cropping system

Tropical Perennial Crops
The Economic and Ecological Challenges of Diversification
F. Ruf, G. Schroth
Edition 2013

After a monoculture phase, it is becoming an unavoidable necessity to diversify perennial crops (cocoa, rubber, palm or coconut oil) in humid tropical areas. Why and when should these diversification processes take place? What type of planter is involved? What are the constraints to diversification? How do public policies and private actions interfere? The authors answer these questions through fifteen case studies, mainly located in Africa and South-East Asia, thereby providing a better understanding of the economies of family plantations and their recent changes.

What is Ecologically-intensive Agriculture?
M. Griffon
Edition 2013

This book champions the idea that it is possible to achieve plentiful agricultural production whilst improving the quality of the environment. It discusses the various specific features of ecologically-intensive agriculture, sets out the changes in the concept and states the means of expanding the use of ecological functionalities for agriculture and animal husbandry. It addresses the conditions for global economic and social viability, seen as a factor in successful ecologically-intensive agriculture. Based on a panel with very wide experiences, this work will fuel the debates between agricultural professionals and environmental groups so that farmers themselves become true champions of the agricultural biosphere.

Learn to Innovate in an Uncertain World
Design the Future of Agriculture and Food
É. Coudel, H. Devautour, C. Soulard, G. Faure, B. Hubert
Edition 2012

Urged on by new expectations of society, key rural players experiment with different agricultural and food systems, showing proof of creativity and stubbornness faced with the ever-dominant mass production.But what type of sustainable development are societies seeking? How do we choose the innovations to achieve it? What role can research and public policies play to support the emergence of these innovations?

La pomme de terre
Production, Improvement, Pests and Diseases, Uses
P. Rousselle, Y. Robert, J. Crosnier
Edition 2012 A comprehensive review in French of all that we know about the potato, this book is a compilation of texts written by the best specialists in each discipline. It includes all the aspects of the history, biology, cultivation and use of the potato ...

Progress and Prospects for International Research into Coffee
Cahiers Agricultures Special Issue
B. Bertrand, A. Charrier, P. Lashermes
Edition 2012

This themed issue illustrates a few of the remarkable changes in the stimulating plant that is coffee and its sector at the beginning of the 21st century, in terms of the challenges for agriculture, the environment and health.

Banana Tree
A Century of Technical Innovations
A. Lassoudière
Edition 2012

The book traces the history of dessert banana production connected to the technical innovations. Researchers were called on to answer the priority questions from the sector throughout the 20th century: requirements of a product for export, production, high-performing and disease-resistant varieties and production techniques for sustainable development.

De l'eau agricole à l'eau environnementale
Resistance and Adaptation to the New Issues of water Sharing in the Mediterranean Region
C. Aspe
Edition 2012

"Natural things simply have the status granted to them by the societies." 

Showing an interest in the future of agricultural water implies both an understanding of the transformations affecting the economic and social vocation of this water in our times as well as the irrigation networks formed by all engineered structures and equipment required to make the water resource available to the farmer.

And if Agriculture Saved Africa?
H. Bichat
Edition 2012

Africais in deep crisis today. And yet it has an asset - its millions of farmers. Agriculture could save Africa, provided that land is given priority and that agricultural policies are long term with a regional focus.

Pour une agriculture mondiale productive et durable
M. Petit
Edition 2011

The "always more modern" in the agricultural sector has affected the natural resources and the threat today is to sacrifice these technical innovations on the altar of sustainable development. What can be done? Let's start by looking elsewhere.

Facing up to New Challenges: Which Agricultural Policies for Which Production Systems?
J. Butault, Y. Mouillet, V. Villain, C. Experton
Edition 2011

The dossier compiles contributions from farmers and researchers attending the seminar. These contributions were followed by exchanges of view and debates between the speakers and the audience.