Developments

Willow could become an important crop of the future, either grown for fuel in its own right or used in agroforestry systems

An international conference to be held in Kenya intends to develop a long-term strategy to harmonise and guide future research to change the way bananas are produced and marketed in Africa.

Based on Inca traditions and a form of advice provided to farmers, an alternative approach to extension has been developed to provide agricultural advice and technical assistance to indigenous communities in the high Andes of Peru.

With agriculture already in the international spotlight as a major development tool, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)'s recent conference championed the importance of innovation and the pressing need to make scientific research relevant to farmers.