The first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development in Montpellier, France, provided a special opportunity to engage with partners and stakeholders of the CGIAR. An estimated 1,000 participants gathered in Montpellier, including researchers, policymakers, farmers, donors, and members of civil society from every region of the world. We would like to thank our partners, … Continue reading
Category Archives: Agriculture
World Agriculture launched in London
On 1 April a new journal World Agriculture was launched in London. A peer-reviewed, completely independent, non-profit, journal, it will explore scientific, economic and social evidence concerning agriculture and its interaction with forestry, climate change, population growth, migration, disease and ecology. Chairman of the Editorial Board, Professor Sir Colin Spedding, explained: “World Agriculture is not another specialist … Continue reading
Agriculture / ILRI / Research
Farmers want to see the benefits of research
“Farmers are tired of people going to take water samples, soil samples, crop samples. They are fatigued. Farmers want to see benefits.” Mary Njenga, agricultural researcher, Kenya View the video… (GCARD) Continue reading
Africa / Agriculture / CGIAR / Food Security / Research
Are Gates and CGIAR a good mix for Africa?
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
Report: Climate impact of cutting back on cattle questioned
A report presented this week at the 239th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society suggests that despite claims to the contrary, eating less meat and dairy will not have much of a mitigating impact on climate change. That’s because in most developed countries, greenhouse gas emissions from livestock make up a small percentage of … Continue reading
Agricultural research needs a global rethink
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
Climate change – Brazil: The threat posed by livestock
The livestock industry has less economic clout than the oil industry, but ranchers say it has better arguments to defend itself from accusations regarding its share of responsibility for global warming. The livestock industry represents 40 percent of agricultural production worldwide and provides a livelihood and food security to one billion people. The fact that … Continue reading
A voice for agriculture in the International Year of Biodiversity
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
Agriculture / Asia / India / Livestock / South Asia
Livestock rearing — key to poverty reduction strategies
From equity and livelihood perspectives, livestock rearing must be at the centre stage of poverty alleviation programmes. Livestock rearing is a key livelihood and risk mitigation strategy for small and marginal farmers, particularly across the rain-fed regions of India. Livestock products comprised 32 per cent of the total value of agriculture and allied activities in … Continue reading
How food and water are driving a 21st-century African land grab
An Observer investigation reveals how rich countries faced by a global food shortage now farm an area double the size of the UK to guarantee supplies for their citizens. Read more … (The Guardian) Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 