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New discovery could increase the productivity, resilience of corn
1 Oct, 2018
An international research team led by Australian National University has found that the productivity of corn can be boosted by targeting the enzyme in charge of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. According to the new research, however, maize has the potential to become the crop of the future for both fuel and food.
https://www.earth.com/news/increase-productivity-resilience-corn/
Saudi Agriculture 2018 to focus on organic, fish farming
3 Oct, 2018
Saudi Agriculture 2018, the 37th edition of the premier agriculture exhibition organized annually under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, will focus on organic farming and its products, and food security. The agriculture expo which attracts exhibitors from various parts of the world will be held between 7-10 October 2018 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, showcasing the latest agricultural trends.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1381511/saudi-arabia
Driverless tractors may soon help farmers till their lands
9 Sept, 2018
US-based Autonomous Tractor Corp. began developing automation technology for tractors way back in 2011. Two-and-a-half years back, the Harper Adams University in England unveiled an autonomous tractor. Christened Pomona, the driverless tractor was developed as part of the project, entitled USability of Environmentally sound and Reliable techniques in Precision Agriculture (USER-PA)—a programme which was launched in 2013.
https://www.livemint.com/Auto/V4nncs8I9oL9IdfkVK2ceM/Driverless-tractors-may-soon-help-farmers-till-their-lands.html
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CLIMATE CHANGE
World's top climate scientists set to call for deeper cuts in fossil-fuel pollution
1 Oct, 2018
A panel of the world’s top climate scientists is preparing to recommend much deeper cuts in fossil-fuel pollution than currently suggested as a pathway to stave off a dangerous increase in global temperatures. The cut is more than twice as steep as the boldest scenario outlined by the International Energy Agency.
https://nationalpost.com/news/world/a-very-ambitious-target-scientists-set-to-call-for-much-deeper-cuts-to-coal-pollution
Global warming increases wildfire potential damages in Mediterranean Europe
2 Oct,
2018
A study published in Nature Communications, led by researchers of the University of Barcelona in collaboration with other research institutions, shows that anthropogenic warming will increase the burned areas due fires in Mediterranean Europe, and the increase of the burned area could be reduced by limiting global warming to 1.5ºC. The higher the warming level is, the larger the increase of the burned area is.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181002113959.htm
Earth has only until 2030 to stem catastrophic climate change, experts warn
8 Oct,
2018
Holding global warming to a critical limit would require "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society," says a key report from the global scientific authority on climate change. According to the report, the planet will reach this crucial threshold as early as 2030 based on our current levels of greenhouse gas emissions -- and avoiding going even higher will require significant action in the next few years.
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/earth-has-only-until-2030-to-stem-catastrophic-climate-change-experts-warn
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DROUGHTS
Drought may cost China US$47 billion a year as temperatures rise, study finds
2 Oct,
2018
Drought conditions could cost China US$47 billion per year in economic losses – more than double the current estimate – if global temperatures rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline, according to a Chinese study. Those losses could climb a lot higher – to US$84 billion, or about five times this year’s level – if the global average temperature goes up by 2 degrees, Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers found.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/2166699/drought-may-cost-china-us47-billion-year-temperatures-rise-study
Driest ever September deepens Australia's drought
3 Oct, 2018
Australia had its driest September on record last month, and though spring rains are forecast this week across parts of the continent's east that has seen the worst drought in years, the season is predicted to offer little relief from the dry weather. The country's east coast has recorded less than a fifth of its typical rainfall over the last three months to September and is barren, with winter crops failed and graziers buying in grain to feed their herds.
