While interest is generated over new and emerging technologies, there is a diversity of knowledge, technologies and practices in agriculture, health care, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystem management. Many of these support the livelihoods of small farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples and local entrepreneurs affecting millions of people and communities across the world, especially in developing countries. In many cases, national industries have developed from traditional knowledge and endogenous technologies.There are thus vast potential and promises in these sustainable systems and practices, requiring investment and mainstreaming into development policies at the national, regional and international level. A holistic approach to technology assessment and choice would develop sophisticated principles, criteria and indicators that enable countries to benefit from sustainable production and conservation systems.

Corporate seed and the right to food

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food warns that large biotechnology firms are not only depriving poor farmers of inputs essential for their livelihoods, but are also pushing up food prices. […]

New types of plant and animal patents pose threats

The ‘No Patents on Seeds’ coalition and supporting farmers’ organizations issued an alert on 21 October over a new class of patents covering plants and animals and endangering innovation and food security. […]

Outstanding organic agriculture techniques

400 farmers from the Indian sub-continent gathered at a meeting to share notes on the “outstanding organic agriculture techniques” that they use in their fields. […]

Biodiverse agriculture for a changing climate

This paper by Practical Action focuses on the advantages of biodiverse agriculture for climate change adaptation and mitigation. […]

Small farms and agroecology are the future of agriculture

The author proposes food sovereignty and ecologically integrated production systems to be key concepts in dealing with the pressing issues facing the agricultural sector, […]

GE is not an Alternative to Sustainable Agriculture to Feed the World

This is a collection of various developing countries’ experiences looking at whether or not genetic engineering is necessary in agriculture to fight poverty and hunger. […]

Benefits of organic rice production

Research conducted by the University of Philippines Los Banos, provides evidence that sustainable organic practices are feasible and will benefit small farmers. […]

Calls For Sustainable Green Revolution

Africa needs organic agriculture which has the potential to increase productivity while minimizing impacts on the environment. […]

Farmer-led sustainable agriculture key to food security

A new bookdemonstrates the benefits of a sustainable agriculture system led and practiced by small-scale farmers. […]

TWN-OFAI Regional Conference on Organic Agriculture

Announcing the first TWN-OFAI Regional (South Asia) Conference on “Outstanding Organic Agriculture Techniques” to be held in Bangalore, India, Sept 10-11, 2009 […]