Dynamics in agricultural extension services provision in Malawi: Insights from two rounds of household and community panel surveys

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Author :
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 50 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Dynamics in agricultural extension services provision in Malawi: Insights from two rounds of household and community panel surveys by : Ragasa, Catherine

Download or read book Dynamics in agricultural extension services provision in Malawi: Insights from two rounds of household and community panel surveys written by Ragasa, Catherine and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2019-08-01 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Government of Malawi is in the process of developing its National Agricultural Extension Strategy. Two rounds of national household and community surveys (2016, 2018), coupled with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, were implemented to provide research evidence supporting the Strategy’s development. This paper summarizes emerging trends from these surveys and monitors progress in extension services provision, players and actors in extension services provision, and evidence on the coverage and effectiveness of extension approaches. Positive trends include (1) improvements in the percentage of men and women farmers accessing extension services; (2) consistently high ratings in the perceived quality of extension services; (3) more diversity in extension messages, including more information regarding market access and nutrition; (4) greater use of cost-effective tools, such as radio programming and community or group meetings, as sources of agricultural information; and (5) greater crop diversification, although diversification outside of agriculture remains low. Four areas remain weak and need further improvements. First, information sharing among farmers, friends, and neighbors is frequent, and the coverage of those officially trained “lead farmers” (those trained specifically to promote technologies to other farmers) remains low, with only 7 percent of households reporting getting relevant advice from them. Second, while there are more “model villages” and “village agricultural committees” present, we see decreasing participation and ratings for these. Third, we observe greater awareness of promoted technologies, including conservation agriculture, pit planting, and sustainable land practices, but adoption remains very low. Fourth, we observe greater crop diversification, but farm productivity and commercialization remain low. Although we have investigated many dimensions and factors in this paper, there remain challenges and puzzles that could be further addressed in future research. These include constraints on the adoption of minimal expensive inputs and low-cost management practices, constraints on the role of intensive training and labor, and understanding the drivers and factors affecting commercialization and diversification.

Agricultural extension: Global status and performance in selected countries

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 : 0896293750
Total Pages : 380 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (962 download)

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Book Synopsis Agricultural extension: Global status and performance in selected countries by : Davis, Kristin E., ed.

Download or read book Agricultural extension: Global status and performance in selected countries written by Davis, Kristin E., ed. and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2020-09-02 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Agricultural transformation and development are critical to the livelihoods of more than a billion small-scale farmers and other rural people in developing countries. Extension and advisory services play an important role in such transformation and can assist farmers with advice and information, brokering and facilitating innovations and relationships, and dealing with risks and disasters. Agricultural Extension: Global Status and Performance in Selected Countries provides a global overview of agricultural extension and advisory services, assesses and compares extension systems at the national and regional levels, examines the performance of extension approaches in a selected set of country cases, and shares lessons and policy insights. Drawing on both primary and secondary data, the book contributes to the literature on extension by applying a common and comprehensive framework — the “best-fit” approach — to assessments of extension systems, which allows for comparison across cases and geographies. Insights from the research support reforms — in governance, capacity, management, and advisory methods — to improve outcomes, enhance financial sustainability, and achieve greater scale. Agricultural Extension should be a valuable resource for policymakers, extension practitioners, and others concerned with agricultural development.

The History of Agricultural Extension in Malawi

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9783823615132
Total Pages : 119 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (151 download)

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Book Synopsis The History of Agricultural Extension in Malawi by : Jochen Knorr

Download or read book The History of Agricultural Extension in Malawi written by Jochen Knorr and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 119 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "After some highlights about the emergence of Agricultural Extension in industrialised countries, a detailed outline of its history in Malawi is given. Besides publications the source of assessment of the Malawi extension system are interviews with farmers as well with actual and with retired extension staff from 2001. Recent developments since 2001 are again followed by literature review. As a result there is a clear picture, that despite regular reforms and changes in the extension approach, most of it did not really reach the ground, did not much affect, what happened at field level. The problems could never be solved in a satisfactory way, and as a consequence extension failed to fulfil its role for rural and small farmer development. The most crucial deficit seems to be, that at no times there was enough appropriate extension content, to justify all the efforts and costs of transfer. The recommended technologies were either too risky, or dependent on non-available inputs, too general and not adapted to local conditions. The recent reform, explained in detail in this book, seems appropriate, but also highly ambitious, certainly needing longer periods for full implementation. Looking to the past, one would be rather pessimistic about its chances for success. But seeing new market opportunities emerging and clear indicators for economic growth in Africa and even in Malawi, there is some good reason for hope. The book is a key to better understanding of the past and present problems of agricultural extension systems in Africa."--Publisher's description.

