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Agriculture (a term which encompasses farming) is the art, science or practice of producing food, feed, fiber and many other desired goods by the systematic raising of plants and animals. Agri is from Latin ager ("a field"), and culture is from Latin cultura, meaning "cultivation" in the strict sense of tillage of the soil. Thus a literal reading of the English word yields tillage of the soil of a field. In actual usage, Agriculture denotes a broad array of activities essential to food and material production, including all techniques for raising and processing livestock (see Animal husbandry) no less than those essential to crop planting and harvesting.
Continual improvement in agricultural methods from pre-history to the present has been the key factor in the extreme specialization of human activity during the historical epoch. Many of these specializations have nothing to do with food production, but when specialists such as scientists, inventors and mechanical and chemical engineers devote their efforts to the improvement of farming methods, resources and implements they too, along with those who work the fields and pens, are said to be "in agriculture".
42% (2002 estimate) of the world's population is employed in agriculture, making it by far the most common occupation, yet it accounts for only 4.4% (2005 estimate) of the Gross World Product (an aggregate of all Gross Domestic Products).*
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Cultivating Innovation A Response to the Food Price Crisis
B-SPAN Tough times call for creative measures. When applied to the worlds food price crisis, innovative ways to address complex problems is essential. On the onset of one of the worlds most profound recessions, the World Banks Agriculture and Rural Development Department hosted a daylong event to discuss groundbreaking projects that will impact farming, water sanitation and microfinance initiatives in developing countries. The event took place on September 26, 2008 at the World Bank.
Operationalizing the WDR08 Agriculture for Development
B-SPAN The World Banks annual World Development Report (WDR) is a comprehensive study on the economic, social and environmental state of the world. Each year, the report provides an in depth analysis focused on a specific aspect of development. For the first time in 25 years, the WDR addressed issues on agriculture and development. On February 1929, 2008, major contributors to the report met at the World Bank in Washington, DC and presented their findings. They shared their recommendations on how the Bank might best operationalize the WDR, noting that one of the more significant challenges the Bank faces is an increasingly aggressive and competitive global market environment.
Operationalizing the WDR08 Agriculture for Development
B-SPAN The World Banks annual World Development Report (WDR) is a comprehensive study on the economic, social and environmental state of the world. Each year, the report provides an in depth analysis focused on a specific aspect of development. For the first time in 25 years, the WDR addressed issues on agriculture and development. On February 19, 2008, major contributors to the report met at the World Bank in Washington, DC and presented their findings. They shared their recommendations on how the Bank might best operationalize the WDR, noting that one of the more significant challenges the Bank faces is an increasingly aggressive and competitive global market environment.
Exporting Horticulture Products to the European Market Opportunities and Challenges for SSA Countries
B-SPAN As part of a rural development strategy, highvalue agriculture and horticulture have been successful exports for African countries, particularly when diversified into nontraditional products such as cut flowers or prepacked vegetables. In this presentation, organized by the Africa Region Sustainable Development Departments Knowledge Network at its headquarters in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2006, advisers from a Dutch horticultural consulting firm, VEK, discussed the particular needs and requirements of European Union markets for African agricultural exports.
6. Forests and Fisheries
B-SPAN Bringing together students from around the world to learn about the problems of development and how the World Bank approaches them, the External Affairs Department of the Bank sponsored the Global Issues Seminar Series for a third season in the fall of 2006. In this session, conducted at Bank headquarters in Washington, DC, on November 15, 2006, experts spoke on the problems facing forestry and fishing industries, including biodiversity and poaching. Laura Ivers, Communications Officer on Forests for the World Bank, chaired the session.
The Future of Agriculture in India
B-SPAN In the wake of a report that discusses the future of agriculture in India through four basic scenarios, the World Bank held a meeting to discuss The Future of Agriculture in India on June 9, 2006. The panel was chaired by Kevin Cleaver, Sector Director for Agriculture at the Bank.
Acid Sulfate Soils - On management of acid-forming soils in coastal New South Wales (Australia) agriculture. Drainage of coastal flood plains exposes these soils and releases acid leachate, aluminium, iron, and heavy metals into water.
Alliance for Global Sustainability Water and Agriculture Research Projects - Abstracts of research on water management and availability, particularly in developing countries and arid regions.
