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Agro and Food Processing Technologies: Proceedings of NERC 2022
by Ramagopal V. S. Uppaluri Chandan Das V. V. Goud R. AnandalakshmiThis book focuses on sustainable agro and food technologies for the northeast region of India and provides holistic insights into relevant and contextual scientific and technical advances in the agro-food sector. Agriculture is an important livelihood avenue for many residents of northeast India. Low-cost scientific and technological intervention can transform agricultural farm produces and generate farm waste into processed value-added products. This book will serve as a valuable resource to further enhance the linkage between managerial aspects and technological knowledge systems in this field and eventually catalyse potential knowledge frameworks for the long-term prosperity and sustainability of bio-diversity-rich North-east India. It emphasizes the research culture that needs to be adopted for the most relevant food and agro-processing technologies for the sustainable growth and prosperity of the region.
Agro-biodiversity and Agri-ecosystem Management
by Pavan Kumar R. S. Tomar Jahangeer A. Bhat Manmohan Dobriyal Meenu RaniThis edited book collates latest findings in the field of agro-biodiversity and agri-ecosystem management across the globe through selected case studies. The primary aim of the book is to cover agro-biodiversity and agri-ecosystem advancements in the field of agricultural resource management. The book explores a range of technologies that support sustainable use of resources and facilities, such as Natural Resource Management (NRM), Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs), Integrated Farming System (IFS), Integrated Crop Management (ICM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), use of solar energy, promotion of agro-ecological zone specific agricultural production, application of climate resilient technologies, secondary agricultural practices and post-harvest technologies. Agro-biodiversity and agri-ecosystem not only contributes to overall growth of the economy but also reduces poverty by providing employment and food security to the majority of the population in the continent and thus it is the most inclusive growth sectors of the economy of Asian and African countries. The book is relevant for researchers and policy makes in the field of agriculture, food system research, ecology, agricultural diversification, resource management etc.
Agro-ecological Approaches to Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture
by P. Parvatha ReddyThis book outlines a new paradigm, "Agro-ecological Intensification of Crop Protection", which reduces negative impacts on the environment and enhances the provision of ecosystem services. It discusses the use of ecologically based management strategies to increase the sustainability of agricultural production while reducing off-site consequences, highlighting the underlying principles and outlining some of the key management practices and technologies required to implement agro-ecological pest management. It also comprehensively explores important topics like stimulo-deterrent diversion strategy, precision agriculture, plant breeding, nutrient management, habitat management, cultural approaches, cultivar mixtures/multiline cultivars, crop rotation, crop residue management, crop diversity, cover crops, conservation tillage, biofumigation, agro-forestry, and addition of organic matter. This timely book promotes the rapid implementation of this technology in farming community around the globe. It is a valuable resource for the scientific community involved in teaching, research and extension activities related to agro-ecological pest management as well as policymakers and practicing farmers. It can also be used for teaching post-graduate courses.
Agro-Ecological Intensification of Agricultural Systems in the African Highlands
by Bernard Vanlauwe Piet Van Asten Guy BlommeThere is an urgent need to increase agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa in a sustainable and economically-viable manner. Transforming risk-averse smallholders into business-oriented producers that invest in producing surplus food for sale provides a formidable challenge, both from a technological and socio-political perspective. This book addresses the issue of agricultural intensification in the humid highland areas of Africa – regions with relatively good agricultural potential, but where the scarce land resources are increasingly under pressure from the growing population and from climate change. In addition to introductory and synthesis chapters, the book focuses on four themes: system components required for agricultural intensification; the integration of components at the system level; drivers for adoption of technologies towards intensification; and the dissemination of complex knowledge. It provides case studies of improved crop and soil management for staple crops such as cassava and bananas, as well as examples of how the livelihoods of rural people can be improved. The book provides a valuable resource for researchers, development actors, students and policy makers in agricultural systems and economics and in international development. It highlights and addresses key challenges and opportunities that exist for sustainable agricultural intensification in the humid highlands of sub-Saharan Africa.
