bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
China's Food Industry: Today and Tomorrow
Authors: Tao Shen
Published: July 2017

The food industry is an important sector of the Chinese economy, which contributes to the development of agriculture, the improvement of the national diet, the economic success of the country and a healthy and stable society. It is currently undergoing major scientific and technological advances, resulting in greater efficiency of resource utilization, a higher standard of nutrition of the population, and increased exports of food products.
Improving the Utilization of Cooking Bananas and Plantains
Authors: Wainwright Henry
Published: July 2017

Cooking bananas and plantains are traditional starch staple crops of considerable importance in the humid tropics. The prominence of cooking bananas and plantains in the diet is, however, threatened by several factors, in particular crop losses due to pests and diseases, and difficulties in transporting and handling bulky, irregularly shaped, perishable fruit for growing distant urban centres. The challenge to the postharvest technologist is to maintain and increase the utilization of the crop. This is currently being achieved by improved handling using appropriate technology, assisting breeders in the selection of less perishable fruit and the development of processed forms of cooking banana and plantains that are easily produced and acceptable to the consumer. Convenient processed forms are particularly important to increase utilization by consumers in the urban centres where traditional methods of preparing the raw product may not be practical.
Engineering for Horticulture
Authors: Jones Siân
Published: July 2017

Consumer awareness of the quality of horticultural produce is constantly increasing, together with a suspicion of the chemicals with which crops may have been treated during growth. It is the duty of the horticultural industry to supply consumers with goods that will satisfy their demand for consistent quality at a reasonable price, and to offer fruit and vegetables that have been grown with a minimum of chemical intervention. The most effective means of achieving this goal is through engineering solutions which can also improve working conditions for the growers and enhance production efficiency.
The Environmental Benefits of Conservation Headlands in Cereal Fields
Authors: Sotherton Nick
Published: July 2017

The cereal ecosystem is still the most important habitat for lowland gamebirds in Britain. Species such as pheasants and partridges, and indeed many other species of plants and animals, are known to thrive in cereal ecosystems throughout Britain, Northern Europe and North America if they are sympathetically managed. Techniques are now available to overcome the adverse effects of herbicides and insecticides on gamebird chicks and on a variety of species in the cereal ecosystem, among both its flora and its fauna. The basic approach has been to exclude pesticides selectively from the outermost six metres of the cereal crop, adjacent to the field boundary, a practice which has become known as Conservation Headlands. This article describes these techniques and charts their achievements to date.
The Right to Health in Tropical Agriculture
Authors: Obeng Letitia E.
Published: July 2017

The focus of this paper is on people and the health hazards that they face in some parts of the tropics. In particular it deals with the effects of the ecological conditions created by water intensive agriculture and the supplies of water for domestic use on the health of communities.
Water Management in Relation to Crop Production: Case Study on Rice
Authors: Bhuiyan Sadiq I.
Published: July 2017

Rice is the staple food of nearly half of the world's population, most of whom live in Asia. For intensive, high-yielding rice production, access to irrigation water and drainage facilities is crucial. Provision of irrigation facilities expanded rapidly in the 1970's and early 1980's in the major rice-producing countries of Asia, but the management of water has remained inefficient. Investments in new irrigation have declined as the rice supply improved and the development of new water resources became increasingly costly. This trend is not likely to be reversed in the foreseeable future. Consequently, improved efficiency in the use of water is needed to maintain rice production growth.
Improvement of White Clover
Authors: Rhodes Ian , Webb K. Judith
Published: July 2017

The need to reduce economic and environmental costs of livestock agriculture has led to a resurgence of interest in forage legumes, particularly white clover, However, despite a recognition of the benefits accruing from its high herbage quality and the nitrogen fixation from its symbiosis with the Rhizobium bacterium, the widespread use of white clover by farmers has been inhibited by several perceived Problems. Foremost amongst these have been a reputation for unreliable yield, lack of persistency under intensive grazing and propensity to cause bloat in cattle.

Conventional breeding techniques coupled with extensive genetic resources and a growing understanding of the physiological basis of variation in yield and persistency have already resulted in the development of new reliably productive varieties. These varieties will provide a cornerstone for sustainable livestock agriculture in upland and lowland areas of the UK and Europe.

