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Ethiopian Immigrants Aim To Bring Traditional Agriculture To Israel
13 February 2017
Addis Alam, a new agriculture association started by two Ethiopian-Israeli brothers, aims to grow traditional Ethiopian produce in Israel.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Ethiopian-immigrants-aim-to-bring-traditional-agriculture-to-Israel-481427
Saudi government approves $24.5bn support for agriculture, water, environment
13 February 2017
Saudi Arabia has approved financial support for the environment, water and agriculture sectors worth SAR92bn ($24.5bn) to help them meet their goals under the government’s 2030 economic plan, the minister handling the sectors said on Sunday
http://gulfbusiness.com/saudi-government-approves-24-5bn-support-agriculture-water-environment/
'Solar-based agriculture may help enhance crop yields'
Pakistan, 19 February 2017
Punjab Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Mahmood said that solar-based agriculture and use of modern technologies could enhance crop yields by manifolds.
http://dailytimes.com.pk/punjab/19-Feb-17/solar-based-agriculture-may-help-enhance-crop-yields
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change and food security are inextricably linked at global scale
Dubai, 13 February 2017
Climate change must be urgently addressed to ensure global food security, according to experts speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Speaking at the summit, UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment Dr Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi noted that, on a global scale, food continues to be wasted at a tremendous rate. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, noted that the climate change and its potential impact on food production would likely fall disproportionately on the world's poor.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/government/climate-change-and-food-security-are-inextricably-linked-at-global-scale
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DROUGHTS
How Oroville went from drought to an overflowing dam in just two years
California, 14 February 2017
An unusual amount of rain, climate change and unexpected erosion of an emergency spillway created a perfect storm at Lake Oroville in California.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/14/oroville-dam-flooding-california-drought-weather
Ravaging Drought Deepens in Kenya
Nairobi, 13 February 2017
Experts warn that Kenya is in the grip of the worst drought in recent history as government estimates show the number of people who are acutely food insecure has risen to 2.7 million, up from two million in January. This has necessitated the government to declare the crisis a national disaster as large parts of the country continue to succumb to the ravaging drought. At least 11,000 livestock across the country are facing imminent death due to lack of water and pasture, this is according to the National Drought Management Authority.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/02/ravaging-drought-deepens-in-kenya/
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FLOODS
High risk of flooding in Northern California as waterways reach their limits
California, 19 February 2017
Officials said Sunday there is a high risk of flooding in parts of already-saturated Northern California as the latest “atmospheric river” storm moves in. The heaviest rain is expected to hit on Monday and Tuesday. Parts of Northern California are already on track to have the wettest winter ever recorded.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-flood-risk-20170219-story.html
Storm Dineo lashes Mozambique, raises flood risk
16 February 2017
Tropical storm Dineo lashed Mozambique, raising the risk of flooding and crop damage in an impoverished southern African nation susceptible to such disasters. One of the world's poorest countries that is in the throes of a financial crisis, Mozambique is prone to flooding. It is especially vulnerable after a major drought last year as soils degraded or hardened by dry spells do not easily absorb water.
http://news.trust.org/item/20170216130357-hqto4/
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FOOD SECURITY
Food security at risk as dreaded pest slips into African countries
Kenya Daily Nation, 14 February 2017
Scientists are calling for urgent action to contain the spread of a pest that is destroying maize crops and spreading rapidly across Africa.
Researchers tracking a crop-destroying caterpillar known as the fall armyworm say it is now spreading rapidly across mainland Africa and could reach tropical Asia and the Mediterranean in the next few years, threatening agricultural trade.
http://reliefweb.int/report/world/food-security-risk-dreaded-pest-slips-african-countries
Namibia seeks further cooperation with China, UN in food security
14 February 2017
Namibia is seeking to continue its cooperation with China and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in promoting food security.
https://www.newsghana.com.gh/namibia-seeks-further-cooperation-with-china-un-in-food-security/
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IRRIGATION
3.9 % decrease of irrigation water used in agriculture in 2015
Philippines, 14 January 2017
The amount of irrigation water used for agriculture reached 36.75bn cubic meters in 2015, compared to 38.26bn cubic metres in 2014, a decrease of 3.9%.
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2017/02/14/3-9-decrease-irrigation-water-used-agriculture-2015/
Tanzania: Simiyu Allocates 3,000 Acres to Irrigation Farming
14 February 2017
Simiyu Region has allocated at least 3,000 acres to pilot irrigation farming at Mwananyili area in Busega District, in efforts to turn the newly formed region into food production hub.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201702140411.html
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
White Water: NASA Probes Snow's Effect on Water Resources
17 February 2017
Grand Mesa and Senator Beck Basin in Colorado, two sites where scientists with NASA's SnowEx are analyzing snow to unravel its unique role as a global water resource.
http://www.livescience.com/57935-nasa-studies-snow-water-resources.html
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
13th International Drainage Workshop (IDW), Ahwaz City, Iran, 4-7 March 2017, Theme: Drainage and Environmental Sustainability.
Website:http://idw13.org
68th IEC and 23rd ICID Congress on Irrigation and Drainage, 8-14 October 2017, on the theme: Modernizing Irrigation and Drainage for a new Green Revolution, Mexico City, Mexico, 8-14 October 2017.
Website: http://www.icid2017.org/
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LATEST PUBLICATION(S)
National Agriculture Policy, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, September 2016.
Agriculture remains the mainstay of Malawi’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, economic growth, export earnings, poverty reduction, food security, and nutrition. It also plays a critical role in ensuring sustainable use of natural resources. All of these pose a threat to food security and nutrition in the face of a growing population, increased land pressure, and climate change. In trying to address these challenges in the past, Malawi has over-concentrated on maize self-sufficiency for food and tobacco as a cash crop, at the expense of other agricultural commodities, including livestock and fisheries. Moreover, the sector remains predominantly subsistence-oriented. In response, the NAP seeks to sustainably transform the sector from subsistence to a market orientation in order to increase agricultural production, marketed surpluses of commodities, and real incomes.
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/NAP_Final_Signed.pdf
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