Return to the Land and Water Newsletter home page
Activities:
2. The II World Congress on Conservation Agriculture
3. VI Reunión de La Red Latinoamericana de Agricultura de Conservación (RELACO)
Publications:
4. New CD-ROMs in the Land and water digital media series
# 19: Major Soils of the World
# 20: Terrastat
# 21: Global Agro-ecological Assessment for Agriculture in the 21st Century
# 22: Training Modules on Conservation Agriculture version
5. New web-page on Soil Productivity Improvement through Farmer Field Schools
6. Guide: Diagnostic participatif des contraintes et des potentialités pour la gestion des sols et des élémentsnutritifs des plantes
7. Soil Classification 2001: Research Report # 7, European Soils Bureau/FAO
8. Agricultura de Conservación: Estudios de casos en América Latina y Africa FAO's Soil Bulletin # 78 (Spanish version)
9. Report of the International Workshop Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Wheat Production in Rotation with Cotton in Limited Water Resource Areas
10. LEISA/FAO Special issue on Conservation Agriculture
11. Photo library on land management systems and conservation agriculture
12. LADA Brochure: Land Degradation in Drylands
13. New documents on the AGL on-line database
Vacancies:
14. Two Positions for Technical Officers (P-3) in FAO’s Water Service
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News:
1. Resolution on "Agriculture, Wetlands and Water Resource Management" Adopted by Conference of Contracting Parties of the RAMSAR Convention.
During the eighth meeting of the Conference of Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP8) that took place in Valencia from 18 - 26 November 2002, after extensive discussions, a resolution on agriculture and wetlands was adopted. The final text recognises that agriculture has created distinctive and characteristic landscapes, including wetland ecosystems, and that ensuring compatibility between agricultural practices and wetland conservation objectives is a high priority. It also takes note of Convention on Biodiversity Decision III/11 on agricultural biodiversity, and of uncertainties relating to wetland tenure systems, and that certain user rights’ arrangements over wetlands and water resources can have negative impacts on sustainable wetland management.
The resolution urges Parties to:
* identify and enhance and enhance positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, including sustainable agricultural systems related to these wetlands;
* consider wetland tenure systems and user rights to promote fair, transparent and sustainable management of wetlands and their resources when reviewing land tenure policies;
and
* identify, when reviewing agricultural policies, possible subsidies or incentives that may have negative impacts on water resources and wetlands.
The resolution requests Parties to ensure that activities and measures do not support agricultural policies that are inconsistent with trade-related agreements. It requests the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) to establish a framework for informing on good agriculture-related practices and policies and to develop wetland-type specific management guidelines, and also requests it to ensure that consideration of agriculture and wetland issues is incorporated into other relevant areas of the STRP’s work.
The resolution invites International Organisation Partners (IOPs), in cooperation with the Bureau, to work with other relevant bodies, particularly the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), WTO and CBD, to expand upon current reviews of the state of knowledge concerning interactions between agricultural practices and wetland functions.
Web-site: http://ramsar.org/index_cop8.htm
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Activities:
2. The II World Congress on Conservation Agriculture: Producing in Harmony with Nature
Iguaçu Falls, Parana, Brazil - August 11-15, 2003
This second Congress will call upon politicians, international institutions, environmentalists, farmers, and private industry to further support and develop the concept of conservation agriculture. The congress departs from the conviction that only with conservation agriculture techniques we will ensure the continuity of sufficient food production for an expanding population while maintaining environmental quality. Its programme will build on the issues and lessons of the first World Congress which took place in Madrid in 2001. In line with the conference theme, keynotes and delegates will address the development of on-farm, practicable, farmer-originated and led, and scientist supported farming systems that develop towards more natural systems for the optimal use of the natural resources. Further information on the congress can be found on the FEBRADPD web site: http://www.febrapdp.org.br
For more information: please contact Dr. Osmar Muzilli: omuzilli@pr.gov.br or José Benites Jose.Benites@fao.org
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3. VI Reunión de La Red Latinoamericana de Agricultura de Conservación (RELACO)
La Habana, Cuba 5 - 9 de mayo 2003
La Red Latinoamericana de Agricultura de Conservación (RELACO) es una asociación técnica sin fines de lucro que reúne a personas interesadas y capaces de contribuir de manera eficaz al desarrollo de la ciencia, tecnología y producción agrícola conservacionista en América Latina y el Caribe. Fue fundada en 1987, y ha organizado cinco reuniones latinoamericanas y publicado junto con la FAO una serie de Boletines Técnicos sobre agricultura de conservación para América Latina y el Mundo. RELACO es apoyada por las instituciones nacionales de agricultura de conservación y la FAO.
Cuba fue invitada y participa como miembro de la red desde 1995, influyendo ello notoriamente en el desarrollo de la agricultura de conservación que hoy se aplica en el país. El Instituto de Investigación de Caña de Azúcar (ININCA) en su calidad de Coordinador Nacional de RELACO en Cuba, acordó con FAO de organizar la VI Reunión Bianual de RELACO con los siguientes objetivos: (a) evaluar la situación actual en cuanto a la investigación y aplicación de agricultura de conservación en los países de RELACO, y su incidencia sobre los problemas de conservación de suelos y aguas, el mantenimiento o mejora de la productividad de las tierras y (b) discutir y elaborar las experiencias e informes de los participantes, y a una evaluación de los problemas más críticos, programas prioritarios de investigación y experimentación en lagricultura de conservación y su relación con la ganadería a ser desarrolladas en los países integrantes de RELACO.
Para mas información sobre el programa de la reunión por favor contactar con el Dr. Alberto Gómez, Investigador de INICA y Coordinador nacional de RELACO en Cuba a: alberto@inica.edu.cu con copia a José Benites Jose.Benites@fao.org y Manuel Sanchez Manuel.Sanchez@fao.org
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Publications:
4. New CD-ROMs in the FAO - Land and Water Digital Media Series:
4a # 19: Major Soils of the World
This CD ROM is released in conjunction with World Soil Resources Reports # 94: "Lecture Notes on the Major Soils of the World". In addition to the complete hyperlinked text of the book, it contains many additional pictures, a slideshow with a virtual tour, landscapes and a typical soil profile for each of the thirty reference soil groups of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). In total more than 550 slides and pictures illustrate the lecture notes.
More information on: http://www.fao.org/icatalog/search/dett.asp?aries_id=102985
Contact: Freddy Nachtergaele (AGLL): Freddy.Nachtergaele@fao.org
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4b # 20: Terrastat: Global Land Resources GIS Models and Databases for Poverty and Food Insecurity Mapping(Double CD ROM)
TERRASTAT is based on earlier work carried out by AGLL which focused on a country analysis, in tabular form, of problem soils, drylands, steeplands and land degradation issues. This database, linked with population figures, was used for poverty and food insecurity mapping, particularly for analysing where the people live in relation to: agro-ecological zones; marginal, degraded or productive lands; major food crop production systems, in particular those important to food security for the rural poor.
The computer programs on this CD-ROM require GIS software and display and export different biophysical themes ranging from specific soil constraints and climatic parameters to land degradation status at national and/or global level. These outputs are linked in tabular format with the population and population density in each of the biophysical zones identified. This allows specific problems, and possible solutions to be linked with the potential population most affected by the constraint identified. Moreover, it provides a first screening for more detailed country studies. The user should be aware that most of the analysis is based on relatively old and/or low resolution material that is presently being updated. This concerns in particular the soil map of the world, the Global Assessment of Soil Degradation (GLASOD) information and the global agro-ecological zones maps.
More information on: http://www.fao.org/icatalog/search/dett.asp?aries_id=103308
To order for free, contact: Freddy Nachtergaele at: Freddy.Nachtergaele@fao.org
For large orders please contact: publications-sales@fao.org
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4c. # 21: Global Agro-ecological Assessment for Agriculture in the 21st Century
FAO with the collaboration of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), has developed the Agro-ecological Zones (AEZ) system for rational land-use planning options to be formulated and tested on the basis of an inventory of land resources and evaluation of biophysical limitations and potentials. AEZ provides a standardised framework for the characterisation of climate, soil and terrain conditions relevant to agricultural production. AEZ matching procedures are used to identify crop-specific limitations of prevailing climate, soil and terrain resources, under assumed levels of inputs and management conditions and provides estimates of maximum potential and agronomically attainable crop yields for basic land resources units. AEZ provides the frame for various applications such as quantification of land productivity, extents of land with rain-fed or irrigated cultivation potential, production potential variability, estimation of the land's population supporting capacity, and multi-criteria optimisation of land resources use and development.
This CD-ROM presents the FAO/IIASA Research Report "Global Agro-ecological Assessment for Agriculture in the 21st Century: Methodology and Results", which describes the methodological adaptations necessary for the global assessment and illustrates a wide range of applications. Various results are also provided as world maps in GIS formats. Details of the land resource database, suitability and land productivity assessment procedures, global, regional and selected country-wise results can be found in spreadsheets on the CD-ROM as well.
It updates and expands the information on the GAEZ web-site at:
http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/gaez/index.htm and is available on the IIASA GAEZ web-site: http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/SAEZ/index.html
To order for free, contact: Freddy Nachtergaele at: Freddy.Nachtergaele@fao.org
For large orders: publications-sales@fao.org
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4d. # 22: Training Modules on Conservation Agriculture version 1.0
The purpose of these training modules is to support the promotion of conservation agriculture at community level. The modules provide practical information about the different principles of Conservation Agriculture. The training guide consists of eight different modules: concepts; soil health and fertility; cover crops and crop rotation; tools, machinery and equipment; weed management; pest and disease control; farm management and economics and crop-livestock interaction.
The reported benefits of Conservation Agriculture are reduced production costs, higher yields, less weed problems and thus reduced herbicide use, reduced water need, higher fertiliser efficiency, less lodging, reduced fuel use, less wear of machinery, savings in time, savings in labour and higher farm profit.
A next version of this CD-ROM will include a module with exercises for learning-by-doing and will allow for rapid consultation of the different modules through interactive menus and cross-references in the text.
on the web: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/lwdms.stm#cd22
To order for free, contact: José Benites at: Jose.Benites@fao.org copied to Pilar.Pazos@fao.org
For large orders please contact publications-sales@fao.org
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5. New Web-page on Soil Productivity Improvement through Farmer Field Schools(SPI/FFS)
The Land and Plant Nutrition Management Service (AGLL) has launched this new page to promote the exchange of information and experiences on the development and implementation of FFS for enhancing and sustaining soil productivity. The site targets those involved in developing participatory or FFS land management and conservation programmes, resource persons, senior extension officers and agricultural development specialists. Information is provided on FAO's pilot programme on Soil Productivity Improvement through Farmer Field Schools (SPI-FFS), which focuses on the development of training materials, curriculum development, capacity building and the development of regional support programmes. Materials can be downloaded for use in areas where Internet access is not readily available. The materials contain information on SPI concepts and approaches, guidelines, training materials and curriculum on how to develop an SPI-FFS programme, descriptions of programmes/projects and focal points in the East and Southern African Region. Ten practical training modules will be posted in due course.
