AsiaDHRRA Online

FarmFriday presents this interesting reading  about “how large food companies and multinationals, and a select group of supermarket chains have expanded enormously and have captured profit making opportunities in developing countries. Their influence is restructuring developing countries’ agricultural systems and processing industries in such a way that many poor and marginalised groups might remain excluded.” [...]

For FarmFriday we have this fine tip from PhilRice about planting healthy seedlings.. Sowing the right amount of seeds results in strong and healthy seedlings. Hence, rice experts recommend the use of 40 kg certified seeds of an inbred variety or 20 kg hybrid for one hectare. This 40-kg technology disproves the common belief that [...]

Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace said the scandal of hunger in the world continues to be of concern. Famine and lack of nutrition are to be blamed on the poor distribution of plentiful foodstuffs, not overpopulation, he said. The responsibility for the food crisis “is in the hands [...]

TechTuesday gifts you with this toolbox from the TacticalCollective via Eldis containing tips, techniques and advice on using new technologies for advocacy. How can Web 2.0 new interactive internet tools and multimedia be used for advocacy and international development? The toolkit provides information and advice on developing your communication and advocacy strategy and using the following types of [...]

The LSFM Program is pleased to announce the publication (print and digital) of the following books: 1. Value Chain Analysis Report: Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam 2. Mapping of Marketing Initiatives by CSOs: Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam The books are available in print and in PDF for immediate download (click on the link to view or [...]

AsiaDHRRA together with the  Cambodian Center for Study and Development of Agriculture (CEDAC) will hold the Second Regional Training Workshop entitled “Complying with Market Requirements on Food Safety and Product Quality” under the Linking Small Farmers Project (LSFM) supported by the ASEAN Foundation and the World Rural Forum on January 19-23, 2009 in Monoreach Angkor [...]

FarmFriday showcases this excellenet research work on “Participatory variety selection and characterization of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) elite accessions from Malawian gene pool using farmer and breeder knowledge” Plant breeding and agricultural promotion programmes in Malawi continue to be patterned after those in western industrialised countries – heavily dependent on inputs. This strategy has [...]

HungerWednesday again! We feature this article from grain about how the popularity of hybrid rice is slowly killing off public breeding in Malaysia. Grain GRAIN visited the Penang research station of the . We wanted to check-in with Malaysia’s rice breeders about the status of hybrid rice in the country. One of Malaysian Agriculture and [...]

HungerWednesday brings this disturbing forecast of a rice crisis occuring this year because of the worldwide credit crisis. MANILA, Philippines – A drop in oil and fertilizer costs has halved the price of rice — a staple for almost 700 million of Asia’s poorest — but it could jump again this year as farmers struggle [...]

TechTuesday bring this fascinating account of how african farmers in Mali are using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to better their lives. The bus to Sikasso was waiting in front of the hotel, already loaded with four translators and their technician with his equipment, two ladies introduced to me as ‘hostesses,’ Mady, the cheerful local [...]

Inquirer.Net MANILA, Philippines — World rice prices are likely to rise sharply for the second straight year in 2009 as the global economic slowdown hits farmers and consumers alike, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) warned Friday. The worldwide credit crunch will make it hard for farmers to secure cash to purchase essentials such as [...]

GlobalResearch When Prince Charles claimed thousands of Indian farmers were killing themselves after using GM crops, he was branded a scaremonger. In fact, as this chilling dispatch reveals, it’s even WORSE than he feared. The children were inconsolable. Mute with shock and fighting back tears, they huddled beside their mother as friends and neighbours prepared [...]

HungerWednesday brings this worrisome development in Cambodia. This is probably happening in other third world countries too. Grain Cambodia is a major target of the global landgrabbing surge that began in March this year when the world food crisis was at its peak. High-ranking foreign delegations have regularly been visiting Phnom Penh, looking to strike [...]