Educational & ICT Opportunities for Youth in Agriculture!!!

Current and forthcoming Web 2.0 and Social Media Learning Opportunities in ACP countries .

·   Botswana (ongoing) ·  Congo Brazzaville (planned) ·  DRC (planned) ·  Guinée Conakry (planned) ·  Guyana (planned) - Ivory Coast (ongoing) · Lesotho (forthcoming)

·  Malawi (forthcoming) · Namibia (ongoing) ·  Nigeria (forthcoming) ·  Papua New Guinea ·  Samoa (forthcoming) ·  Swaziland (forthcoming) · Zimbabwe (ongoing)

For more information on events where you can still apply, please consult

 http://www.web2fordev.net/ .Here is a Google map showing where they already have / are going / plan to run Web 2.0 and Social Media Learning events.

The Environmental Economics Unit (EEU) at the University of Gothenburg, in collaboration with the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, offer six full scholarships for a PhD program in Global Change and Climate Economics with admission September 2014. Deadline for application is 1 April, 2014 APPLY HERE :http://www.economics.handels.gu.se/english/education/phd-program-in-global-change-and-climate-economics/

IICD - Has done some filming in Kenya Here's the link to the publication: ICT4D Effects: Youth, ICTs and Agriculture And here's the link to the video: Youth, ICTs and Agriculture video

Are you from Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, or Malawi, and running a social enterprise?

Check out the 40 CHANCES FELLOWS PROGRAM which will fund four 40 Chances Fellows with the most innovative social enterprise plans that use strategies built on the principles of 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World.  These social enterprises must seek to address issues of hunger, conflict, or poverty and may be established in any one of the above mentioned 4 countries, where the Africa Governance Initiative has a strong presence.APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31 May 2014.More information: http://bit.ly/1jeWoD8

BreadFruit :The Underutilized Superfruit of the NOW!

There's a very under utilized fruit being used in Haiti ,Hawaii ,the Caribbean and other tropical regions .It is very high in energy ,low in fat and contains more potassium than 10 bananas ! Its Breadfruit!!

I have never been so excited by Breadfruit in my life but this fruit and its uses have been seriously underestimated by the world!! 

So can you guess HOW Breadfruit feed the millions in poverty across the globe?

According to the National Tropical Botanical Garden , more than 80% of the world's hungry live in tropical/ subtropical regions .This is the perfect  type of environment  for growing breadfruit trees. Breadfruit is an easy crop to grow in the Caribbean and can bear for many years. It can be planted by the entire family as part of the family farm 

There are two Organizations that promote the planting of Breadfruit to help the world's poor  Global Breadfruit and The Breadfruit Institute  .Josh Schneider a horticulturist and partner to Global Breadfruit said “Every time we plant one of these trees, we’re reducing the susceptibility to famine and starvation in the country where the tree is going". 

The Trees That Feed Foundation, is also planting breadfruit trees in Haiti, where they hope to feed at least 1,000 orphans every day. This is something that Caribbean,Pacific and African farmers in partnership with NGO's and other farmers organizations can work on to maintain biodiversity,protect the environment and help feed many people who are starving and living below the poverty line in their regions.

Breadfruit can be used to make chips and soup  it can also be fried,boiled and roasted . Breadfruit is very versatile and lends itself to a variety of recipes and is very healthy! I encourage you to try growing your own breadfruit for a healthier food option for you and your family! 

PHOTO CREDIT : http://healingisessential.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Health-benefits-of-Breadfruits.jpg

 Check out this FOX 5 News Video about a San Diego Man who is trying to grow breadfruit to feed the world's poorest :

http://fox5sandiego.com/2013/11/12/local-man-fights-world-hunger-with-rare-fruit/#jpQZ0gsXljAfp7E9.01

A Photo Journey through Fruit Logistica 2014 in Berlin with COLEACP

Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com

IYFF 2014 Innovation Alert : Indoor Mini Farms to beat Climate Change using Hydroponics in Trinidad !

Trinidadian National and Industrial Engineer Ancel Bhagwandeen pictured above has developed a new  hydroponic growing system that "leverages the nanoclimates in houses so that the house effectively protects the produce the same way it protects us," he says.This amazing method combats climate change and provides an innovative approach to crop protection.

 Bhagwandeen says that his hydroponic project was  developed "to leverage the growth of the urban landscape and high-density housing, so that by growing your own food at home, you mitigate the cost of food prices." This approach will become  increasingly  useful when cities become overcrowded ,food prices increase and climate change takes a further toll on the environment.

What is HYDROPONICS??

Hydroponics is  a method of growing plants without soil using mineral nutrients in water and now  is increasingly being considered as a viable means to ensure food security in light of the impacts climate change.His project is one of several being considered for further development by the Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC) which is headquartered in Jamaica and funded heavily through the World Bank and the Canadian Government.

His model uses smart electronics, meaning that 100 units can run on the same energy as a 60-watt light bulb, he said. So it differs from typical hydroponics systems that consume a great deal of energy, he added. His model can also use solar energy and can work both in and outdoors.

Bhagawandeen said his model's design centers around family farming in the city "our future as a people is based more and more on city living and in order for that to be sustainable, we need to have city farming at a family level.". This model would enable anyone to grow leafy vegetables, including herbs, lettuce and tomatoes, inside their home or apartment, with minimal expense and time.

