http://www.new-ag.info The New Agriculturist - New Agriculturist online provides an update on the latest news and developments in tropical agriculture for a global audience.en-gb Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:48:56 +0000 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:48:56 +0000 Copyright: (C) WRENmedia, http://www.wrenmedia.co.uk post@wrenmedia.co.uk (WRENmedia) pat@green-shoots.org (New Agriculturist webmaster - Green Shoots Productions) http://www.new-ag.info/assets/image/structure/new-ag-rss.jpg http://www.new-ag.info 144 144 New Agriculturist RSS feed A meeting between smallscale farmers and senior scientists from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa in Ghana is aiming to identify a research agenda to alleviate poverty and eradicate hunger in West Africa. 03/02/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2446&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2446-03/02/12 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:44:21 +0000 Crop breeders in Kenya have recently undertaken a third confined field trial to evaluate the performance of drought-tolerant, genetically modified maize plants under the WEMA programme. 02/02/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2441&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2441-02/02/12 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:27:44 +0000 The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has introduced a new measuring system to pig farmers in western Kenya that allows them to easily and accurately weigh their animals. 01/02/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2442&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2442-01/02/12 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:27:18 +0000 Once known as 'the pearl of Africa' Uganda has seen exploitation of its agricultural potential impeded by dictators and civil war. More recently, Uganda has made significant progress, becoming increasingly peaceful, stable and prosperous. 01/02/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2414&s=r Country profile http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/countryp.php-2414-01/02/12 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:35:13 +0000 Three companies have teamed up to promote rearing of fish in greenhouses among Kenyan fish farmers. They are also promoting catfish as a healthier, stronger alternative to tilapia. 31/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2439&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2439-31/01/12 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:03:15 +0000 The Kenyan flower industry is creating a carbon credit scheme in order to transform the industry - long blamed for environmental degradation - into a major player in promoting clean energy systems. 30/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2432&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2432-30/01/12 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:50:17 +0000 A project to help smallscale farmers adapt to likely climatic changes long before they take place has just begun in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 26/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2430&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2430-26/01/12 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:20:52 +0000 The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Commission have announced a new project to help Malawi, Zambia and Vietnam implement a climate-smart approach to agriculture. 25/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2429&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2429-25/01/12 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:50:30 +0000 From the highlands of the Andes to the steppes of Central Asia, degradation and scarcity of land and water resources is placing key food production systems at risk, posing a serious challenge to feeding 9 billion people in 2050. That is the conclusion of State of the world's land and water resources for food and agriculture. 24/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2434&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/books.php-2434-24/01/12 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:21:13 +0000 Adopting improved crop varieties is one way for smallholder farmers to increase their income and escape poverty, research from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center has revealed. 24/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2427&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2427-24/01/12 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:51:01 +0000 Farmers in Northern Ghana are beginning to enjoy the fruits of a three year breadbasket initiative launched in 2010, aimed at doubling yields and increasing the food security and incomes of around 250,000 smallholder farmers. 23/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2423&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/develop/dev2.php-2423-23/01/12 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:38:18 +0000 A new variety of rice (ANMI) resistant to the brown planthopper, blast, bacterial blight and cold stress, has been developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at the request of the Republic of Korea. 19/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2422&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2422-19/01/12 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:36:26 +0000 An ambitious million dollar project is underway in Antigua and Barbuda to construct the twin-island nation's first avocado oil processing factory, with the aim of strengthening agro-processing and creating employment. 19/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2421&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2421-19/01/12 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:55:58 +0000 To identify and record forward-thinking activities that have been developed on issues related to agriculture, rural development and farming systems, GFAR invite you to participate in the implementation of the Inventory on Foresight Activities. 18/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2420&s=r GFAR updates http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/-2420-18/01/12 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:12:47 +0000 To accept and adapt to the unavoidable coming alternations, due to climatic changes, global cooperation is to be promoted. 18/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2385&s=r GFAR updates http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2385-18/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:38:20 +0000 The 2008 food price crisis provided dramatic evidence for the fragility of both agricultural production and the wider food economy in many developing countries. To stabilise and improve productivity and yields, a group of stakeholders have called for a wide array of underutilised crops to be retained and promoted. 13/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2357&s=r Research and innovation http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2357-13/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:01:28 +0000 Kenyan farmers are benefitting from a breakthrough that allows them to grow tomatoes and potatoes on the same stem through grafting. 