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As climate change gives rise to water shortages and unstable growing conditions in California and across the United States, agricultural systems must be able to adapt to increasingly extreme environmental stressors. Diversified farming systems, which incorporate biodiversity across multiple temporal and spatial scales to support ecosystem services, offer an alternative to the fragility of the current industrialized regime that dominates US agriculture. When small-scale, thought-intensive, diversified farming systems are supported by research and socio-political movements that defend them and advocate for their wider adoption, food production will transition towards a science, practice, and movement known as agroecology. While many argue that agroecological transitions are necessary to achieve stable food production and climate, economic, and political justice in the US agricultural system, state and federal policies do not reliably support diversified farming systems. In order to craft effective policy interventions, we must have an intimate knowledge of how and why diversified farming practices work to properly support their success and spread. In my dissertation I explore two regional examples of diversified farming practices and their potential for wider adoption given current and possible future policy landscapes. In corn-based crop rotations in the US Midwest and tomato dry farming on California’s Central Coast, climate shocks have sparked a need for dramatic change, opening an opportunity for policy to guide agriculture towards an agroecological future. With the help of farmer collaborators, I ask how each of these systems functions, how policy has failed them, and where it may yet succeed.The first chapter of my dissertation examines the political and physical landscapes in which farmers grow corn-based rotations in the US Midwest, asking what factors lead farmers towards complex vs simplified rotations. I used publicly available, remotely sensed datasets to

Soil health support crop production and answer to its sustainability and renewability. This study involved the use of under explored legumes in South Africa, Limpopo under maizelegume intercropping systems as a strategy to mitigate soil quality deterioration. The study was conducted at University of Limpopo (Syferkuil) and University of Venda (UNIVEN) Experimental farms during 2020/2021. A split plot experiment, with the main factor comprised of water regimes (irrigation and rainfed) and second main factor included cropping systems (Intercropping and monocropping). Five treatments comprised of 3 monocrops (Maize, Chickpea, and Mungbean) and 2 intercrops (maize-chickpea and maize-mungbean) replicated three times. Data collected from the soil before planting and after maturity were pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), particle size, bulk density, aggregate stability, organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), phosphorus (P), ammonium (NH4-N), nitrate (NO3—N), soil active carbon (SAC), and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN). Plant parameters collected during vegetative and flowering stage included plant height, chlorophyll content, plant vigour, and leaf area index. All data was subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance using GenStat software. Significant effect (p<0.05) was observed between treatments on soil pH (KCl), OM, organic carbon (OC), and ammonium (NH4) at Syferkuil Farm. Also, interaction between water regimes and cropping systems affected NH4 and pH (KCl). Cropping systems had significant effect (p<0.01) on pH (H2O), OM, OC, P, NH4, and NO3 at UNIVEN. Interaction between water regimes and cropping systems affected (p<0.01) pH (H2O), P but no significant effect was observed on OC, NH4, and NO3. Cropping systems and interaction at both locations did not affect particle size, bulk density, aggregate stability, EC, SAC, and PMN. Pure stands of maize and legumes had greater plant height, plant vigour, and chlorophyll content whereas intercro, National Research Foundation (NRF)

En este trabajo analizaremos el registro arqueológico que ha proporcionado la primera campaña de excavaciones en la alquería de La Graja (Higueruela, Albacete) durante el año 2020, a partir del cual pretendemos obtener datos que nos permitan aproximarnos al poblamiento andalusí en las comarcas sudorientales de La Mancha. La excavación arqueológica complementa la información aportada por las prospecciones realizadas en el territorio castral de Chinchilla en época andalusí y en el Corredor de Almansa, un área de secano donde se documenta durante el siglo XI una intensa ocupación articulada en un número considerable de alquerías (qurā) en llano. Dicha intervención nos ha permitido documentar una arquitectura doméstica modesta y funcional caracterizada por emplear los recursos del entorno (piedra, tierra y madera), sin elementos decorativos ni materiales elaborados como el ladrillo, y cuyos espacios carecen de la especialización funcional propia de las casas urbanas., In this paper we will analyse the archaeological register provided by the first excavation campaign in the village of La Graja (Higueruela, Albacete) during the year 2020, from which we intend to obtain data that will provide us with a first knowledge about the Andalusian settlement in the south-eastern regions of La Mancha. The archaeological excavation complements the information provided by the surveys carried out in the castral territory of Chinchilla in the Andalusian period and in the Corredor de Almansa, an area of dry land where an intense occupation is documented during the 11th century articulated in a considerable number of villages (qurā) on the plain. This intervention has documented a modest and functional domestic architecture characterised by the use of the resources of the environment (stone, earth and wood), without decorative elements or elaborate materials such as brick, and whose spaces lack the functional specialisation typical of urban houses.