All interested organisations and persons are invited to participate and exchange experiences on participatory training for farmers in the area of soil productivity improvement. Suggestions for linkages with other programmes/activities and programmes are welcomed.
http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/farmspi/default.stm
contact: Sally.Bunning@fao.org
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6. Guide: Diagnostic Participatif des Contraintes et des Potentialités pour la Gestion des Sols et des Éléments Nutritifs des Plantes
Ce guide présente des méthodes et des outils de diagnostic participatif des contraintes et des potentialités (DPCP) au niveau des familles et des communautés agricoles, afin de mieux comprendre les contraintes de gestion des sols et des éléments nutritifs des plantes et d'associer les agriculteurs dans la résolution de ces dernières. L'information qui sera collectée et analysée porte sur les caractéristiques physiques, socio-économiques et techniques des communautés agricoles. Ce guide est destiné aux équipes de spécialistes nationaux des sols et de la nutrition des plantes ainsi qu'aux agents de la vulgarisation. Ces équipes sont invitées à adapter la méthodologie proposée aux conditions et aux besoins nationaux. Ce document est constitué de deux parties: La Partie I, le texte principal, présente une séquence de 4 étapes por mener un exercice de DPCP au niveau de la communauté et des fermes agricoles. Il en expose également les concepts-clés. La Partie II présente une large gamme d'outils pour conduire un exercice de DPCP.
link: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/misc30f.pdf
contact: Walter.BurgosLeon@fao.org
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7. Soil Classification 2001: Research Report # 7, European Soils Bureau/FAO
Edited by R.J.A. Jones, F.O. Nachtergaele and E. Micheli.
Published by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and FAO
The papers gathered in this publications were those presented at an International Symposium
"Soil Classification 2001" held 9 -12 October 2001 at Velence, Hungary. The participants discussed new philosophies, concepts and principles to enhance classification systems, they reported on the state and shortcomings of national and international soil classification and they evaluated the changing demands for information and the increased use of technology in the systems for the new Millennium. More info on soil classification at: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/wrb/default.stm
Contact to order: Robert J. Jones: Robert.Jones@jrc.it
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8. Agricultura de Conservación: Estudios de Casos en América Latina y Africa
FAO's Soil Bulletin # 78 (Spanish version)
La agricultura de conservación, se caracteriza por la eliminación del disturbio mecánico del suelo, por una cobertura permanente del suelo y por la rotación de los cultivos. Estos tres elementos distinguen la agricultura de conservación de los sistemas agrícolas convencionales. El propósito de esta publicación es demostrar cómo esta agricultura incrementa la producción y al mismo tiempo reduce la erosión y revierte el proceso de disminución de la fertilidad del suelo; mejora las condiciones de la vida de la población rural y restaura el ambiente en los países en desarrollo. El estudio se basa en testimonios y experiencias de agricultores y extensionistas en América Latina y en África.
To order for free, contact: José Benites at: Jose.Benites@fao.org copied to Pilar.Pazos@fao.org
For large orders please contact publications-sales@fao.org
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9. Report of the International Workshop Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Wheat Production in Rotation with Cotton in Limited Water Resource Areas
The International Workshop Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Wheat Production in Rotation with Cotton in Limited Water Resource Areas was jointly organised by the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineers (TIIAME) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR), Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The meeting was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in October 13-18, 2002, with a view to bring together farmers, advisers, scientists, private sector and decision makers to share information and experiences, and to encourage further interactions and development. The workshop was a direct follow up of previous workshops in Shortandy/Kazakhstan (1999) and Lahore/Pakistan (2001) and was building on the experiences gathered since those events.
The report of the meeting can be obtained directly from Dr. Alim Pulatov, Director TIIAME alim@freenet.uz or José Benites: Jose.Benites@fao.org
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10. LEISA/FAO Special Issue on Conservation Agriculture
The Volume 18:3, October 2002 of LEISA Magazine focuses on Conservation Agriculture. The articles on Conservation Agriculture demonstrate that farmers, who work with nature instead of against it, can
produce high and sustainable yields.
To order for free, contact: José Benites at: Jose.Benites@fao.org copied to Pilar.Pazos@fao.org
For large orders please contact: ileia@ileia.nl
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11. Photo Library on Land Management Systems and Conservation Agriculture
The goal of this photo library is to introduce and illustrate practices of land management systems and conservation agriculture and their benefits. Extension services, agricultural research centres and educational institutes can use the photo library to underline the positive known effects on both inputs and outputs on Conservation Agriculture in a visual way. The photo library is divided into twelve main subjects. All photos are accompanied by information, such as title, country, source and a short description.
web page: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/consagri/photofile/file/Index.htm
For more information please contact: José Benites at: Jose.Benites@fao.org
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12. LADA Brochure: Land Degradation in Drylands:
The LADA brochure summarises explains in a well illustrated way the problem of land degradation in drylands, the objectives of the LADA-project, its approach, work plan and its expected outputs and impacts.
To order please contact Amanda Ball: Amanda.Ball@fao.org
LADA contact: Parviz Koohafkan: Parviz.Koohafkan@fao.org
A Spanish version is available in the AGL online database:
ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/lada_s.pdf
More LADA info on: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/lada/emailconf.stm
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13. New documents on the AGL on-line database
Tendances Actuelles du Marché Mondial des Engrais et Perspectives jusqu'en 2006/2007
(responsible officer: T. van den Bergen, AGLL)
ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/cwfto06f.pdf
Guide Diagnostic Participatif des Contraintes et des Potentialités pour la Gestion des Sols et des Éléments Nutritifs des Plantes
(responsible officer: W. Burgos-Leon, AGLL)
ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/misc30f.pdf
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Vacancies:
14. Three Positions for Technical Officers in FAO’s Water Service
1076-RAP Technical Officer (Water Resources) - P3
1077-RAF Technical Officer (Water Resources) - P3
1078-SAFR Technical Officer (Water Resources) - P3
More information: http://www.fao.org/va/vac.htm
Activities:
1. FAO AT THE THIRD WORLD WATER FORUM, Kyoto, 16-23 March 2003
3. Indigenous peoples' perspectives on water and development at the World Water Forum
4. E-discussion forum: The public and private dimensions of the global water challenge
5. 2nd International Symposium on Ecological Sanitation from 7-11 April, 2003 in Luebeck,
Publications:
6. World agriculture: towards 2015/2030 - A FAO Perspective
7. Water Report 23: Review of World Water Resources by Country
9. Digital Soil Map of the World and Derived Soil Properties
10. The Multilingual Soil Profile Database (SDBm Plus)
11. WRB World Soil Resources Map, FAO/ISRIC/EU
12. Preliminary review of the impact of irrigation on poverty
13. The Environment and Zero Tillage
14. Report of the Second Expert Consultation on Crop Water Productivity
15. Relaciones tierra-agua en cuencas hidrográficas Land and Water Bulletin No. 9
16. New publications on the AGL On-line Publications Database
17. Request for information and material for LADA CD-ROM
Activities:
1. FAO AT THE THIRD WORLD WATER FORUM, Kyoto, 16-23 March 2003
Agriculture policies need to aim at unlocking the potential of water management practices to raise productivity, promote equitable access to water and conserve the resource base. This is in substance the message FAO will bring to the World Water Forum in a few days in Kyoto.
The Third World Water Forum is the largest-ever meeting on water, bringing together more than 10,000 people interested in water issues, from NGO's to Government Officials, civil society and water professionals.
On 19 and 20 March, FAO, together with the International Commission for Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) and its Japanese National Committee (JCID), will host a Session on the theme "Agriculture, Food and Water". During two days, participants will have the opportunity to explore the complex linkages between water and agriculture in 14 thematic sub-sessions covering a large range of issues. The session will issue a statement to the Ministerial Conference organised at the end of the Forum.
On 21 March, the Director General of FAO and the Japanese Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will co-host a Ministerial Meeting on Water for Food and Agriculture. The meeting will be an opportunity for Ministers in charge of water use in agriculture to review policy options in agriculture and agree on a common set of recommendations to shape irrigation policies in the overall framework of integrated water resources management.
For more information on the World Water Forum, see: http://www.worldwaterforum.org
Information on FAO's involvement in the preparation of the Forum can be obtained from http://www.fao.org/ag/AGL/aglw/aquastat/kyoto/index.stm
FAO will also be present at the first People's World Water Forum in Florence (Italy) on 21-22 March organised by NGOs. This is an alternative forum to the Third World Water Forum held in Japan. FAO will be participating in this alternative forum exchanging views on agricultural water development and management with all participants.
Further information on the forum can be found at:
http://www.cipsi.it/contrattoacqua/forum-acqua/en/index.htm
2. GLOBALLY IMPORTANT INGENIOUS AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SYSTEMS(GIAHS) - Invitation to nominate pilot systems
In 2002 FAO launched a multi-agency, multi-stakeholder initiative to establish the basis for the global recognition, dynamic conservation and sustainable management of remarkable agricultural systems and landscapes, and their associated biodiversity and knowledge systems: The Globally Important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Project.
This global FAO/UNDP-GEF/UNESCO initiative is intended to be implemented in 10 pilot agricultural heritage systems, with specific action programmes, in 10 countries building on existing UN programmes for the in situ conservation and sustainable management of agricultural biodiversity, landscapes and knowledge systems. One of the challenges of this project is the possible creation of a new (sub-) category of World Heritage for Agricultural Heritage Systems.
We would like to invite all stakeholders (governments, NGOs, scientific institutions, indigenous peoples' organisations and others) to nominate and submit proposals on candidate systems and provide any supplementary information on such outstanding agricultural systems.
Selection of pilot systems will take place on the basis of criteria which have been developed at the GIAHS stakeholder and Steering Committee meeting, held in Rome in August 2002. Site selection will also be subject to GEF eligibility criteria. The final selection of the 10 pilot systems will be done by the International Steering Committee of the programme.
The selection criteria, a format for system proposals and further information can be requested from: David Boerma, GIAHS Focal Point: David.Boerma@fao.org
3. Indigenous peoples' perspectives on water and development at the World Water Forum
Sessions on Indigenous Worldview and Spirituality, Indigenous Water Resource Management and Indigenous Water Rights have been scheduled on March 16-17, 2003. These sessions will provide a venue for indigenous peoples to articulate not only our knowledge and experiences but to define strategies and actions towards a sustainable water development that respects and is sensitive to indigenous peoples.
