The New Agriculturist

The New Agriculturist edition 2009-03

In this issue...

Coping with change is an ongoing challenge for many poor farmers 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.

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.

Awash with cotton

In 2008 the LIUC celebrated its first export of cotton to Austria (credit: Carol Kerven) 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.

Sustainable sisal in Tanzania

The Hale biogas plant uses sisal waste to produce electicity. (credit: Katani Ltd.) 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.

Developments

Voting for vetiver in Ethiopia

Madagascan families are earning valuable income by establishing vetiver nurseries. (credit: Roley Nuffke) At a recent conference reviewing 20 years of Ethiopian experience of the Vetiver System (VS), delegates agreed that the use of VS in Ethiopia should be scaled-up, as well as introduced for non-farm purposes.

Cocoa video - Ghana's television extension

Video viewing clubs (VVC) form part of a creative extension programme for cocoa farmers in Ghana (credit: Kofi Adu Domfeh) 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.

Points of view: Agricultural science - a promising future?

Young science graduates are asking for more opportunities and support, in order to make their contribution to solving Africa's problems. Is agricultural science a wise career move for Africa's school and college leavers? Or will they face a struggle to access equipment and funding, and find promotion opportunities blocked by older scientists? Read the opinions of some of West Africa's brightest young agricultural scientists and the outspoken director general of IITA, Peter Hartmann.

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.

News brief

Biofuel production from jatropha can benefit rural poor, says new report Concerns over spread of swine flu; food aid under threat from pirates as WFP says food production must double; West Africa likely to experience 'megadrought'; water woes in Iraq and Yemen threaten agriculture; FAO reveals benefits of bioenergy for the rural poor, and much more.