11/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2410&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/02/brief.php-2410-11/01/12 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:46:47 +0000 A new CGIAR research programme is working to understand why poverty and vulnerability is persistent in aquatic systems and change this through improved agriculture research and development. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2352&s=r GFAR updates http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2352-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:38:13 +0000 From biodiversity to bats, water and landscapes, we feature a selection of initiatives and approaches that are helping to support sustainable ecosystems and the services they provide, and some of the means for paying farmers to sustain them. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2381&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/focuson.php-2381-09/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:16:34 +0000 Keeping track of our changing environment and humanity's impact and dependence on natural cycles is a key theme of this edition. A new year also heralds new beginnings as New Agriculturist launches two new sections, supported by the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR). 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2360&s=r Editorial http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/index.php-2360-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:19:24 +0000 In this edition, GFAR highlights some inspiring initiatives in this area around the world, to help inform, connect and develop new actions that further enhance ecosystem services in agriculture. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2307&s=r Research and innovation http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2307-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:01:36 +0000 Malawi's subsidy programme for nitrogen fertiliser and improved maize seed has been heralded as a triumph. But the team which undertook the field research on which Malawi's current programme is based also recognised that crop diversity would be sacrificed by a system entirely based on maize. In response, a country-wide trial, to compare monocultural maize production with a more diversified system was initiated to test the hypothesis that a diversified system would offer improved ecosystem services, and that these would contribute to enhanced food security among a broad base of Malawi's rural poor. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2356&s=r Research and innovation http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2356-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:59:04 +0000 Advice for managing rice pests, such as planthoppers, has taken on a simple message: let nature have its way in your fields. But doing away with time-old practices dependent on assurance from insecticides is not straightforward. In a statement calling for support on pesticide regulation and for a ban of the use of specific insecticides in rice that contribute to planthopper outbreaks, the International Rice Research Institute has offered alternative practices to better manage pests. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2308&s=r Research and innovation http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2308-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:58:38 +0000 Systems for rewarding smallscale farmers in the developing world for their contribution to the global environment have been elusive. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2384&s=r GFAR updates http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2384-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:54:07 +0000 After weeks of negotiations, world leaders have agreed to a number of decisions including the Durban Platform, which contain provisions for adaptation and a green climate fund. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2387&s=r GFAR updates http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2387-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:50:41 +0000 The first G20 conference on Agricultural Research for Development, was held in Montpellier in September 2011. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2386&s=r GFAR updates http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/-2386-09/01/12 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:49:21 +0000 Genetic diversity of crops within species is very narrow and existing agrobiodiversity is being lost at a rapid rate. However, a recent pilot scheme to pay farmers for conserving traditional crop varieties has provided a promising way to stem the loss. 09/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2372&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/focuson/focuson1.php-2372-09/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:16:31 +0000 Whilst women produce the majority of food in smallholder production systems, they lack status and access to key resources. Haven Ley of the Gates Foundation provides her viewpoint on how a better gender balance should be supported. 06/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2397&s=r My perspective... a personal viewpoint http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/perspective.php-2397-06/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:18:04 +0000 A new system which allows food crops to be irrigated with seawater will solve global problems of food production, according to researchers at the University of Surrey, UK. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2403&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2403-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:56:27 +0000 Blamed for serious increases in erosion through conversion of forest to coffee, thousands of farmers on the Indonesian island of Sumatra were evicted from their land in the 1990s. However, armed with research which revealed that coffee farms controlled erosion, ICRAF has been working with local stakeholders in on projects that reward smallscale farmers for providing environmental services. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2393&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/focuson/focuson2.php-2393-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:16:28 +0000 Kenya's Green Belt Movement has shifted to planning and implementing its community reforestation activities at the watershed level, looking past political boundaries to the water that flows beneath. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2363&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/focuson/focuson3.php-2363-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:16:25 +0000 A new FAO manual on managing the threat of bat-borne disease also recognises the roles of bats in protecting, pollinating, dispersing and fertilising plants. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2399&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/focuson/focuson4.php-2399-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:08:31 +0000 In Kenya, Laikipia and Samburu are rich in biodiversity. To benefit from increasing demand from national and international markets for products from indigenous natural ingredients, Desert Edge is helping pastoralists develop environmentally sound and viable enterprises to diversify and supplement their livestock-based incomes. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2395&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/focuson/focuson5.php-2395-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:08:26 +0000 In Bolivia's remote Chaco region, poor natural resource management coupled with changes in the climate are making family farming a very risky business. However, after eight years, a US$15 million project has helped improve the livelihoods of nearly 20,000 poor rural families by promoting terrace farming and competition to support eco-friendly development, sustainable poverty reduction and environmental stewardship. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2362&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/focuson/focuson6.php-2362-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:08:23 +0000 So just how did an animal product that spoils easily, carries disease, and causes digestive trouble for many consumers become a near universal symbol of modern nutrition? Deborah Valenze provides comprehensive and engaging answers for specialists and generalists, policymakers and consumers. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2321&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2321-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:08:16 +0000 The publication examines the linkages between bioenergy and water, highlighting risks and opportunities and offering policymakers an outlook on ways to address them and scientific information to support informed strategies and policies. 05/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2380&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2380-05/01/12 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:00:04 +0000 In December 2011, Nigeria's National Variety Release Committee formally approved three varieties of yellow-fleshed cassava, containing sufficient pro-Vitamin A to provide up to a quarter of daily requirements. Further varieties with much higher levels are also in the final stages of testing, in research funded by the HarvestPlus programme. 04/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2402&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/develop/dev1.php-2402-04/01/12 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:51:27 +0000 Using examples from Ecuador, Peru, Nepal and Cuba, Virtuous circles advocates sustainable, circular systems of food and energy production, in contrast to the current linear systems which demand massive input of non-renewable fossil fuels and lead to long-lasting environmental damage. 03/01/12 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2401&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2401-03/01/12 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:09:33 +0000 Produced from the gum of Boswellia trees, frankincense production is set to halve in the next 15 years due to fire, overgrazing, and attack by the long-horn beetle, a group of scientists has warned in the Journal of Applied Ecology. 22/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2400&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2400-22/12/11 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:36:13 +0000 In Himachal Pradesh, northern India, rising temperatures have proved a blessing for farmers who are willing and able to change their production systems and take risks with new crops. Lower altitudes are now suitable for high value vegetables and farmers in higher villages are growing apples. 21/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2396&s=r In pictures http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/picture.php-2396-21/12/11 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:44:35 +0000 After her untimely death in late September 2011, the legacy of Wangari Maathai's lifelong commitment to rural women and forests is highlighted by Francesca de Gasparis, European Director of the Green Belt Movement, set up by Maathai over 30 years ago. 20/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2302&s=r My perspective... a personal viewpoint http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/perspective.php-2302-20/12/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:57:32 +0000 The biggest study to date of large land deals warns that deals are more likely to cause problems for the poorest members of society, who often lost access to land and resources that are essential to their livelihoods, than create opportunities. 19/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2394&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2394-19/12/11 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:29:30 +0000 Agricultural projects that are nutrition-focused do not automatically improve nutrition, a new briefing has concluded. 16/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2379&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2379-16/12/11 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:13:49 +0000 UNEP's timely new publication concisely and graphically presents the mega trends of the 20 years following the first Rio conference, contrasting the dramatic changes that have taken place during that time. 16/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2377&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2377-16/12/11 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:34:03 +0000 In north eastern Kenya, a new early warning system will use water levels as an indicator of impending drought in order to initiate intervention measures months before disaster strikes. 15/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2374&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2374-15/12/11 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:11:36 +0000 To encourage higher school attendance and teach children how to grow healthy and nutritious food, NGO, Seeds for Africa, has been trialling breakfast clubs in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. 14/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2373&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2373-14/12/11 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:26:34 +0000 Specialists from around the world offer their views on the ways forward for agricultural extension, including new models of funding, the importance of public-private partnerships, use of ICT and new visions for what extension should entail. 14/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2351&s=r Points of view http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/pov.php-2351-14/12/11 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:29:56 +0000 Although women are among the frontline managers of the environment, often lacking equitable access to resources and disproportionately bear the risk of climate change, Women at the frontline of climate change argues that they simultaneously offer the greatest hope for the future. 14/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2371&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2371-14/12/11 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:17:04 +0000 With indicators pointing to a food crisis in 2012, Oxfam has called on governments across West Africa to scale up efforts to make sure people have enough money to buy food, receive animal feed for their livestock and that emergency food is stocked and ready to be distributed. 14/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2369&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2369-14/12/11 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:42:36 +0000 The supply of milk within households in Karamoja, Uganda, has been declining due to loss of livestock, poor animal health, the engagement of the military and shifts in livelihoods. According to Milk matters in Karamoja, this has affected livelihoods, food security and the nature of market exchanges, but the greatest impact has been on the diets and nutrition of young children. 