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Agri-tech start-ups will boost agricultural growth as sector embraces latest tech
13 Dec, 2018
The agricultural market has experienced a decelerating growth due to pressure on fees paid to farmers. Trade environments around the world are changing as prices fluctuate due to global trade patterns and extreme weather events. Now, agri-tech start-ups are seeking to use technology to radically develop the agricultural industry and big tech players are getting involved as well.
https://www.verdict.co.uk/agri-tech-future/
Haryana, Punjab record fall in stubble burning from last year: India
23 Dec, 2018
Though they fell short of targets, Haryana and Punjab may have made a beginning in combating stubble burning by recording a 29% and 11% fall in incidence over 2017 of farm fires that are seen as a major source of winter pollution in capital Delhi and surrounding areas.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/stubble-burning-drops-in-punjab-haryana/articleshow/67212183.cms
Biotech crops can help tackle Pakistan’s water and food crises
20 Dec, 2018
Pakistan urgently needs to adapt to modern agricultural technologies to help tackle its water and food crises exacerbated by increasing salinity, deforestation and high population growth. According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) report, biotech crop area in 2017 attained new record-high adoption at 189.8 million hectares worldwide. Top five countries (USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and India) planted 91 percent of the global biotech crop area of 189.8 million hectares.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1452393/biotech-crops-can-help-tackle-pakistans-water-and-food-crises
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Pollutants from wildfires affect crop and vegetation growth hundreds of kilometers from impact zone
17
Dec, 2018
Pollutants from wild fires affect crop and vegetation growth hundreds of kilometres from impact zone, research shows. The startling extent to which violent wild fires, similar to those that ravaged large swathes of California recently, affect forests and crops way beyond the boundaries of the blaze has been revealed. The study examined how ozone and aerosols—two by-product pollutants of wildfires—influences healthy plant growth in areas that are seemingly unaffected by the destructive natural disasters.
https://phys.org/news/2018-12-pollutants-wildfires-affect-crop-vegetation.html
World will approach record-breaking temperatures in 2019, says Met Office
19 Dec, 2018
Near-record high temperatures will hit around the world in 2019, Met Office scientists have predicted. The rise will be the result of human-driven climate change combined with modest warming from the El Nino weather phenomenon in the Pacific, which pushes up temperatures further, the scientists said.
https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/met-office-record-breaking-temperatures-global-warming-climate-change-heatwaves-a8691356.html
Global warming mirrors Earth’s largest extinction event
17 Dec,
2018
More than two-thirds of life on earth died off some 252 million years ago, in the largest mass extinction event in Earth’s history. Now scientists at the University of Washington (UW) and Stanford in the United States believe their models reveal how so many animals were killed, and they see frightening parallels in the path our planet is on today.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2018/12/23/global-warming-mirrors-earths-largest-extinction-event/#Zlu06p8ibQESoUY7.99
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DROUGHTS
Early-warning tools aim to prevent 'water wars,' curb droughts
25 Dec,
2018
In a year of extreme heat and water-related tensions, researchers are trying to develop an early-warning system to prevent the devastating consequences of droughts that exacerbate geopolitical tensions. The Water, Peace and Security partnership aims to find better methods to monitor risks and trigger early interventions. Such technology is necessary as climate change amplifies water shortages plaguing countries across the globe.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/early-warning-tools-aim-prevent-water-wars-curb-droughts-n917001
Central teams assessing drought damage: India
21 Dec, 2018
Inter-ministerial teams are visiting six States to assess the impact of drought in the summer monsoon season. State governments have requested drought relief assistance from the Centre to the tune of almost ₹17,000 crore for two crore hectares of affected land, according to Agriculture Ministry data. Rainfall shortages have hit hard in three States of the Deccan plateau — Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh — as well as the western States of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Jharkhand and Odisha have also been affected.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/central-teams-assessing-drought-damage/article25801907.ece
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FLOODS
Storm waves in Cuba flood Havana after breaching seawall
22 Dec,
2018
The emergency services in Cuba's capital Havana have been evacuating the elderly, the sick and the vulnerable after flooding in the coastal city. They've also been evacuating dogs which are highly regarded and mostly looked after well by Cubans. An extra tropical storm caused a swell in the sea and saw four and five metre high waves breach Havana's sea wall.
