Seed Info

LITERATURE

Literature, books and journal articles of interest to readers are presented here. Please send list of seed publications on policy, regulation and technology to the Editor for inclusion in Seed Info.

N.P. Louwaars. (ed.) 2002. Seed Policy, Legislation and Law: Widening a Narrow Focus. (Co-published simultaneously in Journal of New Seeds Vol 4. No.1/2, 2002.) Seed policies in most countries currently concentrate on stimulating private enterprises. More recently developed concepts promote an integration of formal and informal seed systems to increase the availability of seeds to the majority of farmers in developing countries. Moreover, new technological developments such as biotechnology and international agreements on intellectual property rights and genetic resources are far reaching and bringing a changing landscapes in seed policy matters. Policies, therefore, need to develop a much wider scope than before. This volume brings together authors (seed system specialists, agronomists, biotechnologists, economists and anthropologists) with widely varying backgrounds from different continents. The articles presented covers wide ranging issues including policy, regulatory, technical and institutional issues. It is hoped that the book will contribute to the formulation of effective seed policies and the improvement of seed regulatory frameworks to enable farmers have better access and use quality seeds. The Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY13904-9981, USA; Website: http://www.haworthpress.com.

W. Buhler, S. Morse, E. Arthur, S. Bolton and J. Mann. 2002. Science, Agriculture and Research: A Compromised Participation? 'Science, Agriculture and Research' is essentially a collection of mini-histories covering the early and recent development of agricultural research in the UK, the changing nature of agricultural research in a developing country, Nigeria, and the origins and elaboration of participatory appraisal methods in rural development since the 1970s. As the title suggests, while participatory methods have been widely adopted as a tool for writing development plans, the authors believe the participatory movement may be losing its momentum. There are growing doubts about the approach: simply helping people to identify their livelihood constraints, for example, does not necessarily give them greater opportunities for overcoming them. Poor people may come to resent spending time on participatory
activities which do nothing to change the inequalities of power that keep them in poverty. And what influence do their views have on donors and aid agencies? They will, it is argued, be swept into the maelstrom of different influences and agendas that guide donors and their funding decisions, and their priorities will inevitably be compromised. Published by Earthscan, 120 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JN, UK; Email: earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk; Website: http://www. earthscan.co.uk; 174pp; (Pb) £17.95.

Useful Internet Sites/Electronic Publications
Reports on Intellectual Property Rights
The report of Commission on Intellectual Property Rights (UK) entitled 'Integrating Intellectual Property Rights and Development Policy'-the full text is accessible at www.iprcommission.org/text/ documents/final_report.htm while the executive summary is at www.iprcommission.org/papers/text/ final_report/execsumwebfinal.htm.

Directory of Development Organizations
The latest edition of the Directory Development Organizations is now available. It is a comprehensive reference point for researchers, donors and policy makers interested in private sector development and poverty alleviation. The directory lists 25,000 organizations in seven geographical areas including Africa with English, French and Spanish versions. Further information is available at http://www.devdir.org (free).