Completed Most farmers in sub-Saharan Africa farm 'organically' because they cannot afford artificial chemical inputs and/or are beyond the reach of market networks, including government extension, because of barriers of inaccessibility or illiteracy . This is particularly true among women farmers, the farming majority of this region. Research on 'indigenous' agricultural change confirms that adaptation often occurs without the use of chemical inputs. The use of agricultural chemicals has, however, increased in the last ten years among commercial farmers, including small-scale farmers seeking to boost their tradeable surpluses. Reports of misuse of chemicals and of food contamination are increasing, with the USA recently banning some fresh horticultural produce from Kenya. The use of organic farming as an agricultural strategy is therefore timely traditional farmers and commercial growers could potentially benefit from more knowledge of organic methods, for food security or commercial ends. To identify the constraints and opportunities affecting farmer participation in organic farming.In a variety of climatic zones within sub-Saharan Africa, determine the type and degree of use of organic production methods by farmers.Ascertain perceptions and acceptability of, and desire for, organic agricultural development.Identify current constraints to organic farming as a means of raising productivity of food and cash crops.Identify the potential for organic approaches in different agro-ecosystems. A review of current farmer led demand for, and use of organic agric. produced.An assessment made of the perceptions of, desire for and acceptability of organic agricultural development in the wider farming community.A review of constraints to, and potential for, the use of organic farming to improve agricultural production in developing countries produced. The use of agro-chemicals is widespread among farmers in SSA, with only a minority of farmers practising unimproved traditional subsistence agriculture. Amongst the farmers surveyed, there is little evidence of knowledge and adoption of improved soil fertility management and crop protein practices of a non-chemical nature. Although isolated techniques are sometimes practised, there is a general lack of an integrated approach to soil fertility and crop protection management, and under-exploitation of the full range of techniques which would maximise the benefits of locally available natural resources.Wholly organic agriculture is unlikely to be adopted without one or more of the following: active government policy supporting organic agriculture; producer demand to farm organically for philosophical, scientific, intuitive, environmental or health reasons; or economic incentive in the form of subsidy or premium price for organic produce.There is both demand and potential for development of 'organic technologies', either individually or as a package, without necessarily aiming at full adoption of organic systems. However, like non-organic techniques, organic farming methods are subject to a wide range of practical, cultural and economic constraints. These include the degree of intensification of the farming system, climate, cropping system, degree of livestock integration, land size and ownership, proximity to urban markets, financial constraints, gender, culture, education, degree of familiarity with chemical fertilisers versus organic manage culture programme