The manuscript draws on some 6 years of on-farm soil fertility conservation work in the hills of northern Thailand. It does not offer blueprint solutions for highland agricultural development but a 'basket of options' that are currently available, with each option having its specific potentials and constraints. Research findings, practical considerations and farmers' viewpoints are compiled and advantages and limitations of the various options are discussed.
The book responds to an explicit demand of various governmental and non-governmental organisations to get informed about the outcome of scientific research in the hills of northern Thailand. Millions of resource-poor subsistence farmers rely on these vulnerable lands for their food requirements, and will take advantage of the ecologically sound and productive farmer-friendly technologies, which are explained in thi book in a simple language.