This paper presents the results of field studies conducted to assess the crop yield, system productivity, profitability and soil fertility of maize under the influence of different maize-based conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) in Odisha, India, during the rainy and post-rainy...

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian economy was on the way to becoming more market based. The broadening of the market forces in Russian agriculture supports the hypothesis that the land allocation decision for grains and oilseeds is in large part determined by output...

This chapter focuses on the historical context and exploratory analysis of the genetic improvement of the crops (maize, wheat and rice, among others) in the 1998 initiative by the Diffusion and Impact of Improved Varieties in Africa (DIIVA) project. The importance of the establishment of a reliable ...

This chapter focuses on the assessment of the cultivar output, adoption and change for cassava, cowpea, soyabean and yam for Africa south of Sahara and maize improvement in West and Central Africa. The evaluation of the performance of genetic improvement programmes in these crops are also discussed.

This chapter focuses on the assessment of the performance of maize and wheat crop improvement in East and Southern Africa. Information on cultivar output and adoption in countries in East and Southern Africa is also presented.

This chapter focuses on the impacts of climate change on intensive maize and wheat production systems. Some technologies to close the yield gap to achieve sustainable intensification are also discussed.

This chapter focuses on the adoption and turnover of cultivars of crops, such as soyabean, maize, pigeon pea, wheat, cassava, rice, potato, barley, yam, groundnut, bean, sorghum, cowpea, pearl millet, chickpea, faba bean, lentil, sweet potato, banana and pea, in Africa South of Sahara. The changes...

This chapter analyses and discusses the drivers behind changes in staple food production, focusing on maize for the period 2002 to 2008, re-evaluating and discussing the role of the three key processes identified in 2002, namely the role of commercial drivers, farm technology and the agrarian...

This chapter is concerned with the use of biological and non-biological technologies to improve crop production in the 20th century. During the first half of the century, increases in food production were mainly due to use of additional land and chemical inputs such as fertilizers. However, after...

This chapter focuses on the various aspects of the production of Gramineae [Poaceae] (including cereal grain crops, grasses, and grain and vegetable crops exemplified by Zea mays) and Cyperaceae (including some nut crops) in the tropics, with emphasis on site, soil and nutrient requirements, sowing ...