News brief

Agricultural assistance for Afghanistan	A new twist to Tanzanian sisal
Green light for Bt cotton in South Africa	Medfly eradication: not 'SIT'ting pretty
Wide awake to sleeping sickness	Boosting coffee and tobacco production in Zambia
Grave concern for Agave	Alfafa for acid soils
A sweeter source of sorghum	Breaking new ground in groundnut production
Getting the goat in Uganda	A refreshing approach to tea cultivation
Eliminating Hunger: DFID consultation paper	Improving Support for Enhancing Livelihoods of the Rural Poor
CCHF gives cause for concern

Agricultural assistance for Afghanistan

credit: ICARDA

An international initiative, known as the 'Future Harvest Consortium to Rebuild Agriculture in Afghanistan', has been launched to assist Afghanistan's agricultural recovery and decrease its dependence on donor aid. In order to provide immediate relief, seed will be made available by ICARDA and CIMMYT for planting crops in the spring and autumn of this year. Beyond the immediate need for seed in 2002, the consortium also intends to multiply seed to replenish stocks that have been depleted as a result of war and drought. The first priority is to repatriate Afghan varieties held in genebanks worldwide in order to revitalise wheat stocks, which previously provided up to 80% of grain production. Another major focus for the consortium will be to assist farmers in keeping remaining livestock alive as scientists estimate that almost half of the country's livestock, mainly goats and sheep, have been lost. Support, including the provision of vaccines, will be given to farmers. Other long-term efforts of the consortium will include restoring soil and water management and reintroducing native fruit and vegetable crops in a bid to move Afghanistan towards food self-sufficiency by 2007.
For further information see www.futureharvest.org

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Green light for Bt cotton in South Africa

While Bt cotton is a still a cause for concern in some regions of the world (see To Bt or not to Bt), a recent study conducted in South Africa has shown that preference for Bt cotton is increasing. In the Makhathuni area of the Northern Province, cotton is a major cash crop but insect pests, such as bollworms, are a major constraint. With the approval of GM cotton varieties by the Government in 1998, the cost of GM seed appeared to initially restrict uptake of Bt cotton, with only 19% of farmers growing it in the first season. However, subsequent studies have revealed that an increasing number of farmers are growing Bt cotton and that the variety has outperformed conventional varieties grown in the area by 25% and 93% increase in yields in the first two seasons. The latest survey conducted by scientists at the University of Reading, UK reports that 93% of the area's farmers are now growing Bt cotton and that farmers are making substantial cost and labour savings as a result of the reduction in pesticide applications, which have decreased by 38%.

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Wide awake to sleeping sickness

A new policy to treat cattle in transit for trypanosomiasis is to be introduced in Uganda as one of the measures to protect human beings from sleeping sickness. In areas where trypanosomiasis is endemic, veterinary officials will not issue movement permits to cattle traders unless their animals have been treated. In south-east Uganda, it has been shown that domestic livestock are the principal reservoir of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Treatment of the disease in cattle is relatively easy and straightforward - dependent only on the correct application of a single shot of an appropriate trypanosome drug (see also Waking up to reality).

Treatment of cattle for trypanosomiasis could be further aided by the development of a simple diagnostic test, which would determine whether cattle are carrying the human-infective form of the disease (Tb rhodesiense). Scientists from the DFID-funded Animal Health Programme at the University of Edinburgh believe that the presence of a particular gene in blood indicates that an animal is carrying the Tb rhodesiense parasite. Detection of the serum-resistance-associated (SRA) gene, which allows the Tb rhodesiense to survive in human serum, could provide the basis for targeted control of the parasite in domestic livestock and help to reduce the current public health burden of sleeping sickness in Uganda and elsewhere in East Africa.

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Grave concern for Agave

credit: Philippe Faucon

Wild agave plants in Mexico are coming under serious threat as over-harvesting has led to the population crash of once common species, such as Agave cupreata. Agave is used for the production of mezcal, a traditional alcoholic beverage, which up until sixteen years ago was banned by the Mexican government. However, increasing artisan production and the rise in popularity of tequila, the commercial version of mezcal, has led to the over-exploitation of many species. Blue agave (Agave tequilana) is commercially cultivated specifically for tequila, but the increase in demand has meant that wild species are also being harvested for their pina, the sugar-rich agave 'heart' used in the fermentation process.

To develop sustainable methods of mezcal production, the Rainforest Alliance, under their Tropical Non-Timber Forest Products programme, have appointed a researcher, to work with two local groups and villagers. Local producers are being encouraged to become involved in all aspects of mezcal production, including planting trees for firewood; traditional production requires the pinas to be roasted for several days to impart a rich, smoky flavour to the drink. Community nurseries, yielding over a million agave and tree seedlings each year, have already been set up in reserves that have been set aside by the villagers. Experiments are also being conducted to determine the best growing conditions for agave and to discover the insect, or perhaps bat, which pollinates these species.

