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 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:35:01 +0100 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:35:01 +0100 Copyright: (C) WRENmedia, http://www.wrenmedia.co.uk s.thorp@wrenmedia.co.uk (Susanna Thorp) webmaster@wrenmedia.co.uk (New Agriculturist webmaster) http://www.new-ag.info/image/design/new-ag_tn.jpg http://www.new-ag.info 144 144 New Agriculturist RSS feed With up to 300 million Africans facing chronic hunger, has agricultural research achieved significant impact in Africa? Experts at a recent conference in Burkina Faso offer their perspectives on how research can be better used to influence policy, increase productivity and cut poverty. 02/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1739&s=r Points of view http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/pov.php-1739-02/09/10 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:34:32 +0100 In response to the appearance of the cassava mealybug in Thailand, where 5 million farmers grow the starch crop, the Thai Department of Agriculture are raising and releasing a quarter of a million South American wasps. 02/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1741&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/develop/dev1.php-1741-02/09/10 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:07:40 +0100 A review of approaches to provide finance within agricultural value chains, from around the developing world. Such approaches are essential if smallholder farmers are to meet the demands of a global food supply industry that is increasingly dominated by large-scale agribusiness. 02/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1751&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1751-02/09/10 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:29:57 +0100 Forty-five projects that take an integrated approach to protecting biodiversity and maintaining cultural diversity are reviewed. The authors draw out lessons and recommendations, stressing the need for policies that value cultural diversity and creativity, in order to meet biodiversity conservation targets. 02/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1750&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1750-02/09/10 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:29:54 +0100 It is estimated that food production needs to increase 70 percent by 2050, to meet demand; the current rate of increase is just 1 percent per year. To avert the prospect of famine within a generation, Julian Cribb presents the case for food production, including agricultural research, to be given the highest priority. 02/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1731&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1731-02/09/10 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:01:39 +0100 Located in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is one of the poorest in the region. Almost 65 per cent of the workforce is employed in agriculture, and with three-quarters of the country's poor living in rural areas the development of the agricultural sector is critical to reducing widespread poverty and ensuring food security. 02/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1740&s=r Country profile http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/countryp.php-1740-02/09/10 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:55:55 +0100 Louis Amede, General Coordinator of the Journalists of Central and West Africa for Agriculture, reflects on the role of the media in helping to restore agriculture to the top of the development agenda. 02/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1699&s=r My perspective... a personal viewpoint http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/perspective.php-1699-02/09/10 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:54:42 +0100 In a bid to explain food politics and rebalance some of the debates, Paarlberg examines the politics of famines, food prices, food aid, obesity, subsidies, agribusiness, food safety, organic food and the controversies surrounding the green revolution. 01/09/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1735&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1735-01/09/10 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:56:07 +0100 Formed in 2009, solar energy clubs around Mount Mulanje in southern Malawi are promoting new ways of making a living to over 250 young people, who were formerly engaged in firewood and charcoal trading. 26/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1734&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/develop/dev2.php-1734-26/08/10 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:20:09 +0100 This book has been designed to help policymakers and development practitioners formulate and implement plans for institutional reforms and policies that will benefit not only smallscale livestock farmers but all stakeholders along the value chain. 24/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1736&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1736-24/08/10 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:37:08 +0100 Millions of Pakistanis are facing hunger and disease after the worst floods in the country's history have led to a rise in food prices and outbreaks of cholera and dysentery. 24/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1738&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1738-24/08/10 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:21:16 +0100 Rice farmers in the Philippines will soon be able to access tailored advice direct from their mobile phones on the amounts and timings of fertiliser applications for their specific fields. 23/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1737&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1737-23/08/10 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:34:28 +0100 This practical guide is designed to help farmers groups and small exporters in developing countries enter organic and fair-trade markets. 23/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1706&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1706-23/08/10 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:17:46 +0100 The fate of Europe's largest collection of fruit and berries lies with the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, after a court in Moscow recognised the right of property developers to build houses on land owned by the Pavlovsk Experiment Station. 20/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1716&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1716-20/08/10 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:27:14 +0100 A key technology for crop breeding, marker-assisted selection for cowpea is being provided directly to cowpea breeders in West Africa through the support of a UK-based charity. 18/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1732&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/develop/dev3.php-1732-18/08/10 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:58:18 +0100 This book highlights 25 highly promising African plant species, including vegetables, cereals, oils, timber and medicinal plants - certainly enough to whet the appetite of the researcher or student looking for a new subject of study. 17/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1718&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1718-17/08/10 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:54:19 +0100 An effective delivery system for East Coast fever vaccination has, since 1998, protected over half a million cattle belonging to Maasai pastoralists in northern Tanzania. Following national registration of the vaccine by Tanzania and Kenya, the way is now open for large-scale production and delivery of vaccination services by the private sector. 