The successful application of techniques of biotechnology to white clover has accelerated in recent years. An array of approaches is now available which will open the way for its genetic manipulation and subsequent germplasm enhancement. These approaches range from the routine maintenance and propagation of plants in vitro to the production of transgenic plants, and offer possibilities of altering radically the nature of white clover in the future.
Modelling Methodology for Soil Erosion Assessment and Soil Conservation Design: The EUROSEM Approach
Authors: Morgan R. P. C. , Quinton J. N. , Rickson R. J.
Published: July 2017

Increasing concern about the effects of agriculture on the environment has drawn attention to the inadequate scientific base on which many policy decisions are made. Decisions on how soil should best be protected from erosion demand knowledge of the risk of erosion and of the relative effectiveness of different conservation measures. Process-based erosion models are designed to provide this information. This paper outlines one such model, the European Soil Erosion Model (EUROSEM), which is being developed jointly by scientists from ten European countries. The model incorporates some of the best process-based erosion research being carried out in Europe and, compared with other similar models, contains novel features in the way rill–interrill interactions and the role of vegetation are described. Tests of the model in the UK show that it performs rationally and gives reasonable predictions of storm soil loss and runoff. Some examples of how the model might be used to evaluate conservation measures are provided.
The Management of Acid Soils in Africa
Authors: Pauw Eddy F. De
Published: July 2017

Acid soils cover more than a third of Subsaharan Africa. Due to their poor fertility, aluminium toxicity and fragile structure, their agricultural productivity is low and declines rapidly under cultivation, The sustainable use of these soils requires adequate inputs of nutrients and amendments in the form of fertilizers, organic matter and sometimes lime. In view of population pressure the gradual intensification of the cultivation of acid soils, often the last reserve of underutilized land, is essential for Africa's economic growth. Sustainable increases in productivity can only be achieved by a gradual transformation of traditional farming systems through development pathways that take full account of socioeconomic and agroecological diversity.
New Roads to Crop Protection Against Viruses
Authors: Wilson T. Michael A. , Davies Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2017

Farmers and growers, already under pressure to produce food under tighter constraints, face the omnipresent threat of new pests and diseases caused by new strains of fungal, bacterial or viral pathogens or their vectors, such as insects. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is an example of such a threat in Europe (Bedford and Markham, 1993). It is feared that over-use of pesticides, fertilizers and growth regulators could create major environmental problems, but to survive without them will require other strategies, broadly referred to as ‘sustainable agriculture ’. Traditionally, durable disease resistance has required ingenious breeding programmes to introduce natural resistance genes from crop-related wild species into crops. However, we can now exploit the power, flexibility and specificity of recombinant DNA techniques (genetic manipulation) either to identify existing natural resistance genes and transfer them between unrelated crop species, or to create new and more effective resistance genes against one or more pathogens or pests. The rationale behind many of these ‘designer genes ’ has arisen from empirical field observations or from our deeper understanding of molecular and genetical aspects of the natural life-cycle of the pathogen.
Export Diversification through Horticulture: Kenya – a Case Study
Authors: Wainwright Henry
Published: July 2017

Certain developing countries have achieved economic diversification through expansion away from the more traditional, internationally traded agricultural and beverage crops to horticultural crops for export. Kenya is one such country. However, continued successful development of export markets for horticultural crops will depend on responding to the future challenges. In order to maintain and expand the market share against increased competition from other developing countries, certain strategies are required by any country wishing to export horticultural crops. The adoption of appropriate technologies such as refrigerated sea transport and pre-cooling facilities are necessary to maintain quality and minimize costs. Organized marketing must meet the demands of the market and comply with the importing country's legislation in terms of product, quality and specification. This requires a responsive and an innovative strategy. Finally, national and international trading policies need to be conducive to international trade.
Animals in Mans Environment: A Question of Interest
Authors: Wathes Christopher M.
Published: July 2017

The environment of an animal influences its health, welfare and productivity. In current systems of husbandry, environmental conditions are dictated by man, sometimes denying animals the opportunity to make their own contribution to their well-being. Reconciliation of the conflict of interests may be achieved via a better understanding of the environmental needs of animals or the development of new systems that provide animals with more control than at present.
The Role of Alley Farming in African Livestock Production
Authors: Reynolds Len , Jabbar Mohammad
Published: July 2017

The incorporation of livestock into alley farming systems, in which food or forage crops are grown between hedges of multipurpose trees that are regularly pruned for mulch and/or forage, has been studied for over 10 years in Africa. Prunings from leguminous trees such as Leucaena and Gliricidia can be used for mulch, increasing crop yields, but the trees may also be pruned for fodder, especially during fallow periods. The major benefit from supplementing the diet of free-roaming small ruminants in West Africa with the foliage of leguminous trees is increased survival, and the forage is best directed at late pregnant and lactating females. In East Africa crossbred dairy cows show a significant response in milk production to supplementation with Leucaena. Economic analyses of livestock production show that continuous alley farming is more profitable than alley farming with fallow, or conventional no-tree farming, even when the cost of clearing trees at the end of their useful life is included.
The Potential for High-Value Animal Fibre Production
Authors: Russel Angus
Published: July 2017

