Historians of Southeast Asia have traditionally preferred to write about politics and culture rather than economics and ecology, and where they have looked at the history of agriculture they have most often concentrated on cash crops like sugar, coffee and rubber which figure prominently in colonial records. Smallholders and stockbreeders, by contrast, provides a rare survey of the history of foodcrop farming, and a unique look at the history of animal husbandry, in the Southeast Asian region. Thirteen contributions by an international selection of expert authors cover topics ranging from the agricultural economy of precolonial Java to the growth of rice production in the Mekong Delta since 1950, and from the breeding of horses on the northern borderlands of mainland Southeast Asia to the production and consumption of beef in the Philippines. New light is shed on old questions regarding the directions in which Southeast Asian agriculture has evolved over the centuries, and new questions raised regarding the cultural, demographic, economic and political determinants of farming practices. While the geographical and chronological scales of analysis vary, most chapters deal with relatively large areas and with developments over periods of 100 years or more. Besides production for subsistence, commercial aspects of livestock and foodcrop farming are also given due attention and prove to have been important in many parts of the region from very early periods. Smallholders and stockbreeders is essential reading for anyone interested in the agricultural history of Southeast Asia, whether for its own sake, or in connection with other aspects of regional history, or for purposes of comparison with other parts of the world.

This promises to be the only book on sheep you will ever need! Packed full of detailed information, The Sheep Book for Smallholders covers every aspect of keeping sheep on a small scale. Beginning with a brief overview of the sheep industry, and the rise and fall of the artisan shepherd, the author has logically divided the book up into the shepherd's calendar, so that the sheep keeper knows what to expect with each season. All aspects of looking after the flock are covered, including selection, culling, nutrition, housing, lambing, grassland management, ailments and prevention. There are also sections on home slaughter and butcher, and, uniquely, processing the byproducts, including the fleece and keeping sheep for dairying. Unusually, the book also has a section on training sheepdogs. Supported by stunning photography and clear illustrations, as well as huge and useful appendices. This is a welcome addition to the smallholder's bookshelf, and is going to be a reference classic in years to come.

Significant forest change in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) has resulted in deforestation of primary forests and expansion of plantation forests. Although plantation forest development benefits rural communities through income generation and employment opportunities, there have been negative impacts, including reductions in livestock grazing land and collection of non-timber forest products. This study analysed the association between primary forests, plantation forests, grazing areas and large ruminant populations in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam. The report showed that livestock populations in the GMS are dynamic and have been under pressure due to enhanced trade and demand in red meat in China and Viet Nam, with a generally positive association between planted forest areas and populations of cattle and buffalo in Lao PDR and Viet Nam indicated. Tree plantations were an important source of income and generally perceived as having a positive impact on rural livelihoods, despite negatively impacts in grazing land availability. It is recommended that integrative approaches that include the collection of household level data to assess the impact on smallholder livelihoods and the collection of regional level data to capture forest changes in future forest assessments, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the association between primary forests and planted forest on smallholder livestock production. Silvopastoral models have the potential to provide more viable and sustainable alternatives to the current forestry and livestock production models, supporting the transformation to more sustainable agriculture for better production, better environment, and sustainable development goals in GMS countries and beyond.

Kiwifruit is one of the few fruit crops that has been successfully introduced to the marketplace and for which commercial production in several countries has expanded rapidly over the last 50 years. Kiwifruit science and production has advanced significantly during this time, with multiple new green-, yellow- and red-fleshed cultivars being commercialized while moving into the era of genomics, sustainability, digital technology and automation. This book reviews the scientific and technical information published on kiwifruit, their biology and management. It provides a comprehensive reference on kiwifruit, including their history, genetic material, culture, physiology, pest and disease control, and fruit consumption. Particular attention is given to recent threats and opportunities, including environmental issues, the disease Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, new genetics, new growing areas and technology advances. Contributions from a wide range of international specialists ensure coverage of key aspects of kiwifruit and their culture in different environments.

This report reviews several decades of global experience in transferring management of government-run irrigation systems to farmer associations or other nongovernmental agencies in an attempt to apply the lessons of success to the African smallholder irrigation context.