https://www.euronews.com/2018/12/22/storm-waves-in-cuba-flood-havana-after-breaching-sea-wall
Over 60,000 people affected by Sri Lanka flash floods; Govt on alert as more rains expected
24 Dec,
2018
Over 60,000 people have been affected by flash floods and heavy winds in Sri Lanka's northern part after days of heavy rains, officials said. Out of those affected, over 11,000 people were evacuated to safe locations as their homes were inundated due to continuous rains, Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre was cited. The Meteorology Department warned of more rains in the north, east and north central provinces and said heavy falls were expected in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces.
https://www.news18.com/news/world/over-60000-people-affected-by-sri-lanka-flash-floods-govt-on-alert-as-more-rains-expected-1982477.html
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FOOD SECURITY
These 5 African countries have the highest hunger rates in the world
19 Dec, 2018
The 2018 edition of the index, published jointly by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, indicates a mixed result in the status of hunger in the world. In one part, there has been a reduction of hunger since 2000; however, other parts of the world experienced worsening hunger and increased undernutrition. According to the report, approximately 124 million people suffer acute hunger, an increase from 80 million in 2016. Africa and South Asia have posted the highest rates of hunger, which have been exacerbated with climate change and conflict.
https://face2faceafrica.com/article/these-5-african-countries-have-the-highest-hunger-rates-in-the-world
Delicious Disruption—Trends in Food Innovation
17 Dec, 2018
While cooking need not be a very technologically-intensive activity, the way ingredients are procured, processed, prepared and presented can all be enhanced by innovation. For F&B business owners, cost savings or productivity improvements at any of these points in the value chain can contribute to higher profit margins and better customer satisfaction. Here, we feature three rising trends in the way food is being brought from farm to fork.
https://www.asianscientist.com/2018/12/features/ipi-singapore-trends-food-technology-innovation/
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IRRIGATION
Punjab encouraging drip irrigation: India
12 Dec,
2018
The Punjab government is encouraging the adoption of drip irrigation technology under the ongoing ‘Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project’ to overcome the scarcity of water during different crop cycles. The project is being implemented with the help of the World Bank.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1864797/2-punjab-encouraging-drip-irrigation/
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
More plastics in Earth's deepest point than sea surface: Study
20 Dec, 2018
The deepest point on Earth is heavily polluted with plastic, scientists have discovered, showing how pervasively the world has been contaminated. The researchers plumbed the depths of the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean, near Challenger Deep, the lowest place on the face of the planet. They found the highest levels of microplastics yet found in the open ocean, compared with surveys from elsewhere in the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/20/plastic-pollution-mariana-trench-deepest-point-ocean
Asian glaciers slowed by ice loss affecting freshwater availability, NASA finds
13 Dec, 2018
A NASA-led, international study finds Asia's high mountain glaciers are flowing more slowly in response to widespread ice loss, affecting freshwater availability downstream in India, Pakistan and China. Researchers analyzed almost 2 million satellite images of the glaciers and found that 94 percent of the differences in flow rates could be explained by changes in ice thickness.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181213203946.htm
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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
5th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage (ARCID), 16-19 March 2020, Rabat, Morocco on the theme: Sustainable Management of Irrigation for Improved Resilience of Agriculture in Africa.
Website: http://www.anafide.net/
Water for Food Global Conference 2019, 29-30 April 2019, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA on the theme: Water for a Hungry World: Innovation in Water and Food Security.
Website: https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/news-and-events
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)
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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/2Q6O
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