TÌNH YÊU CUỘC SỐNG. Thông tin Cây Lương thực Toàn cầu tháng 11 năm 2015 (Food Crops News 277). Chuyên trang thu thập, tuyển chọn thông tin Cây Lương thực giùm bạn và giúp bạn luyện học tiếng Anh nông nghiệp chuyên ngành.
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NEWS | |||||||
Bottom Line: Greenvitalize to grow crops and jobs nurtured by aquaponics
A primary goal is to build a sustainable local food system that is responsive to the needs of residents, restaurants and local institutions. During a tour of ...
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Concern in Tonga over crop pesticide and cancer link
Tonga's Ministry of Agriculture says the misuse of pesticides there is contaminating food crops, affecting the health of farmers and could be causing ...
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Warning even two degrees of global warming 'very risky' for farm production, will increase food prices
"Food prices during the drought, during 2005 to 2007, went up quite ... per cent of Australia's food crops, were dire under global warming projections, ...
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Government Urged to Assist People Displaced By Floods As Heavy Rains Continue
Mr Kang'ara called on the government to be prepared to distribute relief food as food crops, particularly in Kirinyaga region, have been destroyed by ...
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 29, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Global Trade Won’t Solve the Food Shortages Brought on by Climate Change
The research looked at U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization data on 10 staple crops, including wheat and rice, grown around the world and …
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Farm and Food: Never heard of CRISPR? You will
Food powerhouses like the U.S., Brazil and Argentina now grow genetically modified crops on 40, 23 and 13 percent, respectively, of their arable land, …
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Local farmers benefit from Food Bank, TMC partnership
Local farmers benefit from Food Bank, TMC partnership … Small local farmers are getting an opportunity to plant more crops thanks to a new program …
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Texas A&M joins research into water-saving pineapple that may help feed the world
In agricultural circles, they’re renowned water misers — a power that could one day help other food crops survive drought, local researchers have …
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Kenya’s Rain Lady shows Paris climate change summit how to battle drought
On a succession of terraces, built to catch every drop of rain that
falls, she is growing maize, bananas, beans, millet and other food crops. Last year …
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Agribition food pavilion celebrates homegrown Saskatchewan cuisine
Agribition food pavilion celebrates homegrown Saskatchewan cuisine … Schulhauser said the pulse crops (from the legume family) carry flavour very …
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Ride, play and eat
Learn what life was like during the Japanese Occupation at the exhibition gallery and wander behind the museum to see food crops such as …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 28, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Have strong bio-safety systems for GM crop: Swaminathan
“There are concerns about safety aspects of GM crops. … Appreciating the right to food approach adopted under the National Food Security Act …
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Drought-proofing Qld’s crops
Researchers from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) have forecast a relatively healthy future for sorghum crops, but …
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Food production goals attainable, but focus on water
The only real stumble in meeting growing demand for major crops was in the early-to-mid 2000s, when an unusual string of bad weather hit several …
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Never heard of CRISPR? You will.
Food powerhouses like the U.S., Brazil and Argentina now grow genetically modified (GM) crops on 40, 23 and 13 percent, respectively, of their arable …
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UNESCO: Reinforcing the resilience of indigenous peoples and sharing knowledge to address …
“Diversity of food crops is very important. With climate
change, we are losing the diversity of key crops. We must teach the
youth to keep the diversity of …
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Use of GMOs debated in Kazakh Senate
As for the use of GMOs in food crops and forage crops, we will make expert examinations of the crops first, and only then will make the decision,” …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 27, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Securing our food security without GM crops
We wish to respond to the article ‘Securing our food supply with GM crops‘ by Dr Hoe-Han Goh published in the New Straits Times on Nov 14, 2015.
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Gardens: Big plans to grow food in small spaces
She also gives plenty of useful tips on growing many other more unusual food crops in the smallest of spaces, including shiitake and tree oyster …
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House weighing options on genetically modified crops
The House Committee on Food Security is taking its time to study the possibility of legalizing the use of biotechnology or genetically-modified crops in …
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Nevada Researchers Trying to Turn Roadside Weed Into Biofuel
… sunflower that grows across much of Nevada’s high desert and doesn’t compete for acreage with animal feed or food crops used to make ethanol.
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Alliance to tackle African food security challenges
Projects include improving food crops using modern breeding techniques, reducing the levels of toxins found in certain African crops and transferring …
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30 Reasons to Be Thankful This Thanksgiving
Pesticides that are killing critical food crop pollinators like bees and butterflies and endangering human health continue to be used worldwide.
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EPA bans toxic pesticide mix on GM crops
George Kimbrell, Center for Food Safety’s senior attorney, said:”The decision by EPA to withdraw the illegally approved Enlist Duo crops is a huge …
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Cropping season starts
Agritex head for Manicaland, Mr Godfrey Mamhare, said farmers in areas with sufficient soil moisture could start planting food crops. Mr Mamhare said …
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Research unleashes power of pulses
“In terms of research excellence, the pulse crop research and breeding … awareness about the crops‘ benefits in terms of nutrition, sustainable food …
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The toxic legacy of superphosphate
Dr Joy said it was not possible to say how much land was now too contaminated to grow food crops. “The only real published work we can use is the …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 26, 2015
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Cranberries Are the Only Thanksgiving Food That Actually Came From North America
Most of that food, though, isn’t actually native to the United States. … If Thanksgiving dinner were relegated only to crops that were truly North American …
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Firm warns of PH food shortage, offers GMO
“The population is growing and the demand for food is growing very quickly. In fact it is growing faster than the production of food crops. Farmers are …
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EPA moves to withdraw approval of controversial weed killer
EPA’s move was welcomed by environmental and food safety groups that … Corn and soybeans are the nation’s largest crops, and the potential for …
EPA Revokes Approval of Dow’s ‘Enlist Duo’ Herbicide Because of High Toxicity – Center for Biological Diversity (press release)
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Bee Thankful This Thanksgiving: Demand Big Food Stop Killing Our Pollinators
Bee Thankful This Thanksgiving: Demand Big Food Stop Killing Our … tea, rice and a host of other food crops and further testing confirmed that the …
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A small but growing number are finding success growing crops within the city
Hogan saw an opportunity to help folks interested in growing food in the city by tapping into Ohio State’s massive agricultural knowledge and …
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US FDA finalises GM food labelling guidance
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalised guidance for … labelling of foods made with ingredients from genetically modified crops, …
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Lease OK’d for food hub
The future of a downtown food hub received good news late last week … a space at the Fallon Food Hub/Co-op where specialty crops from regional …
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When a big food firm wants a smaller footprint, the farmer steps in
Grove’s job is to help farmers grow bigger and better crops. Now he’s working with 25 farmers to help them to adapt more sustainable practices.
