 Many of the books reviewed here can now be purchased over the internet from amazon.co.uk. You can use the link following most of the reviews, or if you are unable to find the book you are after, you can use the search facility at the end of the page. |
In print
Living with drought
Published by David Philip Publishers (Pty) Ltd, 208 Werdmuller Centre, Claremont, 7708, South Africa
Email: dpp@iafrica.com
and IT Publications, 103-5 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4HH, UK
Email: itpubs@itpubs.org.uk or http://www.oneworld.org/itdg/publications.html
1999, Pb book (206pp) and videocassette £19.95. $35.00
PAL format. ISBN 1 85339 470 X
or NTSC format. ISBN 1 85339 481 5
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| PAL format video NTSC format video |
"Where the creeks run dry or ten feet high, and it's either drought or plenty". The words of an old Australian drover's song refer to the arid north of Australia but they are increasingly true of many parts of the world, particularly the tropics, where extremes and unpredictability in rainfall are becoming more common. East and Southern Africa have been in the news most recently but parts of Asia, the Caribbean Latin America and the Pacific have all experienced severe shortfalls in annual rainfall in the last year or two. (Other parts have experienced excess rain and widespread flooding.) If, as appears likely, this is to be the pattern of the future it is essential that people in areas of risk be given advice, training and assistance to help them to be better able to cope. This is the aim of Living with drought, a combined book and video teaching aid, which has been prepared primarily for Southern Africa but has many useful ideas for other areas prone to drought.
Drought is a relative term: to those normally blessed with regular rain a month without rainfall can be serious, whereas to a pastoralist in the Sahel it may mean a second year without rain. Humans, animals and plants adjust to their environment but whatever the local expectation, it is the unusually protracted absence of rain that defines drought. In the past farmers and pastoralists alike developed survival mechanisms for drought; today, the immediate and, too often, the only response is to provide emergency food for people and livestock. But this not enough. As Dr M.K.Mbuende, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community writes in his Foreword, "Living with drought is about redefining our perceptions of drought. It offers an opportunity for us to re-examine entrenched stereotypes that automatically associate drought with prolonged food relief operations. It also provides a bridge for those committed to improving rural life and livelihoods to integrate drought mitigation measures into their development work." While food aid cushions the shock, Dr Mbuende writes that, "Just as our ancestors lived with and responded to drought, responsible governance (in this region) also means adopting policies and practices which promote drought resilience in our economies, agricultural systems, natural environment and society at large".
The key words are "mitigation" and "resilience". Can the risk of drought be reduced and can human preparedness reduce its impact? Living with Drought suggests that, in the race to 'modernise' and to compete economically, much old wisdom about how to survive when rainfall is scarce and erratic has been lost. People need to be taught that disasters occur when a hazard occurs in already vulnerable conditions: if there is severe soil erosion because of overstocking and widespread tree felling, the environment is very vulnerable and if the rains fail erosion and desertification will quickly worsen. However the process can be 'mitigated' by reducing stocking and tree planting, thus strengthening the environment and making it and the people who live there more able to survive drought. However, these are actions that must be taken on a community basis and one of the five elements of the training philosophy is that drought mitigation must be community-based and community-driven.
Information, learning, discussion and decision are the essential elements of Living with Drought and it should prove a valuable aid to community workers and extension staff who wish to engender greater confidence and self-help among the people at risk from drought.
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The Biodiversity of traditional leafy vegetables
Eds. J.A. Chweya & P.B. Eyzaguirre
Published by IPGRI, Via delle Sette Chiese 142, 00145 Rome, Italy
Email: IPGRI@cgiar.org
www: www.cgiar.org/ipgri/publicat/pub1.htm
1999, 182pp., ISBN 92-9043-404-X (Pb)
Leafy vegetables have traditionally been used to add flavour, variety, fibre and micronutrients to diets. Their value has been greatest where the rest of the diet has been largely based on carbohydrates but they have been used to supplement soups and stews as well as to add relish to staples. They have the advantage of having short growing periods and many can be harvested on a continuing cut-and come-again basis. But many traditionally used plants have been in danger of being "lost", in community memory if not in the field, as older family members die without having the opportunity to pass their knowledge to children now getting their education at school rather than in the company of parents and grandparents.
Recognising the danger, and in response to the decline in distribution and use of traditional leafy vegetables, IPGRI initiated a collaborative research project with researchers in five African countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe. The objective was to conserve genetic resources through the approach termed "conservation through use". This volume brings together a fascinating variety of information, scientific and practical, and is engagingly and generously illustrated with many colour photographs. The collaborating team of scientists of the country has written each "national" section so styles of writing and presentation vary. Also, the publication would have been more accurately titled "The biodiversity of African leafy vegetables", though its appeal will not be restricted to those working in Africa.
Oilseed Crops
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By E.A.Weiss
Published by Blackwell Science, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 OEL, UK
Email: sarah.kate.powell@blacksci.co.uk
1999, 384pp. ISBN 0 632 05259 7 (Hb) £89.50
Oilseeds are a very important component of semi-tropical and tropical agriculture, providing easily available and highly nutritious human and animal food. Many also have industrial uses and are relatively easy to incorporate into locally manufactured products. This book gathers together scientific, economic and field practice information on the widespread oilseed crops. After looking at world production and trade in oilseeds, there are chapters on both widely grown oilseeds (castor, groundnut, safflower, sesame, soya and sunflower) and on others including crambe, niger and jojoba. A final chapter covers oilseed processing operations and the variety of products and uses for oilseeds.
This new edition has been rewritten to include the latest agricultural research, the influence of biotechnology on crops and processing, and advances in farm machinery and equipment. It will continue to provide a valuable reference for all involved directly or indirectly with oilseed production, research and processing.
Village chicken production systems in rural Africa: household food security and gender issues
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By Aichi J. Kitalyi
Published by FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, ITALY
Email: Publications-Sales@fao.org or http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm
1998, 81pp, ISBN 92 5 104160 1 (Pb) US$20.00
The poultry production systems of Africa are mainly based on the scavenging chickens found in a majority of households in rural Africa. These systems are characterised by low output per bird. Nevertheless, in most African countries, over 70% of the poultry products and 20% of animal protein intake comes for this source. Increasing production, therefore, would result in a positive impact on household food security by raising dietary intake and income generation.
The main findings of this FAO Study support the hypothesis that enhanced village chicken production forms the basis for transforming the rural poultry sector from subsistence to a more economically productive base. The author, who has over 20 years' experience in agricultural research and development in rural farming systems in Africa, has identified the potential, major constraints and possible solutions for improved production. Gender issues are strongly emphasised and a model for village chicken systems is presented. The text is supported by a comprehensive review of the global literature available on the subject. (See Focus On Poultry)