Also, this smart product empowers the individual to grow their own food wherever they live!. It has an integrated, home grown, smart controller to enable optimal results at minimal time,water & energy expense. It runs on 100% solar energy or indoors in unfriendly environments under artificial lighting, which its ‘brain’ controls. It forges new ground in education as a living agri science lab for schools with up to 8 months integrated science data logging and uploading to PC capabilities . It is economical ,portable,100% photo-voltaic,sustainable and suitable for tropical,desert,temperate and arctic climates.

A U.N. report says that "the population living in urban areas is projected to gain 2.6 billion, passing from 3.6 billion in 2011 to 6.3 billion in 2050." Most of that urban growth will be concentrated in the cities and towns of the world's less developed regions.This is why everyone young and old should be learning about family farming and indoor farming techniques based on Mr Bhagwandeen's hydroponic model to be able to grow their own food and combat climate change in a sustainable way.

Photo Credits: Jewel Fraser /IPS 

For More information on The CCIC visit :http://www.caribbeancic.org/

Educational & ICT Opportunities for Youth In Agriculture !!!!

"Revolutionizing finance for Agri-value chains"

co-organised by CTA, the European Commission (DG DEVCO) and the ACP SecretariatThe Briefing takes place today 5th March 2014 (9h00-13h00) at the ACP Secretariat, 451 Avenue Georges Henri, 1200 Brussels. 

You will find attached the updated programme (in French and English).

Webstream live video

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cta-brussels-briefings

«Le financement des chaînes de valeur agricoles»

co-organisé par le CTA, la Commission européenne (DG DEVCO) et le Secrétariat ACPLe Briefing se tient aujourd’hui le mercredi 5 mars 2014 (9h00-13h00) au Secrétariat ACP, 451 Avenue Georges Henri, 1200 Brussels . Vous trouverez en annexe le programme actualisé en français et en anglais.

Video en ligne en direct via webstreaming

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cta-brussels-briefings

 

International Year Of Family Farming 2014 Series : Family Farming A Holistic Solution

In the first blog post of this series on family farming I talked about the general reasons why family farming is good for the planet and states economies in general .In this post I am going to discuss the human element and what benefits smallholders themselves get out of family farming .

Family farming is passed from generation to generation in many different countries all over the world and has become a traditional way of life for many. With it the philosophy of strong family values,caring,sharing and sustainability has been cultivated. Apart from sharing the day to day running of the business family farming provides job opportunities for youth and is a successful mechanism for maintaining the nuclear family and family values. 

Why A Family Business ??

The family can get involved in different roles and help each other with the workload for example: School children will help with household chores and farm chores outside school hours . Wives and mothers can devote time on the farm and in the field when household chores are over in the morning and so can the husband . When the children are older they can be encouraged to take over the family business or become much more involved .

Why a job opportunity for YOUTH??

In today's uncertain world it is becoming more and more difficult for young people (With or Without Formal Qualifications) to break into the job market. Family Farming allows for a secure job with the opportunity for expansion,empowerment  and innovation which in turn provides new economic opportunities and will create jobs for others.

Why a philosophy of Caring & Sharing?

In family farming all family members have a share in the venture and all their actions are geared towards maintaining the family and earning a living together.  This teaches life lessons ,interdependence and responsibility. The sharing up of all tasks and their combined experiences teaches younger generations stewardship and encourages high standards of work .Sustainability is a must in today's economically unstable world.

Why a Successful Mechanism for maintaining the nuclear family & family values ?

Because there is nothing better to create undivided unity than to have a unity of purpose-- By being able to experience first hand the cause and effect of good /bad work to yield/harvest/marketing/profit. The unqualified success of co-operative family farming can extend out to small communities with a similar model ensuring greater food security among other benefits with greater support and training by local institutions and groups.

International Year Of Family Farming 2014 Series : Can Family Farming Make Poverty History ??

The United Nations has declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming to support and recognize the importance of smallholder farming. By doing so, the United Nations says it will help eradicate hunger, reduce rural poverty and reach food security through sustainable production. This designated year will focus the world's attention on the importance of family farming especially in rural communities in developing countries and regions like Africa and the Caribbean

Smallholder farming according to the FAO accounts for more than 80% of agricultural production  and over 500 million family farms worldwide .  Small farmers are facing increasing challenges from threats of climate change for the Caribbean these are hurricanes and flooding ,unstable markets and lack of expertise. I believe that education ,training and innovation are the keys to make family farming more attractive to youth , more efficient in general and will improve smallholder farmers ability to diversify into new crops to enhance food security and generate higher profits.

I would advocate that governments of the ACP regions should actively make sustainable agricultural development a high priority by working to fill gaps in knowledge and capacity to strengthen existing farmers groups and institutions.This will enhance communication and give the farmers the solutions and tools they need to reduce poverty and hunger . It  begins with political will combined with a holistic,sustainable and pragmatic approach suited to the needs of the farmers and country economies. These steps are essential to the further success of family farming and ultimately reduce hunger and inequality. 

 CHECK OUT The AWESOME launch Video for the IYFF by the FAO which clearly explains why family farming is so very important for our future :

Here is another way to engage with the process of (IYFF) by joining the International Year Of Family Farming 2014 Photo Competition !!!

What are they looking for : Photos that represent the motto: Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth. Entries must visualize the strength, potential and challenges of sustainable, multifunctional family farmers worldwide, in all their diversity and contexts.

DEADLINE :MAY 1st 2014 

Website for details & Additional Info :http://extra.agriculturesnetwork.org/survey/photocompetition/

.