Africa remains a net importer of livestock and livestock commodities, spending US$3.6 billion of scarce foreign exchange on imports of products that could well be sourced from within the continent. This is a huge deficit that is increasing in magnitude. Due to the stringent SPS (Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary) requirements of developed countries, most of Africa’s exports of livestock and livestock commodities occur within the continent with a small fraction (mainly sheep and goats) going to countries of the Middle East.
These exports, which account for about 5% of total trade in livestock and livestock commodities, and which have been declining since 2000, satisfy only a small fraction of the deficit in consumption. Thus, there is a large and growing market in Africa that needs to be strategically targeted.
In targeting African markets, African policymakers must bear in mind that it will take a while for the EU to fully wipe out subsidies that promote dumping in Africa, that as long as there are ever-increasing SPS standards, stringent rules of origin and tariff escalation on key value addition chains that make it hard to enter the foreign markets, Africa’s best bet strategy for poverty reduction is to adopt policies that promote and facilitate trade among African countries.
African policymakers need to also understand that even if the EU market is fully liberalized, it is not the African smallholder producers that will benefit but the more efficient producers in other developing countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Thailand. They have lower cost production systems, technical know-how and huge capital investments than African countries. Therefore Africa’s chances of competing with these countries in the EU market are slim, but are very high in African markets.
If policies that target African markets were to be successful in meeting (say 50% of) the current deficit, African smallholder livestock producers and processors would earn an estimated additional revenue of close to US$2.0 billion annually. Africa will require better policies that will improve the productivity of livestock, enhance livestock commodity value chains and directly link livestock producers to markets in Africa for food security and poverty reduction in Africa.
CAADP Partnership Platform Meeting 5 – 10 November. Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting focused on the CAADP Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), the governance arrangement, the CAADP Monitoring and Evaluation & mutual accountability framework; and a roadmap for the follow-up and implementation of the July 2009 Heads of State and Government Summit decisions. Read more
Visit to the Islamic Development Bank 16 - 18 November. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. To seek funding for the NSFs activities and also familiarize the Islamic Development Bank on the activities and mission of FARA.
Dr. Jones elected as the Chairperson of GFAR 20 November. Accra, Ghana. GFAR confirmed the election of Dr. Monty Jones as the Chairperson of GFAR. Read more
Sub-regional Meeting: “Advancing the implementation of CAADP Pillar IV in ECCAS/CEEAS sub-region” 24 - 25 November. Yaoundé, Cameroun. Meeting to promote the awareness on the CAADP roundtable processes and Pillar IV issues for key players drawn from countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Read more
The 2009 CAADP Africa Forum 30 November – 4 December. Nairobi, Kenya. The forum connects the pan-African CAADP framework to the actual implementation at country level by being a sharing and learning platform on progress (and obstacles) in pro-poor agricultural development between policy makers and practitioners across the continent. Read more
Advocacy and Resource Mobilization (ARM) Strategy validation workshop 15 December. Accra, Ghana. Workshop to finalize the draft ARM strategy and verify that the advocacy and resource mobilisation requirements are well reflected in the draft ARM strategy as discussed in the general stakeholders’ consultation held in March 2009.
NSF 2 :Access to knowledge and technologies
CTA - ICT Observatory 2 - 4 November. Wageningen, the Netherlands. CTA together with its partners, held its 2009 meeting on the theme of “mobile services” for agricultural and rural development. Read more
AfricaAdapt Meet and Greet Event 5 November. Accra, Ghana. Meet and greet” event on climate change and agricultural information for community radios. The event aimed to facilitate the flow of climate change adaptation knowledge for sustainable livelihoods between researchers, policy makers, civil society organizations and local communities. Read more
Participants at the AfricaAdapt Meet and Greet Event FSTP proposal write shop 4 - 7 November. Nairobi, Kenya. Face 2 Face meeting on a FSTP proposal for the creation of audio files on climate change and agricultural information for community radios in Africa.
Planning and Review meetings to establish Learning Teams and Innovation Platforms for Technology Adoption (IPTAs) 11-13 November. Maputo, Mozambique. The objective of the meeting was to sensitize national focal institutions and other stakeholders on the concept of national learning teams for information exchange and management as well as the concept on innovation platforms for technology adoption (IPTAs) by smallholders; and to plan for the implementation of the Promotion of Science and Technology for Agricultural Development in Africa (PSTAD) through RAILS and DONATA. Participants developed RAILS and DONATA work plans.
