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As the Sichuan province of China suffers landslides and flooding as a result of the heaviest rainfall for many years, Florida reels from the second hurricane in less than a month. Elsewhere, people struggle not only with the uncertainties of the climate but also the disruption that accompanies conflict. For millions of people, nothing can be taken for granted. And yet, for many of us, we think nothing of the air we breathe, the food we eat and the vast amounts of water that are consumed - whether for domestic, agricultural or industrial usage.

In this edition of New Agriculturist, we take a moment to reflect on whether it is feasible to continue with modern trends in food production (see Points of View and In Print) and water consumption as we focus on the main issues raised at World Water Week in Stockholm. Solutions to these problems may be dependent on technology, such as those offered by agroforestry (see Developments), but to be effective require political foresight, a notion which is challenged in an article on current attitudes to rural-urban migration.

Also in this edition, are the latest updates on avian flu, the locust situation in north Africa and developments in the adoption of GM policies and technologies. Peru is featured in the Country Profile and Christian Kuechli, a Swiss forester, gives his Perspective on Switzerland's lessons of forest decentralisation.

As always, if you have any feedback on this or recent editions, please do get in touch.

Points of view Consumers, farmers and food: reconciling the future Focus on Water and food Water, not food, the key to survival More crop per drop Wastewater, a resource for agriculture China's water problems Livestock - the thirst makers? Fish out of water In Print Not on the label: What really goes into the food on your plate A continent for the taking: The tragedy and hope of Africa The future is an ancient lake Free trade: Myth, reality and alternatives Food policy old and new World agriculture and the environment: A commodity-by-commodity guide to impacts and practices The evolution of ecotourism in East Africa: From an idea to an industry High hopes for post-harvest Local forest management: The impacts of devolution policies Perspective Is the South's future reflected in Switzerland's past? By Christian Kuechli, Swiss Forest Agency

News Appeals for support following Kenya's crop failure Locust threat from West Africa to India Meeting the water challenge GM go-ahead for Argentina but not in Thailand Syngenta accused of code breaking World trade... a deal? Bird flu strikes South Africa... ...and lingers on in Asia Launch of Global University for agriculture Arabica more robust than robusta Biotech on hold in Uganda Bangladeshi rice farmers see the LITE Smoke a turn-on for some plants High profits from butterflies Developments Rural-urban migration: going with the flow Agroforestry comes of age in Orlando A partnership for pastoralists: extending the message Preparing for the worst whilst hoping for the best Seeding self-help Country Profile Peru

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