- TRAFFIC says many traditional medicines are being over-exploited in Cambodia and Viet Nam. Via .
- New model of development more important than new green revolution, says IICA head.
- Baa baa black sheep, have you any genes?
- Food crisis, energy crisis; what about the water crisis? IWMI resurrects 2007 report. More here.
Nibbles: Prices, Info
- Onions, futures, speculation and prices. Weird, and somewhat illuminating.
- New New Agriculturalist, with research, no-till, AGRA and more, much more.
Nibbles: Chocolate, Africa cubed, Green wall
- “I think that in 20 years chocolate will be like caviar.”
- “Why should Africa be the only region in the world that is begging for food?” Hans Herren stiffs it to Jeffrey Sachs.
- Mapping, and then protecting, places where wildlife and pastoralists can survive climate change together.
- Jessica hearts Moringa. ((How do I get a picture of a heart here?))
- Green Wall of Trees to halt Sahara. Will any of them also be directly useful?
Biodiversity of farms
Let’s apply the concept of biodiversity to the economics of farming. Just as we now recognize that a range of species must inhabit a given habitat for a healthy environment, a variety of farms make for a healthy farm economy. With Ventura County’s diversity of crops, there is not a day in the year that something isn’t being harvested and sent to market. Our large operations are essential to maintain a healthy population of equipment dealers and service providers. Mid-size family farmers often provide much of the leadership in local co-ops and associations. Smaller farms help sustain the agricultural service economy, and often pioneer specialty crops while feeding local markets. There is room for them all. We need them all. Our vision should embrace them all.
Nibbles: Policy, Brazil nuts, Kenyan sugarcane
- Food security, or food capacity?
- “Brazil announces plan to become world’s granary.” We don’t make this stuff up, you know.
- Might Kenya turn against Tana delta biofuel boondoggle?