In print

New Oxford book of food plants
by J. G. Vaughan and C. Geissler, 1998
published by Oxford University Press, Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, UK
Email: stewarte@oup.co.uk
239pp, price £25.00, HBK, ISBN 0 19 854825 7

Pastoralists and ranchers may disagree but agriculture and food production is essentially about plants. Even livestock depend on plants. This book provides an exceptionally readable account of all the major and minor plants used by mankind for food and drink. It is a worthy successor to the widely praised Oxford Book of Food Plants by Harrison, Masefield and Wallis published in 1969. Two new authors, J. G. Vaughan and C. Geissler have totally revised, updated and expanded the text to include information not available 30 years ago and to reflect our more recent emphasis on nutrition and healthy eating: 26 pages devoted to dietary needs, nutritional values, stimulants, toxins and allergens.

Despite the remarkable range and amount of information included this is not, in any sense, a "heavy" book. Indeed, it is remarkably slim and it is laid out so that text and corresponding illustrations face each other on left and right pages. The illustrations themselves are superb, as they were in the earlier book, and several new ones have been added. The New Oxford Book of Food Plants is stimulating to read, encourages random dipping into, and the information and explanations so gleaned cannot fail to surprise and satisfy the reader, whether botanist or historian, agriculturist or anthropologist, home gardener, cook or consumer.

Few might guess that okra is related to cotton, rhubarb to buckwheat or asparagus to lilies. Few realise what a debt we all owe to Latin America from whence originated not only cassava, potato and maize but many crops that colour and add taste to a now international cuisine: tomato, aubergine, sweet and chilli peppers, cocoa, vanilla and - a surprise to some perhaps - cape gooseberry. Many will know that most spices originated in Asia (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, ginger and turmeric), and led to first Romans then Arabs and Europeans probing ever eastward. The Mediterranean gave us most herbs, though basil is from India. From Africa came coffee and sorghum and, from Asia, banana, peach, apricot and citrus fruits - except for the grapefruit, which is a curious story in itself.

Man first made the move from hunter-gatherer to farmer about 8000 BC domesticating first wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil and possibly faba (broad) bean. That was in the Fertile Crescent (Turkey to Iran). Early Americans domesticated maize about 5500 BC and potato 5000 BC. Sorghum in Africa, rice in China and grape, olive, almond and date palm in the eastern Mediterranean followed in 3000 BC.

Is it necessary to know how armies, travellers and trade have dispersed our food crops? Is it important to realize that whole populations of food plants now being grown in areas far from where they originated may be descended from a handful of seeds or cuttings and therefore have a precariously small genetic base? If we are what we eat let us know what we eat - from akee to zuccini - where it originated, and its often dramatic role in shaping human history, society and nations economies.

The New Oxford Book of Food Plants deserves a wide readership, including the rising generation of agriculturists. It offers insight that provides an extra dimension to the culture, cooking and consumption of all that we eat. For those with an appetite for even more detail on the subject, a comprehensive recommended reading list provides scope for further research

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Tropical cattle: origins, breeds and breeding policies
by W. J. A. Payne and John Hodges 1997
published by Blackwell Science, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EL, UK
Email: sarah.kate.powell@blacksci.co.uk
336pp, price £60.00, HBK, ISBN 0632 040483

This unique work comprises three distinct but closely integrated parts. First is an account of the origin and subsequent distribution of cattle throughout the tropical and sub-tropical world, citing contemporary evidence from anthropological, archaeological, historical, linguistic, livestock husbandry and genetic studies. It is the first and possibly a controversial attempt to provide a comprehensive account of the origin and subsequent distribution of these cattle populations.

In the second part, the cattle breeds of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania are classified and described. Studies in part three show there were few genetic improvements in tropical cattle during the second half of the twentieth century. The reasons for failure are examined and new and more realistic breeding strategies are proposed that are better adapted to the socio-economic conditions in tropical countries. Current developments in biotechnology pertaining to genetic improvement in cattle production are reviewed, and their future potential for tropical conditions is assessed. The book should appeal to decision makers, academics and students.

The world leucaena catalogue
by R. A. Bray, C. E. Hughes, J. L. Brewbaker, Jean Hanson, B. D.Thomas and Amanda Ortiz 1997
published by Department of Agriculture, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
48pp + diskette, PBK, ISBN 0 9587222 7 7

The genus Leucaeana (largely native to Mexico and central America), has attracted widespread attention for its usefulness as a multipurpose plant throughout the tropics and sub-tropics. The most widely grown species (L. leucocephala) has spread throughout the tropical world, being a valuable source of fodder and fuel. In the past two decades, there has been increasing interest in the other species in the genus.

