Fruits and nuts

March 2, 2009January 24, 2022

Wallacean agrobiodiversity overlooked?

There was an International Conference on Alfred Russel Wallace and the Wallacea in Makassar last December. Wallacea is of course one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, a link between the Sahul and Sunda landmasses. I was only able to find a sketchy programme on the internet, so I don’t really know in detail what was covered. In particular, was agricultural biodiversity included in the discussions? There have been fleeting mentions of “Long-term biodiversity monitoring including that of the Anoa dwarf buffalos on Buton (Phillip Wheeler, University of Hull)” as one of the papers. ((Why was this thing never domesticated?)) But what about spices, for example? Does anyone know?

Incidentally, while looking into this I came across some great pictures of the house where Wallace lived on Ternate. Another site to add to the list for our long-planned tour of the Spice Islands, Robert?

February 26, 2009February 26, 2009

Nibbles: Cacao, Forbes, Gum arabic, Bees, Private sector, Kumquats, Maize, Edible weeds, Herbs, Medicinals, Banana wine, Cachaca. Obamas’ dog

The history of cacao cultivation, breeding and conservation in Trinidad explained.
The latest update from Adam searching for seeds around the world. Go, dude.
“Uganda exports 0.1% of the world’s gum Arabica…” Hardly seems worth it.
Giving bees a hand. It’s hard to be a bee in the city.
An active participation is required from the private sector and non-government organisations to take technological advances in farming and its practices to the grassroots level.”
Kumwhat? Kumquat, that’s what.
Bush sells maize. Maize surrenders.
Let them eat weeds.
But don’t let Thais eat herbs!
Climate change bad for medicinal plants too.
Banana wine in Malawi. Pass the bottle.
How to make cachaca. A couple of friends and I once spent a night looking for the best caipirinhas in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Can’t remember if we found them.
First Dog found.

February 25, 2009February 25, 2009

Nibbles: Berries, Women, Marsh Arabs, Maple, Sorghum, Nuts, Conference, Banana

Let the berry wars commence. Thanks to Hannes for taking sides.
Women active in African agriculture. Well I never.
Iraq’s marshes in trouble again. This time it’s drought.
Gorosoe in Korea: “…it soothes my stomach after a hangover.”
Vavilov set right on sorghum in China.
Protected pine forest threatened by logging in Russia. Nuts!
1st International IFOAM Conference on Organic Animal and Plant Breeding.
International Banana Symposium: Global Perspectives on Asian Challenges.

February 18, 2009February 18, 2009

Nibbles: Space, Grape shapes, Genetic diversity, Diseases, Bamboo, Geographic indications, Cacao

Sweet potatoes in space. Why?
Oblong grapes. Why?
Mega targets of selection. Why?
Uganda battles cassava and banana diseases.
Increased bamboo production will not, repeat NOT, put the panda at risk.
Mandatory disclosure of source and origin for Genetic Resources (GR) and Traditional Knowledge (TK) unpacked. Well, kinda.
Gates funds cacao, cashew value chain. But not conservation, it seems.

February 11, 2009February 11, 2009

Nibbles: Bananas, Sorghum, Agave, Big vs small, Cauliflower, Wine, Chestnut, Farmers’ rights, India, Aquaculture, Medicinals, Tarpan

How they grow bananas in Fadan Karshi, Nigeria.
How they grow sorghum in Karamoja, Uganda.
How tequila is ruining small farms in Mexico. Or is it?
How small farms cannot feed Africa. Or can they? Join the debate! Via.
How the Brits plan to rebrand cauliflower. This I gotta see.
How the ancient Chinese made wine out of rice, honey, and fruit. Pass the bottle.
How Georgia is mapping where its chestnuts used to be.
How farmers’ rights are being implemented.
How Indian agriculture should move beyond wheat and rice. Ok, but what would everybody eat?
How microsatellites can be used to help catfish breeding.
How Ni Wayan Lilir is helping people learn about the traditional healing herbs of Bali.
How the Brits brought back the Konik.