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International agriculture conference to be held in Ireland next week
31 Aug, 2017
International scientists are preparing to gather for the 17th international RAMIRAN conference, which will be held in Wexford from September 4 to September 6. Over 120 talks will summarise the latest cutting-edge research findings on technologies for increasing the value of organic residues and increasing their sustainable use within agriculture. This is the first time that the world-leading bi-annual conference will be held in Ireland.
http://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/teagasc-to-host-international-agriculture-conference-next-week/#
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Conservative groups shrug off link between tropical storm Harvey and climate change
30 Aug, 2017
Conservative groups with close links to the Trump administration have sought to ridicule the link between climate change and events such as tropical storm Harvey, amid warnings from scientists that storms are being exacerbated by warming temperatures.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/30/tropical-storm-harvey-climate-change-conservatives-donald-trump
Malawian farmers adapt in the face of climate change
31 Aug, 2017
Malawi has not been spared from the early impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are already affecting the southeast African nation, particularly the agricultural sector. The El Nino weather phenomenon, which has been impacting southern Africa for the past two years, is exacerbating the situation.
http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/malawian_farmers_adapt_in_the_face_of_climate_change/
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DROUGHTS
Drought affects millions in Indonesia
31 Aug, 2017
Jakarta: Millions of people across Indonesia are facing failed harvests and a shortage of clean water as a result of worsening drought conditions. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency has predicted this year's dry season may go into the next month.
http://www.tnp.sg/news/world/drought-affects-millions-indonesia
Italy drought: Rome forced to cut water pressure
29 Aug, 2017
It has hardly rained in Rome for months and, with Romans returning from their summer holidays, the city's water company has decided to act. From next week water pressure will be cut during the night on peak days in September. Water company Acea says it has managed to plug 1,300 water leaks since May.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-4108106
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FLOODS
Google commits $1 million to flood relief ops in India, Nepal, Bangladesh
31 Aug,
2017
Lending a helping hand in the flood relief operations in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, Google has committed $1 million to NGOs Goonj and Save the Children. The company aims that this donation will help provide flood relief to 1,60,000 people across the three nations.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/google-commits-1-million-to-flood-relief-ops-in-india-nepal-bangladesh/articleshow/60307082.cms
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FOOD SECURITY
Most ASAL households to remain food insecure despite improved rains
30 Aug, 2017
Nairobi: According to the latest food security prognosis by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the rains are expected to improve livestock body conditions as well as milk production and livestock sales which will enhance the food security situation in pastoral households in counties classified as Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL).
https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2017/08/asal-households-remain-food-insecure-despite-improved-rains/
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IRRIGATION
Leaf sensors can tell farmers when crops need to be watered
30 Aug, 2017
Plant-based sensors that measure the thickness and electrical capacitance of leaves show great promise for telling farmers when to activate their irrigation systems, preventing both water waste and parched plants, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170830103455.htm
Panel to review progress of relining of irrigation feeder canals
1 Sept, 2017
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh set up a three-member inter-departmental committee, headed by the state Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, to review the progress of relining of 200 kilometers of Rajasthan and Sirhind irrigation feeder canals located in the state.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/panel-to-review-progress-of-relining-of-irrigation--feeder-canals.html
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Limited water resources ‘costing Middle East and North Africa $21bn a year’
31 Aug, 2017
Inadequate water supply and sanitation is costing the Middle East and North Africa region around $21bn a year in economic losses, the World Bank has said.
http://www.publicfinanceinternational.org/news/2017/08/limited-water-resources-costing-middle-east-and-north-africa-21bn-year
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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/
Drainage and Flood Control Summit, 26 - 27 November 2017, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Website: https://drainagefloodcontrol.com/
8th Asian Regional Conference, 2-4 May 2018, Kathmandu, Nepal, on the theme of “Irrigation in Support of an Evergreen Revolution”
Website:http://nencid.org.np/
69th IEC & Regional Conference, 12–17 August, 2018, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, on the theme: Innovative and Sustainable Agri-water Management: Adapting to a Variable and Changing Climate.
Website: http://www.icid2018.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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