Much emphasis is given to the importance of infrastructure in boosting the economy of rural areas and for reducing poverty there. Roads mean more trade, right? Roads mean that you can get your produce to the market, don't they?
The latest Agritrade newsletter reports on a review done on the link between infrastructure and agricultural trade and poverty reduction, published in September 2013, which “confirms that rural roads are important for poverty reduction, and can increase agricultural productivity and market access”. But it also finds “little evidence that roads have a direct impact on the poorest communities”.
The findings make the case that investment in "soft infrastructure" like the services related to extension and maintaining standards are as important as putting money towards "hard infrastructure" (roads, energy supply, communications).
The whole article and editorial comment can be found here.
In The Agri Handbook, the importance of infrastructure is underscored by the fact that both the chapter on infrastructure and the chapter on developing farmer support are in the "National issues" section. There are also chapters on the importance of rural development, and agricultural education and training.
Monday 23 December 2013
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Eastern Cape gets fracking
Engineering News reports that the first phase of shale gas exploration has begun in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was launched by the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT). This despite the concerns and opposition of many citizens and experts.
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) involves injecting millions of litres of water, chemicals and sand into Mother Earth at high pressure to free pockets of natural gas. Find out more, including the documented environmental risk, at www.treasurethekaroo.co.za . [Yes, the term "Mother Earth" is emotive, and so you know where this writer stands on the issue.]
On the same day, for the record, a solar company CEO speaking about fracking says: " ... the long-term repercussions on the economy as well as the effect on the environment and public health, may be staggering, not to mention the potential clean-up costs that will fall on taxpayers for decades to come".
Shale gas is one of the sources of energy on which you will find notes in the Energy chapter of The Agri Handbook. Solar and other renewable energy sources are looked at in a dedicated Renewable energy chapter.
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) involves injecting millions of litres of water, chemicals and sand into Mother Earth at high pressure to free pockets of natural gas. Find out more, including the documented environmental risk, at www.treasurethekaroo.co.za . [Yes, the term "Mother Earth" is emotive, and so you know where this writer stands on the issue.]
On the same day, for the record, a solar company CEO speaking about fracking says: " ... the long-term repercussions on the economy as well as the effect on the environment and public health, may be staggering, not to mention the potential clean-up costs that will fall on taxpayers for decades to come".
Shale gas is one of the sources of energy on which you will find notes in the Energy chapter of The Agri Handbook. Solar and other renewable energy sources are looked at in a dedicated Renewable energy chapter.
Monday 9 December 2013
New York roof farm to open on the 17 Dec
Whole Foods Market has been constructing a 20 000 square foot (close to 2000 m2) greenhouse on the roof of its store in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Advanced irrigation systems will use up to 20 times less than conventional farming. Inhabitat NEW YORK CITY quips: It doesn't get more local than that!
As urbanisation is to be a trend worldwide urban farming will become more vital for food security. This is dealt with in "The urban question" chapter of The Agri Handbook.
As urbanisation is to be a trend worldwide urban farming will become more vital for food security. This is dealt with in "The urban question" chapter of The Agri Handbook.
Friday 6 December 2013
Rest in peace
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013.
Find the earlier blog On saints and personas: Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday here.
Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013.
Find the earlier blog On saints and personas: Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday here.
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Don't give up!
You may not be aware of it, but the biggest AIDS conference on the African continent is currently taking place in Cape Town [find information on the 17th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) event here].
An important message to the person finding out they are infected is that a healthy, continued life is possible (DON'T GIVE UP!) Studies point to the importance of nutrition, basic food safety, adequate sleep and a positive attitude. And ARV medication has made a huge difference in the lives of millions.
HIV and AIDS is a chapter in The Agri Handbook. HIV and AIDS is everyone's business and farmers may not know where to turn if one of their workers becomes infected. Find the chapter here.
Find the latest statistics and news of progress against HIV and AIDS at http://www.unaids.org.
An important message to the person finding out they are infected is that a healthy, continued life is possible (DON'T GIVE UP!) Studies point to the importance of nutrition, basic food safety, adequate sleep and a positive attitude. And ARV medication has made a huge difference in the lives of millions.
HIV and AIDS is a chapter in The Agri Handbook. HIV and AIDS is everyone's business and farmers may not know where to turn if one of their workers becomes infected. Find the chapter here.
Find the latest statistics and news of progress against HIV and AIDS at http://www.unaids.org.
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