12/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2365&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2365-12/12/11 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:58:11 +0000 Hosted by 17 leading agricultural organisations, the Agriculture and Rural Development Day, held in parallel with the COP17 climate change negotiations, brought together more than 500 agricultural experts to discuss priorities to boost agricultural production while supporting adaptation and mitigation to climate change. 09/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2344&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/develop/dev2.php-2344-09/12/11 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:14:57 +0000 To mitigate climate change in food production systems, the Centre for Agroecology and Food Security at Coventry University is working with the Program for Local Agricultural Innovation (PIAL*) to develop and use a 'carbon calculator' with farming communities in two Cuban provinces. 09/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2353&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2353-09/12/11 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:51:30 +0000 Increasing numbers of farmers in Kenya are adopting greenhouse farming, but they are doing so without proper advice, risking huge losses says Oliver Ndegwa from Agrotunnel, a company that provides training in greenhouse technology. 07/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2338&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2338-07/12/11 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:33:48 +0000 Like many parts of the Ethiopian highlands, the Lenche Dima watershed has suffered from severe land degradation and over-grazing. However, a watershed development project, which promoted improved utilisation and management of land and water resources, has helped to alleviate chronic food shortages and restore once degraded landscapes. 01/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2345&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/develop/dev3.php-2345-01/12/11 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:31:31 +0000 In addition to outlining the general role livestock play in human nutrition, the supply of food, and access to food, World livestock 2011 examines the way in which livestock contribute to the food security of pastoralists, smallscale mixed farmers and urban dwellers, and discusses the expected future demand for livestock products and ways this demand can be met with limited resources. 01/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2342&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2342-01/12/11 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:57:07 +0000 After gaining independence in 1960, the agricultural sector saw significant growth and by 1980 Côte d'Ivoire was the world's leading exporter of cocoa. But drought and a world recession in the early 1980s contributed to the tripling of the country's external debt while political turmoil and civil war since 2002 have continued to undermine the economy. 01/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2317&s=r Country profile http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/countryp.php-2317-01/12/11 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:38:47 +0000 Decades of decline in farmer extension services, coupled with a rising population and environmental challenges, have hampered the efforts of smallscale farmers to produce more food, experts at a recent extension conference have said. 01/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2337&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2337-01/12/11 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:31:39 +0000 A set of recommendations on how to achieve food security in the face of climate change has been released ahead of the UN global climate talks in Durban, South Africa. 01/12/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2336&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2336-01/12/11 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:31:33 +0000 To complement and enhance extension services in aquaculture, FARM-Africa has established six franchised Aqua Shops in western Kenya to provide smallholders with inputs and technical advice on best aquaculture practices. The hubs also provide market information and teach fish farmers how to link their businesses with markets to generate additional income. 28/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2333&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/develop/dev4.php-2333-28/11/11 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:30:34 +0000 A pilot project in the Qinghai province of China aims to demonstrate how sustainable grassland management can protect soil and enhance productivity, resilience and herder livelihoods. 24/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2331&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2331-24/11/11 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:57:23 +0000 The outbreak of a new variant of Cassava Brown Streak Disease in East Africa's Great Lakes region is on the verge of becoming an epidemic, putting a crucial source of food and income at risk, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has warned. 24/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2335&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2335-24/11/11 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:14:30 +0000 To cut food waste in the food supply chain, Produce World has announced its commitment to support an initiative to highlight food waste called Feed the 5,000. 22/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2328&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2328-22/11/11 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:03:22 +0000 By expanding underexploited agricultural strategies, smallscale farmers can mitigate climate change, increase their resilience to climate change impacts and boost their profits from agricultural production, new research has revealed. 21/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2324&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2324-21/11/11 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:03:58 +0000 Orange sweet potato is effective in providing vitamin A to malnourished women and children in Mozambique, where the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is very high, a new study has revealed. 21/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2327&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2327-21/11/11 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:11:18 +0000 Using research findings from 14 sub-Saharan countries, Women and land aims to provide detailed information on women's complex relationship with land as a step towards achieving real change. 21/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2322&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/books.php-2322-21/11/11 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:58:31 +0000 To promote transparency and accountability, create channels for greater public input, and ultimately ensure that the benefits of sustainable development are passed to poor communities, a new report from the University of East Anglia and University of Sussex has called for an overhaul of how the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is governed. 