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Another shortage scare? Canned pumpkin could beat the odds
The rumored turkey shortage isn’t the only scare buzzing around the food … However, despite the heavy damage to Libby’s pumpkin crops, O’Hearn …
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How Agricultural Technology Has Shaped Your Thanksgiving Feast
In addition to nutritional value and a multitude of uses for food, fuel and … man who taught the Pilgrims how to plant corn and fertilize crops with fish.
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Crop Biotech Update
November 25, 2015
Section: News from Around the World
The Cornell Alliance for Science converged in the United Nations
Headquarters in New York City, on November 17 to launch a global
conversation on ending world hunger. The Alliance’s 25 newly graduated
Global Leadership Fellows mingled with diplomats, journalists,
academics, and science allies, sharing the personal stories that
prompted them to embrace technological tools in the quest for food
security. The Fellows, who represent 10 nations, had just completed a
12-week intensive course on science, communications, and grassroots
organizing at Cornell University. They were the first cohorts in a
pioneering program conceived by Cornell plant biologist Dr. Sarah
Evanega and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“We must use the tools of science to end the disparity we see around the world,” Evanega told the crowd of 100 persons assembled at the gala. “I’d like to work toward ensuring that every parent has the opportunity to put warm nutritious food in front of their children three times a day, and that every mother can both feed her children and send them to school.” The Fellows, who returned to their countries this week, will pursue the implementation of campaigns and communication strategies aimed at improving public understanding of the role that biotechnology and science can play in ending hunger. Among those sharing their personal stories was Fr. Emmanuel C. Alparce of the Philippines, who said that millions of his countrymen are hungry. “I’m here because I believe biotech will improve the lives of my people, especially the farmers,” he said. Nassib Mugwanya spoke of how farmers in his home country of Uganda are suffering from hunger and economic setbacks because plant viruses are ravaging the essential cassava crop. Scientists have genetically engineered cassava to resist these viruses, but political activists have blocked its introduction. “Even though the solution is right in front of us, right within our reach, the legislative climate has not been right for farmers to have this crop on their farms,” he said. Read the original article at Cornell Alliance for Science website. For details, contact Dr. Sarah Davidson Evanega at snd2@cornell.edu. |
Section: News from Around the World
The Philippines celebrates the National Biotechnology Week 2015 (NBW
2015) from November 23 to 28, 2015 in SM Dasmariñas, Cavite, focusing on
the theme, Biotechnology: People’s Partner in National Development. The NBW 2015 is spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Engr. Mario Montejo, DOST Secretary, delivered the inspirational message, which was read by Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, Acting Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development. According to Engr. Montejo, biotechnology continues to be a controversy in the country, thus, there’s a need to continuously open channels of communication about the issues and implications through public engagement. He also said that DOST commits to come up with policies that promote biotech innovation and development while maintaining safeguards for public health and privacy. Dr. William Padolina, President of the National Academy of Science and Technology, delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing that agriculture must be a knowledge intensive activity to attain global competitiveness. He said that the decision to adopt biotech products relies on the government, and delaying such decision affects innovation and development, further causing poverty and suffering in the country. “What difference are we making in the lives of these poor farmers, whom we engage in these debates? If we believe that technology can add value to the development agenda and deepen capital investments, why can we not work together? In good faith, let us have reason and informed public discussion knowing fully well that our understanding of genetics has deepen, thus challenging our traditional ideas and values. A strong partnership is needed among all sectors engaged in research and development to ensure the effective delivery of new technologies to our resource-poor farmers,” said Dr. Padolina. ISAAA also launched its latest publications: 50 Biotech Bites, Voices and Views:Why Biotech?, and Biotech Corn in the Philippines: A Country Profile. The week-long celebration is comprised of several activities hosted by different government agencies and organizations. These include health forum, crop biotech seminar, biotech writeshop, biotech journalism awards, teachers’ conference, career orientation, photo contest, among others. The conduct of the event is in accordance with the national government policy to promote safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its products, as stated in Presidential Proclamation no. 1414, s. 2007. For more information about the NBW, visit the DOST website. |
Section: News from Around the World
Nature reports the virtually complete genome of Oropetium thomaeum,
which is known as the resurrection grass because of its ability to
regrow after extreme drought when water becomes available. The
sequencing was made possible by Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
researchers and Pacific Biosciences’ grant program, “Most Interesting
Genome in the World.”
The resurrection grass has 245 Mb genome, grows on rock outcrops in
Africa and India, and is closely related to major food, feed, and
bioenergy crops. The genome sequence will help researchers understand
the novel drought tolerance mechanisms for efficient and productive agricultural land use.
Get more information from Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
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Section: Beyond Crop Biotech
Based on sound science and a comprehensive review, the US Food and
Drug Administration (US-FDA) has approved AquaBounty Technologies’
AquAdvantage Salmon, a genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon that
grows to market size more quickly than non-GE farm-raised Atlantic
salmon.
The FDA determined that food from AquAdvantage Salmon is as safe to eat and as nutritious as food from other non-GE Atlantic salmon and that there are no biologically relevant differences in the nutritional profile of AquAdvantage Salmon compared to that of other farm-raised Atlantic salmon. In a statement, Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine said, “The F.D.A. has thoroughly analyzed and evaluated the data and information submitted by AquaBounty regarding the AquAdvantage salmon and determined that they have met the regulatory requirements for approval, including that food from the fish is safe to eat.” For more information, read the FDA news release. |
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 25, 2015
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Smartphones enlisted in the battle versus crop disease
Global population is predicted to reach 9 billion by 2050, and the need for food security is becoming increasingly urgent. Meanwhile, crop diseases …
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Scoular Completes Acquisition of Legumex Walker Inc.’s Special Crops Division
… (LWI) Special Crops Division, a global merchandiser and processor of special crops, pulses, and associated healthy, specialty food ingredients.
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3 Sometimes Forgotten Reasons Organic Whole Foods Are Better for the Environment
These crops are mostly used for livestock feed, to bolster processed foods, and a small section is designated directly for human consumption.
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Yet another way that poor countries will suffer the most from climate change
… is that warming temperatures will disrupt the world’s food supply. Many countries will find their staple crops don’t grow as well, or at all, and the ones …
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Community Call for Proper, Increased Food Aid Distribution
The East Hararege Zone collects an average of 60-80 quintal per hectare. But, this crop season, such harvest has turned out to be unattainable.
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Making genetic diversity part of climate change adaptation
Genetic resources for food and agriculture encompass the diversity
of plants, … and to collect and conserve the wild relatives of important
food crops.
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Food prices rise sharply after fighting disrupts Afghan harvest
CHARDARA DISTRICT, Afghanistan, 24 November 2015 (IRIN) – Food … “The crop is ready for harvest but we cannot touch one fruit or vegetable.”
