QUICK NOTESMongabay, a leading resource for news and perspectives on environmental and conservation issues related to the tropics, has launched Tropical Conservation Science - a new, open access academic e-journal. It will cover a wide variety of scientific and social studies on tropical ecosystems, their biodiversity and the threats posed to them. Tropical Conservation Science - March 8, 2008.At the 148th Meeting of the OPEC Conference, the oil exporting cartel decided to leave its production level unchanged, sending crude prices spiralling to new records (above $104). OPEC "observed that the market is well-supplied, with current commercial oil stocks standing above their five-year average. The Conference further noted, with concern, that the current price environment does not reflect market fundamentals, as crude oil prices are being strongly influenced by the weakness in the US dollar, rising inflation and significant flow of funds into the commodities market." OPEC - March 5, 2008. Kyushu University (Japan) is establishing what it says will be the world’s first graduate program in hydrogen energy technologies. The new master’s program for hydrogen engineering is to be offered at the university’s new Ito campus in Fukuoka Prefecture. Lectures will cover such topics as hydrogen energy and developing the fuel cells needed to convert hydrogen into heat or electricity. Of all the renewable pathways to produce hydrogen, bio-hydrogen based on the gasification of biomass is by far both the most efficient, cost-effective and cleanest. Fuel Cell Works - March 3, 2008. An entrepreneur in Ivory Coast has developed a project to establish a network of Miscanthus giganteus farms aimed at producing biomass for use in power generation. In a first phase, the goal is to grow the crop on 200 hectares, after which expansion will start. The project is in an advanced stage, but the entrepreneur still seeks partners and investors. The plantation is to be located in an agro-ecological zone qualified as highly suitable for the grass species. Contact us - March 3, 2008. A 7.1MW biomass power plant to be built on the Haiwaiian island of Kaua‘i has received approval from the local Planning Commission. The plant, owned and operated by Green Energy Hawaii, will use albizia trees, a hardy species that grows in poor soil on rainfall alone. The renewable power plant will meet 10 percent of the island's energy needs. Kauai World - February 27, 2008. |
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- Researchers at the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute (TFRI) and North Carolina State University in the U.S. have developed genetically modified Eucalyptus trees that store far more carbon dioxide and contain less lignin. - Biopact Sept. 17, 2007
- The International Eucalyptus Genome Consortium's sequencing effort has been taken up as a project under the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Joint Genome Project for the year 2008. - Biopact June 12, 2007
- Brazilian state of Acre intends to make cattle ranchers reforest land which they have cleared for grazing. The sustainable forestry policy is based on replanting economic tree crops such as mahogany, acai, Brazil nut and palms - BBCNews Sept. 27, 2006
- Illegal deforestation of acacia for charcoal is becoming a serious problem in Kenya's Naivasha area. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement re-afforests with acacia but needs more support to win fight against illegal loggers - Kenya Times Sept. 5, 2006
- Australian scientists are conducting a 'time-machine' experiment to see how eucalyptus trees cope with increased levels of CO2 and global warming. - University of Western Sydney Aug. 28, 2006
- International research effort underway to sequence cassava genome, which may result in increased starch yields - USDA Agricultural Research Service - Aug. 30, 2006
- Cassava has one of the highest rates of CO2 fixation and sucrose synthesis for any C3 plant. With this in mind, researchers from Ohio State University develop transgenic cassava with starch yields up 2.6 times higher than normal plants by increasing the sink strength for carbohydrate in the crop. This means cassava makes for a 'super crop' when it comes to both CO2 fixation and carbohydrate production, i.e. sugars, the feedstock for ethanol - Plant Biotechnology Journal - Volume 4/Issue 4 - July 2006
- Vietnam's Institute of Tropical Biology to invest in Jatropha research - Le courrier du Vietnam - Sept. 6, 2006
- Genetic study proves humans have pushed orangutans to the brink of extinction; genetic decline coincides with establishment of oil palm plantations in Malaysia/Indonesia since the 1950/60s- Public Library of Science / Biology, Volume 4/Issue 2 - February, 2006
- Synthetic Genomics and the Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd (ACGT) have created a multi-year research and development joint venture to sequence and analyze the oil palm genome. In-depth genomic analyses will be followed by subsequent studies that will analyze the oil palm’s root and leaf microbial communities, to identify biomarkers and metabolic pathways that affect the plant's growth and viability. Biopact - July, 2007