Consumers in developed countries are now more fashion-conscious than ever before. At the same time they are discriminating against synthetic fabrics manufactured from non-renewable resources and are demanding fashionable knitwear and woven garments made from high-quality natural fibre. This demand, together with the need for diversification of livestock production in developed countries and the hitherto untapped animal resources of many developing nations, offers a unique opportunity for the production of high-value animal fibre from a wide range of natural resources in many different parts of the world.
Cryogenic Light Microscopy and the Development of Long-term Cryopreservation Techniques for Fungi
Authors: Thomas Vicki , Smith David
Published: July 2017

Since Henry Power in 1663 successfully revived eelworms which had been frozen in vinegar for a few hours, there has been much interest in cryopreservation. As liquid nitrogen and other cooling agents became more widely available a standard method involving a single cooling rate for the cryopreservation of fungi was proposed by Hwang in 1960. This method was used until the early 1980s, but an increasing number of recalcitrant strains were found. Research at the time was empirical and based on attempts to find the universal cryoprotectant which would protect all fungi irrespective of the cooling rate. The real need was to go back to basics and study the response of the living cell to freezing and thawing. The use of cryogenic light microscopy to study fungi provided a major breakthrough, and showed that cooling rates which cause shrinkage or ice formation should be avoided. Further work is required particularly on membrane structure and the mechanism by which intracellular ice causes injury, as well as the effects of the age of the culture, hyphal structure and growth requirements. Cryopreservation is the only method of preservation which will store fungi and other cells for extremely long periods of time without detectable genetic or morphological change.
Maize Productivity for the 21st Century: the African Challenge
Authors: Blackie Malcolm J.
Published: July 2017

Maize is a major food crop in southern and eastern Africa. It is widely grown by smallholders, and forms an important part of the transformation of smallholder agricultural systems that has taken place this century. But, despite commendable efforts in technology development at both the national and the international level, agricultural productivity is well below that necessary to help create strong, healthy African economies. No single solution is likely to be found for this problem. In this paper, two major possible foci are outlined. First, there is a need to match advances in crop improvement (through breeding) with developments in crop management. Second, and directly associated with the search for improved crop management methods, a concerted effort, involving public and private agricultural service agencies, as well as local farmer groups, NGOs, and other rural associations, is needed so that priorities are set correctly, that the right questions are asked, and that the solutions found are delivered quickly to those who need them.
Olive Oil and the Potential for Olive Cultivation in India
Authors: Subbiah B.V.
Published: July 2017

The big gap between the production and consumption of edible oil in India is met by imports of more than a million tonnes annually, which have become a heavy drain on the country's slender foreign exchange resources. It is an urgent necessity to augment edible oil production, without prejudice to the cultivation of other agriculturally important crops. The olive offers an edible oil very much valued in the world market, and efforts to introduce its cultivation are desirable. The special properties of this oil and the soil and climatic conditions required for olive cultivation are described and the possibilities are discussed for its introduction in the marginal lands of India, particularly Rajasthan and adjoining areas.
Information Exchange Networks and Agricultural Development
Authors: Nelson John
Published: July 2017

Networking is a useful tool in agricultural development. Networks facilitate information exchange, allow their members to benefit from synergy, offer flexible management approaches to overcome structural constraints, and can help organizations use resources more efficiently. However they have weaknesses too: they may be biased against some groups, they are difficult to evaluate, they may be poorly coordinated, and they often lack the technical and financial resources needed to effectively achieve their objectives. Networkers promoting the circulation of agricultural information in the near future should consider how best to fill niches in the global agricultural information system, how to use networking to improve agricultural policies, and how to use electronic networking to provide developing countries with more relevant agricultural information. This paper is based on a study of information exchange networking financed by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), and reported in Nelson and Farrington (1994).
Hybrid Information Systems for Agriculture: The Case of Cattle Trypanosomiasis in Africa
Authors: Mckendrick Iain J. , Gettinby George , Gu Yiqun , Peregrine Andrew , Revie Crawford
Published: July 2017

Large scale population growth in sub-Saharan Africa makes it imperative to achieve an equivalent increase in food production in this area. It is also important that any increase be sustainable in the long-term, not causing lasting damage to local ecosystems. Recent advances in information technology make the successful diffusion of relevant expertise to farmers a more practical option than ever before. How this might be achieved is described in this paper, which considers the transfer of expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of trypanosomiasis in cattle. Using current technology, the combination of different software systems in one integrated hybrid system could allow the delivery of high quality, well focused information to the potential user.
Agricultural Reform in Ukraine: Spreading the Message
Authors: Grout-Smith Tim
Published: July 2017