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A sweeter source of sorghum

A new, sweeter variety of sorghum has been developed in Uganda. The variety has lower levels of tannin, which tends to make common sorghum varieties taste bitter. Bred by researchers at the Serere Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute, the new variety is also drought resistant and early maturing (less than four months). Under optimum conditions, yields can be as high as 3,000 kg per hectare. The Serere Institute is currently able to provide limited quantities of seed to farmers but it is hoped that this year's growing season will provide the Uganda Seed Project with enough seed of the new variety to distribute nationwide.

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Getting the goat in Uganda

Uganda has lifted the ban on the importation of livestock, livestock semen and embryos in an effort to increase the performance of local livestock breeds through cross-breeding. The ban, which was put in place in 1996 to protect local animals from BSE, has been lifted from imports from a number of countries, including South Africa, Israel, Australia and the US, although it will continue to be enforced for European imports. Uganda currently has 6.5 million head of cattle but, through a continuing re-stocking programme, it is hoped to increase the cattle population to over 10 million. Goat farmers are also being encouraged to tap into the Arab market, especially into the newly established market in Saudi Arabia. Boer Goats from South Africa are proving particularly popular for breeding with local breeds as they have a good reproductive and twinning rate and are resistant to common diseases.

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Eliminating Hunger: DFID consultation paper

A paper to stimulate discussion on the challenge of world hunger has been prepared by the UK's Department for International Development in preparation for the June 2002 World Food Summit Five Years Later. The consultation document highlights the areas in which DFID will focus its energies but also indicates what needs to be done to achieve the Millennium Development Goal to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. In particular, the paper highlights the importance of partnership with government, development agencies and civil society in promoting a shared analysis of the causes of hunger and the progress to reduce it; integrating food security in poverty reduction efforts, promoting trade reforms that strengthen food security of poor people; developing human capital; better response to drought, conflict and emergencies; and better systems to identify who is hungry, where and why.
The paper can be viewed at www.dfid.gov.uk in the news, speeches and consultations section and comments sent to foodsecurity@dfid.gov.uk

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CCHF gives cause for concern

Cases or outbreaks of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a virus transmitted by Ixodid ticks, have been recorded during 2001 in Kosovo, Albania, Iran, Pakistan, and South Africa. Although primarily an animal disease, CCHF can cause an acute and highly fatal disease in man. The disease is endemic in many countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, and the vector ticks are commonly found on sheep, goats, cattle and camels. However, domestic animals show no clinical signs of the disease. Infection in man usually results from direct contact with blood or other infected tissues from livestock, although people living or working in tick infested habitats can also become infected from a tick bite. CCHF outbreaks are generally associated with war, population and animal movements, and climatic and vegetation changes which produce more ground cover and allow for increased populations of small vertebrates (e.g. rodents), which act as the intermediate hosts for larval tick populations. FAO/EMPRES has recently been involved in CCHF outbreaks in Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan, where many human deaths have occurred, and also in Afghanistan, and considers that this disease warrants greater attention as an emerging zoonotic disease problem.
Further information: WHO factsheet

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A new twist to Tanzanian sisal

Tanzania, once the world's leading producer of sisal, has recently launched a set of initiatives to boost production by looking at means of raising efficiency, tapping into niche markets and emphasizing its comparative advantage of superior quality over other sisal producing countries. In recent years, competition from artificial fibres, plastics and cheap jute bags has resulted in a steady decline in price and output in world sisal production (see also Focus On Fibres). Tanzania currently produces only 20,000 tonnes per year, which is less than Brazil, China or Mexico. However, despite suffering from a lack of investment in infrastructure, the sisal sector in Tanzania generates US $17 million a year and employs 90,000 workers. The Tanzania Sisal Board, which comprises government and private sector bodies, wants to raise annual sisal output to 50,000 tonnes by 2005. An extensive market survey has verified the potential for development of Tanzanian sisal for niche (e.g. degradable wrapping paper) and commodity paper markets.
Based on item published in Spore edition 96

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Medfly eradication: not 'SIT'ting pretty

A recent report has revealed that eradicating Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) from the state of Western Australia is technically feasible but too costly. Prepared by a group of international and local consultants, the report states that eradication would cost upwards of A$70 million and require the state's fruit industries to expand by 18% for benefits to exceed costs. The cost-benefit analysis hinged on growers adopting the current practice of using bait and cover sprays to control Medfly. To be successful, an eradication program would build on SIT programmes successfully implemented overseas but this would require a high level of community support (see also Fly in the ointment). Other regions of Australia are also afflicted so a national program, rather than a state-by-state effort could be considered.
Copies of the report are available from: P.Eckersley, WA Agriculture

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Boosting coffee and tobacco production in Zambia

A five-year initiative has been launched in Zambia to boost smallholder coffee production. Over 100 farmers are currently taking part in the project, which aims to establish 500 hectares of coffee by the year 2006, and to be producing 500 tonnes a year by 2010. Set up by Agriflora Ltd., the company will work though a co-ordinated contract system to produce washed Arabica coffee with farmers' co-operatives that are already producing fresh cut flowers for export. US $250,000 is to be invested in agricultural inputs during 2002-2005, with loans for irrigation. The Zambia Agribusiness Technical Assistance Centre (ZATAC) and the Cooperative League of the United States (CLUSA) are also to provide support through investment in irrigation equipment and training of co-operative members. Support with advice and extension on marketing and gaining access to export markets will also be provided. It is expected that the project will also provide around 3000 jobs for those involved in processing the coffee.