[EN] In this paper we will analyse the archaeological register provided by the first excavation campaign in the village of La Graja (Higueruela, Albacete) during the year 2020, from which we intend to obtain data that will provide us with a first knowledge about the Andalusian settlement in the south-eastern regions of La Mancha. The archaeological excavation complements the information provided by the surveys carried out in the castral territory of Chinchilla in the Andalusian period and in the Corredor de Almansa, an area of dry land where an intense occupation is documented during the 11th century articulated in a considerable number of villages (qurā) on the plain. This intervention has documented a modest and functional domestic architecture characterised by the use of the resources of the environment (stone, earth and wood), without decorative elements or elaborate materials such as brick, and whose spaces lack the functional specialisation typical of urban houses. [ES] En este trabajo analizaremos el registro arqueológico que ha proporcionado la primera campaña de excavaciones en la alquería de La Graja (Higueruela, Albacete) durante el año 2020, a partir del cual pretendemos obtener datos que nos permitan aproximarnos al poblamiento andalusí en las comarcas sudorientales de La Mancha. La excavación arqueológica complementa la información aportada por las prospecciones realizadas en el territorio castral de Chinchilla en época andalusí y en el Corredor de Almansa, un área de secano donde se documenta durante el siglo XI una intensa ocupación articulada en un número considerable de alquerías (qurā) en llano. Dicha intervención nos ha permitido documentar una arquitectura doméstica modesta y funcional caracterizada por emplear los recursos del entorno (piedra, tierra y madera), sin elementos decorativos ni materiales elaborados como el ladrillo, y cuyos espacios carecen de la especialización funcional propia de las casas urbanas.

En este trabajo analizaremos el registro arqueológico que ha proporcionado la primera campaña de excavaciones en la alquería de La Graja (Higueruela, Albacete) durante el año 2020, a partir del cual pretendemos obtener datos que nos permitan aproximarnos al poblamiento andalusí en las comarcas sudorientales de La Mancha. La excavación arqueológica complementa la información aportada por las prospecciones realizadas en el territorio castral de Chinchilla en época andalusí y en el Corredor de Almansa, un área de secano donde se documenta durante el siglo XI una intensa ocupación articulada en un número considerable de alquerías (qurā) en llano. Dicha intervención nos ha permitido documentar una arquitectura doméstica modesta y funcional caracterizada por emplear los recursos del entorno (piedra, tierra y madera), sin elementos decorativos ni materiales elaborados como el ladrillo, y cuyos espacios carecen de la especialización funcional propia de las casas urbanas., In this paper we will analyse the archaeological register provided by the first excavation campaign in the village of La Graja (Higueruela, Albacete) during the year 2020, from which we intend to obtain data that will provide us with a first knowledge about the Andalusian settlement in the south-eastern regions of La Mancha. The archaeological excavation complements the information provided by the surveys carried out in the castral territory of Chinchilla in the Andalusian period and in the Corredor de Almansa, an area of dry land where an intense occupation is documented during the 11th century articulated in a considerable number of villages (qurā) on the plain. This intervention has documented a modest and functional domestic architecture characterised by the use of the resources of the environment (stone, earth and wood), without decorative elements or elaborate materials such as brick, and whose spaces lack the functional specialisation typical of urban houses.

