Strategies for Combating Climate Change in Drylands Agriculture
Synthesis of dialogues and evidence presented at the International Conference on Food Security in Dry Lands, Doha, Qatar, November, 2012
Synthesis of dialogues and evidence presented at the International Conference on Food Security in Dry Lands, Doha, Qatar, November, 2012
Agriculture in Ethiopia remains to be the key sector. It is still the main source of foreign exchange earnings (up to 90%) and the largest labour force employer (about 83%). Of the total agricultural output, about 95% was covered by smallholder agriculture sub-sector. However, a number of factors limit smallholder farmers from participating in export potential cash crops. The main objective of this paper is to identify household specific factors determining sesame production and marketing participation.
This study conducted in two sub catchments of the Abay Basin identified the quantity and quality of sediment loss and its origin though most studies conducted in Ethiopia focus on quantification of soil loss. Also, the onsite economic cost in terms of yield reduction was estimated taking maize (Zea mays) as representative crop. For this purpose, two monitoring stations were selected at the outlet of the two watersheds. Depth integrated runoff samples were collected during the rainy season in 2011 while discharge of the Rivers was estimated from staff gauge-discharge relationship.
The current reforms in Burma/Myanmar are worsening land grabs in the country. Since the mid-2000s there has been a spike in land grabs, especially leading up to the 2010 national elections. Military and government authorities have been granting large-scale land concessions to well-connected Burmese companies.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biostrips on the biodiversity of plants and game animals in fields near Sardice (Czech Republic) and to propose some improvements. The experiment was carried out in an organic farm with cereals as the main crops. The biodiversity was assessed by the line method (game birds and mammals) and according to Dostal (flora) and Braun-Blanqueta (plant coverage). As shown by our results biostrips have an important function in agroecosystems. We suggest to include seeds of sugar beet to the seed mixtures used in biostrips.
WETHMAY, Myanmar—Anger over plans to expand a Chinese-backed mine near here is emerging as a test case of Myanmar's recent political reforms.
Villagers have staged raucous protests in recent weeks over the giant copper mine near Monywa in northwestern Myanmar, owned jointly by Myanmar's military and a subsidiary of China North Industries Corp., an arms manufacturer. The subsidiary, Wanbao Mining Ltd., and its Myanmar partners are hoping to expand the mine, but that would require taking over huge tracts of land and moving as many as 26 villages, locals say...