Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Calling All Comers: The GIS Event You Don’t Want to Miss

March 17, 2010 by Francesca Pelloni

If you’re passionate about Geographical Information Services (GIS) and how it can be applied for the benefit of agricultural development, there will be something for you at the upcoming Africa Agriculture GIS Week (AAGW) 2010. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a student with a keen interest in the discipline, or anyone else with an enthusiasm for all things GIS and agriculture, this event will provide you with a rare opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s foremost experts; share your experiences, knowledge and ideas; and network with people in the same field. Continue Reading »

Posted in NEWS | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Looking Behind the Africa Trial Sites Network

March 9, 2010 by Mary Schneider

Map of climate similarity to the Maroua, Cameron trial site, based on the Homologue™ model. The areas in red are the most similar in terms of rainfall, temperature and seasonal weather pattern.

While Asia and Latin America have benefitted from the Green Revolution, agricultural yields in Africa have increased little over the last half century.  This gap is due, in part, to the current state of African research systems. Improved systems will lead to increased yields, a solution that African governments and donors already recognize. Continue Reading »

Posted in INTERVIEWS, QUICKWIN PROJECTS | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Water Tree

March 2, 2010 by Glenn Hyman

Dr. Omari Mponda (center) of Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute in Mtwara, Tanzania explains site selection of a new well to irrigate the research station. The tree in the background is a botanical indicator of access to water, one of many clues supporting a geological analysis of groundwater. Dr. Mponda participates in collaborative research of the Generation Challenge Program (GCP).

Irrigation at cultivar trial sites

Irrigated trial sites provide many benefits over those that solely depend on natural rainfall. They allow the researcher to conduct trials in the dry season. For some crops and areas a third season may even be possible. With the irrigation water the researcher can closely control the amount of water applied to the trial. These benefits accelerate the breeding cycle and improve the efficiency of cultivar development.

But many trial sites lack irrigation, which may not have been considered at the outset. The site may be far from a reliable water source. The site may not have access to electricity that could be important for the pumps that move water. Many sites may simply lack the funding needed to develop irrigation.

Development of irrigation would seem to be a smart investment in crop improvement, shortening the time from initial development of a variety all the way to the cultivar’s release to farmers.

How many trial sites have irrigation? Could more be done?

Posted in NEWS | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

In Silico: Growing $trong Roots… Automatically!!

February 25, 2010 by pstraore

Remember your last physical checkup? The nurse took a blood sample and off it dashed to the lab. What happened next is oblivious to many of us. In fact, we only worry about the results. Complete blood counts. Cholesterol. Signs of anemia. Hints of diabetes. WE WANT STRONG HEALTH. Well today, we’re going to show you what happens in-between. Just a quick glance. With a twist. Real-world, organic style. Just imagine… your body is a smallholder agricultural landscape of West Africa. Inside you have vessels (cart paths), lymph nodes (fallows), neurons (humans), energy reserves (fields), and… blood cells (trees). Your ability to maintain healthy tree counts on your fields may well determine your future. Continue Reading »

Posted in NEWS, QUICKWIN PROJECTS | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

In Silico: des racines $olides qui poussent… automatiquement!!

February 25, 2010 by pstraore

Petit flash-back sur votre dernière visite médicale? L’infirmière vous prélève un échantillon de sang et hop, direction le labo. Direttissimo. Ce qui se passe après? On en sait trop rien. Tout ce qu’on veut savoir, c’est les résultats. Bilan sanguin. Cholestérol. Anémie. Signes de diabète. SANTE DE CHEVAL. Eh bien aujourd’hui, on va vous montrer ce qui se passe derrière les rideaux. Du labo. Juste un coup d’œil. Comme dans la vraie vie, enfin presque… à la sauce champêtre. Imaginez juste… que votre corps est un paysage agricole de petits producteurs ouest-Africains. Là-dedans, vous avez des vaisseaux (chemins), des nœuds lymphatiques (jachères), des neurones (humains), des réserves d’énergie (champs), et… des globules (arbres). Votre capacité à entretenir une saine densité d’arbres sur vos champs pourrait bien déterminer votre futur. En maintenant les nutriments du sol, gages de fertilité. En régulant naturellement la température de la peau et du corps. En élevant la nappe phréatique pour hydrater l’épiderme. En apportant des compléments nutritifs à votre régime alimentaire. Continue Reading »

Posted in NEWS, QUICKWIN PROJECTS | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Eat when you are sleeping

February 24, 2010 by Glenn Hyman

Dr Hannibal Muhtar and Tanzanian groundnut breeder Dr. Omari Mponda

Naliendele means “eat when you are sleeping” in the local language of Southeast Tanzania. It is also the name of the community where you can find the Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute. According to local legend, a man had been traveling over long distances when he arrived to this community. He was very tired from his long journey. The people of the community gave him food and a place to sleep. The next day the man could not remember if he had eaten any food the previous day. He had been so tired from his journey that he could not remember. The people of the community said he ate while he was sleeping.

Naliendele ARI is an important site for research on cashew nut, groundnut, sesame, cassava and other crops.

Posted in NEWS, QUICKWIN PROJECTS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Older Posts »