The central position of agriculture within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

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Author :
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 40 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis The central position of agriculture within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by : Omilola, Babatunde

Download or read book The central position of agriculture within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development written by Omilola, Babatunde and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-11-15 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper provides a helpful framing to understand both why and how policy attention and investments should be channeled through agriculture and agrifood systems as key vehicles for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It illustrates the ways in which agriculture, particularly within the context of food value chains, is uniquely positioned to holistically address the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development because of its existing reach and future potential. In this paper’s examination of the multiplicity of entry points the sector offers for fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, reversing harmful environmental trends, and enhancing the resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable populations, it traces some of the most potent pathways for agricultural policies and interventions to accelerate development outcomes across all country contexts.

The impact of a farmer business school program on incomes of smallholder farmers: Insights from central Malawi

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 32 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis The impact of a farmer business school program on incomes of smallholder farmers: Insights from central Malawi by : Chilemba, Joanna

Download or read book The impact of a farmer business school program on incomes of smallholder farmers: Insights from central Malawi written by Chilemba, Joanna and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2018-05-15 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Various models and approaches are being implemented to provide technical assistance and support to improve smallholder farmers’ incomes and welfare in Malawi. This study evaluates the impact of farmer business schools (FBS) on crop incomes of smallholder farmers in Dedza district in central Malawi. The FBS approach, which has been implemented nationally by the Government of Malawi since 2011, consists of one year of group training and learning sessions for smallholder farmers focusing on improving market access and establishing profitable agribusiness ventures. This study used a multi-stage sampling procedure to collect data from 455 smallholder farmers: 162 FBS graduates, 84 FBS dropouts, and 209 non-participants. Using propensity score matching and difference-in-difference techniques, crop incomes from two groups of farmers were evaluated; FBS participants and FBS non-participants as well as FBS graduates and FBS dropouts. The study finds a positive yet small impact of FBS participation on crop income and production (US$20 per year on average), and no significant difference in crop income and production for farmers who graduated from FBS versus those who dropped out. Insights from the qualitative research component of this study suggest that this is primarily due to the limited financial resources smallholder farmers have to implement the agricultural techniques and business models taught in FBS.

The Effects of a CAADP-Compliant Budget on Poverty and Inequality in Ghana

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 18 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis The Effects of a CAADP-Compliant Budget on Poverty and Inequality in Ghana by : Younger, Stephen D.

Download or read book The Effects of a CAADP-Compliant Budget on Poverty and Inequality in Ghana written by Younger, Stephen D. and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-09-15 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ghana has accepted the CAADP commitment to dedicate 10 percent of government spending to the agricultural sector. In a 2014 paper, Benin argues that Ghana falls short of that goal, and in a 2016 paper, Younger shows that despite the current fiscal crisis, there is fiscal space to meet the commitment. Benin estimates the rates of return to increased public expenditure on agriculture, finding that they are quite high, especially if the investments are made in the noncocoa sector. This paper uses Benin’s estimates to examine the poverty and inequality consequences of increasing public expenditure on agriculture. Key conclusions are that public expenditure on agriculture is surprisingly progressive, especially if spent in the grains subsector. This progressivity, combined with the high rate of return, means that public investment in agriculture may actually be more efficient at reducing poverty than LEAP, Ghana’s targeted conditional cash transfer program.

Growth of modern service providers for the African agricultural sector: An insight from a public irrigation scheme in Ghana

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 60 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Growth of modern service providers for the African agricultural sector: An insight from a public irrigation scheme in Ghana by : Takeshima, Hiroyuki

Download or read book Growth of modern service providers for the African agricultural sector: An insight from a public irrigation scheme in Ghana written by Takeshima, Hiroyuki and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-09-19 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper describes how modern service providers have emerged in the African agricultural sector, a subject that has been vastly understudied. The paper looks at providers of modern rice mills, power tillers, combine harvesters, and production services at a highly productive rice irrigation scheme in Ghana. These service providers earn net profits that are greater than the profits they would likely achieve from simply expanding rice production without investing in respective machines, suggesting that higher returns primarily induce the emergence of these modern providers. Surpluses and experiences from their years of rice production are likely to have provided the primary finance and knowledge required for entry. The service providers emerged by exploiting both the economies of scale and the economies of scope, keeping rice production as the primary source of income, instead of specializing only in service provisions. Key policy implications are also discussed.

