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The importance of open and equitable access to agricultural data

September 23, 2016

Open and equitable access to data and information is a vital and tremendously powerful instrument for change. Yet despite tremendous potential value, open access to data is not without risks. Data and associated information and communication technologies by their nature tend to favour those who hold them, or can most readily access and make use … More The importance of open and equitable access to agricultural data

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The Future of Fish: Incomes, Nutrition and Global Security

September 22, 2016

Melissa Benn, Associate at the Agriculture and Food Security Practice at Chemonics International, prepared this article for the September 2016 issue of WFO’s F@rmletter. Why focus on fish? Aquaculture is on the rise globally, and has grown at an impressive rate over the past decades, promising to play a major role in satisfying the protein requirements of both the … More The Future of Fish: Incomes, Nutrition and Global Security

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Shaping the Future of Agriculture and Food Together

September 21, 2016

By MARK HOLDERNESS, GFAR Executive Secretary This article on GFAR’s role was originally published on the G20 Portal on the occasion of the 2017 G20 Summit held 4–5 September 2016 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.   We all know that humanity faces huge challenges in achieving sustainable development and that we must act now. Our agri-food systems, and our very … More Shaping the Future of Agriculture and Food Together

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Europe is working for sustainable fisheries and prosperous fishing communities

September 19, 2016

This article by Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is featured in the September 2016 issue of WFO’s F@rmletter.   Fishermen often describe fishing as much more than a job – it’s a way of life. And surely a deep love for the sea is a prerequisite when you’re getting up long before the crack … More Europe is working for sustainable fisheries and prosperous fishing communities

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Building a sustainable future: A history of conservation agriculture in southern Africa

September 16, 2016

This story is one of a series of features written during CIMMYT’s 50th anniversary year to highlight significant advancements in maize and wheat research between 1966 and 2016. It has been republished with the permission of CIMMYT. HARARE, Zimbabwe (CIMMYT) — When practiced unsustainably, agriculture has led to environmental degradation and famine, which have plagued … More Building a sustainable future: A history of conservation agriculture in southern Africa

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An Expert-backed WhatsApp group that works for Farmers

September 12, 2016

On June 3rd, 2016, I created a WhatsApp group for farmers to meet one of the research objectives of my doctoral programme. It is a small WhatsApp group of 96 farmers, who were chosen from 8 different districts of a hilly state Himachal Pradesh, India. Initially, I was little unsure about the type of conversations … More An Expert-backed WhatsApp group that works for Farmers

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Announcing first in a series of GAP Webinars!

September 9, 2016

The Gender in Agriculture Partnership (GAP) has the pleasure to invite you to a webinar:  Closing the gender data gap for agricultural policy and investment Date: 4 October 2016 Time: 15.30 CET (Rome) Duration: 1.5 hours max Women represent, on average, 43 percent of the global agricultural labour force, and considerably more in many developing … More Announcing first in a series of GAP Webinars!

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The experience of rural life: A wisdom pot for the modern world

September 8, 2016

Growing up on the farm, in the rural area, provides a unique life experience. You learn many life skills and lessons. It can be exciting but there are times that it can be challenging as well. I live in Kumasi, Ghana and I work with a social enterprise that serves the needs of smallholder farmers … More The experience of rural life: A wisdom pot for the modern world

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Why future-smart ICSOs are needed

September 7, 2016

by Robin Bourgeois, GFAR Senior Advisor, Foresight and Development Policies There is a wide recognition today that international civil society organisations (ICSOs) are currently facing challenges that might as well mean their disappearance[1]. This would not be necessarily bad news if that disappearance meant that ICSOs had been successful in “working their way out of … More Why future-smart ICSOs are needed

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Agriculture: From foe to friend of the environment

September 2, 2016

Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals on hunger and poverty will require a 50 percent increase in food production in the next 15 years. In fact, a global food revolution is urgently needed, argues a recent paper by a number of leading scientists working with the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). Without … More Agriculture: From foe to friend of the environment

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Ecomodernism and the human-nature divide

September 1, 2016

Is the world approaching “peak farmland?”  Could the abandonment of fields to nature seen in recent decades in parts of North America and Europe soon spread to the developing world?  Might the regreening of New England soon be a model for Brazil or Indonesia? This proposition, long deemed an impossible dream, is now being seriously … More Ecomodernism and the human-nature divide

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Who really benefits from foreign investment?

August 31, 2016

Over the last decade, Laos and Cambodia have seen a sharp increase in private investment, particularly in the resource sector.[1]Mekong region governments have strategically promoted foreign direct investment (FDI) under the assumption that FDI can bring prosperity and development opportunities to their countries. But does FDI benefit all? Many of the Mekong governments have pursued … More Who really benefits from foreign investment?

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GFAR webinars on “Search Engine Optimization” and “Website Revamps”

August 30, 2016

“The miracle is this – the more we share, the more we have.” ― Leonard Nimoy As a global forum, GFAR truly believes in the power of communications. Be it to work with our partners, to bring our common messages to the public, or to network within our communities. We also strongly believe in the … More GFAR webinars on “Search Engine Optimization” and “Website Revamps”

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How to ensure Africa’s irrigation boom benefits everyone

August 30, 2016

Napandaela is a 63-year-old woman living in small village in northeastern Tanzania. Speaking of competition over water among villagers, she says: “In the face of water scarcity, upstream users and powerful individuals take as much water as they can and leave little for others.” Napandaela, a former chairperson of the village’s irrigation committee, says that … More How to ensure Africa’s irrigation boom benefits everyone

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Stronger together: unlocking Africa’s food production potential

August 29, 2016

Africa is developing fast. Growing economies, burgeoning middle classes and a booming technology industry are all propelling the continent forward. However, the agricultural sector still lags far behind many other sectors, in part due to underutilized water resources. African countries are some of the least irrigated in the world. Less than 4 percent of the … More Stronger together: unlocking Africa’s food production potential

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Minting Organic Money!!

August 26, 2016

I am just addicted to meeting agripreneurs  and hearing about their amazing experiences in doing agriculture better. They do farming a bit differently than ordinary farmers routinely do. Their passion for farming creatively compels me visit them again and again. I can’t stop myself from capturing their motivating stories and sharing with you all. Last … More Minting Organic Money!!

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On Finding Knowledge in the Most Unexpected Places

August 24, 2016

In April, the six finalists in GFAR and YPARD’s Youth Agripreneur Project headed back to their homes in the four corners of the world after an intense week of orientation and skills building at the GCARD3 Global Event, to embark on their personal adventures–and tackle their particular challenges–in agricultural entrepreneurship. Over the last three months, … More On Finding Knowledge in the Most Unexpected Places

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Turning key objectives into great questions

August 23, 2016

In April, the six finalists in GFAR and YPARD’s Youth Agripreneur Project headed back to their homes in the four corners of the world after an intense week of orientation and skills building at the GCARD3 Global Event, to embark on their personal adventures–and tackle their particular challenges–in agricultural entrepreneurship. Over the last three months, … More Turning key objectives into great questions