ABSTRACTED FROM IIED WEBSITE INTRODUCTION: One of the outputs of a research project considering shifting cultivation in Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam. It considers the dynamics of shifting cultivation and alternative land use systems in the context of highland development in Thailand, gathered in order to provide up-to-date information to policymakers. The study includes examination of national policies relating to highland areas and the impacts of such policies on local communities and land use patterns.

Les pluies sont rares en Afrique et particulièrement au Sahel. Elles ne tombent que durant trois ou quatre mois de l’année souvent de façon tumultueuse. Leur irrégularité et leur distribution inégale dans l’espace ont été pour une grande partie à la base du déficit énorme et persistant de la production alimentaire et agricole dans la plupart des régions africaines.

L'étude sur l'harmonisation des politiques agricoles dans les Etats membres de l'Organisation du Bassin de la Rivière KAGERA répond donne a cette nécessité de fournir une information sur la situation de l'agriculture dans cette sous-région de l'OBK à toute la Communauté internationale (promoteurs/operateurs économiques, bailleurs de fonds bilatéraux et multilatéraux; institutions financières,...) pour lui permettre d'examiner le genre d'assistance et le volume d'intervention en faveur du développement du secteur agricole qui constitue une grande priorité des Etats de cette sous-région.

This paper focuses on report of the workshop on grain marketing in transition Harare, Zimbabwe 11-17 October 1993. The purpose of the mission to Harare, Zimbabwe from 9-17 October 1993 was to service the Association of Food Marketing in Eastern and Southern African sub region workshop on "Grain Marketing in Transition".

In 1986, ILCA carried out informal surveys at Dogollo and Inewari in order to understand the farming systems. Such surveys were also conducted by the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ginchi in 1986 and by the Alemaya University of Agriculture at Ada/Debre Zeit in 1988/89. This was followed by one-time detailed formal farm surveys at Dogollo, Inewari and Ginchi in 1988/89. This chapter mostly presents the results of these formal surveys.

Some of the papers in this report deals with nutrient management; land, soil and water management; grain, fodder and residue management; and technology validation and transfer. The other papers looks into development of coordinated research efforts; distribution and importance of Ethiopian vertisols and locations of study sites; a survey of the farming systems of Vertisol areas of the Ethiopian highlands, and modifying the management of vertisols. The report ends with a discussion on retrospect and prospects of the Joint Project on Vertisols management.