Agriculture in South Africa, particularly in the summer rainfall areas, faces the challenge of optimal crop production in the face of climate change. Climate change scenarios for South Africa have been predicted to have a negative impact on agriculture particularly in the summer rainfall areas because of its dependence on climate variables. Within the context of the South African agricultural sector, it has become important to identify who and what is most vulnerable to impacts of climate change, so that support for adaptation can be targeted appropriately. The aim of this study was to assess the hazard of climate change in relation to the production of selected dryland crops, namely: sunflower, soybean, and groundnut in the summer rainfall areas and to model their vulnerability and response to climate change as well as to develop coping and adaptation strategies. A survey of 800 farmers was carried out in three agro-ecological zones of Limpopo and Free State. The population was purposively selected and were present for focus group discussions and questionnaire administration. Questions on agronomic practices, cost of production, climate change impact on productivity, coping and adaptation methods used in the face of climate change were asked. The response showed that farm production was not at the optimum, not only because of the influence of climate but as a result of the poor agronomic practices by the farmers. Following a factor analysis, 70% of the decline in crop yield was attributed to poor farming decisions. A further look at climatic factors affecting farmers indicated that frost with a 0.989 loading was the most climate extreme affecting most of the farmers. In order to buffer the effects of climate change, the farmers undertook various changes in their farm management and also received some support from the various governmental and non-governmental institutions. It was however, found that though there were policies in place for farmer support, such suppor, University of Limpopo VLIR-IUC

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is believed to be adapted to the arid and semi-arid regions, highly tolerant to pests, diseases and drought. It has the potential to produce a high forage biomass with fewer inputs under good production practices. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of finger millet as a fodder crop on the Pietersburg Plateau under rainfed and irrigation conditions, planted in rows and broadcast. The study was conducted for two consecutive seasons (2017 and 2018) at the Syferkuil Experimental Farm (SEF), University of Limpopo. Treatments consisted of two watering treatments (irrigation and rainfed) and two planting methods (broadcast and row planting). Seeding rate was 10 kg ha-1 with the inter row spacing of 25 cm. Irrigation had a significant effect on the dry matter production of finger millet (P ≤ 0.05). During 2017 growing season, under rainfed condition, the crop experienced zero production due to low rainfall. The total dry matter production of finger millet under rainfed conditions in 2018 was 3371 kg ha-1 for row planting and 3770 kg ha-1 for broadcasting. The dry matter production of finger millet under irrigation and row planting was 5318 kg ha-1 compared to 3371 kg ha-1 produced under row planting in the rainfed conditions. Broadcasting under irrigation produced 4890 kg ha-1 whereas broadcasting under rainfed conditions yielded 3770 kg ha-1. Planting method had no significant effect on the dry matter production of finger millet (P ≤ 0.05). The total dry matter production in 2017 was 5668 kg ha-1 and 5122 kg ha 1 under row planting and broadcast respectively, 2018 season produced the total dry matter production of 5122 kg ha-1 under row planting and 4892 kg ha-1 under broadcast. Finger millet planted under rainfed in rows had the CP% of 14.76 and 16.87% when broadcasted. In all the treatments CP% was higher than 10%. The ADF% was 33.02% under rainfed conditions and it ranged between 30.99% and 31.53% in 2017 and 2018 for ro

This study uses geoarchaeological analyses of sediments, soils, and geomorphology to understand human-environment interaction in the eolian landscape in Petrified Forest National Park, Northeast Arizona. The Petrified Forest National Park is located along the southern end of an extensive sand sheet. This landscape was inhabited by Ancestral Pueblo people from at least A.D. 200–1400, and contains evidence of widespread dune farming agriculture. Soil geomorphic analysis and optically stimulated luminescence dating document discrete periods of eolian activity in the study area. The oldest eolian activity dates to ca. 16,000–11,000 B.C., and is expressed as stable dunes on upland landscape positions. Extensive remobilization and deposition of eolian sediments occurred in at least three periods in the late Holocene, at ca. 300 B.C., from A.D. 300–500, and ca. A.D. 1100, followed by additional deposition after A.D. 1200. The sequence of deposition of eolian sediments is similar across nearby regions on the Colorado Plateau, suggesting a climatic control on deposition. Soil physical and chemical analyses indicate that soil nutrients across the study area are generally low, making farming possible but not highly productive. Water retention in dunes is improved by stratification of sand over clay deposits, and by high amounts of clay within sand dunes. Micromorphological and clay mineralogical studies show that clay within the dunes is distributed as aggregates, likely incorporated into the dunes from locally eroded Triassic clay deposits. The prehispanic landscape surface includes soils that demonstrate some landscape stability, even though eolian deposition was ongoing during use of the landscape for agriculture. Although we have limited archaeological remains of field systems, this research supports the hypothesis that the region was used for dry farming by prehispanic people. Archaeological sites that likely reflect agricultural use of the eolian landscape are preferenti