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 80 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Nutrition-sensitive agriculture by : Ruel, Marie T.

Download or read book Nutrition-sensitive agriculture written by Ruel, Marie T. and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-10-27 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A growing number of governments, donor agencies, and development organizations are committed to supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) to achieve their development goals. Although consensus exists on pathways through which agriculture may influence nutrition-related outcomes, empirical evidence on agriculture’s contribution to nutrition and how it can be enhanced is still weak. This paper reviews recent empirical evidence (since 2014), including findings from impact evaluations of a variety of NSA programs using experimental designs as well as observational studies that document linkages between agriculture, women’s empowerment, and nutrition. It summarizes existing knowledge regarding not only impacts but also pathways, mechanisms, and contextual factors that affect where and how agriculture may improve nutrition outcomes. The paper concludes with reflections on implications for agricultural programs, policies, and investments, and highlights future research priorities.

Transfers, Behavior Change Communication, and Intimate Partner Violence

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 60 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Transfers, Behavior Change Communication, and Intimate Partner Violence by : Roy, Shalini

Download or read book Transfers, Behavior Change Communication, and Intimate Partner Violence written by Roy, Shalini and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-09-09 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Transfer programs have been shown to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV), but little evidence exists on how activities linked to transfers affect IPV or what happens when programs end. We assess postprogram impacts on IPV of randomly assigning women in Bangladesh to receive cash or food, with or without nutrition behavior change communication (BCC). Six to 10 months postprogram, IPV did not differ between women receiving transfers and a control group; however, women receiving transfers with BCC experienced 26 percent less physical violence. Evidence on mechanisms suggests sustained effects of BCC on women’s threat points, men’s social costs of violence, and household well-being.

Improving the equity and effectiveness of Nepal’s fertilizer subsidy program

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 58 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Improving the equity and effectiveness of Nepal’s fertilizer subsidy program by : Kyle, Jordan

Download or read book Improving the equity and effectiveness of Nepal’s fertilizer subsidy program written by Kyle, Jordan and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-12-06 with total page 58 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper examines the fertilizer subsidy program in Nepal from two different angles, both important for policy makers in the country. First, it analyzes who is benefiting from the program, and second, it examines how farmers rank the importance of public spending on fertilizer subsidies compared with other potential public investments. Whereas the former question is important for judging whether the program is meeting its objectives, the latter is essential to understanding the scope for reform, in particular the extent to which we could expect citizens to resist reforms to the subsidy program. We draw on these analyses as well as on examples from other countries to make policy recommendations to improve program implementation.

The evolution of tractorization in India’s low-wage economy: Key patterns and implications

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 40 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis The evolution of tractorization in India’s low-wage economy: Key patterns and implications by : Bhattarai, Madhusudan

Download or read book The evolution of tractorization in India’s low-wage economy: Key patterns and implications written by Bhattarai, Madhusudan and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-09-08 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study reviews the evolution of tractor use in India in the past few decades, and supplements this with a panel model analysis using factors associated with state-level tractor density growth. Growth in tractor use in India, unlike that in the United States and Japan, has occurred at relatively low wage rates and with a substantial majority of the workforce remaining in the agricultural sector. Considerable growth in domestic manufacturing has contributed to growth in tractor densities. Tractor density across the 14 major states in India between 1982 and 2012 was positively affected by income per capita, cropping intensity, and the average size of farmland holdings. Tractor intensity grew at a fast pace even in low-wage regions of India, indicating that relatively lower labor wages might not have been a binding factor for diffusion of farm machinery and tractors among smallholding farmers in India.

The state of agricultural extension and advisory services provision in Malawi: Insights from household and community surveys

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Author :
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 47 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis The state of agricultural extension and advisory services provision in Malawi: Insights from household and community surveys by : Ragasa, Catherine

Download or read book The state of agricultural extension and advisory services provision in Malawi: Insights from household and community surveys written by Ragasa, Catherine and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2017-03-04 with total page 47 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is part of a series of descriptive reports and later in-depth analysis of the survey data. These series are aimed to provide an assessment of the state of agricultural extension and advisory services provision in Malawi in order to inform policy and reform processes and programming by the government and donors. These studies are in response to the re-quest by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD) to look closely at the state of extension services provision with the intent to further strengthen the contribution such services make to food security, economic growth, and achieving sustainable development goals. This report summarizes key findings on the state of agriculture and nutrition extension and advisory services in Malawi based on responses from household and community surveys conducted in Malawi between August and October 2016 that focused on the demand side of agricultural extension service provision and access to those services. Nationally representative samples of 3001 households and 299 communities in all districts of Malawi, except Likoma, were interviewed for the study.

