Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog
Agrobiodiversity is crops, livestock, foodways, microbes, pollinators, wild relatives …
The Dutch ambassador to Ethiopia in his opening speech stressed that a well functioning seed system is crucial for improving food security, increasing agricultural export, and conserving agrobiodiversity.
That’s one enlightened ambassador. He was launching a book, which you can download in its entirety: Farmers, seeds and varieties. Supporting informal seed supply in Ethiopia, edited by Thijssen, M.H., Zewdie Bishaw, Abdurahman Beshir, Walter S. de Boef.
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.
Yes indeed, and let me count the ways:
That’s just what’s been in the news in the past few days. I smell a trend…
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:
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.