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Book Reviews
Securing the Harvest: Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems for African Crops
Author: J. DeVries and G. Toenniessen
Publisher: CABI Publishing
Publication date: February 2002
Reviewer: Calestous Juma
EN
The review compares Securing the Harvest: Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems for African Crops with Exploring Agrodiversity by Harold Brookfield:
“In Exploring Agrodiversity, Harold Brookfield brings together a rich collection of evidence to underscore the importance of ecological diversity in the resilience of small-scale farming. His scepticism about the role of biotechnology stands in contrast to Securing the Harvest, which is a meticulous attempt to identify the opportunities for using biotechnology to improve traditional agriculture. Whereas Brookfield seeks to celebrate the resilience of small-scale farming systems worldwide, DeVries and Toenniessen focus on ways in which they can be improved to expand the economic value of African agriculture. … If read individually, the two books would only fuel the debate that is raging over agricultural biotechnology. But together, they provide clear indications on how to promote sustainable agriculture.”
Link to full text
“In Exploring Agrodiversity, Harold Brookfield brings together a rich collection of evidence to underscore the importance of ecological diversity in the resilience of small-scale farming. His scepticism about the role of biotechnology stands in contrast to Securing the Harvest, which is a meticulous attempt to identify the opportunities for using biotechnology to improve traditional agriculture. Whereas Brookfield seeks to celebrate the resilience of small-scale farming systems worldwide, DeVries and Toenniessen focus on ways in which they can be improved to expand the economic value of African agriculture. … If read individually, the two books would only fuel the debate that is raging over agricultural biotechnology. But together, they provide clear indications on how to promote sustainable agriculture.”
Link to full text
Price: US$50
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