VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 TO ALL OUR STAKE HOLDERS

VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 TO ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERSFrom Mauritius Agriculture News (Blog) & AgricultureNews Channel (Facebook) Team

Scholarships for diploma/degree courses – 2011/2012 UNDER THE SUGAR INDUSTRY VRS/ERS scholarships scheme

COMMUNIQUE
Scholarships for diploma/degree courses – 2011/2012UNDER THE SUGAR INDUSTRY VRS/ERS scholarships scheme

Applications for the award of scholarships are invited from children of retired workers of the Sugar Industry under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)/Early Retirement Scheme (ERS) and who have already been admitted to any diploma/degree course in a recognized Post Secondary

Spore Magazine Issue No 156: December 2011 - January 2012

The latest issue of Spore is online!


Download HERE.


Download courtesy: CTA

How rainwater harvesting is helping Nicaraguan farmers

By Alejandra Martins, BBC Mundo

 Prized resource: The aim is to ensure a year-round supply of water

"I've been a farmer for more than 40 years, but I never had an opportunity like this," says Victor Beltran. Mr Beltran lives in northern Nicaragua, one of the poorest and driest areas of the country, where a pilot project to harvest rainwater is beginning to

Two Guernsey politicians oppose third golf course plan

An interesting read on agriculture land conservation vs development!  The land at La Ramee would be turned into an 18 hole golf course

Plans for a third 18-hole golf course in Guernsey have been formally opposed by two politicians.Deputies Tony Spruce and Robert Sillars filed an amendment against the creation of a course on former greenhouse and farm land at La Ramee in St Peter Port.

Pénurie et hausse de 10 % des prix des légumes

Qui dit sécheresse, dit également hausse de prix des légumes. En effet, les prix des légumes vont enregistrer une hausse de 10 % dans une quinzaine de jours. On avait bien eu de la pluie il y a deux semaines, mais en ce moment, il y a encore la chaleur. Nous sommes en période de sécheresse.




Dans certains endroits, les planteurs ont l'eau pour l'irrigation mais à d'autres endroits, certains

UN warns of staple crop virus 'epidemic'

By Matt McGrath Science reporter, BBC World Service
 Farmers may think crops are healthy until harvest; the signs only show on rootsUN scientists are warning that a virus attacking the cassava plant is nearing an epidemic in parts of Africa. Cassava is one of the world's most important crops providing up to a third of the calorie intake for many

Les élèves de l’Ecole Espérance 2000 initiés à l’agriculture bio

Des enfants, âgés de 12 à 17 ans de l’école Espérance 2000 dans le réseau Adolescent Non-Formal Education Network (ANFEN), sont des mordus d’agriculture. Pour fêter la fin de leur année scolaire et de leur projet environnemental initié et financé par la GML Fondation Joseph-Lagesse, les enfants ont récemment organisé une récolte dans leur jardin potager et leur serre hydroponique.
Marie-Laurence

ICT in Agriculture e-sourcebook

Realizing the profound potential of information and communication technologies in developing country agriculture, the Agriculture and Rural Development Department (ARD) of the World Bank in collaboration with infoDev (part of the World Bank Group) embarked in an effort to explore and capture the expanding knowledge and use of ICT tools in agrarian livelihoods. In November 2011, the World Bank

Coopératives : La Small Planters Association veut se lancer dans la production de l’éthanol

La Small Planters Association a décidé de réunir plus d’une centaine de planteurs au sein d’une nouvelle coopérative ayant pour nom Island Green Farmers Cooperative Society. Ils s’engagent à relancer les activités des petits planteurs de cannes à travers la transformation de la mélasse en éthanol.« Les planteurs ne s’intéressent plus à la production sucrière. La production d’une tonne de sucre

Spore Magazine Issue No 155: October - November 2011

The latest issue of Spore is online!


Download HERE.


Download courtesy: CTA

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: ALTERNATIVES TO PESTICIDES

The Mauritius Horticultural Society has the pleasure to invite those interested to a SEMINAR onALTERNATIVES TO PESTICIDES


Guest speakers: Assoc. Prof. Dr Sunita Facknath & Ms Malini Alleck.