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Common Weed May Be Fuel Of The Future
Most biofuel crops are grown on our most productive soil and either are or compete with food crops. Grow corn for biofuel and you’re raising food …
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Bill Banning State GMO Food Labels Reintroduced in Congress
The bill would also tighten the standards companies must use to designate their food as GMO-free: Crops must not be planted with bioengineered …
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CA key to Namibia’s self-sufficiency in crop production
A study by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United … the secret to high yielding rain-fed crop farming is about how farmers treat the …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 24, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
‘Resurrection Plants’ That Come Back From The Dead Could Lead To Drought-Resistant Crops
Genetic secrets of plants that play dead during drought but can come back to life could help food crops do the same thing, scientists suggest.
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Chandy to open Tuber Crops Food Festival
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate a Tuber Crop Food Festival as part of the observation of Tuber Crops Day, at Kanakakunnu …
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Seeking Crop Elders
Each of Rupple’s crops, indeed all domesticated plants grown for food or fiber, face disease and pest challenges of some sort. Agriculturalists are …
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Two-day Tuber Food Fest to Kick off Tomorrow
The two-day food fest is expected to provide a vast variety of tuber crops grown in around twenty states in the country. The fest will be held in …
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Be thankful for more than just food this year
Not only do we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, we are blessed with the abundance of a great variety of food crops. Many fruits …
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Embracing Technology: A Young Farmer’s Manifesto
… wrestling with, you could imagine that being tasked with producing food crops armed with a mule and a sense of determination is no small feat.
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Rodale Institute Director Says Healthy Soils Mean Healthy Foods
And healthy food equals healthy people,” says Moyer, who is executive … Moyer explains that soils covered with plants (cash crops or cover crops) are …
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Crops that ‘die and resurrect’ could help Africa beat climate change—including this ‘superfood’ from …
One possible candidate is the teff grain grown predominantly in Ethiopia and Eritrea and which has received rave reviews from food scientists globally.
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Time we gave science its fair due when it comes to GM crops
Sceptics often question the safety of GM crops but it is important to note that 20 years of consumption of food derived from the products of GM crops …
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Common Weed May Be Fuel Of The Future
A new crop for Nevada agriculture as water gets scarce, oil more
expensive … on our most productive soil and either are or compete with food crops.
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 23, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Syracuse church harvests farms’ leftover crops to feed the hungry
Each year in America, as much as one-third of farm-grown food goes to waste. Crops are discarded when they don’t meet size or quality standards or …
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Climate change threatens food security in sub-Saharan Africa
Hussain said additional revenue could be created from growing more drought-resistant crops. If more is done, Hussain said by 2030 the food and …
How China can be a model of food sustainability for the developing world – South China Morning Post (subscription)
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If you want to keep eating french fries, you’d better start drinking strange wine
QZ: Right—you say that when it comes to climate change, we need to diversify food crops in order to hedge our bets, since we don’t know which ones …
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As Earth warms, scientist leading research into drought-resistant crops
“Food security doesn’t only depend on climate, it depends on markets and trade, prices and access by households to food,” said Jim Verdin, a drought …
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How mosquitoes ‘fought for’ the Bantu as they migrated, and other surprising ways African groups …
But plants are deficient in salt, and with diets switching to domesticated crops, adding salt to food became an absolute necessity for maintaining life.
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Sandra Mason: A sweet holiday staple
Sweet potatoes are one of the most important food crops in tropical and subtropical countries, where both the roots and tender shoots are eaten.
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Tobacco doesn’t just kill smokers
According to Sainath, generally suicide cases are found mostly among cash crop farmer. Among farmers engaged in growing food crops, suicide …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 22, 2015
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NEWS | ||||||||
New thinking needed in order to prevent crops being attacked by slugs
The John Innes Centre (JIC) warns new thinking is needed if we are to protect valuable food crops from future attacks and this is the subject of the …
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FDA nod for GM salmon created by Singapore don
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) told The Straits Times GM food crops and animals sold in Singapore have to undergo safety …
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City to host tuber food festival
The two-day Tuber Food Fest 2015 to be held at the Kanakakunnu Palace … The festival is being organised by the Central Tuber Crops Research …
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Soil and organic food production conference coming to PEI
Moyer’s presentations will cover topics related to organic crop production systems, … “Healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people. Share in …
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Climate Change Will Impact Commercial Agriculture
There are also some interesting experiments with a technique called “hosting”, where food crops are planted between rows of trees so that there is a …
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food crops
Daily update⋅ November 21, 2015
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NEWS | ||||||
Fake Pesticides Endanger Crops and Human Health in India
Millions of unsuspecting Indian farmers are spraying fake pesticides onto their fields, contaminating soil, cutting crop yields and putting both food …
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The great GMO foods debate: Are they safe? Are consumers in the dark about what’s in our food?
Mike Pompeo (R-KS 4th District) introduced the Safe and Accurate Food … Pesticides, including those bioengineered into food crops, are regulated …
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Camelina ‘Partnered’ with Soybeans for Food and Fuel Benefits
Once considered a weed, camelina is gaining popularity in some parts of the country as a soil-protecting winter cover crop. Additionally, its seed …
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Why the FDA doesn’t want you to say ‘GMO’
It’s not that the agency wants people to pretend that the nation’s food supply is … Either way, the result is a crop that is genetically modified.
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FDA denies request to require labeling of GMO-containing foods
“The petition does not provide evidence sufficient to show that foods … require labeling of foods made with ingredients from genetically modified crops.
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growing food in the desert
The company that’s growing food in the desert … Sundrop grows crops in a protected environment, with stable and predictable energy, labour and …
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Indian crop protection chemicals market to reach $7.5 bn by FY19
Rising population is leading to a shift in the food consumption patterns in the country. Shrinking arable land and loss of crops due to pests pose a …
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Attleboro High students farming their own veggies
They raised larger food crops like corn in season in outdoor garden beds. … Finale, whose students are among many helping to raise food at school.
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Tom Karwin, On Gardening: Labeling pesticides, food among top issues of the day
Food suppliers have responded in several ways to consumers’ concerns … together with the sale of seeds for crops that are immune to its effects.
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Who Needs Gates And Monsanto?
