Two Ears of Corn : A Guide to People-Centered Agricultural Improvement

By Roland Bunch

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0942716035
• ISBN13: 9780942716030
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: World Neighbors
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.5" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Good information for improving farming methods in poor countries

This author gives valuable information for those wanting to help those in poor countries improve their farming practices. He has a good list of things to do and not to do. Mostly meant for long term work, but found some good tips for short term trips too. He has lots of actual experiences to draw from.

The wisest book yet written about developing the Third World

I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras from 1989 to 1992. I met the author of this book, Roland Bunch, and saw a lot of the work he has done as a leader of a group called "World Neighbors". The book "Two Ears of Corn" described techniques for teaching farmers new ways of improving their crop yields. These techniques were developed through years of trial and error by the organization World Neighbors. The techniques were developed by some of the most dedicated, humane people I have ever met. The Peace Corps, recognizing how superior their efforts and results had been, tried to learn everything we could from the agricultural extensionists of World Neighbors. And "Two Ears of Corn" was our starting point. We got a copy the first day of our training. The techniques described in the book were developed by folks who just wouldn't quit, and who refused to become cynical or dogmatic to new ideas. They examined their failures, and learned how to teach farmers as equals and as partners. And the techniques work fantastically. I have seen the results at villages where World Neighbors has taught 90% of the farmers to improve their yields, where other agencies loudly trumpet as a success programs where 1 or 2% of the villagers have adopted new techniques. (And for most development agencies, 2% IS a staggering success). The farmers in World Neighbors villages are far more successful than in other areas. They grow more food, wear better clothes, have nicer houses and are more likely to have their children in school. Most importantly have a deeper sense of community and optimism. They are still in poverty, but they have far more opportunity. And their children are certain to be better off. In many cases, these farmers were shoeless and landless before they were taught by World Neighbors. And the change in their demeanor--in their pride--is unmistakeable. The villages themselves can be breathtakingly beautiful, the hillsides everywhere contoured in terraced steps and producing lush amounts of corn, beans, coffee and vegetables. Down the road, the next village often shows only stunted midget corn on the same terrain. Some of the principles that are described in "Two Ears of Corn": Use simple improvements that are easy to apply and produce quick results without requiring the impoverished farmers to obtain cash or special equipment. Examples: use manures for fertilizer; plant native crops that fix nitrogen in the soil; use mulches in dry areas; always use plants and techniques that are available locally. Another technique: never, ever give away seeds, fertilizers, tools, or pesticides. You'll have to read the book to understand why this idea--counter to our altruistic instincts--is so critical. Suffice it to say that what conservatives say about the effect of welfare has been abundantly proven by giveaway programs run by major development agencies. World Neighbors doesn't give anything away but knowledge. Only a few farmers