Insights of outstanding farmers

Although the farmers come from a variety of ecological and political environments - East, Southeast, and South Asia are represented - similarities in their approach to farming are identified and compared. A synthesis of the farmers" experiences is presented in a concluding section and contains the farmers" insights on 13 key topics: (1) land ownership and economic status; (2) women as managers; (3) changing attitudes toward farming; (4) farm mechanization; (5) the paradox of farm labor; (6) the family and the future; (7) knowledge as power; (8) communications channels; (9) profitability; (10) attitude toward science; (11) learning and teaching; (12) perception of policies; and (13) professionalism. One message that all the farmers clearly conveyed is the need for additional opportunities for on-farm and off-farm employment and income in rural areas.