Paterson warned that a food revolution that could save Africa from hunger is being held back. … We are told by the GMO biotech lobby that GM crops are essential, are better for the environment and will provide the tools that farmers …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 20, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Acceptance of GM Crops Spreads As Agricultural Challenges Increase
Two of Uganda’s major food crops, cassava and bananas, are facing extinction thanks to the Banana Bacterial Wilt, Cassava Mosaic, and Cassava …
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‘The role of crop diversity and food resilience in a changing climate’
We have many different collections across the country, ranging from peas to fruits, to the wild relatives of cultivated food crops. These living collections …
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Canada could do better in agri-food
Canada shouldn’t be content with its status as the world’s fifth-largest food … of basic research that will yield more suitable crops and livestock, he noted. … The two-day conference, organized by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy …
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New in food-grade and edible beans
OAC Thamesville is an IP food-grade variety suited to the 3150 crop heat unit (CHU) region of Eastern Canada, with a relative maturity (RM) of 2.3.
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Scottish scientists concern over effect of GM crops ban
The multi-site James Hutton Institute is one of the biggest research centres in the UK, specialising in environmental, crop and food science, and …
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Breakfast in Post-Apocalypse America: Inside Colorado’s Fort Knox of Food
Otherwise, the material could be lost forever—and when crop and livestock diversity is lost, so is our food supply’s resiliency to environmental threats.
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Crop protection chemicals to boost 25-50% productivity: FICCI
With the rising population in India, there has been a shift in the food consumption patterns. Shrinking land and loss of crops due to pests has lead to a …
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Punjab govt not to conduct field trials of GM mustard
Accusing GEAC of being non-transparent and biased, she said, “it is outrageous that GM food crops are being pushed without adequate safety …
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Pesticides stop bumblebees from pollinating apple trees, research shows
The finding has important implications for agriculture and the natural world, say the researchers, as many food crops and wildflowers rely on bee …
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Alternatives to Antibiotics to Keep Food Animals Healthy
Alternatives to Antibiotics to Keep Food Animals Healthy … which includes food, animals, crops and the environment—water, soil and climate.
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See more results | Edit this alert |
food crops
Daily update⋅November 19, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Bio-fortified rice, food crops to hit market in 2 years
Bio-fortified rice and other food crops will be made available in the market within two years, said V. Ravindra Babu, director, ICAR-Indian Institute of …
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One of the South’s biggest cash crops is on a long decline
One of the South’s biggest cash crops is on a long decline … of further exodus from the fiber in areas where growers can grow food crops such as corn, …
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Farmers asked to speak up on GE technology
No other type of crop breeding even looks at this aspect,” said Wager. … allergenic response to a GE crop or derived food, in the history of GE crops.”.
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Zimbabweans Align With Climate-Smart Agriculture Amid Food Deficits
According to the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation, … have opted to reduce on crops and concentrate more on livestock production. … But as food deficits rise, Climate-Smart Agriculture has apparently become a …
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Tribal Communities Strive to Regain Food Sovereignty
A crew from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians takes care of crops inside a high tunnel constructed with Community Food Projects (CFP) funds.
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A Better Way for Our Food System
At some point, we have to ask: if our food system causes nitrate pollution, … At this year’s joint meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop …
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Genetically Modified Foods
This has triggered a huge uproar across the country over the merits and demerits of the GM foods in general. In India, a GM crop Bt Cotton has already …
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Tomato terror: As prices go north, govt pins hopes on new crops
While the tomato prices have gone up in other parts of the country as well, the food and consumer affairs ministry said in a statement that a high-level …
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Hail hits Goulburn Valley fruit crop again
Damage has been caused to pear orchids as another hail storm hit
the Goulburn Valley last week, presenting another blow to Victorian pear
growers.
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Strong pulse: UN’s International Year of Pulses targets trade boost
Pulses, which include beans, peas and lentils, are particularly important food crops in Latin America, Africa and Asia, where they are often part of …
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Crop Biotech Update
November 18, 2015
Section: News from Around the World
In spite of the rapid adoption of GM crops,
their use remains contentious. Public opposition and overregulation
have become real threats to further developments in modern plant
sciences. It is widely believed that GM crops are bad for human health,
damage the environment, and hurt smallholder farmers
in developing countries, but research shows that the opposite is true.
Matin Qaim, a professor of agricultural economics in Germany, has
studied the impacts around the world. He has now written a book about
his 20 years of experience. The book “Genetically Modified Crops and
Agricultural Development” was recently published by Palgrave Macmillan.
In the book, Qaim reviews the impacts of current and possible future GM crop applications and shows that these technologies can contribute substantially to sustainable agricultural development and food security. Popular narratives about “Frankenfoods,” “Genetic Contamination,” and “Terminator Genes” are deconstructed. Qaim uses a political-economy perspective to explain the emergence and success of the protest industry. He concludes that continued opposition to technologies that were shown to be beneficial and safe entails unnecessary human suffering and environmental degradation. But he remains optimistic and shows what needs to be done in order to advance GMOs responsibly in the future. In his foreword to the book, Professor Chris Barrett (Cornell University) writes: “I can think of no better scholar to introduce this hot-button topic than Matin Qaim.” Professor Calestous Juma (Harvard University) says: “This path-breaking book combines intellectual courage and analytical rigor. It brings balanced research and sobriety to one of the most controversial technological developments of the early twenty-first century.” Read more at Palgrave Macmillan. |
Section: News from Around the World
A
peer review expert group composed of scientists from the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA) and representatives of risk assessment bodies in
EU Member States have finalized the reassessment of glyphosate.
The report concludes that glyphosate is unlikely to be genotoxic
(damaging to DNA), or to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans, and
proposes a new safety measure that will tighten the control of
glyphosate residues in food.
The group has set an acute reference dose (ARfD) for glyphosate of 0.5 mg per kg of body weight, the first time such an exposure threshold has been applied to the substance. Glyphosate is not to be classified as carcinogenic under the EU regulation for classification, labeling, and packaging of chemical substances. All the Member State experts but one agreed that neither the epidemiological data nor the evidence from animal studies showed causality between exposure to glyphosate and the development of cancer in humans. The review also proposed toxicological safety thresholds. The acceptable operator exposure level (AOEL) was set at 0.1 mg/kg body weight per day and an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for consumers was set in line with the ARfD at 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day. Jose Tarazona, who heads EFSA’s Pesticides Unit, said “By introducing an acute reference dose we are further tightening the way potential risks from glyphosate will be assessed in the future. Regarding carcinogenicity, it is unlikely that this substance is carcinogenic.” For more information, read the news release at the EFSA website. |
Section: News from Around the World
A team of scientists from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico, together with partners in China, Norway, and Australia have sequenced and described a gene that can help wheat to resist four serious fungal diseases. The research team isolated the wheat gene Lr67, revealing how it hampers the growth of fungal pathogen through a novel mechanism.
