This book is part of the study 'Policies that Work for Sustainable Agriculture and Regenerating Rural Economies' and analyses the evolution of the relations between Bolivian national politicies to farming and rural development, with an emphasis in the period of the structural reforms from 1993. In addition to a historical, legal and political context, the investigation includes the field work in two rural municipalities.

This book attempts to explore different natural resource sectors and to identify possibilities for mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into these sectors but without compromising livelihoods in the process. ~It advocates leveraging incremental change within the existing natural resource sectors through research, policy change, development and demonstration of alternative approaches. There are six chapters that discuss these issues in the forestry, agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors and within rangelands. A discussion on insect diversity and livelihoods also constitutes a separate chapter. The whole book is framed by an introduction and macro-economic perspective on how to start to resolve the conflicts between conservation and development.

Farmers in Zimbabwe have for many years been forbidden to cultivate fertile wetland areas known as vleis, ostensibly in the name of protecting the environment. This paper analyses how local people and extension agents have responded to a deeply unpopular policy put in place by the colonial government, and maintained even after independence. The study covers two contrasting areas: Chivi in the south, where the State almost succeeded in suppressing the cultivation of vleis, and Mutoko in the north, where there was strong local resistance to the ban on this activity. The paper also highlights the marked difference between the policy concept and its implementation on the ground.

This working paper discusses the impact of a multi-institutional research programme in low potential areas of Kenya. The programme elaborated nutrient balances, combined with economic analysis, to better understand causes and effects of soil fertility decline. Alongside, better soil fertility management practices were developed using a participatory technology approach. This paper assesses to what extent farmers changed their practices, if the programme has influenced ways of working with extension and research, or has led to better informed policies.