Soil and land degradation poses a great challenge for sustainable development worldwide and, in Cabo Verde, has strongly affected both people’s livelihood and the environment. Dryland food production in Cabo Verde faces steep slopes, inadequate practices, irregular intense rain, recurrent droughts, high runoff rates, severe soil erosion and declining soil fertility, leading to the inefficient use of rainwater. Despite the enormous investment in soil and water conservation measures (SWC), land degradation due to water erosion is still rife and dryland crop productivity remains low. Sustainable land management (SLM) techniques that reduce runoff, erosion and nutrient loss are the key to mitigating/preventing land degradation and assuring long-term soil productivity. This thesis investigated soil and water management techniques for Cabo-Verdean dryland farming systems to increase the efficiency of rainwater and crop yield, combining traditional and scientific knowledge in a field-based participatory approach. Field experiments were conducted in different agro-ecological zones of the Santiago Island aiming to evaluate the effects of water conservation techniques (mulching of crop residue, soil surfactant and pigeon-pea hedges) combined with organic amendments (compost and animal or green manure) on runoff, erosion, soil nutrients and crop yield. The PESERA-DESMICE modelling approach allowed assessing the biophysical and socio-economic benefits of the promising SLM techniques against a local baseline condition and their potential application at larger scale, under climate variability. Following the general introduction (chapter 1), chapter 2 of the thesis reviews the national strategies towards building resilience against the harsh environmental conditions, analyses the state of land degradation and its drivers, surveys the existing SWC measures, and assesses their effectiveness against land degradation and in supporting people’s livelihoods. The analysis allows inferrin

Suwayda Safriati. Keragaan varietas dan parameter genetik kedelai (Glycine max L.,) pada lahan kering dibawah bimbingan Bakhtiar dan Sapdi.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menduga parameter genetik beberapa sifat varietas kedelai pada uji adaptasi di lahan kering. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di bantaran sungai Lamnyong pada bulan Agustus sampai November 2013. Rancangan yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Kelompok pola non faktorial dengan tiga ulangan dan sebelas genotipe kedelai yaitu varietas Anjasmoro, Burangrang, Tanggamus, Kipas Merah, Lokal Bener Meriah, Grobogan, Kaba, Sinabung, Dering, Detam 2, dan Orba sebagai perlakuan. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap persentase daya kecambah, tinggi tanaman 21 dan 28 hari setelah tanam (HST) dan tinggi tanaman saat panen, umur berbunga, jumlah buku produktif, jumlah cabang produktif, jumlah polong isi, jumlah polong hampa, jumlah polong total, bobot biji per tanaman, berat 100 butir, populasi saat panen, umur panen, dan bobot biji per petak. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan varietas berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap persentase daya kecambah, tinggi tanaman umur 21 dan 28 HST, bobot biji per tanaman dan berat 100 butir. Varietas berpengaruh nyata terhadap pengamatan tinggi tanaman saat panen, jumlah buku produktif, umur berbunga, jumlah polong total dan bobot biji per petak. Varietas Dering memiliki persentase daya kecambah lebih baik dibandingkan varietas lain, varietas Kaba memiliki jumlah buku produktif lebih banyak. Varietas yang paling cepat berbunga adalah varietas Burangrang, jumlah polong total terbanyak dijumpai pada varietas Kipas Merah. Varietas Sinabung memiliki bobot biji per tanaman dan bobot biji per petak tertinggi. Ukuran biji terbesar dijumpai pada varietas Grobogan. Pendugaan parameter genetik dilakukan terdap semua peubah yang diamati. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan keragaman genetik yang luas diperoleh pada jumlah polong hampa, bobot biji per tanaman dan bobot biji per petak. Nilai heritabilitas dalam arti luas, Banda Aceh