Parallel sessions have also been planned from MARCH 18 - 22, 2003. An Indigenous Peoples Statement on Water will be drafted during this sessions.
For more details, please refer to: www.indigenouswater.org http://www.indigenouswater.org.
4. E-discussion forum: The public and private dimensions of the global water challenge
This discussion, continues the series of debates on global public goods, and now addresses the issue of water, given that the 3rd World Water Forum is being held in Japan from 16 - 23 March 2003. This discussion forum will be open from 10 to 24 March 2003.
The key question under discussion is "Water as economic good: The ONLY way to solve 'Access to Water' challenges and generate efficient water use?"
You may subscribe to this forum by sending a blank email to subscribe-gpgnet-l@groups.undp.org or by going to: http://groups.undp.org/lyris.pl?join=gpgnet-l A complete background note to support the discussion is available at http://www.gpgnet.net/topic02.php
You are also invited to visit the website of global public goods Network (gpgNet) at http://www.gpgnet.net
gpgNet intends to serve researchers, policymakers, business and civil society as a platform for information exchange and discussion on issues concerning the theory, policy design and practice of providing global public goods.
5. 2nd International Symposium on Ecological Sanitation from 7-11 April, 2003 in Luebeck, Germany
This symposium is organised by GTZ and IWA.
General Info: http://www.gtz.de/ecosan/deutsch/symposium2.htm
Conference Info: http://www.gtz.de/ecosan/docs/conference-info.pdf
Programme: http://www.gtz.de/ecosan/docs/detailed-programme.pdf
Publications:
6. World agriculture: towards 2015/2030 - A FAO Perspective
This report is FAO's latest assessment of the long-term outlook for the world's agriculture, food and nutrition. The projections cover supply and demand for the major agricultural commodities and sectors. This analysis forms the basis for a more detailed examination of other factors, such as nutrition and undernourishment, and also investigates the implications of future supply and demand for the natural resource base; i.e. land and water use, and discusses how technology can contribute to more sustainable development. The report expects that developing countries are likely to expand their irrigated area from 202 million ha today to 242 million ha by 2030. At global level there is enough water available, but some regions and countries will face serious water shortages. A 14 percent increase in water withdrawals for irrigation is expected for developing countries by 2030. One in five developing countries will be suffering water scarcity. Co-published with Earthscan Publications Ltd
.You can access the report at http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4252e/y4252e00.htm. A shorter summary report can be accessed at http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y3557e/y3557e00.htm. A hardcopy of this report, as well as of the Summary report, can be ordered at http://www.fao.org/icatalog/inter-e.htm
7. Water Report 23: Review of World Water Resources by Country
FAO's Aquastat programme compiles existing quantitative and qualitative information on water resources, water use and irrigation by country. This report focuses on the work done through the Aquastat surveys to collect and analyse available information on water resources for all countries in the world. It introduces the concepts and methodology applied to compute country-level water resources data, and presents and analyses the key findings at both global and regional levels. A summary table provides the elements of the water balance for each of the 170 countries and territories surveyed.
Available in PDF at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/wr23e.pdf
Technical contact: JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org
8. Proceedings of the International Symposium of IPI/PRII: the Role of potassium in nutrient management for sustainable crop production in India.
Edited by N.S. Pasricha and S.K. Bansal
The Proceedings contain the presentations of 25 invited scientists from throughout the world, who have long experience in potassium research. The Proceedings contribute to provide knowledge to researchers and extension agents on how best to meet the demand for higher soil productivity without sacrificing the need to protect the environment, while safeguarding the natural resources. The Proceedings are available as hard copy or on CD ROM at the Potash Research Institute of India, Sector 19, Dundahera, Gurgaon - 122001, Haryana, India; e-mail: priigurgaon@sify.com
9. Digital Soil Map of the World and Derived Soil Properties rev1. FAO-UNESCO
This CD-ROM is a revised issue of the Land and Water Digital Media Series #1, containing the FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the World in raster and vector formats. In addition programs and data files are included that display derived soil properties. The revision included the adding of a number of user-friendly ArcView files allowing the display of dominant soils by continent and the inclusion of the update of the image of the WRB World Soil Resources Map. The main difference with the earlier edition is in its price, because it will now be available, in line with the other CD ROM's of the Digital Media series, at 40 US$.
For technical support contact Freddy Nachtergaele at freddy.nachtergaele@fao.org
To order: contact publications-sales@fao.org
10. The Multilingual Soil Profile Database (SDBm Plus)
This CD-ROM (Land and Water Digital Media series # 23) contains the user manual and the software of the FAO-CSIC Multilingual Soil Profile Database (SDBm Plus). SDBm Plus is an upgraded and expanded Windows version of the SDBm software. SDBm Plus is a collection of programs incorporated into a menu-based interactive user interface to enter soils data into a database and manage the database. It is useful for storage of primary soil information assembled at national level, or data collected in national or local soil surveys. Data storage is greatly facilitated by the multilingual function providing help menus in English, French, Spanish and German. SDBm Plus is one of the components of FAO/AGLL's GIS-based decision support tools for land resources analysis, and of the MicroLEIS land evaluation system. SDBm data can be used in various applications, including land evaluation for sustainable land use and management and soil monitoring.
http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/lwdms.stm#cd23
To obtain a free copy, contact Jacques Antoine at: jacques.antoine@fao.org
11. WRB World Soil Resources Map (1: 30 Million scale), FAO/ISRIC/EU
Over the last eight years The FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the World has been partly updated under the SOTER Programme and the FAO legend has been replaced by the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB).
In 1998 the latter was adopted by the International Union of Soil Sciences as the standard for soil correlation and nomenclature. In the light of these new developments it was decided to prepare an updated
version of the generalised paper Map of the World Soil Resources at 1 : 30 000 000. The updating exercise covered:
- the switch from the original map projection to a Flat Polar Quartic projection.
- the conversion of the FAO legend into the WRB classification.
- the incorporation of additional soil data obtained from new or revised soil map sources.
- the matching, when possible, of soil unit boundaries with major landforms.
The map is available as an image for download from the Internet in pdf, as.eps and Arc/Info export formats at: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/wrb/wrbmaps/htm/soilres.htm> Or it can be ordered for free (folded, 120cm * 85 cm ) from AGLL contact Freddy Nachtergaele at Freddy.Nachtergaele@fao.org It can be ordered - unfolded - from FAO Publications and Sales contact: publications-sales@fao.org
12. Preliminary review of the impact of irrigation on poverty
The impact of irrigation on poverty is a controversial issue. While there is empirical evidence that irrigation development has, in some cases, a substantial impact on poverty reduction, it becomes increasingly clear that such impact is determined by the type of irrigated agriculture. The scheme size, the type of operation and maintenance, the system of water allocation, etc. can all play an important role in determining the eventual impact on beneficiaries. So far, there exists no comparative analysis of the performance of irrigated agriculture with respect to poverty, yet interest of donors in poverty alleviation is increasing and governments need to take strategic decisions for future investments in irrigation. This study was promoted to help understand the linkages between irrigation development and poverty reduction, with a view to propose recommendations on how to increase the impact of irrigation development projects on poverty alleviation. Through a review of 27 irrigation project, it aims to provide a framework for analysing the impacts of irrigation on poverty and to review some evidence of these impacts. It is hoped that its findings and recommendations can help shaping future investment strategies in the field of irrigation. 46 Pages
Available on-line at: <ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/misc34.pdf>
Technical contact: JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org
13. The Environment and Zero Tillage
Edited by Helvecio Mattana Saturnino and John N. Landers; Translated by John N. Landers; Published by APDC (Brasília, DF, Brazil), in 2002 [144 p.: il.; 22 cm - ISBN 85-865006-01-x] with the support of FAO.
Authors: Helvecio M. Saturnino, John N. Landers, Fernando P. Cardoso, Manoel H. Pereira, Rolf Derpsh, José R. Marinho, Garo Batmanian, Osmar P. Martins, Henrique M. Leite Chaves, Alberto D. Portugal, Paulo A. Romano, João B. da Silva, and Pedro L. de Freitas.
This book is a tribute to the professionals in Brazil's Agriculture - farmers and agronomists - in the knowledge that, in sustainable agriculture, Brazil is a world leader.
Copies may be obtained from:
APDC/Brazil - e-mail: apdc-df@terra.com.br Phone: 55. 61. 272-3191 Fax: 55. 61. 274-7245 or, Jose Benites Jose.Benites@fao.org mailto:Jose.Benites@fao.org
copied to Pilar Pazos Pilar.Pazos@fao.org mailto:Pilar.Pazos@fao.org FAO - B709 Viale delle Terme di Caracalla - 00100 Rome, Italy
14. Report of the Second Expert Consultation on Crop Water Productivity
The Water Resources, Development and Management Service of FAO organised the Second Expert Consultation on Crop Water Productivity. The consultation mainly aimed at reaching consensus on the conceptual approach of a new methodology to assess yield response to water under irrigated and rain-fed conditions. About 20 experts working on issues related to crop water productivity from leading institutions in different parts of the world attended the meeting in Rome during 26 to 28 February 2003. For further information on the crop water productivity programme, please visit the website: http://www.fao.org/landandwater/aglw/cropwater/cwp.stm
15. Relaciones tierra-agua en cuencas hidrográficas - Land and Water Bulletin No. 9
A menudo se supone que la dinámica de la ocupación de tierras y las prácticas de manejo del suelo generan importantes impactos sobre los recursos hídricos, que afectan a la población situada aguas abajo de la cuenca hidrográfica. Los pagos que la población que vive aguas abajo efectúa a la población situada aguas arriba por los "servicios ambientales" prestados - un suministro de agua de buena calidad, el contenimiento de sedimentos o un régimen más regular de caudales, constituyen un asunto ampliamente debatido. Sin embargo, existe escaso consenso técnico respecto de la naturaleza y alcance de los impactos biofísicos, las consecuencias socioeconómicas para la población y para otras personas, y los mecanismos para cuantificar y distribuir los costes y beneficios de las prácticas de manejo del suelo entre los diferentes usuarios. Para abordar estos problemas, la Dirección de Fomento de Tierras y Aguas de la FAO organizó, del 18 de septiembre al 27 de octubre de 2000, el taller electrónico "Relaciones tierra-agua en cuencas hidrográficas rurales". La presente publicación contiene las actas del taller y las dos comunicaciones en que se basaron los debates. La documentación completa del taller, comprendido el archivo de los debates, los documentos de antecedentes y los estudios de casos, están contenidos en el CD-ROM que completa esta publicación.
