A practice guide with principles to the development of environmentally integrated, yet economically viable arable farming, from the perspective of ecological research. It is based on 18 invited papers presented at the 13th Long Ashton International Symposium 'Arable Ecosystems for the 21st Century', held in september 1993. The contents are international in outlook, with emphasis on European and North American ecological studies relevant to integrated arable farming systems

Conventional agriculture has caused economic problems associated with lower production of crops, increased costs of energy-based inputs and decreased farm incomes. It has also produced ecological problems on crop diversity, animals and poultry as well as soil and water pollution and soil erosion. The adoption of integrated farming systems involving lower external inputs, residue recycling and organic practices can alleviate economic and ecological problems. Alternatives to energy-based inputs, crop rotations, inter-cropping, use of organic matters, integrated crop, fertilizer, pests and weed management practices certainly impose larger dividends to farm income and employment. Besides this high-tech horticulture, pisciculture, dairy, poultry, mushroom culture, apiary and agroforestry can be made component of Integrated Farming Systems. Post harvest management practices will certainly add flavor and values to young farmers and farm women and bring new dimension to the thought process and check their migration from own village / cities to other states for employment and income. It is essential to integrate the components of agricultural systems fully so that the impacts of other inputs will be visible. Our knowledge and its interaction with secondary inputs must increase to minimize energy-based chemical inputs to produce good yields, increase farm profits and employment generation and decrease environmental problems. There is considerable scope for the development of protocols based on natural resources, ecology, community need in the present climate change scenario. So, interdisciplinary and farmers participatory approach are crucial consideration to achieve sustainable agriculture and development. This book focuses on different practices of Integrated Farming System in eastern-India and for scaling up the technology for community need. It provides a detailed account of principles, challenges and opportunities in simpler yet compact manner for better understanding of the researchers and policy makers.

We hear a lot about how agriculture affects climate change and other environmental issues, but we hear little about how these issues affect agriculture. When we look at both sides of the issues, we can develop better solutions for sustainable agriculture without adversely affecting the environment. Agroecology, Ecosystems, and Sustainability explor

A unique look at how the adoption of sustainable farming methods is being pursued throughout the world. This comprehensive book provides clear insight into research and education needs and the many points of view that come to bear on the issue of sustainability. Essential for agricultural leaders in research, education, conservation, policy making, and anyone else interested in creating an economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Explores how ecological knowledge, applied as part of a multidisciplinary effort, can be used to design an environmentally sound agriculture. This examination provides those interested in agriculture with an introduction to related work in other fields including ecology and economics.

Detailed case studies of agrecological initiatives show how growers, scientists, agricultural organizations, and public agencies can form partnerships to develop innovative, ecologically based techniques for reducing reliance on agrochemicals.