REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Can Coffee Stimulate Renewable Energy in Central America
Coffee waste water is rich in organic matter, which can be used to generate energy via anaerobic decomposition. At present, the negative environmental impacts of waste water are not considered in the cost of coffee, but neither are the economic benefits that extracting its energy potential could bring.
How Three Teens Used Bacteria to Tackle Global Food Poverty
Three high-schoolers from Ireland discovered a bacterial treatment for cereal crop seeds that could potentially increase yields in areas stricken by famine. The bacteria helped the seeds to germinate much faster than usual and the students are now looking to apply their method in famine-prone areas.
The Amish Farmers Reinventing Organic Agriculture
Modern agriculture uses fertilizer specifically to increase yields, with little awareness of the nutritional needs of other organic functions. But consulting firm Advancing Eco Agriculture has discovered deficiencies in important plant trace minerals which farmers can then introduce into the soil. With plants able to defend themselves, pesticides can be avoided.
William Dar Advocates Easier Access to Published Research
Today, nearly 1 billion people suffer from hunger. Many of these are smallholder farming families in developing countries. Solutions exist, nurtured by many agricultural research institutions but far too often, these innovations remain confidential, adopted by few. Academic experts and students in the emerging world need to participate fully in the new knowledge economy.
Comments