Ukraine is potentially one of the richest agricultural countries in the world, with vast plains of black earth, or chernozem, and a temperate climate. But declines in agricultural production which were already evident under the Soviet Union have accelerated in the last three years, as the country's economy has spiralled into hyperinflation. Now, attempts are being made to revive Ukrainian agriculture using Western technology, management and marketing. The BBC's Marshall Plan of the Mind is spreading the message through radio and television.
Economic Benefits of Intercropping Young Arabica and Robusta Coffee with Food Crops in Kenya
Authors: Njoroge J.M. , Kimemia J.K.
Published: July 2017

As coffee prices fall, intercropping the young trees with vegetables has been suggested as a way of providing farmers with extra income as well as improving their diet. To test whether this is an economic proposition, Arabica and Robusta coffee was intercropped with various food crops at several sites in the main coffee-growing zones of Kenya. Intercropping with potatoes, tomatoes, dry beans, cabbages, carrots and soyabeans was found to be economically viable, depending on the site. Intercropping coffee with maize, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, cowpeas, garden peas and cassava was not economic, however.
Britain's Uncertain Future in the International Horticultural Market
Authors: Ilbery Brian W. , Bowler Ian R.
Published: July 2017

The UK has been more adversely affected by changes in the horticultural industry of the European Union than many other member countries. Both orchard and glasshouse production have progressed little since the 1970s and only a small proportion of growers have taken advantage of a recent government scheme designed to inject capital into the industry. The future for UK growers is not good and up to 75% could go out of production altogether over the next 10 to 20 years unless their competitiveness can be improved, for instance by upgrading the marketing system in the UK.
The Potential of Plant Fibres as Crops for Industrial Use
Authors: Bolton James
Published: July 2017

At some time in the future, fibres produced on agricultural land will contribute significantly to the world fibre supply. Such fibres might come from residues or from dedicated fibre crops harvested annually. Dedicated fibre crops will become a reality sooner if agriculture can produce fibres more competitively than forestry. New markets for plant fibre may also help the farmer. Long-fibre crops (flax, hemp, kenaf) have particular promise providing that production costs are competitive with those for Third World fibres, or that a technological edge in processing can be established.
Sisal Production and Soil Fertility Decline in Tanzania
Authors: Hartemink Alfred E. , Wienk Jan F.
Published: July 2017

Sisal was a major foreign exchange earner for Tanzania in the 1960s, when annual production was 234 000 tonnes, or one-third of the world output. But by the mid 1980s, it was down to 30 000 tonnes, due to a decline in the area under sisal and in the yield per hectare. Sisal cultivation decreased because of low prices following competition with synthetic fibres, and productivity fell because of poor husbandry — specifically, continuous cultivation without fertilizer applications. There has been renewed interest in sisal cultivation since the mid 1980s, but the successful rehabilitation of old sisal plantations depends on good management of soil fertility, amongst other factors.
Limitations and Impacts of Agricultural Production on the Savanna Belt: the Nigerian Case
Authors: Onyebuchi Chijioke C.
Published: July 2017

It is not enough simply to identify the limiting factors to agricultural production, supply the appropriate inputs and then expect to be able to meet food demands. It is essential also to protect the environment in which food is grown, especially in areas of fragile ecosystems and harsh climatic conditions, in order to ensure both increased production and stability of the production base. In the Nigerian savanna belt, traditional and mechanized large-scale farming systems are both practised, and they combine with unfavourable climatic conditions to exert a strong negative impact on the environment. Here, these interactions are examined and the case is made for incorporating fundamental ecological principles and concepts of sustainability into farming systems, in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Microcomputers in Support of the Generation and Diffusion of Agricultural Technologies in Developing Countries
Authors: Ausher Reuben
Published: July 2017

The introduction of microcomputer (MC)-supported technologies to agricultural production, protection, marketing, environment protection and R&D management is an opportunity which could lead to improvements in both production and resource management. In agricultural extension and research, more specifically, MC-support could contribute to more professionalism among staff and revitalize the efficiency of these systems in generating and formulating powerful messages and carrying them to the farming clientele and the agricultural knowledge system at large, with new and improved communication, training and education tools.
Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in South Africa
Authors: Saunderson Marthinus D.
Published: July 2017

South Africa is divided into two different worlds when it comes to agriculture. One is the commercial agriculture sector, dominated by white farmers, and the other is the developing sector of small-scale, disadvantaged farmers. This is of course the result of the old system of apartheid, Agricultural research and development as well as extension have been focused on white commercial farmers, to the neglect of the small scale farmers. Agricultural research aimed at their specific conditions is essential for sustainable rural development.
The Management of Pastures for Grazing
Authors: Smetham Michael L.
Published: July 2017