Training session on eRAILS between Mr Dady Demby (RAILS Program Officer) and Ms Marta Francisco, the Mozambique RAILS focal person’
3rd CARD Steering Committee 25 – 26 November. FARA, Accra, Ghana. The meeting was to share a common vision among development partners concerned in research and extension on how to achieve the target of the capacity needs at the regional level, to assist partners to identify their roles in the common vision. Read more
NSF 3 :Regional policies and markets
SABIMA Stewardship Capacity training 5 – 6 November. CSIR, Accra, Ghana. This workshop introduced the concepts and components of biotechnology stewardship to FARA.
CTA/ECDPM/GTZ/SACAU Workshop on “Aid for Trade and Agriculture: towards a SADC agenda” 9 - 11 November. Windhoek, Namibia. The workshop aimed at developing very concrete proposals and ideas on how to implement Aid for Trade in the agricultural sector in the SADC region.
International conference on Agricultural Development, Planning and Policy in Africa 23 - 24 November. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This international conference served as a high-level multi-stakeholder platform for discussing opportunities and strategic policy and growth options for agricultural development in Africa. Read more
Convening on Strengthening Agricultural Extension in Sub-Saharan Africa (Organized by AGRA) 27 - 28 November. Nairobi, Kenya. To bring together key stakeholders and partners working to improve livelihoods of millions of African farm families to share their experiences and views on how to strengthen AGRA.
NSF 4 :Capacity building
SCARDA M & E meeting 16 November. FARA, Accra, Ghana. The meeting was to plan effectively to address the SCARDA Medium Term Review (MTR) recommendations and discuss general implications of the SCARDA MTR recommendations for the overall FARA performance management framework.
8th meeting of Advisory Committee on S&T for ACP Agricultural and Rural Development. 16 - 20 November. CIRAD, Montpellier, France. This meeting identified windows of opportunities within the emerging evolution in the field of ICTs which can support the ACP region in improving the environment for agricultural science and innovation. Read more
SCARDA SRO's Management Planning & Review meeting in ASARECA, SADC and CORAF. 13 – 19 December. Entebbe, Gaborone and Dakar. The Management Planning and Review meeting will be held in all the SROs. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare and commit to a consolidated regional quarterly work plan and budget at SRO level.
NSF 5 :Partnerships and strategic alliances
IDASA Conference on Governance and small-scale agriculture in Southern Africa 9 - 11 November. Johannesburg, South Africa . Conference to discuss governance and public investment processes and how these are shaping small-scale agriculture in the region. Read more
CAAST-Net Stakeholders ‘ Conference on Africa-Europe Science and Technology Cooperation 10 – 11 November. Mombassa, Kenya. The conference comprised a range of different sessions and workshops in order to elaborate on good practice and chances for synergies and coherences in science and technology policies and frameworks. Read more
Visit Lake Kivu Project Field 28 November - 10 December. Uganda, RDC Congo, Rwanda .To visit activities of the SSA CP in the Lake Kivu Pilot learning Site.
JAAL Ouaga 09 27 November - 6 December. Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso. Conference organized by INTERFACE branch in Burkina-Faso on the theme “Convert and promote our local products –which contribution to the resolution of the food crisis”.
UN COP 15 Climate change 9 - 13 December. Copenhagen, Denmark. The Objective of the Conference is to elaborate at global level, regional level and country level appropriate responses in order to reduce the emission of green house gases in the atmosphere, to mitigate the load of those gases in order to reduce their impact on the climate and to organize adaptation to the expected climatic changes.
2nd FAO Regional Management Team Meeting 11 - 12 December. Accra, Ghana. Meeting to discuss about priorities for the Africa region and to set up work plans for the next biennium.
The Oxford Farming Conference 4 - 6 January 2010. Oxford, UK.The themes for 2010 will focus on preparing for the world as we start to move out of recession, and will look at issues important to UK agriculture as it does so. Read more
Technology for Innovation and Education in developing countries – 6th international workshop
21 – 23 January 2010. Maputo, Mozambique. The goal of this sixth international workshop is to bring together researchers, businesses, educators, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss appropriate and relevant applications of technology in educational programs in developing countries. Read more
Multi-stakeholder processes for knowledge-based rural innovation 25 January - 30 April 2010. Wageningen, The Netherlands. International Centre for development oriented Research in Agriculture – ICRA This course is a professional capacity strengthening programme for enhancing performance in rural innovation.Read more
2010 Euro-Africa Cooperation forum on ICT Research 3 February 2010. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 2010 Euro-Africa Cooperation forum on information and communication technology (ICT) is being organised by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) funded EUROAFRICA-ICT project. Read more
Cereal Science and Technology Southern Africa (CST-SA)
3 – 5 February 2010. University of Pretoria, South Africa. International Grains Symposium Quality and Safety of Grain Crops and Foods.