16/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1709&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/develop/dev4.php-1709-16/08/10 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:42:24 +0100 Over 70 Gambian farmers are reducing post-harvest waste with the use of a simple clay fridge after Qasid Ahmad, a student from Swansea University, began promoting the technology. 16/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1717&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1717-16/08/10 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:40:29 +0100 Scientists in East and Central Africa are calling for increased cross-border trade in staple foods and for the removal of trade barriers to help achieve food security and stabilise prices. 12/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1714&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1714-12/08/10 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:29:52 +0100 In Niger, drought, flooding, crop failure and unaffordable food prices have triggered severe food shortages for up to 7 million people. Emergency feeding of children and cash for work schemes are two strategies being adopted to help people survive. 11/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1721&s=r In pictures http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/picture.php-1721-11/08/10 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:24:37 +0100 Field trials of banana lines that are resistant to Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) are soon to begin in Uganda after scientists were able to successfully transfer BXW-resistant genes from green pepper. 09/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1715&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1715-09/08/10 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:09:31 +0100 The Guinea savannah zone of west and southern Africa has enormous potential for commercial agriculture, according to a World Bank Report - Awakening Africa's Sleeping Giant. But is large scale or smallholder farming the best option for the region, or for the continent more widely? Participants at a recent workshop in London offer their views. 09/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1682&s=r Points of view http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/pov.php-1682-09/08/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:13:52 +0100 In recent years, extreme weather events in the high-altitude Andean plains have become more frequent and severe, increasing the vulnerability of smallscale livestock keepers. In response, FAO launched an emergency support programme to help camelid keepers improve their fodder production and herd management. 09/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1664&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson/focuson2.php-1664-09/08/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:21:48 +0100 Making the most of agricultural investments examines a variety of inclusive agricultural investment business models and considers their opportunities and constraints, and options for scaling up. 09/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1712&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1712-09/08/10 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:18:48 +0100 This colourful and informative paperback documents over 30 successful case studies of ecosystem restoration ranging from deserts and rainforests to rivers and coasts. 06/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1707&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/books.php-1707-06/08/10 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:59:47 +0100 From pepper spray to guard donkeys, a new toolkit from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization suggests policies, strategies and practical tips to help resolve and prevent conflict between wild animals and humans. 04/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1710&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1710-04/08/10 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:48:11 +0100 Just 18 months after its establishment, the Africa College based at Leeds University has brought together over 100 researchers from Africa and the UK in collaborative research projects. 03/08/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1708&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/05/brief.php-1708-03/08/10 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:35:42 +0100 Construction of a fresh produce market to reduce substantial losses of horticultural produce is set to start in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2010. 30/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1705&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1705-30/07/10 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:29:48 +0100 Illegal logging worldwide has dropped by almost a quarter over the last decade, states a new report published by Chatham House. 21/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1703&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1703-21/07/10 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:09:27 +0100 Mangrove forests are being lost at a rate up to four times higher than land-based forests despite restoration efforts by some countries, a new report states. 19/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1702&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1702-19/07/10 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:24:37 +0100 Brachiaria humidicola, a species of grass used to feed livestock in Latin America, could be a valuable tool in tackling climate change. The plant roots produce a chemical that inhibits the conversion of fertiliser nitrogen into nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Scientists are now investigating how brachiaria could be used in developing low nitrifying crop-livestock systems. 16/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1672&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson/focuson7.php-1672-16/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:38:05 +0100 Yields of rice and wheat in India and China could drop by 30-50 per cent by 2050 as a result of a water crisis in the Himalayas, according to a report by the Strategic Foresight Group, an Indian-based think tank. 15/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1700&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1700-15/07/10 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:29:21 +0100 Free and open access to FAOSTAT, the world's largest database on food, agriculture and hunger, has been granted by FAO. 13/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1701&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1701-13/07/10 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:44:48 +0100 Already used by farmers in 17 countries, the Integrated Farm Management approach developed by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is being rolled out in sub-Saharan Africa, to help smaller scale farmers of export crops to adopt high environmental standards of production, thus securing good contracts with a European retailer. 