Seasonal variation in welfare in rural areas of the Third World is a recognised problem. In general the poorer people are, the more they tend to suffer during the season of hunger and sickness. This book takes an overall view of the seasonality problem, exploring its climatic and social roots.

Research results: performances assessment; Research results: design and operation of irrigation systems; Research results: policy, institutions, and management; Research results: health and environment; Training and institutional strengthening; Conclusions: outputs, impacts, and future directions.

Section I: Technical considerations for rice-based farming systems: irrigation system management; Section II: Technical considerations for rice-based farming systems: farm-level management; Section III: Technical considerations for rice-based farming systems: farming systems; Section IV: Synthesis papers.