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…
Tourism and Social Justice
Yesterday (25 January) saw CABI’s first venture into organizing a symposium in the field of tourism, with a stimulating line-up of speakers assembling at London South Bank University, the co-sponsor and host institution of the event. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy, and has particular importance in many small…
Access to market key to adopting improved legume technologies
Some of the farmers that participated in the a meeting with CABI/AFAP team in December 2016 in Chalangwa village, Chunya district, Mbeya region. Second from left is the District Agricultural Officer Mr. Augustine Ndelwa. Photo: Abigael Mchana, CABI By Monica Kansiime, Seed systems scientist, CABI In the southern highlands of Tanzania, people’s livelihoods are dependent…
Author of the Month: Big Data’s Big Potential in Developing Economies, Nir Kshetri
Big data’s role in addressing the root causes of poverty There clearly are some signs of big data-led political, economic and social transformations taking place in developing countries. Early evidence has shown the huge potential benefits that can be realized by implementing big data in diverse fields that are critical to the future of these…