Agriculture News and Research

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BRIC ministers reach agreement on promoting global food security

Brazil, Russia, India and China, collectively known as BRIC, have reached an agreement to promote global food security, the Moscow Times reports (Anishyuk, 3/29).

30 Mar 2010

China Medicine's 2009 revenues up 20.7%

China Medicine Corporation, primarily a manufacturer, leading distributor and developer of Western pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicines, and other nutraceuticals, today announced its fourth quarter and full year 2009 results.

29 Mar 2010

PG Tips Black Tea promotes sound mind and nourished body

With the warmer weather and longer days starting to settle in, that can only mean one thing: time to break out of the winter hibernation mode, bust out the summer wardrobe and get out there! And no matter what the occasion or setting, Black is Back™ with PG Tips Black Tea, a refreshing, revitalizing and forward-thinking interpretation of a cultural classic.

29 Mar 2010

American obesity problem: Ongoing support to make lifestyle and behavior changes needed

An administration task force chaired by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health and Human Services is asking the public for recommendations to solve the American obesity problem, and a new poll by the American Psychological Association may have some answers.

29 Mar 2010

New scientific discoveries show that Canadian maple syrup can be good for health

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers is pleased to report on two new scientific discoveries which show that Canadian maple syrup can be good for you. These studies build on recent findings on the nutritional value of maple products, which have revealed both the antioxidant properties of maple syrup as well as the discovery of substantial quantities of abscisic acid.

27 Mar 2010

IRIN examines new global agricultural strategy report

IRIN examines a new global food security strategy based on a report to be presented on March 28 in France at the first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD). The article includes details about food insecurity around the world, which has given rise to the need for new methods of providing more food.

27 Mar 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

"Sub-Saharan Africa is affected by a disproportionately high prevalence of both HIV infection and food scarcity," write the authors of an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition article on the relationship between malnutrition and the progression of HIV/AIDS. "Underweight individuals will continue to represent a significant proportion of patients who present for HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa.

27 Mar 2010

Obama requests $2.8B in emergency funds for Haiti

President Barack Obama sent a letter (.pdf) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Wednesday asking the Congress "for $2.8 billion in emergency funds to provide for costs associated with relief and reconstruction for Haiti, after its devastating earthquake on January 12," Reuters reports.

26 Mar 2010

Lack of good health care curtails academic performance: Study

"Educationally relevant health disparities" are key drivers of the achievement gap, "but they are largely overlooked," said Charles Basch, the Richard March Hoe Professor of Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

25 Mar 2010

ACS webinar on chemistry for food safety

Scheduled for Thursday, April 1, 2 - 3 p.m. Eastern Time, the free webinar will feature Walter Hammack with the Florida Department of Agriculture, as he discusses the various chromatographic tools, methods and regulations for food safety. His topic: "How Chemistry is Keeping Your Food Safe -Application of Ultra High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) in a Food Safety Laboratory."

24 Mar 2010

Former Presidents Bush, Clinton in Haiti; IADB forgives $479M Haiti debt

"Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton clasped hands with residents of one of Haiti's massive tent cities Monday" during a tour of Port-Au-Prince, the Associated Press reports.

24 Mar 2010

Farmers, aid groups call attention to drought, food shortages in West Africa

A coalition of farmers from West Africa's Sahel region, known as Billital Maroobe, wrote an open letter to regional leaders Monday, appealing for help with drought and famine conditions that are affecting people and livestock, Agence France-Presse/IC Publications reports.

24 Mar 2010

Researchers devise simple water test to check for herbicide clomazone

University of California, Davis, scientists are helping rice farmers in Uruguay stop polluting their waterways -- including drinking-water sources and a globally valuable nature reserve.

23 Mar 2010

On World Water Day, news outlets examine U.N. reports on water, sanitation conditions worldwide

"Human beings are flushing millions of tonnes of solid waste into rivers and oceans every day, poisoning marine life and spreading diseases that kill" 1.8 million children each year, according to a U.N. report (.pdf) released on Monday, Reuters reports.

23 Mar 2010

Walnuts affect genes related to prostate tumor growth: Study

Walnut consumption slows the growth of prostate cancer in mice and has beneficial effects on multiple genes related to the control of tumor growth and metabolism, UC Davis and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Regional Research Center in Albany, Calif. have found.

23 Mar 2010

Former Presidents Bush, Clinton visit Haiti to highlight need for aid

Former U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are visiting Haiti on Monday "to spotlight the dramatic need ahead of a critical March 31 U.N. donors conference in New York, where Haitian officials will ask for $11.5 billion in reconstruction help," the Associated Press/New York Times reports. "It is the first joint visit to the impoverished Caribbean nation for the two former leaders, who were tasked by President Barack Obama with leading the U.S. fundraising effort" after the January 12 earthquake according to the news service.

23 Mar 2010

Maple syrup has anti-oxidants, healthy biological properties: Study

Before you dig in to your next stack of French toast or waffles, you might want to pour on pure maple syrup.

22 Mar 2010

Opinions: U.S. foreign aid effectiveness; Faith-based groups' work abroad

Although "foreign assistance is a very small proportion of the overall budget, its effectiveness is both measurable and priceless," Sheila Nix, the executive director of ONE, writes in a Roll Call opinion piece.

19 Mar 2010

Low-cost insurance policies aim to prevent poverty among small-scale farmers in Kenya

A pilot crop insurance project recently launched in Kenya, aims to compensate small-scale farmers when crops fail, in an effort to break the cycle of poverty, Business Daily reports.

19 Mar 2010

Mars supports new national school nutrition standard

Mars, Incorporated today announced its support for improved school food nutrition standards so that more nutritious products are available to students nationwide. A key component of a comprehensive health and wellness campaign, the announcement was made in partnership with other industry leaders and public health organizations.

19 Mar 2010