Rainforest biodiversity – provider of services and hope against climate change
Multiple climate records were broken in 2016, according to a report published by the World Meteorological Organization this morning. Hearing about record high global temperature, exceptionally low sea ice, and persistent sea level rise was admittedly not the best start for celebrating the fifth International Day of Forests. Yet we need to be reminded…
How can we inspire young people to pursue careers in agriculture?
Recently I had the opportunity to return to my old university – The University of Sheffield – and take part in a networking event for early career researchers in plant physiology. The event was fully booked and attended by people soon to finish their undergraduate degrees, through to those with a good few years of…
CABI trains partners in developing communication materials on rice in West Africa
James Watiti delivering a presentation at the workshop Poor translation of scientific and technical research outputs is hindering the achievement of development goals. Appropriate communication language and easily understood formats which can then be adopted by farmers is key. To address this challenge, CABI helps facilitate the use of scientific knowledge and expertise in solving…
From young farmers to ‘agripreneurs’ in Nigeria – my experience volunteering
Igangan Young Farmers displaying their first bumper harvest with the help of VSO volunteers. Agriculture in Nigeria remains an integral part of the economy and the culture. Currently two thirds of the entire workforce is employed in the sector, contributing 19.7% to national GDP in 2016 (FAO & National Bureau of Statistics). Youth unemployment…
Extension staff knowledge enhanced on ISFM practices and innovative fertilizer use
The increasing negative impact of climate change on agricultural production has led to food insecurity in many rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Unpredictable rainfall patterns coupled with wide spread pest and disease infestation and high input prices are some limitations smallholder farmers face in producing food. As a result, they are unable to produce at…
Changing farmer perceptions using radio campaigns in Malawi
Photo: Cyrial Mangochi, Brighton Mzama, Isaac Banda and Everess Mzama from Choma radio listening group. In Kalilangwe village in the Nkhotankota district of Malawi we meet Everess Chilchungu, Cyrial Mangochi, Brighton and Agness Mzama – farmers from the Choma radio group who have been listening to the ‘Cassava Plant doctor on air’ show. After a warm…
Author of the Month, Sustainable Island Tourism, Muzaffer Uysal
Islands are popular destinations for millions of travellers. However, the levels of development, tourism infrastructure and accessibility, resource base and governance may differ a great deal from island to island. Each island destination is unique and has its own challenges and developmental opportunities. This book does not offer a definition for islands; rather, it presents…
Indigenous knowledge to enlighten sustainable development
Indigenous peoples are characterised by having their own land to which they are connected at various levels, and protecting this special relationship has attracted a great deal of media attention recently. Demonstrations have resumed demanding a stop to the construction of Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines for oil transportation as campaigners and experts say…
Cancer, burnt toast and roast potatoes
I should think the entire western world is now afraid to eat their roast potatoes. This comes after the international media coverage of the UK Food Standards Agency’s new campaign “"Go for Gold” , [@CABI_Health 23rd Jan ], which hopes to encourage us (UK) to reduce acrylamide in our diet by cooking starchy foods…
Author of the Month: Tourism and Geopolitics, Derek Hall
Recently, the financial pages of our daily newspapers have highlighted how the shares of major tourism and travel companies have fared in ‘weathering the recent storm’. While climate change and turbulent weather per se have contributed their part to this metaphor, the allusion is mainly directed towards the impacts on tourism and travel behaviour of…