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An Effect of Aeroionized and Ozonized Media upon Food Substances and Agricultural Raw Materials - Abstract of research on effects of aeroionized and ozonized media and of other external factors upon metabolic processes of aerobic organisms (both procaryote and eukaryote).
Meta Description: [ Angelfire on Lycos, established in 1995, is one of the leading personal publishing communities on the Web. Angelfire makes it easy for members to create their own blogs, web sites, get a web address (domain) and start publishing online. ]
Blackland Research Center Water Sciences Laboratory, Texas - The Blackland Research Water Quality group is currently working on Water Quality research projects to develop Best Management Practices to reduce atrazine, sedimentation and nutrient losses from Central Texas farm and ranchland.
Center for Agriculture in the Environment - US nonprofit research center that conducts public policy research to reduce the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment. Information about projects, grant opportunities, and beneficial farm practices.
Enviroclips - Short articles on environmental aspects of agriculture, freely available for republication, from the agribusiness company Syngenta. Topics include soil and water conservation, precision agriculture, biotechnology, pesticides, and government regulation.
European Environment Agency - Agriculture Themes - Collection of indicators, reports, links, data sets and targets on topics related to European agriculture and the environment.
Meta Description: [ With farmers managing almost half of the EUs land area, the agricultural sector is a major source of pressure on Europes environment. Over the past five decades, the European Unions Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) - accounting for around half of the EU budget - has encouraged the sector to... ]
Greenhouse Effect and Agriculture - A view on agriculture and global warming.
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy - Mission is to create environmentally and economically sustainable rural communities and regions through sound agriculture and trade policy. Supporting sustainable agriculture, reduced pesticide use, and related practices.
Nutrient and Water Policy Update - About U.S. federal and Pennsylvania state policies and programs to reduce environmental impacts of animal agriculture operations, plus information and links on agricultural water use and quality, impacts of concentrated animal feeding, and related topics.
Meta Description: [ P ]
Phosphorus Index - Modeling tools for assessment of phosphorus loading to waters from fertilizer and other sources.
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Research into New Quarantine Treatments for Horticultural and Timber Products as Alternatives to Methyl Bromide Fumigation - Information on a multi-organization research project to find an alternative to the use of methyl bromide fumigation in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.
Meta Description: [ Details of research into new quarantine treatments for horticultural and timber products as alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation. ]
Save Our Summers - Organization concerned about air quality and other impacts of large-scale agricultural burning in Washington and Idaho. Includes links to scientific articles, health information, and stories of people exposed to smoke.
Smoke Management Program - revisions to the regulation governing agricultural burning in California.
Meta Description: [ Information about the California Air Resources Board Programs ]
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Systemwide Initiative on Malaria and Agriculture - CGIAR research initiative into the links between malaria risk and agriculture, and exploring options to reduce malaria in rural areas through better management of agro-ecosystems. General information and sign-up for e-mail discussion group.
The Land Institute - Research in natural systems agriculture featuring perennial grain polycultures using nature as its measure.
Meta Description: [ Researches Natural Systems Agriculture, a mimic of nature's ecosystems. Programs in education and rural community studies apply ecological principles to human communities toward greater sustainability. ]
The Public Lands Grazing Activist - Essays, photos, and technical references related to the impacts of livestock grazing on public lands in the Southwestern U.S.
Meta Description: [ The Public Lands Grazing Activist: An on-line resource for Americans interested in public lands livestock grazing reform. ]
The Soil Management Collaborative Research Support Program (SM-CRSP) - Project to develop a decision support system for assessing tradeoffs between agricultural production and environmental impacts, for different economic, agricultural and environmental policies. Site has project reports, publications, and presentations.
UK Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food Central Science Laboratory - Carries out research on environmentally sound food production.
UMD Agricultural Nutrient Management - Farmers and scientists can learn about nutrient contamination of the Chesapeake Bay and ways to prevent it by using best management practices.
Meta Description: [ nutrient management planning, Maryland Agricultural Nutrient Management Program ]
University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program - Information on sustainable production, alternatives to methyl bromide, and related topics.
Water Quality - University of Maine Cooperative Extension - Research information and advice to agricultural producers on best management practices to maintain water quality, including efficient nutrient and weed management practices and watershed management techniques.
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