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Young Americans are leaving desk jobs to farm
27 Nov, 2017
For only the second time in the last century, the number of farmers under 35 years old is increasing, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s latest Census of Agriculture. This new generation can’t hope to replace the numbers that farming is losing to age. But it is already contributing to the growth of the local-food movement and could help preserve the place of midsize farms in the rural landscape.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1373059
Govt committed to double farmers’ income by 2020: State Agriculture Min Saini
1 Dec, 2017
On the occasion of furnishing agriculture progress data during four-year rule of current BJP government in Rajasthan, State Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini on Thursday stated that plight of farmers in the state will be better in coming days. “We don’t have any Jadu Mantra, but state government is committed to double the farmer’s income by 2020 and innovations in the field of farming and agro-marketing will definitely help to achieve the motive in the desired time. I believe that the income of a farmer will be four to five fold,” Saini added.
http://www.dnaindia.com/jaipur/report-govt-committed-to-double-farmers-income-by-2020-prabhu-lal-saini-2563917
Kansas women in farming conference set for Feb 2018
26 Nov,
2017
The theme “Maximizing My Influence: Farm, Community, Consumers” is the focus of the award-winning Women Managing the Farm Conference, set for February 15-16, 2018, in Manhattan, Kansas. Since 2005, this event has been bringing together women who help provide the nation’s food supply.
http://www.hpj.com/ag_news/kansas-women-in-farming-conference-set-for-feb/article_a6a2b744-914c-5062-8212-ee3520e4ef9b.html
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Obama on climate change: 'A pause in American leadership'
1 Dec, 2017
New Delhi: Former President Barack Obama Friday spoke to a leadership forum in New Delhi and expressed that if somebody told him climate change was a hoax he couldn't bridge that difference of opinion. Obama said in a rebuke that since he signed the Paris climate agreement, there had been "a pause in American leadership." The forum was part of a three-country tour by Obama.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/12/01/obama-on-climate-change-pause-in-american-leadership.html
Scientists look to Bali volcano for clues to curb climate change
1 Dec, 2017
Oslo: Climate scientists are tracking an erupting volcano on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali for clues about a possible short-cut to curb global warming by injecting sun-dimming chemicals high above the Earth.
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/scientists-look-to-bali-volcano-for-clues-to-curb-climate-change
Far-fetched fixes for climate change, from solar shields to air-scrubbing
29 Nov, 2017
In the battle against climate change, many scientists say that simply minimizing man-made pollution is not enough to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius, as agreed in the 2015 Paris climate agreement -- humans must also devise other means to help cool the planet.
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/29/world/climate-change-geoengineering/index.html
Cincy, Ohio Valley to see more floods, heat and drought from climate change: U.S. report
1 Dec, 2017
Climate change will push the Ohio River and its tributaries into uncharted waters, disrupting a 13-state region with economic and environmental crises like never before. That's the conclusion of a newly published U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report, which found that flooding, drought and power failures could become more frequent and severe as global warming intensifies in the decades ahead.
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/12/01/cincinnati-ohio-valley-see-more-floods-heat-drought-climate-change/905119001/
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DROUGHTS
Too late for Western Cape Drought Plan: Experts
30 Nov, 2017
Cape Town: As Western Cape authorities scramble to stave off day zero, some international experts say that it is too late to plan for a drought amid the current water crisis. The Cape's persistent dry spell, according to a weather scientist, is expected to continue at least until autumn.
http://ewn.co.za/2017/11/30/experts-say-too-late-for-western-cape-drought-plan
Severe drought returns to Grayson County, says Water Board
30 Nov, 2017
For the first time in nearly eight months, drought conditions returned to Grayson County, the Texas Water Development Board said Monday in its weekly water report. In the most recent update, the board found that 20 percent of the state is currently experiencing drought conditions.
