The New Agriculturist

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Focus on...

Ecosystem services: 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.

Points of view

A bright future for agricultural extension?

A bright future for agricultural extension?: 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.

News brief

Reshaping agricultural research in West Africa: 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.
Kenya testing drought tolerant maize: 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.

Country profile

Uganda: 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.

Research and innovation

Ecosystem services: 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.

My Perspective

Haven Ley: 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.

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).
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In pictures

Climate change - for the better?: 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.

Developments

Breadbasket initiative begins bearing fruits in Northern Ghana: 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.
Green light for yellow cassava: 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.

GFAR updates

The inventory on foresight activities: survey deadline extended: 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.
Adaptation to climatic changes through global cooperation: To accept and adapt to the unavoidable coming alternations, due to climatic changes, global cooperation is to be promoted.

Book reviews

State of the world's land and water resources for food and agriculture: 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.
Milk: A local and global history: 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.

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