International agricultural development acquired a significant new player last December when the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — the biggest private foundation in the world, with US$37 billion under its control — announced that it was joining the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). When the Gates Foundation launched its own agricultural programmes a … Continue reading
Forget all that indecorous talk of animal flatulence, cow burps, vegetarianism and global warming. Welcome to Cowgate. Lower consumption of meat and dairy products will not have a major impact in combating global warming — despite persistent claims that link such diets to more greenhouse gases. So says a report presented Monday before the American … Continue reading
Eating less meat will not reduce global warming, and reports that claim it will are distracting society from finding real ways to beat climate change, a leading air quality expert said on Monday. “We certainly can reduce our greenhouse gas production, but not by consuming less meat and milk,” Frank Mitloehner, an air quality expert … Continue reading
The Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development must reset research priorities, says World Food Prize winner Monty Jones. The world’s agricultural scientists have done life-saving work in university laboratories, global research centres and government agencies. Millions of people across the developing world are alive today because of advances that have conquered deadly pathogens, kept … Continue reading
Now that agriculture is regaining its rightful place on the international development agenda, it’s time for agricultural biodiversity to become the center of attention as well, particularly in view of its vital importance for coping with the intricately linked issues of global food security and climate change. The United Nations has designated 2010 as the … Continue reading
In the arid, dusty Marsabit region of northern Kenya, most people rely on livestock — for food, milk and income — to survive. So when a drought hits the already desertlike area and plants and animals begin to die, the entire population is at risk of famine. And because northern Kenya experiences drought about every … Continue reading
BSE, bird flu, foot and mouth, bluetongue, swine flu – it’s been an active decade for animal diseases and Swiss authorities are now preparing for the next wave. As veterinary experts know, it’s not a question of if the next big disease outbreak happens but when, something that the new Swiss animal health strategy aims … Continue reading
The government of Kenya and the donor community should act fast to preserve the way of life of nomadic people. For long, the economic worth of nomadic people has been underplayed, though the role they play in preserving fragile ecosystems is vital. That’s the conclusion of a new book published by the Institute for Environment … Continue reading
Australian researchers plan to launch a genetically-engineered “super-grass” by 2013, claiming that cows grazing on it will produce up to 20 per cent more milk. The GE ryegrass – being developed in Australia for New Zealand seed company PGG Wrightson – has potential to make a huge difference to agriculture, according to the chief executive … Continue reading
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today paid a visit to Nothingville Backlands, Hope, East Coast Demerara, to assess the works in progress to sustain cattle farmers, in light of the El Nino situation now being experienced. During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Persaud said that the exercise is in keeping with … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 