Category: Featured

Bill W. thinks that Ethiopian farmers should derive some benefit from taking care of tef for all these millennia:

I must admit that I don’t know anything about the quinoa trade, but it seems counter-intuitive that I am supposed to be relieved that the farmers who grew tef until the rest of the world noticed it will not benefit economically from their stewardship. It’s a crazy world.

And if you’re into plant breeding, do visit his site.

Mike Jackson adds some detail to our short note on the recent typhoon in the Philippines:

This typhoon, known as Glenda in the Philippines, actually did more damage at IRRI probably than any other in recent years. In fact, one of my former staff who has been at IRRI for 40 years or so, told me it was the worst damage she had experienced. But, resilient as ever, IRRI staff have cleared up much of the damage, roofs and windows will be replaced, and soon things will get back to normal.

Eve comes up trumps on those “bonnet gourds”:

There is one from Jamaica in the Economic Botany collection at the Field Museum in Chicago. One can search their database, but I’ll provide a couple of links.

Definitely worth a look.

Patrick has “a lot of respect for Mr de Schutter,” but begs to differ on his take on sugar and salt, which we Nibbled:

Not only is there very little reason to classify sugar and salt as ‘bad’, but they are essential ingredients in traditionally processed foods.

Read the whole comment.

Cédric shares the latest intelligence on conservation of agricultural biodiversity:

Talking about Svalbard, I received this piece by a Food First board member in my inbox recently. I’ve read a lot of similar posts but this one tops them all. To sum it up: ex situ conservation = pure evil; in situ conservation = blissful harmony.

Uh-huh.