CIRAD, the French agriculture research organisation, reports on efforts to make cocoa a more sustainable crop. Using a network that spanned 35 institutes in five African countries, the researchers studied cropping systems, participatory breeding (especially for pest and disease resistance), soil fertility and plant health. Results appear to be encouraging, especially growing the cocoa trees under a shade canopy and interplanting with other high-value crops. Both techniques improve local biodiversity and give farmers additional sources of income.
Borlaug Fellowships announced
Hurry on over to the USDA’s web site to see whether you qualify for one of the Norman E. Borlaug Fellowships, which “help developing countries strengthen sustainable agricultural practices by providing short-term scientific training and collaborative research opportunities to visiting researchers, policymakers and university faculty while they work with a mentor”. thn, let us know when you get one.
Crop taxonomists to meet
The 5th International Symposium on the Taxonomy of Cultivated Plants will take place in Wageningen, the Netherlands in October 2007. Apparently, an international association representing people interested in crop taxonomy is to be launched.
Trondheim Conferences on Biodiversity
A first announcement for the Fifth Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity, which will be held — in Trondheim! — from 29 October to 2 November 2007.