Skip to main content
Elsevier

Books in Agricultural development

  • Agriculture Toward Net Zero Emissions

    • 1st Edition
    • Sandeep Kumar + 1 more
    • English
    Agriculture Toward Net Zero Emissions explores how agriculture has historically contributed to carbon emissions and then takes the reader forward, offering insights into an integrated approach to reducing those emissions toward the COP26 goal. The dual challenge of increasing production to meet population and nutrition food demands while reducing the traditional emissions generated by production practices is significant. It requires understanding the foundation of current practices and then revising those underlying principles to reflect the resources and greater insights of today.This book provides an overview of the current state of the science, explores the development of policies and plans to improve carbon management, and provides examples of technology and agroecosystem management practices. It includes the latest updates in carbon neutral farming, carbon and energy management, and addresses the knowledge gap between input management, livestock management and agroecosystem management.Advancing agroecosystem science through a roadmap for improving capacity, Agriculture Toward Net Zero Emissions is a valuable resource for those seeking to develop and apply new agricultural best practices.

  • Future Food Systems

    Exploring Global Production, Processing, Distribution and Consumption
    • 1st Edition
    • Rickey Y. Yada + 3 more
    • English
    Future Food Systems: Exploring Global Production, Processing, Distribution and Consumption provides an overview of food systems, from farming through to logistics, processing, retail, service and consumption, with the intention of enabling more efficient development of policy and implementation of food related practices. The book presents the considerations which must be understood to develop effective and efficient policies and practices for any level of food system and along the continuum of those systems, with attention being given to the academic, public and private sector challenges, and opportunities for progress, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability.Prese... in parts to highlight key aspects of the subject area, the book explores production practices including increasingly important programs in integrated farming systems, vertical agriculture and urban farming, processes, value adding for commodities, agricultural technology, supply chain innovations and consumer considerations. The book provides foundational insights into the underpinnings of today’s food systems, its challenges and its opportunities for the future.

  • The Lentil Genome

    Genetics, Genomics and Breeding
    • 1st Edition
    • Jitendra Kumar + 2 more
    • English
    The Lentil Genome: Genetics, Genomics and Breeding is a comprehensive volume on this important legume, from its economic importance to the latest in sequencing. The book includes botanical descriptions, discussion of lentil genetics, cytogenetics and breeding, molecular mapping genes and QTLs, as well as structural and functional genomics, genome sequencing, assembly, repetitive genome, gene annotation and synteny. Lentil [Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris Medikus] is among the earliest domesticates from the Near-East Fertile Crescent and plays a vital role in nutritional wellbeing and livelihood for the small-scale farmers in the dryland agricultural ecosystems of South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, and North Africa. The classical plant breeding approach of selection-recombinat... has been used successfully for genetic improvement in lentil. However further genetic improvement for developing the high yielding cultivars is required knowledge of gene network underlying the complex traits. Realizing the importance of genomics enabled improvement in crop plants, the scientific community has recently placed major emphasis on whole genome sequencing in many major crops including lentil. This compilation of the latest lentil genome research serves the immediate needs of students, scientists and is needed to strengthen conventional crop improvement strategies of lentil.

  • Urban and Regional Agriculture

    Building Resilient Food Systems
    • 1st Edition
    • Peter Droege
    • English
    Urban and Regional Agriculture: Building Resilient Food Systems explores the sustainable integration of food provision, distribution and consumption through urban farms, agricultural systems, user communities and structural facilities designed to optimize food production and consumption. The book addresses the fundamental and pressing challenges of urban planning problems, waste minimization, food sourcing, access and equity issues, and multiple land use optimization. Sections cover the need and opportunities of urban agriculture, discuss tradition and transition, space and regulatory topics, explore the range of urban agriculture options (aquaculture to urban permaculture), discuss support structures and constructs of physically creating urban agricultural areas, and much more. Edited and authored by leading experts in the field, this volume will be valuable for those working to address issues of food security in urban environments.

  • Bio-economy and Agri-production

    Concepts and Evidence
    • 1st Edition
    • Dionysis Bochtis + 3 more
    • English
    Bio-Economy and Agri-Production: Concepts and Evidence bridges the knowledge gap between sustainability and bio-economy aspects of agri-production. It complements traditional perspectives of agri-production with advanced engineering, information and communication technologies recently applied in agri-business. Including knowledgebased agriculture and reflecting sustainability and circular economy principles, the book presents a holistic view of sustainable bio-economy, contributing to the development of integrated agricultural systems. As technology advances, agricultural production management practices are now being called upon to address the need for sustainability in the bio-economy. Bio-Economy and Agri-Production: Concepts and Evidence presents information to broaden the awareness and promotion of practices and technology to reduce the use of inputs, protect health and environment and improve resource-use efficiency. Topics that are addressed include circular economy in agri-business, lifecycle thinking, lean management, agri-chains, green production, and waste management. Bio-Economy and Agri-Production: Concepts and Evidence is a valuable reference for professionals, consultants, and policy making stakeholders in biosystems engineering and agricultural industries