- Researchers at the International Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics have developed a sweet sorghum for the production of ethanol. The new variety has a very high sugar content in its root. Average yields in trial fields in the Philippines were between 95 to 125 tons, considerably higher than those of sugarcane - ICRISAT - Feb. 28, 2007
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, develops sorghum and millet processing technologies suitable for local conditions in effort to empower small farmers - IPP Media - Sept. 6, 2006
- South Africa blocks GM Sorghum project for fears over contamination of local wild sorghums - Kruger Park - Aug. 26, 2006
- Brazilian authorities have given their fiat for field trials with genetically modified sugar cane plants. The Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (Cane Technology Center - CTC) will test three genetically modified varieties that are expected to yield 15% more sugar - GMO Compass
- Bamboo planting can slow deforestation, scientists from the International Center for Research in Agroforestry in Nairobi, Kenya, say. Bamboo rapidly becoming economically beneficial crop with large potential for energy, bioremediation, and afforestation - Chosun (S.Korea) Aug. 30, 2006
- "The beauty of miscanthus is that you only have to sow it once...Because of the way it grows, there is no need for fertilisers or chemicals", an English entrepreneur talks about his experience with Miscanthus as an energy crop - Grantham Today Aug. 8, 2006
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Monday, June 02, 2008
World grain prices falling sharply on eve of summit
Over the past 3 months, the price of wheat has dropped by 37 percent, that of rice by 23 percent. The trend is even stronger for milk and powder milk (a commodity imported on a large scale by developing countries): prices are down by more than a third, even though they weren't that high to start with. Low milk prices are making European producers desperate, and the fear of the reappearance of 'milk lakes' that go to waste is back. Farmers are protesting in France, Belgium, Spain and Germany.
Because of the sharp decline in rice prices, large exporting countries like Cambodia have already lifted their export ban; Vietnam is to lift its ban next month. Rice was under speculative attack, with prices increasing by 80 percent over a period shorter than 3 months.
Analyses of the positions of food commodity speculators indicates they are betting on continued falling prices for wheat and rice. Apart from oil prices, speculation is seen as the second most important factor determining movements in the market:
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Despite these rapidly falling prices, the food situation remains precarious. Price changes for raw commodities do not immediately translate into lower prices for consumers. Retailers in Europe have been accused of keeping prices high even after prices for raw materials have been falling.
This week, both the FAO and the OECD will convene important meetings to discuss the world food crisis. In a recent report, the FAO warned that food prices will remain high for the foreseeable future. It sees this situation as an opportunity to boost investments in agriculture in developing countries. A great number of countries, especially in Africa, can increase output relatively easily provided basic investments are made into access to input markets (seeds, fertilizers, tools), output markets, and infrastructures.
Over the past quarter of a century, investments in agriculture have been neglected by the international donors and community. For example, in 1980, the World Bank used 35 percent of its loans for investments in agriculture in developing countries. In 2007, this was a mere 11 percent. Only recently, after the crisis hit, has it pledged to make agriculture its top priority once again.
However, investments in poor countries' agriculturals sectors are seen as long term remedies only, and many analysts warn immediate action is needed to prevent putting 100 million food insecure people at risk. Surprisingly, though, the sudden and steep decline of wheat and rice prices, show farmers are capable of increasing production with today's means and infrastructures. At least to an extent, because speculation and the oil price are factors beyond their control.
References:
De Standaard: "Voedselprijzen dalen ondanks crisis" [Food prices falling despite crisis] - June 2, 2008.
Gazet Van Antwerpen: "Prijzen van tarwe en rijst dalen, wanneer de winkelprijzen?" [Wheat and Rice Prices Falling, When Do Retail Prices?] - June 2, 2008.
Het Laatste Nieuws: "Voedselprijzen dalen ondanks crisis" [Food Prices Plummet Despite Crisis] - June 2, 2008.
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posted by Biopact team at 4:56 PM 3 comments links to this post