FAO announced a couple of days ago that “Rice production in Asia, Africa and Latin America is forecast to reach a new record level in 2008”. I’m astounded. Imagine that. Farmers respond to higher prices by planting more. And in other press-stopping news, the Corriere della Sera said yesterday that farmers in Afghanistan are abandoning fusty old opium poppies for wheat, lured by a tripling of wheat prices. Right, that’s going to continue.
Nibbles: NUS, Value-added, Values, Genebank, IPR
- New Agriculturist focuses on neglected species.
- Chocolate, wine… Fellow could have himself a pretty good weekend in Vegas with that lot.
- Irish evaluate biodiversity, apparently ignore agriculture.
- Sasa schemes to save Scottish landraces.
- The Indian Seed and Patent Acts dissected.
Cassava around the world
Maybe it was hanging out at CIAT recently, but I seem to see cassava stories everywhere lately. Whether it’s chips for schools in Trinidad, or ethanol production in PNG, or breeding for disease resistance in Uganda, this tuber is everywhere. And don’t even get me started on the cassava revolution happening in Nigeria. International Year of Cassava anyone?
Talking about neglected crops
AGFAX Radio was at the recent Arusha meeting on neglected crops and has a whole bunch of interviews online (with transcripts):
- National treasures
- International viewpoints
- Nutritional benefits
- Social aspects
- Why Tanzania is ahead
- Mighty baobab
- From weed to cash crop: Amaranth
- Improving the varieties
- The farmer’s view
- The market for underutilized vegetables
Don’t forget the follow-up e-conference is still on.
Nibbles: Insects, EMBRAPA, Prices, Cuba, Supermarkets
- Climate change threatens tropical insects and their pollination services.
- Brazil rises in world genebank rankings.
- Food price crisis advice summarized.
- Cuba “sustainable” agriculture at crossroads.
- Supermarkets bad for small farmers?