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This manual on the farming systems approach to technology development is based on the experiences of the authors over the last two decades. Much of the documentation of these experiences has occurred over the last five years with the production of three sets of documents on the methodology for undertaking the farming systems research approach. These were as follows: The production of a farming systems research manual for Botswana [Worman, Norman et al, 1990] which was first published under the auspices of the Department of Agricultural Research in the Ministry of Agriculture in Botswana. A slightly revised edition was later printed in 1992 by courtesy of the Food and Agricultural Organisation/Swedish International Development Agency (FAO/SIDA) sponsored Farming Systems Programme headquartered in Gaborone. Botswana. A series of lectures given at Mahalapye Rural Training Centre, Botswana, in May 1992 at a Fanning Systems Research In-Service Training Course for Research and Extension Staff in the Ministry of Agriculture A series of lectures given as part of a Sustainable Farming Systems Course at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SUAS). Uppsala, Sweden in November 1992, which resulted in a publication [Norman et al, 19941 produced by the FAO/SIDA project with its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana. Therefore, although the authors have been responsible for developing the current manual it is important to acknowledge the contributions made by many others in producing materials for the original handbook [Worman, Norman et al, 1990] including S. Bock, A. Caplan, G. Heinrich, C. Koketso, E. Makhwaje, S. Masikara, and N. Persaud. These materials have been used extensively in the current primer. Also, D. Baker deserves credit for quite a few of the ideas developed in the manual. The authors also wish to express appreciation to the following: Dr. Lucas Gakale, Director of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana for supporting the development of the original handbook. Mr. Gustav Boklin, SUAS, who coordinated the course in Uppsala and who encouraged the publication of a slightly modified version of the lecture notes, and Dr. Bo Gohl and the Steering Committee of the FAO/SIDA Farming Systems Programme who were responsible for the FAO/SIDA publication. Dr. Peter Hildebrand and Dr. John Russell, who kindly made available material from a book they are currently preparing on modified stability (i.e., adaptability) analysis. Mr. Lex Roeleveld and colleagues in the Lake Zone FSD team in Tanzania, who specially prepared one of the case studies in the manual relating to their experiences with farmer groups. The intended audience for the material presented in this document is for those who wish to understand, and harness the power of, the principles of the FSD in the quest for developing relevant improved technologies for farmers, particularly those who have very limited resources.

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