Venue: Harry Flowers Centre, Bois Cheri Rd., Moka.
Date: Saturday 05 November 2011.
Time: 10.00 to 12.00.
Discussion / debate included in programme. --------------------------------------------------------

Sugar production expected to be around 390 000 tonnes

According to the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture, the production of sugar would be around 390 000 tonnes for the crop year 2011.  This estimate is based on statistics for the sugar sector for the first semester of 2011.In fact, economic indicators of Statistics Mauritius show that at the end of June 2011, around 3950 hectares under sugar cane were harvested, yielding 262 151 tonnes of cane and

Journée internationale de l’alimentation : Grosse affluence au Jardin de Pamplemousses

L’initiative du ministère de l’Agro-industrie de célébrer la Journée mondiale de l’alimentation a été un succès. Le jardin botanique Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam de Pamplemousses a accueilli une grande foule ce dimanche 16 octobre.Une grosse affluence en cette journée dominicale. C’est ce qu’a connu le Jardin de Pamplemousses dans le cadre de la journée porte-ouverte organisée par le ministère de

La Réunion : les fruits et légumes pays n’ont pas dit leur dernier mot

Ail, oignon, pommes de terre, carottes, agrumes... Les productions locales de ces fruits et légumes sont de plus en plus menacées par les importations. Ce n’est pourtant pas une fatalité pour la profession qui tente de s’organiser afin de récupérer des parts de marché dans les prochaines années.
Oignon d’Inde, ail de Chine, carotte d’Australie... C’est un véritable tour du monde auquel ont droit

Event Announcement: Les Lignes d'Or - concours national de poésie (Pouquoi pas l'agriculture?)

World Food Day & Save the Children

Alison Doherty of Save the Children has communicated to us below. Just like we breathe and we don't realise that we are actually 'alive', at times we forget that Agriculture sustains the life on earth. Please take the quiz as part of your World Food Day contribution.







Today is World Food Day and we have good news to report — there are fewer underweight children in developing countries: a

The Latest Edition of "The State of Food Insecurity in the World" is now Available

About the Series
The State of Food Insecurity in the World raises awareness about global hunger issues, discusses underlying causes of hunger and malnutrition and monitors progress towards hunger reduction targets established at the 1996 World Food Summit and the Millennium Summit. The publication is targeted at a wide audience, including policy-makers, international organizations, academic

Spore Special Issue: Modernising Farms - Paths to Success

Download this special issue here.

Download Spore issue  No 154 Aug / Sept 2011 here.


Download courtesy: CTA

Agricultural Research and Development: Hardier sweet potatoes

Crop scientists at Uganda’s National Crop Resources Research Institute (NACRRI) in Namulonge have released sweet potato varieties that are resistant to diseases and weevils, both of which take a heavy toll on yields. Kawogo, Naspot 1, Naspot 90 and Kakamega were developed using conventional methods, tissue culture, biotechnology and computerised marker-assisted selection.

“We are crossing

New Online Forum: "Challenges and Opportunities for Capturing Impact in ICT initiatives in Agriculture"

From 25 September to 6 October 2011 Katalyst and e-Agriculture will organize a new online forum to discuss the challenges of linking impact with the use of ICTs in agriculture.
This forum will discuss the present practices and critical issues (regarding both implementation and monitoring) of ICT initiatives in agriculture.Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an emerging area

Youth in agricultural Extension – Challenges and opportunities

Agricultural extension and I
For the past 3 years, I have been studying agriculture with specialization in agricultural extension at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius. During my work-based placement, I have worked at the Agricultural Research and Extension Unit (AREU), where I have got the opportunity to get some work experience in agricultural extension and I have also done

E-discussions on Extension/advisory services and Young Professionals

Call for contribution!The young generation plays an important role in extension and rural advisory services. It has to solve many of the current global issues and will face new ones. To rise to the challenge, young professionals working in extension and rural advisory services should be paid greater attention, provided an opportunity to share their experiences, voice their concerns

A PROFILE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN ONION MARKET VALUE CHAIN

Download PDF report by clicking on image.

