This book presents an interesting diversity of innovative approaches to hunger alleviation. It has 15 chapters by 36 authors. There are several boxes, figures, tables and 38 pages of notes. A key message is no more business-as-usual. Innovations with demonstrated effect in African agricultural projects range from technical aspects of biodiversity, soil and water conservation, soil fertility, livestock and climate change to various approaches towards eco-agriculture. Several innovations focus on women farmers, the utilization of school gardens and school cultivation. Farmers´own ingenuity is highlighted. Many innovations are new; others older, e.g. access to credit and markets, exotic breeds, post-harvest losses and rural development. Interestingly, few of the technical innovations depended much on cutting-edge scientific and technical breakthroughs. Other innovations illustrate the fact that the world agricultural problems are more complicated and go beyond the immediate problem of hunger. They are shown in agro-ecology, ecosystem management, urban agriculture, government policy and basic sanitation services. Focusing on one intervention for a problem, such as genetic engineering, will not suffice as explicitly stated. Sustainable agriculture is complex. It requires systems analysis and must be based on natural resources, calling for a paradigm shift. Family planning is not considered. There are few examples in policy change, especially how governments turn commitments for the poor into large-scale actions. The book is recommended to policy-makers, agribusiness and development agencies. To effectively reach them, a two-page résumé with advice to a Minister or CEO would have been useful. Donors and international organizations would have benefited from specific guidance on how best to invest funds under uncertainty.

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We live in interesting times! There is a global realisation of the need for greater and sustainable food production-from a shrinking arable area. This comes after a long period of agricultural decline, particularly in Europe and more seriously a very significant decline in agricultural research. The days of the Green Revolution are over and we have nothing to replace it. The only hope is for improved crop production through improved genetics. Traditional methods of breeding have performed well in the past but are clearly struggling with new challenges. The new molecular technologies of genetics and genomics hold the key to future productivity. These technologies are alien to many involved in traditional breeding, and for them this book will be a revelation. Written by acknowledged experts in their fields, this book provides a window into the future with well-written and very readable accounts of the origins of the brassica oil crops, followed by a series of chapters outlining the latest technologies of genomics and their uses. Each chapter is more or less self-contained and can be read in isolation-there is therefore some understandable duplication in their introductions. The subjects are well referenced and this book will provide an excellent introduction to modern breeding. More importantly, the book clearly outlines the use and capabilities of these technologies. For any young breeder and any older ones looking for a new lease in life, this book will become an essential reading.

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