Agricultural Research and Development

Agricultural research and development has the potential to deliver a huge impact on development.  For Africa to realise this, however, it needs to reform the way ARD is organised by using innovation as the organising principle and pathway for agriculture-driven development impact.  Agricultural innovation involves interaction among multiple (value chain) actors.  Such actors include researchers, extension providers, development agents, the private sector (input marketers, processors, output marketers, and credit providers), policy makers, donors, farmer organisations and consumers.  The FARA Secretariat recognises that advancing innovation and innovation capacity in African agriculture demands mechanisms and favourable environments for establishing and strengthening those institutions which will facilitate the organisation of the abovementioned actors and promote their interaction.

 

 

 

Research for Development Newsfeeds

Call for Rigorous Literature Reviews in Education

DFID seeks experienced multi-disciplinary research teams to undertake Rigorous Literature Reviews of existing evidence in areas of priority for DFID.

updated: 2012-05-16 06:30

GDN Conference to take place on Urbanisation and Development

The Global Development Network’s 13th Annual Global Development Conference will take place between 16-18th June 2012 in Budapest, Hungary.

updated: 2012-05-15 09:00

In Search of Good News Stories

Two case studies by the Panos Institute’s Relay Programme conclude that under-developed professional relationships between researchers and journalists is damaging news reporting.

updated: 2012-05-02 04:30

In Search of Good News Stories

Two case studies by the Panos Institute’s Relay Programme conclude that under-developed professional relationships between researchers and journalists is damaging news reporting.

updated: 2012-05-02 04:30

Groundwater in Africa: Harnessing the hidden sea for climate adaptation

A DFID-funded study provides new information on the extent and potential of groundwater as a way to support development and help buffer the impact of climate change.

updated: 2012-05-02 04:00

Sheelagh on the challenges of letting go:

 

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Patricia Rogers, Professor in Public Sector Evaluation at RMIT University introduced an approach from health research called ‘translational research’ and elaborated on its potential for agriculture. This approach can be seen as a way to bridge the “valley of death” between scientists and consumers/users – helping get research into use. It can also be seen as more of a cycle in which scientists and users interact with one another and where there is learning all along the cycle.

Patricia explains what translational research is:

 

 

 

We also interviewed many of the participants, catching their views in a series of short videos:

Avian flu scare

Avian influenza in birds

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.

published: 2010-09-28