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In a landmark ruling that could prove to be the beginning of the end of agricultural subsidies in the developed countries, the Brazilians are claiming victory after a WTO decision that American cotton subsidies are illegal. The US will appeal but the EU could also come under scrutiny. According to a report published by Oxfam, EU sugar subsidies annually cost Brazil $500m and three of the world's poorest countries, Mozambique, Malawi and Ethiopia, are estimated to have lost $238m in potential earnings from sugar since 2001, because of limited EU quotas.

The battle to cut subsidies amongst the major trading powers will be long and hard. In the meantime, at an international conference held recently in Kampala, African countries were urged to make further progress in liberalizing intra-African trade (see Developments). The need to make agriculture attractive to young people, another theme of the conference, features in the Perspective and in reports in Focus on...extension from Bhutan and Ghana. Other themes highlighted at the conference are featured in our Points of View.

As controversial as the debate on subsidies, the development of GM technology continues to feature in the News, and we are pleased to include In Print reviews of three thought-provoking publications on GMOs. Concern is expressed over the rapid increase in deforestation in Brazil, and the opportunities and challenges offered by decentralisation of forest management are explored in Developments. And completing our global coverage of agricultural issues in this edition of New Agriculturist is a Picture Feature from the mountain heights of Kyrgyzstan.

Points of view Assuring Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020 Focus on Extension Targeting extension to a moving target Extension strives for dizzying heights A growing connection for Ghana's deaf children Lifelong learning for farmers Taking CARE in Mozambique Bridging the rural digital divide In Print Food, Inc.: Mendel to Monsanto - the promises and perils of the biotech harvest Cultivating biodiversity: understanding and using agricultural diversity Dangerous liaisons? When cultivated plants mate with their wild relatives Beyond drought: people, policy and perspectives Genes for Africa: Genetically modified crops in the developing world Integrated livestock-fish farming systems Community integrated pest management in Indonesia Cotton facts Weed management for developing countries Addendum 1 Perspective Conflict, HIV/AIDS and food security in Africa By Graça Machel, President of the Foundation of Community Development, Mozambique

News China's appetite for cereals exceeds production Biodiversity Treaty to become law Brazil - can't see the trees for the beef Locust plague threatens NW Africa Rice research rewarded by World Food Prize GM-China, Uganda & UK Tobacco to fight cancer? Haiti appeal for funds Orange cauliflower for Vitamin A Agricultural reform in Uganda New lentils lift yields Cloned date palms for Iraq Farmer videos win communication award Developments Assuring food and nutrition security in Africa: putting the pillars in place Conserving animal genetic resources - the race is on Hotting up the market for chillies Research partnerships - potential unfulfilled Local control of forest resources holds opportunities and challenges Country Profile Ghana Picture feature Kyrgyzstan: rising to the challenge

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