‘Die genetische Vielfalt von afrikanischem Vieh muss unbedingt und raschest in Bio-Banken gespeichert werden. ‘Das fordern Forscher in einem Artikel im Wissenschaftsmagazin Science. “Die in Afrika vorhandenen nativen Zuchten haben sich den zum Teil sehr schwierigen Lebensbedingungen gut anpassen können”, so Studien Co-Autor Olivier Hanotte, Professor für Genetik an der University of Nottingham im pressetext-Interview. … Continue reading
Author Archives: Susan MacMillan
Gates president wants ‘big talk’ at ‘big meetings’ to remain committed to the world’s small farmers
The Huffington Post last week (25 June 2010) published an opinion piece by Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Development Program. She argued the need for ‘big talk’ at forthcoming ‘big meetings’ to remain focused on meeting the needs of the world’s small farmers. ‘The season of big meetings … Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / Asia / Innovation Systems / Soils
Does a country’s dirt determine its destiny?
‘Chad is dirt poor because its dirt is poor. Germany is relatively rich because its soil is rich. That’s the provocative conclusion flowing from a new study, which suggests that just two fundamental factors—soil type and climate—can largely explain why humans have prospered in some places but not in others. The finding, drawn from a … Continue reading
Monsanto bet early – and successfully – on biotechnology
‘Few companies spin financial growth out of crop growth better than Monsanto. By making an early, successful R&D-heavy bet on biotechnology, Monsanto transformed itself from an agricultural-chemicals company in an increasingly commoditized sector into a cutting-edge seed-and-biotech firm. Because its rivals are still catching up to its prowess in creating biotech traits — the software … Continue reading
East Africa / Markets / Trade
East African countries form a Common Market
‘The world’s newest common market was created [1 July 2010] when a regional bloc of five east African countries freed up the movement of people, products and capital across borders, furthering East Africa’s dream of broad political unification. ‘The transformation and growth of the bloc, known as the East African Community, has been unfolding quickly … Continue reading
Animal Breeding / Biotechnology / Fish / USA
Genetically altered salmon get closer to US tables
‘The [US] Food and Drug Administration is seriously considering whether to approve the first genetically engineered animal that people would eat — salmon that can grow at twice the normal rate. ‘The developer of the salmon has been trying to get approval for a decade. But the company now seems to have submitted most or … Continue reading
Africa reported to have made ‘solid progress on economic fundamentals’
The New York Times this week has some good news for Africa, and those who want to invest in it. ‘Africa is often depicted as a place of war, disease and poverty, with a begging bowl extended to the world. But a new report paints a much more optimistic portrait of a continent with growing … Continue reading
‘Science with Africa’ conference launches local fund for local research
‘This March, African science ministers resolved that 2011 would be the start of an African decade for science, promising increased research budgets and attempts to use science and technology to drive development. A small, continent-wide research-grant programme, modelled on the European Union’s framework programmes, is in the works, as is a pan-African training network for … Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / Biotechnology / CGIAR / ILRI / Research / Vaccines / Women
Clinton cites CGIAR research for women and livestock as targets of US aid for agriculture
Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Secretary of State, this week (16 June 2010) announced that this year’s World Food Prize would be bestowed on leaders of two leading non-governmental humanitarian organizations focusing on reducing hunger and poverty — Jo Luck, President of Heifer International, and David Beckmann, President of Bread for the World. In her speech, … Continue reading
Study published in Science criticizes swine flu follow-up
‘The message from our paper is not an inevitable disaster around the corner, but the need for continued vigilance.’–Malik Peiris Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 