Happy Lunar New Year 2009!
40-kg technology for enough, healthy seedlings
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 […]
Vatican blames profiteers and GMOs for the food crisis
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 […]
Participatory techniques useful in selecting appropriate crop breeds
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 […]
Its hybrid rice time in Malaysia
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 […]
Another rice crisis in the offing this year
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 […]
Mali Farmers take to computers
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 […]
World rice prices to go up again says IRRI
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 […]
Thousands of Indian farmers are committing suicide after using GMOs
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 […]
Cambodia: investing in land and food for foreigners
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 […]
