UK Needs Increase In Agriculture Graduates To Tackle Global Food Security

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Increasing the production of food in an environmentally sustainable way is a major global issue. A report produced by the UK Cabinet Office in 2008 predicted that the global population will rise to 9 billion by 2050 from a current 6.8 billion. This increase in population will substantially increase demand for food, with food production…
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Bread from the ‘Tree of Life’

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Breadfruit has been coined the new ‘super-fruit’ and according to some has the ability to alleviate world hunger. However, it has recently been discovered that breadfruit may also have a very different role in saving lives. Scientists have isolated three chemicals produced in the male inflorescence of the breadfruit that are extremely effective at repelling…
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Update: Plant Health News (18 Dec 13)

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Here’s a taste of some of the latest stories about plant health, including the use of technology to improve the detection of papaya viruses, toxins discovered in banana root tissue kill root pests and the vital importance of water conservation in Nigeria to avoid food crises. Click on the links to read more of the…
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Plantwise Malawi Officially Launched

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Contributed by Roger Day and Noah Phiri, CABI in Africa [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dApT6tvehT4&w=560&h=315] Top national agricultural officials and CABI representatives gathered in Malawi recently to officially kick-off Plantwise operations, marking a new chapter for plant health development in the country. With one small snip, Dr Wilfred Lipita cut the ribbon to officially launch the programme. Dr Lipita…
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Update: New Pest & Disease Records (11 Dec 13)

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We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this fortnight include the first report of Bipolaris papendorfii causing corn leaf spot in China, the first report of black spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata on sweet persimmon fruits and two new species…
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CABI takes home NEF Award for Innovation with Plantwise

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INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS, LONDON- On Thursday 5 December, CABI received an Innovation Award at the 10th annual National Engineering Foundation (NEF) Innovisions Conference, in recognition for its landmark global food security programme, Plantwise. Hosted by NEF and presenters from the BBC, the Innovation Awards were established to celebrate ‘game-changers’ proven to be the very best…
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Update: Plant Health News (04 Dec 13)

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Here’s a taste of some of the latest stories about plant health, including a new banana disease identified in Africa, ways to deal with oil seed rape pests after the neonicotinoid restrictions and the role of agricultural cooperatives and storage in rural Ethiopia. Click on the link to read more of the latest plant health news!
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CABI makes the NEF Innovation Award shortlist for Plantwise

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On Thursday 5 December, CABI representatives will join the annual National Engineering Foundation (NEF) Innovisions Conference to see whether its landmark global food security programme, Plantwise, will take home a 2013 Innovation Award. These awards were established to recognise and celebrate ‘game-changers’ proven to be the very best of innovation in public policy. They have…
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Good news for Ghana’s plant health promoted this National Farmers’ Day

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National Farmers’ Day is a day set aside to commemorate the contributions of farmers and fishermen to the national development of Ghana. Combined, these industries account for over 45% of the country’s annual GDP. At this year’s official Farmers’ Day ceremony at Sogakope in the Volta region, Plantwise and partners will take the opportunity to…
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