Peter Storey Books

By Laurie Robertson. In Tropical Agriculture Assocation Newsletter, December 2007, Volume 27, Number 4, page 34. www.taa.org.uk

This describes a working life of some 30 years spent mainly in Asia and in particular in Taiwan and Nepal. The work of some 250k words covers a very wide remit. It is principally directed to the field worker rather than to the development agency looking for potential investment. It covers, from very personal and practical field experience, conservation of rural habitat, migration, poverty, health, literacy, marketing, credit, water supplies, basic agriculture and soil improvement.

The author tackles in an unconventional style how ‘projects’ always promise much but rarely achieve. The presentation is written in hands-on and practical approach to rural development. In twenty-one chapters he discusses at great length subjects ranging from the present trend in funding rural development, ideas on a more durable approach, attitudes, personnel, training and achievable objectives. He also goes into considerable detail on approach, funding, role of NGOs and other agencies, strategy and, very importantly, networking among complementary projects.

There are also 15 appendices which cover such subjects as crop trialling practice, toilet facilities and education. Particular attention is paid to the need for soil conservation which includes discussion on the need to mimic the jungle to maintain fertility. In crop trialling there is an interesting discussion on field experimental layout. In similar terms the author does not fully agree with many of the ideas on generally accepted contour terracing/contour bunding, the reason being that they are not durable in typical Nepal hill conditions where topsoil averages six inches in depth. Other proposals put forward included the closing off of certain areas of hill land to grazing animals in order to bring back ground cover and fertility. If there is criticism it would be that there is too much repetition and secondly long inclusions where a reference would suffice.

The author is to be complimented on putting together a lifetime’s experience for the benefit of those who struggle with this most complex subject of Rural Development.

By David Sanders. Senior Soil Conservation Officer, FAO (retired) and Past President World Association of Soil and Water Conservation.

"There are many good books explaining the broad outlines of the problems of rural development, or advocating particular approaches; but, with few exceptions, these books are written from a theoretical rather than a practical level of what should be done." So starts the Preface to this book. Peter Storey is very much a practical man with many years of experience of rural development in developing countries and he freely admits that he does not enjoy writing. Nevertheless, he has produced what must be one of the most comprehensive and detailed books so far written on the subject.

Over the years rural development has been led by fashion and the author makes the point that many promising programmes have faded and come to nothing over time, leaving behind disillusioned development workers and disappointed rural populations – rural development must be lasting! This is a theme that the author returns to time and time again and hence the title "Durable Rural Development" as he outlines his views on how this can be achieved.

This is a lengthy publication: it is made up of 21 chapters supplemented by 16 appendices - some of which are quite lengthy, a glossary of terms, subject matter index and reference section. If this had been produced as a printed book rather than a CD, it would have been a weighty tome! But it is not designed to be read like a normal text but to be treated more as a manual so that the reader can turn to whatever subject he or she is interested in and find a self-contained section. Understandably then, it is lengthy and repetitive in many places.

The main chapters cover a wide range of pertinent - and sometimes basic - subjects, including why rural development is important and why outsiders should be involved, assessing the present situation, the attitudes required, the right understanding, the requirements for good rural development, approaches, gaols and objectives, methods of implementation, communication and participation, what is durable rural development, popular approaches to rural development, advice on financing, the role of NGOs, project assessment and monitoring and more. Likewise, the appendices cover a variety of subjects, including some clever inventions by the author such as the "Good News Level" (a simple device that can be made from three pieces of wood and a plumb bob and can be used to measure angles as well as contours) and the "Good News Bulldozer" (a simple to construct blade for walking tractors). These are simple and very effective ideas that can be easily and cheaply used in the field.

The publication is based on Peter Storey’s extensive experience of field projects in Taiwan and Nepal over a period of some 30 years. It is well illustrated with numerous examples, many of them his own, but he has obviously researched his subject well and he also quotes many relevant examples taken from other regions of the developing world. But be prepared, the author’s views are very much based on his own practical experiences and his recommendations are often unorthodox and contrary to prevailing fashions and established ideas. For example, he is very critical of the Vetiver grass erosion control system that has been widely advocated by the World Bank in recent years.

To quote again from the author, "This book is for people who really want to help the less advantaged rural people to help themselves to a better future." It will be a very valuable reference for anyone working in the field of rural development in developing countries.

Back to Durable Rural Development

Foreword

This work seems to be important in two ways.

Firstly, there is here an easy to use and comprehensive method of recognizing the different types of Bamboo not using flower type. As Bamboo flowers so rarely, this should be very useful in a variety of locations.

Secondly, there are suggestions, methods of working and warning notes for the use of Bamboo in afforestation under many climatic and soil regimes. A useful crop - fodder - building and other materials - could be produced within as short a time as four years. The beneficial effects on soil stabilisation, precipitation increase and carbon dioxide absorption do not need to be enumerated here.

The author, Mr Peter Storey, has many years’ experience in Taiwan and Nepal, working with the local people and experimenting with the propagation of Bamboo under a variety of conditions.

His ideas need to be shared with a wide audience. Perhaps we have here one of the solutions to present problems in Tropical and Sub-tropical areas.

Margaret Smith, M.A. (Cantab.)

Review

This is a private publication by the author who has wide experience of growing and using bamboo.
Here is an easy to read book on this very versatile crop. The author points out and discusses the many useful purposes for which bamboo can be used. It can convert poor land into good land; it can be used to check erosion, especially on steep hillsides; to conserve water; to provide cheap materials for building and cottage industries; to provide fodder and firewood, and it’s not demanding on labour.

Peter Storey gives easy to follow steps to identify the different species, essential if the right one is to be selected. There follows a detailed step by step introduction to the propagation, planting and management of the crop. And there is a useful look at the way bamboo can be utilised, from splitting the thick poles to building hand carts.

This practical guide should lead to a better understanding of this most useful material.

Back to "Bamboo: A Valuable Multi-purpose Crop".

Chapter 1. The Value of Bamboo.

• Utilisation.
• Traditional Uses.
• Water pipes.
• For animal fodder.
• Paper making.
• Other aspects of the value of bamboo.
• The ability to absorb Carbon dioxide, to be ‘carbon dioxide sinks’.
• Establishing a forest.
• Improving the cultivation of bamboo.

Chapter 2. Factors which have held back the growing of Bamboo in Nepal, and possibly other countries.

• 2.1 There are traditional beliefs about people dying when bamboos die.
• 2.2 Traditionally people have only been able to propagate bamboo in the monsoon.
• 2.3 Lack of control over grazing animals, which find bamboo leaves and shoots palatable.
• 2.4 Theft. When there are relatively few bamboos theft can be a problem.
• 2.5 Ideas about flowering and then dying.
• 2.6 Propagation.

Chapter 3. The Practical Approach.

Chapter 4. How to use the book when planning to plant Bamboo.

• 4.1 General information on planting bamboo.
• 4.2 How can we tell if a particular species can be grown using culm cuttings?
• 4.3 How can we tell if we can grow cuttings from rhizome sections?
• 4.4 Planting and care.
• 4.5 To recap.

Chapter 5. Identifying different Bamboos.

• Parts.
• Types of growth.
• Forms of the culms.
• The branch formation.
• Leaf parts.
• Culm sheaths.
• Flower types.
• How to identify different bamboos?

Chapter 6. Examples of species Descriptions.

Chapter 7. Bamboo Propagation by Seeds.

• 7.1 Reasons in favour of this method.
• 7.2 Reasons against propagation by seeds.

Chapter 8. Bamboo Propagation by Cuttings.

• 8.1 Why should we use vegetative propagation?
• 8.2 It is important to make cuttings from culms which are at the right stage of development.
• 8.3 How to tell which is the correct stage.
• 8.4 Increasing material available.
• 8.5 How old should the culm be?
• 8.6 When to make the cuttings?
• 8.7 How to cut?
• 8.8 What size of culm is suitable?
• 8.9 How many nodes (joints) with branches should there be in one cutting?
• 8.10 An alternative method is the Man Bahadur or multi-node method.
• 8.11 What to do with the branches and the leaves?
• 8.12 How to divide the culm?
• 8.13 The "Man Bahadur Method" has several nodes.
• 8.14 Care of the cuttings.
• 8.15 Planting out.
• 8.16 Suggested planting depths for different conditions.
• 8.17 General notes on planting.

Chapter 9. Bamboo Propagation by Rooted Culm (Rooted Poles).

• 9.1 Introduction.
• 9.2 What age should the rooted culm be?
• 9.3 It would be good to have more research into these two factors, the length of the culm and the use of centre of clump rhizomes.
• 9.4 Time of the year to plant.
• 9.5 Prepare the holes.
• 9.6 Select the rhizomes.
• 9.7 Removing the culm.
• 9.8 Cutting rhizomes.
• 9.9 Digging out the rhizome.
• 9.10 Moving the rhizomes.
• 9.11 Planting out.
• 9.12 Culm and Rhizome planting.
• 9.13 Aerial Layering / Marcotting.

Chapter 10. The Propagation of Creeping/running Bamboo Species.

Chapter 11. Planting of Clumps, Groves and Forest.

• 11.1 Introduction.
• 11.2 For tight clump type bamboos.
• 11.3 Forest and plantation planting in general.
• 11.4 For planting on gullies, landslides and river banks

Chapter 12. Management of Clumps, Groves and Forest.

• 12.1 Introduction.
• 12.2 How often and how much to harvest?
• 12.3 When to harvest?
• 12.4 Methods of harvesting from large clumps.
• 12.5 Bamboo growing with large trees.
• 12.6 Sometimes bamboo is used as a nurse crop for timber trees.

Chapter 13. Pests and Diseases.

• 13.1 Introduction.
• 13.2 Bamboo scale.
• 13.3 Bamboo aphid.
• 13.4 Bamboo borers.
• 13.5 Bamboo Blight
• 13.6 Bamboo shoot maggot.
• 13.7 Bamboo growing with large trees.
• 13.8 Summary.

Chapter 14. Suggestions for Useful Research.

• 14.1 Botany.
• 14.2 There needs to be a greater appreciation of the potential of bamboo, from many points of view.
  • 14.2a) It can be grown under a wide range of conditions.
  • 14.2b) It can be used to recover and stabilise areas denuded by forest felling, fires or landslides.
  • 14.2c) It is the poor mans timber.
  • 14.2d) Bamboo forest attracts rainfall and retards and absorbs rainwater runoff.
  • 14.2e) Bamboo forest can replace forests which have been cleared as CO2 sinks.
  • 14.2f) Bamboo is relatively easy to harvest and transport.
  • 14.2g) Bamboo has very many uses for producing items as different as small handicrafts and solid beams for building; and paper to plywood.
• 14.3 There is a need for appropriate local trials, with both local and other species.
  • 14.3a) An example of what was not appropriate.
  • 14.3b) Simple but practical records must be kept
• 14.4 Some of the trials to determine the best method for local and species conditions.
  • 14.4a) Man Bahadur Method
  • 14.4b) Short culm cuttings.
  • 14.4c) Conduct trials on ways to layer culms.
  • 14.4d) Trials with creeping bamboos.
  • 14.4e) Can the new rooted shoots of layered culms of creeping bamboos be cut apart and transplanted?
  • 14.4f) Transplanting rooted layered culms, perhaps for instance to hold eroding areas.
  • 14.4g) Trials of non local bamboos.
  • 14.4h) Trials of planting spreading bamboos around the edges of landslides.
  • 14.4i) Trying larger spreading bamboo’s,
  • 14.4j) Trials of older rhizomes.
• 14.5 A look at ways in which bamboo could be profitably grown, harvested and used.
  • 14.5a) Investigate the possibility of making bamboo plywood in countries which do not have facilities for it but have or could have large enough quantities of bamboo to make it worthwhile to produce this very useful material.
  • 14.5b) Investigate the wider use of bamboo for paper and cardboard production.
  • 14.5c) Bamboo could also be grown in many other areas adjoining roads.
• 14.6 Developing suitable tools and crafts
• 14.7 Research into pest management.
• 14.8 Trial and demonstration areas should be established.

Chapter 15. Summary.

• 15.1 General summary.
• 15.2 Summary of Bamboo species.

Back to "Bamboo: A Valuable Multi-purpose Crop".

When I went to Taiwan in 1963 a new report of the Joint Commission for Rural Reconstruction there had just brought out a report which stated that they had found that land which was very poor, very steep or eroding should be planted as bamboo forest. As it was at that time a dictatorship land in such a classification had to be planted to bamboo forest. So there were many areas of bamboo forest. It is always cool in a bamboo forest and it was noted that as there was more forest there was more mist and rain in the area. Once rain fell it would be cooler and so clouds passing over were even more likely to drop their moisture.

One of the things I noticed when I went to Nepal in 1980 was that areas which in Taiwan would be bamboo forest, such as poor land, very steep land, landslides and landslide prone land, etc., was bare. What bamboo was grown was mainly clump bamboo, I felt it would be good to try bamboo forest. Everyone I asked said it was a stupid idea, Nepal was not Taiwan, except for one Australian forester who thought it was worth a try.

I did not know how to propagate bamboo so started trying different methods. We planted 27 species below the Mission hospital at Tansen on land which was very poor bare and eroding land. We used occasionally irrigated and dry area for each species and different ways of propagation and had a tour path with labels describing the species and propagating method. A German forester working for SATA in Tansen became interested and arranged for us to have trials at Humin de gerra forest area. Where we planted bamboo in different locations and methods and planted a landslide. The landslide was stabilised and two families in the area whose houses were threatened by landslides below them asked us to plant the landslides. About four years later they told me that they were very happy. The land was now stable and they had already been selling poles at up to 100 rupees (about 3 days wage) each.

When my work was just taking off in many ways, with vegetable, soil conservation, bamboo and fruit tree training I was told that I could no longer have a visa to work in Nepal. Before I left I wrote “Bamboo a valuable crop for the hills”. After I came home I did more research and wrote a more detailed book “Bamboo: A Valuable Multi-purpose Crop” for more general use than Nepal.

While in Nepal I tried to encourage the growing of Bamboo for soil conservation but also as a crop for paper making and plywood making. The paper mill at Narayanghat could be converted from straw which makes poor paper and should be kept to incorporate into the soil and replaced with Bamboo which makes good quality paper. I am glad that bamboo is now more appreciated in Nepal, more bamboo is being grown and plywood and chip board is being made.

Back to "Bamboo: A Valuable Multi-purpose Crop".

• World Association of Soil and Water Conservation
• Tropical Agriculture Association
• Operation AGRI
• Appropriate Technology
• LEISA - Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture magazine
• IIED - The International Institute for Environment and Development
• Footsteps - Tear Fund quarterly newsletter for health and development workers
• ITDG
• International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
• ECHO
• World Vision International
• Friends of the Earth
• Garden Organic - Henry Doubleday Research Association
• Centre for Alternative Technology
• OXFAM
• International Ag-Seive
• Winrock International
• VSO
• Agromisa

Review from Tropical Agriculture Association Newsletter

Francis Shaxton

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land: A Manual of soil and water conservation and soil improvement on sloping land
Vol I Practical Understanding
Vol II: Practical Application: Soil Improvement
Vol III: Practical Application: Soil and Water Conservation
Peter Storey. Enfield (USA) & Plymouth (UK): Science Publishers Inc. ISBN: (i) 1-57808-201-3; (II) 1-57808-250-1; (III) 1-57808-234-X

From his training and, in particular, from 30 years’ experience in the field – predominantly among small farmers in the steeplands of Taiwan and of Nepal – Peter Storey has learnt, and demonstrated to farmers’ satisfaction, how land degradation can be reversed and soil fertility improved and sustained, using methods which, in his words, are ‘3D’: Desirable, Do-able and Durable.

Volume 1 was reviewed earlier. Now that Vols II and III are available it is appropriate to consider the trilogy as a whole, because the columes are inter-dependent rther than sequential parts.

He achieves his goal of bridging the gap between theorists and field practitioners, because the contents are a valuable mix of observations, field experiences, concepts, principles, facts guidelines, detailed practical instructions, and a large eclectic collection of references.

Volume 1 is an overview. From which appropriate details are carried forward and expanded to cover both soil improvement as the core of Volume II, and terracing and non-terracing methods of conserving soil and water as the core of Volume III. In the relaity of the field, none of these specialisations are independent, so additionalo chapters on: livestock; forestry, agro-forestry and bamboo; field trials; weed control; research and development needs; and extension policy and methods, have been added in common to both volumes as features complementing and cross-linking their core subjects.

Among the 8 technical Appendices there is a useful Glossary/Dictionary to illuminate the meanings of some technical words and jargon. The designs and uses of the simple and effective Good News Level for surveying, and the Good News Bulldozer to fit two-wheeled tractors, are also included.

Peter says he would have paid a lot for what he has written here if he were starting afresh in third word hill agriculture. Now others, too, in similar situations can benefit greatly from studying these volumes.

Read reviews of books by Peter Storey.

Durable Rural Development

Bamboo - A Valuable Multi-Purpose and Soil Conserving Crop

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land

• Volume 1
• Volume 2
• Volume 3
• All three volumes

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Books available from Peter Storey

Durable Rural Development (CD)

£8, including P&P

Bamboo

• in the UK: £6
• EU by airmail: £8
• Other countries:
  • by surface mail: £8 - takes up to 4 - 5 weeks
  • by airmail: £8.50 (approx US$17) - takes up to 1 week.

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Books available elsewhere

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land

All volumes can be obtained from:

SCIENCE PUBLISHERS Inc., Post Office Box 699, Enfield, New Hampshire 03784, USA.

• Volume 1 (Theoretical understanding of the information in volumes 2 and 3)
• Volume 2 (Practical application of Soil Improvement)
• Volume 3 (Practical application of Soil and Water Conservation)

SCIENCE PUBLISHERS Inc. UK, Plymbridge Distributors, Estover Road, Plymouth PL6 7PY, UK. Tel: 01752 202301

Or through bookshops. The ISBN numbers are:

• Volume 1: ISBN 1-57808-201-3
• Volume 2: ISBN 1-57808-250-1
• Volume 3: ISBN 1-57808-234-X

Note. The author is donating copies of the three volumes of The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land to bonafide workers and charities involved in agricultural work in developing countries. Students from developing countries may also apply. Recipients should state which volumes they require and why. They will also need to provide evidence of who they are, and what they are doing, and pay for post and packaging. Please contact Peter Storey for further information and to arrange payment for P&P.

The books are large - up to 349 pages, 22cm x 27 cm in size. Postage and packing charges per book will be:

• In the EU by airmail: £6
• In other countries:
  • surface mail (up to 4 - 5 weeks): £6.
  • airmail (up to 1 week): £11 (approx US$22).

Payment by GB£ Cheque or via Paypal.

Review from the Newsletter of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation Volume ??, Number ?? month - month year. Page ??.

by David Sanders

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land, Voulme III: Practical Application – Soil and Water Conservation. P.J. Storey. 2003. 349 pp. ISBN 1-57808-234-1, Science Publishers, Inc. www.scipub.net), P.O. Box 699, Enfield, New Hampshire 03784, USA.

This is the third and final volume of Peter Storey’s trilogy on The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land. Volume II dealt mainly with soil improvement while this volume deals more directly with the related subject of soil and water conservation. As with the other two volumes, this book is based on the author’s many years of practical experience in the mountainous regions of the humid tropics and aims to be a practical guide to the field worker. Part 1 of the book includes seven chapters of background information on soil erosion and the theory behind the use of various practices. Part 2 deales with the practical aspects of such subjects as livestock management, agroforestry, field trials, research and development and extension as they apply to soil and water conservation. The last part of the book is devoted to eight fairly lengthy appendices that provide excellent information on such practical subjects as assessing soil moisture content in the field, how to make a simple bulldozer for a two wheeled tractor, and simple methods of surveying.

Peter Storey’s views are not always orthodox and he does not mind criticizing some of the currently promoted systems of soil and water conservation, such as the vetiver system widely advocated in recent years by the World Bank. However, the reader can be sure that all the practices that he recommends in the book have been personally checked and tested in the regions where he has worked.

As with Volume II, I believe that this book will be a very useful guide to many of our field workers. It is the sort of book that many field project leaderscould profitably buy and proide for the staff they are training as extension workers.

World Association of Soil and Water Conservation

Review from the Newsletter of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation Volume ??, Number ?? month - month year. Page ??.

by David Sanders

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land, Volume ll: Practical Application - Soil Improvement. P.J. Storey. 2003. 251 pp. ISBN 1-57808-250-1. Science Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 699, Enfield, New Hampshire 03784, USA.

Regular readers will recall a review of Volume l of this series in the Oct. - Dec. 2002 Newsletter. That volume dealt with the principles of conserving and improving sloping land in the humid tropics. I am pleased to be able to announce that Volume ll, Practical Application - Soil Improvement, is now available. This volume is also written by well-known WASWC member, Peter Storey, in the same easy-to understand English as the first volume and it includes a great amount of practical, useful information. The book is well illustrated and contains numerous examples from different parts of the developing world. I particularly liked some of the tables that list such information as the plant nutrient content of various plant and animal residues that can be applied to improve the soil and the "companion planting guide" that lists plants that can aid or hinder the growth of companion plants. The author challenges some of the more conventional measures for conservation and soil improvement and, while some of his ideas may be unconventional, they are based on his many years of experience in tropical, developing countries.

The book is divided into two sections. The first starts with a general discussion about the importance of soil and then a chapter explaining what soil is and how it is formed. The following chapters concentrate on better plant nutrition, improving soil management and soil micro-organisms. The second part of the book includes chapters on livestock; forestry, agro-forestry and bamboo; appropriate field trials; weed control; research and development needs; and extension policy, methods and related considerations.

I believe that this book will be a very useful guide to many of our field workers. It is the sort of book that many field projects could profitably buy and provide for the staff they are training as extension workers. Of particular value is the simple way that complex subjects, such as the soil’s cation exchange capacity, are explained. I now look forward to Volume lll that, I understand, will be devoted to the practical application of soil and water conservation.

World Association of Soil and Water Conservation

Review from the Newsletter of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation Volume 18, Number 4 October - December 2002. Page 13.

David Sanders

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land. Volume 1 - Practical Understanding. P.J. Storey. 2002. 323 pp. ISBN 1-57808-201-3. Science Publishers, Inc., Enfield, NH 03748, USA. US$59. (In UK: Plymouth Distributors Ltd., Estover Road, Plymouth PL6 7PY. England, GBP42.)

I first met Peter Storey some two years ago at a meeting of the Association for Better Land Husbandry. Two things immediately impressed me: his very practical approach to the problems of land conservation and his great enthusiasm. Peter is an innovator and during the course of the meeting he demonstrated one of his inventions, "The Good News Level". (See WASWC Newsletter 16(3) August 2000 for a description of the level.) Peter also discussed the books that he was working on. These were to be based on his years of experience of working with small, resource-poor farmers in the humid tropical steeplands of Nepal and Taiwan. His intention was to produce a practical guide to field workers and a more theoretical version for administrators and senior officials.

Work has progressed and the good news is that the first of these books has recently been published and is now available. This is Volume 1 and is the more theoretical of the books. The subsequent volumes (Volume 2 - Soil Improvement and Volume 3 - Soil and Water Conservation) that deal with practical application are expected to be available shortly.

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land, Volume 1 - Practical Understanding is, as the name implies, a practical handbook on the basics of how to improve and conserve sloping land. It is a comprehensive manual of 323 pages that will provide an invaluable guide for a wide range of people working in rural development and related subjects. Not only does he provide the reader with the sort of basic information that every field worker should have about soils, including their formation, chemistry, physical attributes and management, but he also provides pages of useful information on related subjects, including the selection and introduction of suitable vegetation, livestock management, surveying and approaches to extension.

All this is done in very easy to read English with the use of technical terms being kept to a minimum. The book is well illustrated with simple diagrams and easy to understand tables.

The book is based very much on the author’s own practical experience which was gained mainly in Taiwan and Nepal, but this is liberally supplemented with examples and the experiences
of other workers in Africa and other parts of the world. Peter Storey is very much a practical man and, while some of the approaches and suggestions in the book may be unconventional, they are all based on experience and what has been proved to work under the given conditions. This book will provide an invaluable guide to any rural development worker faced with the basic problem of farmers in the developing world - how to gain the maximum productivity from their land while at the same time conserving its soil and fertility.

World Association of Soil and Water Conservation

Review in the newsletter of The Tropical Agriculture Association Volume 23 No 1. March 2003

author???

In this issue of our Newsletter, I would like to bring to the attention of Members two very different publications. Both however are of great interest and significance to our many disciplines.

First, a work by Member Peter Storey.

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land, Vol. l. P.J. Storey. Science Publications Inc. ISBN 1-57808-201-3.

PJS has a wealth of experience in this field, particularly in Taiwan and Nepal. Here in this Volume 1, subtitled ‘Practical Understanding’, he brings this experience to bear by concentrating, but not confining, his attention to the basic principles that lie behind this broad field of endeavour. Two further volumes are promised, devoted to practical applications. He has produced a comprehensive manual covering virtually every aspect of the subject, bringing clear detail to the uninitiated and a timely reminder to those of us who have also been involved in this area. Essentially, he is asserting that it is not too late to reverse, or at least substantially mitigate, the effects of population pressure on these marginal lands. Also, how to go about doing it! Members seeking further detail and copies of the work should contact the author.

The Tropical Agriculture Association

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land is a manual of soil and water conservation in three volumes. The books will be invaluable to:

• people involved in the practical application of sustainable rural development, particularly in hilly areas or other areas where soil erosion is occurring
• those concerned about child prostitution and slavery, helping the poorest, and/or reducing the growth of urban slums
• environmentalists wanting to protect the habitats of wild species of plants and animals
• those interested in improving the soil in a sustainable way
• people who want a future for rural communities in poor areas

Without soil and water conservation and sustainable soil improvement, poverty will increase, not only in rural areas but also in urban areas as the cost of food and water increases. Resulting economic migration will inevitably add to city slums, child prostitution and slavery.