Capacity Development for Farm Management Strategies to Improve Crop-Water Productivity using AquaCrop 1 – 5 March 2010. Bloemfontein, South Africa. Workshop on "Capacity Development for Farm Management Strategies to Improve Crop-Water Productivity using AquaCrop.” Read more
AGBIOSAFE SEED 2010
8 – 12 March 2010. Entebbe, Uganda. The International Conference on Agro‐biotechnology, Biosafety and Seed. Read more
Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) 28 - 31 March 2010. Montpellier, France. GCARD aims to develop a new global agricultural research system, driven by tangible development outcomes and bringing together all those involved in agriculture research for development (AR4D). Read more
Young Researchers Seminar “Exploring Agricultural Research for the future: a dialogue between young researchers from the South and the North" 28 March 2010 - 1 April 2010. Montpellier, France. A Young Researchers Seminar is scheduled during the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development. Read more
IAALD XIIIth World Congress - Scientific and Technical Information and Rural Development 26 - 29 April 2010. Montpellier, France. The renewed worldwide interest in agriculture and questions dealing with food crises increase the need for quality information for actors in rural development. Read more
ESEA's 3rd Scientifc Conference: climate change and natural resource use in Eastern Africa 19 - 21 May 2010. Kenyatta University, Kenya. The meeting will address a wide range of climate change topics with the aim of increasing awareness of vulnerabilities, impacts and targeted adaptation measures that can be applied in the region. Read more
WICaNeM 2010 - Track "Innovation intermediaries, clusters and valleys" 26 - 28 May 2010. Wageningen UR, The Netherlands.The 2010 Wageningen International Conference on Chain and Network Management (WICaNeM) will offer several tracks in the field of agrifood chains and networks, including one titled "Innovation intermediaries, clusters and valleys". Read more
The International Camel Symposium: linking camel science and development for sustainable livelihoods 7 - 10 June 2010. Garissa, Kenya. This symposium aims to not only address a scientific audience, but to bring together for the first time camel pastoralists, camel researchers and development actors.
Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Food - ISDA 2010 28 June - 1 July 2010.Montpellier, France.A symposium to reflect upon future choices, design appropriate scientific agendas, and help renew actions and policies so that innovation systems can better achieve sustainability. Read more
9th European Symposium - IFSA - International Farming System Association 4 – 7 July 2010.Vienna, Austria.A platform for researchers and practitioners to contribute to building sustainable rural futures. Read more African Agriculture Science Week & FARA General Assembly 19 - 24 July 2010. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The theme of this year's programme is "African Agricultural Innovation in a Changing Global Environment". Read more
IFLA SIG Theme: Current trends in agricultural information services for farmers 10 – 15 August 2010. Gothenburg, Sweden.The IFLA Agricultural Libraries Special Interest Group in association with IAALD invites papers to be presented at a two-hour session to be held at the World Library and Information Congress: 76th IFLA General. Read more
28th International Horticultural Congress "Science and horticulture for people" 22 - 27 August 2010. Lisbon, Portugal. The theme of the Congress, Science and Horticulture for People, emphasizes horticulture’s scientific components and interactions with scientists, producers, consumers and society-at-large. Read more
Asian Federation for Information Technology in Agricultural AFITA 2010 Conference 3 – 7 October 2010. Bogor, Indonesia. The Quality Information for Competitive Agricultural-Based Production Systems & Commerce. Read more
5th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture: commercialization of livestock agriculture in Africa: challenges and opportunities 25 - 28 October 2010. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The objective of the conference is to provide an opportunity for African scientists and the broader stakeholder groups in the livestock sector to discuss the potential role of animal agriculture to improve the livelihoods of African people.
Land reform and management of natural resources in Africa and Latin America 25 - 27 November 2010. Lleida, Spain. The congress desires to contribute to overcoming the current distance between the elaboration of development models and the research about its deployment in specific natural resources management scenarios, Africa and Latin America. Read more
CAADP Workshop 2 - 6 November. Nairobi, Kenya. Workshop to discuss the Strategy of the Partnerships and Capacity Development Unit of ASARECA and the CAADP agenda in the Sub-region.
