animated rice clip_fn - Broadband door moovon
Rabu, 12 Desember 2012
Business Support Services in the rice value chain
12 December 2012. This is an animated version of the Rising Rice film (part of the film United through markets)... mapping the value chain and Agribusiness clusters, and dealing with the role of the Business Support Services (BSS) as brokers of innovation and change within the competitive playing fields. Featuring the agribusiness cluster of parboiled rice in Bolgatanga
animated rice clip_fn - Broadband door moovon
animated rice clip_fn - Broadband door moovon
Senin, 10 Desember 2012
Extensive Livestock Research Multi-Stakeholder Research Question Development Workshop
10th – 12th December 2012. Nairobi. LINKING RESEARCH TO APPLICATION WITHIN THE EXTENSIVE LIVESTOCK VALUE CHAIN.
EAFF together with its consortium partners in the PAEPARD program is organizing a continental multi stakeholder research question development workshop around the federating theme “Extensive livestock value chain” to:
- Validate the federating theme of the Extensive value chain , the desk review and the document of strategy produced;
- Identify and/or refine research questions for the development of the livestock that were identified during the study that was conducted.
- Identify potential partnerships that can be formed to address gaps identified in the extensive livestock value chain
- Identify the Terms of Reference for platform and core group to take up the research question that is proritized forward
In his opening remarks at the workshop Mr Philip Macharia Kiriro, President of EAFF, explained that a key pillar of the plan is “…trade and agribusiness with a special focus on value chain development and economic services to EAFF members…”. He indicated that EAFF’s livestock focus will be on the extensive beef value chain and that regional collaboration is need to ensure both productivity gains and improved market access.
One of the main tasks of workshop participants was to validate EAFF’s livestock strategy and to prioritize proposed areas for intervention at three stages along the value chain; namely, production, processing and marketing.
The group looking at production identified the need to improve the availability and quality of feed and water and to prevent and control pests and diseases as the two most important research issues. Improving food safety and quality standards and developing and promoting value addition technologies emerged as the key research issues for processing.
Finally, enhancing product standards and policies for improved market access and improving access to, and utilization of, market information were the priorities for research related to marketing. A core group of seven persons has been given the responsibility to draft a concept note and to identify additional organizations which might contribute to a new research initiative. Potential opportunities for funding have been identified and further work is being done to promote the initiative and secure additional support.
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The report of the meeting in English can be downloaded here
The report of the meeting in French can be downloaded here
Background:
PAEPARD partners shifted to a new user led brokerage procedure which is giving the lead to the “research users” partners (especially FOs but also the private sector) in the organization of brokerage activities in particular the organization of “brokerage workshops” around a federating theme that they have themselves chosen.
Video interview with Dr. Jean Ndikumana who explains the objectives of the study: EAFF - Post handling of Extensive Livestock value chains in Eastern Africa with Specific Focus on Kenya and Uganda. PAEPARD partners shifted to a new user led brokerage procedure which is giving the lead to the “research users” partners (especially FOs but also the private sector) in the organization of brokerage activities in particular the organization of “brokerage workshops” around a federating theme that they have themselves chosen.
With this in mind EAFF through collaborative approaches and consultation within Eastern Africa stakeholders identified a federating theme to focus on Extensive livestock value chains. In May 2012, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) contracted the Agency for Inter-regional Development (AFID) to carry out a consultancy study to develop a Livestock Strategy for Eastern Africa. The focus of the strategy was given as “Extensive Livestock Systems” predominant in the dry areas of Eastern Africa. Major species involved were cattle, small ruminants (sheep and goat) and camels. Poultry and pig rearing in the target production systems which involve agro-pastoral and pastoral systems were also to be captured. The objective of this approach is to
- a) Reinforce the existing dynamics at national/regional level,
- b) Improving existing partnerships between FO, research and others stakeholders (improvements in terms of partnerships design of diversity of stakeholders involved etc, and Deepen pending questions and potential solutions
Related PAEPARD blog post:
- How important is it to identify gaps in research which benefits pastoralism?
- How difficult is it to identify research gaps?
- Do farmers or pastoralists have the capacity to translate a problem into a research question?
- Was such consultation difficult?
- Which gaps did you identify?
- What is the way forward?
- Which is the most important recommendation?
- You recommend a multi sectorial approach?
Related:
Monday 14 January 2013. News from Africa Africa: Agricultural Researchers Call for Scaling up of Extensive Livestock ProductionSouth African programme for farm animal breeding and reproduction technology
7 December 2012. Brussels. The South African Mission to the European Union organised a lunch info session for a presentation by Mrs Ravini Moodley, Agri-Biotech Sector Portfolio Manager at Technology Innovation Agency, about the South African programmes for agriculture and biotechnology innovation, especially for farm animal breeding and reproduction technology.