The Ethiopian drylands occupy about 65% of the total land mass (close to 700,000km2) of the country. The predominantly rainfed agriculture in these drylands is highly constrained due to erratic rainfall, long dry-spells and excessive loss of rainwater through non-productive pathways (surface runoff, evaporation and deep drainage). Apart from this, deteriorated dryland soils have low infiltration and water holding capacity, shallow depths and are sensitive to crusting. Therefore, to keep in pace with the demand for food for the burgeoning population, the Ethiopian drylands should be made more productive through appropriate rainwater harvesting and management techniques. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop appropriate rainwater harvesting and management techniques in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) drylands of Ethiopia through a participatory planning and development process. Primarily, an overview of the various rainwater harvesting and management techniques in sub-Saharan Africa was made. Moreover, the biophysical performances and socioeconomic implications of the most common practices were synthesized. The sub-Saharan Africa is actually the birthplace of a range of indigenous rainwater harvesting and management (RWHM) techniques. The micro-catchment and in situ RWHM techniques are more commonly applied than the macro-catchment techniques for supplemental irrigation on farm lands. Depending on rainfall patterns and local soil characteristics, appropriate application of in-situ and micro-catchment techniques could improve the soil water content of the rooting zone by up to 30%. Smart combinations of rainwater harvesting and soil improvements enable to increase crop yields by 200-600% as compared to the traditional farming without them. Following the implementation of rainwater harvesting techniques, the cereal-based smallholder farmers could shift to diversified crops, hence improving household food security, dietary status, and economic return. The i

[EN]: Landscape dynamics is described as consequence of the management and land-uses changes in La Rioja, during the period 1950-2010. In mountain areas, an intense vegetation recovery has occurred and produced a significant loss of landscape diversity; Shannon index was 1.72 in 1956 and 1.67 in 2001. In the lowlands the landscapes become also more homogeneous: in unirrigated land due to an increase of vineyards and in irrigated fields due to the decrease of the agricultural land uses. On the other hand, it is verified that the agricultural space loses its surface extension in favour of artificial areas: urban sprawls, industrial and business areas and the expansion of the diffuse urban space., [ES]: Se describe la dinámica del paisaje como consecuencia de los cambios de gestión y uso del suelo en La Rioja, durante el periodo 1950-2010. Se señala que en la montaña se produce un intenso proceso de revegetación que lleva a la pérdida de diversidad del paisaje; el índice de Shannon pasa de 1,72 en 1956 a 1,67 en 2001. En el llano se asiste también a la homogeneización del paisaje: en secano por incremento del viñedo y en regadío por disminución de los usos agrícolas del suelo. Por otro lado, se comprueba que el espacio agrícola pierde extensión a favor de las superficies artificiales: urbanizaciones, polígonos industriales y comerciales y expansión del espacio urbano difuso.

Postprint (published version)

In 1999, Aspen and David Edge bought Semilla Besada, a 12 hectare farm in southern Spain, with the intention of re-establishing its family farming tradition. They faced various challenges: the dryland environment, lack of markets and little social support. However, through using various management and design tools, encouraging diversity on the land and sustainably managing the grazing animals, the family is increasingly able to sustain itself

The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach has become well-known after the positive experiences seen in Indonesia and other Asian countries. In many ways, however, it lends itself more to addressing the pest problems of farmers in irrigated agriculture than in dryland farming. In the latter, pests and diseases are only a part of the farming problems, often less crucial than in irrigated farming; and they need to be seen in relation to many other aspects. In this article we describe how the “conventional” IPM Farmer Field School approach has been modified in the South Indian dryland agriculture context, in order to suit the needs and problems of farmers in this area