12/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1671&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/develop/dev2.php-1671-12/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:57:03 +0100 Faced with extreme conditions pastoralists have to rely upon traditional coping mechanisms and support from governments and international agencies. But two index-based livestock insurance programmes are providing pastoralists in Mongolia and northern Kenya with the tools to help them cope with climate-related risks. 09/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1668&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson/focuson6.php-1668-09/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:38:03 +0100 Agriculture is more than just farming; it is about business, education, health, land rights and culture. Cutting across these vital aspects of a country's structure, agriculture should no longer be seen as one sector or confined to one government ministry but should be fully integrated into national and regional development processes. Challenging the direction of agricultural development is a major theme in this issue. 09/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1696&s=r Editorial http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/index.php-1696-09/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:58:31 +0100 Prolonged, dry periods and sporadic heavy rain are testing the resilience of pastoralists in the Horn of Africa. In response to these challenges innovative examples of adaptation, were shared at a recent conference, Pastoralism and Climate Change Adaptation, held at Egerton University in Nakuru, Kenya. 09/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1669&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson/focuson1.php-1669-09/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:21:45 +0100 Hans Binswanger-Mkhize, a co-author of a World Bank study, discusses how the potential of about 400 million hectares of arable land in the African savannahs could be developed. 09/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1663&s=r My perspective... a personal viewpoint http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/perspective.php-1663-09/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:59:32 +0100 Known as the Spice Island of the Caribbean, Grenada was second only to Indonesia in global nutmeg production before hurricane Ivan in 2004 crippled the industry. Food crops, forest areas and agricultural infrastructure were also severely damaged. But with assistance, the government has been promoting a number of initiatives in order to revitalise the agricultural sector. 09/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1654&s=r Country profile http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/countryp.php-1654-09/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:39:54 +0100 Widely regarded as a weed and largely ignored by crop breeders, grain amaranth has been introduced into western Kenya as a drought-tolerant food and cash crop for small farmers. 09/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1683&s=r In pictures http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/picture.php-1683-09/07/10 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:02:43 +0100 Tracking the right evidence to demonstrate impact is a conundrum common to many development projects. However, adopting a 'learning by doing' approach and having space to experiment at five pilot sites in India and Nigeria has provided valuable lessons in building innovation capacity to address fodder scarcity. 09/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1697&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/develop/dev3.php-1697-09/07/10 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:01:33 +0100 Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the original 'Sussex Manifesto' on science and technology for development, the STEPS Centre has created a new manifesto which recommends ways of linking science, technology and innovation to meet the needs of developing countries. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1666&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/develop/dev1.php-1666-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:56:15 +0100 With population exceeding resources and greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change, Matt Ridley argues that while the future looks bleak, rational optimism holds that the world will pull out of the current crisis. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1658&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1658-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:56:07 +0100 Endangered African rice varieties will be the focus of a major scientific initiative to increase rice production in Africa after a report by AfricaRice countered the claim that African rice is lower yielding than Asian rice, particularly under harsh conditions. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1647&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1647-08/07/10 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:53:59 +0100 The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) has announced that the US and the Seychelles will ban imports of Kenyan avocadoes if the country is unable to address their fruit fly problem, following the lead of South Africa who banned exports of the fruit in 2008. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1652&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1652-08/07/10 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:58:09 +0100 Ahead of the G8 summit, the Farming First coalition has launched a food security guide which calls on policymakers to focus on a common goal of food security, to increase transparency regarding pledged funding, and to engage a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that efforts succeed. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1655&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1655-08/07/10 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:21:16 +0100 A recent report by the Ugandan National Academy of Science (UNAS), recommends that the Ugandan government establish legislation and regulations to address the research and commercial development of genetically engineered plants and animals. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1676&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1676-08/07/10 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:15:30 +0100 Six sustainable energy projects from Africa, Asia and Latin America have been presented with Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy for their work in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and bringing benefits to communities. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1674&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1674-08/07/10 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:15:21 +0100 Guatemala's Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Food and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are distributing seeds and fertilisers to thousands of farmers whose crops were destroyed by tropical storm Agatha, in June 2010. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1673&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1673-08/07/10 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:47:52 +0100 Half of the population in Niger is facing hunger after a series of droughts have led to poor harvests and severe shortages of pasture and water across the Sahel. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1657&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1657-08/07/10 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:10:46 +0100 With more than 750 million people engaged in milk production worldwide, Status and prospects for smallholder milk production analyses the global dairy sector in order to provide a better understanding of the opportunities available to smallholder milk producers in developing countries. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1660&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1660-08/07/10 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:03:49 +0100 By comparing the African Guinea Savannah zone with the Cerrado region of Brazil and the Northeast region of Thailand, Awakening Africa's sleeping giant explores the feasibility of stimulating international competitiveness and growth in African agriculture. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1678&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1678-08/07/10 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:49:35 +0100 In The plundered planet, Oxford economist Paul Collier endeavours to 'square the circle' between the usually conflicting demands of conservation and exploitation of natural resources. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1695&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1695-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:09:12 +0100 Livestock production faces continuing global criticism for the environmental damage caused by its emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. To be environmentally friendly, further development of livestock production systems will have to rely on increased efficiency of production rather than increased numbers of animals. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1694&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson/focuson5.php-1694-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:38:01 +0100 Livestock have always been fundamental to life in some of the world's driest places. But with many dry areas becoming even drier, more livestock are competing for less water and rangelands are failing to provide food through the year. But in the Butana region of Sudan, communities are making the most of their small share of resources. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1675&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson/focuson3.php-1675-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:21:51 +0100 Rift Valley fever is one of a number of transboundary livestock diseases which impact on livestock keepers across Africa. But climate change is altering disease distribution, as vectors such as mosquitoes move to new habitats, making prediction and control of disease outbreaks difficult. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1670&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson/focuson4.php-1670-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:21:54 +0100 The livestock sector is often condemned for its contribution to climate change but poor smallscale livestock keepers are more likely to be impacted by climate change than to contribute significantly to global warming. In this edition, we look at a selection of approaches and initiatives which demonstrate the resilience of livestock keepers and their determination to survive. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1665&s=r Focus on http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/focuson.php-1665-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:21:43 +0100 Through case studies from selected countries and specific sectors, including energy, agriculture, manufacturing and telecommunications, the contributing authors examine the opportunities and challenges created by Asian investment in Africa. 08/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1681&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1681-08/07/10 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:09:15 +0100 Greywater use in the Middle East examines approaches to treat and use greywater for irrigation, discusses issues that influence the effectiveness and sustainability of greywater use, and identifies the need for comprehensive water-use policies. 07/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1661&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1661-07/07/10 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:49:30 +0100 Areas of debate covered in this Earthscan reader include the decline in funding for conservation, lack of attention for biodiversity in development policy and the social implications of protectionist conservation. 07/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1679&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1679-07/07/10 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:11:39 +0100 This report offers an overview of small and medium scale forest enterprises in Ghana, including governance, finance and marketing issues and the mechanisms that exist to promote small and medium scale forest businesses. 06/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1680&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1680-06/07/10 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:31:14 +0100 By explaining how a project in Mauritania, implemented by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, fixed sand dunes and stopped sand encroachment, Fighting sand encroachment aims to serve as a useful blueprint for similar projects across Africa. 06/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1677&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1677-06/07/10 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:27:12 +0100 A biological control product has been developed to prevent the contamination of maize by aflatoxin - a poison that can cause liver cancer, fatigue, reduced immunity and death. 05/07/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1656&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1656-05/07/10 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:56:48 +0100 Warmer temperatures, rising sea-levels and unpredictable rainfall are just some of the consequences of climate change, and according to the authors, protected areas are an essential part of the global response. 30/06/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1659&s=r Book reviews http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/books.php-1659-30/06/10 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:03:55 +0100 Weather forecasts for the 2010 hurricane season predict a more active than normal season, and an increased chance that Haiti will be hit by a strong hurricane, weather experts from Colorado State University have warned. 18/06/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1653&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1653-18/06/10 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:26:22 +0100 With Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), or blue ear disease, spreading across Vietnam, large numbers of pig farmers are facing financial difficulty. 11/06/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1649&s=r News brief http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/brief.php-1649-11/06/10 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:10:58 +0100 With the discovery of four new mutations of Ug99 - a strain of wheat stem rust - which have overcome two of the most important stem rust-resistant genes used in breeding programmes, scientists have warned that an outbreak in any significant wheat growing area could cause significant food shortages. 10/06/10 http://www.new-ag.info/doc.php?id=1646&s=r Developments http://www.new-ag.info/10/04/develop/dev4.php-1646-10/06/10 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:27:57 +0100