18/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2320&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2320-18/11/11 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:45:29 +0000 As DRC's cities expand at an unprecedented rate, urban vegetable farmers have kept pace. Through ten years of helping them grow, FAO's Growing Greener Cities programme has learned strategies of global relevance. 16/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2309&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/develop/dev5.php-2309-16/11/11 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:27:33 +0000 Higher temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, caused by climate change, could significantly alter water flows in major African river basins, impacting food production and current efforts to resolve cross-border water conflicts, CGIAR's Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) has revealed. 16/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2310&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2310-16/11/11 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:07:04 +0000 To ensure that high yielding seeds from improved varieties of Artemisia annua will rapidly be made available for global cultivation, the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products has partnered with East-West Seeds to produce Artemisia seeds in commercial quantities. 11/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2305&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2305-11/11/11 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:42:06 +0000 A group of researchers, lead by the International Crops Research for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has successfully mapped the genome of pigeonpea, a move which is expected to lead to more disease and drought resistant varieties. 11/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2304&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/12/01/brief.php-2304-11/11/11 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:07:58 +0000 With generally low levels of hygiene throughout the livestock value chain, increasing market opportunities for farmers could come at a high price in terms of food-borne disease. To improve the safety of livestock products, and boost livelihoods for smallscale livestock keepers, Dr Ramrajh is providing training in veterinary health care in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 08/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2303&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson8.php-2303-08/11/11 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:44:14 +0000 Whether on a small or large-scale, the motivation for social change and doing things differently is a strong thread throughout this edition. In an era of unprecedented food, water and energy shortages, how can we feed more, with less, in a warming world? 08/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2301&s=r Editorial http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/index.php-2301-08/11/11 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:09:22 +0000 With more intensive agriculture, globalisation and climate change, incidence and costs of livestock disease are increasing. In this edition we focus on disease control efforts, including 'one health' approaches that incorporate human and environmental concerns. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2299&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson.php-2299-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:20:40 +0000 A public-private partnership in Uganda has been working to prevent a dangerous overlap in two forms of sleeping sickness, which would trigger a major public health crisis in the country. The approach has included the creation of a new network of vets to provide treatment and spraying services at affordable cost. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2259&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson1.php-2259-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:20:38 +0000 While the global effort to eradicate rinderpest has been declared a success, care is still needed in disposing of vaccine stocks and virus samples, and a post-eradication strategy is essential to maintain emergency planning and preparedness. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2282&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson2.php-2282-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:20:36 +0000 Community animal health workers (CAHWs) have proved essential in providing veterinary health care in Ethiopia's pastoral areas. With support from the FAO, CAHWs have been linked to new veterinary pharmacies, and training and selection of CAHWs has been standardised. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2263&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson3.php-2263-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:20:34 +0000 A devastating disease of pigs, African Swine Fever causes up to 100 per cent mortality in previously unaffected animals. To better understand the complexities of the disease, a consortium of research and development organisations from around the world is implementing a range of approaches across Africa. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2281&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson4.php-2281-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:18:58 +0000 In Tanzania, the Health for Animals and Livelihood Improvement (HALI) project has been working to understand disease pathways between livestock, wildlife and people, and to promote integrated policies to improve health in pastoralist communities. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2280&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson5.php-2280-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:18:56 +0000 FAO is working with South-East Asian governments to implement a coordinated approach to managing pathogenic outbreaks and livestock productivity through the environment in which animals live. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2279&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson6.php-2279-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:18:53 +0000 Extract from the leaves of a common African shrub, Tephrosia vogelii, has long been used by certain pastoralist communities to protect their cattle against ticks. Now validated by science, this low-cost biological acaricide is being promoted by several Kenyan organisations, and endorsed by the government. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2267&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/focuson/focuson7.php-2267-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:18:51 +0000 Over 8,000 farmers in India's Gujarat state are supplying their crop residues to a green energy company, for manufacture of biomass fuel pellets. The pellets are sold to local industry as a greener and more efficient alternative to coal and lignite, reducing carbon emissions and earning the farmers valuable income. 07/11/11 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=2300&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/11/06/develop/dev1.php-2300-07/11/11 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:50:31 +0000