The Rai3 TV programme Geo&Geo had a great little piece last night on AIRPA, which stands for Allevatrici Italiane Razze Pregiate Avicole. That translates as Italian Rearers of Esteemed Breeds of Fowl. But the word for “rearers” is in the feminine form, which means the society is open to women only. The rationale for this is as follows, according to the website: “le donne cercano di vedere le cose dal punto di vista dell’animale, applicano un allevamento compassionevole, solidarietà , maggiore delicatezza.” That is, women try to see things more from the point of view of the animal, and are more compassionate and delicate towards them. That was certainly obvious from the interviews in the programme. Anyway, if you’re interested in a list of fowl breeds in Italy, here it is.
Agriculture good for nature after all
Yes indeed, and let me count the ways:
- Betel nut plantations good for birds.
- “Satoyama” good for all kinds of wildlife.
- Traditional cow breed good for plant good for rare moth.
That’s just what’s been in the news in the past few days. I smell a trend…
Training course in the offing
This just in.
International training programme on contemporary approaches in genetic resources conservation and use
Wageningen, The Netherlands, 6 April–1 May 2009
Wageningen International and the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN), in cooperation with Bioversity International and GFU for Underutilized Species are organizing a four-week training programme on genetic resources conservation and use.
The training programme is designed for project co-ordinators, senior staff, managers, trainers, programme leaders and other professionals who aim to promote the conservation and use of genetic resources for agriculture from a policy, research, education or development perspective. The programme consists of four two-week modules, organized in parallel sessions:
- Genetic resource policies and conservation strategies, 6–17 April
- Adaptive genetic resources management, 6–17 April
- Enhancing agrobiodiversity use: markets and chains, 20 April–1 May
- Integrated approaches in crop improvement and seed supply, 20 April–1 May
The programme is part of the annual course portfolio of Wageningen International. With the Global Plan of Action on Animal Genetic Resources having come into force in 2007, new is that the training programme will address plant as well as animal genetic resources. The latter will be specifically addressed in module 3 from a conservation perspective, and in module 4 from a sustainable use perspective. To this end, programme modules addressing plant and animal issues specifically will be run in parallel. Also the module on integrated approaches in crop improvement and seed supply is new.
Please find more details on the programme, and a link to the application form on the Wageningen International website.
Fellowships are available from the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. NFP-candidates must FIRST apply to Wageningen International for admission to the training. The deadline for this first application is 15 November 2008. Acceptable candidates will receive a PROVISIONAL LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE from Wageningen International. Candidates can then apply for a NFP fellowship through the Netherlands Embassy or Consulate in their own country before 30 November 2008.
I’ve never met an axolotl, But Harvard has one in a bottle
The axolotl is a salamander that was an important part of Aztec legend and diet but is now barely hanging on in the tourist canals of Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City. It’s on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, as a result of the draining of the lake on which the city was built, increasing pollution and the introduction of tilapia.
Local fisherman Roberto Altamira, 32, recalls when he was a boy, and the axolotl was still part of the local diet. “I used to love axolotl tamales,” he says, rubbing his stomach and laughing.
Scientists are proposing captive breeding and re-introduction, and “a pilot sanctuary is expected to open in the next three to six months in the waters around Island of the Dolls, so-called because the owner hangs dolls he finds in the canals to ward off evil spirits.”
I hope it works out. I’d like to taste one of those tamales some day. And since we’re on the subject of edible Mexican agrobiodiversity, another example came to my mind today when I read that the new First Family-elect needs an hypoallergenic pooch. They have lots of options beyond the somewhat boring goldendoodle. My personal choice would be the Xoloitzcuintli. And not because its meat is said to have healing properties. Or not primarily for that reason.
Warm welcome for finger millet porridge
Whenever I hear people talking about reviving food traditions, I always want to ask them what they’re doing with expatriates. They are often the people who are most attached to traditional foods and assorted agrobiodiversity from back home. Take my wife. No sooner did our visitor fly in from Nairobi, laden with uji mix,
that she had the stuff boiling away on the stove as if she hadn’t tasted porridge in years. ((Which come to think of it she probably hasn’t.))
Now, I’m not saying that Kenyans abroad are going to save finger millet cultivation in the Nandi Hills or whatever. But they might be a good place to start.