The 7th ASARECA Board of Directors Meeting 14 - 18 December. Mombasa, Kenya
Gambia National Agricultural Investment Model Programme Validated This validation workshop was organised by the ministry of trade, industry and employment. Read more
Ghana To Increase Rice Production Within the Next Two Years The country could achieve self-sufficiency in rice production within the next two years. Read more
Using traditional knowledge to cope with climate change in rural Ghana A survey of rural communities in the Offin river basin suggests the value of blending traditional and scientific knowledge in strategies for coping with climate change and variability. Read more
Ghana to increase growth In Aquaculture Ghana's aquaculture potential is expected to see an increased growth in the next decade, although climate change is expected to bite hard on food production across the world. Read more
Ghana: The 2010 Budget: What are the prospects for the smallholder farmer Availability and access to farm inputs (fertilizer subsidy, improved seeds and planting material). Read more
Ivory Coast Without better storage, we are farming to feed insects ”We must urgently find effective ways to address the problem of storing agricultural produce,” says Lucien Tapé, an analyst based in Abidjan, the Ivorian economic capital. ”Producers are experiencing huge losses and as such, new techniques must be developed to assist them.” Read more Kenya Satellite insurance to pay farmers if land turns brown Insurers will use satellite images of vegetation to assess Kenyan farmers' claims for cattle deaths during drought. Read more
Mozambique AGRA launches soil management programme This programme wants to improve the production among 20,000 farmers in Mozambique's fertile province of Nampula and Zambezia. Read more
Brazil invests $6b in biofuels in Mozambique One of the numerous African countries including Ghana to sign deals with Brazil, a global biofuels industry leader for the cultivation of sugar cane for the production of ethanol is Mozambique. Read more
Sierra Leone New agriculture plan sprouts The APC government of Sierra Leone took power on the promise to make agriculture a top priority. True to its words the government which inherited a 1.7 percent agricultural budget has increased it to 7.7 percent since last year. Read more
South Africa Women farmers play vital role in food security Across Africa women produce more than 70 percent of the continent's food, but most of the farming is at a subsistence level, according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Read more
An experiment in Climate Change Adaptation Planning South Africa’s adaptation strategy outlines the nation’s key social and ecological vulnerabilities, climate projections, and basic adaptation needs. Read more
Sudan The role of scientific research in agricultural development 23-24 December. The National Centre for Research of Sudan organized its 9th Scientific Conference to maximize the utilization of research results, scientific studies and practical efforts to serve the agricultural renaissance in the Sudan for the development of society. Read more
Tanzania Nation Has Just 20 Years to Adapt Agriculture to Climate Change, Warn Economists In the first study of its kind in East Africa, published by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the researchers stress that time is running out for Tanzania to adapt. Read more
Diseases threaten Cassava production CASSAVA production continues to be threatened by the spread of diseases which has immediate and far-reaching impacts on food security and supply in the African region. Read more
Uganda $21m sweet potato project to aid food security, nutrition The International Sweet Potato Centre has launched a $21.25 million research project in Uganda that will develop nutritionally enhanced sweet potatoes, in a project to reduce health problems related to vitamin A deficiency and improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more
Uganda Business News: MTN Google SMS wins rural communications award MTN Uganda has been awarded the Best Solution for Rural Services award for implement the Google SMS that allows users to use a mobile phone to access market prices. Read more
Scientists Fence Off Land for GM Maize Trial Scientist at the National Crop Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, have fenced off six hectares of land in Kasese district to conduct research on genetically modified maize. Read more
Zimbabwe Implementing Agric Programme under Comesa, Nepad Zimbabwe is in the process of aligning itself to the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) under Comesa and Nepad as part of the continent's efforts to boost food security, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development . Read more
AGRA, NEPAD partner to achieve food increase and security in Africa The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has entered a partnership described as historic with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) to work towards increasing food production and food security in Africa. Read more
Potatoes could save Africa from hunger Sweet potatoes could be the answer to Africa's food insecurity due to their resistance to drought and high yields. As such, the International Potato Centre (IPC) has launched a multi-million project to tap into the crop's potential in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more
Climate Change could create agricultural winners and losers in East Africa As African leaders prepare to present an ambitious proposal to industrialized countries for coping with climate change in the part of the world that is most vulnerable to its impacts, a new study points to where and how some of this money should be spent. Read more
