Sub-Saharan Africa must focus on expanding and intensifying smallholder agriculture backed by manufacturing exports to meet Millennium Development Goals. The region's agricultural growth has stagnated for 30 years, making it crucial to address practical challenges facing farmers and private investors.
Cornell University has been awarded a $300,000 USAID grant to implement two development programs in India. The Agriculture in Developing Nations course will be taught at Cornell and partner institutions in India, sensitizing students and policymakers on how to improve productivity and competitiveness in agriculture. For executives, the...
Kansas State University professor James Stack presents a paper on the National Plant and Diagnostic Network, which uses diagnostic centers, regional labs, and expert databases to rapidly detect and diagnose potential bio threats in crops and livestock. The network has already been effective in detecting natural outbreaks like BSE and s...
Fourteen individuals elected to Soil Science Society of America Fellowship for professional achievements and meritorious service in the field. The award honors outstanding contributions to agronomy and soil sciences.
Experts from USDA, Texas A&M University, and the National Food Processors Association will present on strategies to protect America's agriculture and food supply from terrorism and biological threats. Initiatives include improved communication, rapid detection, and emergency response planning to prevent outbreaks and ensure food security.
A recent poll found that New Yorkers are divided on the use of biotechnology in food and agriculture, with 39% opposed to its use. The study also revealed demographic differences among those who support or oppose biotechnology, with opponents being more likely to be female, liberal, and younger.
Dr. Gonsalves' research discovery led to the development of enhanced papaya varieties resistant to ringspot virus, now widely planted and valued at over $14 million annually. His work has significantly impacted Hawaii's papaya production, saving the industry from devastating losses.
The University of California, Riverside is part of PIPRA, a collaborative effort to review public sector patenting practices and develop shared technology packages. This initiative aims to enhance the impact of technology transfer on public benefit, addressing critical global agricultural needs.
The International Council for Science (ICSU) has released a report synthesizing over 50 science-based reviews on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and agriculture. The report addresses key questions on the safety, environmental impact, and regulations of GM foods.
New guidelines published in Agronomy Journal provide a standardized approach to soil surveying and mapping, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions. The technology is expected to revolutionize the agricultural industry within the next one to two decades.
A New Mexico State University scientist's study reveals that the cost of maintaining the upstream habitat for the endangered silvery minnow results in a net gain of $68,000 per year for New Mexico agriculture. However, central New Mexico agricultural users and Albuquerque residents would lose $68,000 annually, while southern New Mexico...
Researchers studied DNA sequences to understand co-evolutionary system between ants, garden fungi and parasitic fungal weeds. They found that the system has been locked in an evolutionary 'arms race' for millions of years.
Researchers from Purdue's schools of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and IU School of Medicine will collaborate to study human diseases using animal models, improving understanding of muscle wasting, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. The $4.5M program aims to develop new treatments for devastating childhood diseases.
The report highlights agriculture's significant impact on urban daily life, from green industry to economic benefits and crime reduction. It proposes initiatives for collaboration between agricultural science, higher education, research, and government to remain relevant to society.
A NASA study analyzed satellite data from 1997-2000 and found that the transition from El Nino to La Nina reversed rainfall patterns in Africa, affecting vegetation greenness. This reversal has implications for agriculture, livestock farming, and vector-borne disease outbreaks.
New research reveals that health problems among American Indians began thousands of years ago, with agriculture and urbanization contributing to a decline in overall health. Indigenous groups living along coastal areas had the healthiest skeletons, while nomads and rural settlers were also among the healthiest groups.
The new assessment tool identifies critical nodes in agricultural production processes and assesses relative vulnerability to attacks. Local authorities will use the process to evaluate their capability to respond and identify needs for additional planning, training, and equipment.
The Kansas State University-led consortium aims to develop carbon sequestration strategies for U.S. agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas accumulation. The project will provide tools and information for farmers to implement soil carbon sequestration programs, improving the nation's farmlands and agricultural economy.
The study highlights the environmental and human health problems associated with industrial agriculture, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and increased antibiotic resistance. Sustainable agriculture methods offer a viable alternative, including reducing meat consumption to alleviate pressure on natural resources.
Researchers discuss innovative examples of sustainable agriculture, such as the Ecological System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which trains farmers to adopt environmentally friendly techniques. SRI has successfully increased rice yields without relying on herbicides and pesticides, improving food security in Cambodia and Asia.