Agro-Environmental Sustainability: Volume 1: Managing Crop Health
by Gamini Seneviratne Jay Shankar SinghThis two-volume work is a testament to the increasing interest in the role of microbes in sustainable agriculture and food security. Advances in microbial technologies are explored in chapters dealing with topics such as carbon sequestration, soil fertility management, sustainable crop production, and microbial signaling networks. Volume I is a collection of research findings that invites readers to examine the application of microbes in reinstating degraded ecosystems and also in establishing sustainable croplands. Highly readable entries attempt to close the knowledge gap between soil microbial associations and sustainable agriculture. An increase in the global population with changing climate is leading to environments of various abiotic and biotic stresses for agricultural crops. It therefore becomes important to identify the techniques to improve soil fertility and function using different microbial groups such as actinobacteria, microalgae, fluorescent pseudomonads and cyanobacterial systems. These are examined in this volume in greater detail. This work is a significant contribution to research in this increasingly important discipline, and will appeal to researchers in microbiology, agriculture, environmental sciences, and soil and crop sciences.
Agro-Environmental Sustainability: Volume 2: Managing Environmental Pollution
by Gamini Seneviratne Jay Shankar SinghThis two-volume work is a testament to the increasing interest in the role of microbes in sustainable agriculture and food security. Advances in microbial technologies are explored in chapters dealing with topics such as plant-microbe interactions, rhizoremediation and cyanoremediation, and bio-immobilization. Volume II is a collection of research findings that invites readers to examine the application of microbes in pollution reduction, decontamination of agro- and aquatic ecosystems, and remediation of various toxic compounds. Highly readable entries attempt to close the knowledge gap between soil microbial associations and sustainable agriculture. Traditional agricultural management techniques have relied heavily on application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; and recent land use change practices have led to over exploitation of natural resources. Strategies outlined here simplify a complicated picture of the way microbial communities can improve the quality of environment and eliminate food scarcity in the coming generations. This work is a significant contribution to research in this increasingly important discipline of soil sciences, and will appeal to researchers in microbiology, agriculture, environmental sciences, and soil and crop sciences.
Agro-Environmental Sustainability in MENA Regions (Springer Water)
by Mohamed Abu-Hashim Faiza Khebour Allouche Abdelazim NegmThis book focuses on the status quo and the latest information on the water-soil-agriculture nexus in the MENA countries. It presents several case studies and applications from e.g. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan, while also sharing and discussing the latest findings. The content includes a range of agriculture-related topics that focus on: water resources management, impacts of climate change, and wastewater treatment for reuse in agriculture sectors; in addition, sustainable approaches to agricultural-based industry, organic crop production, crop water requirements, and soil environment are discussed in an updated and comprehensive review. In turn, the book discusses the applications of GIS and remote sensing as a new technology for better agriculture management, as well as its use in Egypt as a representative country. In closing, it considers the implementation of an environmental information system in data-scarce MENA countries from the standpoint of the water-food nexus, and addresses the question of climate justice in the MENA region. Exploring various dimensions of MENA country-based case studies on achieving sustainable agriculture, the book offers an invaluable source of topical information for agricultural sustainability-related stakeholders in the region, researchers and graduate students alike.
Agro-geoinformatics: Theory and Practice (Springer Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry)
by Liping Di Berk ÜstündağThis volume collects and presents the fundamentals, tools, and processes of utilizing geospatial information technologies to process remotely sensed data for use in agricultural monitoring and management. The issues related to handling digital agro-geoinformation, such as collecting (including field visits and remote sensing), processing, storing, archiving, preservation, retrieving, transmitting, accessing, visualization, analyzing, synthesizing, presenting, and disseminating agro-geoinformation have never before been systematically documented in one volume. The book is edited by International Conference on Agro-Geoinformatics organizers Dr. Liping Di (George Mason University), who coined the term “Agro-Geoinformatics” in 2012, and Dr. Berk Üstündağ (Istanbul Technical University) and are uniquely positioned to curate and edit this foundational text.The book is composed of eighteen chapters that can each stand alone but also build on each other to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of agro-geoinformatics and what the tools and processes that compose the field can accomplish. Topics covered include land parcel identification, image processing in agricultural observation systems, databasing and managing agricultural data, crop status monitoring, moisture and evapotranspiration assessment, flood damage monitoring, agricultural decision support systems and more.
