Tropical agriculture Archives - Page 17 of 18

Oceans, Old Trees Help Predict Indonesia Drought

March 19, 2009

Agroup of scientists are developing more accurate drought and harvest forecasts for Indonesia using tree rings, historic rice production figures and sea surface temperature data. Indonesia is one of the world’s most populous nations and a major producer of rice, cocoa, coffee and tobacco. But the country is regularly at risk of drought caused by

Crops

FAO Sees World Rice Stocks Rising Eight Per Cent In 2009

March 5, 2009

World stocks of rice, one of the food staples across the globe, are expected this year to hit the highest level since 2002 on the back of strong output in 2008, the United Nations’ food agency said on Feb. 25. World rice stocks carried over to 2009 are forecast to rise eight per cent to

News

Cuba Rice Output Stagnates, More Imports Expected

February 12, 2009

Cuba’s production of consumable rice stagnated in 2008 despite plans to increase output, the government said Jan. 7, ensuring the country will import hundreds of thousands of tonnes of its main staple this year. Cuba’s National Statistics Office reported on its website that rice production was 195,000 tonnes in 2008, similar to the 196,000 tonnes

Cereals, News

Sorghum gene map could lead to improved crops

By Will Dunham February 5, 2009

Scientists have deciphered the genetic makeup of sorghum, a drought-tolerant crop and important food and biofuel source, and said the breakthrough could help develop better crops for arid regions. Sorghum is one of the world’s leading cereals, along with corn, wheat, oats and barley, and can thrive in hot, dry conditions other crops cannot tolerate.

News, Oilseeds

China to boost corn buying by 20 million tonnes

By Niu Shuping January 15, 2009

China’s government has boosted its plan to support farmers by buying an extra 20 million tonnes of corn, tripling its commitment, the State Administration of Grain said Dec. 24. The increase will help “stabilize grain prices and protect farmers’ incomes,” it said on its website www.chinagrain.gov.cn. The purchases, the third round of buying after this

Cereals, Opinion

Supply response to high prices is a lasting one

By Daryll E. Ray January 8, 2009

The steep ramp-up of grain and oilseed prices over a couple of years only to drop by one-half in a matter of three or four months has been extremely confusing to lots of folks. The fact that the 50 per cent drop took place so quickly was a surprise – it usually takes a couple

Other

China 2008 grain output seen at record

January 8, 2009

China is expected to have a fifth consecutive year of bumper harvests, with grain output this year seen at a record 528.2 million tonnes, official news agency Xinhua reported in late December. “The main tasks for 2009 will be to maintain the stable and quite fast development of agriculture and the rural economy, by all

Other

Pests to thrive as global climate warms

By Karl Plume January 1, 2009

Populations of insects that feed on corn and other crops in the United States may flourish and expand to new territory as global climate change brings warmer summers and milder winters in the decades ahead, according to a new study. More frequent or more severe pest infestations may cut crop yields and drive up the

News

Burdened oil nations seek cheaper Brazil chicken

By Roberto Samora November 20, 2008

Major oil-producing countries, which are among the top buyers of Brazil’s chicken, aim to pay less for it from 2009, a Brazilian poultry industry source said on Nov. 6, to cut spending after crude prices halved. Buyers have not cancelled any contracts, said the head of the Brazilian Association of Chicken Producers and Exporters, Francisco

Cereals, News, Oilseeds

China sees grains supply tight, little exports

By Niu Shuping November 20, 2008

“China’s grain supply will be in a tightly balanced situation in the long term.” – Zhang Xiaoqiang China’s grains supply will stay tight for the foreseeable future, a top planning official said Nov. 13, with little chance of a return to large-scale shipments despite moves to lift export restrictions. Only “small” amounts of exports may

Daily Network News

Klassen: Feeder market closes year on soft tone

Pulse Weekly: Tariffs guide yellow peas in 2025

U.K. softens stance on farm tax after months of protests

Tag Archives Tropical agriculture