Agriculture
The finalisation of tender for the development of a 5.8 gigawatt (GW) solar power plants by state-owned Andhra Pradesh Green Energy Corporation Limited (APGECL) is a positive move and allows to supply uninterrupted free power during the day to the farmers, says data and analytics company, GlobalData.
APSPCL is a joint venture company between three government organisations namely Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a Govt. of India Enterprise, Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Ltd (APGENCO), a Govt. of Andhra Pradesh Undertaking and New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pra... more
Agroecology: The answer to Europe’s agricultural, social and environmental challenges
The European Committee of the Regions has put forward a comprehensive set of measures to foster agroecology in the EU. Agroecology reduces the carbon footprint of agriculture, fosters the recovery of biodiversity, restores soils fertility, prevents air and water pollution, and increases the economic and social resilience of farms with healthy and accessible food. Agriculture covers half of Europe’s land territory and it emits 10 per cent of the EU's annual carbon emissions. Reforming the Common Agriculture Policy to shift agricultural practices is key to deliver on the European Green Deal, the Union's strate... more
Funding to help WA farmers deal with impacts of climate change
The southern half of Western Australia is being hit particularly hard by the impacts of climate change, presenting long-term water security challenges for farmers in the regions. In response, the Western Australian Government has today made two announcements.
Firstly, the Minister for Water, Dave Kelly, today announced the largest investment in community dam infrastructure in the State's history.
The plan will see 70 community dams upgraded or recommissioned (and refurbished as required) to provide vital, non-potable water supplies to farmers during dry years.
The $7.3 million program would be partly fu... more
Up-trending farming and landscape disruptions threaten Paris climate agreement goals
One of President Joe Biden’s first post-inauguration acts was to realign the United States with the Paris climate accord, but a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine highlights that rising emissions from human land-use will jeopardise the agreement’s goals without substantial changes in agricultural practices.
In a paper published last week in the journal Nature, the team presented the most thorough inventory yet of land-use contributions to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (including nitrous oxide and methane) from 1961 to 2017, taking into account emissions from ... more
The Nationals urged to unite with farming groups to tackle climate change
Australian Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has said he is open to adopting net-zero emissions by 2050, but he needs to see concrete plans before signing up to the pledge.
Greens spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Peter Whish-Wilson, said the indication that Mr Littleproud is open to adopting net-zero emissions targets by 2050 is welcome, but questioned his desire to see concrete plans before signing up to a 2050 target, especially since climate change impacts on farming is nothing new.
“The Nationals have been ignoring farming groups that clearly feel the agricultural sector has ... more
Cracking a tough nut for macadamia growers
Researchers are breeding thinner macadamia shells for bigger kernels and tougher husks for resisting pests.
The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Professor Bruce Topp said these combined attributes would boost Australia’s $270 million industry, which earns $190 million in export income annually.
“Two-thirds of every harvested kilogram is in the weight of the macadamias’ extremely tough shells. That’s a lot of wasted productivity,” Professor Topp said.
“The goal for many growers is to produce less shell and more kernel from each nut but with the shell still tough enough to resist pests.”
... more
Researchers discover eco-friendly way to make ammonia
Ammonia has sustained humanity since the early 20th century, but its production leaves a significant carbon footprint. Now researchers have found a way to make it 100 per cent renewable.
Chemical engineers at UNSW Sydney have discovered a way to make ‘green’ ammonia from air, water and renewable electricity that does not require the high temperatures, high pressure and huge infrastructure currently needed to produce this essential compound.
And the new production method – demonstrated in a laboratory-based proof of concept – also has the potential to play a role in the global transition towards a h... more