Enough is enough / Nourishing the world sustainably / The roads from Rio / Renewing innovation systems in agriculture and food / Agroecology and the transformation of agri-food systems / Advancing agroforestry on the policy agenda.
Enough is enough: Building a sustainable economy in a world of finite resources
R. Dietz and D. O’Neill, 2013. Routledge, Oxon. 240 pages.
This book condemns the idea of economic growth as a model for development, arguing that the continuous pursuit of economic growth has created problems such as climate change, social inequality and environmental degradation. Instead, the authors develop the idea of the “steady state economy” as an ecologically and socially responsible alternative.
The first part of the book summarises the scientific critiques of the model of economic growth. The second part proposes different policies to make the steady state economy a reality. These include policies on limiting the use of resources, stabilising population and redistributing income and wealth. The final part is a plan of action aimed at changing consumer behaviour, politics and international co-operation.
Nourishing the world sustainably: Scaling up agroecology
Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, 2012. EAA, Geneve. 98 pages.
There is rich empirical evidence and growing theoretical insights into the success of agro-ecology. Now, this book argues, is the time to advance agro-ecology further. This highly accessible document describes what agro-ecology is, how it differs from other sustainable farming methods, how it can strengthen resilience to climate change and how it can increase food security. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance also identifies the challenges for scaling up agro-ecological innovations. These range from a lack of practical knowledge on the part of researchers and extension agents to biased agricultural policies and market failures. The final part of this document shows how government policies, NGOs, farmer-to-farmer networks and local markets can be used to scale up this approach.
The roads from Rio: Lessons learned from twenty years of multilateral environmental negotiations
P.S. Chasek and L.M. Wagner (eds.), 2012. Routledge, New York. 308 pages.
The United Nations Conference on Environmental and Development (UNCED), better known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, marked a new era in the world of international environmental treaties. Several new institutions, including the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and the United Nations Environmental Programme, were founded, and numerous treaties signed in its aftermath. Rather than focussing on the impact or effectiveness of these treaties and institutions, the authors of this book focus on the negotiations, looking at their evolution and at the main actors involved.
Renewing innovation systems in agriculture and food: How to go towards more sustainability?
E. Coudel, H. Devautour, C.T. Soulard, G. Faure and B. Hubert (eds.), 2013. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 240 pages.
Many researchers continue to see innovation as a matter of disseminating technologies, developed in field stations or laboratories, amongst farmers. This book adopts a system-based perspective, viewing innovation as a process that involves different actors and organisations, operating at different levels and with different rules, norms and power. Tensions between actors or around the construction of shared goals are the dynamics that drive the innovation process and determine its success or failure. The first part of this book looks at the current challenges facing innovation systems. The second part addresses on-the-ground questions about how these new insights are used (or not), looking at, for example, cropping and farming systems, social inclusion and market innovation. The third part explores the main policy implications of the authors’ findings.
Agroecology and the transformation of agri-food systems: Transdisciplinary and participatory perspectives
V.E. Méndez, C. Bacon and R. Cohen (eds.), 2013. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 37:1, 146 pages.
This is the first issue of Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, formerly known as the Journal of Sustainable Food Systems. Like its predecessor, the journal will continue to focus on the food system transformations that are needed to balance natural resource use and environmental protection with the needs of production, economic viability and social justice. This issue brings together perspectives that integrate transdisciplinary, participatory and action oriented approaches. The articles cover topics ranging from the emergence of agro-ecology, to new modes of learning and a set of case studies that trace the evolution of agro-ecology in Spain, the United States and Brazil.
Advancing agroforestry on the policy agenda: A guide for decision makers
G. Buttoud 2013, FAO, Rome. 38 pages.
The benefits of agroforestry have been proven to be numerous in practice and science. Agroforestry systems are productive, sustainable and resilient. They also sustain livelihoods, combat global warming and maintain and enhance the productive capacity of natural resources. Nevertheless the advancement of agroforestry is often hampered by unfavourable legal, policy and institutional environments.
The first part of this publication looks at the factors that stimulate and inhibit the advancement of agroforestry. The second part derives lessons from success stories in Niger, Malawi, France, Costa Rica, the United States, Guatemala and Canada. Amongst these lessons are: spread the word, secure the land, organise and synergise, and include all stakeholders.
More on SRI
Practical information on SRI can be obtained from different sources, like “How to help rice plants grow better and produce more: Teach yourself and others” (Association Tefy Saina and CIIFAD). “The scientific case for system of rice intensification and its relevance for sustainable crop intensification” (Willem Stoop, 2011) reviews the academic literature on SRI and provides a scientific basis for it.
“System of Rice Intensification: A synthesis of scientific experiments and experiences” (B.J. Pandian et. al., 2011) is a highly informative book on SRI in India but also relevant for other countries. “Transforming rice production with SRI: Reducing agriculture foot print and ensuring food security” (T.M. Thiyagarajan and B. Gujja, 2012) describes how SRI has spread throughout India.
The IFAD publication “Spreading the system of rice intensification across east and southern Africa” (F. Rappocciolo, 2012) discusses some of the challenges for the advancement of SRI in Africa. SRI-Rice ONLINE is a comprehensive website maintained by the SRI International Network and Resource Center at Cornell University. The website includes links to organisations, scientific publications, proceedings, practical information, newspaper articles, blog posts, video and photos on SRI from different sources and countries. (LvdB)
