This work provides an interdisciplinary foundation for an important new conservation program: maintaining biological resources of crop plants within the systems where they have evolved. The book offers a global vision of the on-farm conservation movement and provides a comprehensive review of the issues and challenges of on-farm conservation of genetic resources. The book's chapters are written by a collection of outstanding scholars and academics from a variety of disciplines; they include biologists, agronomists, anthropologists, economists, lawyers, and agricultural development specialists.

It should appeal to a varied international audience, particularly to professionals in the fields of conservation and agricultural development and those who are involved in planning or implementing conservation programs. For course work, the book is appropriate for graduate programs in agricultural development and conservation.  less