If cocoa prices have fallen, why isn’t your chocolate bar cheaper?
We are in a decade where we are working towards the Sustainable Development Goals, of which there are 17, and agroforestry works for all of them
Cultivando árboles maderables en la Amazonia peruana
Recientemente, investigadores del proyecto FuenteS visitamos la finca del Sr. Ernesto Morón, quien está interesado en producir semillas de varias especies nativas de la Amazonía. Aquí informamos sobre las experiencias y opiniones de Ernesto sobre el cultivo de árboles maderables.
Ernesto Morón: cultivating timber trees in the Peruvian Amazon
Recently, researchers of the FuenteS project visited the farm of Ernesto Morón, who is producing seed of various native Amazonian species. Here we report on his experiences and opinions about growing timber trees.
Bitter or sweet trade for Africa’s cocoa farmers?
Scientist Peter Akong Minang says Africa is lagging behind on product certification but that investment can have positive impact.
Wealthy women and a healthy nation through high-quality coffee
Women in Uganda’s Mt. Elgon region are producing some of the best quality coffee in the country and are rising to an export challenge.
From farm to fork: strengthening direct sales between smallholders and consumers in Cusco, Peru
haga clic para leer la versión en español Researchers say farmers need more help if they are to sell healthy farm products directly to city consumers Strengthening links between smallholder farmers and consumers is complex; there are many...
Cracking the candlenut challenge
Candlenut in West and East Nusa Tenggara provinces in Indonesia can potentially provide additional income for farmers but post-harvest handling is necessary. If you visit the Indonesian provinces of West or East Nusa Tenggara (collectively called Nusa...
Value chain development: improved support for smallholders and SMEs
The recently released double edition of Enterprise Development & Microfinance (EDM) explores how VCD initiatives involving smallholders and small and medium enterprises are designed, implemented and assessed. Since the early 2000’s, practitioners and researchers have been working on ways...
How does the Fairtrade system impact on coffee farmers?
Decaf or full strength…medium-body or dark roast…blend or single origin? There is no shortage of choice when it comes to buying coffee. We can even choose how our coffee was grown or traded by buying products that are...
Synchronous influence and partnerships: keys to research on Livelihood Systems
We have three main types of partnerships in the livelihood systems flagship – those with donors, those with upstream research providers and those with the users of our research outputs – the organizations that implement development, including national...
Why food waste is a concern for tropical forest conservation
Does wasting food lead to the loss of tropical forests? Though not obvious at first glance, researchers say clear links exist between food loss and wastage, and deforestation. This is because clearing intact forests to produce both commodity...
Agroforests set to replace monocrops in Northwest Viet Nam
Land degradation owing to monocropping is the main reason for reduced agricultural productivity in Northwest Viet Nam. But after four years of agroforestry research, results show positive signs for farmers. Monocropping of annuals—such as maize, rice and...
Australian support for agroforestry development in Viet Nam
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is working with ICRAF to test new agroforestry systems in Northwest Viet Nam, explains Nguyen Thi Thanh An The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has a mission to...
Viet Nam needs a tree-domestication strategy
Despite extensive forest restoration since the wars, quality remains low and indigenous species are underutilised. A comprehensive national strategy would speed increases in timber supply, farmers’ livelihoods, biodiversity and environmental security. Over the last 25 years, planted...