Contact: Benjamin.Kiersch@fao.org or JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org.
On the AGL On-line Publications Database: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/lw9s.pdf
16. new publications on the AGL On-line Publications Database
Several documents have been published on-line on the AGL On-line Publications Database at http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/oldocs.jsp
Relaciones tierra-agua en cuencas hidrográficas It is available at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/lw9s.pdf
Discussion Paper - Water and Fertilizer Use in Selected Countries. at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/watfertuse.pdf
Fertilizer use by crop in Taiwan Province of China: at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/ferttaiwan.pdf
Los Fertilizantes y su uso - Job No. X4781S: at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertuso.pdf
Preliminary review of the impact of irrigation on poverty - with special emphasis on Asia - AGL/MISC/34/2003 at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/misc34.pdf
"Land and Agriculture" (Spanish) at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/tierrayagric.pdf.
Proceedings of the LADA e-mail conference on Indicators for Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands at:
March 2003 Newsletter on the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) at: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/wrb/news.stm
17. Request for information and material for LADA CD-ROM
In the context of the LADA (Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands) project, AGLL is preparing a CD ROM on Land related topics specific for Drylands All contributions (pictures, articles, web-links) will be gladly acknowledged. For the table of contents and more information, please contact Sylvia Bartl at sylvia.bartl@fao.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
Activities:
1. International Advanced Course on Water Resources Data
Analysis: Data Processing, Interpreting and Design.
2. Foro Electronico: Manejo de la fertilidad del suelo en
agro-ecosistemas de los Andes Tropicales, November 2003
Publications:
3. New website on Modernization of irrigation schemes
4. Oilseed rape: Fertilizing for high yield and quality,
IPI-Bulletin No. 16
5. Overview of land value conditions
6. Revised version of the ECOCROP CD-ROM
7. Data sets, Indicators and Methods to Assess Land Degradation
in Drylands.
8. Fertilizer use by crop in Poland
9. Tendencias actuales y perspectiveas de los fertilizantes
en el mundo al 2006/07
10. New publications on the AGL On-line Publications Database:
11. LEISA Magazine- 19/1 (2003) learning with farmer field
schools / other news from ILEIA
12. La revue Terre et Vie n° 64
Vacancies:
13. ILEIA: Editor
14. ITC: Professor of Earth Surface Systems Analysis
Activities:
This two week course will be held in July 21-31, 2003 by the Water Engineering Research and Development Center (WERDEC), Water Foundation in Istanbul, TURKEY. The objectives of the course are 1) To provide technical and administrative personnel of developing countries 2) To encourage collaborative research and active exchange of ideas at the international level.
The course is mainly designed for engineers, researchers, scientists, educators, managers, decision-makers, especially professionals involved in engineering and administrative field of regional and state institutions, operating in the planning and management of water resources systems, higher educational institutions. A basic degree in engineering and science should suffice. The course will be given in English.
Please send your applications before 10 June. e-mail : werdec@suvakfi.org.tr ; Phone : +90 216 318 95 74 ; Fax : +90 216 318 51 55; http://www.suvakfi.org.tr/werdec/FORM2.asp
Este Foro electronico tendra una duracion de 4 semanas en el mes de noviembre
del 2003. Las temas serán:
*Vias de intensificacion y sostenibilidad de sistemas de cultivo;
*Manejo integrado de nutrientes (organicos y minerales) en sistemas de cultivo;
*Ecotecnologias;
*Adaptacion y validacion de modelos de simulacion biofisicos y de ayuda a la
decision en las condiciones andinas.
El foro esta dirigido a una amplia audiencia de cientificos y de la sociedad civil: agronomos, ecologos, microbiologos, ministerios de agricultura y agencias de desarrollo, estudiantes, redes agropecuarias, productores de semilla, instituciones de investigacion y extension en sistemas agropecuarios, empresas comercializadoras de productos organicos, especialistas en agroclimatologia, etc.
Organizacion: MOSAndes (Proyecto CYTED XII. 4), y CONDESAN-InfoAndina.
Se aceptaran inscripciones y resumenes de 200 palabras hasta el setiembre del 2003. Puede enviar sus resumenes a InfoAndina@cgiar.org
Publications:
3. New Website: Modernization of irrigation schemes
The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of FAO launches a new website dedicated to the modernization of irrigation systems. The website focuses on design, performance, operation, management and upgrading of medium or large-scale irrigation systems.
On this website, you will find: News, Tools, Training materials and programmes, Publications, A Web-board for exchange of information and documents, Technical briefs on technical, strategic and policy aspects of irrigation modernization and Links to related sites, projects, organizations and databases.
By signing up to the website, you can participate in the web-board, get news on modernization activities and website updates, receive new FAO products on irrigation system modernization, post news and technical documents, have a link on the website to your website, organization or project.
Although the website is primarily destined for use by the irrigation and drainage professional community of Asia, it is believed that most of the documents, methodologies, tools and training materials available on the site will be of interest to professionals from other regions.
Contact: Thierry Facon, Thierry.Facon@fao.org
Webmaster: Jarut Nakaramaleerat, Jarut.Nakaramaleerat@fao.org
4. Oilseed rape: Fertilizing for high yield and quality, IPI-Bulletin No. 16, by K. Orlovius
Oilseed rape is an important commodity on the international oilseed market ranking 2nd in production behind soybean. The major producers are China, the European Union, India and Canada.
The nutrient requirement and uptake of oilseed rape is substantial and in a good crop may be more than 250 kg/ha N, more than 100 kg/ha P2O5 and almost 500 kg/ha K2O. Such large nutrient requirements demand a good level of soil fertility and judicious nutrient inputs.
The IPI Bulletin No. 16 on oilseed rape is a comprehensive and informative brochure for extension workers, students and scientists. The botany of rapeseed is discussed together with the use of oilseed rape and the role of plant nutrients in yield and quality management. The main part of the Bulletin is devoted to the effect of fertilizer use on yield and quality.
It is available for USD 12 at the International Potash Institute, P.O. Box 1609, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland; tel +41 61 261 29 22; fax +41 61 261 29 25; e-mail: ipi@ipipotash.org or through the web: www.ipipotash.org
5. Overview of land value conditions
This paper examines the factors affecting the value and price of land. It highlights the issues relevant to land value in a market situation of competing use options. The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of the context in which the demand for land meets supply, and its effect on price formation. Drawn from a comparative analysis of a number of national conditions and cases, it discusses the factors that affect the price of agricultural land under different circumstances. This document aims to serve as a guide for planners and decision makers who deal with agricultural land transactions under conditions of changing public intervention, whereby potentially competing users accept an exchange value of land.
Publication Series: AGL/Misc/35/2003
Contact: Jan.Poulisse@fao.org
available at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/misc35e.pdf
6. Revised version of the ECOCROP CD-ROM
The Land and Plant Nutrition Management Service (AGLL) is pleased to announce the release of a revised version of the popular ECOCROP CD-ROM which has been produced in collaboration with the Crop and Grassland Service (AGPC) of FAO. The ECOCROP database includes information on arable crops, grasses, trees and other plant species with economic uses. ECOCROP primarily holds information about the climate and soil requirements and uses of plant species, but it also provides a range of other information, such as a brief description of the species, common names in different languages and possible yields. It gives textual information about the interaction of environmental factors and the influence of these factors on plant growth. ECOCROP includes a digitized climate zone map. With ECOCROP one can: identify a suitable crop for a specified environment, identify a crop with a specific habit of growth, identify crop for a defined use and look up the environmental requirement and uses of a given crop. The revised version, apart from being more user-friendly, has been increased from 1700 to more than 2100 plant species and the descriptions and search options now also include plant habit, detail use and used parts of plant. The ecological description has been extended and many species now also have a cultivation description and an ID photo.
ECOCROP is also available on-line at http://ecocrop.fao.org For more technical information please contact: Per.Diemer@fao.org To order a free copy please contact agl-webmaster@fao.org
7. Data sets, Indicators and Methods to Assess Land Degradation in Drylands.
World Soil Resources Reports # 100 FAO, Rome.
This report summarizes the findings of the e-mail conference that took place from 9 October to 4 November 2002 and which was organized by the Land degradation Assessment in Drylands project (LADA. The report contains exchanges of views on data sets and methods that may used to assess land degradation and a discussion on the biophysical, socio-economic and institutional indicators that explain the root causes, driving forces status, impact and responses to land degradation at various scales. The report is accompanied by a CD ROM containing all contributions.
Contact for free copy: Freddy Nachtergaele freddy.nachtergaele@fao.org
8. Fertilizer use by crop in Poland
This study examines the use of plant nutrients on individual crops in different regions of Poland, in the context of the agro-ecological conditions, the structure of agriculture, the production and consumption of mineral and organic plant nutrients, the relationship between nutrient imputs and outputs, the need for mineral nutrients and the economics of fertilization.
contact: Tanja van den Bergen, Tanja.VanDenBergen@fao.org
available for on-line reading at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertusepoland.pdf
9. Tendencias actuales y perspectiveas de los fertilizantes en el mundo al 2006/07
contact: Tanja van den Bergen, Tanja.VanDenBergen@fao.org
10. New publications on the AGL On-line Publications Database:
Several documents have been published on-line on the AGL On-line Publications Database at http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/oldocs.jsp
* Overview of land value conditions (for summary see item 5.) The document can be downloaded at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/misc35e.pdf
* Agricultural drainage water management in arid and semi-arid areas, IDP 61.
This publication provides planners, decision-makers and engineers with guidelines to sustain irrigated agriculture and at the same time to protect water resources from the negative impacts of agricultural drainage water disposal. On the basis of case studies from Central Asia, Egypt, India, Pakistan and the United States of America, it distinguishes four broad groups of drainage water management options: water conservation, drainage water reuse, drainage water disposal and drainage water treatment. All these options have certain potential impacts on the hydrology and water quality in an area, with interactions and trade-offs occurring when more than one is applied. This publication presents a framework to help make a selection from among the various drainage water management options and to evaluate their impact and contribution towards development goals. In addition, it presents technical background and guidelines on each of the options to enable improved assessment of their impacts and to facilitate the preparation of drainage water management plans and designs.
The publication is available for direct download at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/idp61e.pdf.
