What's driving tropical deforestation? Scientists map 45 years of satellite images

Tropical forests are under increasing pressure from human activity such as agriculture. However, in order to put effective conservation measures in place, local decision-makers must be able to precisely identify which areas of forest are most vulnerable.

A win-win for forests and small-holder dairy farming in East Africa

The native Napier grass could hold the key to improving diets, boosting farming yields and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in East Africa.

ABU Vice Chancellor laments over agric extension services

·         *FG advocates PPP commercialization

The Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Garba has expressed dissatisfaction on the state of Nigerian agricultural extension services for not being properly mobilized to exhaustively galvanise food security in the country, just as the Federal Government (FG) is ready to adopt the option of Public- Private- Partnership (PPP) to overcome this particular challenge towards ensuring adequate technologies transfer to farmers.

Deformed wing virus genetic diversity in US honey bees complicates search for remedies

Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), one of the leading causes of honey bee colony losses, is much more genetically diverse in the United States than previously thought, according to a study published by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in PLoS Biology.

Engineers develop a new way to remove carbon dioxide from air

A new way of removing carbon dioxide from a stream of air could provide a significant tool in the battle against climate change. The new system can work on the gas at virtually any concentration level, even down to the roughly 400 parts per million currently found in the atmosphere.

Images speak at a One-day Sensitisation programme on Sunflower organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) Commodity and Products Inspectorate Department (CPI), theme: 'the Economic Potentials of Sunflower and the Best Agronomic Practices For Increased Production and Qualitative Seeds' held in Abuja.

 

 Images speak at a One-day Sensitisation programme on Sunflower organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) Commodity and Products Inspectorate Department (CPI), theme: 'the Economic Potentials of Sunflower and the Best Agronomic Practices For Increased Production and Qualitative Seeds' held in Abuja. See more images below...

The pectin is protectin': Study uncovers a plant barrier against toxic aluminum

 toxicity has long been known to damage plant cells and inhibit the growth of plants. Aluminum is widely found in soils that are too acidic, and as human activities have increased soil acidity across the globe, aluminum toxicity has become a leading cause of low crop yield worldwide.

Mars once had salt lakes similar to those on Earth

Mars once had salt lakes that are similar to those on Earth and has gone through wet and dry periods, according to an international team of scientists that includes a Texas A&M University College of Geosciences researcher.

'Artificial leaf' successfully produces clean gas

A widely-used gas that is currently produced from fossil fuels can instead be made by an 'artificial leaf' that uses only sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, and which could eventually be used to develop a sustainable liquid fuel alternative to petrol.

FG set to replace ATAP, APP policies

There is indication that the two popular agricultural policies of the Federal Government (FG) will soon be reviewed and replaced finally according to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Alhaji Muhammed Sabo Nanono. This was contained in a press release made available to the journalists.