This article examines pasture management in moist temperate climates, and looks at the reasons why putting the findings into practice has been so difficult. Many factors affect the behaviour of the animal-pasture system, including whether continuous or rotational grazing is practised, the intensity of grazing, and seasonal differences in climate and grass reproduction. Pasture quality is defined in terms of green leaf and dead material: the amount of green leaf present in a pasture is of prime importance in determining the productivity of the canopy and its value for animal feeding, while the presence of dead material can interfere with herbage productivity and also reduce the quality of the sward for animals. Pastures and grazing animals interact strongly with each other, and maximum productivity depends on achieving a balance.
The Expression of Recombinant Proteins in Crop Plants
Authors: Kilpatrick John , Cockburn Bill , Whitelam Garry
Published: July 2017

Antibodies, produced in and extracted from immunized animals, have enjoyed a wide range of uses as vaccines and therapeutic agents. Because of their high specificity and ability to bind tightly to antigens there are almost limitless potential applications for their exploitation, and therapeutic antibodies alone are worth $1000m a year. Two factors currently limit their use: concern over the use of laboratory animals, and the small scale of production possible by this route. However, it is now possible to produce and extract fully functional recombinant antibodies from plants, and new applications may be envisaged in human healthcare products and industrial scale purification processes. The plant phenotype may also be modified to produce antibodies bringing about resistance to plant pests and diseases, modification of metabolic pathways, or bioremediation of pollutants or polluted land.
Current Developments in the Modification of Oilseed Composition
Authors: Mackenzie Samuel L.
Published: July 2017

Developments in plant cell and tissue culture, and in gene manipulation techniques, have provided new tools for generating novel plant phenotypes not attainable solely by traditional selection breeding. Driven by the industrial potential, advances in fundamental plant biotechnology are now being directed to the development of new crops with seed oil compositions targeted towards specific applications. The targets encompass both the edible oil and chemical industries, the latter emphasizing those oils which contain unusual fatty acids with functionalities applicable to specific industrial uses. Traditional concepts of the compositions of plant seed oils must be set aside to embrace a new reality in which a high oleic acid oil can be produced in several current oilseed crops.
Transgenic Livestock in Agriculture: New Animals for a New World?
Authors: Rexroad Caird E.
Published: July 2017

Recombinant DNA technology and techniques for gene insertion into animals have generated promises of animals genetically engineered to be healthy, productive, and sources of novel and/or improved foods and fibre, Transgenic animals have also generated concerns about the production of monsters that will cause ecological catastrophes. Here, current research on the insertion of new genes into livestock is described, and an attempt is made to provide a scientific perspective on the likelihood of either outcome.
Farming, Fertilizers and the Greenhouse Effect
Authors: Willison Toby , Goulding Keith , Powlson David , Webster Colin
Published: July 2017

The atmospheric concentration of the greenhouse gas methane has more than doubled in the past 100 years as a result of increases in methane sources such as paddy cultivation, ruminant husbandry and fossil fuel combustion. Research at IACR-Rothamsted over the last three years has highlighted the importance of aerobic soils as a sink for methane. Our work has shown how land management and agricultural practices can be key to determining the soil sink strength for methane. This article describes the results and reasons for the interactions of farming, fertilizers and the greenhouse effect.
Energy and the Evolution of Farming Systems: The Potential of Mixed Farming in the Moist Savannah of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Jabbar Mohammad
Published: July 2017

The moist savannah zone in sub-Saharan Africa is regarded as a high potential area for crop and livestock production. Currently, human labour is the principal source of power for crop production and the level of commercial energy use is very low. Agropastoralism and pastoralism are the principal methods of livestock production. Crop-livestock mixed farming, in which manure and animal power are important energy sources in the production process, is only now emerging. The integration of crops and livestock and the implications for agricultural energy sources are related to population pressure and labour intensity, the intensification of crop production with and without livestock, the role of traction in general and in specific niches, the contribution of livestock to the development process in terms of food or other inputs, and the role of public policy and intervention in development.
Control of Fireblight in European Pome Fruits
Authors: Paulin Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2017

The bacterial origin of fireblight was demonstrated more than a century ago, in 1886. In spite of intensive research since then, however. Its control remains a challenge under certain conditions. Nevertheless, several approaches, preferably used in combination, may lead to reasonable success. It seems that further improvements of control are more likely to be obtained from the plantation of less susceptible varieties, and from the more common use of already available warning systems, than from a questionable release of new chemicals or biological agents to combat Erwinia amylovora.
Sustainable Agricultural Development for Small Farmers in Nepal: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Regmi Punya P. , Weber Karl E.
Published: July 2017