Agro-industrial Perspectives on Sugarcane Production under Environmental Stress
by Krishan K. Verma Xiu-Peng Song Vishnu D. Rajput Sushil Solomon Yang-Rui Li Govind P. RaoThis edited volume focuses on the core aspects of sugarcane production-management under stressful environments as well as innovative strategies for augmenting crop growth & productivity through intrinsic and extrinsic manipulations. The various chapters aim at bringing out comprehensive and advance information on different aspects of sugarcane cultivation under stress environments and impact of climate change on the sustainability of sugarcane production. The book encompasses information about crop production management, physiological & nutritional requirements, ratooning, ripening and post-harvest losses management. It also delineates various technologies that support the continued use and improvement of sugarcane as renewable source of food, fiber and bio-energy. The manipulations at cellular and molecular levels, molecular breeding approaches and post-harvest technologies are also included. The area under sugarcane cultivation is gradually increasing because of its diversification potential. The high productivity and biomass of the cane crop also makes it a key source for use as bio-energy crop and a promising raw material for bio-based agro-industries. However, poor crop & biomass productivity due to abiotic stress is the foremost constraint in its future commercial exploitation as sustainable feed-stock for bio-based industries. It is therefore imperative to understand the cellular-molecular modulation responsible to productivity barrier under specific stress situation(s) for better sugarcane quality and quantum under field condition. Some of these innovative approaches are delineated in this book. This book is of interest to progressive sugarcane growers, millers, industrial entrepreneurs, sugarcane scientists, cane development and extension officers, sugar industry managers and valuable source of reference worldwide.
Agro-Processing and Food Engineering: Operational and Application Aspects
by Harish Kumar Sharma Navneet KumarThis textbook highlights the engineering fundamentals and processing aspects of agricultural produce and covers important aspects of agro-processing and food engineering in one place. The chapters cover material handling, drying, size reduction process, mixing and forming, cleaning and separation, storage, and processing of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruit and vegetables, and their products. The book’s contents are systematically designed to provide a balanced overview of agro-processing techniques from the basic concepts to the case study, handling of the materials, and different unit operations. The systematic and simple elaboration of scientific aspects will make it unique and help to develop skills in the field. Many illustrations in form of diagrams/charts/pictures provide a clear understanding. Solved numerical problems, which are given in the chapters, will provide students clarity in conceptualizing the basics. The book covers the syllabus related to agro-processing and food engineering at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in various universities, agricultural universities, allied institutes, and colleges across the globe. It will be extremely beneficial to students as it covers the most important and relevant topics, which are hardly covered in any other single compilation and published textbooks. It would be a good textbook for universities, agricultural universities, institutes, and colleges running courses in agriculture, horticulture, postharvest technology, process and food engineering, food engineering, food engineering and technology, food technology, food science, and food and nutrition.
Agro-Product Processing Technology: Principles and Practice
by B K BalaGlobal food security is a challenging issue. Meeting the food and nutritional requirements of the world has become an issue for national policymakers and is of public concern. There is a need to enhance agricultural production, as well as, to reduce postharvest loss, improve the quality of processed products, and add value to products to make more quality food available. Agro-product processing technology plays a major role to reduce post-harvest losses, improve the quality of processed products, and add value to the products. It also generates employment and ultimately contributes to food security. Features: Covers a wide spectrum of agro-product processing technology Explains the principles and practices of agro-product processing technology with many worked examples to quickly teach the basic principles through examples Contains examples from different operations on current problems to show the wide applications of the principles of agro-product technology Includes process control and emerging technologies in agro-product processing such as energy and exergy analysis, neural network modeling, and CFD modeling This book deals with physical and thermal properties, cleaning and sorting, drying and storage, parboiling and milling, by-product utilization, heating and cooling, refrigerated cooling, and cold storage. The most unique feature of this book is the machine vision for grading fruits, process control and materials handling, and emerging technologies such as neural network, finite element, CFD, and genetic algorithm.
