Gourt > Science > Environment > Biodiversity > Agricultural (5)
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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Practices and Systems :: Agriculture
Agriculture :: Environment
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Genetic Engineering :: Bioethics
Industry News: ITA Notice:Mission Statement:Agricultural Equipment and Technology Mission; Amendment 67854â67856 ... http://bit.ly/4Enhxq
SmartBorderABI (SmartBorder) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:56:05 -0000
Industry News: ITA Notice:Mission Statement:Agricultural Equipment and Technology Mission; Amendment 67854–67856 ... http://bit.ly/4Enhxq
@ByrneTofferings although I would like a fundamentally "reformed" common agricultural policy.
nick_red (Nicolas Redfern) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:50:29 -0000
@ByrneTofferings although I would like a fundamentally "reformed" common agricultural policy.
Ag Fish Fry features Purdue's World Food Prize winners: The 2010 edition of the Purdue University Agricultural Alum... http://bit.ly/8SP5Qp
Farm_Investment (Scott McCullough) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:30:37 -0000
Ag Fish Fry features Purdue's World Food Prize winners: The 2010 edition of the Purdue University Agricultural Alum... http://bit.ly/8SP5Qp
interesting read rt @rewealth #COP15 attendees admired watershed/agricultural restoration in China http://bit.ly/6OFyNd #REDD
ig_fahrrad (Fidelius Krammel) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:16:23 -0000
interesting read rt @rewealth #COP15 attendees admired watershed/agricultural restoration in China http://bit.ly/6OFyNd #REDD
"WSU Agriculture - College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural ..." http://tinyurl.com/y8typ73 #michaelpollan
PollanNews (Michael Pollan News) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:16:08 -0000
"WSU Agriculture - College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural ..." http://tinyurl.com/y8typ73 #michaelpollan
Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRAAGG ?) http://bit.ly/6K5T7k joined by Australia and NZ.
AustFarmInstitu (Aust FarmInstitute) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:46:15 -0000
Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRAAGG ?) http://bit.ly/6K5T7k joined by Australia and NZ.
Southern Africa - Includes information and case studies on the institutional conditions for 'successful' interventions, defined in terms of biological as well as economic parameters, derived from this GTZ / ODI / Darwin initiative project with African partners.
Agricultural Biodiversity for Food and Livelihood Security - UK Agricultural Biodiversity Coalition website. Comprehensive coverage of all issues concerning agricultural biodiversity's sustainable and equitable use, conservation, intellectual property, genetic engineering and governance. Principal CSO resource on the International Seed Treaty (ITPGRFA).
Meta Description: [ Agricultural biodiversity resource website: CSO resources, International Seed Treatysustainable and equitable use for food and livelihood security and food sovereignty. Linking UK public interest organisations concerned with its sustainable use, conservation, intellectual property, biotechnology,... ]
Agricultural Biodiversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - Documentation on the implementation of the CBD's Agricultural Biodiversity work programme (COP Decisions III/11, IV/6, V/5, VI/5 + VI/6 on International Seed Treaty)
Meta Description: [ Home page of agricultural biodiversity ]
Agricultural Biodiversity under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - Website provides full access to all relevant FAO documents on the conservation and sustainable use of Biological Diversity for Food and Agriculture - genetic, species and ecosystems: programmes, plans, treaties, conventions.
Meta Description: [ Biological Diversity in Food and Agriculture, web site of the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, FAO ]
CBDC: Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation Programme - Global initiative to strengthen the ongoing work of farming communities in conserving and developing the agricultural biodiversity that is vital to their livelihoods and food security.
Meta Description: [ The Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation Programme(CBDC)is a global initiative developed by governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in agricultural initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America, in cooperation with Northern partners. ]
CGIAR Agricultural Biodiversity Centre - IPGRI, the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, is the CGIAR international agricultural research centre mandated to work on the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity. Website covers all practical and policy aspects - many downloadable publications.
Meta Description: [ IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute is the world's largest international non-profit agricultural research and training organization devoted solely to the conservation and promotion of agricultural biodiversity. Site includes both popular and technical information about genetic r... ]
Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) - Website of IUCN's Commission with four Working Groups. This one on Sustainable Livelihoods covers community-based, equitable and sustainable management of natural resources, especially agricultural biodiversity. Site provides information on strategy, project reports, publications, links to community and partners' activities.
Meta Description: [ An inter-disciplinary network of professional whose mission is
to act as a source of advice on the environmental, economic, social and cultural factors that affect natural
resources and biological diversity and to provide guidance and support towards effective policies
and practices in environ... ]
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agricultural Biodiversity - This UPWARD three-volume publication is a global compilation by scientists, development specialists, academics, policy-makers and donors. Vol. 1: understanding agricultural biodiversity, Vol. 2: strengthening local management of agricultural biodiversity, and Vol. 3: ensuring an enabling environment for agricultural biodiversity. PDF downloads of all 75 chapters available.
ETC group (formerly RAFI) - Action group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration. Very relevant site of influential CSO, which contains full texts of key papers, commentaries, cartoons on issues of governance and use of agricultural biodiversity, biotechnology, genomics, nanotechnology and other emerging technologies, as well as corporate control, intellectual property and related issues.