Trees can increase farm yields and transform agriculture Dr. Dennis Garrity, Director General of the Centre, told AllAfrica that trees on farmland can play a transformative role in rural agriculture. Read more
Women are behind 80 percent of continent's food production The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) considers gender mainstreaming, or involving women in farming development efforts, an essential component of its efforts to improve food security in Africa. Read more
Continent can feed itself For many decades a scrum of international and local NGOs have been jostling to help those in poverty feed themselves. The thinking became that those with food would just give some to the have-nots. This persisted throughout the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s and in the past few years leading up to 2009. This focus has been proven to be wrong. Read more
Fighting the "Double Whammy" of obesity and hunger Africa faces a double burden of obesity and hunger as millions take up increasingly sedentary lives in cities and the global financial crisis hits rural populations' food security, nutritionists warn. Read more
China Shows Substantial Interest In African Agriculture China’s involvement with African infrastructure and industrial development has been written about and discussed in every corner of the world, and there is no denying the fact that China’s advancement can be credited, to a large extent, to its oil sourcing from Angola, Nigeria and Sudan, and its minerals from Zambia, Liberia and South Africa. Read more
UN Agency Urges Investment in Agriculture to feed growing world population Farmers need to increase global food production by some 70 per cent in the coming decades to feed an additional 2.3 billion people by 2050, warned a paper published by the United Nations food agency today, which calls for urgent investment in agriculture. Read more
Green Revolution in the Balance A battle is developing over food security and research into bio-engineered crops is in the crosshairs. Last weekend, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, in a joint address with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, put food security at the top of the UN agenda. It follows on the summer G-8 summit when 26 countries and a range of international organizations pledged $20 billion to that effort. Read more
New U.S. Agricultural Research Institute Launched; Global Food Aid Examined The Obama administration recently launched the National Institute of Food (NIFA), “a new agricultural research institute … but farm lobbyists and others warned that its success depends on whether Congress agrees to substantially increase funding for farm research,” Government Executive reports. Slumping agricultural research led Congress to create the institute “in the 2008 farm bill in hopes of giving a farm agency the same stature as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Read more
Thomson, G.R., Tambi, E.N., Hargreaves, S.K., Leyland, T.J., Catley, A.P., van’t Klooster, G.G.M. and Penrith, M-L. 2004. International trade in livestock and livestock products: the need for a commodity-based approach. The Veterinary Record, October 2004.
Henson, S. and Loader, R., 2001. Barriers to agricultural exports from developing countries: the role of sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements. World Development Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 85-102.
Gary, F. (Phylum) 2007. Subsidies and trade in animal products. ALIVE Policy Note. Perry, B.; Nin Pratt, A.; Sones, K. and Stevens, C. 2005. An appropriate level of risk: Balancing the need for safe livestock products with fair market access for the poor. PPLPI Working Paper No. 23. ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya pp. 73.
New U.S. Agricultural Research Institute launched The Obama administration launched the National Institute of Food (NIFA) a new agricultural research institute. But farm lobbyists and others warned that its success depends on whether Congress agrees to substantially increase funding for farm research. Read more
Addressing animal health knowledge gaps in Southern countries Livestock are a key asset for the global poor. However, access to relevant information is a critical issue for both livestock development practitioners and the poor themselves. Read more
Using mobile phones to monitor cattle disease The London International Development Centre (LIDC) organised a workshop to discuss the ‘Impact of Mobile Phones Upon Development and Health’. Three speakers spoke on the use of mobile phones and animal health in Africa. Read more
WorldFish Center explores challenges to the sustainability of fisheries posed by climate change Research being conducted by the WorldFish Center on impacts, mitigation and adaptation aims to make fisheries and aquaculture systems more resilient to the challenge of global climate change. Read more
Status of postgraduate training in the livestock sector in West and Central Africa (CORAF region) Status Report by Adama Traore on Status of postgraduate training in the livestock sector in West and Central Africa (CORAF region) and priorities for ILRI’s support. Read more
Commercialization of livestock agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities For too long, the potential of the livestock sector in Africa has not received the attention it deserves. Policies and other institutions promoting livestock development have been weak or absent in most African countries. Read more