Agro-Waste Derived Biopolymers and Biocomposites: Innovations and Sustainability in Food Packaging
by Santosh Kumar Avik Mukherjee Vimal KatiyarAGRO-WASTE DERIVED BIOPOLYMERS AND BIOCOMPOSITES This comprehensive book describes the fundamental principles and major advancements in the utilization of agro-waste for deriving biopolymers, and their applications to fabricate composite, nanocomposite, and hybrid food packaging films and coatings. The book serves as a complete, systematic, comprehensive account of the contemporary developments in the area of novel and environment-friendly valorization of agro- and food wastes into value-added products like biodegradable polymer and active functional agents for food packaging applications. It also describes the hurdles and challenges in the commercialization of these novel biopolymer-based materials, including their composites, their applications, safety, and legal ramifications. This book consists of fifteen chapters covering different aspects of agro- and food waste utilization, the development of biodegradable polymers, and their composites for sustainable food packaging applications. The first thirteen chapters detail the processing of various agro- and food wastes of plant and animal origin to synthesize different biopolymers, such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, silk proteins, pectin, etc., and their applications for the fabrication of sustainable food packaging materials and composites that are attractive alternatives to synthetic plastic packaging. These chapters also summarize the effectiveness of these biopolymers and their composites in developing active films and edible coatings for shelf-life extension and preservation of perishable foods. A chapter is devoted to issues of biodegradability, including analyses of various biodegradation reactions, such as depolymerization, mineralization, biochemical, and abiotic degradation both in soil and aquatic environments. The book concludes with a chapter addressing the concerns associated with the possible migration of components or additives from these biodegradable packaging into packaged food items. Audience The primary audience for this book is researchers, scientists, and engineers working in food science and technology, food engineering and technology, food biotechnology, sustainable food packaging, etc. Additionally, food entrepreneurs and associated businesses, such as the packaging and coatings industries, will also have a keen interest in the book.
Agro-waste to Microbe Assisted Value Added Product: Recent Developments in Agro-waste Valorization Research (Environmental Science and Engineering)
by Swarnendu Roy Piyush Mathur Shyama Prasad Saha Deepika MazumdarThis book mainly focuses on the recent trends and sustainability challenges in the valorization of agro-wastes, emphasizing the role of microbial biotechnology. Processing of various kinds of agro-wastes such as lignocellulosic materials, food industry wastes, dairy wastes, etc., into several bioactive compounds, enzymes, biofuels, biogas, biofertilizers, nutraceuticals, nanoparticles, etc., will be discussed elaborately in more detail. This book investigates the theoretical and practical aspects of modern research regarding the valorization of agro-wastes through microbial technology. Moreover, the role of valorization research in circular bio-economy will also be addressed in this book.
