"The book examines the history and evolution of communication for development, as well as prospects for the future. Introductory comments are extended into two chapters which are conceptual and general. The first expands the description of the roles communication has been required to play in development programmes. The second, admitting that the majority of development projects fail, looks for explanations. Parts Two and Three review in substantial detail the place of communication in agriculture and in nutrition. As well as presenting a detailed history of attempts to affect agricultural practice and nutritional practice through information programmes, they are an argument for a particular approach to communication for development. They do not assume that information is valuable; they start with an examination of evidence for the possibility of using information to affect particular agricultural or nutritional behaviours. The way in which non-conventional (non-media based) programmes have tried to provide such information is described. Comparison across programmes stimulates the presentation of a list of problems with designing and implementing information programmes in conventional ways. This then serves as a framework for analysing the potential and realized contributions of media-based programmes. At their best, it is argued, media-based programmes do help resolve the problem of organizing, maintaining and paying for the necessary corps of field staff. Implications are drawn for practice, and prescriptions drawn up for doing information for development well.Critical elements are: financial and managerial feasibility; responsiveness; message development; integration with other institutions; support in the process of change; patience; political attractiveness. Implications for media-based and face-to-face programmes are drawn." (https://www.cabdirect.org)