WISARD - Decentralized Information Management in a Shared Environment

Paper on the objectives, functions, and content of the Web-based Information System on Agricultural Research and Rural Development (WISARD) at the International Agriculture Centre at Wageningen University and Research (UR) Centre. Presented at the stakeholders' meeting of the 2001 CGIAR Annual General Meeting by F. Neuman of Wageningen UR

Cultivating equality: Advancing Gender Research in Agriculture and Food Systems, 12-15 October 2021 - Conference session descriptions and abstracts

The conference Cultivating Equality focusses on research that helps understand and advance positive synergies among sustainable and resilient agricultural, rural and food systems, and equality in societies globally

An intercontinental analysis of food safety culture in view of food safety governance and national values

Taking food safety culture into account is a promising way to improve food safety performance in the food industry. Food safety culture (FS-culture) research is expanding from an organisational perspective to include characteristics of the internal and external company environment. In this study, the prevailing food safety culture in 17 food companies from four countries on three continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) was assessed in view of food safety governance and national values. The internal environment characteristics, i.e. food safety vision, food safety program and food production system vulnerability, were also assessed. Statistical analysis revealed little variation in FS-culture scores between the companies within the same country. Overall the FS- culture for Greek and Zambian companies was scored proactive, while for Chinese and Tanzanian companies an active score was achieved. Both the internal and external company environment seemed to influence the pre- vailing FS-culture. Cluster analysis showed that Tanzanian and Zambian companies exhibited similarities in the implementation of food safety programs, and in their national values and food safety governance as compared to Greece and China. Food safety governance was reflected in the food safety programs and supportiveness of the organisation to food safety and hygiene. All cultural dimensions were correlated with risk perceptions, with masculinity and long-term orientation also significantly correlated with the enabling conditions and attitude. Understanding how national values and food safety governance approaches differently influence food safety culture is expected to enable formulation of best approaches tailored for companies operating in countries with different company environments, to improve food safety performance

Potential of the bioeconomy for transforming food systems

Se busca identificar, analizar y visibilizar el papel que puede desempeñar la bioeconomía en el fortalecimiento y la transformación de los sistemas alimentarios, particularmente en América Latina y el Caribe. Se analiza el concepto de la bioeconomía, sus impulsores, enfoques de desarrollo sostenible y aportes de la bioeconomía a los ODS de la Agenda 2030; además se hace énfasis en las potencialidades de la bioeconomía; finalmente se analizan los retos, desafíos y la agenda pendiente en materia bioeconómica.It seeks to identify, analyze and make visible the role that the bioeconomy can play in strengthening and transforming food systems, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. The concept of the bioeconomy, its drivers, sustainable development approaches and contributions of the bioeconomy to the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda are analyzed; In addition, emphasis is placed on the potentialities of the bioeconomy; Finally, the challenges, challenges and the pending agenda in bioeconomic matters are analyzed.Busca identificar, analisar e tornar visível o papel que a bioeconomia pode desempenhar no fortalecimento e transformação dos sistemas alimentares, particularmente na América Latina e no Caribe. Analisa-se o conceito de bioeconomia, seus direcionadores, abordagens de desenvolvimento sustentável e contribuições da bioeconomia para os ODS da Agenda 2030; Além disso, a ênfase é colocada nas potencialidades da bioeconomia; Por fim, são analisados ​​os desafios, desafios e a agenda pendente em questões bioeconômicas

Effects of water stress on food security and socio-economic development

This deliverable of MADFORWATER project, D1.3 “Effects of water stress on food security and socio-economic development”, presents an econometric modeling approach developed to assess the effects of different dimensions of water stress and vulnerability on selected indicators for food security and socio-economic development in three Mediterranean African Countries (MACs): Egypt, Morocco and Tunisi

Protocol for collaboration between the National Genebank and Community Seed Banks

In recent years, national genebanks of some countries (e.g. Bhutan, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa and Uganda) have started to collaborate with community seed banks on the important task of conservation of crop (and tree) varieties. This collaboration has taken place in informal ways, in the form of participation in meetings and gatherings, seed and food fairs and through a number of joint activities, including the establishment of community seed banks and related (capacity development) activities. As far as is known, no formal agreements have been made/signed to structure, monitor and evaluate the collaboration in a more rigorous manner. Based on interactions among professionals from various countries who support community seed banks, it was decided to develop a generic collaboration protocol that could help shape the collaboration process in countries where this has not yet taken place or to solidify the process in countries where this is already happening. The protocol document includes chapters (articles) on the roles of the national genebank; the roles of community seed banks; principles of collaboration; activities that can be done together and rules and regulations for the collaboration. It benefitted from the inputs of many partners in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe and from the long community seed bank working experience of staff of Bioversity International, now the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT