Originally published in 1990, in this study the authors have surveyed and anaylsed a large volume of difficult to access or unpublished papers and literature and it organised it into thirteen chapters. Subjects covered include introductory and concluding essays, development policy, agricultural performance, natural resources, the labor market, production, irrigation, marketing and credit of Ecuador's agricultural sector.

This collection offers a comprehensive view of the commonalities and diversities of the farming systems research and development (FSR&D) approaches being applied around the world. The authors–among the leading practitioners in FSR&D–discuss conceptual frameworks, research methodology, data collection, and several ongoing FSR&D programs. The book is a must for anyone interested in gaining a concise, yet broad view of this new and growing field of research and its importance to small-scale farming in developing countries.