Agricultural Research and Development: SADC CCARDESA Opens

Merafhe opens Agric research centre Below we run an edited version of a speech by Vice President MOMPATI MERAFHE at the ministers' meeting, and launch of the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA).
Undoubtedly, this institution will go a long way in assisting us to achieve our goal of food security in the SADC region.
 As you are all

Photo and Essay Competitions - NEPAD Agency - CTA

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) have joined forces in celebrating NEPAD’s 10th Anniversary. The two institutions are jointly organising within this framework two competitions:An essay competition on the theme “Looking at ICTs and entrepreneurship in agriculture and rural development through

Légumes : intérêt grandissant pour la culture hydroponique

Il y a actuellement un intérêt grandissant pour la culture hydroponique. Les statistiques de la Banque de développement de Maurice (BDM) démontrent que le nombre de demandes d’emprunts pour démarrer la culture hydroponique est en hausse.
Les emprunts contractés à mai dernier totalisent Rs 12,85 millions pour le financement de 18 projets. Pour la période 2009-2010, seulement dix

YoBloCo Awards: Write a blog on youth and agriculture and win up to 3,000 Euros!

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) in collaboration with FARA, Yam-Pukri, CAFAN, AYF, ANAFE, SPC/PAFNET is organizing the Youth in Agriculture Blog Competition (YoBloCo Awards). This contest is launched in the ARDYIS initiative which aims to raise youth awareness and improve their capacity an agricultural and rural development issues in ACP countries using

Lancement du concours : "Nou plante, nou manze"

La Fondation Solidarité du groupe Food and Allied avec le support de l’Agricultural Research and Extension Unit (AREU), lance un concours national de jardins-potagers. Le thème "Nou plante, nou Manze". Le coup d’envoi du concours est prévu pour le 20 juillet et s’étalera sur trois mois. 

Le concept

Le projet répond à un double objectif. Il s’agit d’une part de valoriser la production de légumes

Food prices linked to smallholder productivity

Field of smallholder farmer in Mauritius
Neglect of smallholder farmers will compound food insecurity and food price volatility: IFAD President challenges G20 agriculture ministers
Rome, 21 June 2011 – Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the United Nation’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will urge minsters to place smallholder farmers on top of their agenda during the

Announcement: Sale of Endemic Plants

Alimentation : du poison dans nos assiettes?

Après la vache folle, le mercure dans certains poissons, le parabène des biberons, voilà maintenant les concombres toxiques. 16 personnes sont mortes en Allemagne et en Suède, intoxiquées par une bactérie Escherichia Choli qui aurait infecté des concombres cultivés dans des exploitations biologiques. Faut-il s'en inquiéter ?Cliquer sur lien pour regarder video. Origine video: France24 de

Major food alert as two Britons are diagnosed with fatal food poisoning bug traced to organic cucumbers

Hundreds more have fallen ill in outbreak
Bug could affect tomatoes and lettuce
A food poisoning bug found in organic cucumbers  has killed five of its victims.
Hundreds more have fallen ill in the outbreak, which could affect tomatoes and lettuce too.
Although centred on Germany, where the deaths occurred, the outbreak has spread to Britain and three other countries.
Deadly strain: A

Call for Participation: Special Blog Series on Agriculture, ICTs and Youth

"Youth should be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-making of local, national and global levels."United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon CONTEXTDid you know that the International Year of Youth is underway?The United Nations International Year of Youth runs from August 2010 until August 2011, and it celebrates and advocates Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.To celebrate a

Download CTA ICT UPDATE Issue 59 April 2011

Click on image to download.

Download SPORE April - May 2011 Issue

Click on image to download.

Maurice exporte 100 tonnes de DDT

Pas moins de 100 tonnes de DDT seront exportées en août prochain à Bruxelles. La raison : le produit est jugé hautement toxique pour l’environnement.
Ce pesticide qui avait été importé dans les années ’80 pour lutter contre la malaria est stocké dans des bacs hermétiques à Pamplemousses. Au niveau du ministère de l’Environnement, on qualifie ce produit de “polluant organique

Green Festival organized by Phoenix Les Halles in collaboration with the Mauritius Horticultural Society

Mauritius Horticultural Society cordially invites all to attend.

Dimanche a la ferme

Nice initiative from Mrs Rambert from Maison du CanardKids will learn and especially see how the farm works, the animals, feeding etc and if we are lucky we will see the calving too !if each village or locality could have a farm, that would be great. food for thoughts :)

First Annual Dialogue of Ministers of Agriculture, Science and Technology

First Annual Dialogue of Ministers of Agriculture, Science and Technology Following the recommendation of the Ministers of Agriculture, Science and Technology at the FARA General Assembly in July 2010, FARA invited African Ministers to a special Dialogue on 28-29 April at the Secretariat in Accra. The delegates agreed on the way forward for agricultural research, education and

Statistics / Report: Agricultural and Fish Production for Year 2010

Download the Central Statistics Report for Agricultural & Fish Production for Year 2010 Here var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-17742375-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.