11. LEISA Magazine- 19/1 (2003) learning with farmer field schools and other news from ILEIA
IPM Farmer Field Schools (FFS) for rice farmers in Asia have been immensely successful. Since the Indonesian National IPM Programme initiated the first FFS in 1989, the approach has reached over two million rice farmers. These farmers have increased their yields and incomes, reduced pesticide use, and use inputs such as water and fertilizer more efficiently. They have gained the knowledge and practical experience necessary to manage their agro-ecosystems sustainably. They use their knowledge and understanding to innovate and solve their own problems, and share their knowledge with their neighbors. FFS graduates have become leaders in establishing sustainable agricultural systems in their villages: http://www.ileia.org/2/19-1/04.PDF
For a full overview of the content go to:http://www.ileia.org/2/nl19-1.html
E-LEISA - the quarterly news brief that brings you up to date with field based experiences and developments on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA). Available online at http://www.ileia.org. Subscriptions: maiser@kolibrie.net CALL FOR PAPERS: ILEIA is looking for articles, research and information on networking activities, publications and web sites for the coming editions off the Magazine. The next issue will focus on water harvesting, water conservation and small-scale irrigation. The third and fourth issue of the Magazine will be deal with `Access and control over resources` and `Rehabilitation of degraded land` respectively.
We invite you to share your experiences with us. http://www.ileia.org/2/papers.html
NEW ADDRESS for LEISA Revista de Agroecología
Our partners in Latin America have moved their website to a new address. Here you can read the Spanish versions of our magazine.
Para los ediciones en Espanol de la revista se puede visitar al proximo vinculo: http://www.leisa-al.org.pe/leisa/index.html
12. La revue Terre et Vie n° 64
Partie française
* Développement de l¹élevage dans la province du Boujdour (Maroc). Par Abdeslem
Mehouan
* L¹Homme et son environnement dans les collines prérifaines du pays Hyayna:
Quel aménagement et quelle gestion? Dr Professeur Said Arif
* La protection de l¹environnement au Maroc au service du développement durable.
Dr Professeur Ahmed Ait Hou
* Les ORMVA, les AUEA et la gestion participative de l¹irrigation Dr Professeur
Abdellah Herzenni
* Guide de l¹investisseur dans la zone d¹action de l¹O.R.M.V.A.O (2)Office Régional
de Mise en Valeur Agricole d¹Ouarzazate, Maroc
* Guide du lapin d¹élevage. Par INAAM - Rabat
* FAO: Nouvelle forme d'aide aux pays en développement
* FAO: Nouvelle variante de la maladie de Creutzfeldt-Jakob
* FAO: Famine dans le monde
Partie arabe:
* Politique et système de formation au Ministère de l¹Agriculture au Maroc.
Par Akka Oulahboub
* Formes d¹aide à la presse écrite en France. Par Youssef Dazi
* Possibilité d¹investir dans la région de Oued Eddahab au Maroc
contact: terrevie@iam.net.ma
Vacancies
ILEIA, the Centre for Information on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture, has been documenting, publishing and researching experiences with low external input and sustainable agriculture (LEISA), indigenous knowledge and participatory methods in developing countries since 1984. It co-operates with many organisations and individuals worldwide to build global and regional partnerships in support of ecologically sound agriculture. ILEIA is looking for an
Editor (m/f)The new editor will join the ILEIA editorial team and will work closely with them on the production of the LEISA Magazine. He/She will also support the work of the editorial teams producing the regional LEISA magazines.
Candidates are requested to send their applications with CV together with the names and addresses of three referees before the 31st of May 2003 to:
ILEIA,P.O. Box 64, 3830 AB Leusden, The Netherlands
For more information on ILEIA and the LEISA Magazines please visit http://www.ileia.org For more information on the position contact Marlies Marbus at office@ileia.nl, telephone 033-432 60 11.
14. ITC: Professor of Earth Surface Systems Analysis
For details, please see: http://www.itc.nl/about_itc/vacancies/0016.asp
This is also listed in the Times Higher Education Supplement: http://www.thesjobs.co.uk/rs6/cl.asp?action=view_ad&ad_id=14171
contact:
D G Rossiter
International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)
Hengelosestraat 99 PO Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)53 4874 499 Fax: +31 (0)53 4874 336
mailto:rossiter@itc.nl
ISSUE 54 - 31 October 2003
IN THIS ISSUE:
Activities:
1. International conference on "Practical experiences
of smallholder irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa", Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso,
10- 12 November 2003.
2. Baseline Conference for the CGIAR Challenge Program on
Water and Food - Nairobi, November 2-6, 2003
3. Land open science conference, 2-5 December, 2003,
Morelia, Mexico
4. International Workshop on Waterharvesting and Sustainable
Agriculture, 7 September 2004, Moscow, Russia
5. International Conference on the Sustainable Management
of Sodic Lands, 23-28 February 2004, Lucknow, India
6. Regional Workshop on Agro-ecological Zoning (AEZ)
and GIS Applications in Asia with special emphasis on Land Degradation Assessment
in Drylands (LADA), Bangkok, Thailand 11-17 November 2003
7. LADA Workshop, Dakar, Senegal, 15 - 17 December 2003
8. International Symposium on the Earth System 8-10
September 2004, Istanbul Turkey. NEW KEY DATES
9. Various courses in Water Resources and Environmental
Management at the International Institute for GEO-Information Science and Earth
Observation (ITC).
10. Sessions de formation au Burkina Faso organisé
par Le Centre de Formation Continue du Groupe des Ecoles EIER-ETHSER (CEFOC)
11. 2004 IFA International Crop Nutrition Award: call
for nominations
12. Solicitud para estudios de caso en el tema de "Pagos
por Servicios Hídricos"
13. Call for Case Studies "Payment for Hydrological
Services in Watersheds"
Publications:
Books/articles/documents/reports:
14. UN World Water Development Report:water for people,
water for life
15. Agriculture, Food and Water
16. Water and Sanitation in the World's Cities: Local
Action for Global Goals, United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN- HABITAT)
17. Innovations in farmer groundwater technology
18. Blue Gold: The Battle against Corporate Theft of
the World's Water, Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke
19. Ideas Book for Local Action in Water Management
20. Linking Land Quality, Agricultural Productivity,
and Food Security
21. Proceedings of the II World Congress on Conservation
Agriculture: Producing in Harmony with Nature
22. Sistemas de Pago por Servicios Ambientales en Cuencas
Hidrográficas 1. Resultados del Foro
23. Proceedings of the regional workshop on "Potassium
and Water management in West Asia and North Africa"
24. RooTalk: Special issue on the International Technical
Workshop on Biological Management of Soil Ecosystems
25. BOLETÍN DE ALAR: la Fijación Biológica del Nitrógeno
por Rhizobium y con Microorganismos Promotores del Crecimiento Vegetal.
26. Soil Bulletin # 79: OPTIMISING SOIL MOISTURE FOR
PLANT PRODUCTION The significance of soil porosity
27. Fertilizer Use by Crop in Cuba
28. Fertilizer use by crop in the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea
29. Fertilizer use by Crop in Uzbekistan
30. Fertilizer use by crop in the Syrian Arab Republic
31. Estimations des émissions gazeuzes de NH3, NO et
N2O par les erres agricoles à l'échelle mondiale
32. Les engrais et leurs applications (versions Francais
et Arabe)
33. Current world fertilizer trends and outlook to
2006/2007
34. Los aspectos económicos de la agricultura de conservación
35. Economie de l'agriculture de conservation
36. New publications on the AGL On-line Publications
Database
37. New Documents added to FAO's Document Repository
in .html format.
CD-ROMs:
38. Agro-MAPS a global spatial database of sub-national
agricultural land-use statistics (Beta version CD ROM for Land and Water Digital
media series)
39. Land and Water Digital Media Series # 24: Properties
and Management of Soils of the Tropics (CD-ROM - FAO)
40. FAO Land and Water Digital Media Series # 25: Soil
and Terrain Database for southern Africa (CD ROM - FAO/ISRIC)
WWW:
41. New web-site for Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands
(LADA)
42. UNOSTAT direct access to satellite imagery via
the Internet
Vacancies:
Activities:
1. International conference on "Practical experiences of smallholder irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa".
An international conference on "Practical experiences of smallholder irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa" will be organised by RAID (Regional Association for Irrigation and Drainage) in collaboration with FAO and EIER-ETSHER (Groupement de l'Ecole d'Ingénieurs de l'Équipement Rural et de l'Ecole des Techniciens Supérieurs de l'Hydraulique et de l'Équipement Rural).
Date/location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 10-12 November 2003.
For more information please contact:
ARID (Association Regionale pour l'Irrigation et le Drainage en Afrique de l'Ouest):
Mail: arid@eieretsher.org
Tel : +226 36 14 27 Fax : +226 31 27 24
web : http://www.eieretsher.org/arid
FAO: Mr. Moïse Sonou, Senior Water Devpt. Officer, RAFA
Mail: moise.sonou@fao.org
Fax: 00233-21-668427, 00233-21-7010943.
The registration form and information note of the conference can also be requested from Sara Fernandez (IPTRID/FAO): Sara.fernandez@fao.org
2. Baseline Conference for the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food - Nairobi, November 2-6, 2003
The research agenda of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food will be launched at a special scientific conference that will bring together several hundred scientists with development stakeholders to present and debate key issues around increasing water productivity in agriculture and the impacts on poverty alleviation and on food, health and environmental security in the program's benchmark basins. The Conference will result in a number of action-oriented recommendations from stakeholders on how to implement the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food to achieve the highest impact. Participants will be engaged to provide input and guidance on the program; on how it can deliver solutions that are politically and socially acceptable, financially and technically feasible and can be implemented in a practical way.
For further information contact cpconference@cgiar.org or log on to http://www.waterforfood.org/
3. Land Open Science Conference, 2-5 December, 2003, Morelia, Mexico
The Land Project will hold its first Open Science Conference 2-5 December, 2003 in Morelia, Mexico. The purpose of the Conference is to bring together the research communities, dealing with global change science related to land use/cover changes, terrestrial ecosystems, and aquatic ecosystems on land. There will be a preceding Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystem (GCTE) symposium on 1 December.
Registration forms can be downloaded: http://www.oikos.unam.mx/landOSC
4. International Workshop on Waterharvesting and Sustainable Agriculture, 7 September 2004, Moscow, Russia
This workshop will be organised by ICID-CIID and FAO. Deadline for abstracts (600 words): end of November 2003.
Contact (secretariat): Mr. S. Nairizi, s.nairizi@tooss-ab.com
FAO contact: Nico.vanLeeuwen@fao.org
5. International Conference on the Sustainable Management of Sodic Lands, February 23-28, Lucknow, India
The conference will bring together experts, scientists, national and international extension, research and development organisations and others concerned with policy, planning and implementation of sodic lands management.
The goal of the Conference is to is to formulate action plans for the future by focussing on economically viable, socially acceptable and ecologically sustainable technologies for the management of sodic land to achieve productivity gains.