Lr67 belongs to a group of three known “magic” genes that help wheat to resist all three wheat rusts and powdery mildew. The genes act in different ways, slowing rather than totally stopping the development of disease. According to CIMMYT scientist Ravi Singh, they created and field tested genetic mutations of Lr67, to identify the gene’s exact location in the wheat genome. The cloned gene will be much easier to deploy widely in CIMMYT breeding lines, he said. For more information, read the news article at the CIMMYT website. |
Section: News from Around the World
International Plant Biotechnology Outreach of VIB and Ghent
University, in collaboration with International Potato Center (CIP)
conducted a 10-day course on November 4-13, 2015 in Entebbe, Uganda. The
course was on regulatory and biosafety issues of agricultural biotechnology in the East-African region, with GM late blight resistant potato as the case study.
The workshop was attended by 20 participants who represented a broad spectrum of professionals – scientists, regulators, and science communicators from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. After outlining the challenges faced by potato farmers in the East African region, ongoing crop improvement research with potential solutions for the future was presented. This part of the course was strengthened by a visit to GM banana field trials in Kawanda, Uganda. The second part of the course focused on the regulatory and risk assessment principles. Participants received a global overview of these issues, followed by specific discussions pertaining to the potato case in East Africa. The final section of the course, conducted by ISAAA AfriCenter, focused on science and risk communication and inspired the participants to discover the art of communicating scientific research to the general public. The different sessions were articulated around theoretical lectures and group exercises. The overall course was an excellent opportunity for regulators and scientists to network, discuss, and discover the different aspects related to the potential implementation of biotech crops in the African continent. The lessons learnt from the case study were very helpful. The GM late blight resistant potato was generally perceived by the participants as having great potential to benefit Ugandan farmers who largely depend on potato farming. For more details, contact Dr. Marc Heijde of VIB-International Plant Biotechnology Outreach (IPBO) at marc.heijde@vib-ugent.be. |
Sections
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 18, 2015
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NEWS | ||||||
Climate change ignorance threatens food security in Zim
According to statistics, Mashonaland East failed to meet its projected crop output resulting in the province accruing a food deficit of 36 500 metric …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 17, 2015
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NEWS | ||||||
Local crops on top of food safety
Every day, farmers are juggling all of the factors vital to bringing a successful crop to market: soil, water, nutrients, weather, worker welfare, and plant …
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Continue ban on GM crops, activists urge Bengal Govt.
“It has been reported that the GM mustard (DMH-11) the first ever GM food crop that could potentially reach our plates, will be considered for approval …
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Concerned Americans Urge White House to Overhaul GMO Regulations by the Thousands
“U.S. rules meant to oversee genetically engineered crops are not only … the pike,” said executive director of Food & Water Watch, Wenonah Hauter.
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Industry Insight: A virtuous cycle—bioenergy for food production
We only consume a small fraction of the biomass in food crops. Whether cacao, cassava, coffee or corn, the majority of the plant or fruit biomass is …
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Idaho Students, Professors Theorize Growing Crops on Mars
This morning’s Lewiston Tribune reports U of I food science professor Helen … a thesis that asked students to (theoretically) grow crops on Mars.
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How will climate change affect Queensland’s crops?
Researchers from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) forecast a relatively healthy future for sorghum crops, but see …
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How To Choose The Right Hydroponic Production System For Growing Basil
However, for growers interested in beginning to produce food crops, starting a new production scheme may seem like a daunting task. Common …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 16, 2015
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NEWS | ||||||||
Are GMOs regulated? Scientist betting $10 million they aren’t
“GM crops undergo safety assessments that are more rigorous and thorough than assessments of any other food crop in history,” the spokeswoman …
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Sorghum to beat wheat in weathering climate change impacts in Queensland
While sorghum is regarded as one of the “ancient grains”, and a staple food crop in developing countries, it is predominantly used domestically in …
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Urban India’s Quinoa Craze Is Further Endangering Millets
Many experts, including the architect of Green Revolution M.S. Swaminathan, have called for diversifying crops and food preferences to eliminate high …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 15, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Securing our food supply with GM crops
In contrast, the Philippines has been planting GM crops for years, while Vietnam and Myanmar are growing GM corn. Indonesia has followed suit with …
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Crops for the Community
HARLINGEN — Local residents are learning lessons on crops and soil … In a joint effort of the Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry, Harlingen …
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Mt. Hope Farms is finalist for Good Food Awards
The Good Food Award is a national, distinguished award for food crafters who … “As a family, we want to grow crops that have great flavor, are highly …
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Bread, wine, chocolate: The slow loss of foods we love
In its best manifestation, food is love — one of the most intimate … (The Trust provides funding for important crop collections and oversees the …
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Speakers say a consumer trend toward non-GMO foods is growing
Speakers say a consumer trend toward non-GMO foods is growing … In crops, it’s quite often done to make plants resistant to disease, pests and …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 14, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Collect seeds to preserve plant, food heritage
By Sustainable Food Center – Special to the American-Statesman … crops and passing these crops down to each new generation of food growers.
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The USDA Is Putting $34.3 Million Into Local Food Projects. Will It Be Enough?
A food hub gives farmers the opportunity to aggregate their crop and market collaboratively. The farmer-led Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative is using …
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Crop Protection Association Taps Cohn & Wolfe
Crop Protection Association Taps Cohn & Wolfe … plant science technologies, which help cultivate and protect food crops, gardens, woodlands …
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Why do potatoes grow pink slime?