Small and marginal farmers in Nepal mostly depend on their farms and the forests for their livelihoods. But continued population growth and increasing demands for food, shelter and cloth have stepped up the pressure on land and other natural resources. Furthermore, there is evidence that farmers have been extending the agricultural production area largely by clearing vast tracts of virgin forest, which are a precious natural resource. This has been creating both environmental and economic problems. Because small and marginal farmers have to survive below the subsistence level, in self-perpetuating dismal conditions, ‘sustainable agricultural development’ for them remains a myth rather than a reality.
Meeting Future Vegetable Needs in Nigeria: the Potential Role of Out-of-Season Vegetables
Authors: Olasantan F. O.
Published: July 2017

In Nigeria, most people still rely on rainfed vegetables for their vegetable needs. And for very good reasons: they are relatively easy to grow. However, their production is seasonal and has become unreliable because of problems of transportation, marketing and storage. Consequently, fresh produce is often surplus to marketing requirements, resulting in low prices and huge losses during the rainy season and in scarcity and high market prices during the off season. It seems that rainfed vegetables can no longer continue to meet the demands of the fast-growing population, and it is time to examine the role of out-of-season vegetables as well.
Conservation and Utilization of Livestock Breed Biodiversity
Authors: Hall Stephen J. G.
Published: July 2017

The future of livestock breeding depends on the availability of a large gene pool from which useful traits can be selected. Genetic conservation is therefore vital, and should be aimed at all existing breeds, regardless of their usefulness under present conditions. Developed countries can afford to maintain stocks of rare breeds, but firm measures are still needed in the developing world, especially where indigenous breeds are threatened by the import of exotic strains. More attention should be given to the use of indigenous breeds in livestock development programmes, and genetic impact analysis should be routine where exotics are used.
Volcanic Hazards for Livestock
Authors: Gregory Neville G. , Neall Vince E.
Published: July 2017

Volcanic eruptions can cause many hazards for livestock. These include pyroclastic flows, lahars, tsunamis, lava, tephra, lightning, gas and acid rain. Experience gained during recent eruptions in New Zealand and Iceland has enlarged our understanding of the dangers so that rational reactions can be made during times of emergency.
Armenia: Land Privatization and its Attendant Problems
Authors: Neame Charles , Amirian Ara , Meloyan Sergei
Published: July 2017

Armenian agriculture has changed considerably following privatization and has suffered from reforms which, though bold, did not benefit from an adequate appraisal of their likely consequences. The difficult economic effects resulting from reform of the planned economy were amplified by the double catastrophe of earthquake and war. Even In a relatively stable period recovery in the agricultural sector is very tentative, despite great potential for the production of high quality agricultural and horticultural produce, both for domestic consumption and export. The eventual degree of success enjoyed by Armenian agriculture will depend on its ability to attract technical and financial aid, followed by commercial capital to restore investment In production and the distribution infrastructure.
Increasing Cassava Production in Nigeria and Prospects for Sustaining the Trend
Authors: Ugwu Boniface
Published: July 2017

In terms of consumption, cassava is the most important root crop in Nigeria. It is also an important source of cash income, as about 45% of total output is marketed by the producer. Cassava production is increasing because purchased inputs are being used, processing and marketing infrastructures are available, and there is a market for cassava, mainly for human consumption. This market could be broadened to include non-food uses and export, and production could be expanded given the appropriate inputs and extension strategies. Another possibility is to improve upon the existing postharvest technology, making it more suitable for adoption by rural households. Market demand, an efficient input delivery system and the availability of appropriate postharvest and marketing infrastructures will help to sustain the trend of increasing cassava production in Nigeria.
Effect of Grazing and Supplementation in a Coconut Plantation on Cattle Production, Coconut Yield and Soil Fertility
Authors: Pathirana K. K. , Mangalika U. L. P. , Liyanage M. De S. , ØRskov E. R.
Published: July 2017

The effects of grazing the natural herbage growing in coconut plantations on the growth and reproduction of indigenous cattle, as well as on coconut production and soil fertility, were examined in an experiment of 6 years’ duration. The growth, reproduction and lactation of the Zebu heifers was poor when no feed supplement was given. Provision of rice straw or, better, rice straw plus concentrates, greatly Improved cattle performance. There was also an increase in coconut production, both with grazing alone and with each Increment of supplement, associated with improved soil water-holding capacity. It Is concluded that a management system based on resources available to local farmers can achieve sustainable improvements of both stock performance and crop production as well as soil fertility.
The Meat We Eat: Notions of Quality for Today and Tomorrow. 1. Historical Perspective and Recent Concerns
Authors: Lister David
Published: July 2017

Perceptions of meat quality are changing dramatically. Though they may be capricious, new considerations are not simply those which allow us to enjoy the meat eating habit, they could determine whether some people will continue to eat meat at all. Though they are unlikely to be of catastrophic consequence for the meat industry worldwide, elements of these will need to be incorporated into our thinking about the quality of meat in its widest sense if it Is to continue to be enjoyed and to contribute to the improved nutrition of the world's peoples.
The Industrial Use of EU Wheats
Authors: Autran Jean-Claude
Published: July 2017

