Agriculture

Food swaps to stop biodiversity loss. GettyImages/RealPeopleGroup

Food swaps to stop biodiversity loss

By Donna Eastlake

We’ve all heard of the rallying World War Two cry, ‘Dig for Victory’, urging citizens to combat food shortages by growing fruits and vegetable in their allotments and gardens. Well, now people are being urged to make food swaps to stop biodiversity loss....

Is macauba a rainforest-friendly alternative to palm oil? GettyImages/MEDITERRANEAN

Is macauba a rainforest-friendly alternative to palm oil?

By Donna Eastlake

Palm oil is cheap to produce in large quantities but unsustainable production methods, notably deforestation, means the bad can far outweigh the good. As a result, brands are increasingly distancing themselves from the use of irresponsible palm oil in...

Study of bees reveals environmental vulnerability and exposes threat to future of food production GettyImages/no_limit_pictures

Bee study reveals environmental vulnerability and food production threat

By Donna Eastlake

Research revealing bees’ ability to synthesise specific nutrients, to support the colonisation of their gut bacteria, offers insights into the symbiotic relationship they have with their gut microbiota. But changes to their habitat is placing this delicate...

Image: Getty/piyaset

Eight crops endangered by climate change

By Oliver Morrison

From staple crops like potatoes and maize, to cash crops for wealthier customers like cocoa and coffee, climate change is having a widespread impact on global agricultural production.

With sites in Lincoln, Scotland and the South West, Branston is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of potatoes. It has launched trials into net zero production through sustainable fertilisers.

Branston’s race to net zero in the potato supply chain

By Oliver Morrison

Branston, one of the UK’s largest suppliers, has begun trials to assess the viability of creating net zero potatoes. Field Technical Manager Andrew Blair shares his insights into the methods the company is following and how it hopes to establish a process...

Hemp production stands to increase after the US declassified it as a drug through the 2018 Farm Bill. Pic: Getty Images/chriss_ns

Hemp: Arcadia Biosciences' next frontier

By Kristine Sherred

In addition to its value-added wheat branded GoodWheat, Arcadia has pushed into the hemp market through a partnership with Legacy Ventures Hawaii.

Pulses and soils can be 'strategic allies' in forging more sustainable food and agriculture systems, says the FAO.  © iStock/bdspn

'Climate smart' pulses are key to global food security: FAO

By Niamh Michail

'Climate smart' pulses are essential to global food security by delivering high-nutrition protein to people and critical nutrients to soil, said the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on World Soil Day. 

Photo: iStock

How can food manufacturers incentivise sustainability and boost growth?

By Niamh Michail

From green bonuses for Dutch dairy farmers to better crop efficiency for Italian wheat growers, European manufacturers are finding ways to make agricultural sustainability good for the planet and good for business. Barilla and FrieslandCampina share their...

PepsiCo: ‘Is sustainability mainstream or faddish?’

Gulfood Manufacturing 2015, Dubai

PepsiCo: ‘Is sustainability mainstream or faddish?’

By Jenny Eagle

PepsiCo will highlight its sustainability progress across its most significant areas: water, packaging, waste, energy and agriculture at Gulfood Manufacturing 2015, in Dubai, this week (October 27).

Two new barley plant genes discovered

Feature

Two new barley plant genes discovered

By Millie Thwaites

A group of international researchers have discovered two new genes in the barley plant that will shed light on the history of agriculture and also bring new capabilities to barley breeding programs.

ARS engineer: Farmers close to Lake Erie are being very efficient in phosphorus use from a production standpoint, but environmentally there remain concerns

Farmers must better manage phosphorus run-off, says USDA

By Kacey Culliney

Farmers working close to North America’s Lake Erie must better manage phosphorus run-off to minimize drinking water contamination, say researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service.

FAO senior program officer: 'Countries have to determine or decide that agriculture is a priority'

FAO: Eco-friendly farming can bridge yield gaps

By Nicola Cottam

Smallholder farms can boost yields by as much as 130% with sustainable management techniques around irrigation and fertilizer use, says the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Neither biotech nor environmental groups have welcomed the agreement

EU deal would allow member states to ban GM crops

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Parliament and member states have agreed rules to allow member states to ban or restrict the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops, even when they are approved at EU level.

While 76% of farmers are happy with the state of business, 45% think small farmers will disappear by 2019

Tough agriculture: Small producers to disappear?

By Nicola Cottam

Farmers globally believe small producers will ‘disappear’ from the agricultural landscape over the next five years, while those remaining will have to contend with tougher regulations and global water shortages, findings suggest.

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