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In this month's New Agriculturist...
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Just 27 miles long and 16 miles wide, the volcanic island of Dominica
reflects many of the challenges facing the world's farmers. Bananas are
the mainstay of the economy, but the ending of preferential access to
European markets threatens the viability of banana production on the island.
Diversifying the crop base in Dominica may be one answer. In the case
of Dominica, subject of our Country Profile, bay tree oil and Mexican
limes are two possibilities. And it is not only in Dominica where tree
crops could make a major contribution to farmers' incomes. Eight other
tree crops around the world, from apricots in Pakistan to Brazil nuts
in Bolivia are featured in Focus on.
But while foreign markets may offer hope, particularly for high value niche crops, trade can also bring problems. Argentina's beef prices have been rising sharply, as production fails to keep pace with international and domestic demand, resulting in a government imposed export ban - see Developments. And in Uganda, local and regional trade in bananas is thought to be a major factor in the continuing spread of banana bacterial wilt; how this is happening, and what can be done, are discussed by an expert panel in Points of view.
The ongoing failure of trade talks is depressing news. For the authors of our lead book 'A history of world agriculture', this failure adds weight to their call for a new, international agricultural trade organisation, with a mandate to end the trade distortions that, they argue, are the leading cause of world poverty.
In the face of undeniable challenges, we hope that the developments and technologies that fill this edition of New Agriculturist are grounds for some optimism for the world's farmers.
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