FAO and non-governmental organizations got together to focus on livestock development issues The current global animal production landscape is wide, complex and multifaceted. FAO recognizes the important role played by the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in promoting responsible livestock practices as part of their programme and that there are opportunities for greater cooperation. Read more
The Role of livestock for ACP countries: challenges and opportunities ahead (sources of information) Read more
The role of livestock for ACP countries: challenges and opportunities ahead (report) Read more
Resources on the role of livestock sector in ACP countries: a reader Read more
Videos on the role of livestock for ACP countries
A) Presentation by Mr. Philippe Steinmetz (European Network on Livestock, ELIDEV) on 'Future policy challenges and opportunities for the ACP livestock sector' [video] B) Presentation by Dr Francis Asiedu (CARDI) on 'Future policy challenges and opportunities for the ACP livestock sector' [video] C) Presentation by Mr. Paul J. Strydom (General Manager, Meat Board of Namibia) on 'Future policy challenges and opportunities for the ACP livestock sector' [video] D) Presentation by Ms. Nancy Morgan (Livestock expert, World Bank) on 'Future policy challenges and opportunities for the ACP livestock sector' [video] E) Presentation by H.E. Stephen Katenta-Apuli (Ambassador of Uganda) on 'Future policy challenges and opportunities for the ACP livestock sector' [video] F) Presentation by Dr. Vittorio Cagnolati (Expert, AU/IBAR) on 'The role of livestock for ACP Economies and the drivers of change" [video] G) Presentation by Dr Howard Batho (DG Sanco) on 'The role of livestock for ACP Economies and the drivers of change' [video] H) Presentation by Dr Carlos Seré (ILRI) on 'The role of livestock for ACP Economies and the drivers of change' [video] I) Presentation by Mr. Eric Thys (Department of Animal Health/ITMA) on 'The role of livestock for ACP Economies and the drivers of change' [video]
Family farming: new opportunities for agriculture - LEISA's Farm Family farming offers a global solution to the rising demand for food, even while the agricultural sector is expected to be hard hit by the effects of climate change. Read more
FAO and traditional knowledge The report from FAO explains ways that it includes traditional and local knowledge and activities in its policies, programmes and projects. Read more
Farmers can use phones to beat climate change The small holder farmer in Africa has always depended on instinct, a bit of observation, and knowledge passed on from his forefathers. Using instinct a farmer would predict the rainy season and dry season. Today, the same farmer can neither predict the rainy nor the dry season. Read more
Mobile-based livelihood services for individuals, small farms and micro & small enterprises in Africa: pilots and early deployments The conference, Mobile Phones and the Internet in Latin America and Africa: What Benefits for the Most Disadvantaged? was a great opportunity to exchange insights between researchers working across disciplines and geographies. Read more
Role of the media in agricultural development There is no doubt that agriculture is back on the development agenda. But despite the promises and the rhetoric from governments worldwide, investment in agriculture and rural development is still lagging. Read more
Mobile information services in agriculture and rural development CTA's ICT Observatory explores 'mobile services for agricultural and rural development’. Read more
CABI Summit discusses ICTs for agricultural development In October this year, a session at the CABI Summit discussed Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in agricultural development. Read more
Promising opportunities for agricultural information specialists At the 15th RIBDA conference in Peru, Peter Ballantyne reflected on some promising opportunities for information and communication specialists working in agriculture. http://iaald.blogspot.com/2009/10/promising-opportunities-for.html
New Book from IFPRI - Millions Fed: Proven Successes in Agricultural Development A new book from IFPRI has brought together the major successes in agricultural development that have lifted millions of people out of hunger over the past 50 years.Read more
Global recommitment to agriculture. CGIAR Annual Report 2008. This report describes the impact of the CGIAR in its stakeholders' words, its commitment in a time of change, commitment to partnerships, centers supported by the CGIAR, challenge programs, commitment to excellence (science awards, performance measurement, CGIAR in the news, CGIAR gender and diversity program, system office - central services for centers. Read more
Digital Soil Mapping helps continent's farmers In Africa, digital concepts have been largely missing in agricultural planning, but now African scientists are working with their western counterparts to bring the benefits of digital mapping to the continent. Read more
Farmers as shareholders: a close look at recent experience This bulletin is written for people who want to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of ‘farmers as shareholders’, that is, including small-scale farmers’ groups and associations in the ownership of companies that add value and market their produce. Read more