Unleashing agriculture's potential for improved nutrition and health in Malawi: Conference report - 26-27 September 2011, Lilongwe, Malawi

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Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 : 0896297942
Total Pages : 74 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (962 download)

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Book Synopsis Unleashing agriculture's potential for improved nutrition and health in Malawi: Conference report - 26-27 September 2011, Lilongwe, Malawi by : International Food Policy Research Institute

Download or read book Unleashing agriculture's potential for improved nutrition and health in Malawi: Conference report - 26-27 September 2011, Lilongwe, Malawi written by International Food Policy Research Institute and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2012-03-30 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This conference focused on how agricultural strategies can best be tailored to the Malawian context and result in improvements for nutrition and health. It is crucially important to make linkages--the best agricultural practices will not succeed in improving the nation's nutritional status if there is not good nutritional care and access to health services.

Guide to Extension Training

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Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9789251014530
Total Pages : 156 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (145 download)

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Book Synopsis Guide to Extension Training by : Peter Oakley

Download or read book Guide to Extension Training written by Peter Oakley and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 1985 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The framework of development; Understanding extension; Social and cultural factors in extension; Extension and comunication; Extension methods; The extension agent; The planning and evaluation of extension programmes; Extension an special target groups.

Concepts and Practices in Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries

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Author :
Publisher : ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD)
ISBN 13 : 9291462179
Total Pages : 270 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (914 download)

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Book Synopsis Concepts and Practices in Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries by :

Download or read book Concepts and Practices in Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries written by and published by ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD). This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development

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Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128020954
Total Pages : 560 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (28 download)

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Book Synopsis Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development by : Sieglinde Snapp

Download or read book Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development written by Sieglinde Snapp and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2017-02-17 with total page 560 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Agricultural Systems, Second Edition, is a comprehensive text for developing sustainable farming systems. It presents a synthetic overview of the emerging area of agroecology applications to transforming farming systems and supporting rural innovation, with particular emphasis on how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture. The inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design allows students to gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic and sociological aspects of farming systems science for rural livelihoods. This book explores topics such as: re-inventing farming systems; principles and practice of agroecology; agricultural change and low-input technology; ecologically-based nutrient management; participatory breeding for developing improved and relevant crops; participatory livestock research for development; gender and agrarian inequality at the local scale; the nature of agricultural innovation; and outreach to support rural innovation. The extensive coverage of subjects is complemented with integrated references and a companion website, making this book essential reading for courses in international agricultural systems and management, sustainable agricultural management, and cropping systems. This book will be a valuable resource for students of agricultural science, environmental engineering, and rural planning; researchers and scientists in agricultural development agencies; and practitioners of agricultural development in government extension programs, development agencies, and NGOs. - Provides students with an enhanced understanding of how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture - Incorporates social, biological, chemical, and geographical aspects important to agroecology - Addresses social and development issues related to farming systems

Community Seed Banks

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Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1134608608
Total Pages : 323 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (346 download)

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Book Synopsis Community Seed Banks by : Ronnie Vernooy

Download or read book Community Seed Banks written by Ronnie Vernooy and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-05-15 with total page 323 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Community seed banks first appeared towards the end of the 1980s, established with the support of international and national non-governmental organizations. This book is the first to provide a global review of their development and includes a wide range of case studies. Countries that pioneered various types of community seed banks include Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. In the North, a particular type of community seed bank emerged known as a seed-savers network. Such networks were first established in Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA before spreading to other countries. Over time, the number and diversity of seed banks has grown. In Nepal, for example, there are now more than 100 self-described community seed banks whose functions range from pure conservation to commercial seed production. In Brazil, community seed banks operate in various regions of the country. Surprisingly, despite 25 years of history and the rapid growth in number, organizational diversity and geographical coverage of community seed banks, recognition of their roles and contributions has remained scanty. The book reviews their history, evolution, experiences, successes and failures (and reasons why), challenges and prospects. It fills a significant gap in the literature on agricultural biodiversity and conservation, and their contribution to food sovereignty and security.