Every year, pathogens and the diseases they cause can greatly impact the quality and yield of crops. “Food spoilage is a real issue in our world – and …
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Farmers urged to adapt to climate change
Farmers should grow the most suitable crop varieties for their agro-ecological and climatic conditions to ensure food security, a seed company official …
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El-Nino to impact food production for millions, UN agency says
El-Nino to impact food production for millions, UN agency says … and their families will need food assistance because of significant crop losses due to …
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How biofuel from corn stover could impact grain markets
“First-generation biofuels, produced from food crops, will not be able to replace a large portion of the oil-based liquid fuels because a rapid expansion …
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Community Forests International Plants Trees and Livelihoods on Pemba Island
… essential in order to provide an income and nourishment while waiting for the trees to mature, and began planting rows of food crops, such as millet, …
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Telangana set for GM trials by seed giants
Telangana is set to become the sixth Indian state to allow field trails of GM food crops – Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh …
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One-Third of Papua New Guineans Suffering Drought Crisis
It is much harder to work in the more extreme heat and the heat causes our food crops to wither and dry up,” Selau, in Siar, said. Women food growers …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 13, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Squash Pots and Bad Bananas: The Cultural Myopia of American Food Activists
Some of the discussion centered on the need for GMOs (genetically engineered crops) that could help food stability in parts of Africa. This offended …
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Sudan expects below-average levels of sorghum, millet crops
The upcoming annual government-led Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) is planned for December and will be supported by FAO …
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Alternative crops and eelworm are a farming priority
Scott Meadows, our Head of Plant Health, is working on new ideas and new initiatives,mainly around non-food crops, and there’s some potential in …
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Food Scientists Fix Stevia’s Bitter Taste; Beverage Industry May Turn To Stevia As Sugar …
Recently, however, food scientists at Cornell’s International Crops and Weed Garden discovered the part of stevia that stimulates the bitter receptors …
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Kentucky Department of Agriculture awarded $300K for specialty crop projects
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture was awarded a Specialty Crop … working with the food industry to highlight the values of the crop, including …
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|||||||
How to build and maintain your settlements in ‘Fallout 4’
Everything other than food requires scrap, both broken down from the … Food is a special case in that the only thing you need to plant a crop is the …
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GM crops and the developing world: opposing sides miss the bigger picture
The majority of genetically modified (GM) crops are now cultivated in the … Probably the best known was Zambia’s 2002 rejection of GM food aid …
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EU agency: Weedkiller glyphosate unlikely to cause cancer
Concerns about chemicals used in the growth of food crops causing cancer have grown significantly as studies have shown glyphosate can cause …
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|||||||
Over 2 Million In Central America Will Need Food Assistance Due To Drought, El Nino
… mostly subsistence farmers, day labourers and their families, will need food assistance because of significant crop losses due to prolonged drought …
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35 year old banished from Village over food theft
Farida Nasolo Kyekulura Village Chairperson, says that she had earlier received complaints from at least three people whose food crops had been …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 12, 2015
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NEWS | |||||||
Food Sovereignty Ghana to appeal against court ruling for GM crops trial in Ghana
Food Sovereignty Ghana, FSG says it will appeal against a
ruling by the Human Rights Court dismissing an application for
Interlocutory Injunction …
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Is Bangladesh becoming a new laboratory for GM crops?
The country is in the midst of a pilot project promising cheap food for the masses, with the “BT Brinjal” GM aubergine as its flagship pest-resistant crop.
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Floods, Riots in Mock 2026 Food Crisis Test Government Response
“Something is going to happen,” he said at a forum on food security in … threatening crops in both regions and helping push world food prices up in …
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Tribal Leaders Propose Reintroduction of Traditional Native American Foods to Reverse Diabetes …
Studies show that traditionally Native American foods, such as yucca, … leaders are seeking to reintroduce nutritious traditional foods and crops.
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Open-Source Food Tech Is The Future That Wil Change One’s Diet
This means the involvement of boxes where people can grow their crops and take control of the production of their food. It is quite impressive and …
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The Importance of Healthy, Productive Soils to Grow Food for Namibia
“SOIL – building a productive, food-secure Namibia from the ground up”, was … of soils in order to increase production and offer more nutritious crops.
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Crop Biotech Update
November 11, 2015
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Section: News from Around the World
Scientists from the University of Geneva and ETH Zurich reported a new genetically engineered cassava variety that produces high levels of vitamin B6. The results are published in Nature Biotechnology.
Cassava is rich in calories but lacks vitamin content. It has a small amount of vitamin B6, and to achieve the required daily amount of vitamin B6, one has to eat over 1 kilogram of cassava everyday. Prof. Teresa Fitzpatrick from the University of Geneva discovered two enzymes (PDX1 and PDX2) in Arabidopsis which are involved in the production of vitamin B6 and used this discovery to pump up vitamin B6 in cassava. The scientists introduced the genes that code for the production of the enzymes into the cassava genome, leading to new cassava lines with increased amounts of vitamin B6. Furthermore, greenhouse and field trials showed that the new cassava lines are stable and vitamin B6 is bioavailable in the plants. When these cassava lines become available to the public, it could prevent vitamin B6 deficiency particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where cassava is considered as one of the most important staple crops. Know more about the project from ETH Zurich. |
Section: News from Around the World
Scientists at the John Innes Centre have discovered a technique to boost the amounts of natural compounds in tomatoes.
The compounds are classified as phenylpropanoids like Resveratrol and
Genistein. Resveratrol is a compound in wine, which was found to extend
life in animal studies. On the other hand, Genistein is present in soybean and has been linked to prevention of steroid-hormone related cancers such as breast cancer.
The researchers focused on the protein AtMYB12 in Arabidopsis which activates several genes involved in metabolic pathways leading to the production of natural compounds in plants. Introducing both AtMYB12 and genes from plants encoding enzymes specific for making Resveratrol in grape and Genistein in legumes, led to tomatoes that could produce as much as 80mg of novel compound per gram of dry weight. Furthermore, one tomato resulted to have the same amount of Resveratrol with 50 bottles of red wine. Another tomato was also able to produce Genistein equivalent to the amount found in 2.5 kg of tofu. Read more about the study from JIC. |
Section: News from Around the World
A technology developed for plant research by The Sainsbury Laboratory
(TSL) scientist Dr. Matt Moscou has helped cure a one-year-old girl of
leukemia. Dr. Moscou’s research, which centers on how some plants are
susceptible to diseases while others are not, has developed a new genome editing technique. The technology was used to precisely edit the genes
in bone marrow tissue that was removed from the patient, so that it can
be reintroduced back into the patient and promote the establishment of a
second bone marrow transplant.
Dr. Moscou was looking at the effect of the bacterium Xanthomonas on crops. The pathogen’s genes manipulate the plant’s sugar production, increasing sugar in order to feed the bacterium which in turn has a detrimental effect on the plant. To understand how this works, Dr. Moscou discovered the TAL (transcription activator–like) technologies, which enabled him to understand how the genes within the bacteria could change the sugar response in the plant. “The irony is that bacteria which causes diseases in plant has led to a technology that saves human lives,” he said. “When we made this discovery six years ago we could not have predicted where it would lead today, with a little girl now cured of leukemia,” he added. For more information, read the news release at the TSL website. |
Section: News from Around the World
The book “Extreme Misunderstanding of GM Crops”, the first science based publication on GM crops was recently released in Japanese by Mr. Masami Kojima. Mr. Kojima was an active anti-GM newspaper reporter of The Mainichi, one of the three most popular newspapers in Japan. The book documents scientific information and benefits
of GM crops from credible scientific studies, as well as accounts of
his “seeing and believing” trip, and observations of farmer fields and
laboratories in the USA. Mr. Kojima apologized for his previous anti-GMO
stance and acknowledged that he was wrong in writing and talking about
GM crops, without knowing and understanding the truth about the
technology.