The good news is that this grim scenario can be transformed: it is not inevitable. The decline of soil fertility, the erosion of soil, and the rainwater run-off that lead to poverty and migration can be stopped and often reversed. The key is better understanding of, and so better management of, soil fertility, combined with a range of soil and water conservation practices, accomplished by practical methods which are desirable, do-able and durable.

Volume 1 of The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land - “Practical Understanding” - is aimed at those involved in policy making, administration, or teaching. Read reviews

Volume 2 - “Practical Application: Soil Improvement”, and Volume 3 - “Practical Application: Soil and Water Conservation” - are aimed at those who are mainly interested in practical application, such as field-level NGO’s extension workers, farmers, and students of practical agriculture, agro-forestry, horticulture, and soil conservation and improvement. Read reviews: Volume 2 Volume 3 Review of all three volumes

Peter Storey
38 Bellingham Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 5JW

Tel: 01539 727841

Email Peter:

A valuable multi-purpose and soil conserving crop.

A practical guide to the growing of Bamboo. 71 pages of A4 size (20.5cms x 28.5cms).

Bamboo is an under-estimated and under-used species. It has great potential for wider use in economic and durable rural development.

Uses include: bio engineering; preventing and halting landslides; soil and water conservation; the restoration of denuded/degraded forest land; animal fodder; quick growing firewood; bamboo shoots for human food; building and cottage industry materials; scaffolding; furniture; water pipes and gutters; paper; bamboo plywood; laminated board; chip board; direct sale income; and as an important part of integrated, sustainable rural development programmes.

This publication is based on practical experience gained in the search for appropriate, sustainable, and integrated agriculturally related systems. Such systems are urgently needed, as an alternative to the ecologically disastrous situations prevailing in very many hill areas in the Third World countries.
It includes recommendations for future trials to provide further practical information on this important subject.

It originated from work which was part of the Horticulture and Agronomy Support Programme of the United Mission to Nepal, from January 1981 - July 1990.

It was encouraged by the Swiss organisation Helvetas who provided the support for the writing of the original version of this book, and volume two, which is in the Nepali language, both of which are available in Nepal. They are available from:

HELVETAS. EKANTAKUNA. JAWALAKHEL.
P.O.BOX 113 KATHMANDU. NEPAL.

This book is an extended version, for use not only in Nepal but for wider application in the warmer countries of the world.

Bamboo

• in the UK: £6
• EU by airmail: £8
• Other countries:
  • by surface mail: £8 - takes up to 4 - 5 weeks
  • by airmail: £8.50 (approx US$17) - takes up to 1 week.

In the UK

In the EU

Other countries by surface mail

Other countries by airmail

More information

Why grow bamboo?

Table of Contents

Foreword and Review

Summary

This book is a ‘hands on’, ‘how to do’ book written from a lifetime of working with farmers and rural people in Asia; it is based on actual experiences and observations. The book is distributed on a CD.

It is written in simple English so that those without an academic background in the subject, and those whose first language is not English, can understand and use the information.

The author spent 30 years in rural development in Asia. Though my own experience was mainly agricultural and horticulture, it was related with engineering, community health, water projects, and education work.
In 1996 I was asked by Voluntary Service Overseas Nepal to carry out a survey of NGO (none government organisation) development work in Nepal. That survey more than confirmed my own fears about the durability of so much that was being done, and stimulated me to start adding to the survey from my own experience and observations. The result is ‘Durable Rural Development’.

Durable Rural Development (CD)

£8, including P&P

What is Durable Rural Development (DRD)?

• DRD addresses the long term needs.
• DRD fits the approach to the local situation.
• DRD takes an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced approach.
• DRD brings the main benefits to the target people, not the project staff or the local leaders, yet it cares about the staff and treats them fairly.
• Durable Rural Development builds on the capacity of the community, enabling the people to help themselves.
• Durable Rural Development does not end, because after the actual project is closed the communities have been empowered and continue to develop.

This book helps the reader understand underlying problems facing durable development and how to approach them. It contains very many case studies and discusses what we can learn from them.

It takes the reader through the process of providing this balanced development, from the first interest in considering supporting a rural development project, to the phasing out, and final evaluation. It describes the essential steps required, and then goes on to illustrate a wide range of approaches and possibilities, together with examples of successes and failures, different points of view, motivation and de-motivation. It offers criteria for selection, so that a most appropriate mix and match choice can be made for each individual situation. The book also offers methods for the evaluation of projects at the beginning, during, and after phasing out.

One of the important points the book seeks to make is that too many people go into rural development work thinking they know the answers, before they have asked the right questions.

