A new report recently published by IFPRI highlights the point that while most African farmers perceive that there will be significant changes in rainfall and temperature due to climate change,  they have done little to adapt their farming practices to these changes. The research carried out for this report was undertaken in Ethiopia and South [...]

CAB International has announce the launch of their new internet resource: Environmental Impact.
The website states “This new online internet resource represents a single, comprehensive and authoritative source of information on the effects of climate change on the biosphere. It also covers other aspects of man’s damage to the environment such as pollution, deforestation, desertification and [...]

The UN organisation World Food Programme (WFP) announced last week that it will start purchasing food directly from farmer associations in developing countries. This new initiative, called Purchase for Progress (P4P) will be piloted in up to 21 countries over the next five years.
Josette Sheeran, the Executive Director of WFP states “Purchasing food in the [...]

The editor of LEISA Magazine on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture is seeking articles about initiatives that explicitly recognise the value of diverse landscapes, diverse ways of life, diverse crops and agricultural systems and which stand up against policies and developments that undermine an independent family farmers’ way of life.
LEISA accepts articles in English, [...]

It is evident that more needs to be done to assist the millions of people in Africa who are facing food shortages;  but interestingly enough the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the need to put the focus and investment directly with the smallholder farmer, who is the main food producer for many rural communities.
“Increasing investments in [...]

Interested in producing mini films on social or environmental issues?  Well the World Bank film contest is for you.
The contestants are requested to submit a 2-5 minute documentary film highlighting the social consequences of climate change in the following categories:

Conflict: As climate change results in scarcity of resources and economic and, in many cases, political [...]

When Disaster Strikes: A Guide to Assessing Seed System Security by Dr. Lousie Sperling is the title of a recently published book by CIAT.
This guide is targeted at emergency relief agencies and field workers. It outlines a seven step strategy on how best to intervene to ensure that seed systems and supply are not compromised during disasters, and the [...]

Today we have come across two interesting stories from Uganda.
Uganda will host Africa’s first honey show. The “ApiExpo Africa” will be held in October and will provide an opportunity for African bee farmers to display their products, knowledge and find new export markets, particularly in Europe.
Jurua Jackson of the Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO), [...]

Thanks to funding from FAO and government support, Uganda has announced that it has had success in effectively controlling, and in some cases eradicating banana wilt disease. The disease was first reported in 2001.
A major component of this success has been the participation of banana farmers in farmer field schools. Field schools provide [...]

A new regional seed association has recently been established by 10 member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region comprising of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
This new association came about thanks to the close collaboration of FAO, ICARDA and ECO. It primary aims include: [...]