Agriculture – Racing towards Food Security

In fact, the agricultural area harvested in Mauritius has also decreased over the years, with more space being devoted to the booming real estate sector. Between 2009 and 2010, there has been a 3% decline in total harvested crop area, with a corresponding 6% fall in local food production. The contribution of agriculture to GDP hovered around 4% in the last three years compared to 6.9% in 2001.

Event Announcement: Agricultural Job / Entreprenariat Fair at the University of Mauritius

Agricultural Society is bringing to you a platform where STUDENTS, COMPANIES and ORGANISATIONS can interact freely.This is an opportunity to learn about the job market in the Agricultural sector.Companies and Organisations present:1. Meaders Feed ltd...2. Food & Allied Group of Companies3. INNODIS Group4. AADICON BIOTECHNOLOGIES LTD5. Mauritian Wildlife Foundation6. Irrigation Authority7.

Inquiétudes sur l'agriculture et la pêche japonaise

La région dévastée par le tsunami est la plus poissonneuse au monde. Elle représente aussi le quart de la production de riz nationale et est une zone d'élevage majeure du pays. Le quart de la production nationale de riz en partie détruite, l'une des plus importantes régions d'élevage du pays innondée sans oublier les fortes perturbations dans les eaux les plus

Seychelles: On Farm Trials Workshop

Courtesy of Seychelles Nation On Thursday 10th March 2011, the Agricultural Extension Services Section and the Crop Research and Development Section of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA) jointly organised a workshop for farmers at the Anse Royale Community Centre in which the preliminary results of on-farm trials carried out in 2010 were

Evènement: Les Floralies des Villes Soeurs II

Photo: www.teachenglishinasia.netLe Mauritius Horticultural Society & United Green en collaboration avec le Conseil Municipale de Beau Bassin / Rose Hill, organisent 'Les Floralies des Villes Soeurs II'.Le public est encouragée â venir en famille pour découvrir ou acquerir une gamme de plantes ornamentales.Venue: Théâtre du PlazzaDate: Samedi 26 et Dimanche 27 Mars 2011Entrée: LibreProgramme du

A Call for Stronger Support for Youth Involvement in Agriculture and ICT (Communiqué)

Last week, 27 participants from 17 ACP countries met in Ghana for a Training and Exchange workshop on Web 2.0 for agricultural and rural development. During this workshop, there was a debate and discussion on topics related to youth, agriculture and ICT. Following this meeting a final communique has been made (containing problems faced by youth in agriculture and some proposed recommendations),

Event Announcement: Food Exhibition Mauritius

Below is an event advertised internationally. Download event brochure hereContact details for more info and registration purposes are as follows:Adze Events Head Office 51, Cybercity Ebene, Le Réduit, Mauritius

Brussels Development Briefings

Briefing on “The water we eat” March 11, 2011 We cordially invite you to our next briefing on the “Water we eat: Challenges and opportunities for ACP in times of scarcity”, to be held on Wednesday, April 13th from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Brussels. CC BY-NC-ND/John K. The world is on the brink of an unprecedented water crisis. Water is likely to be the most important

Agriculture Magazine - Download Spore February / March 2011 Issue

This is the February / March 2011 issue of Spore.Free download here var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-17742375-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';

2020 conference - Hans Rosling video

A very interesting video showing the evolution from 1810 to 2009. We all can be in the "rich and healthy" region. It's up to us to decide where we want to be and what we can do to reach there. As we say, Nothing is impossible!

Hungry Planet Episode 2

This video shows the potential of Cassava in poverty reduction in Ghana

Agriculture Research and Development: Questions for a better future!

We begin a food for thought series of 100 questions as published in a paper on "The top 100 questions of importance to the future of global agriculture". You will find all questions to be relevant to food production and food security.The questions are intended for all .. from the Planter to Extension Officers / Researchers, Directors of Public and Private Institutions, Policy Makers and

Issue 150 of Spore Magazine

Download latest issue of spore magazine here. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-17742375-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s =

Use of ICT in Agriculture

According to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are “new or advanced technologies that enhance the dissemination or creation of information and communication”. Formerly, when we talked about ICT in agriculture, it was all about the use of videos, radios, television and newspapers. But today, ICT in