Contents:  
 1. New CGIAR publication shared by Dr. S. Ceccarelli: 'Adapting Agricultural Systems to Climate Change'
 2. Key article: 'Visualizing Consolidation in the Global Seed Industry: 1996-2008', by Philip H. Howard
 3. UNESCO and FEMNET launched a resource book on 'Right of African women to information'
 4. New FAO quick guide on 'Gender Equity in Agriculture and Rural Development'
 5. New USAID publication: 'Integrating Gender'
 

1. Adapting Agricultural Systems to Climate Change

By using the knowledge and technology emerging from research carried out by the Centers supported by the CGIAR and many other organizations, farmers and other land users are making significant shifts in current practices. Such changes already imperative, will become even more so in the coming decades, as the consequences at climate change unfold .

Photo credit: F. Escobar

To download this publication:
http://www.cgiar.org/pdf/cc_adapting_agr_systems.pdf

2. Visualizing Consolidation in the Global Seed Industry: 1996-2008, by Philip H. Howard

This article was produced by Philip H. Howard at the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, Michigan State University.

Abstract: The commercial seed industry has undergone tremendous consolidation in the last 40 years as transnational corporations entered this agricultural sector, and acquired or merged with competing firms. This trend is associated with impacts that constrain the opportunities for renewable agriculture, such as reductions in seed lines and a declining prevalence of seed saving. To better characterize the current structure of the industry, ownership changes from 1996 to 2008 are represented visually with information graphics. Since the commercialization of transgenic crops in the mid-1990s, the sale of seeds has become dominated globally by Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta. In addition, the largest firms are increasingly networked through agreements to cross-license transgenic seed traits.

To download this publication:
http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/1/4/1266/pdf

3. UNESCO and FEMNET launch resource book on right of African women to information

The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), a pan-African organization working to promote women's rights and development in the continent since 1988, published a resource book Freedom of Information (FOI) & Women's Rights in Africa.

This publication is one of the outputs of the Freedom of Information and Women's Rights in Africa Project, a regional programme launched by FEMNET in partnership with UNESCO. The project aims to demonstrate the relevance of freedom of information in the promotion and protection of women's rights as promulgated in national laws, and regional and international human rights instruments.

 Photo credit: FEMNET

To download the resource book:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29377&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

4. "Gender Equity in Agriculture and Rural Development"

This is a quick guide that outlines the gender dimensions of each strategic objective, and FAO action to achieve gender equity in agriculture and rural development.

Mainstreaming gender equity has become a strategic objective, of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

 Photo credit: FAO - FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

To download the guide:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1240e/i1240e00.htm

5. USAID "Integrating Gender"

The integration of gender concerns throughout USAID's portfolio is the responsibility of the entire Agency.

Photo credit: USAID

Gender integration means taking account of both the differences and the inequalities between men and women in program planning, implementation, and assessment. The roles and activities of men and women affect who does what in carrying out an activity, and who benefits. Taking account of the inequalities and designing programs to reduce them should contribute not only to more effective development programs but also to greater social equity.

The integration of gender concerns throughout USAID's portfolio is the responsibility of the entire Agency. One of the top priorities of the WID Office is to help promote greater institutionalization of a gender perspective throughout all USAID programs.

The WID Office works to achieve this through:

• Assistance to USAID Missions and other operating units;
• Dissemination of best practices;
• Identifying emerging development issues with differential impacts on women and men globally; and
• Creating programs and activities to address new and emerging issues.

More information at: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/wid/gender/index.html