This specialist handbook is intended as a quick and easy reference guide for individuals and organisations that are involved with the production of food, from both agriculture and horticulture. It is designed to be used as a reference book that answers basic questions about how food is produced from plants, and aims to demystify the subject of growing food as far as possible. The focus is firmly on the technical aspects of food crops; animal husbandry, agrochemicals and genetic engineering are only briefly mentioned.

The manual with its strong international flavour is designed to be also used by those who normally speak or read English as their second language, using simple English terminology and phrasing, with explanations and cross references of the terminology, acronyms and terms used.

The book is divided into three sections: 1. Principles and Practices used in Agriculture and Horticulture; 2. Description and Characteristics of the Main Food Crops; 3. Naming and Classification of Plants, Seed Purchase Procedures, Conversion Tables and Statistics, Planning and Assessing Agricultural Projects.