This book analyses the risky behavior of farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, in their shift from rice to shrimp farming, as well as the role of social capital in these farmers’ economic activities. Emphasizing the rationality of the market does not fully explain the nature of farmers’ economic behavior. Therefore, this book explores farmers’ risk mitigation and dispersion, so as to provide a systematic outlook on the issue. It finds that “food security” and “subsistence margin” influence farmers’ behavior to some extent. In the context of current social relations, farmers do not completely avoid risks, but they have different risk-taking strategies. As the book shows, social reciprocity in terms of capital, labor, and land allows poor farmers to participate in shrimp farming in a risky manner.

The Mekong Delta Environmental Research Guidebook comprehensively covers the Mekong Delta and presents new evidence on unsolved environmental issues. Key experts from around the world offer suggestions for the implementation of more effective mitigation and adaptation measures, especially in the context of climate change and upstream hydropower dam development. This book will help guide students and scientists, both juniors and seniors in their journey of the Mekong Delta Environmental Research, by presenting them with all the necessary information and detailed case studies for a more in-depth understanding of each issue so they can make informed decisions. - Presents a multi-scale viewpoint about the Mekong Delta from a global, to regional and local scale so that readers will gain a more holistic understanding of the issue from the root cause to solutions - Includes case-studies as empirical evidence to help researchers implement more effective mitigation and adaptation measures - Offers the most updated knowledge on strategies in halting environmental pressures, i.e., halting sinking delta and salinity intrusion

This important book is the re-titled third edition of the extremely well received and widely used Agricultural Extension (van den Ban & Hawkins, 1988, 1996). Building on the previous editions, Communication for Rural Innovation maintains and adapts the insights and conceptual models of value today, while reflecting many new ideas, angles and modes of thinking concerning how agricultural extension is taught and carried through today. Since the previous edition of the book, the number and type of organisations that apply communicative strategies to foster change and development in agriculture and resource management has become much more varied and this book is aimed at those who use communication to facilitate change in agriculture and resource management. Communication for Rural Innovation is essential reading for process facilitators, communication division personnel, knowledge managers, training officers, consultants, policy makers, extension specialists and managers of agricultural extension or research organisations. The book can also be used as an advanced introduction into issues of communicative intervention at BSc or MSc level.

The Farmer Field School (FFS) has been one of the most successful approaches developed and promoted by FAO over the past three decades, empowering farmers to become better decision makers in their own farming systems. Initiated by FAO in 1989, and subsequently adopted by many other organizations and institutions, the FFS programs constitute one of the most important “results of the collective action of millions of small-scale farmers” that FAO has supported. FFS is an interactive and participatory learning by doing approach that offers farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolks, foresters and their communities a place where they can learn from each other,share experiences, co-create knowledge and try new ways of doing. Participants enhance their understanding of agro-ecosystems, resulting in production systems that are more resilient and optimize the use of available resources. FFS aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods and recognize their role as innovators and guardians of natural environments. FFS has attained plenty of outstanding achievements in all aspects of agriculture and rural development.

Reflecting the very latest research, this book provides an in-depth review of the role of resilience in the management of social-ecological systems and the ecosystem services they provide. Leaders in the field outline seven principles for building resilience in social-ecological systems, examining how these can be applied to advance sustainability.