Policy

Nibbles: Nigerian farmer speaks, Kenya meeting, Ecuador, Striga-resistant sorghum, Designer veg, Cottontail, Funding conservation, African adaptation

Why one Nigerian agriculture student will not become a farmer.
Meeting in Kenya on agricultural biodiversity, and other stuff, in October.
Ecuador and access to genetic resources (in Spanish).
“Scientists on the verge of releasing new striga-resistant sorghum.” Drought-resistant too! No need for push-pull then?
One wacky plant breeder’s story.
Attractive local bunny in trouble. Not what you’re thinking, get your mind out of the gutter.
Forest bonds in the offing. Genebank bonds, anyone?
Climate change adaptation in Africa: examples of genetic and agronomic fixes. Need both, I guess.

ILRI’s research report “Characterization and conservation of indigenous sheep genetic resources: A practical framework for developing countries” has a nifty flow diagram at the back which sort of summarizes what you have to do as a national programme to conserve your indigenous sheep breeds. I don’t think it would need to be tremendously dissimilar to be applicable to crop landraces. Any thoughts?

G20 nations turn to agricultural research for food security. All you need to know.
Would it be worth updating Borlaug on organics? A Prinz says “Yes!”
Rhizowen gets oca to grow seed to seed. Can Cornish “potatoes” be far behind?
Is it cassava‘s time?
Molecular taxonomy helps an allergy sufferer.
Lagging behind in development? Maybe you’re too diverse. Or not diverse enough. Difficult, in either case, to envisage the solutions.
Agfax podcast on orange sweet potato in Uganda. Comment on the kuroiler goes for this too.

“…old-growth rainforests are the greatest celebration of life on earth.” Well, maybe.
Chefs make a stand. Ooooooh, scary.