THEME INFO PACKS: FARMING DIVERSITY

Towards food sovereignty: Reclaiming autonomous food systems by Michel Pimbert, 2009. IIED, Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0DD , U.K. E-mail: info@iied.org Downloadable at http://www.iied.org/natural-resources/publications/ towards-food-sovereignty-reclaiming-autonomous-foodsystems

This book is based on the premise that while half of the world’s working population is made up of farmers (most of them small-scale, producing for local markets), they are increasingly under pressure from large-scale corporations and unfavourable economic policies. This is an online book which is still under development. The first two parts are now available - Part I: Another world is possible for food and agriculture, and Part II: Local organisations at the heart of food sovereignty. These first parts therefore discuss diversity and the ecological basis of food and agriculture, the social and environmental costs of modern food systems, and the policy reversals needed to “democratise” food systems. It is colourful and very attractively presented, complete with links to video and audio material from farmers, fisherfolk, food workers and many others working to promote food sovereignty. It is freely downloadable; and further chapters will be posted on the website in 2009.

The governance of nature and the nature of governance: Policy that works for biodiversity and livelihoods by Krystyna Swiderska, Dilys Roe, Linda Siegele and Maryanne Grieg-Gran. IIED, International Institute for Environment and Development, 3 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0DD , U.K.

By looking in detail at the situation in Peru, India and Tanzania, the authors show the main reasons why the world is losing its biodiversity, and why, during the past 50 years, its ecosystem services have been significantly degraded. Their analysis focuses on these countries’ governing systems, both at a local level and at a national level, pointing also at the ineffectiveness of the international governance framework. Not just highlighting difficulties and limitations, each chapter presents detailed recommendations, among which the authors include the need to improve policymaking processes, the importance of local rights, or the need to look at policy coherence.

Agricultural biodiversity in smallholder farms of East Africa by Fidelis Kaihura and Michael Stocking (eds.), 2003, ISBN 978-92-808-1088-2. United Nations University Press, Jingumae 5–53–70, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan. E-mail: press@hq.unu.edu

Aimed at a range of development practitioners, this book highlights the role of smallholder farmers as guardians and beneficiaries of agrobiodiversity. Its introductory chapters define agrodiversity and its management, and are followed by sections looking at the components of agricultural biodiversity. Examples include chapters from Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya covering livestock, botanical knowledge, soils and vegetables and fruits. By publishing chapters written by farmers, the book highlights how they play their part in the global agenda for the sustainable use and equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity. It also links practice to policy by basing recommendations on tried and tested ways of managing complex agricultural systems. Outlined in the final section, these include technical and policy recommendations ranging from increased use of drought tolerant crops to increasing government recognition for smallholders, through by-laws or national biodiversity databases.

Biodiversity and agriculture: Safeguarding biodiversity and securing food for the world by Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 2008. ISBN 978-92-9225-111-6. Convention on Biological Diversity, World Trade Centre, 413 St. Jacques Street, Suite 800, Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 1N9 Canada. Downloadable from http://www.cbd.int/doc/bioday/2008/ibd-2008-booklet-en.pdf

Produced in 2008 as part of celebrations for the annual International Day for Biological Diversity, this is a colourful 60-page booklet. The theme chosen this time was “Biodiversity and Agriculture” aiming at raising awareness of the importance of sustainable agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to feed the world, maintain sustainable agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. There are sections which clearly define biodiversity and agricultural biodiversity, going on to state the links between the two and why biodiversity is the “foundation” of agriculture. It continues by looking at current challenges and possible responses. The final chapter includes a list of suggestions for what individuals can do - specifically farmers, policy-makers and consumers. It is aimed at a wide audience as it is very clearly expressed, concise and well-organised, with many sub-headings and boxes for easy reference and reading.

Biodiversity conservation and agricultural sustainability: Towards a new paradigm of “ecoagriculture” landscapes by Sara J. Scherr and Jeffrey McNeely, 2008, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 363, 477-494. Ecoagriculture Partners, 730 11th Street N.W., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20001 U.S.A., and IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Rue Mauverny 28,Gland 1196, Switzerland. Downloadable from http://www.ecoagriculture.org/publication_details.php?publicationID=7

This fully-referenced 19-page research publication outlines the need for designing “ecoagricultural” landscapes which can host wild biodiversity and benefit production, biodiversity and local people. Arguing that agricultural production can be reconciled with healthy ecosystems, the authors go on to define approaches for doing this, looking at the current state of knowledge and practice and then identifying strategic actions required to mobilise ecoagriculture initiatives on a meaningful scale. Such actions include more research attention from international institutes in developing production systems that meet biodiversity objectives, conservation organisations need to accept farmers as partners, and the marketing and food industry needs a shift in focus, to take ecoagriculture into account. While the paper is academic in tone, it is written in accessible language and therefore provides a useful starting point for understanding the concept and how to work towards it.

Conserving and valuing ecosystem services and biodiversity: Economic, institutional and social challenges by K. N. Ninan (ed.), 2008. ISBN 978-184-407651-2. Earthscan, Dunstan House, 14a St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8XA, U.K. E-mail: earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk ; http://www.earthscan.co.uk This new book offers a comprehensive look at the difficulties faced in conserving biodiversity. It also covers valuation of ecosystem services, which has become a hot topic in development and environmental economics. Addressing economic, social and institutional issues in biodiversity conservation, chapters written by leading contributors refer to ecosystems including tropical forests, marine areas, wetlands and agricultural landscapes. Case studies drawn from the U.K., U.S.A., Europe and Australia, as well as from India, Africa and South America, cover issues such as governance, intellectual property rights and protection of traditional knowledge. This wide-ranging book will be interesting to those working in agricultural development, biodiversity conservation, as well as researchers, policy-makers or practitioners.