  • Rethinking Food and Agriculture

    New Ways Forward
    • 1st Edition
    • Amir Kassam + 1 more
    • English
    Given the central role of the food and agriculture system in driving so many of the connected ecological, social and economic threats and challenges we currently face, Rethinking Food and Agriculture reviews, reassesses and reimagines the current food and agriculture system and the narrow paradigm in which it operates. Rethinking Food and Agriculture explores and uncovers some of the key historical, ethical, economic, social, cultural, political, and structural drivers and root causes of unsustainability, degradation of the agricultural environment, destruction of nature, short-comings in science and knowledge systems, inequality, hunger and food insecurity, and disharmony. It reviews efforts towards ‘sustainable development’, and reassesses whether these efforts have been implemented with adequate responsibility, acceptable societal and environmental costs and optimal engagement to secure sustainability, equity and justice. The book highlights the many ways that farmers and their communities, civil society groups, social movements, development experts, scientists and others have been raising awareness of these issues, implementing solutions and forging ‘new ways forward’, for example towards paradigms of agriculture, natural resource management and human nutrition which are more sustainable and just. Rethinking Food and Agriculture proposes ways to move beyond the current limited view of agro-ecological sustainability towards overall sustainability of the food and agriculture system based on the principle of ‘inclusive responsibility’. Inclusive responsibility encourages ecosystem sustainability based on agro-ecological and planetary limits to sustainable resource use for production and livelihoods. Inclusive responsibility also places importance on quality of life, pluralism, equity and justice for all and emphasises the health, well-being, sovereignty, dignity and rights of producers, consumers and other stakeholders, as well as of nonhuman animals and the natural world.　　　　

  • Sugarcane Biorefinery, Technology and Perspectives

    • 1st Edition
    • Fernando Santos + 3 more
    • English
    Sugarcane Biorefinery, Technology and Perspectives provides the reader with a current view of the global scenario of sugarcane biorefinery, launching a new expectation on this important crop from a chemical, energy and sustainability point-of-view. The book explores the existing biorefinery platforms that can be used to convert sugarcane to new high value added products. It also addresses one of today's most controversial issues involving energy cane, in addition to the dilemma "sugar cane vs. food vs. the environment", adding even more value in a culture that is already a symbol of case study around the world. Focusing on the chemical composition of sugarcane, and the production and processes that optimize it for either agricultural or energy use, the book is designed to provide practical insights for current application and inspire the further exploration of options for balancing food and fuel demands.

  • Integrated Processing Technologies for Food and Agricultural By-Products

    • 1st Edition
    • Zhongli Pan + 2 more
    • English
    Feeding our globally expanding population is one of the most critical challenges of our time and improving food and agricultural production efficiencies is a key factor in solving this problem. Currently, one-third of food produced for humans is wasted, and for every pound of food produced, roughly an equal amount of nonfood by-product is also generated, creating a significant environmental impact. In Integrated Processing Technologies for Food and Agricultural By-Products experts from around the world present latest developments, recognizing that while some by-products have found use as animal feed or are combusted for energy, new technologies which integrate conversion of production and processing by-products into higher-value food or nonfood products, nutraceuticals, chemicals, and energy resources will be a critical part of the transition to a more sustainable food system. Organized by agricultural crop, and focusing on those crops with maximum economic impact, each chapter describes technologies for value-added processing of by-products which can be integrated into current food production systems. Integrated Processing Technologies for Food and Agricultural By-Products is a valuable resource for industry professionals, academics, and policy-makers alike.

  • Agricultural Extension Reforms in South Asia

    Status, Challenges, and Policy Options
    • 1st Edition
    • Suresh Chandra Babu + 1 more
    • English
    Agricultural Extension Reforms in South Asia: Status, Challenges, and Policy Options is based on agricultural extension reforms across five South Asian countries, reflecting past experiences, case studies and experiments. Beginning with an overview of historical trends and recent developments, the book then delves into country-wise reform trajectories and presents several cases testing the effectiveness of different types (public and private) and forms (nutrition extension, livestock extension) of extension systems. Further, the book provides a comprehensive overview of challenges and constraints faced in formulating and implementing reforms, tying the results into a concrete set of lessons and highlighting areas that require further research. In addition, the book discusses how a major aspect of agricultural development is the productivity increase from the knowledge base of farmers, and how translating research results into a knowledge base for farmers requires designing and implementing well-functioning extension programs.

