SANREM CRSP - Conservation Agriculture for the Developing World
The SANREM CRSP uses science to improve the livelihoods and food security of small farmers in the developing world.
Soil Atlas Puts New Face on Sustainable Research
Did you know that 98% of all calories consumed in Africa originate from soil resources? Created by the European Commission and with a recent debut, the Soil Atlas of Africa creates a visual lens to the diverse and essential soils found across the continent, along with informative details about soil quality and issues. Soil is a vital resource for survival, and this map aims to show how significant soil is for life in Africa.
European Commissioner for Research, Innovation, and Science Maire Geoghegan-Quinn said, "By providing a comprehensive assessment of this limited natural resource, we hope to raise awareness of the need for improved protection and sustainable management of African soil." There are many threats to soil health and protection in Africa, including urbanization, mineral extraction, biodiversity conservation, and more.
At SANREM Innovation Lab, the current research theme is conservation agriculture production systems, or CAPS. Farming systems with CAPS will maintain a year-round soil cover, minimize soil disturbance from tillage, and utilize crop rotation systems. Find the soil atlas here!
Conservation Agriculture Workshops in Haiti Train 75 Farmers and Agronomy Students
Recently the SANREM CRSP held three workshops at two of our research sites in Haiti's Central Plateau. Watch below to see the highlights.
Adlai Grass Promises to Be Supercrop in the Future of Conservation Agriculture
In the pantheon of climate-smart crops, it's usually cassava that gets top billing as the “Rambo” of plant varieties. Known for its hardiness in water-challenged environments, its unmatched resilience to punishing drought conditions has propelled the root vegetable to “darling” status amongst food crop researchers in the developing world.
But recent Virginia Tech research shows another crop might just be the “Steve Austin” to cassava’s “Rambo.” Adlai grass, a little known grain crop in the West, is gaining traction as a “bionic” plant that is exceptional for its versatility, hardiness and strength as a bio-pump crop, and it promises to be a worthy weapon in combatting the weather-induced food shortages of an increasingly warming planet.
The SANREM CRSP's LTRA-12 in Claveria, the Philippines has recently completed experiments with three types of adlai grass. The conclusion? This may be the climate-smart wondercrop that works wonders. Full Story>
Virginia Tech's Research magazine Spotlights SANREM Soil Scientist
SANREM's Assistant Program Director Michael Mulvaney talks about his work in conservation agriculture, and how soil may be the key to our future. Read the full story in VT's Research magazine. Full Story>
Third Book in Vegetable-Agroforestry (VAF) Series Debuts at SWAT Workshop and Seminar in Bogor, Indonesia
"Vegetable-Agroforestry Systems in Indonesia" launched in Bogor, Indonesia today. The book is the third in a four-part series detailing the benefits and uses of VAF in Southeast Asia. Full Story >
Elinor Ostrom, SANREM Partner and Nobel Prize Recipient, Leaves Behind Powerful Legacy of Commons Research
Elinor Ostrom, a close collaborator of natural resource management with the SANREM CRSP at Virginia Tech, succumbed to pancreatic cancer at Indiana University’s Health Bloomington Hospital on June 12, 2012. Full Story >
Book on Women’s Issues in Philippine Agroforestry to be Launched
Elena Javier, gender coordinator for LTRA-5 in Southeast Asia, has announced that she and her colleagues are launching a new book, “Holding their own: smallholder production, marketing and women issues in Philippine agroforestry.” An event to launch the book will be part of the programme of a research symposium held by the Social Development Research Center (SDRC) on March 28th, 2012. Full Story >
Vegetable Agroforestry Systems in the Philippines Book Now Available
Cover of the book “Vegetable-Agroforestry Systems in the Philippines”
A book on SANREM CRSP’s previous research details vegetable-agroforestry systems work in the Philippines. The book, “Vegetable-Agroforestry (VAF) Systems in the Philippines,” includes research by scientists from SANREM’s Phase III. Full Story >
SANREM CRSP Knowledgebase
Designed with SA and NRM professionals (scientists, policy-makers, and others) in mind, the SANREM CRSP Knowledgebase (SKB) is a searchable database of scientific papers and other resources relevant to work in conservation agriculture. Visit the Knowledgebase now.
