The New Agriculturist

The New Agriculturist edition 2008-03

In this issue...

As the world continues to be gripped by rising food prices, in this edition we report on recent calls to change farming practices and how that might be achieved.

Full listing of the contents of this edition of the New Agriculturist

With prices for rice, wheat and maize having recently doubled or even tripled, it is timely to re-focus on the neglected or underutilised crops that can provide food security and income generation, particularly for the poor.

African leafy vegetables come out of the shade

Edible, broad-leaved African Nightshades are growing in popularity in East Africa (credit: Bioversity International) Despite being rich in nutrients, African leafy vegetables have been overlooked in favour of more exotic vegetables. But with increasing food prices at local markets, they may yet find their place on the plates of rural and urban households.

The pressing case for moringa

Leaves and seeds of the moringa tree are now in high demand in Kenya (credit: KHDP) Cultivation of the moringa tree is gaining in popularity in Kenya. Moringa seed oil is exported to Europe, North America and China for use in the cosmetic industry.

Karat Gold - the life-saving banana of Pohnpei

Until recently, fresh fruit and vegetables had lost favour with consumers in Pohnpei (credit: IFCP) Eating local food, such as the provitamin A-rich 'Karat' banana, could help reverse an alarming trend of micronutrient deficiency and chronic illness in Micronesia.

Developments

Searching for a new approach: pro-poor livestock and institutional change

Livestock are an important source of income to the poor At a meeting convened by the Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Initiative (PPLPI) of FAO, William Easterly, guest speaker and critic of the impact of development aid, acknowledged that the initiative appears to have found a more constructive way to facilitate pro-poor policy and institutional change.

Uncovering Africa's agribusiness potential

Agricultural exports could become the driving force of economic growth in Africa News about Africa often makes bleak reading but there is a more positive side to African development, which is often overlooked. At a forthcoming meeting, African business leaders will have an opportunity to catch the world's attention by highlighting the latest trends, technologies and best practices that are transforming Africa's agribusiness sectors.

Book reviews

Reviews of some of the latest publications related to agriculture and rural development. The lead book in this edition is 'Common Wealth' by Jeffrey Sachs.

Country profile: Iran

About 90 per cent of Iran is classed as arid or semi-arid (credit: FAO/6025/H. Null) Agriculture in Iran has a long history, but problems of water scarcity, soil salinity, crop diseases and a lack of investment mean farmers face myriad challenges in the years ahead.

News brief

The potato is the third most important food crop in the world (credit: FAO/Giulio Napolitano) Myanmar's looming humanitarian crisis in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, the ongoing world food price rises, the UK government's pledge to development research and fears of a water crisis in the Middle East and North Africa all feature in this edition's News.