Feeding A Billion

Frontiers in Chinese Agriculture

Hand Planting of Rice

Fertilizing Green Leafy Vegetables with Nightsoil near Guangzhou

In 1987 Dr. Sylvan Wittwer co-authored a book on Chinese agriculture with three Chinese agricultural scientists, Yu Youtai, Sun Han, Wang Lianzheng. "This is the first book which has been co-authored by both Chinese and American authors on Chinese agricultural development."

This volume claims numerous firsts including;

First book co-authored by American and Chinese Agricultural Scientists

  • First Volume to systematically introduce modern Chinese Agriculture to the American public. It is the best available in the English language.
  • Has become a classic in describing Chinese Agriculture to the world.
  • Published in English and with Chinese and Japanese translations.
  • Published by Michigan State University Press, in 1987, it is now out of print with many seeking copies, it has become a collectors item.
  • Currently, considered as a great contribution for USA-Chinese exchanges and cooperation.
  • Gives the first detailed account of how China with only 7 percent of the world's arable land has successfully provided food for 22 percent of the world's people.

Old ways mixed with the new prove successful for Chinese farmers

Pictured here are the four co-authors of Feeding a Billion.

Dr. Sylvan Wittwer, Yu Youtai, Sun Han, and Wang Lianzheng

The book is sold out and fast becoming a collectors item.

Fish Ponds in the Tai Lake Area Interlaced with Mulberry Bushes and Grass for the Carp

Terraced Fields of Paddy Rice Interlaced with Corn

An Abundant Harvest of Oranges

 As an ancient civilization often plagued with famine, the Chinese, through theyears, have been facing the challenge of maximizing the productivity of their land.

Today, as the world's most populous country with over a billion people to feed on what amounts to approximately one-fourth acre (1/10 hectare) per person of agriculturally suitable land, China is successfully meeting this challenge.

Learn the gist of this now out of print volume, Feeding a BILLION or read the Time Magazine article page 55, October 12, 1987 extolling both the book and the Chinese agricultural success.

Dr. Wittwer may be contacted at wit@comnett.net