Keywords: China,conservation tillage, crop residue, dryland farming, fertilizer,long-term,maize,manure,nutrient balance,nutrient dynamics,nutrient management, rainfall,soil fertility, soil organic carbon,wheatNorthernChinahas alargedryland area. Rainfed maize and wheat are the main cereals grown here, accounting for 28% ofChina's cereal production. Crop yieldsare constrained by low and variable rainfall, wind and watererosion, low soil fertility,and poorsoilmanagement. Some of these constraints can be diminished by conservation tillage practices and improved nutrient management practices. This thesis characterizes the relations between rainfall and crop yields, and examines the effects of various tillage and nutrient management practices on erosion, crop yields and water and nutrient use efficiencies. The thesis is based on desk studies, long-term field experiments and model calculations.The desk studies indicate that wind erosion in spring under conventional tillage removes on average between 50 and 1000 t ha-1yr-1of carbon (C) and between 5 and90 kgha-1yr-1of nitrogen (N) from the top soil of drylands in northernChina. This high loss is related to the monsoonal climate with very dry winters and spring and wet summers with incidental very heavy rain showers. Yields of maize and wheat were highly related to the rainfall distribution. Results of the long-term field experiments indicated that the observed decline in crop yields over time were related to changes in total rainfall and its distribution over the growing season, but also to depletion of the soil potassium (K) reserve. Returning crop residues and manure to the soilwashighly effective in restoring negative K and C balances.Reduced tillage, i.e. ploughing after harvest but not in spring before seeding, reduced wind erosion by 50-90%, and contributed to improved seedling emergence.The positive effect of reduced tillage on soil water availability to the crop was made stronger by use of crop residue, either

Rice is a profligate user of water. It takes 3,000–5,000 liters to produce 1 kilogram of rice, which is about 2 to 3 times more than to produce 1 kilogram of other cereals such as wheat or maize. Until recently, this amount of water has been taken for granted. Now, however, the water crisis threatens the sustainability of the irrigated rice ecosystem. In Asia, 17 million ha of irrigated rice areas may experience ‘physical water scarcity’ and 22 million ha ‘economic water scarcity’ by 2025. To safeguard food security and preserve precious water resources, ways must be explored to grow rice using less water. IRRI, together with Plant Research International of Wageningen University and Research Centre, organized a thematic workshop on Water-Wise Rice Production held 8-11 April 2002 at IRRI, Los Baños, Philippines. The objectives were to present and discuss the state-of-the-art in the development, dissemination, and adoption of water-saving technologies at spatial scales ranging from the field to irrigation system. This book contains the papers presented at the workshop.

Dry hill country provides a diverse environment in which variations in aspect and slope affect pasture growth and soil processes in a number of different ways. The AgResearch fertiliser and pasture growth trial at Waipawa in the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, provided an ideal location, with contrasting topography and fertiliser treatments at which to measure pasture growth constraints, with particular reference to nitrogen (N), in dry east coast hill country over the period of a year. Initial soil testing at the trial site revealed large differences in soil total N and phosphorus (P) concentrations between aspects, slopes and P fertility regimes in the top 75 mm of the Waipawa silt loam soil. The measured differences in soil N concentrations (ranging from 2.60-5.80 mg N/g) are a result of contrasting energy and moisture regimes between the aspects and slopes, affecting soil forming processes and subsequent soil total N concentrations. The differences in soil total P concentrations (ranging from 0.42-0.88 mg P/g) between aspects and slopes can be largely attributed to stock transfer, while the variation between P fertility regimes can he attributed to a large application of P fertiliser to the high P treatment before commencement of the trial. The existing trial provided three main contrasts over which the major restrictions on pasture growth could be measured. These were phosphate status (high phosphate (HP) and low phosphate (LP)), aspect (North and South), and slope (steep (25° +), easy (15-20°) and flat (0-12°)). This gave a total of ten combination of P status and topography Each of these sites was replicated three times to give a total of 30 locations. At each location two 0.5 m2 cages were used to measure pasture growth. One of the cages was used to measure pasture growth under the current soil fertility regime, while the other cage had 120 kg N/ha as urea applied to it, to allow growth under non-limiting N conditions. The cage locations were

In this paper, dry farming among the San is analyzed with the emphasis on farming techniques, methods of land use, agricultural management and the distribution of agricultural products. In 1993, fields were made at 40 locations in Xade extending 20 km from the central settlement. The size of the fields ranged from less than 10 ares to more than 100 ares. The land use includes conbined of cultivation of watermelon, cowpea and maize. There are 10 varieties of cultivated watermelon grown for the fruit, and 3 varieties for the seeds. Due to the distribution system for watermelons among the San, it is impossible for farmers to become rich from a good harvest.

