Related Sites

Agriculture

WOMEN'S ACTION AGENDA 21
This site features the text of the Action Agenda of the World Women's Congress, from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), presenting for a Healthy Planet held in Miami, Florida, November 8-12, 1991. This conference was in preparation for the Rio Conference in 1992. Includes actions on land and food security, environment, biodiversity and biotechnology.
On this site Women's Action Agenda 21 for a Healthy Planet
Also at http://iisdl.iisd.ca/women/action21.htm

ALTERNATIVE TREATIES FOR RIO
Non-Governmental Organization Alternative Treaties at the '92 Global Forum in Rio: Introduction to the Alternative Treaties / List of Treaties / Treaty on Sustainable Agriculture

TOWARDS EARTH SUMMIT II
Comprehensive NGO document for the General Special Session to review implementation of Agenda 21, 23-27 June 1997
Recommendations for Actions and Commitments at Earth Summit II; chapters on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security; Land; Desertification; etc.

RURAL ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION (RAFI)
is an international NGO, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), dedicated to the conversation and sustainable improvement of agricultural biodiversity, and to the socially responsible development of technologies useful to rural societies. RAFI is concerned about the loss of genetic diversity - esp. in agriculture - and about the impact of intellectual property rights on agriculture and world food security. http://www.rafi.org
Join news@rafi.org, RAFI's e-mail list, and you will receive notification of new publications from RAFI and updates on stories reported in RAFI Communique. The list is a place for announcements and up-to-date reports rather than a forum for extended discussion. So, you'll be kept in touch with happenings at RAFI without having your e-mail box flooded. Fill out the form at http://www.rafi.org/listserv.html

WORLD SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ASSOCIATION
"The ultimate goal of WSAA is to promote sustainable farming, food distribution, consumption, and biocycling systems throughout the world. We promote systems and public policies that enhance local and regional food security, in ways that are economically viable, socially just, and environmentally harmonious with Nature." http://www.igc.apc.org/wsaala/wsaa.html

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE MOVEMENTS
The worldwide umbrella organisation of the organic agriculture movement, with about 770 member organisations and institutions in some 107 countries all over the world. http://www.ecoweb.dk/ifoam/

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
Since the creation of IFAP in 1946, agricultural organizations have joined forces to eliminate food shortages caused by the Depression in the 30's and World War II. At the dawn of the third millenium, they are ready to ensure the security of the world's food supply. To this end, farmers from sixty countries come together in IFAP to pursue the following goals: to improve the economic and social status of all who live by and on the land; to ensure the security of the world's food supply; to promote the creation and strengthening of independant farmers' organizations in every country. http://www.ifap.org/

Resources: Libraries, Publications

IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT ON SUSTAINABLE RURAL LIVELIHOODS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Ismail I Ahmed with Michael Lipton
IDS Working Paper 62 1997 33pp ISBN 1 85864 210 8 £6.

This paper reviews the impact of structural adjustment on sustainability of rural livelihoods. It unpacks the elements of adjustment and looks at the effects of each of these on the quantity, quality and sustainability of rural livelihoods. There is no systematic improvement or decline in rural livelihoods as a result of adjustment measures. Changes in the relative prices of tradables and nontradables provided incentives and had a positive impact on rural livelihoods in some countries but failed to create sustainable incentive structures in others. By concentrating almost exclusively on the issues of pricing, the reform policies ignored the other critical factors, in particular, the technological development needed to translate improved incentives into more sustainable and productive farming systems. To order this paper, contact the following address:
Publications Office
Institute of Development Studies
University of Sussex
Brighton BN1 9RE
UK
Tel: (01273) 678269 (Intl +44 1273)
Fax (01273) 621202/691647
E-mail: publications@ids.ac.uk

This book describes the ideological and political process that is agricultural development. It points towards more practical strategies for developing effective and equitable partnerships between indigenous knowledge systems through adaptive, people-centred, agricultural research and extension, moving from theory to policy and practice.
This book may be ordered online from amazon.com at the following url: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1853392375/qid=932558485/sr=1-1/002-1060514-8742442

The UK Presidency of the EU must oversee progress on the Agenda 2000 proposals to reform the common agricultural policy (CAP). The proposed reforms are limited and will not include the substantial trade liberalisation called for by critics of the CAP. This must wait for the next round of WTO negotiations. As the reforms stand, their net impact will be unfavourable for developing countries, though not seriously so. Likely negative effects could be counteracted fairly easily. But development advocates will need to lobby hard for such measures. Without them, the Agenda 2000 reforms would be a backward step for development.
http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/publicat/briefs/brief11.html

