1. Gender & Agro-enterprises in Central America.

Successful case-studies related to Gender and value chains were recently selected by RUTA (Unidad Regional de Asistencia Técnica in Centro America). More than 30 studies were presented and 8 cases were selected as the most representative for the Central American Region.

Photo credit: F. Escobar

See information and case studies at RUTA web site:
http://www.ruta.org

Text in Spanish: http://www.ruta.org/concursoCA/concurso01.htm

2. A Full Length Research Paper on Highly client-oriented breeding with farmer participation in the Ethiopian cereal tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]

Dr. Salvatore Ceccarelli from ICARDA, has shared this Paper published on the African Journal of Agricultural Research. The paper describes a highly client-oriented breeding applied to enhance the development and release of a tef (Eragrostis tef) variety with farmer participation in Ethiopia.

Photo credit: Ceccarelli

The paper is available on line at :
http://www.academicjournals.org/ajar/PDF/pdf%202008/Jan/Belay%20et%20al.pdf

3. Research in UMB contributes to better barley harvests in Ethiopia.

This project is a blessing from God. Never before in my life have I experienced that university people had any interest in how a poor man like me lives, nor in improving my life, says Gebregiorgis, a 68-year old farmer from the Habes village in the Tigray-region of Northern-Ethiopia. His crop, and many others, have increased after a research project was initiated with the aim to improve the barley in northern Ethiopia. It all began at UMB.

 Photo credit: PRGA

Read more:
http://www.umb.no/frontpage/article/research-in-umb-contributes-to-better-barley-harvests-in-ethiopia

4. Key Article: "Crop Prospects and Food Situation", Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, November 2009.

Food prices in poor countries that are net importers of food still remain stubbornly high despite a good 2009 world cereal production, FAO warned today in its latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report. Critical food insecurity is affecting 31 countries and they therefore require emergency assistance. In Eastern Africa, the situation is particularly serious as drought and conflict has put an estimated 20 million people in need of food aid.

 Photo credit: F. Escobar

Read more:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/ak340e/ak340e00.htm

5. Key Article: "Food for Thought on Food Security", Raymond C. Offenheiser (President, Oxfam US), AllAfrica.com, November 2009).

Drought is particularly devastating to Africa's rice production since almost 80% of the region's rice area is rainfed. This article provides information about the Research institutes, donor agencies, and community representatives collaborating to develop drought-tolerant rice for African farmers.

Photo credit: F. Escobar

Read more:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200911021587.html

 See also: "Conditions in Place for New Food Crisis", FAO Warns, Reuters, November 9:

 http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5A85NH20091109