In this paper, dry farming among the San is analyzed with the emphasis on farming techniques, methods of land use, agricultural management and the distribution of agricultural products. In 1993, fields were made at 40 locations in Xade extending 20 km from the central settlement. The size of the fields ranged from less than 10 ares to more than 100 ares. The land use includes conbined of cultivation of watermelon, cowpea and maize. There are 10 varieties of cultivated watermelon grown for the fruit, and 3 varieties for the seeds. Due to the distribution system for watermelons among the San, it is impossible for farmers to become rich from a good harvest.

During three years the coping strategies of farmers in Chivi communal areas of southern Zimbabwe have been examined. For these people, dryland farming means variability, flexibility and diversity, and not only drought, dust and disaster

Land being left fallow (resulting in desertification) and a shift to more renumerative crops threatens food security in the semi-arid regions of India. In the Medak district of Andhra Pradesh a programme of fallow land development has started to build food, fodder, nutrition and ecological security

The East Coast of the North Island experienced serious drought conditions during the summer of 1988/89, which severely depressed farm production and profitability. To assist farmers recover from the drought the Government provided $30 million in the form of a special "Drought Recovery Assistance Programme". Part of the budget was assigned to a Technology Transfer Programme (incorporating an Alternative Pasture Demonstration Programme). This programme aimed to mitigate future drought risk, promote dryland farming sustainability and reduce the need for future Government intervention by encouraging farmers to adopt a range of short- and long-term practices in their overall farming system. A farm 'systems' approach to technology transfer differentiated this programme from previous adverse event assistance. The Government, farmers and the agencies responsible for the East Coast Technology Transfer Programme were interested in whether this new approach to technology transfer had been successful. The objectives of this research were to assess the programme's success relative to its objectives and in terms of its on-farm impact. Telephone, mail and interview surveys of farmers located in the East Coast region were conducted. Data about processes used for the dissemination of information, the type and amount of technology adopted, and the attitude of farmers to future droughts and Government intervention were collected. Most of the farmers (91%) contacted in the telephone survey (n=200 farmers) had changed some aspect of their farming system in order to decrease its susceptibility to drought, and 81% now consider themselves to be better equipped to successfully manage drought conditions. Written material prepared for the programme was most often cited by farmers as an information source. The most common changes made by farmers were the incorporation of new pasture (52%), more timely decision making (48%), increased proportions of readily disposable livestock and greater use

This book centers around an analysis of the options for the agronomic development of semiarid regions with winter rains (i.e. Mediterranian regions). Crop and sheep husbandry systems were designed and integrated into agro-pastoral systems in which small-grain crops act as a buffer for feed production. These systems served as a basis for rational planning of regional agricultural development under alternative development objectives.

Bodem- en waterconservering in de regenafhankelijke tropen

Issue dedicated to dry land management. One article discussing the reasons why many projects miss their aims, another presents the different techniques of water harvesting and finally attention is paid to the necessity of taking traditional knowledge seriously (experiences from Kenya and Niger)

[Insert Title Here] Since it is so close to the end of his presidency, it is out of the question for President Roosevelt to send a representative to the upcoming Trans-Missouri Dry Farming Congress meeting, organized by John T. Burns. Roosevelt affirms that he believes in dry farming, but is "not competent to express" any further opinion on the matter.

A gigantic boar, wearing a crown with "$" and a shawl labeled "Plutocratic Greed," holds the U.S. Capitol dome labeled "Special Privilege," inverted to form a bucket from which it is sowing seeds labeled "Abuse of Power, Arrogance, [and] Contempt of Law" onto a field sprouting "Socialist votes." It is stepping on an American flag and a Liberty cap. comments and context