Fresh fruit exported from Chile, and many other developing countries, has become commonplace in our supermarkets during the winter months. Employment in this branch of agribusiness is mainly seasonal and employs large numbers of women workers. This book provides an in-depth examination of the 'fruit explosion' in Chile and its effect on rural women. It explores the structure of the agro-export sector and the role of seasonal female employment. The authors ask how women combine this new type of work with their more traditional roles, and consider state politics to support seasonal workers. Both the local and global implications of women working in this sector of agribusiness are considered. The book ends by discussing the possible effects of supermarket codes of conduct on temporary, female workers in agribusiness. The book takes an interdisciplinary perspective and provides an important contribution to research on women and agribusiness.
This book may be ordered online from amazon.com at the following url: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312219989/qid%3D932558790/002-1060514-8742442

Vandana Shiva
This book exposes the "new colonies" in the North's assault on the South's biological resources: the interior spaces of the bodies of women, plants and animals. Shiva argues that agreements such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) are based on Eurocentric notions of property and piracy and enable Northern capital to appropriate biodiversity from its original owners by defining as "nonscience" the seeds, medicinal plants, and indigenous knowledge of the South.
1997. 148 pages. ISBN 0-89608-555-4 WE333Z US$13.00
This book can also be ordered online from amazon.com at the following url: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0896085554/qid=932563876/sr=1-1/002-1060514-8742442

1st International Conference; University of Melbourne 1-3 July 1994
Margaret Alston
Centre for Rural Social Research, Charles Stuart University
A report from the First International Conference on Women and Agriculture meeting in Melbourne in July 1994. The report outlines the main objectives of the conference and explores three key issues under the various topics - Women in Agriculture; Production and Land; and Sustainable Development and Economics

CAN STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT WORK FOR WOMEN FARMERS?
Rekha Mehra, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 73 (Dec.) 1991, Article reprint available from International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), 1717 Massachuchets Avenue NW, Suite 302, Washington, DC 20036, USA, Tel +1 202 797 0007, Fax +1 202 797 0020, icrw@igc.apc.org

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES FOR WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
Produced by the International Federation for Women in Agriculture (India) and International Insitutite of Rural Reconstruction (Philippines)
This practical workbook focuses on 60 simple techonoliges to help farmers with animal husbandry, vegetable harvesting, organic farming, seed production and storage, pests and pesticides, water management and fish farming. Step by step intructions and easy to follow diagrams make this a valuable hands on manual for extension workers as well as neo literate farmers.
1997. 213 pages. ISBN 0-942717-69-4. WE339Z. US$20.00
This workbook can be ordered online from amazon.com at the following url:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0942717694/qid%3D932562139/002-1060514-8742442

DEVELOPING THE SKILLS AND PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IRRIGATORS.
Experiences from smallholder irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa
By Felicity Chancellor, July 1997 (Report OD 135)
Available from: HR Wallingford Ltd. Howbery Park, Wallingford, OXON OX10 8BA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1491 835381 Fax: +44 (0) 1491 832233
or contact Felicity Chancellor at f.chancellor@hrwallingford.co.uk

GENDER-SENSITIVE IRRIGATION DESIGN
Felicity Chancellor, Nicola Hasnip, Neddy Matshalaga and Dave O’Neill. 9th March 1998
A two phases project in Zimbabwe. Phase I identifies and prioritises the design issues which have important gender implications in the region. Phase II will be devoted to testing hypotheses that address the prioritised research issues. The recent Workshop in Masvingo marked the close of Phase I, which began in October 1997.
Participants in Phase I were: HR Wallingford, UK, Silsoe Research Institute, UK, Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe, AGRITEX (Ministry of Agriculture), Zimbabwe, Support and assistance has been given by CARE, Zimbabwe
Phase I Report available from HR Wallingford Ltd. Howbery Park, Wallingford, OXON OX10 8BA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1491 835381 Fax: +44 (0) 1491 832233
or contact Felicity Chancellor at f.chancellor@hrwallingford.co.uk

