A move toward more flexible, sustainable agricultural practices is increasingly being seen as the way to address or avoid environmental and economic problems associated with existing, predominantly intensive, farming systems. Through case studies taken from around the world, this book examines the implications of adopting more ecologically sound agricultural practices, at both individual farmer and larger-scale agro-ecosystems levels. The emphasis of the book is on human and social aspects, rather than on agronomic or economic considerations. The authors focus on the learning processes necessary to initiate and to facilitate learning through participatory approaches and appropriate institutional support and policy structure.