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/driest-ever-september-deepens-australias-drought-3007511.html
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FLOODS
Tropical Storm Rosa threatens 12 million with flooding as southwest US braces for 'life-threatening' conditions
3 Oct,
2018
Tropical Storm Rosa drenched northwestern Mexico as it churned towards California and the southwest US, where it can be expected to cause floods and heavy rain. The storm has already reportedly claimed one victim, as residents in Arizona and Utah filled sandbags in anticipation of the heavy rainfall forecasts and potential flooding.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/storm-rosa-path-latest-us-weather-tropical-arizona-las-vegas-utah-track-az-a8565591.html
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FOOD SECURITY
Women, children in Balochistan suffering from malnutrition due to drought-like situation
27 Sept, 2018
Quetta and many other parts of Balochistan are facing a severe drought-like situation for the last couple of years, which has severely affected the agriculture and livestock sectors of the province. A survey conducted by the National Nutrition Cell revealed that 49 percent women in Balochistan were suffering from malnutrition. Moreover, the ratio of maternal anemia was 49 percent, anemia among children below five years was 57 percent and iodine deficiency among women was 29 percent.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1435348/women-children-in-balochistan-suffering-from-malnutrition-due-to-drought-like-situation
AfDB seeks partnerships to lift 1billion people out of hunger globally
27 Sept, 2018
The African Development Bank called on global partners to join hands to lift one billion people worldwide out of hunger and said it was leading the way by investing US$24 billion in African agriculture over the next 10 years in the largest such effort ever. AfDB has already started investments to develop these SCPZs in a number of pioneering African countries, including Ethiopia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. It expects the processing zones to be active in about 15 countries in the near-term.
https://www.ippmedia.com/en/news/afdb-seeks-partnerships-lift-1billion-people-out-hunger-globally
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IRRIGATION
Maharashtra govt announces Rs. 85,000 subsidy to promote micro-irrigation: India
17 Sept,
2018
In a bid to promote micro water management, the Maharashtra government has decided to offer subsidised loans of Rs. 85,000 per hectare for installation of drip irrigation system in farms. A study by the government's agriculture department claims that the new technology will bring down water consumption for sugarcane cultivation from 25000 cubic metre water to 7500-to-12500 cubic metre water.
https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-maharashtra-government-announces-rs-85000-subsidy-to-promote-micro-irrigation-2664026
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Women show the way in waterless Ladakh: India
12 Sept, 2018
The Women’s Alliance of Ladakh (WAL), while making efforts to protect Ladakh’s environment and preserving its culture, is persuading farmers of the cold desert to practice organic farming and traditional water harvesting as farmers face water scarcity because of low snowfall in recent years. WAL does not only urge farmers to harvest water in off-season (winter) for using it when water is not available in early spring, but also advises them to use organic manure instead of chemical fertilisers, a farming method Ladakhi farmers have traditionally employed.
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/in-waterlesss-ladakh-women-find-ways-of-farming
Half-degree of warming could have big impact on water availability
2 Oct, 2018
Approximately 117 million more people could face water shortages if global temperatures increase 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels compared to a 1.5-degree Celsius increase in temperatures, a new study suggests. This could affect the distribution of freshwater and constrain the global water supply, which poses risks to national food security, economic prosperity and societal well-being.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/adb-approves-500-mn-for-tamil-nadu-water-supply-sewerage-drainage-infra-118092500392_1.html
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
5th International Symposium on Dam Safety, 27-31 October 2018, Istanbul, Turkey
Website: http://www.damsafety2018.com/
9th International Micro Irrigation Conference (9IMIC), 16-18 January 2019, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India on the theme: Micro Irrigation in Modern Agriculture.
Website: http://micro-irrigation2019.com/
International Dam Safety Conference 2019, 13-14 February 2019, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India
Website: www.damsafety.in/idsc2019
3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) and 70th International Executive Council Meeting, 1-7 September 2019, Bali, Indonesia on the theme: Development for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment.
Website: http://www.icid2019.org/
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LATEST PUBLICATION(S)
Water Productivity Mapping of Major Indian Crops 2018, published by NABARD
The study on Water Productivity Mapping of Major Indian Crops presents for the first time, maps on the water productivity of ten major Indian crops across cultivating districts and states. It builds on the expectation that if key decisions regarding irrigation, cropping patterns, input pricing, and incentive structures are predicated on water productivity of crops, it would ensure that water in agriculture is distributed more widely, water-use efficiency is enhanced, and Indian agriculture becomes more sustainable and productive in the long run. Thus, the study seeks to inform targeted policies and investment interventions for meeting the twin objectives of har khet ko pani (water to every field) and ‘more crop per drop’. The report will encourage policy makers to take note of and trigger an effective response to the looming water crisis faced by the agriculture sector in India. The book has been released as an Open Access and may be downloaded @ https://bit.ly/2Q6OUZg
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