CHANGE AND DIVERSITY: OPPORTUNITIES FOR AND CONSTRAINTS ON RURAL WOMEN IN NEW ZEALAND

MAF Policy Technical Paper 97/11
ISSN 1171-4662
ISBN 0-478-07458-1
By: Mary-Jane Rivers, Ann Pomeroy, Dianne Buchan, Brian Pomeroy and Rachel Fogarty
October 1997
The report discusses the dramatic and rapid change which the processes of globalisation, technological advance, demographic change and economic reform have brought to rural New Zealanders. It looks at the paid work of rural women and the visibility of their unpaid work, their involvement in decision making, and how the media and advertising portray them. An analysis is made of the strategies which women (and men) can use to ensure that the work undertaken by rural women receives appropriate recognition, to increase their involvement in decision-making, and assist women and men to adjust to their changed roles and achieve their aspirations and goals. Finally the report reminds us why it is important that rural women should participate in the economy and why constraints which impact on their participation should be removed. http://www.maf.govt.nz/MAFnet/publications/change/change.htm#E13E1

Food security

IDS FOOD SECURITY UNIT ANNUAL REVIEW 1995-1996
This site features a post conference report on the World Food Summit held in 1995 and provides feedback on the achievements associated with the Summit as well as the aspirations for the Summit held in 1996. Some of the brief statements deal with gender and humanitarian crises and food trade and aid.
http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/research/fsuar.html

HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY: CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS. AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marisol Smith, Judy Pointing, Simon Maxwell et al.
IDS Development Bibliography 8 1993 65pp ISBN 1 85864 005 9 £10.00
The concept of 'food security' is found as early as the 1970s, but the concept of 'household food security' is more recent: the bulk of the literature dates from the 1980s. This annotated Bibliography contains nearly 200 items which together trace developments in the concept of household food security. The evolution of food security, from concern with national food stocks in the 1970s to a preoccupation with individual entitlements in the 1980s, is an important part of the story told by this Bibliography.

FOOD-FOR-WORK IN ETHIOPIA: CHALLENGING THE SCOPE OF PROJECT EVALUATIONS
Liz Humphrey
IDS Working Paper 81 1999 38pp ISBN 1 85864 251 5 £6.00

Evaluations of the numerous Food-for-Work (FFW) projects in operation across Ethiopia are designed to assess their effectiveness, and are often defined by the objectives stated in the terms of reference. The paper asserts that the quality and usefulness of evaluations is greatly enhanced when the qualitative impacts of a project on the beneficiaries are included in the assessment since they often have a direct influence on conventional donor concerns such as targeting and the mode of payment. An evaluation framework is proposed which covers the design and delivery, outputs and impacts of a project and this structure is then adopted for a review of FFW evaluation documents. The analysis reveals the heavy emphasis on design and delivery mechanisms in the literature, and suggests the scope of evaluation exercises might be broadened to capture both the intended and unforeseen socio-economic impacts of a project.

It is now widely recognized that women play a crucial, yet constrained and undervalued, role in ensuring food availability for household members, in normal times as well as in periods of stress. This annotated bibliography draws together the disparate literature on household food security and strategies for coping with food crises in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with gender and women as the entry point.

In April 1994, IDS held a workshop on 'Linking relief and development' as part of an ongoing project. This bibliography was compiled as part of that project and it brings together work produced under a variety of different headings, such as disaster and famine mitigation, and developmental approaches to relief. The bibliography includes conceptual work, examples of attempts to link relief and development on the ground, and case studies of national governments, NGOs, donors and regional organisations. A key terms index facilitates searches.

The above IDS and BRIDGE publications can be obtained at the following address:
IDS Publications Office, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton BN1 9RE, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 678269 Fax: +44 (0) 1273 621202 E.mail: ids.books@sussex.ac.uk

This selection of papers, from the proceedings of the Development Studies Association conference held in Dublin on the 150th Anniversary of the start of the Great Irish Famine, examines the historical background and the reasons why the spectre of famine continues to haunt much of the developing world today. These are set in the context of the concepts of food security and insecurity in order to emphasise our moral responsibility to act collectively to tackle not only famines but also less dramatic forms of food insecurity. Th book brings together the perspectives of eminent academics and policy-makers to give a comprehensive account of the threats to food security and the new approaches in aid to tackle them.This selection can be ordered online from amazon.com at the following url:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312210221/qid=932565761/sr=1-7/002-1060514-8742442