Farming systems and poverty: Improving farmers’ livelihoods in a changing world by John Dixon, Aidan Gulliver and David Gibbon, 2001. ISBN 978-92-5-104627-2. FAO, Viale della Terme di Caracalla, 00100, Rome, Italy and World Bank, 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20433, U.S.A. The book is downloadable from: http://www.fao.org/farmingsystems While some would say that the farming systems approach has been surpassed with new developments in thinking (such as the sustainable livelihoods approach), the basic concepts behind it are useful and still hold. The authors argue that analysis of farming systems can assist in identifying priorities for reducing poverty and hunger, so forming the basis for creating dynamic rural communities. The book begins with an overview of the concept of farming systems and its future relevance. It then outlines and analyses the main farming systems of six major developing regions of the world. Twenty-five systems are described, including, for example, tree-crop farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa and high altitude mixed farming systems in Latin America. It concludes with chapters looking at the challenges and crosscutting priorities, such as the greater emphasis needed on sustainable resource management, enhancement of agricultural information and supporting small rural enterprises.

Conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity: A sourcebook by CIP-UPWARD , 2003. ISBN 978-971-614-021-7. International Potato Center, Users’ Perspectives with Agricultural Research and Development, c/o IRR I DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines. E-mail: cip-manila@cgiar.org The main objective of this sourcebook is to encourage the management of agricultural biodiversity resources within existing landscapes and ecosystems, in support of the livelihoods of farmers, fishers and livestock keepers. It is organised in three volumes, with over 75 articles in total. The articles were written by practitioners, researchers, and academics from all over the world, using clear and easily understandable language, with many illustrations. This is a useful tool for rural development practitioners and local administrators, as well as for trainers and educationalists. Free use of the material is encouraged, provided the source and authors are duly acknowledged.

Small farms as a planetary ecological asset: Five key reasons why we should support the revitalisation of small farms in the global South by Miguel A. Altieri, 2008. ISBN 978-983-2729-56-3. TWN Environment & Development Series no. 7, Third World Network, 131 Jalan Macalister, 10400 Penang, Malaysia. E-mail: twnet@po.jaring.my In a clear language, Miguel Altieri outlines here five reasons why he believes small, biodiverse, agroecologically managed farms in the global South are the only viable form of agriculture that will feed the world. Against a backdrop of rising production costs and food prices, he writes in favour of maintaining and revitalising small-scale farms and farming families. The conservation and promotion of agricultural biodiversity forms the basis for some of his arguments, which are backed up with a variety of research and data. The booklet gives food for thought to all working in small scale agricultural development.

Affirming life and diversity: Rural images and voices on food sovereignty in south India by Community Media Trust, PV Satheesh and Michel Pimbert, 2008, ISBN 978-1-84369-674-2. IIED, 3 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0DD , U.K., and Deccan Development Society, 101, Kishan Residency, Road No 5, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500 016, Andhra Pradesh, India. E-mail: hyd1_ddshyd@sancharnet.in Downloadable at http://www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/14556IIED.pdf Together with IIED, the Community Media Trust (CMT) of the Deccan Development Society, India, co-facilitated a group of non-literate women in Andhra Pradesh to produce twelve videos covering their perceptions on food systems, food sovereignty, seeds, agriculture and local markets. These films are summarised in this book and included on a set of four DVDs. The book also describes the research process behind making these participatory films, as well as the research ethics agreed. The videos serve to highlight the voices and priorities of women who often do not get heard. The publication also shows the women’s ability in presenting their ideas and situation through video. The videos in particular are insightful and offer many lessons to scientists, policy-makers and development practitioners.

Linking conservation and poverty reduction: Landscapes, people and power by Robert Fisher, Stewart Maginnis, William Jackson, Edmund Barrow and Sally Jeanrenaud with Andrew Ingles, Richard Friend, Rati Mehrotra, Taghi Farvar, Michelle Laurie and Gonzalo Oviedo, 2008, ISBN 978-184-407636-9. IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Rue Mauverny 28, Gland 1196, Switzerland, and Earthscan, Dunstan House, 14a St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8XA, U.K. E-mail: earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk ; http://www.earthscan.co.uk This is a fully updated and revised edition of “Poverty and conservation: Landscapes, people and power”, published by IUCN in 2005. It includes recent developments in theory and practice, with case studies from Francophone Africa and Latin America. It links poverty to conservation, showing how livelihoods of the rural poor are so closely related to sustainable use of biological diversity, that the two issues should be tackled together, through an integrated approach. The authors call for “the reinvigoration of sustainable development”, focusing on the complex links between poverty reduction, economic development and biodiversity conservation. The final section presents a summary of the integrated approach and identifies some of the challenges involved in efforts to combine conservation and poverty reduction.

Managing biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems by Devra I. Jarvis, Christine Padoch and H. David Cooper, 2006. ISBN 978-0-231-13648-8. Bioversity International / Columbia University Press, New York, U.S.A. With chapters contributed by a vast array of experts, this book looks at how farmers manage, maintain, and benefit from biodiversity. It presents the most recent research and developments in the maintenance of local diversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. The chapters are detailed and well-referenced, covering farmer management practices for crop, livestock, aquatic, and associated diversity (such as pollinators and soil micro-organisms) in agricultural ecosystems. Combining the thinking of social and biological scientists, the authors examine the potential role of diversity in minimising pests and diseases. The many case studies show how farmers have used alternative approaches to managing biodiversity to enhance the stability, resilience, and productivity of their farms. These point the way towards improved biodiversity on a global scale.

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