Contact: daspupcar@satyam.net.in or dvylucknow@rediffmail.com
6. Regional Workshop on Agro-ecological Zoning (AEZ) and GIS Applications in Asia with special emphasis on Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands (LADA), Bangkok, Thailand 11-17 November 2003
The workshop is organized by FAO AGL and RAP in collaboration with the Land Development Department of Thailand. The purpose of the workshop is to promote AEZ/GIS and their application in the assessment, mapping and monitoring of rural land use and land degradation in relation to food security in Asian countries, and to develop more applied knowledge, policy instruments, national capacities and technologies which would assist to develop more efficient and sustainable management of land resources, especially in drylands. Senior land resources and land degradation specialists from fifteen Asian countries will attend the workshop.
More information: Jacques.Antoine@fao.org or Yuji.Niino@fao.org
7. LADA Workshop, Dakar, Senegal, 15 - 17 December 2003
18 African countries will discuss land degradation problems and promising rehabilitation techniques in a three day workshop.
More information: Lamourdia.Thiombiano@fao.org
8. International Symposium on the Earth System 8-10 September 2004, Istanbul Turkey. NEW KEYDATES:
Abstract Submission: January 15 2004; Notification of Acceptance: March 1, 2004; Early Registration: April 15, 2004; Late Registration April 16- August 31, 2004
http://www.earthsystem2004.org
9. Various courses in Water Resources and Environmental Management at the International Institute for GEO-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC).
NFP-scholarships area available (see http://www.nuffic.nl/).
Various short courses
http://www.itc.nl/education/programme_levels/short_courses/default.asp
Remote Sensing and GIS applications for Integrated Catchment and Water Management (ICWM) http://www.itc.nl/education/programme_levels/short_courses/2004/0004.asp
Advanced Use of Remote Sensing in Water Resource Management, Irrigation and Drainage http://www.itc.nl/education/programme_levels/short_courses/2004/0005.asp
Groundwater Resources Monitoring, Evaluation and Modelling http://www.itc.nl/education/programme_levels/short_courses/2004/0006.asp
contact: education@itc.nl info: http://www.itc.nl
10. Sessions de formation au Burkina Faso organisé par Le Centre de Formation Continue du Groupe des Ecoles EIER-ETHSER (CEFOC)
Le CEFOC s'appuie sur un réseau de compétences très large dont les plus rapprochées sont les 36 enseignants permanents et certains cadres du groupe des écoles EIER - ETSHER, mais qui sont complétées par un fichier de plus de 200 intervenants potentiels identifiés dans les 14 Etats membres, ou au travers de partenariats avec des consultants ou institutions du Nord (France, Suisse, Belgique en particulier).
Créé en 1997 par une fusion du centre de formation continue de l'EIER et de celui de l'ETSHER, le CEFOC, hérite maintenant d'un savoir faire datant de 18ans. Avec une progression régulière en effectif, le CEFOC a formé par le passé environ 5.000 personnes dans les 14 Etats membres et quelques autres Etats francophones (Djibouti, Madagascar en particulier). A l'heure actuelle environ 550 personnes par an participent dans les différentes sessions de formation.
Parmi les sessions programmées pour la saison 2003 - 2004 on peut noter les
suivantes
Diagnostic et métodologie de la conduite de l'aménagement des bas-fonds en zone
tropicales humides, Cameroun - 14 Nov au 2 Decembre 2003
Tranfert de gestion des aménagements hydro-agricoles : acteurs et outils, Burkina
Faso - 24 Nov au 11 Décembre 2003
Diagnostic et méthodologie de la conduite des projets d'aménagement des bas-fonds
en zone soudano- Burkina Faso - 23 février au 6 mars 2004
Le CEFOC prévoit aussi un nombre d'autres sessions dont les dates n'ont pas
encore été fixées. Pour plus de renseignements sur ces formation, les conditions
et les inscriptions veuillez consultez le site web : http://www.eieretsher.org
11. 2004 IFA International Crop Nutrition Award: call for nominations
In its effort to promote research in the field of efficient, balanced and environment friendly fertilisation, the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) grants every year the IFA International Crop Nutrition Award for research that has led to significant advances in crop nutrition and that has been communicated successfully to the farmer in the form of practical recommendations.
Any individual researcher involved in crop or soil science is eligible. Applications must be submitted to an IFA member by 31 January 2004, and nominations by IFA members must be forwarded to the IFA Secretariat by 20 February 2004. The candidates will be judged by an independent selection panel on the basis of research quality, originality and practical application.
The recipient of the Award will receive US$ 10,000 (ten thousand US dollars) and will be invited as a guest to the IFA Annual Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, from 24 to 27 May 2004. The recipient will also be sponsored to participate in one international conference during the same year.
The Award alternates each year between scientists based in developing countries (odd years) and researchers from international agricultural research centres (IARCs), industrialised countries and countries with economies in transition (even years).
The 2004 Award is for scientists from IARCs, industrialised countries and countries with economies in transition.
contact: ifa@fertilizer.org info: http://www.fertilizer.org/ifa/
12. Solicitud para estudios de caso en el tema de "Pagos por Servicios Hídricos"
Una de las recomendaciones finales del Foro apuntó a la necesidad de ahondar en la recolección y difusión de casos donde se hayan utilizado mecanismos de mercado para compensar a los usuarios de la tierra por los servicios hídricos que prestan.
En seguimiento a esta recomendación, la FAO está en la fase inicial de un estudio para colectar y sistematizar la información sobre experiencias de aplicación de pagos por servicios hídricos en cuencas hidrográficas a base de los criterios desarrollados en el Foro. Son de particular interés proyectos en ejecución en el tema antes señalado a incluir en el inventario que será publicado por la FAO. Si usted tiene conocimiento de este tipo de experiencias, por favor envíe un mensaje con
- el nombre del proyecto,
- la zona geográfica donde se lleva a cabo,
- la institución que lo lidera y
- los datos de la/s persona/s encargada/s (incluyendo su correo electrónico)
a benjamin.kiersch@fao.org
13. "Payment for Hydrological Services in Watersheds": Call for Case Studies
In June 2003, FAO organised the "Regional Forum on Environmental Services Payment Schemes in Watersheds" as part of the Third Latin American Congress on Watershed Management in Arequipa, Peru. The forum's main aims were to exchange experiences on mechanisms for water-related environmental service payments, and to identify lessons regarding the economic valuation of hydrological services and implementation of such payment schemes in Latin America. The documentation is available at http://www.rlc.fao.org/prior/recnat/foro.htm (Spanish only). One of the main recommendations of the Forum was to work out an inventory of applications of payments for hydrological services (PHS) to get a better idea what works (and what not) in terms of PHS. To follow up this recommendation, FAO has started a review of such experiences. If you know of any cases worth including in the inventory that will be published by FAO - particularly on schemes that have been operational for a few years and /or that have not been documented in the literature - please send information on
- name of the project
- country and region
- institution / organisation in charge of the project
- Name and e-mail / telephone of a contact person
to benjamin.kiersch@fao.org
Publications:
14. UN World Water Development Report:Water for people, water for life
The World Water Development Report (WWDR) is a periodic, comprehensive review giving an authoritative picture of the state of the world's freshwater resources, and aiming to provide decision-makers with the tools for sustainable use of our water. Co-ordinated by the World Water Assessment Programme, the Report is the result of the collaboration of twenty-three UN agencies including FAO and lays the foundations for regular, system-wide monitoring and reporting by the UN, together with development of standardised methodologies and data. The first edition of this report, Water for People, Water for Life, was launched on World Water Day (March 22nd) at the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan.
Web site: http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr/index.shtml
Technical contact at FAO: JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org
15. Agriculture, Food and Water
Producing our daily food requires one thousand times more water than we use to drink and one hundred times more than we use to meet our basic personal needs. Rainfed agriculture alone cannot ensure global food supply, and up to 70 percent of the water we take from rivers and aquifers goes into irrigated agriculture. Agriculture is the major source of food and by far the largest consumer of water on the globe. What is the role of water in the world's food production? What are the contributions to food production from rainfed and irrigated agriculture and from fisheries? How can more food be produced with the same amount of water? What role does the market play? How does food security connect to poverty and water use? This report discusses these and many other questions using up-to-date information and state-of-the-art knowledge. The United Nations World Water Development Report and its various thematic components provide a periodic review of the world's freshwater resources and the way we steward them. Chapter 8 of the Report is re-issued here as Agriculture, food and water.
Available in pdf at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/agricfoodwater.pdf
Technical contact: JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org
16. Water and Sanitation in the World's Cities: Local Action for Global Goals, United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN HABITAT)
This influential publication by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme sets out in detail the scale of inadequate provision of water and sanitation. It describes the impacts on health and economic performance, showing the potential gains of remedial action; it analyses the proximate and underlying causes of poor provision and identifies information gaps affecting resource allocation. It outlines the consequences of further deterioration; and it explains how resources and institutional capacities - public, private and community - can be used to deliver proper services through integrated water resource management. Earthscan Publications
Paperback 1-84407-004-2 * Hardback 1-84407-003-4
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3902
17. Innovations in farmer groundwater technology
In spite of its importance in large parts of the world, little work has gone into farmers' groundwater technology. Even with more than 10 million pump sets in South Asia and many others in other parts of the world, the sector has by and large remained a blind spot. Yet spectacular improvements in fuel efficiency, CO2 emission, convenience and social impact are possible. The publication "Technology innovation and promotion in practice: pumps, channels and wells" documents several of these. This publication discusses improvements in manually operated and diesel-operated pump sets, in well technology and introducing changes. Equally, if not important, are the ways of promoting and introducing changes, engaging private parties and government alike. The main message of the book is that technology is in essence a social process. It is based on extensive field trials in three districts in Eastern India. One of innovation introduced is the stone hammer technique for manual drilling that won the International Competition for Innovative Technologies for Small Farmers in 2001.
The publication, a joint effort of Practica, Centre for Development of Human Initiatives, Arcadis Euroconsult and the Energy Research Institute, can be ordered through http://www.teriin.org or outreach@teri.res.in.
G.J. Bom, I.H. Rehman, D. van Raalten, R. Mishra and F. van Steenbergen, 2002,
'Technology innovation and promotion in practice: pumps, channels and wells',
90 pg
ISBN 81-7993-009-2
18. Blue Gold: The Battle against Corporate Theft of the World's Water, Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke
A global shortage of water is looming as one of the most threatening ecological, economic, and political crises of the 21st century. What is worse, the 'solutions' proposed are only making the problems more severe. The privatisation of water, often on the instructions of the World Bank or other lenders, provides ready monopolies for business - and makes access a function of ability to pay, rather than need or entitlement. To achieve water security the world needs to recognise access to water as a fundamental human right, not dependent on ability to pay. Earthscan Publications. Hardback 1-85383-937-X * Paperback 1-84407-024-7
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3799
19. Ideas Book for Local Action in Water Management
The Global Water Partnership presents "Ideas for Local Action in Water Management", the second in a series of Ideas-books. This volume provides readers with over 100 examples from current initiatives in local water resources planning, water saving, safeguarding water quality locally, clean-up programs, promoting transparency and more. The book brings together ideas based on activities undertaken by local government, civil society and the private sector all over the world.
