The main aim of this handbook is to help farmers make their own farms more successful. This is done by providing information about using simple methods which strengthen, rather than damage the environment, and help to create sustainable livelihoods for future generations.

The techniques described in the handbook are the results of research made by the farmers of Surkhet and Jajarkot districts of Mid-Western Nepal. We believe these methods will also work well for farmers of other countries. However,around the world there are diverse climates and soils, and so we expect that small changes will need to be made in the techniques according to this diversity. Similarly, it may be necessary to change plant species according to climatic region, but their function will remain the same.