Globalisation, Agriculture and Development: Perspectives from the Asia-Pacific. Edited by M. Tonts and M. A. B. Siddique. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing (2011), pp. 264, £65.00. ISBN 1-84720-818-5.

Abstract

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.