; Community diversity; Diversifying at larger scales; Resource Efficiency; Productivity, Economics, and More; Resilience; Resilient plant communities; Break crops for healthy, resilient crops; Putting Sustainable Agriculture Into Practice; The Biocomplexity of Sustainable Development; Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture; References; Internet Resources; II. Resources for Agricultural Development; 6 Low-Input Technology: An Integrative View; Introduction.

Low External Input TechnologyExamples of Low External Input Technology; The Adoption of Low External Input Technology; Labor; Labor Requirements; Hired Labor; Off-Farm Labor; Knowledge; Local Knowledge; Group Methods; The Sustainability of Groups; The Diffusion of Information; Implications for Rural Development Strategies; Incentives for Technology Generation and Adoption; Strategies for Demand-Driven Research; Conclusions; References; 7 Ecologically Based Nutrient Management; Nutrient Management as Applied Ecology; The Basics of Nutrient Cycling; Nitrogen Cycling; Phosphorus Cycling.