Agro-Wastes for Packaging Applications
by Sneh Punia Bangar Priyanka KajlaFood and agricultural waste is a huge global issue that has detrimental effects on society, the economy, and the environment. Plant leaves, stems, roots and peels (outer leaves and stems) are among the wastes and by-products from agriculture and the food business, along with residues from oil production, fruit and vegetable peels, and seeds. High concentrations of dietary fiber, phytochemicals, cellulose, and hemicellulose are typically found in these residues. As the next environmentally conscious step of waste valorization, research from recent years has demonstrated that employing organic ingredients/biodegradable fibers generated from waste and by-products in the food packaging business may be an efficient strategy to reduce the quantity of food waste and by-products. In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in finding alternative polymer materials as high-value novel packaging materials through the valorization of agricultural waste. Thus, utilizing agricultural wastes and by-products as raw materials for food packaging could help cut down on the amount of waste produced.Agro-Wastes for Packaging Applications provides an update on the strategies for valuing agricultural waste and how these might be used in packaging. It also includes recent research on these approaches and presents an innovative strategy for developing sustainable, green, and biodegradable packaging options. A detailed overview of the packaging application of valorized agricultural waste materials is discussed, and concept clarification is achieved using flowcharts and figures supported by the latest research investigations. These agricultural leftovers are abundant sources of polysaccharides, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which can be processed further utilizing various physicochemical techniques and other unconventional techniques to create nanocellulose fibers or crystals. The main goal of this book is to provide food experts and the general public with superior, environmentally friendly, sustainable packaging materials that can be used in place of plastic polymers.Key Features Contains abundant information on advanced valorization techniques for different types of agricultural wastes Provides information on possible applications of component/constituents obtained by the valorization Discusses the impact of the incorporation of these valorized components in different packaging systems Reviews the legal standards and future trends in the commercialization of these derived polymers in food packaging industries
Agrobacterium Biology: From Basic Science to Biotechnology (Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology #418)
by Stanton B. GelvinThis volume reviews various facets of Agrobacterium biology, from modern aspects of taxonomy and bacterial ecology to pathogenesis, bacterial cell biology, plant and fungal transformation, natural transgenics, and biotechnology. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most extensively utilized platform for generating transgenic plants, but modern biotechnology applications derive from more than 40 years of intensive basic scientific research. Many of the biological principles established by this research have served as models for other bacteria, including human and animal pathogens. Written by leading experts and highlighting recent advances, this volume serves both as an introduction to Agrobacterium biology for students as well as a more comprehensive text for research scientists.
Agrochemicals Desk Reference
by John H. MontgomeryThe Agrochemicals Desk Reference is a revised volume inspired by the growing number of research publications and continued interest in the fate, transport, and remediation of hazardous substances. Much data has been added to this edition, reflecting the wealth of literature in the field. Featured are environmental and physical/chemical data on more than 200 compounds, including pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. All compounds are listed in alphabetical order, making it easy to find the data you need. The text is fully indexed by CAS number, RTECS number, empirical number, and synonyms.
Agrochemicals in Soil and Environment: Impacts and Remediation
by M. Naeem Juan Francisco Jimenez Bremont Abid Ali Ansari Sarvajeet Singh GillThis volume ‘Agrochemicals in Soil and Environment: Impacts and Remediation’ is a comprehensive collection of important literature on agrochemical contamination. The main focus of this book is to point out undesirable changes in biological, physical and chemical characteristics of agricultural soils and its impacts on global agricultural crop productivity. Soil is one of the important resources of basic needs for our sustenance but due to various anthropogenic activities like urbanization and industrialization, the soil is losing its basic quality characteristics. Soil microorganisms, water holding capacity, minerals, salts and nutrients are under the direct threat due to agrochemicals therefore, agricultural sector is facing a serious challenge. Lack of proper knowledge and luxurious applications of agrochemicals resulting into degradation and deterioration of soil quality, loss of soil and crop productivity and threatening the food security. Therefore, it is imperative to develop indices, indicators and soil parameters for the monitoring and impact assessment of agricultural contaminants. Further, biotic and abiotic stresses and their tolerance mechanisms in plants in relation to the soil contaminants such as toxic pollutants, heavy metals, inorganic and organic matters, variety of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, agricultural runoffs and solid wastes, and chemical fertilizers are also highlighted in this volume. This book also discusses causes of reduced agriculture productivity and suggests sustainable measures such as plant-based technologies, bioremediation and nanotechnology, that can be used to overcome the crop losses. The book is interest to research students, teachers, agricultural scientists, agronomists, environmentalists as well as policy makers.
