Introduction Livestock is an integral component of Nepalese farming system that contributes more than one-third of the total agricultural gross domestic production (AGDP). Buffaloes are raised for supply of animal protein, draft power, and manure. Buffalo enterprise contributes 52.9% of the livestock share in the national GDP. However, there are still less than 12% improved buffaloes (Murrah and its crosses) in the country. There have been only limited studies relating to their production potentialities. This study was conducted to explore the possible reasons that have been hindering for improved buffalo farming and to find out the measures to improve the…
VIEWPOINT Isobel Tomlinson The idea that the world needs to double its food production by 2050 in order to feed a growing population is wrong, says Isobel Tomlinson from the Soil Association. In this week’s Green Room, she says the misuse of data could be used to allow even greater intensification of the global agricultural industry. It is important that scientific research is now done to show how a better future is possible Food needs ‘fundamental rethink’ In the last couple of years, scientists, politicians and agricultural industry representatives around the globe have been using two statistics: the…
VIEWPOINT Jonathan Jones With the world’s food security facing a looming “perfect storm”, GM food crops need to be part of the solution, argues Professor Jonathan Jones. In this week’s Green Room, he wonders why there is such a fuss about biotechnology when it can help deliver a sustainable global food system. In the US, where many processed foods contain ingredients derived from GM maize or soy, in the most litigious society in history, nobody has sued for a GM health problem A billion humans do not have enough to eat. Water resources are limited, energy costs are rising, the…
By Alok Prakash Putul in Raipur The drink is mixed with water and sprayed on to the crops For farmers in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh it is cheaper than pesticides and gets the job done just as well. The product? Pepsi or Coca-Cola. Agricultural scientists give them some backing – they say the high sugar content of the drinks can make them effective in combating pests. Unsurprisingly, Pepsi and Coca-Cola strongly disagree, saying there is nothing in the drinks that can be used in pest control. Cheaper Farmers in the Durg, Rajnandgaon and Dhamtari districts of Chhattisgarh say…
दीपेश चापागाईं जलवायु परिवर्तनसम्बन्धी संयुक्त राष्ट्रसङ्घीय खाका महासन्धिका पक्ष राष्ट्रहरूको १८ औँ सम्मेलन (कोप १८) हालै कतारको राजधानी दोहामा सम्पन्न भएको छ । तर हरितगृह ग्याँस उत्सर्जनको न्युनिकरण, विकासोन्मुख राष्ट्रहरुलाई जलवायु परिवर्तनसँग जुझ्न -विशेष गरि अनुकुलन र न्युन कार्बन विकास) का लागि आर्थिक र प्राविधिक सहयोग, जलवायु परिवर्तनले गर्ने हानीको क्षतिपुर्ति जस्ता विषयहरुमा ठोस निर्णयहरु भने हुन सकेन ।वायुमण्डलमा हरितगृह ग्याँसको मात्रालाई नियन्त्रण गरी मानव सिर्जित जलवायु परिवर्तनको प्रभाव कम गर्ने उद्देश्यका साथ सन् १९९२ देखि चल्दै आएको छलफल आज २० वर्ष बितिसक्दा पनि सफल भएको अनुभूति विश्वले गर्नसकेको छैन । गत मंसिर ११ देखि २३ गतेसम्म चलेको दोहा सम्मेलनमा…
