A report identifying and evaluating strategies, methods and technologies being used to promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural techniques on hillsides in Central America. The key elements of procedures and technologies that have been successfully adopted by farmers are illustrated and discussed.

Presents technical guidelines for the trainers of farmer-extensionists in conservation-effective land management and sustainable crop production for the hilly terrains of Central America. The emphasis of the document is on learning-by-doing, building on farmers existing knowledge and experience, and promoting an understanding of the concepts of good land management and sustainable crop production through discussions, and by analysing the causes of problems, their effects and possible solutions.

A joint FAO and World Bank study which shows how the farming systems approach can be used to identify priorities for the reduction of hunger and poverty in the main farming systems of the six major developing regions of the world.

This report sheds light on the amount of nitrogen applied to agricultural soils from livestock manure at different scales, and the relevance of producing, refining and monitoring statistics for agronomic policy and planning.

This paper is specifically about agricultural mechanisation: the opportunities provided by mechanisation for intensifying production in a sustainable manner, in value addition and agri-food value chain development, as well as the inherent opportunities implied for improved local economies and livelihoods. The establishment of viable business enterprises agro-processors, transport services, and so forth as a result of increased agricultural mechanisation in rural areas, is crucial to creating employment and income opportunities and, thereby, enhancing the demand for farm produce. Mechanisation plays a key role in enabling the growth of commercial agri-food systems and the efficiency of post-harvest handling, processing and marketing operations, and as such can be a major determinant in the availability and accessibility of food, the food prices paid by urban and rural poor, as well as contributing to increased household food security.

In large parts of the developed and developing worlds soil tillage by plough or hoe is the main cause of land degradation leading to stagnating or even declining production levels and increasing production cost. It causes the soil to become more dense and compacted, the organic matter content to be reduced and water runoff and soil erosion to increase. It also leads to droughts becoming more severe and the soil becoming less fertile and less responsive to fertiliser. This book brings together the key notes lectures and other outstanding contributions of the I World Congress on Conservation Agriculture and provides an updated view of the environment and economic advantages of CA and of its implementation in diferent areas of the World.

Presents technical guidelines for the trainers of farmer-extensionists in conservation-effective land management and sustainable crop production for the hilly terrains of Central America. The emphasis of the document is on learning-by-doing, building on farmers existing knowledge and experience, and promoting an understanding of the concepts of good land management and sustainable crop production through discussions, and by analysing the causes of problems, their effects and possible solutions.