ICARDA is pleased to share the scaling out of some important research outcomes and their impacts in 2013. For example, the innovative adaptation of raised bed machines to small-scale farming – developed with farmers and private sector in Sharkia province in Egypt – delivers a 24% saving in irrigation water...

CropLife Asia is focused on ensuring the plant science industry plays an integral role in the food security debate by emphasizing the value that farmers derive from proven and new technologies that enhance productivity in an environmentally sustainable way through initiatives driven by our stewardship, regulatory affairs, advocacy & outreach,...

Smallholders are small-scale farmers, pastoralists, forest keepers, fishers who manage areas varying from less than one hectare to 10 hectares. Smallholders are characterized by family-focused motives such as favouring the stability of the farm household system, using mainly family labour for production and using part of the produce for family...

Formed in 2007, Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group (FPS) creates science-based educational materials, which: identify highly nutritious local food plants, explain how to grow them in a sustainable, agroecological way, detail the nutritional value of the plants and describe why human bodies require those nutrients. The resources created by FPS allows people to better...

This issue of Caravan presents some successes of the collaboration of scientists and other stakeholders from ICARDA and national partners, where participatory research with local communities and women’s groups in particular, has reaped a range of benefits through an integrated systems approach. These examples demonstrate a path forward for sustainably...

The primary objective of this paper is to identify if smallholders are participating in the growth of the shrimp aquaculture industry in Indonesia, a modern globalized agriculture sector that is characterized by (1) bi-modal size distribution of farms — at one end is a large mass of small household farms,...

Along with its rapid economic growth, increasing urbanization, and accelerating integration into the world market, China has experienced rapid transformation of its food value chains. There has been a surge in the number of its supermarkets and hypermarkets. The advent and rapid expansion of the modern self-service store has transformed...

This report presents results of analyses of the IFPRI household survey data on various topics that, combined, represent the current food security situation in Bangladesh. Specifically, the study examines how that situation varies between the FTF zone of influence in the southern region and other regions throughout the country.

This paper attempts to contribute to the emerging literature with focusing on one important high-value agricultural product in Indonesia: chili. More specifically we examine the factors that determine chili farmers participation in supermarket channel and to investigate the impacts of this participation on their income. This study focuses on chilies...

Despite the increasing attention given to organic supply chains over the past decade, there are still significant market opportunities to pursue. The demand for organic products in developing countries continues to grow and price premiums for organic certified products are available, albeit not comparable with those of a decade or...

Formed in 2007, Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group (FPS) creates science-based educational materials, which: identify highly nutritious local food plants, explain how to grow them in a sustainable, agroecological way, detail the nutritional value of the plants and describe why human bodies require those nutrients. The resources created by FPS allows people to better...

This report presents examples, approaches and evidence on conservation agriculture and its potential for use in low-income countries. It is designed to help policy makers and development partners appreciate the issues and evaluate how conservation agriculture can contribute to rural development and food security goals, paving the way for its...

The mission to Palau and Guam, carried out under the project TCP/PAL/3301, was part of the initiative of FAO to establish a subregional aquaculture network in Micronesia. It was the latest activity in a process that drew impetus from a meeting called “Building on Progress: An Evening on Pacific Aquaculture”...

The Green Revolution, the symbol of agricultural intensification not only failed to ensure safe and abundant food production for all people, but it was launched under the assumptions that abundant water and cheap energy to fuel modern agriculture would always be available and that climate would be stable and not...

Yunnan Province of China is the world’s provenance of tea trees. It’s also the province that boasts the largest area of wild tea tree communities and ancient tea plantations with the largest amount of old tea trees and wild tea trees. The area along the Lancang River is the center...

La presente caja de herramientas está diseñada para ayudar a los profesionales de la seguridad alimentaria a desarrollar una estratégica de comunicación, y a comunicarse más eficazmente con los grupos que son el blanco de sus esfuerzos. Secciones específicas de la caja de herramientas enfocan a los formuladores de políticas...

The 5000 odd women who free-dive to collect seaweed in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park off the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu find themselves struggling for their livelihoods now that their activities have been greatly curtailed. The Gulf of Mannar was declared a marine national park in...

The Green Revolution not only failed to ensure safe and abundant food production for all people, but it was launched under the assumptions that abundant water and cheap energy to fuel modern agriculture would always be available and that climate would be stable and not change. In some of the...

Five case studies are included here as examples of attempts to link small farmers with markets in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The case studies explore the business model used and the lessons learned. They are drawn from among the loose network of the organizations that are members of...

Large, decimated ecosystems can be restored. Bringing large areas back from environmental ruin is possible, and the results are key to stabilizing the earth's climate, eradicating poverty and making sustainable agriculture a reality. Under the guidance of a few people who have knowledge and vision, local uneducated rural poor can...