The book also criticizes the media and academia in Japan that have been disseminating wrong information, and urged them to tell stories based on science and not on politics. Views and opinions of various stakeholders including farmers, local and foreign, are also included highlighting the importance of science-based understanding of GM crops as well as safety tests of crops and foods derived from them. This is most useful in Japan where biotech crops acceptance is still a problem. For further details, see the original article at Blogos. The book can be purchased through Amazon. For information on biotechnology in Japan contact Nippon Biotechnology Information Center Director, Dr. Fusao Tomita, at ftomita@a-hitbio.com and yrl05042@nifty.com. |
Sections
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 11, 2015
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||||||||
NEWS | ||||||||
Fallout 4: Base Building Guide – Food, Water, Power, Defense
Begin by choosing a location to grow your crops. Note that produce can only be planted in dirt. Open the Workshop and tab over to Food under the …
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||||||||
FG Urged to Embrace Bio-Crops Biotechnology to Address Food Challenge
Abuja — Renowned agriculturist and food security expert, Dr. Joseph Odusanya, has called on the federal government to embrace the cutting-edge …
|
||||||||
US corn, soybean crops up from October
WASHINGTON — U.S. 2015 corn production was estimated at 13,654
million bus, up 99 million bus, or less than 1%, from 13,555 million bus
forecast …
|
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Open-sourced food production – the future of urban diets?
… sharing open-source technologies that encourage local food production, including specialised boxes designed for a specific crop, such as tomatoes.
|
||||||||
UN launches 2016 International Year of Pulses, celebrating benefits of legumes
“Pulses are important food crops for the food security of large proportions of populations, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Asia, where pulses …
|
||||||||
UT should develop energy efficiency beyond biofuels
Finally, biofuel crops have contributed to food price increases.
According to Environmental Health Perspectives, the diversion of food crops for biofuels …
|
||||||||
S. African Drought Threatens Crops, Herds
That may fuel food prices and inflation at a time when the central bank is in a … Dry conditions last year cut South Africa’s maize crop by a third.
|
||||||||
Epicuriosity 101: Finding fresh farm food in winter
Depending on the severity of the winter, hardy greens and root crops can grow all winter under high tunnels in Central Illinois. In addition, long-time …
|
||||||||
SILT plants seeds for sustainable food farms in area
Humes, a proponent of locally-raised food crops, said he was also taken with the idea of encouraging veterans to farm land in the future that may …
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Native Americans revive squash from seeds found in an 800-year-old pot
There is a worldwide movement to keep the planet’s rich heritage of food crops safe from genetic modification, catastrophe and loss of diversity that …
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food crops
Daily update⋅November 10, 2015
|
||||||
NEWS | ||||||
FG Urged to Embrace Bio-crops Biotechnology to Address Food Challenge
Renowned agriculturist and food security expert, Dr. Joseph Odusanya, has called on the federal government to embrace the cutting-edge bio-crops …
|
||||||
Herbicide finding intensifies battle over GMO labeling
The food and biotech industries are fighting Connecticut’s law and two … undesirable plants in and around fields where the food crops are grown.
|
||||||
Banana Protein May Be Virus Killer
Now the fungus has moved into Africa and is killing banana crops in … Bananas are ranked fourth among the world’s food crops in monetary value.
|
||||||
What would happen to your diet if bees completely disappeared?
… lot of crops that actually don’t need bees for
pollination. Take grains, for instance. Grain pollen is spread primarily
by wind, and so grain-based foods …
|
||||||
What Indonesia wants
“Indonesia has a strong agriculture industry, characterised by the production of both food and non-food cash crops, such as natural rubber, copra, …
|
||||||
Time to Implement Low-price strategy
We have had now three seasons of good global grain crops that have put prices back …. “There’s an entire chapter dedicated to food safety,” he said.
|
Geotrack mealybug invaders and more: CIAT Asia team received support from Dow
6 October, 2015 by (comments)
6 October, 2015 by (comments)
When we hear Dow at CIAT, most of us think about the collaboration of CIAT’s forages team with Dow AgroSciences
who work together on ensuring farmers to have the high-quality forages
they need to fatten their livestock and boost their incomes. Geotrack
mealybug invaders and more: CIAT Asia team received support from Dow
Kris Wyckhuys and his team seized a new opportunity for collaboration that emerged with the Leadership in Action program of the Dow Chemical Company. The program offers its employees to partner with on-the-ground, local organizations in emerging geographies to develop sustainable community-driven solutions. As part of Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, the company has committed to positively impacting the lives of one billion people over the next 10 years.
Hampered by the ongoing cassava pest and disease crisis in Asia, Kris Wyckhuys took advantage of the program and applied successfully for support. Indonesia lacks the finances and manpower to rely on state-funded monitoring of cassava pests and diseases and so the winning idea was a crowdsourcing approach that can serve the dual purpose of assisting farmers and extension workers to identify and report pests, while simultaneously gathering data generated to build maps of pest occurrence and geographical distribution. Ultimately, these data could be used by researchers and government, to guide preventative actions, and strengthening of quarantine barriers.
“The expectations were met. Over 5 months and in collaboration with Bogor Agricultural University, based in Jakarta, the volunteers provided virtual backstopping and a recent visit to the CIAT’s ongoing work in Indonesia on promoting sustainable control of the cassava mealybug”, says Kris who supervised the collaboration.
Through feasibility studies and surveys we aim to make progress on further monitoring, farmer extension and capacity building efforts, as such: 1) Evaluate the potential for crowd-sourcing to geotrack mealybug invaders; 2) Explore how to best feed into existing farmer-field schools or Community IPM networks for further farmer awareness raising and extension efforts, and 3) Assess the potential use of cell phones and mass media promoting of IPM concepts & technologies.
See Dow’s press release: Dow Employees Travel to Indonesia to Develop Sustainable, Community-Driven Solutions while Enhancing Leadership Skills
Read more on CIAT’s cassava research
Video: the stakes are high
by Georgina Smith (comments)
Cassava in Cambodia: The stakes are high
Related Posts
– See more at: http://www.ciatnews.cgiar.org/2015/10/06/geotrack-mealybug-invaders-and-more-ciat-asia-team-received-support-from-dow/#sthash.7CNBTSjl.dpufKris Wyckhuys and his team seized a new opportunity for collaboration that emerged with the Leadership in Action program of the Dow Chemical Company. The program offers its employees to partner with on-the-ground, local organizations in emerging geographies to develop sustainable community-driven solutions. As part of Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, the company has committed to positively impacting the lives of one billion people over the next 10 years.
Hampered by the ongoing cassava pest and disease crisis in Asia, Kris Wyckhuys took advantage of the program and applied successfully for support. Indonesia lacks the finances and manpower to rely on state-funded monitoring of cassava pests and diseases and so the winning idea was a crowdsourcing approach that can serve the dual purpose of assisting farmers and extension workers to identify and report pests, while simultaneously gathering data generated to build maps of pest occurrence and geographical distribution. Ultimately, these data could be used by researchers and government, to guide preventative actions, and strengthening of quarantine barriers.
