Drought tolerant crops that deliver nutrition and income to farmers could bring more food security to the region. Dr. Moses Siambi from ICRISAT explains how relying on single, water-intensive crops during dry periods can be risky.
Water
Opinion | New Diet, New Destiny? Saving the Planet Takes More Than Changing What We Eat
Can changing our diet save the planet? When the EAT-Lancet Commission launched a new landmark report last month, it was widely interpreted as saying that forking down less red meat and more vegetables should ensure that we can provide nutritious food for 10 billion people while maintaining a healthy Earth.
Can Measuring Evaporation Help Farmers Save Water?
Farmers often rely on rainfall estimates from radar stations to effectively manage their crops. But what if those estimates are wrong? Scientists from the University of Missouri are developing new weather models that account for evaporation in order to improve rainfall measurements.
The Water Economy: An Excerpt from Nourished Planet
Water is a basic human right and yet it is becoming increasingly scarce. The global water footprint, including water used for drinking, agriculture, and virtual water (water used to grow crops for international trade), is mismanaged and can lead to social conflict.
Mali Makes the Case for Sustainable Agriculture with SRI
An article about the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Mali describes how this methodology helps farmers deal with climate change.
The Value of Traditional African Knowledge in Agriculture
Indigenous knowledge expert Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu’s TEDGlobal talk explores traditional African knowledge and practices used by modern farmers, with exceptional results.
Thirst for Avocado Leaves Plantations Dry
United States avocado consumption has doubled in the last decade straining local environments in exporting regions such as Michoacán, Mexico, where a loss of forest cover and underground water reserves has increased their risk of fires.
First United Nations Ocean Conference: “We Can Still Make a Difference, If Action Is Taken Now”
Bringing together thousands of government represents, scientists and non-governmental organizations, the first-ever U.N. Ocean Conference calls on everyone to help protect the world’s oceans.
In India, Farmers Are Taking a Novel Approach to Drought Adaptation
The Doba Livelihood Program is helping Indian farmers adapt to climate change by linking indigenous knowledge with academic research.
Combating Drought in Jamaica with Farmer Field Schools
Since winning the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition’s YES! Competition last year, Shaneica Lester and Anne-Teresa Birthwright now run a knowledge transfer project for small-scale farmers in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Lester and Birthwright’s program, which focuses on irrigation conservation…
