This open access book discusses the current role of smallholders in connection with food security and poverty reduction in developing countries. It addresses the opportunities they enjoy, and the constraints they face, by analysing the availability, access to and utilization of production factors. Due to the relevance of smallholder farms, enhancing their production capacities and economic and social resilience could produce positive impacts on food security and nutrition at a number of levels. In addition to the role of small farmers as food suppliers, the book considers their role as consumers and their level of nutrition security. It investigates the link between agriculture and nutrition in order to better understand how agriculture affects human health and dietary patterns. Given the importance of smallholdings, strategies to increase their productivity are essential to improving food and nutrition security, as well as food diversity.

Small farmers tilling handkerchief sized farms feed more than half the world. They thus maintain national stability, forestall conflict and reduce emigration. Secure food supply is nothing short of national security. Such facts define the poor world, yet are misunderstood by nations that influence international development. Practitioners know that small farmers’ yields can exceed those of large farms. They also know that food security means guaranteeing enough food to survive as a national priority unrelated to free trade. Good governments of poor countries practice this to avoid food shortages and anarchy. Food always comes first – that is the message of this powerful book. History is replete with failed societies that lost sight of the centrality of food and farmers. Today, wealthy country delusions of isolation from instability in the rest of the world open everyone to an unprecedented risk. These matters are, in this book, refocused on the essentials of life, global security and peace. Polemic in parts, it shows the situation as it is. The opening paragraph says it. This is a simple book. It argues for the return of two critical values in international development. The first is the securing of food for a minimal level of existence. The second, acknowledgement of the vital role of small farmers. Dilution of these values means that aid may now be increasing risks of starvation and conflict. Some arguments presented here will be counter-intuitive to conventional thinkers, and so information supports forgotten axioms. The book also notes the responsible actions of the world’s major food producers, China and India, both of which are criticized for abandoning unsuitable agendas of development agencies.

Food systems in Indonesia and worldwide have experienced major transformations in the wake of agricultural modernisation. Once intact eco-systems have declined dramatically, along with human diets, long term food security and social cohesion. Using long-term ethnographic research, we documented this loss of traditional food systems in Java, Bali, East Timor and India, but also a recent revival and reinvention of sustainable production methods and community-based distribution systems. A growing movement of small farmers now reject the dominant paradigm of aggressive capitalist development, and are re-creating food systems based on moral ecology – a new concept we introduce to characterise food systems that regenerate the natural environment and serve the common good, rather than maximise profit. Small farmers like these already feed two thirds of humanity using only a third of agricultural land. With proper support, we argue, they could feed the entire world, using sustainable and socially responsible approaches to eradicate world hunger.

The book answers 10 questions addressed to the author in various forms. Some are personal, while others relate to global issues. All are answered with candor and detailed explanation. The answers will not suit those who seek confirmation of popular viewpoints, nor will they suit those who insist they are doing good without having knowledge of what they are really doing. But they will admirably suit those extremely important persons from all walks of life who are open to new knowledge, who can accept challenges to their beliefs and received knowledge. The answers cover such topics as: - why livestock are critical to food security - why free trade and markets can't solve food shortages - why aid shouldn't insist poor countries follow our model - how to reconcile science and commerce with popular ideals - how gross domestic happiness can be a serious topic - how more food can be produced with less land and fertilizer - why labels like Buddhist and vegetarian confuse life - what traditional wisdom is critical to development - how misrepresentation fuels fears about climate change - why small farmers and foreign agribusiness must coexist

Discover the golden road to sustainable agriculture with "The Small Farm Handbook," a comprehensive guide that invites you into a world where self-sufficiency and eco-consciousness converge to create flourishing small farms. This essential read is for anyone looking to unlock the secrets of building and managing a successful small-scale farm in today's world. Embark on a journey through meticulously organized chapters that lay the foundation of understanding sustainable agriculture, addressing both the idyllic visions and gritty realities of small-scale farming. This handbook provides a penetrating look into the modern small farmer's life, weaving through the rich tapestry of knowledge necessary to cultivate a thriving agricultural enterprise. Gain strategic insight into selecting your farm's focus, aligning your personal aspirations with market needs to chart a course for success. Delve into the nuances of land acquisition and management, mastering the stewardship of soil, water, and biodiversity to create an estate that respects natural resources and yields abundant rewards. Setting up your farm business is demystified with a step-by-step approach to crafting business plans, grasping farm economics, funding, and navigating legal waters. Learn how to build sustainable farm infrastructure using eco-friendly design, energy efficiency, and sustainable building materials to establish an operation that stands the test of time. "The Small Farm Handbook" also serves as your all-encompassing guide to tools, equipment, expert techniques for soil fertility, crop management, and sustainably raising livestock. It doesn't stop there; you'll explore market gardening and the art of producing and selling value-added products, diving deep into marketing strategies that will make your farm a household name. From laying out sales channels and community engagement to addressing labor, volunteering, and environmental conservation, the book leaves no stone unturned. You're also offered a forward-thinking perspective, covering the role of technology in farming, tackling challenges, and planning for the future to ensure the longevity and continued innovation of your small farm. Above all, this handbook is a manifesto on the ethical and moral dimensions of farming, encouraging you to cultivate not just crops but also a legacy that positively impacts the community and environment. Ready to transform your agricultural dreams into reality? "The Small Farm Handbook" is your indispensable partner as you sow the seeds of a sustainable, profitable, and ethically-driven farming future.

Ours is the Age of Food. Food is a central obsession in all cultures, nations, the media, and society. Our future supply of food is filled with risk, and history tells us that lack of food leads to war. But it also presents us with spectacular opportunities for fresh human creativity and technological prowess. Julian Cribb describes a new food system capable of meeting our global needs on this hot and overcrowded planet. This book is for anyone concerned about the health, safety, affordability, diversity, and sustainability of their food - and the peace of our planet. It is not just timely - its message is of the greatest urgency. Audiences include consumers, 'foodies', policymakers, researchers, cooks, chefs and farmers. Indeed, anyone who cares about their food, where it comes from and what it means for them, their children and grandchildren.