Mrs Ravini Moodley is a Small Enterprise Development Researcher with the Technology Innovation Agency in Pretoria, South Africa.The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) was established in 2008.TIA’s core business objective is to support the development and commercialisation of competitive technology-based services and products. The Agency primarily uses South Africa’s science and technology base to develop new industries, create sustainable jobs and help diversify the economy. It invests in the following technology sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Industrial Biotechnology, Health, Mining, Energy and ICT.
TIA was formed through merging seven DST entities previously tasked with supporting and promoting innovation in the country. These entities included the Innovation Fund, Tshumisano Trust, Cape Biotech Trust, PlantBio Trust, LIFElab, BioPAD Trust, and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS).
In a bid to revitalise the animal vaccine development and manufacturing in South Africa, which is crippled by insufficient funding and the lack of co-ordination between agricultural research institutions, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) established the Tshwane Animal Health Cluster to improve services for livestock farming and agribusiness.
The initiative is a result of the outcry by livestock farmers and the value chain industry in South Africa that has been crippled by the country’s failure to prevent the spread of viral outbreaks that have lost the country billions of rands following the suspension of trade in sectors, such as beef, due to foot and mouth diseases, and ostrich meat, hides and feathers due to avian flu.
2nd Annual Conference on Biopesticides
Objectives:
- Gain a global update on biopesticides with speakers from USA & Europe
- Keynote sessions from 5 Regulators and The European Commission
- speed networking and interactive panel sessions
- real-life case studies on market access, product registration from those who have gone through the process
- An introduction to biopesticides
- Definining biopesticides and the complexities that surround such a definition
- Background information relating to topics that will be discussed throughout the two day event
“Over the last decade, the use of biopesticides has increased significantly due in no small part to improved performance and safety, reduced residues and shorter and less costly development process,” said Marrone. “Though the industry continues to face regulatory challenges for registration worldwide, biopesticides are increasingly becoming an important part of overall pest management programs as their performance matches that of chemical pesticides. This is leading to current expectations that biopesticides will significantly outpace the growth of chemical pesticides in the next few years to reach $3 billion by 2014”.Pam Marrone is the CEO and founder of Marrone Bio Innovations , a leading developer of environmentally-responsible biopesticides. When compared with conventional chemicals and pesticides, the natural products developed at MBI result in healthier plants and a safer environment. In bringing natural alternatives to market for organic and conventional growers, Pam has built a successful business model within a growing industry -- all while helping to make our food safer and reduce pollution in our water and air that can put workers and consumers at risk.
Slash and burn agriculture in DRC
Dans les zones forestières, l’agriculture sur brûlis est l’agriculture paysanne par excellence en République Démocratique du Congo. Méthode d’agriculture particulièrement appropriée pour l’approvisionnement alimentaire des populations et capable de répondre aux besoins humains tout en ayant peu d’impact sur la conservation, il apparait que ce mode d’agriculture est devenu, sous l’effet de la pression démographique, une des principales causes de déforestation.
Plus précisément, les objectifs du séminaire etaient de :
- Renforcer la collaboration entre les ONG de terrain, la coopération bilatérale et les chercheurs
- Analyser les freins et leviers permettant de développer en périphérie des aires protégées et/ou des forêts une agriculture assurant conservation et sécurité alimentaire
- Identifier les déficits de connaissances scientifiques et les synergies possibles sur ces matières entre ONG et scientifiques
- Fournir des recommandations d’actions qui, à court, moyen ou long terme, devraient permettre aux différents participants d’améliorer leur travail de développement ou de recherche agricole pour la prise en compte des interrelations entre agriculture et conservation des forêts
PAERIP workshop and CAAST-Net stakeholder conference
Drawing on the experience and expertise of stakeholders from African and European research, civil society and science policy communities, the event examined key aspects of the contributions of Research Infrastructures (RI) to addressing mutual scientific research priorities, and consider approaches to lowering the barriers to RI access and sharing for enhanced bi-regional cooperation.
Post Card from Santa Freebie
I'm super excited to share this new creation of mine with you. After having so much success with my Falling Leaves little books, I have decided to start a new series called SUCCESS AT THEIR OWN LEVEL. It's my approach to differentiated learning.
This is a letter to Santa activity which is good for children of many levels of development from K to 2. I've broken it up into 3 levels. The beginning level is good for Kindergarten, Level 2 for grade one, and level 3 for grade 2. But of course we always have those struggling readers who need a bit of extra support and those more advanced readers who could use an extra challenge. This program would allow a primary class to all write a post card to Santa at their own ability level.
If you'd like your own copy, hop on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store, or click on the link below to get your own copy. Remember that I love feedback and would love to hear from you.
And after all of that, I have finally found the time to link up with Farley's Currently over at Oh Boy 4th grade. Click here to check out the other links. Don't get me started on how C-R-A-Z-Y this week will be for me. I'll fill you all in later.
Thanks for stopping by.
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