There are few easy answers to the problems and situations rural development has to face.

Rural people have to juggle their different needs and priorities. They need food, water, health care, education, durable housing, building materials, vermin proof grain storage, fuel for heating, cooking, and perhaps light, the opportunity to earn cash for essentials. They also need recreation and social intercourse, they want self and social respect, and security. They need the co-operation of their community. They need a decent standard of living and they must have hope for the future, both for themselves and for their children, so that the young people do not need to seek a future elsewhere.

Rural people directly or indirectly depend on the fertility of the soil, on the amount and reliability of the water resources, and on the availability of food, fuel, heating and building materials. If the land and water resources are managed improperly they have no future.

Durable rural development considers the total needs of the community so that there is balanced development.

• The book is a mine of information related to Durable Rural Development. It includes twenty case studies and discusses lessons to be learned from them.
• There are fifteen useful appendixes detailing practical tools, construction techniques, etc.

As a review of three other books of mine stated,

"The author is a practitioner who has realised that most of his audience cannot afford a whole library of books and has written a comprehensive manual covering virtually every aspect of this subject."

More information

Reviews of the book

Books and booklets relating to soil and water conservation, soil improvement, bamboo cultivation, Durable Rural Development, and intermediate technology for developing countries, written by Peter J Storey.

Durable Rural Development	Bamboo

The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land (3 volumes)

I write following a wide range of training and experience in rural development over 30 years.

Basic training and experience was in General Agriculture, and Farm management, specialising in farm livestock at the Durham School of Agriculture, in the UK. Later to prepare for work in Taiwan I had further studies including ecology, tropical agriculture, social anthropology and teaching illiterate people. In 1963 I went to Taiwan.
I started work at the Yu Shan Aborigine Agricultural Training Centre where I was involved in teaching the husbandry and management of farm livestock and in agricultural extension work. Later I was appointed farm manager, and in charge of students practical training.

After 5 years in Taiwan,I took further training in Experimental Husbandry in the UK, followed by very intensive study at the Queensland Agricultural College (Australia) , taking ad hoc courses covering more tropical agriculture, tropical horticulture, poultry nutrition and health, and animal health.
(Over the years since I have studied cooperative marketing, change in agriculture, water engineering for developing countries, international pest management, organic horticulture and permaculture. )

On return to Taiwan I was at first involved in agricultural extension work, mainly in poultry and fruit tree management in West Taiwan.
Next I was transferred to East Taiwan to develop and run an agricultural service project serving 3 pilot villages but which grew to 45 villages. The project covered the full range of agriculturally related needs, plus intermediate technology, including research and development of improved hydraulic ram water pumps and a bulldozer conversion for walking tractors. The project also co-operated with a public health project, developed a successful co-operative marketing and retail service, and produced the “Mountain Farmer” monthly magazine.

In 1979 after 16 years in Taiwan I handed over the work to nationals and in 1980 we went to Nepal. There I first worked in a community health programme and started the agricultural section of that program. Next I was given the job of developing and running the “Horticulture and Agronomy Support Programme” of the United Mission to Nepal. This involved trials and demonstrations in field crops, fruit and vegetable production, soil and water conservation, soil improvement, seed production, and bamboo propagation. We also built our own buildings and a compost toilet. People came to our project for training, and others asked me to give training on vegetable and fruit culture, soil conservation, and bamboo propagation in their projects..

In 1990 I handed over that work and wrote a book Vegetable Gardening in Nepal and another Bamboo: a valuable crop for the hills.

On return to the UK I wrote for wider use Bamboo: a valuable multipurpose and soil conserving crop, and started to write what became three volumes on soil and water conservation and soil improvement, The Conservation and Improvement of Sloping Land.

In 1994 my wife and I returned to Nepal for two years with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), to work for a local NGO, involved with literacy, health and nutrition, teaching, fruit and vegetable growing, working with an irrigation project and building a drinking water project.

In 1996 I was asked by VSO to make a survey of the work of NGOs in Nepal, and make recommendations. After writing my report and in view of my previous long experience I decided to write what became Durable Rural Development.

I have observed many ways of approaching rural development, and all this has produced a “dirt under the fingernails” view of this multi-disciplinary subject. To quote Philip Crosby the writer of Quality is Free:

Because of these experiences, I tend to see things in terms of those who must finally wind up doing the job. I see concepts and their implementation as people oriented. Once in a while I get a glimpse of the future, enough to know what will be accepted and what will be ignored.