This publication is the first in a series on HIV/AIDS and agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa with the overall objective of providing a resource base on issues of rural development in a broad sense in the times of HIV/AIDS. This first book discusses the impact of the epidemic as it has emerged over the last decades at different levels of the agricultural sector, namely the farming system level, the livelihood level, and the household level. In a further step, impact on the agricultural estate sector as well as pastoralism is discussed. One overarching issue that emerges is the importance of gender attributes to adequately understand and address HIV/AIDS impact - the topic at the centre of the second part of the series. The text ends with a discussion of HIV/AIDS in relation to other shocks that befall rural livelihoods. It is followed by an annotated bibliography.

This third part of the AWLAE series on HIV/AIDS and agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa focuses on the epidemic as a challenge to human development in general and rural development in particular. In the face of the impact of the epidemic as described in parts one and two of the series, the agricultural sector can play an important role in mitigating some of its effects. Strategies for agricultural intervention are of particular importance in sub-Saharan Africa, given the fact that most of the countries hardest hit by the epidemic are heavily reliant on agriculture. Different agricultural sector based mitigation strategies are discussed. It is further argued, however, that such interventions need to be complemented by interventions from the health and other sectors, in particular by treatment regimes including access to anti-retroviral drugs. The text is followed by an annotated bibliography.

A unique and comprehensive introduction to contemporary development issues in East and Southern Africa, and represents a significant departure from the often descriptive approach adopted by existing regional and development texts on African regions. Each contribution is carefully chosen to highlight the theoretical basis to development issues, and the practical problems of implementing development plans, in this vital subregion. Overall this produces comprehensive and balanced coverage of historical, economic, political and social issues. The twin issues of globalisation and modernisation give the book a clear focus.