Appropriate Biotechnology in Small-Scale Agriculture: How to Reorient Research and Development (Biotechnology in Agriculture)

As currently practiced, agricultural biotechnology is largely oriented to the needs and economies of the developed world. To be of benefit to small-scale farmers in developing countries, technologies need to be appropriate, both taking into account the prevailing conditions and making the best use of local resources.
This book addresses a number of issues related to these problems. In particular it examines the concern that projects undertaken in research facilities far distant from the farmer may have little impact on small-scale agriculture in developing countries, and if so, how project proposals should be assessed to remedy this situation. A second key theme of the book is to consider how information exchange can be enhanced in order to give higher priority to small-scale agriculture in biotechnology research policies. The book should therefore be of immediate concern to policy-makers in government, donor organizations, non-governmental organizations, industry and research organizations concerned with biotechnology in the Third World.