Meta Description: [ ETC group (formerly RAFI - Rural Advancement Foundation International) is an international, non-governmental, civil society organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights. ]
FAO Soil Biodiversity Portal - Includes a framework under which soil biodiversity can be assessed, managed and conserved with pointers to research, capacity building and policy and programme development needs. Case studies and full information.
Meta Description: [ FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Land and Water Development Division ]
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Farmers' Rights Information Service - Supporting agricultural biodiversity conservation and sustainable and equitable planning for implementing Agricultural biodiversity for Sustainable Food and Livelihood Security programmes that increase collective strength and generate international support
Farming Solutions - Joint Oxfam, Greenpeace, ILEIA, Pesticide Action Network site packed with examples of successful, environmentally responsible farming systems that protect the environment and agricultural biodiversity and increase food security.
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Find Your Feet (FYF) Agricultural Biodiversity projects - Site describes how FYF enables small-scale farmers living in India and Malawi to use sustainable farming methods that maintain agricultural biodiversity and improve rural families' long-term access to sufficient, nutritious food.
Gender, Biodiversity and Local Knowledge Systems - The LinKS (Local indigenous Knowledge Systems) a regional effort in southern and East Africa aimed at valuing men and women's local knowledge on the use and management of agricultural biodiversity. Publications and other information about the project and its results.
GRAIN - An international non-governmental organisation (Genetic Resources Action International) which promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge. Relevant information; links to Growing Diversity project results, and workshops.
Meta Description: [ GRAIN is an international non-governmental organisation which promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge. ]
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Human Nature: Agricultural Biodiversity and Farm-Based Food Security - [PDF] This 1996 book provides a comprehensive introduction to agricultural biodiversity, with chapters on each major sector: crop genetic resources, farm animal diversity, fish and aquatic life, forests, soil biodiversity and microbial genetic resources. Concludes with discussion of policy issues.
IDRC agricultural biodiversity projects - Site provides full details of IDRC supported research projects, networks, and other activities on agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean, through a multidisciplinary approach which integrates key issues in agriculture, conservation, indigenous knowledge and local resource management.
International Farmers Technical Conference - Report of 2004 CBDC conference in Malaysia that provided a venue for farmers from Africa, Asia and Latin America to share and discuss their experiences on agricultural biodiversity conservation, technology transfer and protection of farmer innovations. Case Studies; techniques; fully illustrated.
IPGRI Agricultural Biodiversity Research Unit - As an outcome of an International Workshop Managing Agricultural Biodiversity for Sustainable Development held in Nairobi, Kenya, an agricultural biodiversity research unit was set up at IPGRI, Rome. Site has link to relevant papers.
Monitoring Institute for Rare Breeds and Seeds in Europe - Research into agricultural biodiversity of extinct and live populations of rare breeds and cultivated plants. Find descriptions of projects, publications, contacts and links. In English and German.
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ODI Seeds and Crop Diversity Programme - Catalogue of publications focused on maintenance and enhancement of crop genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity through farmer participation; policy, planning and institutional changes necessary for seed security.
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People and Biodiversity in Rural Areas - BMZ/GTZ programme is supporting agricultural biodiversity projects in partner countries as part of their implemention of Agenda 21, CBD, the International Seed Treaty (IT PGRFA) and the FAO Global Plan of Action.
Meta Description: [ Background information about agrobiodiversity. A presentation of the BMZ/GTZ project Managing Agrobiodiverstity in Rural Areas. ]
People, Land Management and Environmental Change - Sustainable and participatory approaches to conservation of agricultural biodiversity within smallholder farmers' agricultural systems, and in participation with farmers.
Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe - SAVE is a European umbrella organization for the promotion and coordination of activities for the conservation of endangered breeds of domestic animals and cultivated plant varieties in the form of live populations. Site includes background to organisation, project reports and links to many European NGOs.
Sustainable Production and Conservation of Agricultural Biodiversity in Traditional Systems - Paper by Villarroel (2002), for the UNEP Mountain Forum, analyses high mountain ecological productive rationality. Includes case study on Mountain Tourism, and the Conservation of Biological and Cultural Diversity
Meta Description: [ Mountain Forum website, mountain sustainable development discussion lists ]
Sustaining Agricultural Biodiversity - Paper prepared for 2002 Forum for Food Sovereignty. Illustrates how food sovereignty and security, livelihoods, landscapes and environmental integrity are underpinned by agricultural biodiversity and its component genetic resources for food and agriculture. Summarises an Action Agenda to confront threats.
Meta Description: [ ITDG is working to ensure that policy frameworks which can help to reduce poverty embody a pro-poor approach to the role of technology in development. ]
Sustaining Local Food Systems, Agricultural Biodiversity and Local Livelihoods - An IIED programme identifying how decentralised governance, farmer participation and capacity building promote the adaptive management of agricultural biodiversity in the context of local food systems and livelihoods. Case studies in India, Indonesia, Iran, Peru. Beautifully illustrated.
Meta Description: [ IIED's Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods (SARL) Programme of Iseeks to promote sustainable, equitable, decentralised agri-food systems based on local diversity and participatory democracy, thereby contributing to improved livelihoods and entitlements, poverty reduction, and long-term ... ]
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