What has 1 billion YouTube watchers to do with African agriculture FARA presented at the CTA conference on Media and Agriculture some statistics on the number of videos existing on Youtube on agriculture in Africa and Dorienne Rowan Campbell of the Networked Intelligence for Development in Jamaica explained that NID is using YouTube videos to show farmers innovative climate adaptation techniques. Read more
Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Challenge Programme Overcome critical gaps in knowledge of how to enhance – and manage the tradeoffs between – food security, livelihood and environmental goals in the face of a changing climate. Read more
Latest AfricaAdapt YouTube videos Three Kenyan Climate Change Fellowship recipients from the CCAA-START programme attended a recent AfricaAdapt Meet and Greet in Nairobi. They told us about the research that they have been conducting on adaptation to climate change. Read more
The marketing of agricultural products through ICT 23 - 25 November. Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso. The forum ‘The marketing of agricultural products through ICT’ aimed to increase the impact of the lessons learned and build the national network for ICT and development in Burkina Faso. Read more
The food economy: global issues and challenges The food economy is increasingly shaped by such new issues as sustainability, safety and quality standards, consumer health, and industry concentration. Read more
Latest book on Climate Change in Africa Africa has contributed very little to global warming. But reliance on agriculture, land and natural resources, as well as high levels of poverty and poor governance has made Africa particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Read more
CGIAR change video “We have success stories to share. However we need impact at scale. A revitalized CGIAR is part of the solution. And mindsets are changing; from skepticism to interest. Step by step we are embracing change. And now it’s your chance to get involved.” Read more
Testimonials on national statistical information systems for food and agriculture CountrySTAT is a national statistical information system for food and agriculture. The system harmonizes and integrates data on food and agriculture coming from different sources. Read more
Prize for Arid and Semi-Arid Zones 5 – 7 November. Budapest, Hungary. 4th edition of the World Science Forum under the theme "Knowledge and Future". Read more
Innovation platforms and networks Peter Ballantyne recently interviewed three researchers about their research work on innovation systems. Read more
Research into use launches RIUtv As part of its communications strategy, the DFID-funded Research Into Use Programme (RIU) has launched an on-line television channel – RIUtv. Read more
Pre-announcement for a Research Fellow on innovation systems and local knowledge CIRAD will soon be seeking a highly qualified and motivated professional in the field of agriculture and rural development to become a full-time research fellow within the context of the EC-funded JOLISAA (Joint Learning on Innovation Systems in African Agriculture) project it coordinates. Read more
The results - RIU Best Bets: East, Central and Southern Africa Four successful proposals, representing a total investment by RIU (Research Into Use) of more than £1.5 million, were announced at RIU Best Bets event, held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 26 and 27 November 2009. Read more
Agribusiness and innovation systems in Africa A new World Bank publication examines how agricultural innovation arises in four African countries - Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda - through the lens of agribusiness, public policies, and specific value chains for food staples, high value products, and livestock. Read more
Agricultural innovation in Africa: addressing climate-smart growth The Belfer Center’s new Agricultural Innovation in Africa project will work to address the dual challenges of climate change and food shortages. Read more
Current trends in Agricultural Information Services for farmers The IFLA Agricultural Libraries Special Interest Group in association with IAALD (International Association of Agricultural information Specialists) invites papers to be presented at a two-hour session to be held at the World Library and Information Congress: 76th IFLA General Conference at Gothenburg, Sweden, 10-15 August 2010. Read more
Policy dialogue on promoting access to regional and international markets for agricultural commodities in Africa 18 – 20 February 2010. Nairobi, Kenya. A workshop on Policy Dialogue on Promoting Access to Regional and International Markets for Agricultural Commodities in Africa will be held. Read more
2010 African Agriculture Science Competitions and Awards (25‐40 years old) for the most promising and innovative young scientists as future African leaders and innovators. Submit abstracts to agsci_award@fara‐africa.org with copy to sciencecom@cta.int by 20 January 2010. More information at: www.fara‐africa.org
FARA's bulletin is published monthly by the FARA Secretariat. It is aimed at improving exchange of information and promoting partnerships. Information in this bulletin is received from FARA's diverse stakeholders. FARA welcomes such contributions from all stakeholders in African agricultural research and development, which should be submitted by email to: info@fara-africa.org. For more information on any of the news items reported here, please contact Dr. Monty Jones (FARA Executive Director) by email at: mjones@fara-africa.org.
Please check your contact information and update your profile on www.fara-africa.org
FARA bi-Monthly bulletin volume 5, no 5 (November-December 2009)
Connecting to Facebook
