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The sociohistorical construction of the maize-tlacoyo agri-food chain (MTAC) is based on the preparation of a food of pre-Hispanic origin and is representative of a process of social innovation led by the community itself. During the production and marketing phase, the MTAC is operated by farmers, becoming an important strategy for generating employment and income based on their own resources, including land, maize crops, work and knowledge concerning the preparation of tlacoyos, where the participation and work of women is critical. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize and classify the Domestic Units (DU) that participate in the MTAC based on the availability of local resources. The study was carried out in a town in the central highlands of Mexico, and was construed as an exploratory and analytical case study; for this, field trips, bibliographic and documentary review were carried out and 56 DUs were interviewed. Results indicate that the factors that influence whether DUs become inserted into the maize-tlacoyo agri-food chain are: land ownership, family labor, production of inputs, knowledge and salaried work. Likewise, it is evident that DUs make exclusive use of local resources when participating in the MTAC, granting them their autonomy, consolidation and permanence. Pluriactivity was also identified as a component among the system of strategies that they employ for their social and economic reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional development is very much conditioned by the quality and quantity of internal resources, as well as the level of use that is or can be made of these. Local resources are often features, factors and phenomena in a defined territory that are unique in some way, of social or economic utility, and in a position to help steer development opportunities. They (can) play a particular role in regions whose development has remained weak, and in peripheral areas, given the possibility of them becoming major factors behind growth, if only they can be activated in an appropriate way. Against that background, the main aim of the work detailed here has been to conduct a structural reconnaissance of a given set of local resources and then to have these evaluated in the context of the potential development of new local products. As they capitalise on features of a multiplicity of local resources, the products referred to here may manifest a higher level of development potential. Consecutive parts of this study thus offer a conceptualisation of how such a new local product may be constructed, along with a specific diagnosis of the resources that can be involved, as these are manifested in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, located in SE Poland. Concrete proposals for local products are then made, in order to further illustrate the concept.

This paper explores key elements of an extension approach for enhancing the sustainability and realizing the scaling-up of tree growing by smallholder farmers in rural remote areas where extension services seldom reach and access to external markets is difficult. By referring to the case in Madagascar, the paper discusses that creating a certain number of local trainers is effective because they function as a driver to promote tree growing and new livelihood activities introduced by external agents using locally available resources. One critical issue of being a local trainer is to have good communication skills in relation to fellow farmers. This issue can be addressed by sharing the importance of communication skills of local trainers in a community so that fellow farmers can facilitate local trainers’ reflection unless a farmer does not feel reliable to a local trainer. On a mid- to longer-term basis, income opportunities will become an important point of motivation for local trainers. Creating new livelihood activities that can generate income and simultaneously contribute to village development is the way to go. This will enable local trainers to maintain their motivation and thus lead to sustainable tree growing activities.

The seedball technology is a simple and affordable seed-pelleting technique that uses locally available materials such as sand, loam, wood ash and seeds to enhance early crop establishment. It has been shown to be effective for pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) subsistence production in Sahelian environments. The objective of this study was to optimise the seedball technology for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under greenhouse conditions. Series of pot experiments were conducted in order to identify optimal size, seed number as well as nutrient content under low- and normal-soil phosphorus availability. The identified optimal seedball formula for sorghum is: 80 g sand + 50 g loam + 25 ml water + about 20 seeds. As maximum 1.5 g NPK mineral fertiliser can be added as nutrient compound. Compared to the control treatment, seedballs significantly improved root and shoot biomass variables as well as nutrient uptake of sorghum seedlings grown for 19 days. The lower the substrate P level, the better the biomass enhancement effect of seedballs, i.e. likely caused by nutrient availability. The next step is on-farm field testing under Sahelian conditions.

This study deals with the development of the seedball technology in particular for dry sowing under Sahelian conditions and pearl millet as crop. At first, our participatory evaluation in Senegal showed that (i) local materials needed for seedball production are locally available, (ii) the technology conforms to the existing management systems in the Sahel, and (iii) socio-economic conditions do not hinder seedball adoption. Afterwards, seedball was mechanically and chemically optimised. Pearl millet seedlings derived from the seedball variants were grown and compared to the control under greenhouse conditions. Our results showed that the combination of 80 g sand + 50 g loam + 25 ml water is the standard seedball dough, which produces about ten 2 cm diameter-sized seedballs. Either 1 g NPK fertiliser or 3 g wood ash can be added as nutrient additive to enhance early biomass of pearl millet seedlings. Ammonium fertiliser, urea and gum arabic as seedball components hampered seedlings emergence. Seedball + 3 g wood ash and seedball + 1 g NPK-treatments enhanced shoot biomass by 60 % and 75 %, root biomass by 36 % and 94 %, and root length density by 14 % and 28 %, respectively, relative to the control. Shoot nutrient content was not greatly influenced by treatment. However, multiplying biomass yield with nutrient content indicates that nutrient extraction was higher in nutrient-amended seedballs. On-station field tests in Senegal showed over 95 % emergence under real Sahelian conditions. Since early seedlings enhancement is decisive for pearl millet panicle yield under the Sahelian conditions, on-farm trials in the Sahel are recommended.

