Annual Report: CIRAD 2006
Sharing
Growing crops in town: a response to urbanization
Urban agriculture plays a vital socioeconomic role, particularly for the most underprivileged. Projects in Africa and Asia are trying to ensure that this type of activity is recognized and to reconcile the conflicting interests of the different players involved in its development.
Ranema, a computer-assisted learning tool in epidemiology
E-learning is a response to cuts in study and training grants. Moreover, it enables the building of partnerships with establishments in developing countries. A training module of this type, a refresher course in animal disease epidemiology (RANEMA), has been developed, based on simulation activities. It can be used either alone, for e-learning, or as part of a traditional training course.
Observatories, backing up collective action
Information is a key element in an ever-changing agricultural world. Shared, reliable, up-to-date information is vital in coordinating activities, implementing collective operations and more generally managing rural territories. Observatories are a means of structuring and compiling that information. CIRAD has recently tested a new approach in France for building such observatories.
Training in the impact of organic matter management
In both industrialized and developing countries, there is growing interest in recycling organic matter in farming. How can we assess the agricultural and environmental impact of this practice? CIRAD and its partners have developed indicators suited to tropical areas and reliable, easy-to-use simulation models. To disseminate them, it has also established a training course for students from developing countries, with the possibility of modifying both the content and site of the course.
KASSA, new research issues concerning conservation agriculture
Conservation agriculture relies on the simultaneous use of three principles: reducing, if not abandoning, soil tillage, keeping the soil covered and rotating crops. It is intended to produce better while conserving natural resources. Between 2004 and 2006, the KASSA project coordinated by CIRAD took stock of the available scientific knowledge on the topic, in Europe, North Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Summary:
- Les éditions Quæ, la nouvelle maison d’édition du Cirad
- Le libre accès à la connaissance scientifique
- Growing crops in town: a response to urbanization
- Ranema, a computer-assisted learning tool in epidemiology
- Observatories, backing up collective action
- Training in the impact of organic matter management
- Approches biologiques du sol
- KASSA, new research issues concerning conservation agriculture