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.

Australian acacias for Africa

Acacia colei seeds are easily-harvested and highly nutritious (credit: Peter Cunningham) Multi-purpose edible Australian acacias have the potential to be used in sustainable agroforestry farming systems in semi-arid parts of Africa, to rehabilitate degraded farmland and provide a nutritious food source as shown by the work of the Maradi International Development Project in Niger.

Nature's choice: utilising wild plants in the Philippines

Neglected indigenous plants can be found on sale at markets in the Cordillera region (credit: Lorenza Gonzales-Lirio) The mountainous region of the Cordillera in the northern Philippines is home to many tribal groups and an extensive range of wild plant species which could be better marketed and consumed more widely.

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.

Developments

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.

Turning over a new leaf in La Amistad Park

'Tsiru' chocolates produced at a community-run chocolate factory (credit: Felipe Carazo) Indigenous subsistence farmers in La Amistad International Park on the border of Panama and Costa Rica are receiving help in growing organic cocoa through traditional polyculture techniques, which provides income while contributing to the protection of biodiversity and watersheds.

Livestock and livelihoods in Burkina Faso

Livestock and livelihoods in Burkina Faso An insight into how reforms of trade and animal health regulations are helping livestock keepers, processors and consumers in Burkina Faso.

Points of view: Making more of undervalued crops

Different kinds of underutilised plants can be found on sale at food markets in Tanzania, where the recent AVRDC conference was held Underutilised crops can provide a valuable source of income and nutrition for those living in marginal areas. They can even help to provide food security in the face of climate change. So why aren't more of them grown? We ask the experts about why these plants have become neglected and what can be done to raise their profile.