Climate change has gradually dominated discussion in almost every country of the world because of the challenge it poses to the survival of individuals and whole nations. In recent times, whole countries have been threatened by changes in climatic conditions ranging from draught, delayed rainfall, continuous melting of the polar region causing severe flood in … Continue reading »
Monthly Archives: April 2010
Insurance. Grasslands. What could they have in common?
Insurance is about protection against loss — and so, in many ways, is conservation. The similarities between these two industries mean both could gain from a closer relationship. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) recently announced the trial of an innovative insurance scheme for traditional herders in northern Kenya. There’s a severe need for such … Continue reading »
Despite many successes, avian influenza still threatens
FAO calls for sustained action on H5N1 and emerging infections 16 April 2010, Rome – Although concerted international action has successfully eliminated the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus from poultry in almost all the 63 countries it infected at the peak of the world outbreak in 2006, it persists in five nations and thus poses … Continue reading »
Africa / Animal Diseases / Ghana / Livestock / West Africa
UGCACS launches School of Veterinary Medicine
Accra, April 13, GNA – Authorities of University of Ghana College of Agriculture and Consumer Science (UGCACS) on Tuesday launched the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) to train world class veterinarians in Ghana. Dr Alfred Sugri Tia, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in-charge of Livestock, said at the launch that Ghana had relied … Continue reading »
Climate change increasing poverty and vulnerability in Ethiopia
Small-scale farmers and pastoralists in Ethiopia are likely to bear the brunt of the negative impacts of climate change in the region, which will include increased poverty, water scarcity, and food insecurity, according to a new Oxfam International report released today. The international development agency’s report, “The Rain Doesn’t Come on Time Anymore: Poverty, Vulnerability, … Continue reading »
South African dairy goes green with manure power
Thandeka Mabuza’s small-scale dairy farm, on the banks of the Olifants River, gives off hardly any of the earthy smell you might expect from a thriving dairy operation. But the lack of manure odour is hardly the only benefit from the farm’s pioneering biogas dairy. By using vats to digest cow dung and then harvesting … Continue reading »
Regional workshop on sustainable management of animal genetic resources in Central and West Africa
FAO, in collaboration with the regional project on sustainable management of endemic ruminant livestock (PROGEBE), organized on 22–25 March 2010, in Dakar, Senegal, a regional workshop on sustainable management of animal genetic resources in West and Central Africa. The workshop was preceded by an electronic forum hosted by DAD-Net West Africa, which took place between … Continue reading »
FAO studies cross-border trade of poultry commodities to improve risk management of avian influenza in the Greater Mekong Subregion
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) includes Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and the southern provinces of China. In the GMS, the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in early 2003 and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) from 2004 to 2010 has marked this region as a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases. Animal … Continue reading »
This Earth Day, go vegan
Celebrate Earth Day by admitting that meat-eating causes environmental destruction and changing your diet … Approximately 1 billion people will participate in Earth Day celebrations this month, and today alone countless people will plant trees, clean up rivers, pledge not to use plastic bags and decide to walk rather than drive. All of this helps, … Continue reading »
Carnivorous climate skeptics in the media
Earlier this month, the food news cycle took a spin for the better for carnivores concerned with the environmental impact of their diet. Fox News and the Washington Times offered the brightest rays of hope, introducing stories with the headlines “Eat Less Meat, Reduce Global Warming—Or Not” and “Meat, dairy diet not tied to global … Continue reading »
