The thesis of this paper is that the "rational fool" syndrome can be applied to mainstream public sector agricultural research that is conducted in a way that is rational in the short term, but acts against its own long-term viability. Historically, a main concern of such research has been to maximize high levels of food production together with low prices to consumers. As a result, mainstream agricultural science has ignored negative impacts or externalities, which has contributed to a crisis of credibility with the general public and politically sensitive decision makers.

While bush beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris check for this species in other resources L.) have long been the protein staple of Rwandan agriculture, improved climbing beans have been introduced within the last 10 years, enabling farmers to intensify, stabilize and better stagger production. Through a 1992-3 nation-wide survey of 1050 households, conducted in both major growing seasons, this study examines the adoption of improved climbing beans across regions and potential user groups.

Climate change science has been discussed and synthesized by the world's best minds at unprecedented scales. Now that the Kyoto Protocol may become a reality, it is time to be realistic about the likelihood of success of mitigation activities. Pastoral lands in the tropics hold tremendous sequestration potential but also strong challenges to potential mitigation efforts. Here we present new analyses of the global distribution of pastoral systems in the tropics and the changes they will likely undergo in the next 50 years.

The objectives of this study were to: (a) estimate milk and beef yields obtained from cows grazing pastures in different stages of degradation; (b) estimate income losses as a result of the degradation process; (c) estimate the proportion of pasture areas found in each stage of degradation within the six administrative regions of Honduras; and (d) identify different strategies and costs to recuperate degraded pastures. Data came from two surveys executed during a workshop carried out in March 2004.

This policy brief explores the consequences of climate change on cocoa and tomato production in Jamaica. The report describes work carried out by CIAT in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI), which used

Joint Venture schemes based on the floppy irrigation technology are being promoted in the post-Apartheid South Africa's Limpopo Province. Access to land and water resources in South Africa are largely viewed as a mechanism for re-dressing the Apartheid injustices. This research was part of a broader applied research to help inform irrigation practise in the Limpopo Province. The research used literature review, key informant interviews and a questionnaire survey. The overall research question sought to understand how the Joint Venture Schemes had benefited the smallholder farmers.