Copies of the book (102 pages) or of the earlier volume "Ideas for Water Awareness Campaigns" can be ordered free of charge through the GWP Secretariat, Hantverkargatan 5, SE-112 21 Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: gwp@gwpforum.org, tel: +46 (0)8 562 51 900. Both Ideas-books are available online as pdf files in the GWP web library, through http://www.gwpforum.org/servlet/PSP
20. Linking Land Quality, Agricultural Productivity, and Food Security
In the framework of LADA (Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands), we would like to draw your attention to a recent study entitled "Linking Land Quality, Agricultural Productivity, and Food Security" undertaken by USDA. The report is available from: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer823/
Contact: Freddy.Nachtergaele@fao.org LADA Project (FAO)
21. Proceedings of the II World Congress on Conservation Agriculture: Producing in Harmony with Nature, Iguaçu Falls, Parana, Brazil - August 11-15, 2003
The 2nd World Congress on Conservation Agriculture (II WCCA) was held in Iguaçu Falls, Paraná, Brazil, from the 11 to 15 August 2003. Similar to the first World Conservation Agriculture (CA) Congress (Madrid, 2001; declaration attached) this Congress brought together many personnel (900) from a large number of countries (50), representing a wide range of international organisations, scientific institutions, farmers' organisations, private sector, agricultural manufacturers and NGOs. Notable, however, was that the range and nature of the CA subject matters brought to and discussed in this 2nd Congress strongly demonstrated not only the commonality of purpose stemming from the Declaration of the 1st Congress but also the significant and widespread advances in CA that have developed since Madrid.
Further information on the congress can be found on the FEBRADPD web site: http://www.febrapdp.org.br/ For more information: please contact José Benites Jose.Benites@fao.org
22. Sistemas de Pago por Servicios Ambientales en Cuencas Hidrográficas 1. Resultados del Foro Regional en Arequipa, Perú, 9 al 12 junio de 2003
En los últimos años, el concepto de Pago por Servicios Ambientales (PSA) ha recibido mucha atención como herramienta innovadora para financiar inversiones en manejo sostenible de tierras en varios países de América Latina. A nivel de cuencas hidrográficas, los sistemas de pago por servicios hídricos son particularmente relevantes. Estos sistemas contemplan la apliación de mecanismos de mercado para la compensación a los usuarios de tierras aguas arriba con el fin de mantener o modificar un uso particular del suelo que afecta la disponibilidad y/o calidad del recurso hídrico, aguas abajo.
El Foro Regional sobre Sistemas de Pago por Servicios Ambientales en Cuencas Hidrográficas se llevó a cabo en el marco del Tercer Congreso Latinoamericano de Manejo de Cuencas Hidrográficas. El evento tuvo como objetivos principales (i) intercambiar experiencias de sistemas de PSA en cuencas hidrográficas en América Latina, en particular por el recurso hídrico y (ii) identificar criterios y formular recomendaciones para lograr una adecuada valoración económica de los servicios hidrológicos y un apropiado diseño y una exitosa ejecución de los sistemas de PSA en cuencas hidrográficas.
En el Foro se reunieron 80 expertos de 16 países y de organismos internacionales. Se presentaron 22 trabajos en siete sesiones.
Las conclusiones y recomendaciones y los trabajos presentados en el foro se encuentran disponibles en http://www.rlc.fao.org/prior/recnat/foro.htm
23. Proceedings of the regional workshop on "Potassium and Water Management in West Asia and North Africa"
The International Potash Institute (IPI) held a regional workshop on "Potassium and Water Management in West Asia and North Africa", in cooperation with the National Centre for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer. The focus of the workshop was the need to increase food production from shrinking land and water resources. Adequate use of mineral fertilisers is one of the pre-conditions to boost crop yields under the inherently adverse climatic conditions in the region. The reality, however, is that fertilizer use is highly unbalanced with the application of little potassium, although this nutrient plays a dominant role in yield and quality formation, resistance to pests, diseases and climatic stress, and in the improvement of fertilizer use efficiency.
The Proceedings of this workshop , edited by A.E. Johnston, are available for USD 15 at the International Potash Institute, P.O. Box 1609, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland; tel +41 61 261 29 22; fax +41 61 261 29 25; e-mail: ipi@ipipotash.org or through the web: http://www.ipipotash.org/
24. RooTalk: Special issue on the International Technical Workshop on Biological Management of Soil Ecosystems Organised by EMBRAPA-Soya and FAO, Londrina, Brazil, 24 - 27 June 2002
contact: Sally.Bunning@fao.org
further information: FAO Soil Biodiversity Portal:
http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/soilbiod/default.stm
25. BOLETÍN DE ALAR: la Fijación Biológica del Nitrógeno por Rhizobium y con Microorganismos Promotores del Crecimiento Vegetal
BOLETÍN DE ALAR se envía a 1996 personas e instituciones vinculadas con aspectos básicos y aplicados de la Fijación Biológica del Nitrógeno por Rhizobium y con Microorganismos Promotores del Crecimiento Vegetal.
para:
- Noticias y novedades para ser incluidas en los próximos números.
- Direcciones de aquellas personas e instituciones que aun no lo reciben.
Agradecemos recibir en lmscilab@adinet.com.uy
26. Soil Bulletin # 79: OPTIMIZING SOIL MOISTURE FOR PLANT PRODUCTION The significance of soil porosity
The purpose of this publication is to contribute to raising awareness of possibilities for better use of rainwater and improved management of soils. It should be useful to anyone concerned with maintaining and improving the productivity, quality and health of land, including farmers, advisory staff, trainers and their students, as well as technical decision-makers in governmental and non-governmental agencies. It should also encourage multidisciplinary approaches and dialogue between stakeholders of different backgrounds. The document has been made user-friendlier by presenting activities, exercises and discussion topics in non-technical language, and by interspersing the text with illustrations and diagrams. The complete materials of this guide are included on the CD-ROM that accompanies this document. The emphasis in this CD-ROM is on the use of careful field observations of soil and plant indicators to identify soil water problems.
To order for free, contact: José Benites at: Jose.Benites@fao.org copied to Pilar.Pazos@fao.org For large orders please contact publications-sales@fao.org
27. Fertilizer Use by Crop in Cuba
In this study the agro-ecological structure and the areas, yields and fertilisation of the individual crops in Cuba are examined. All Cuba's fertilizer requirements are imported and the quantities available are limited. The use of fertilisers fell by 80 percent during the 1990s and the present level is insufficient to maintain yields and soil fertility. In order to alleviate the situation the Government gives priority to certain key crops such as sugar cane because of its economic importance and potatoes as a key food crop. The use of plant nutrients from organic sources is encouraged. The use of bio-fertilisers has been tried but only nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium has maintained its position.
Contact and orders: Tanja.vandenBergen@fao.org
It is also available for direct download and/or on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertusecuba.pdf
28. Fertilizer use by crop in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
In recent years, agricultural production in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has fallen sharply. There is little arable land and increased production must come from higher yields, which require an adequate supply of production inputs such as fertilisers. All inputs are in short supplies and there is a lack of items such as spare parts for machinery and irrigation pumps. Compounded by a series of droughts, this situation has resulted in serious food shortages. Large-scale humanitarian interventions have been required. In order to increase agricultural production, a "double cropping programme" has been developed, with the support of FAO and aid agencies, in order to permit the harvesting of an extra crop. This report presents the results of the programme to date.
Contact and orders: Tanja.vandenBergen@fao.org
It is available for direct download and/or on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertuseprkorea.pdf
29. Fertilizer use by Crop in Uzbekistan
Prior to independence the monoculture of cotton has led to serious problems of land degradation in Uzbekistan and to the environmental catastrophe of the Aral Sea. Since independence, priority has been given to the diversification of agricultural production and self- sufficiency in cereals has now been achieved. Farming, although not land ownership, has been privatised. This study describes the agro- ecological and farming conditions of the country, cropping, and the use of fertilisers and manures.
Contact and orders: Tanja.vandenBergen@fao.org
Direct download/on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertuseuzbekistan.pdf
30. Fertilizer use by crop in the Syrian Arab Republic
About half the population of the Syrian Arabic Republic depends primarily on agriculture for its livelihood and agricultural exports are a major source of foreign currency for the country. Since the 1980s, agricultural production in the Syrian Arabic Republic has no longer been sufficient to meet domestic demand, which is rising as a result of population growth, generally rising incomes and urbanisation. Increased fertilizer use is expected as a result of the expansion of the irrigated areas, the development of fertilizer use on fodder crops and increased use on fruit crops.
Contact and orders: Tanja.vandenBergen@fao.org
Also direct download/on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertusesyria.pdf
31. Estimations des émissions gazeuzes de NH3, NO et N2O par les terres agricoles à l'échelle mondiale
Les plantes absorbent seulement 50 pour cent de l'engrais azoté appliqué aux terres agricoles. Une partie de cette inefficacité est le résultat des émissions d'ammoniac (NH3), de protoxyde d'azote (N2O) et de monoxyde d'azote (NO). La quantification de ces émissions est importante, tout d'abord en tant qu'élément d'une tentative d'amélioration de l'efficacité de l'utilisation des engrais et ensuite du fait de leurs effets sur les écosystèmes, la pollution atmosphérique et l'effet dit de serre. Ce rapport fournit une vaste revue de la littérature au sujet des émissions de NH3, de N2O et de NO, et examine les facteurs de régulation, les techniques de mesure et les modèles. Il réunit ces données et produit des évaluations globales d'émission qui peuvent servir de base pour aborder par la suite les questions d'efficacité et d'impact sur l'environnement.
Contact and orders: Tanja.vandenBergen@fao.org
32. Les engrais et leurs applications (versións francais et arabe)
Cette brochure présente des orientations surl'tilisation des engrais pour les agents de vulgarisation. Elle explique qu'un développement agricole à même de contribuier à la sécurité alimentaire des populations et maintenir la productivité agricole des sols doit s'appuyer sur l'emploi des engrais minéraux. Elle traite du rôle de la fertilisation des cultures basée sur les caractéristiques du sol. Elle donne des recommandations générales en matière de fertilisation minéralw de certaines cultures et contient des informations sur les analyses de sols et de plantes. Quelques suggestions pratiques sont également présentées sur les dispositifs pour conduire des démonstrations sur lútilisation des engrais, et d'une facon générale, sont présentées des techniques pour la mise en oeuvre d'actions de vulgarisations agricole.