The new center will focus on developing solutions to the two major threats to honeybees, including parasitic mites and Africanized honeybees. It aims to create mite-resistant stocks of honeybees using molecular technologies and traditional breeding methods.
The Texas A&M University Institute for Countermeasures against Agricultural Bioterrorism aims to develop research tools to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on agriculture. The institute will utilize cutting-edge technologies such as surveillance networking, satellite imaging, and biotechnology to create a proactive defense system.
A new study from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and Mayo Clinic found that women in western Africa need more energy than men based on their work burden. The research determined that women worked two to three hours more per day than men, resulting in a 30% increase in energy needs.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded a $3 million grant to researchers at North Carolina State University to develop genetically improved strains of the fast-growing loblolly pine. The goal is to produce high-quality wood quickly and efficiently, reducing logging in natural forests and preserving biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered evidence of agriculture dating back 1,400 years to the Princess Point people in southwestern Ontario. Well-preserved remnants of these ancient corn crops can still be found in the area, providing valuable insights into the transition from a hunting and gathering society to an agricultural one.
Researchers at Queen's University have discovered potent antifreeze proteins in insects, which can withstand temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. The findings hold promise for agriculture and the frozen food industry, potentially extending growing seasons and improving crop yields.
Richard M. Amasino, a plant molecular biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been awarded the 1999 Alexander von Humboldt Award for his groundbreaking research on flowering time and senescence in plants. His discoveries have significant implications for agriculture, with potential to improve crop yields and resistance.
A study by UC Davis scientists reveals that two organisms - a fungus and a bacterium - cause blossom blight in strawberries. The fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides renders the fruit unattractive, while the bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae causes occasional fruit loss, mainly of minor economic importance.
Bioterrorism poses a significant threat to US agriculture, with pathogens like soybean rust capable of devastating yields and contaminating the food supply. Experts are working to identify the most-threatening pathogens and develop strategies for prevention and response.
Researchers found that sites with high agricultural land had a stronger correlation with red-legged frog declines than UV radiation or global warming. The study suggests that wind-borne pesticides from the Central Valley may be contributing to the frogs' decline in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Representatives from government agencies, industry, and academia will discuss regulatory aspects of pesticide residues in foods. The symposium will also examine global food safety standards concerning heavy metals, mold toxins, and other contaminants.
Invasive pests are harming California's agricultural industry, ornamental plants, and wildlife. The glassy-winged sharpshooter spreads Xylella fastidiosa, causing Pierce's disease in grapevines and almond leaf scorch disease, while yellow starthistle infests 22% of the state, replacing desirable vegetation.
The new genomics center will be linked to several institutions, including the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and will strengthen existing databases for grain and plant genetics. This partnership aims to provide an internationally valuable resource for research storage and analysis of genetic data.
The article explores how biotechnology is changing agriculture, including the use of transgenic crops and genetic engineering. While these technologies offer benefits like effective pest control, they also raise concerns about patenting life forms and potential problems with pest resistance.
Charles Rick's half-century of research at UC Davis forged a fundamental understanding of tomato genetics. He identified 42 disease-resistance genes and bred them into commercial varieties, benefiting almost every other vegetable crop worldwide.
A new RFF issues brief highlights the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture, with estimates suggesting a modest reduction in grain production in developing countries and improvements in industrialized nations. However, the author notes that regional changes are highly uncertain due to varying climate models.
The Cornell University scientists are leading an effort to develop agricultural systems that explicitly improve human health. The new approach, known as a 'food systems' approach, aims to increase the availability of micronutrients like iron in staple crops, reducing illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
The USDA has developed Z-Trim, a low-cost agricultural byproduct-based fat substitute with a smooth mouth feel. It can supply important texture qualities in foods like cheese products and baked goods, reducing calories by up to 700 per day.
The US Department of Agriculture has introduced Mediterranean mites to control field bindweed, a perennial weed that infests millions of acres of wheat, corn and other crops in the Pacific Northwest. The mites feed on bindweed leaves, causing galls to form, which weaken the weed and make it more susceptible to herbicides.
A new diagnostic test uses purified proteins to detect Neospora caninum, a parasite causing cattle abortions. The test has been developed by the US Department of Agriculture and is expected to be commercially available within two to three years.