The Leucaena Research & Development Network (LEUCNET) has overseen the integration of the major Leucaena genetic resource databases held by various institutions around the world, into the World Leucaena Catalogue. It summarizes the seed holdings of all major groups and provides some essential passport information about each entry. The catalogue is also extensively cross-referenced so that it is relatively easy to hunt for new materials in interesting species which might be held in one or more of the collections.

A livelihood from fishing: globalization and sustainable fisheries policies
by Alain Le Sann, 1998
published by IT Publications, 103-105 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4HH, UK
Email: orders@itpubs.org.uk
130pp, price £8.95, PBK, ISBN 1 85339 398 3

The global fishing crisis has been described as the world's worst ecological disaster. Over the past decade, fish stocks have been overexploited in oceans all over the world, and the human race is confronted, for the first time, with the real possibility of the commercial extinction of many of its fish stocks.

A livelihood from fishing provides an overview of fisheries and highlights the issues and policies underlying the current fishing crisis, as well as making innovative recommendations to protect and preserve this vulnerable resource and the people it affects. It will be of particular interest to environmentalists, policy-makers, students and all others involved in the protection of the marine environment and the plight of workers in the fisheries sector.

Financial management for farmers and rural managers: fourth edition
by Martyn Warren 1997
published by Blackwell Science, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EL, UK
Email: sarah.kate.powell@blacksci.co.uk
304pp, price £19.99, PBK, ISBN 0632 048719

Now in its fourth edition, this book provides practical guidance on all aspects of financial management in the smaller business. Using ample worked examples, the author describes the basic skills of managing money, including budgeting, budgetary control and physical and financial recording, and provides computer spreadsheets complete with formulae for the principal financial calculations. Although the prime focus is on owners and managers of farm businesses and farm diversification, it is equally valuable for other types of rural business and organizations. It has become established as a key text on degree and diploma courses in rural resource management, countryside management and rural estate management, as well as those concerned with agriculture.

Substantial changes to this edition include revised examples and tables and an increased emphasis on general accounting principles and techniques, especially those of management accounting, cost-volume-profit and break-even analysis and pricing. While maintaining and strengthening the farm business focus, the new edition also better accommodates the needs of non-agricultural enterprises, including service and manufacturing businesses and non-profit organizations such as Wildlife Trusts.

Coconut
by G. De Taffin (in collaboration with M. Dollet, C. Louise, J. L. Renard, A. Rouziere and W. Wridart) 1997
published by Macmillan Education Ltd, Houndmills, Basingstoke RG21, 6XS, UK
Tropical Agricultural Series in association with Maisonneuve et Larosse and CTA (The Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation)
Email: p.oflannagan@macmillan.co.uk
144pp. price £7.00. PBK, ISBN 0 333 57466 4

Coconut covers the main types of coconut palm, their origin, world distribution and characteristics. It examines important production factors such as climate and soils, selection, breeding and propagation, and establishing and managing a plantation. There is a useful section on pest and disease control accompanied by colour photographs. The methods of processing coconut and its various products and markets are also well covered.

The book will be useful for producers in all tropical and sub-tropical regions involved in cultivating and processing coconuts; extension and development workers, research scientists; teachers, lecturers and teacher trainers; and agriculture diploma, degree and vocational students

Donkeys
by Dennis Fielding, 1998
published by Macmillan Education Ltd, Houndmills, Basingstoke RG21, 6XS, UK
Tropical Agricultural Series in association with Maisonneuve et Larosse and The Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA)
Email: p.oflannagan@macmillan.co.uk
122pp, price £7.00, PBK, ISBN 0 333 62750 4

Donkeys is a valuable guide for anyone involved with using or breeding these often under-valued and neglected animals. The book covers in detail the rearing, husbandry, management, feeding and nutrition, disease and work performances of donkeys. It emphasises the use of the donkey as a work animal with details of harnessing and equipment. Health and disease, and care of the donkey are explained. There is also a chapter on the infertile offspring of the donkey and the horse - the mule and the hinney. The book makes a strong case for the advantages of the donkey in rural development. The text is presented in an easy-to-read style and is supplemented throughout with many diagrams and photographs.

The book will be useful for farmers world-wide involved in using or breeding donkeys; extension and development workers, research scientists; and lecturers and students of agricultural Universities and colleges.

