Agriculture

  • AGRICULTURE NEWS

    Carbon+Biodiversity Pilot to reward farmers for increasing biodiversity

    Farmers in six different trial regions will soon have the chance to diversify their farm income and improve their drought resilience as part of a new Australian Government trial launched today. Minister for ... more

  • AGRICULTURE NEWS

    Research into white-rot fungi proves value in carbon sequestration from lignin

    A foundational study conducted by scientists at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) outlines for the first time that white-rot fungi are able to use carbon captured from lignin as a carbon sour... more

  • AGRICULTURE NEWS

    Researchers call for further action on cadmium

    An international group of leading fertiliser and soils experts have published a major review of the status of the toxic heavy metal cadmium in agricultural systems around the world. The group states that in ... more

  • AGRICULTURE NEWS

    ‘See through soil’ could help farmers deal with future droughts

    In research that may eventually help crops survive drought, scientists at Princeton University have discovered a key reason that mixing a material called hydrogels with soil has sometimes proven disappointing f... more

  • Carbon+Biodiversity Pilot to reward farmers for increasing biodiversity
    05 Mar, 2021
  • Research into white-rot fungi proves value in carbon sequestration from lignin
    03 Mar, 2021
  • Researchers call for further action on cadmium
    16 Feb, 2021
  • ‘See through soil’ could help farmers deal with future droughts
    16 Feb, 2021

Andhra Pradesh makes progress in achieving solar target for farming needs

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