“The expectations were met. Over 5 months and in collaboration with Bogor Agricultural University, based in Jakarta, the volunteers provided virtual backstopping and a recent visit to the CIAT’s ongoing work in Indonesia on promoting sustainable control of the cassava mealybug”, says Kris who supervised the collaboration.
Through feasibility studies and surveys we aim to make progress on further monitoring, farmer extension and capacity building efforts, as such: 1) Evaluate the potential for crowd-sourcing to geotrack mealybug invaders; 2) Explore how to best feed into existing farmer-field schools or Community IPM networks for further farmer awareness raising and extension efforts, and 3) Assess the potential use of cell phones and mass media promoting of IPM concepts & technologies.
See Dow’s press release: Dow Employees Travel to Indonesia to Develop Sustainable, Community-Driven Solutions while Enhancing Leadership Skills
Read more on CIAT’s cassava research
Video: the stakes are high
by Georgina Smith (comments)
Cassava in Cambodia: The stakes are high
Demand for cassava in Asia is on the rise. As wet or dry starch, it’s
in everything from noodles to pharmaceutical products, and has a
growing niche in gluten-free and low fat foods. In Cambodia, this is a
massive opportunity for smallholder farmers, who depend on income from
the crop to support their livelihoods.
But cassava intensification could have dramatic environmental costs if it’s not managed properly. And farmers face mounting challenges in cultivating cassava profitably: from a swathe of emerging pests and diseases devastating harvests to declining soil fertility, climate shocks and volatile market prices.
Huong Sokhang, a group leader of 30 farmers since 2013, knows the value of cassava for her family. She is one of around 40 million people across Southeast Asia who depend on the annual production of about 75 million tons of cassava grown as a cash crop on four million hectares.
Since the market is broad, it offers many opportunities for income generation. The crop can be stored in the soil throughout the year if it can’t be sold – and it’s relatively climate hardy. That’s especially important in Southeast Asia, which is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Dramatic impacts if not properly managed
Since 2009, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Training of Trainer courses – complete demonstration and field activity courses on sustainable cassava production – have been provided by CIAT staff, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries across Cambodia.
More than 100 extension staff linked to the IFAD-funded Rural Livelihoods Improvement Project (RULIP) alone, in Ratanakiri, Preah Vihear and Kratie provinces, received training through demonstrations and on-farm trials, delivered by CIAT.
Topics on the training curriculum included management of
high-yielding, improved cassava varieties; land preparation and weeding
techniques; appropriate use of fertilizers; soil erosion control;
planting other crops with cassava for alternative incomes, soil
fertility and pest and disease management options, as well as
market options.
This year, Huong Sokhang planted cassava vertically, so the stake can take in more moisture from the soil if it’s dry. She learnt about this technique through a training day near her village, and since then, has made significant improvements in her farming.
She now saves US$200 in fertilizer each harvest, for example. She has boosted her yield five tons per hectare, after learning how to apply fertilizer more efficiently.So far, she has invested in new planting material, and can pay school fees and medical bills for her children, as well as buying more regular food for the family.
A pest and disease crisis
But despite, improved management techniques, cassava production is under threat. Emerging pests and diseases are phytosanitary threats which endanger the gains of these initiatives. For example, the cassava witches’ broom disease – a systemic disease resulting in 10–15% yield loss and 20–30% starch content loss – continues to threaten farmers’ yields and income.
In key cassava cropping areas of Cambodia, virtually all cassava fields are infected, and farmers with little choice are planting infected stakes, risking their income.
Investigations are underway by CIAT and national research partners in Southeast Asia through an Emerging Pests and Diseases Project, supported by IFAD, to assess the cause and transmission of emerging threats, and control options. Until then, farmers can only take minimal precautions to prevent disease spread and safeguard their livelihoods.
Video on YouTube
Picture credits: G.Smith/CIAT
Brief: Improved cassava management and looming crisis
Download farmer testimonials
Photo album on Cassava Witches’ Broom devastation and threat from mealybug
– See more at: http://www.ciatnews.cgiar.org/2015/09/11/looming-threat-for-asias/#sthash.8NRf6iLO.dpuf
But cassava intensification could have dramatic environmental costs if it’s not managed properly. And farmers face mounting challenges in cultivating cassava profitably: from a swathe of emerging pests and diseases devastating harvests to declining soil fertility, climate shocks and volatile market prices.
Huong Sokhang, a group leader of 30 farmers since 2013, knows the value of cassava for her family. She is one of around 40 million people across Southeast Asia who depend on the annual production of about 75 million tons of cassava grown as a cash crop on four million hectares.
Since the market is broad, it offers many opportunities for income generation. The crop can be stored in the soil throughout the year if it can’t be sold – and it’s relatively climate hardy. That’s especially important in Southeast Asia, which is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Dramatic impacts if not properly managed
Since 2009, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Training of Trainer courses – complete demonstration and field activity courses on sustainable cassava production – have been provided by CIAT staff, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries across Cambodia.
More than 100 extension staff linked to the IFAD-funded Rural Livelihoods Improvement Project (RULIP) alone, in Ratanakiri, Preah Vihear and Kratie provinces, received training through demonstrations and on-farm trials, delivered by CIAT.
This year, Huong Sokhang planted cassava vertically, so the stake can take in more moisture from the soil if it’s dry. She learnt about this technique through a training day near her village, and since then, has made significant improvements in her farming.
She now saves US$200 in fertilizer each harvest, for example. She has boosted her yield five tons per hectare, after learning how to apply fertilizer more efficiently.So far, she has invested in new planting material, and can pay school fees and medical bills for her children, as well as buying more regular food for the family.
A pest and disease crisis
But despite, improved management techniques, cassava production is under threat. Emerging pests and diseases are phytosanitary threats which endanger the gains of these initiatives. For example, the cassava witches’ broom disease – a systemic disease resulting in 10–15% yield loss and 20–30% starch content loss – continues to threaten farmers’ yields and income.
In key cassava cropping areas of Cambodia, virtually all cassava fields are infected, and farmers with little choice are planting infected stakes, risking their income.
Investigations are underway by CIAT and national research partners in Southeast Asia through an Emerging Pests and Diseases Project, supported by IFAD, to assess the cause and transmission of emerging threats, and control options. Until then, farmers can only take minimal precautions to prevent disease spread and safeguard their livelihoods.
Video on YouTube
Picture credits: G.Smith/CIAT
Brief: Improved cassava management and looming crisis
Download farmer testimonials
Photo album on Cassava Witches’ Broom devastation and threat from mealybug
– See more at: http://www.ciatnews.cgiar.org/2015/09/11/looming-threat-for-asias/#sthash.8NRf6iLO.dpuf
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