Research and extension strategies for resource-poor farmers; farming systems versus biotechnology

Author: T.R. Preston
Year: 2000
Issue: 1
Volume: 1
Page: 1 - 8

“The sun provides us with more energy than we will ever need”. So runs a recent advertisement on the back cover of the July issue of the journal “Renewable Energy World” (Shell, 1999).  As well as providing energy to replace that presently derived from fossil fuel deposits and nuclear sources, the sun can also provide the energy needed to produce the food required for a world population expected to double by the year 2050.  The challenge is to capture the sun’s energy in systems of production and utilization which at the same time will contribute to alleviation of poverty, creation of jobs, a more equitable life-syle, protection of the environment and increased biodiversity. It is argued that an approach based on maximising use of natural resources in integrated farming systems is more appropriate for achieving the above objectives than focusing on increasing the yield capacity of individual species in specialised crop and livestock production systems.

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