A four-year coordinated wheat research programme was recently conducted with the aim of advancing understanding of wheat processing and quality under the specific conditions of the European Union. The main areas examined included milling quality, starch/gluten separation, the basis of breadmaking quality, the basis of biscuit quality, flour composition, dough development, the genetics of wheat storage proteins and sprouting resistance. The programme produced a range of results which will contribute to developments In the processing industry, wheat breeding and trade.
New Challenges for Range Management in the 21st Century
Authors: Scoones Ian
Published: July 2017

A new range management profession is emerging, one where technical concerns interact with broader social, economic and cultural issues. This is becoming increasingly Important as greater pressures are exerted on the rangelands from a variety of different users. New perspectives on range management suggest an increasing focus on managing risk and sustaining livelihoods in the rangelands, combined with emphasis on conflict negotiation over multiple use. New concepts, new skills and methods, and new ways of working will be vital to meet these challenges during the next century.
Applied Research on New Pig Housing Systems
Authors: Hartog L. A. Den , Vermeer H. M. , Swinkels J. W. G. M. , Verdoes N. , Backus G. B. C.
Published: July 2017

Developments In pig housing during the last decade have been influenced not only by economics but also by animal welfare and environmental regulations. Because the different requirements may cause conflicts for some aspects of pig housing, an integrated approach is necessary. Housing systems which partly or fully meet today's animal welfare and environmental regulations in the Netherlands are described.
Look at it this way
Authors: Crane Eva
Published: July 2017

The Look at it this way section of the journal features contributions from distinguished scientists on contentious and current issues in areas such as development, population growth, agricultural production and policy.
What is the Public Interest in Biodiversity Conservation for Agriculture?
Authors: Swanson Timothy
Published: July 2017

The diversity of biological resources retained for use within modern agriculture is recognized to be one very important input within that production system. It contributes to the increased productivity, resistance and resilience of modern crops, providing improved returns to the farming industry across the earth. These improved returns provide private incentives for the conservation of biodiversity for agriculture, and there are industries which make it their business to conserve genetic resources for these purposes. There are other values of biological diversity which flow more to society at large rather than to the agricultural industry. These more global values of biological diversity may be described within an economic framework. They are insurance and informational values. The public interest in the conservation of genetic diversity for agriculture should be in support of these more global values.
The Productivity of Muturu Cattle (Bos brachyceros) under Ranching Conditions in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Uza D. V.
Published: July 2017

An analysis of the productivity of Muturu cattle (Bos brachyceros, a native breed with tolerance to trypanosomiasis) under ranching conditions was carried out at Raav, Benue State during 1981 to 1991. Six calving seasons occurred during this period. When the performance of the Muturu under ranching and village management conditions was compared, age at first service, age at first calving and calving interval appeared to be similar. However, calf mortality rate in the ranch herd (5%) was lower than that in the village herd (10.8%). When the productivity of the Muturu in the ranch and village herds were compared to the Bunaji, the predominant indigenous zebu cattle breed in Nigeria, the Muturu cattle were superior in age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval and calf mortality rate. These results suggest that the Muturu should be studied further with a view to enhancing their productivity.
Relevance of Farmyard Animals to Rural Development
Authors: Udo Henk
Published: July 2017

The relevance of farmyard animal development activities is debatable. Is there a middle course that can be followed between free-ranging systems, where animals have to fend for themselves, and large-scale commercial units? From a technical point of view there are many possibilities for increasing production in free-ranging or semi-commercial farmyard animal keeping in developing countries. The inputs required and the increase in production mean that farmers will have to become more market-oriented, and to compete with other small farmers and large-scale operators. It is of the utmost importance that the socio-economic setting for farmyard animal interventions is properly understood and appreciated.
Sustainable Agricultural Development in Less Developed Countries
Authors: Maskey Rabi K.
Published: July 2017

Agriculture is the basic economic activity of the world's poorest countries, and the sustainability of this sector is vital for their overall development. Appropriate agricultural policies in conjunction with research and technology could play an important role in protecting and promoting sustainable agricultural development. In this paper, it is argued that agriculture-related policies should be geared towards providing economic incentives to resource-poor farmers, enabling them to improve their agricultural productivity, income and livelihood without causing environmental degradation. In this regard, research and technology development should be farmer-centred, practical and economical. Emphasis must be placed on raising yields, conserving soils, and lowering costs through improved farm management.
Changes in the Concentrations of Pesticide Residues in Foods and in Human Tissues between 1960 and 1996
Authors: Cantoni Carlo , Comi Giuseppe
Published: July 2017