Contact and orders: TanjavandenBergen@fao.org
33. Current world fertilizer trends and outlook to 2006/2007
Contact and orders: TanjavandenBergen@fao.org
34. Los aspectos económicos de la agricultura de conservación
La agricultura de conservación es un nuevo enfoque para mejorar el uso de los recursos en un sistema de producción sostenible. Sus beneficios incluyen una reducción en la cantidad de insumos, productividades más estables, un intercambio mejorado de nutrientes del suelo y mejores perspectivas económicas a largo plazo. El estudio examina los factores financieros y no financieros que afectan a la adopción y el éxito de la agricultura de conservación a nivel de parcela, nacional y global. A la luz de la posible divergencia entre los intereses social y privado, se resalta la importancia de los objetivos y motivos de los agricultores, la dimensión colectiva y la función de las políticas relacionadas; y se recomienda el desarrollo de indicadores de sostenibilidad y un análisis integral de parcela para el análisis de políticas mejoradas e información para la toma de decisiones.
Contact and orders: Tanja.vandenBergen@fao.org
Also Direct download/on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/ecconsagr_s.pdf
35. Economie de l'agriculture de conservation
L'agriculture de conservation est une approche innovante pour améliorer l'utilisation des ressources pour une production durable. Ses avantages incluent une réduction des intrants, une meilleure stabilité des rendements, une amélioration des échanges d'éléments nutritifs dans le sol et une augmentation de la rentabilité à long terme. Cette étude examine les facteurs financiers et autres qui affectent l'adoption et le succès de l'agriculture de conservation que ce soit au niveau de l'exploitation, au niveau national ou mondial. Consciente de la divergence possible entre les intérêts privés et les intérêts sociaux, l'étude met l'accent sur l'importance des objectifs et des motifs des agriculteurs, la dimension collective et le rôle de la politique. En demandant une analyse améliorée de la politique et une information en vue d'une prise de décision, elle recommande le développement d'indicateurs de durabilité et une approche au niveau de l'exploitation entière.
Contact and orders: TanjavandenBergen@fao.org
36. New publications on the AGL On-line Publications Database
Water for food and Agriculture, issue paper for the World Water Conference
It is available for direct download at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/kyotoissuepaper.pdf.
Déverrouiller le potentiel de l'eau en agriculture
It is available for direct downloading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/unlocking_f.pdf
Agriculture, food and water" a contribution to the World Water Development
report
It is available for on-line reading and/or download at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/agricfoodwater.pdf
Los aspectos económicos de la agricultura de conservación
Direct download/on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/ecconsagr_s.pdf
Economie de l'agriculture de conservation
It is available for direct download and/or on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/ecconsagr_f.pdf
LADA - Évaluation de la Dégradation des Terres en Zones Sèches
It is available for direct download and/or on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/lada_f.pdf
Fertilizer Use by Crop in Cuba
It is available for direct download and/or on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertusecuba.pdf
Fertilizer use by crop in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
It is available for direct download and/or on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertuseprkorea.pdf
Fertilizer use by Crop in Uzbekistan
Direct download/on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertuseuzbekistan.pdf
Fertilizer use by crop in the Syrian Arab Republic
Direct download/on-line reading at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/fertusesyria.pdf
WSRR 100: Data Sets, Indicators and Methods to Assess Land Degradation in Drylands
The report is directly accessible/downloadable at ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/wsrr100.pdf
Abstract:
This report summarises the findings of the e-mail conference that took place
from 9 October to 4 November 2002 and which was organised by the Land Degradation
Assessment in Drylands project (LADA). The report contains exchanges of views
on data sets and methods that may be used to assess land degradation and a discussion
on the biophysical, socio-economic and institutional indicators that explain
the root causes, driving forces, status, impact and responses to land degradation
at various scales.
AGL On-line Publications Database: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/oldocs.jsp
37. New Documents added to FAO's Document Repository in .html format
Please note that they have already been in AGL's On-line Publications Database (in .pdf format) for quite some time:
Groundwater Management - The Search for Practical Approaches
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y4502E/Y4502E00.HTM
Rethinking the Approach to Groundwater and Food Security http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y4495E/Y4495E00.HTM
Review of World Water Resources by Country
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y4473E/Y4473E00.HTM
CD-ROMs:
38. Agro-MAPS a global spatial database of subnational agricultural land-use statistics (Beta version CD ROM for Land and Water digital media series)
The Agro-MAPS database is the result of a collaborative initiative by FAO, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Centre for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), with the support of national and regional institutions to produce a global spatial database on selected agricultural land-use statistics, aggregated by subnational administrative districts. Agro-MAPS contains recent data on crop production, area harvested and crop yields, for one or more years, for each country.
The Agro-MAPS database has been created primarily to fill some critical gaps
in the range of data needed for undertaking analyses related to land degradation,
food security, farming system studies, nutrient balances and climate change
effects. The full Agro-MAPS database will eventually be published in three separate
CD-ROM volumes corresponding to the following geographic regions:
(1) Africa and the Near East;
(2) Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand; and
(3) the rest of the world.
This betaversion contains data for Africa only.
Minimum system requirements
Pentium PC with Windows 95/98/2000/NT/X
P A browser installed (Netscape 4.7 or Internet Explorer 5.0 or later) with
JavaScript, cookies and Cascading Style Sheets enabled.
Contact: Hubert George hubert.george@fao.org
39. Land and Water Digital Media Series # 24: Properties and Management of Soils of the Tropics (CD ROM - FAO)
Properties and Management of Soils of the Tropics is a complete reworked and updated version of the standard text book written by Professor Armand van Wambeke on: Soils of the tropics - properties and appraisal (1991).
The present text reviews soil conditions in the tropics and describes land types in terms of their qualities and major constraints. It addresses an audience of students and other interested readers, who have a basic understanding of the concepts, definitions, and terms that are used in soil science or in natural resource management. In a first part the tropical environment and its interactions with soils is described, while the second part describes the major kinds of soils of the tropic using the World Reference Base for Soil Resources as the framework to subdivide the subject matter. This system stresses the properties that relate to soil forming processes and highlights their importance for soil management. Slides of the major soil types and tropical landscapes complete the text. The whole has been arranged digitally in an interactive user- friendly way.
Minimum system requirements: Viewing of the CD ROM requires a Pentium PC with Windows 9x/ME/2000 or NT, at least 64 Mb Ram and 15 inch or larger colour monitor with a resolution of 800 * 600 pixels or higher and a colour palette of 65536 colours.
Contact: Freddy Nachtergaele freddy.nachtergaele@fao.org
40. FAO Land and Water Digital Media Series # 25: Soil and Terrain Database for southern Africa (CD ROM - FAO/ISRIC)
This CD ROM compiles the regional soil and terrain data for southern Africa (SOTERSAF) using material from eight countries in the region (Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania.) following the SOTER methodology. The compilation of this material has taken over three years and did involve the active cooperation of the national soil institutes in the countries mentioned on the back cover, the technical expertise of the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC) and the financial support of UNEP for the Zimbabwe study. This compilation would not have been possible without the wealth of soil survey information gathered over the years through the cooperation of the national soil institutes in the countries and the field programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO). The scale of the materials used varies between 1:250 000 (South Africa) and 1: 2 500 000 (Angola), but an effort has been made to balance the outputs equivalent to a 1:2 000 000 scale of information. More detailed- soil and other land resources information for specific countries has also been included where available. A manual describing the procedures followed is also included.
Minimum hardware requirements: A Pentium PC with Windows 9x/NT/2000/, at least 64 Mb RAM and 15" or larger colour monitor with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and a colour palette of 65 536 colours.
Required software: All the maps are provided in ArcView 3.2 GIS (Geographic
Information System) software in ARC/Info native format or in SHAPE format. Therefore
ArcView 3.2 ESRI software is required to access the maps and projects prepared
in GIS.
For non ArcView users, display and query of the ARC/Info Covers or SHAPE files
can be done using free software ArcExplorer 2 which can be downloaded directly
from the following URL address: http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/aedownload.html
Contact: Freddy Nachtergaele freddy.nachtergaele@fao.org
WWW:
41. New web-site for Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands (LADA)
http://lada.virtualcentre.org/pagedisplay/display.asp
42. UNOSTAT direct access to satellite imagery via the Internet
UNOSTAT is a UNITAR initiative aiming to expand direct access to satellite imagery through the internet and other multimedia tools. It seeks to facilitate physical planning and programme implementation by local authorities, project managers and field personnel, working in emergency response, disaster management, risk prevention, peace-keeping, environmental rehabilitation, post conflict reconstruction and social and economic development.
contact: alainr@unops.org or oliviers@unops.org
information: http://www.unosat.org
Vacancies:
43. Two positions in spatial modelling at the Centre for World Food Studies (SOW-VU), Free University Amsterdam
The Centre for World Food Studies is a research institute that provides support, at both national and international levels, to the formulation of food and agricultural policies and policies aiming at poverty reduction. (web-site http://www.sow.vu.nl). The are looking for candidates for the positions of:
Agronomy/quantitative hydrology
The candidate is expected to contribute to the implementation of applied spatially
explicit models of physical flows within the abovementioned projects. The candidate
should have a good background in agronomy/quantitative hydrology, a strong interest
in the modelling of physical flows, and experience in programming, preferably
in Fortran, or C++. Experience in working with GIS-related software is an asset.
The position is for the duration of one year (1/1/2004 - 1/1/2005) with room
for an extension. For more information, please contact Dr B.G.J.S. Sonneveld
(b.g.j.s.sonneveld@sow.vu.nl).
Mathematical economics/operations research
To support future applications in spatial economic modelling, the Centre is
also undertaking methodological research on exact and optimal aggregation, as
well as on pattern recognition and spatial statistics. The general aim is to
improve the capacity to incorporate detailed spatial and temporal information
into the models. To participate in this research, the Centre invites applications
by candidates with a PhD. degree and a background in mathematical statistics/mathematical
biology. The position is for one year(1/1/2004 - 1/1/2005). For more information,
please contact Dr. C.F.A. van Wesenbeeck (c.f.a.vanwesenbeeck@sow.vu.nl)
Please send a CV and a letter motivating your application before November 15, 2003 to: Centre for World Food Studies (SOW-VU), Free University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands, or via e-mail to pm@sow.vu.nl