In this issue...

Coping with change is a theme that weaves through this edition of New Agriculturist. Whether it is farmers coping with changes in climate or markets, or scientists grappling with the challenges for research, we report on some of the current developments in global agriculture.

Contents

Full listing of the contents of this edition of the New Agriculturist

Focus on... Natural fibres

Covering crop and animal fibres, technologies and policies, in this edition we focus on the various ways in which rural producers and processors are overcoming the challenges involved in marketing their natural fibres.

Sustainable sisal in Tanzania

A boom in the global demand for sisal fibre has revitalised the industry in Tanzania. While smallholders are benefitting from planting the drought-resistant crop alongside their maize and beans, one sisal processing company has developed some innovative uses for the sisal biomass.

Awash with cotton

After losing 90 per cent of their livestock to drought, the Mahesara clan of Ethiopia's Afar region began growing cotton for export. In 2008 they exported over 100 tonnes of cotton to Europe. Profits have been reinvested in the community, to provide education and healthcare for clan members.

Developments

Innovation systems: a testing process

A pilot project in India and Nigeria is learning some interesting lessons from five very different sites about building capacity for change around the issue of fodder scarcity.

Cocoa video - Ghana's television extension

In Ghana, a team of farmers has been given technical training in video production, and have made eight short training films on different aspects of cocoa farming. Through video viewing clubs, the 'best practice' messages are now reaching hundreds of cocoa growers.

Book reviews

Reviews of some of the latest publications related to agriculture and rural development. The lead book this edition is Taras Grescoe's Bottomfeeder - how to eat sustainably in a world of vanishing seafood.

A-maize-ing progress in Ethiopia

Demand for improved maize varieties has outstripped supply as Ethiopian highland farmers experience increasing yields. The new varieties have been introduced by CIMMYT in partnership with the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research.

Country profile: Mongolia

With its harsh climate and sparsely populated landscape, nomadic pastoralism is one of Mongolia's key economic activities. Despite the turbulent transition to a market economy and numerous natural disasters, steps are being taken to reduce the vulnerability of livestock keepers.

Top five articles

1. Innovation systems: a testing process
2. Sustainable sisal in Tanzania
3. Going wild for silk in Zimbabwe
4. Embracing change within the CGIAR
5. A-maize-ing progress in Ethiopia

1. Agricultural science - a promising future?
2. News brief
3. Embracing change within the CGIAR
4. Mongolia
5. A-maize-ing progress in Ethiopia

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