Once again, for the second consecutive year, DHRRA Malaysia was invited to feature in a National Television programme aimed towards empowering women viewers at home. While in the previous season DHRRA demonstrated various income generating skills, in this season, the viewers were enlightened with knowledge and awareness on everyday-family-issues. The segment aired weekly as a part of a half-an-hour programme entitled Pavayar Pungga – Women’s Park on RTM Channel 2 which has created many “ah-ha” moments among the women (and men). Thus kindling them to pause and reassess their lives in various area and ultimately build a better life.

Continue reading about DHRRA Spreads its Wings : Over National Television to Reach the Vulnerable Communities …

The increase in Brazil’s farm production has been stunning. Between 1996 and 2006 the total value of the country’s crops rose from 23 billion reais ($23 billion) to 108 billion reais, or 365%. Brazil increased its beef exports tenfold in a decade, overtaking Australia as the world’s largest exporter. It has the world’s largest cattle herd after India’s. It is also the world’s largest exporter of poultry, sugar cane and ethanol (see chart 2). Since 1990 its soyabean output has risen from barely 15m tonnes to over 60m. Brazil accounts for about a third of world soyabean exports, second only to America. In 1994 Brazil’s soyabean exports were one-seventh of America’s; now they are six-sevenths. Moreover, Brazil supplies a quarter of the world’s soyabean trade on just 6% of the country’s arable land.

Continue reading about the The miracle of the cerrado here…

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Farm Friday

continue reading about the mechanical dryers here…

With the AsiaDHRRA Secretariat staff

Quy sharing his experiences from the AWCF exchange program

The demand for scientists with expertise in the agriculture/food sector is likely to increase in the next decade, says Celia Caulcott, director of innovation and skills at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. “There are also skills shortages in areas of expertise such as plant and crop breeding, plant physiology and pest management, large animal physiology and health, soil science, and horticulture,” she says.

So opportunities to work in food security are available and likely to increase. Yet the route into such a career starts at a much earlier stage. “You have to ask yourself how you can get into food security,” U.K. science adviser Beddington notes. “There are lots of disciplines relating to food security, and that makes it an attractive career. Yet you have to understand the science as well as how your work is applicable to food producers in tackling a lack of water or their fight against pests.”

continue reading about Careers in Food Security Span Several Disciplines

Learn more about the Third Farmers’ Forum here…

What is the Farmers’ Forum?

Substantial improvements are needed in current crops to achieve higher yields and sustainable farming. To achieve those gains, agricultural companies have turned to robotics and other measures to streamline breeding programs. And researchers are finding creative ways to introduce and use genes. The point is to make a plant that’s tough, productive, and healthful. Here’s a quick look at just some of the most desired plant improvements—and the techniques that might make them possible.

Read the full article here on how scientists are developing new technologies in the quest for the ideal crop…

The results, presented at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Pittsburgh, show that the vast majority of feral canola plants in the state contain artificial genes that make them resistant to herbicides. Researchers also found two plants that contained traits from multiple genetically modified varieties, suggesting that genetically modified plants are breeding in the wild.

continue reading about “escape” of  Genetically Modified Canola from Farm Fields….

The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)is proud to announce the launching of their first bi-annual e-newsletter in 2010 containing recent events, news and stories about their projects and activities.

Click here to read the newsletter…

Or better yet pay their website a visit here…