The normative legal documents in force in Russia (concept, strategy, program) for sustainable development of rural areas are imperfect. They do not take into account the European experience of rural development. The concept and the program expire in 2020. When developing these documents for a new period, one should take into account the historical experience of the European Union (EU). The establishment of a scientific paradigm and conceptual approaches to the development of rural areas in Russia, with due regard to the European experience in the formulation of the author, is new. The aim of the study is to substantiate conceptual approaches to the development of rural areas of Russia, in view of the fundamental principles of building a system for managing rural development in the EU countries. A scientific assessment of conceptual approaches to the development of rural areas in the EU is given. Since the early 1990s, the process of substitution of the exogenous-branch approach for the more progressive - endogenous-territorial and the formation of elements of the new - neo-endogenous approach - has been taking place in the EU countries. The most acceptable for the conditions of modern Russia is the endogenous-territorial approach. Its main features: the use of local natural, human, cultural and other resources; local initiative and entrepreneurial attitude, the creation of partnerships; multifunctionality of agriculture and diversification of the local economy; formation of social capital at the local level, development of "rural networks"; strengthening the institutional and infrastructural capacity of rural areas, overcoming their isolation from the outside world. The realizing of such an approach will require a complicated and painstaking work to create institutions for development and self-development, including resource potential in the development of rural areas. The "bottom-up" movement with financial, informational and institutional support "top-down" can fundamentally change the socio-economic situation in rural areas. At the same time, institutional prerequisites will be created for the subsequent transition to a neo-endogenous approach in the development of rural areas.

The background of this study is that Dewa Starfruit as a local resource in Depok City is threatened with extinction. The absence of regulations that protect these local resources and high rate of land use conversion causes decreasing number of starfruit plants and production. Starfruit farmers tend to switch professions to non-agricultural occupations. In national level, the largest number of agricultural business households experienced the greatest decline in horticulture subsector by 37.4% (Agricultural Census 2013). The elected regional head has branded Depok City with the tagline "friendly city" replacing Dewa Starfruit. The government's orientation and support for Dewa starfruit is fading away. Therefore, Depok City Government, especially DKP3, need to develop local resource-based agriculture development plan in order to be able to maintain local resources while improving it for society welfare. This research uses qualitative approach. The research informants were DKP3 apparatus of Depok City, Bappeda (Regional Government) apparatus of Depok City, field officer and farmer group. Data collection techniques used in-depth interviews and documentary studies. Data analysis utilized interactive model. Research results indicate that the development of local resource-based agricultural development plans has not gone well. Despite various supporting factors, there are existing inhibiting factors which are land use conversion had never been discussed; DKP3 Depok City efforts to safeguard agricultural issues in musrenbang has not been optimal; no field data update, either by couseling workers or farmers; DKP3 Depok City prioritized RPL activity; uneducated farmers; and absence of regional head support.

The plant Ensete ventricosum is used in agriculture in Africa. It is a source of fibres, which can be used in the interaction with polymers. This study deals with a material utilization of these fibres with a length of 1 to 2 mm, 2 to 3 mm, and 3 to 5 mm, together with reactoplastics resin ChS Epoxy 1200/324, following requirements of developing countries. Some areas of the African continent suffer from a lack of wood, and material based on epoxy and fibres can substitute for many wood products. The aim of this experiment was to describe basic mechanical properties (tensile strength σm, strain at the break εb, modulus of the elasticity Et, and impact strength an) of the composite material reinforced with fibres of the false banana plant, Ensete ventricosum. The plant, which originated in Ethiopia, is exploitable in developing countries. Geometrical aspects and morphology of the used fibres was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of fibres increased the modulus of elasticity and the impact strength, whereas the tensile strength and the strain at break were decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Region of Western Serbia and Šumadija has favorable conditions for agricultural and rural development due to the fact that it disposes of important resources such as: land, livestock resources, manpower. However, numerous difficulties influenced the development as a result of inherited property structure of farms, social structure of population, position, function and role of agriculture in rural development, economic development, but also in the development of agrar policy itself. Family farms represent the main subjects of agricultural production, other activities and rural development. Potentials of family farms of the region enable the members of farms and households to practice activities other than agricultural production and therefore to influence rural development and development of rural areas. Rural areas of the region with potentials have possibilities to produce more food and develop other production related activities with the scope of enabling sustainable socio-economic rural development, protection of natural resources from pollution, increase of the land fertility and biodiversity preservation. Agriculture has a special place in economic development of the region, especially because it represents an important source of profit and jobs in its numerous branches, and furthermore, it plays the main role in rural development enabling valorization of local resources and development of small and medium business activities in different sectors. Regarding crumbled and weak private sector of agriculture in the context of making conditions for a more balanced development of rural areas, a rational solution is the one that would create possibilities for a family farm to become equal with other economic entities in all aspects, in its status and position in development and economic policies, with the aim of increasing food production and therefore improvement of the development of rural areas and rural development. For this reason, it is important to create conditions for the development of comparative advantages of modern agricultue in rural areas of the region and more ballanced rural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G. V. Ramanjaneyulu and V. Rukmini Rao argue that the Indian agrarian crisis is due to lopsided policies in technology and support to farmers, faulty regulatory and market systems. Experiences with scaling up an ecological model of pest management in agriculture in Andhra Pradesh provide an important breakthrough in promoting sustainable models in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]