Humidtropics researchers Aziz A. Karimov and Thinh Nguyen from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in collaboration with partners from Tay Nguyen University (TNU) and Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI) organized a Value Chain Stakeholders workshop in the the Central Highlands of Vietnam in November 2014, at Dacruco Hotel, Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak Province. Around 45 participants attended the workshop which included researchers from TNU and WASI, representatives from Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Kon … [Read more...]
New Approach to Tackle Complexities of Agricultural Systems
One of the challenges to understanding the dynamics of agricultural systems has long been the fact that while many decisions are made at the individual farm household level, the landscape and market level consequences are more complex than a simple aggregation of those choices. My new paper in Food Policy journal, supported by Humidtropics, lays out an innovative modeling approach to better link local, landscape and market level processes. This is an example of the types of new approaches that Humidtropics is developing to better tackle the complexities of agricultural systems. ‘From … [Read more...]
Gender and Technology at the Crossroads in Ethiopia
When farmer Bultu Etefa was told that she must look after her cattle and the family while maintaining natural resources, she did something interesting: she joined the training delivered at wereda level on fodder production. Now she is among a group of smallholder farmers behind various efforts under Humidtropics to improve livestock feeds. She said, “Fodder is useful to the women who control over the use and sell of milk products in the community. It brings significant changes in both quality and quantity of milk. I sell butter myself and use the money for whatever purpose on my … [Read more...]