Kanchana Jan-on, 22, collects rubber on a rubber plantation in Phunpin, Surat Thani. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
The Innovation of Youth: The Key to Global Food Security
This global rise in young people presents both a problem and an opportunity. The problem? These young people need access to safe, nutritious food and they need to be ready and able to find productive work. The clear opportunity is to engage this generation to help grow, produce, and distribute more food, in increasingly productive and sustainable ways.
Empowering Decision Support with Big Data
Farmers everywhere are facing the challenge of improving agricultural productivity to meet the growing demands of an increasing and wealthier population, while placing less pressure on scarce water resources. The potential to increase yields and water use efficiency, however, must be balanced against financial, technological, social, and environmental constraints.
Hong Kong's Skyline Farms Harvest More Happiness than Food
Rooftop Republic, a three-year-old startup whose founders are tapping growing interest in organic food and taking advantage of unused roof space in the cramped, high-rent Chinese city. It has set up on average one farm a month since its founding and now manages 36 covering more than 30,000 square feet, including one in mainland China. It also provides workshops for companies, building owners, schools, and community groups.
Wheat in Heat: the 'Crazy Idea' that Could Combat Food Insecurity
The International Centre for Research in the Dry Areas has developed a new strain of wheat that can withstand constant 40C temperatures, the heat of the African savannah. This new variety of wheat is fast growing, and can be harvested in just 92 days, ensuring it doesn’t impact on the rice. It can produce six tons per hectare, despite requiring less water than rice, and contains five times more protein, as well as more vitamins and minerals.
Ethiopia: Over 50,000 Smallholders Benefit from Inoculation Technology
International Livestock Research Institute said over 50,000 smallholder farmers have been reached with inoculation technology and were able to improve their yield on grain legume production during the past four years. The technology has enhanced production of grain legumes through nitrogen fixation in to the soil biologically. As a result, production yield of chickpea, soybean, fava bean, and common bean increased by 10, 36, 41, and 43 percent respectively above national average yields.