Bookshelf

Farming for the future: an introduction to low-external-input and sustainable agriculture

by C Reijntjes, B Haverkort and A Waters-Bayer.

Leusden, Netherlands; ILEIA (1992) 250 pp. Paperback

The call for sustainable agriculture is getting louder. The environmental and social costs of high-external-input agriculture have become increasingly obvious. At the same time smallholders are being forced to exploit their resources so intensively that yet more environmental degradation occurs. Development planners and donors are seeking solutions which will benefit smallholders, halt degradation, and if possible improve resources.

This book provides information that development workers involved with extension, research and training need to know. It will give them understanding to assist small-scale farmers to make best use of low cost local resources.

The material has been provided by a network of innovative farmers, fieldworkers and scientists in developing countries. The result is 250 pages of close-packed information, explaining the terminology currently in use, interspersed with examples and illustrations, and with useful appendices full of data.

This book describes the current state of the art of sustainable agriculture. Typical perhaps that while beekeeping is mentioned few times, its value and potential are not discuss

Honeybees in mountain agriculture

edited by L R Verma.

New Delhi, India; Mohan Primlani (1992) 274 pp. Paperback.

The proceedings of a meeting held in Nepal to discuss the development of beekeeping in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan). The publication contains much data on the current status of beekeeping in this area with details of the bee species and the forage available to them. There are interesting articles describing the various practices within the region and the special problems and benefits of beekeeping in mountainous areas are defined. The pros and cons surrounding the introduction of Apis mellifera to this region are discussed. Amongst the resolutions of the meeting are calls for the establishment of centre for research and training and for practical training manual on beekeeping with Apis cerana.

Killer bees

by M Winston.

Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard University Press (1992) 162 pp. Hardback.

Available from IBRA price £15.50.

Most of us try hard to discourage the term ‘killer bee’, preferring the less provocative and more informative term Africanized for those bees introduced from Africa to Brazil in 1956. Indeed Mark Winston argues that Africanized is indeed the most appropriate name for these bees. Perhaps the name ‘killer’ does have value at least in selling books! People who are encouraged to read this book because of its title will find an informed and unbiased account of Africanized bees. In nine short chapters the author describes the biology of the bees, their possible economic impact, the conflicts which have arisen, and gives recommendations for coping when the bees arrive in new areas. The book is written in most readable style and all sides of the various arguments are presented. Illustrated with clear diagrams, line drawings and black and white photographs.

Tiger paper Vol XVIII No (October-December 1991), Rural energy in the Asia pacific region RAPA Bulletin 1991/2 (December 1991), Forestry research in the Asia pacific: FORSPA publication no 1 (1992).

Available from FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok, Thailand.

This edition of Tiger paper contains the report of an expert consultation on non-wood forest products. Honey is listed amongst the animal food products.

Biodiversity of honey bees in Thailand and Abstracts of papers and bibliography of Asian honey bees (1979-1991).

These publications (described in Beekeeping & Development 23 pages 5 and 13) are now available from IBRA price £7.00 and £8.00 respectively.

Members of AAA can obtain copies at a special rate from the AAA administration office (see page 6).

Diversity in the genus Apis

edited by D R Smith.

Boulder, CO, USA; Westview Press (1991) 265 pp. Hardback.

Available from IBRA price £39.95.

The genus Apis (to which all honey bees belong) is increasingly appreciated by scientists to be a larger and more diverse group than was previously realised, with species showing highly differentiated behaviour. This diversity reflects the range of environments occupied by honey bees. Recent research findings are presented in this publication which will be of value to honey bee scientists and other biologists.

Tools for agriculture: guide to appropriate equipment for small-holder farmers

introduction by I Carruthers and M Rodriguez.

London, UK; Intermediate Technology Publications in association with CTA and GRET (1992) 256 pp. Paperback.

Available from Intermediate Technology Publications, London.

For 25 years Intermediate Technology have been publishing guides to appropriate equipment. This latest publication contains ten sections, one of which is beekeeping. An introduction providing advice on the selection of appropriate beekeeping equipment is followed by an illustrated list of beekeeping equipment with descriptions and details of where it can be obtained.

The other nine sections relate to all other equipment that small-holders use, from the smallest manual implements to engine- powered tools.

This book can help in many different ways: by describing the types of equipment available for specific purposes, by giving the addresses of manufacturers producing particular items, by allowing people to find out the range of equipment available from specific manufacturers or those in a particular country. In addition there are contact addresses for further information.

A very useful source book for anyone with responsibility for purchasing equipment.

The Rainforest Harvest: sustainable strategies for saving the tropical forests?

London, UK; Friends of the Earth Trust Ltd (1992) 293 pp. Paperback.

Available from Publications Despatch, Friends of the Earth, London price £12.45 including post and packing.

Friends of the Earth brought together harvesters, politicians, scientists, and entrepreneurs to discuss the sustainable harvesting of tropical forests. This publication presents their contributions. The result is an interesting range of perspectives, ranging from reports from the forest floor to an over view of the situation provided by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Happily, one of the views from the forest floor was provided by beekeeper from Zambia, Bob Malachi, manager of North-western Bee Products, Kabompo who described the success achieved by traditional beekeepers in this part of East Africa.

The book provides much useful information and well-argued debate, and 30 colour plates illustrate some of the forest products discussed.

“I can, with the utmost enthusiasm, commend to you the proceedings of this Conference, for it seems to me to offer some realistic hope, at a somewhat gloomy time, both for the rainforests themselves and for the people of those countries on whom we depend to act as guardians and stewards of the forests in all our interests.”

HRH The Prince of Wales

Ecology and natural history of tropical bees

by Roubik

Previously reviewed in Newsletter for beekeepers in tropical and subtropical countries No 17 this valuable compendium of current knowledge on the 300 or so bee genera which occur in the tropics is now available in paperback. Price £16.95.

Flora palinologica de la reserva de la biosfera de Slan Ka’an, Quintana Roo, Mexico

by R Palacios-Chavez, B Ludlow-Wiechers & Villanueva G.

Quintana Roo, Mexico; Centro de Investigaciones de Quintana Reo (1991) 321 pp. Paperback. In Spanish.

Available from IBRA price £29.50.

This paperback gives 2558 photomicrographs of pollens collected from plants in a Biosphere Reserve on the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. The book will be valuable to those who analyse tropical honeys: many of the pollens are from plants found throughout the tropics. The text is in Spanish: scientific names are used throughout.

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