http://www.heralddemocrat.com/news/20171130/severe-drought-returns-to-grayson-county-water-board-says
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FLOODS
Victorian storms: Evacuations ordered as floodwaters rise due to deluge
1 Dec, 2017
People in low lying areas around Myrtleford in Victoria's alpine region should prepare to evacuate as floodwaters caused by unprecedented rains continue to rise. A relief centre has been set up at the Myrtleford Senior Citizens Centre, the safest evacuation route along the Great Alpine Road.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/11/30/13/53/victoria-told-to-brace-for-extreme-and-unprecedented-dangerous-deluge
ABI launches buildings blueprint to reduce flood, fire risk
1 Dec, 2017
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is urging Government to take steps to reduce threats to property as it goes ahead with Budget plans to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s. Insurers pay out almost £13 million every day for homes and businesses which have suffered damage and loss.
http://www.press-report.net/clanek-134046288-abi-launches-buildings-blueprint-to-reduce-flood-and-fire-risk
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FOOD SECURITY
Time to put cactus on the menu: FAO's advice on Food Security
30
Nov, 2017
The prickly pear cactus, considered an essential food in Mexico, could be the answer to much of the world’s food security woes, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said Thursday. The UN organization — which convened a group of experts to study the plant’s potential and help farmers and policymakers use it in a more strategic and efficient way — also released a book “on how to exploit the plant’s culinary qualities”.
https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Time-to-Put-Cactus-on-the-Menu-FAOs-Advice-on-Food-Security-20171130-0036.html
WTO: India sounds warning over food security clause
30 Nov,
2017
Geneva: India’s WTO ambassador J.S. Deepak has warned of a ‘spectacular failure’ at the Buenos Aires meet if countries fail to deliver a credible solution on public stockholding plans for food security.
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/qwwKnOQ93NrP3C20B7X6GO/WTO-India-sounds-warning-over-food-security-clause.html
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IRRIGATION
Skipper, Metzerplas sign MoU on drip irrigation
27 Nov, 2017
Skipper has signed a MoU with Metzerplas for a JV to address the drip irrigation market in India. “We believe it is quite exciting in the years to come,” Sharan Bansal, Director of Skipper said.
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/expect-drip-irrigation-sector-to-grow-going-forward-skipper-2448199.html
Telangana raises concerns over Polavaram project: India
1 Dec, 2017
While the Ministry of Water Resources wants the AP government to put on hold the spillway works of Polavaram project following a complaint lodged by the Odisha government, Telangana too has raised some concerns over the project.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2017/dec/01/telangana-raises-concerns-over-polavaram-project-1715381.html
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Morocco to implement its water strategy throughout Africa
30 Nov, 2017
Rabat: Through initiatives in banking, transportation, telecommunication, and trade, Morocco’s return to the African Union is actively advancing the Union’s vision of becoming a leading body. Morocco’s latest successful contribution is the adoption of its “Water for Africa” initiative in the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) in Nigeria on November 27 and 28.
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/11/235251/morocco-water-strategy-africa/
China expands water conservation through tax reform
1 Dec, 2017
Bejing: Taxation will play a larger role in China's drive to conserve more water as a water resource tax program is expanded. Starting Friday, nine provincial regions, including Beijing, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia will begin using a new water resource tax, following trials in North China's Hebei province.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2017-12/01/content_35151034.htm
[Top]
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
8th Asian Regional Conference, 2-4 May 2018, Kathmandu, Nepal, on the theme “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/
Global Water Security for Agriculture and Natural Resources (GWSAN): An ASABE Global Initiative Conference, Hyderabad, India, 3-6 October 2018.
Website: http://www.asabewater.org/
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LATEST PUBLICATION(S)
Water Saving in Irrigated Agriculture in Egypt: Case Studies and Lessons Learned, November 2017
The Egyptian National Committee for Irrigation and Drainage (ENCID) has launched a new book titled 'Water Saving in Irrigated Agriculture in Egypt: Case Studies and Lessons Learned.' The publication is a compilation of successful water saving innovation ideas at the farm level and is a rich source of reference work for all the professionals engaged in agricultural water management aspirating for "More and more crop per drop." For more info, kindly write to Encid@link.net
http://www.encid.org.eg/
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