  • Incorporating Cultures' Role in the Food and Agricultural Sciences

    • 1st Edition
    • Florence V. Dunkel
    • English
    Incorporating Cultures' Role in the Food and Agricultural Sciences addresses the practical needs of the professors, administrators and students who often face challenges of working together with Indigenous peoples with whom they have no prior experience. Missed communication, failed projects and unrealistic goals are daily realities. Academia and industry often encounter frustration in recruiting and retaining Native American students and other ethnicities. This text is a guide for anyone working in the food or agriculture disciplines or industries, particularly for those working with people of a culture different from one’s own. Comprehensive, full awareness of one’s own culture is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning within another culture. This book is replete with stories, examples and peer-refereed journal articles to help build awareness. These stories, examples and articles from multiple voices are placed over a basic underlying framework that is summed up in the title of the book itself.

  • Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development

    Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development
    • 2nd Edition
    • Sieglinde Snapp + 1 more
    • English
    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.

  • The Competitiveness of Tropical Agriculture

    A Guide to Competitive Potential with Case Studies
    • 1st Edition
    • Roger D. Norton
    • English
    The Competitiveness of Tropical Agriculture: A Guide to Competitive Potential with Case Studies describes and synthesizes existing methodologies for evaluating competitiveness in agriculture, introduces extensions and refinements, and provides a novel approach based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. As exports of tropical fruit, nuts, and other high-value crops have been growing very rapidly from developing countries, but often encounter serious obstacles in their value chains, this book demonstrates how national agricultural policy is oftentimes not guided by considerations of inherent competitiveness. In addition, the book presents case studies that illustrate the application of these approaches using quantitative frameworks. A concluding chapter introduces policy considerations for competitiveness from work in Jordan, Colombia, Estonia, Peru, and elsewhere, also discussing the role of specific policies in raising competitiveness sustainably and its role in reducing rural poverty.

  • Knowledge Driven Development

    Private Extension and Global Lessons
    • 1st Edition
    • Yuan Zhou + 1 more
    • English
    Knowledge Driven Development: Private Extension and Global Lessons uses actual cases written specifically to study the role and capacity of private companies in knowledge sharing and intensification through agricultural extension. Descriptions of specific models and approaches are teased out of complex situations exhibiting a range of agricultural, regulatory, socio-economic variables. Illustrative cases focus on a particular agricultural value chain and elaborate the special feature of the associated private extension system. Chapters presenting individual cases of private extension also highlight specific areas of variations and significant deviance. Each chapter begins with a section describing the background and agricultural context of the case, followed by a description of the specific crop value chain. Based on understanding of this context, extension models and methods by private companies receive deeper analysis and definition in the next section. This leads to a discussion of the private extension with respect to its relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, equity, sustainability and impact. Following that, comparison with public extension, the uniqueness of the knowledge intensification model, and lessons for its replication and scaling up are elaborated. The final chapter summarizes the major results from the ten cases presented, looking at the trends, commonalities and differences of various extension approaches and the general lessons for success or failure. It concludes with a set of messages around value creation, integrated services, market links, inclusive innovation, and capacity development.

  • Agricultural Sustainability

    Progress and Prospects in Crop Research
    • 1st Edition
    • Gurbir Bhullar + 1 more
    • English
    Collaboratively written by top international experts and established scientists in various fields of agricultural research, this book focuses on the state of food production and sustainability; the problems with degradation of valuable sources of land, water, and air and their effects on food crops; the increasing demand of food resources; and the challenges of food security worldwide. The book provides cutting edge scientific tools and methods of research as well as solid background information that is accessible for those who have a strong interest in agricultural research and development and want to learn more on the challenges facing the global agricultural production systems.

  • Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development

    • 1st Edition
    • Sieglinde Snapp + 1 more
    • English
    Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development is a comprehensive source for developing sustainable farming systems. With the inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design, students will gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic, and sociological aspects of farming systems science for rural livelihoods. Editors Snapp and Pound provide a much-needed synthetic overview of the emerging area of agroecology applications to transforming farming systems and supporting rural innovation. A companion website for training and teaching features learning modules, student exercises, case studies, illustrative power point presentations, and reference links. The wide range of subjects, integrated references, and companion website, make this core reading for courses in international agricultural systems and management, sustainable agricultural management, and cropping systems.

  • Advances in Agronomy

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 78
    • English
    Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source of the latest research in agronomy. Major reviews deal with the current topics of interest to agronomists, as well as crop and soil scientists. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myriad subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial. Editor Donald Sparks, former president of the Soil Science Society of America and current president of the International Union of Soil Science, has just been appointed the S. Hallock du Pont Chair of Plant and Soil Sciences at The University of Delaware.

  • Advances in Agronomy

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 50
    • English
    Volume 50 highlights current areas of interest to both researchers and students of agronomy internationally. Areas covered include a thorough treatment of redox chemistry in soils, advances in agronomic improvement in oilseed brassicas, population groupings of soybean bradyrhizobia, crop responses to chloride, and plant nutrient sulfur in the tropics and subtropics.