Marcel Mazoyer is professor of comparative agriculture and agricultural development at the National Institute of Agronomy (INA) in Paris, where he succeeded Rene Dumont. He is author of several books on the history of agriculture and has worked on agricultural policy in more than 20 countries. Laurence Roudart is an agricultural engineer and researcher at the INA and has consulted widely in Africa and Asia.
A magnificent book, by far the best ever produced on the subject.' Samir Amin 'Replete with rich reflections on agriculture . . . It is a testament to the enormous erudition of its authors and a defense of peasant economies victimized by neoliberal policies.' Le Matin (France) 'This book is a major contribution to the analysis of agricultural history as well as to reflection on the long term economic, social and environmental development of society.' Michel Griffon, Hum Ecol (2008)