The changes in the pesticide content of Italian foods and human tissues between 1960 and 1996 are reported. The presence of pesticide residues in foods has represented a problem for public health in past years, but now the quantity of residues still detectable is extremely low, and considerably lower than the limits set by current EU legislation. Pesticides are now only detected in trace quantities in foods, and so do not constitute a risk to consumer health. Legislation imposed progressively by the Italian government over the last few decades, some of it in response to EU directives, has done much to ensure the safety of food supplies since the health risks associated with pesticides became apparent.
Agriculture and Land Transformation. 1. Temporal and Spatial Dimensions
Authors: Mannion Antoinette M.
Published: July 2017

Ever since it began 10,000 years ago, agriculture has been a major cause of land transformation. It has been the basis on which civilizations have waxed and waned, it has allowed the world population to reach 5 × 109 and it has profoundly influenced cultural and scientific development. While its inception was itself momentous in terms of environmental and cultural history, the changes in agriculture caused by the expansion of Europe between 1500 and 1900 had equally profound ramifications. These developments literally changed the face of the earth. This paper surveys the changes that have taken place so far, while Part 2, to appear in the next issue, looks at likely future patterns.
Realizing the Potential of Agricultural Biotechnology in Europe
Authors: Demicheli Mario C.
Published: July 2017

Set for success in the market, biotechnology could fulfil several objectives of the European Union, notably those relating to health, agriculture, the environment, technological development and general business competitiveness. However, several factors hinderthis knowledge-based technology from realizing its potential in Europe, as is measured by the usual indicators of competitiveness. The reasons are examined through a bottom-up approach, starting from the management of biotechnology research and moving towards business strategy and the role of consumers and regulators. Agricultural biotechnology in Europe is characterized by excellence in research but unattractiveness to investors.
Intercropping in Field Vegetables as an Approach to Sustainable Horticulture
Authors: Theunissen Jan
Published: July 2017

Agrosystem diversification is a term for agronomic methods which involve the cultivation of several crops together, and which have been evolved in the tropics over centuries of trial and error by local farmers. Little is known about the effects of growing crops together but what is clear is that intercropping has a great potential for pest and disease reduction, both in the tropics and in temperate regions. Exploration of this potential in field vegetable crops has shown promising results but reveals certain constraints. Important contributions to sustainable vegetable cropping methods can be realized by research and agro-nomic optimization. Decreasing growers’ dependence of pesticides while maintaining product quality and marketable yields is the main purpose of intercropping in sustainable field vegetable growing.
Some Important Diseases and Pests of Sugarcane in Nigeria and Their Control
Authors: Wada Akaamaa C.
Published: July 2017

Sugarcane smut (Ustilagoscitaminea), red rot (Glomerellatucumanensis), sugarcane leaf blast (Paraphaeosphaeriamichotil). sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and Curvularia leaf spot are the prevalent diseases of sugarcane in Nigeria today. Sugarcane pests of economic importance include the stemborers, termites and nematodes. These diseases and pests can be managed by cultural and chemical methods pending the development of resistant varieties. The problems caused to sugarcane growers in some states of Nigeria by these diseases and pests, and some palliative measures which are used to contain them, are discussed.
Seafood: Fulfilling Market Demands
Authors: Martinez Iciar , Olsen Ragnar L. , Nilsen Heidi , SØRensen Nils Kristian
Published: July 2017

Seafood is tasty, healthy, and a good source of fat, proteins and minerals. The welfare of the fish, which influences its quality, is of concern to consumers and farmers of seafoods, who are seeking to minimize the use of drugs and the infliction of stress. Processors of seafoods also need to develop new products, technologies, packaging materials and ways of thinking, to fulfill legislative and market demands for fresh, easy to prepare, safe food products, with consistent quality and price. Unfortunately, these new processes render the original species unidentifiable by eye in the final product, which opens the way for substitution of expensive species by cheaper ones of similar characteristics. New challenges to the consumer emerge from the use of molecular biology techniques for the production of novel species, and improvements in technologies for embryonic development. Molecular biology techniques, fortunately, will also help to identify the origin of these species. Our advice: read the label. and eat seafoods!
Telemetric Data Collection for Monitoring, Control and Management of Animal Production. 1. The Technology
Authors: Geers Rony
Published: July 2017

It has always been important for farmers to identify their animals, and methods such as eartagging and tattooing have been used traditionally. Nowadays however the technology exists to implant electronic devices into animals enabling them to be identified and monitored using remote instruments. Used in conjunction with computerized records, the technology has many applications in quality management, disease control and the prevention of fraud. In this paper, the technology is introduced and placed in context. A second paper will describe some of the possible applications of electronic tagging.