Science for Agriculture and Rural Development in Low-income Countries, 2008

Coordinators: Roetter Reimund, van Keulen Herman, Kuiper Marijke, Verhagen J., van Laar H. H.

Language: English

105.49 €

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220 p. · 15.5x23.5 cm · Hardback

Since 1998, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality (LNV) promotes development-orientated agricultural and environmental research and strengthening of North-South partnerships through its International Cooperation (DLO-IC) research programme. By 2005, some 70 collaborative North-South projects had been carried out. All science groups in Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR) were involved in the implementation of the programme and at least half the projects and activities undertaken were directly related to Rural Development and Sustainable Agriculture (RDSA).

Facing new challenges with respect to sustainable development strategies for low-income countries, related to global environmental change and globalization of markets, an interdisciplinary Wageningen research group set out to draw lessons from the DLO-IC projects of the last eight years, stimulate discussion and support identification of a future research agenda for RDSA. In that process, special emphasis was given to lessons for future thinking about the contribution of agriculture to: 1) poverty alleviation and rural livelihoods; 2) food security, human nutrition and health; 3) environmental sustainability and natural resource management.

In discussing the way ahead, a number of major research challenges, as well as policy questions are outlined. These include the interrelations between climate change and food security and environmental degradation, increased demand for biofuels and animal feed, and competing claims on natural resources, and rural development and livelihood strategies in low-income countries.

Preface. Executive Summary. List of Abbreviations. 1. Agriculture in a dynamic world, R.P. Roetter, H. van Keulen, J. Verhagen and M. Kuiper. 2. Historical context of agricultural development, H. van Keulen. 3. Food security, R.P. Roetter and H. van Keulen. 4. Agriculture and environment, J. Verhagen, H. Wösten and A. de Jager. 5. Rural livelihoods: Interplay between farm activities, non-farm activities and the resource base, M. Kuiper, G. Meijerink and D. Eaton. 6. Lessons learned, R.P. Roetter, M. Kuiper, H. van Keulen, J. Verhagen and G. Meijerink. 7. Project assessments, A. de Jager, C. Ritsema, M. Mosugu, G. Meijerink, P. van den Brink, H. van den Bosch, E. van der Elsen, R.P. Roetter, S. van Wijk, S. Verzandvoort-van Dijck, C.A. van Diepen and B. Kamphuis. Project NUTSAL, Project EroChinut, Project PIMEA, Project INMASP, Project MAMAS, Project EROAHI, Project Himalaya, Project IRMLA, Project VEGSYS, Project VINVAL, Project RMO-Beijing, Project SEARUSYN.

Illustrates implementation of novel research approaches to Rural Development and Sustainable Agriculture in low-income countries Draws lessons from pluri-annual collaborative research projects on RDSA from sub-Saharan Africa and E, S and SE Asia Identifies gaps in knowledge and outlines future challenges and promising directions of RDSA research Provides examples of contributions of research to increased knowledge and strengthened research capacity), and recognizes failures of collaborative research for improved future investments into generation of Agricultural Knowledge, Science & Technology for Development First time a long-term (1998 – 2005) national research programme on North – South cooperation dealing with RDSA has been evaluated