Exploring Agrodiversity

Critics often portray smallholders as careless farmers whose methods damage the environment. Harold Brookfield challenges that view, arguing that these farmers are clever problem-solvers who manage land in many different ways, often with a focus on protecting resources, soil above all. He also shows how such farmers have held on despite pressure from outside interests and state policy.

Drawing on case studies from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific, the book examines the range of farming diversity and traces how it developed over time. It looks at how the so-called gene revolution has affected small farmers and assesses the impact of the green revolution across several Asian nations.

The closing chapter asks whether these varied farming systems can endure under modern economic forces and the worldwide reach of the biotechnology industry.