Agroecological Approaches for Sustainable Soil Management
by Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad Chitranjan KumarAgroecological Approaches for Sustainable Soil Management Enables readers to strengthen existing agricultural strategies to sustainably solve contemporary problems like food supply chain gaps and food scarcity Agroecological Approaches for Sustainable Soil Management explains strategies to check the deterioration of soil quality, irrigation water quality, reuse of wastewaters in agriculture after treatment, organic fertigation, and corporate fertigation, to transform current agriculture into sustainable agriculture, and demonstrates cost effective technologies for sustainable development of site-specific ecosystems. Techniques to eradicate malnutrition, such as enhanced biofortification, are also covered. Sample topics covered in Agroecological Approaches for Sustainable Soil Management include: Foremost developments in the restoration and utilization of degraded lands through organic farming, precision agriculture, climate-resilient fodder/forage cultivation, and livestock management Promotion of agro-forestry-based apiculture, silviculture, and sericulture, and corporate fertigation, and reclaiming urban brownfields and industrial areas Development of diverse products, including biofuel, fiber, fodder, timber, and herbal products leading to the generation of social capitals Ecology of intercropping systems, tree-cover dynamics of grazing lands, and cover crops for soil management Agroecological Approaches for Sustainable Soil Management is a comprehensive and authoritative resource on the subject, making it a must-have resource for scientists working in agrobiodiversity, agroecology, bioscience, restoration ecology, soil science, and sustainable science, along with postgraduate students in ecology, environmental sciences, and environmental economics.
Agroecological Crop Protection
by Jean-Philippe Deguine Caroline Gloanec Philippe Laurent Alain Ratnadass Jean-Noël AubertotThis book is devoted to Agroecological Crop Protection, which is the declension of the principles of agroecology to crop protection. It presents the concepts of this innovative approach, case studies and lessons and generic keys for agroecological transition. The book is intended for a wide audience, including scientists, experimenters, teachers, farmers, students. It represents a new tool, proposing concrete keys of action on the basis of feedbacks validated scientifically. Beyond the examples presented, it is therefore of general scope and proposes recommendations for all temperate and tropical cropping systems. It contributes to the training and teaching modules in this field and it is an updated information support for professionals and a teaching aid for students (agronomy, crop protection, biodiversity management, agroecology).
Agroecological Footprints Management for Sustainable Food System
by Arnab Banerjee Ram Swaroop Meena Manoj Kumar Jhariya Dhiraj Kumar YadavAgroecological footprints are a unique and popular concept for sustainable food system. Measuring and keeping a tab on the agroecological footprints of various human activities has gained remarkable interest in the past decade. From a range of human activities, food production and agriculture are most essential as well as extremely dependent on the agroecosystems. It is therefore crucial to understand the interaction of agroecosystem constituents with the extensive agricultural practices. The environmental impact measured in terms of agroecological footprints for a healthy for the sustainable food system. The editors critically examine the status of agroecological footprints and how it can be maintained within sustainable limits. Drawing upon research and examples from around the world, the book is offering an up-to-date account, and insight into how agroecology can be implemented as a solution in the form of eco-friendly practices that would boost up the production, curbs the environmental impacts, improves the bio-capacity, and reduces the agroecological footprints.It further discusses the changing status of the agroecological footprints and the growth of other footprint tools and types, such as land, water, carbon, nitrogen, etc. This book will be of interest to teachers, researchers, government planners, climate change scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, agroforestry, agroecology, soil science, and environmental sciences.National and international agricultural scientists, policymakers will also find this to be useful to achieve the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’.
Agroecological Innovations: Increasing Food Production with Participatory Development
by Norman UphoffThe world's food supply needs to rise significantly, yet both arable and water supplies per capita are decreasing. Not only are modern agricultural methods beyond the reach of those suffering the greatest food insecurity but they are also ecologically damaging, relying upon fossil energy and chemical inputs. This volume offers a collection of innovative and diverse approaches to agricultural development. Documented in 12 case studies, these approaches are reliant upon greater knowledge, skill and labour input, rather than larger capital expenditure. They are shown to increase yield substantially, sometimes doubling or tripling output. This volume presents the concepts and operational means for reorienting agricultural efforts towards these more environmentally friendly and socially desirable approaches in the developed as well as developing world.
