SciDev.Net

An Ethiopia-based study has revealed that access to information is one of the most important factors for small farmers adapting to climate change.

Cultivation of areca nut in India can help conserve biodiversity, with implications for other forms of tropical farming, say researchers.

A UN report cites a lack of emphasis on agricultural research in development policy as a key reason for African farming problems.

Bt cotton, the genetically modified crop, can protect neighbouring crops from pests, report Chinese scientists.

The Chinese government will roll out a US$3.5 billion research project for GM crops later this month.

A technique using small doses of fertiliser — pioneered by African scientists — is increasing crop yields on the continent.

Agricultural research advances in Africa — including seeds that can improve crop yields — are not reaching farmers, say top scientists.

Wastewater is widely used for irrigation in farmland around many developing country cities, a report finds.

Conversion to croplands in East Africa, fuelled by climate change, will contribute greatly to global warming, predict scientists.

Rice accumulates more arsenic under flooded conditions, say researchers, suggesting benefits for cultivation under aerobic conditions.

African small-scale farmers will benefit from the rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructure, with Ghana, Madagascar and Mali first in line.

Some African farmers are using innovative, locally-relevant methods to adapt to their changing environments, according to case studies.

Scientists have developed a method that boosts the yield and slashes the cost of producing biogas from rice-harvest waste.

Development projects that incorporate innovative use of ICTs have been honoured in the Stockholm Challenge Awards in Sweden.

A recent report recommends investing in nanotechnology R&D to boost Indian agricultural productivity.

A new university programme in Ethiopia will develop low-cost ways to reduce post-harvest losses in agriculture.

A global agriculture study has called for an increase in agricultural research to feed the world's growing population sustainably.

Agricultural research must be integrated in order to improve the livelihood of developing nation farmers, say scientists.

Pakistan is contending with the effects of low investment in agricultural research in the last decade.

A round-up of news from or about South Asia for the period 1–15 March 2008.