Provision of bulk curing equipment from the EU has stimulated an ambitious move to increase tobacco production in Zambia from the current output of 3 million kgs to 5 million by 2004. In recent years, the Zambian tobacco industry has remained in the shadow of its neighbour and rival, and tobacco prices in Zambia have been tied to the commodity price in Zimbabwe. However, with the recent decline of the Zimbabwean tobacco industry as a result of the current political instability, the Tobacco Association of Zambia is aiming to break away from the past and expand production. With the help of an EU loan facility, complemented by the Association' s own fund for use by its members, farmers are able to obtain inputs at the beginning of each season. Procurement of the bulk curer equipment should also help to cut down both the time and costs to farmers for tobacco processing.
Email: taz@zamnet.zm

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Alfafa for acid soils

American scientists have transformed alfafa (Medicago sativa) to be tolerant to acid soils and aluminium. A gene added to the plant causes the roots to produce more organic acids, which render the aluminium non-toxic. Plant yields are usually reduced when crops are grown on acidic soils that contain aluminium, as uptake of the metal inhibits roots' growth, reducing their ability to take up water and nutrients. About 40% of the world's arable land consists of acid soil. Some soils are naturally acidic but soils can become acidic for a number of reasons, including overuse of fertilizers. Lime applications can be used to neutralize acid soils but this surface treatment often fails to reach the acid subsoils where roots grow. An added benefit of the genetically transformed alfafa is that it has been found to increase the plant's ability to fix nitrogen, thus stimulating plant growth.

A close relative of alfafa, barrel medic (Medicago truncatula), is to undergo close examination in efforts to further unravel its genome. It is hoped that the work will eventually help locate genes which would make alfafa more productive (e.g. enhance nitrogen-fixing properties) as well as better suited for new uses, such as production of ethanol fuel.
Further information available from www.ars.usda.gov

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Breaking new ground in groundnut production

New varieties of groundnut, the first to be introduced for forty years, look set to increase yields for Malian farmers two or threefold. While farmers in Mali are usually lucky to grow 500kg of groundnuts per hectare, farmers testing the new varieties are regularly producing 1.5 tons/ha, and some are achieving yields of up to 4 tons/ha under experimental conditions. The varieties, developed by researchers from ICRISAT, are disease-resistant and mature around three weeks earlier than traditional varieties, making them less susceptible to drought. Much of the testing has been done by women farmers, since Malians generally consider groundnuts to be a woman's crop. Only varieties that have been able to stand up to local conditions and produce high yields without heavy use of chemicals or fertilizers, have been taken forward by the research team. The farmers have also been able to impose other priorities on the new crop lines, for example providing better fodder for their goats. As a result the research team is confident that the lines which are eventually released will be widely adopted, and anticipates thousands of farmers benefiting from them within five years.

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A refreshing approach to tea cultivation

credit: kalpavriksh

On the Makaibari tea estate, tea bushes are grown as just one layer in a multi-strata system that is used to maintain soil fertility and protect the local sub-tropical rainforest ecosystem. The estate, situated near Kurseong town in Darjeeling, produces some of the world's finest tea but is also home to a unique tropical forest in which leopard, barking deer and hornbills can be seen. The multi-strata system consists of six tiers of plants: local forest species, leguminous permanent shade trees, temporary leguminous shade trees, indigenous fruit trees, followed by tea and finally weeds, creepers and ground vegetation. The tree cover helps to protect the tea leaves from direct scorching and loss of moisture whilst the plant cover not only prevents soil erosion but helps to improve soil fertility through organic matter from forest litter. Each household on the estate maintains a compost heap of cattle dung, tea clippings and organic kitchen waste which is sold back to the estate for treatment and then sprayed as an organic fertilizer onto the tea bushes. In addition, the gas emitted from the compost is used for production of biogas to help meet the fuel needs of the local population. Of the 673 hectares that make up the estate, only 274 ha are under tea cultivation, the rest is forest cover.
For further information email: divinitea@surfree.com

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Improving Support for Enhancing Livelihoods of the Rural Poor

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) have launched a new initiative aiming to improve support for enhancing livelihoods of the rural poor. DFID, FAO and other agencies have been exploring Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) approaches to development (www.livelihoods.org) as a means of enhancing the quality and impact of their programmes on the reduction of poverty and food insecurity. The livelihoods programme will support FAO's institutional capacity to respond to its member nation requests for assistance in poverty elimination within the wider context of its contribution to the Millennium Development Goals and the World Food Summit. A launch programme workshop was held at FAO (www.fao.org) at the end of January to raise awareness of the programme which will potentially contribute £5 million over the next five years.

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