Agroecological Transitions: From Theory To Practice In Local Participatory Design
by Jacques-Eric Bergez Elise Audouin Olivier TherondThis Open Access book presents feedback from the ‘Territorial Agroecological Transition in Action’- TATA-BOX research project, which was devoted to these specific issues. The multidisciplinary and multi-organisation research team steered a four-year action-research process in two territories of France. It also presents:i) the key dimensions to be considered when dealing with agroecological transition: diversity of agriculture models, management of uncertainties, polycentric governance, autonomies, and role of actors’ networks;ii) an operational and original participatory process and associated boundary tools to support local stakeholders in shifting from a shared diagnosis to a shared action plan for transition, and in so doing developing mutual understanding and involvement;iii) an analysis of the main effects of the methodology on research organisation and on stakeholders’ development and application;iv) critical analysis and foresights on the main outcomes of TATA-BOX, provided by external researchers.
Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems
by Stephen GliessmanAgroecology is a science, a productive practice, and part of a social movement that is at the forefront of transforming food systems to sustainability. Building upon the ecological foundation of the agroecosystem, Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, Third Edition provides the essential foundation for understanding sustainability in all of its components: agricultural, ecological, economic, social, cultural, and even political. It presents a case for food system change and why the current industrial model of food production and distribution is not sustainable.
Agroecology: Leading the Transformation to a Just and Sustainable Food System (Advances in Agroecology)
by Stephen R. Gliessman V. Ernesto Méndez Victor M. Izzo Eric W. EnglesAgroecology is at the forefront of transforming our food systems. This bestselling textbook provides the essential foundation for understanding this transformation in all its components: agricultural, ecological, economic, social, cultural, and political. It presents a case for food system change, explains the principles and practices underlying the ecological approach to food production, and lays out a vision for a food system based on equity and greater compatibility with the planet’s life support systems. New to the fourth edition: A chapter on Alternatives to Industrial Agriculture, covering the similarities and distinctions among different approaches to sustainable agriculture A chapter on Ecological Pest, Weed, and Disease Management A chapter on Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture A chapter on Agriculture and the Climate Crisis A revised analysis and critique of the food system’s embeddedness in the extractive capitalist world economy that reflects ideas in the emerging field of political agroecology. Streamlined treatment of agroecology’s foundations in ecological science, making the text more compatible with typical course curricula. A Companion Website incorporates the entire contents of the updated practical manual Field and Laboratory Investigations in Agroecology, split into student and lecturer resources. These 24 sample investigations facilitate hands-on learning that involves close observation, creative interpretation, and constant questioning of findings. Groundbreaking in its first edition and established as the definitive text in its second and third, the fourth edition of Agroecology captures recent developments in the field and forcefully applies the idea that agroecology is a science, a movement, and a practice. Written by a team of experts, this book will encourage students and practitioners to consider the critical importance of transitioning to a new paradigm for food and agriculture.
Agroecology: Reweaving a New Landscape
by Angela HilmiThis book argues that sustainable development, based on sustained growth, has led us to an impasse. In response, Agroecology brings back and utilises notions of eco-development and co-evolution with nature as a refreshing paradigm. It also proposes a further shift in mindset with the notion of being within, or looking at agroecology as a way to reconnect and rebuild relationships and movement within farming systems and beyond. Rather than linear technical fixes, it considers the critical nodes of tension, the inflection points, or acupoints, which can trigger a transition towards greater harmony and well-being. The book also draws from a concrete example of agroecology by examining a pilot project in Mozambique testing new approaches to investments and peasant farming that will inspire farming communities, researchers, policy makers and development organizations alike, to build greater autonomy and self-determination.