Documenting, evaluating and learning from our development projects: a participatory systemization workbook
by Daniel Selener with C. Purdy and G. Zapata, 1996
published by IIRR, Apartodo Postal 17-08-8494, Quito, ECUADOR
Email: daniel@iirr.ecuanex.net.ec

In spite of a growing interest and need there are few clear, practical guidelines on how to design, follow-up and evaluate development projects and social work programmes or activities in a participatory way.

This practical workbook provides an understanding of the concept of systemization; as well as guidelines for planning the systemization process, and for conducting follow-up and evaluation activities to improve project processes and results. It also includes useful tools for implementing the systemization process.

Gender and organizational change
by Mandy MacDonald, Ellen Sprenger and Ireen Dubel
published by KIT Press, Mauristkade 63, PO Box 95001, 1090 HA Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
in cooperation with Hivos and Novib
Email: kitpress@kit.nl
156pp, Price NLG 39, PBK, ISBN 90 6832 709 7

The need to address gender inequalities in development work is well established. Poverty and marginalization are now clearly seen as gender-related phenomena. Gender and organizational change reflects a more recent trend in which Northern donor agencies are becoming ready to bring the issues of gender equality back home: to practice what they preach. If real change is to occur, both Northern donors and development organizations in the South have to be accountable to the needs and interests of women.

The book focuses on a need for learning by doing and follows a practical approach, highlighted by experiences, as well as giving guidelines and tools. It will be of interest to a broad audience.

Plant fibre processing
by Cyril Jarman, 1997
published by IT Publications, 103-105 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4HH, UK
Email: orders@itpubs.org.uk
64pp, price £6.95, PBK, ISBN 1 85339 385 1

This last book in the Small-scale textiles series cover the pre-spinning processes which make plant fibres suitable for textile manufacture. It includes not only familiar plant fibres such as cotton, sisal and jute, but also less well-known fibres from plants such as Himalayan nettle, pineapple leaf and kenaf, which are of great value to small communities where they are used for both utilitarian and decorative purposes.

As well as extraction and other pre-spinning processes, there is background information on the growing areas, soil and climatic requirements, methods of harvesting, and details of equipment suppliers and sources of further information.

Farmer-led extension
by Vanessa Scarborough, Scott Killough, Debra A. Johnson and John Farrington, 1997
published by IT Publications, 103-105 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4HH, UK
Email: orders@itpubs.org.uk
228pp, price £12.95, PBK, ISBN 1 85339 417 3

Conventional, government-run agricultural extension services have notably failed to deliver improved agricultural productivity and standards of living in many parts of the developing world. This is especially true in remote and marginal upland areas, and even in the lowlands conventional extension approaches have been critized for promoting chemical-intensive, standardized, and often inappropriate packages of farming practices.

Clearly, more locally controlled and managed approaches are needed, and over the past decade, farmers, NGOs, governments and donors throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America have been experimenting with a range of approaches to extension. These include the campesino-a-campesino movement of Central America, farmer field schools in south-east Asia and Africa, problem consensus approaches in South Asia, and information facilitation programmes in Africa.

All these approaches promote farmers and other rural people as the principal agents of change in their communities. Farmers are not only key to assessing services provided by professional extensionists and researchers, but also make many of the management decisions and do much of the extension work. Because the recommended technologies and approaches are determined locally, they can be adapted to suit particular needs in the village.

Focusing on farmer-led extension, the book draws on the experiences of over 70 farmers, community workers, NGO staff, researchers and policy-makers from around the world. It is both an invaluable introduction to farmer-led approaches, and a mine of ideas for extension managers and project staff seeking to promote agricultural development.

Farmer-to-farmer extension: lessons from the field
by Daniel Selener, Jacqueline Chenier and Raul Zelaya, 1997
published by IIRR, Apartodo Postal 17-08-8494, Quito, ECUADOR
Email: daniel@iirr.ecuanex.net.ec
Available in English and Spanish

This book is the result of two workshops, one in Honduras and another in Ecuador, that were conducted to document and analyze the experiences of several rural development projects, using the farmer-to-farmer extension methodology.

The description and analysis presented offers a broad set of experiences. This information can be analyzed and adapted by the reader to his/her own project, according to the context, project philosophy, objectives, and available resources, among others.

This book will be useful to people working in different kinds of projects (agriculture, health, education, community development, etc.) following participatory approaches to rural development.

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