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Punjab Agriculture University develops Bt cotton variety with reusable seeds
India, 10 March 2017
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed the first genetically-modified (Bt) cotton seeds that can be reused, resulting in saving of input cost to farmers.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/punjab-agriculture-university-develops-bt-cotton-variety-with-reusable-seeds/articleshow/57578735.cms
China urged to help agriculture sector
Islamabad, 12 March 2017
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has requested Chinese authorities to assist Pakis–tan’s agriculture sector to overcome the effect of climate change by initiating projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1319955/china-urged-to-help-agriculture-sector
Portugal, Nigeria partner to enhance tropical agriculture, food security
12 March 2017
THE Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Education, Professor Manuel Heitor has indicated the interest of Portuguese government to partner with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to expand technologies with a view to enhancing tropical agriculture and food security in Nigeria.
http://tribuneonlineng.com/portugal-nigeria-partner-enhance-tropical-agriculture-food-security/
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CLIMATE CHANGE
New research links climate change with state of food insecurity in Trans-Himalayan regions
6 March 2017
New research published in Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, has shed light on the new aspects of climate change in Nepal's Himalayan region and has linked it with the state of food insecurity in the Trans-Himalayan land of Upper Mustang.
The research article titled The State of Food (In)Security in the Trans-Himalaya, Upper-Mustang, Nepal has concluded that many households in Upper Mustang are facing severe to chronic food insecurity in terms of self-production.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170306/New-research-links-climate-change-with-state-of-food-insecurity-in-Trans-Himalayan-regions.aspx
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DROUGHTS
EU donates Sh2.5b to fight raging drought in Kenya
9 March 2017
Kenya has received Sh2.5 billion from the European Union to counter the ongoing drought. The funds, which will be managed by the National Drought Management Authority, will be used to contain the impact of the drought among the most affected communities, especially in northern Kenya and the Coast region.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001231970/eu-donates-sh2-5b-to-fight-raging-drought-in-kenya
Cuba Faced With Worst Drought in 115 Years
Havana, 12 March 2017
The negative impact of a severe drought Cuba is undergoing not only affects animal and human water consumption but is now directly affecting food security. Cuba is facing its worst drought in 115 years. An abrupt intensification of the phenomenon since the 1960s and predictions of prolonged dry periods going forward, demand a change of vision in dealing with the problem.
http://plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=10320&SEO=cuba-faced-with-worst-drought-in-115-years
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FLOODS
Clevedon hit hard by torrential flooding
8 March 2017
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/90190007/Clevedon-hit-hard-by-torrential-flooding
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FOOD SECURITY
FAO Supports Indonesia's Efforts to Achieve Food Security
Jakarta, 13 March 2017
FAO regional representative for Asia and the Pacific Kundhavi Kadiresan met with Indonesian Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman in order to exchange views on the growing collaboration between the FAO and the Indonesian government. “FAO appreciates Indonesia’s achievements with respect to rice in 2016, resulting from major investment by the Government, and the Ministry of Agriculture itself, largely in infrastructure. The next step is to build a competitive and diversified agricultural sector that promotes farmer livelihoods and improved nutrition for all Indonesians,” Kadiresan said in a press release.
https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2017/03/13/055855442/FAO-Supports-Indonesias-Efforts-to-Achieve-Food-Security
Nigeria launches Economic recovery plan; targets 10 GW, food security
7 March 2017
Nigeria has finally launched the long-awaited Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, a medium-term plan for 2017-2020, broadly targeting restoration of growth, human development and globally competitive economy, in efforts to combat current economic crisis and achieve sustained diversification and inclusiveness.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/225479-nigeria-launches-economic-recovery-plan-targets-10-gw-food-security.html
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IRRIGATION
$151 million for irrigation upgrades
6 March 2017
Around 200 irrigators will receive close to $151 million in funding from the federal government to upgrade and modernise their on-farm water infrastructure. The funding comes from the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program as part of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan.
The allocation is the fifth round of funding from the program specifically to improve on-farm irrigation, totalling more than $500 million since the implementation of the Plan.
http://www.irrigator.com.au/story/4509216/151-million-for-irrigation-upgrading/
Cuba Using Efficient Irrigation to Cope With Severe Drought
Havana, 11 March 2017
Cuba is increasing the use of more efficient irrigation techniques to cope with the severe drought that is affecting 70% of its territory, said an official of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources. Jose Antonio Hernández, head of INRH's Rational Use of Water section, added that under the supervision and help of the State farmers are introducing crops which are more resistant to lack of water.
http://plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=10314&SEO=cuba-using-efficient-irrigation-to-cope-with-severe-drought
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Keeping Singapore's taps flowing in the quest for a robust water supply
12 March 2017
Millions are being invested in producing and conveying water. Insight looks at Singapore's quest for a robust supply.
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/keeping-the-nations-taps-flowing
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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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