Agriculture is the cultivation of land and the breeding of both animals and plants for the purpose of sustaining life. The development of agriculture allowed the expansion and growth of the human race. The major agricultural products are grouped into foods, fuels, fibres and raw materials. then sub-groups such as cereals, vegetables, fruits oils etc. within food.
Modern
Modern agronomy, plant breeding, pesticides and fertilisers have massive enhanced the yields from cultivation. However, the effects of these have caused widespread ecological and environmental damage. Problems are also present when concerning selective breeding. Although the results are prosperous there are active concerns about animal welfare. Backlash against the environmental effects of conventional agriculture. This resulting in organic, regenerative and sustainable agricultural movements.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has a wide-ranging mission that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, as this article by Open Access Government Editor, Jonathan Miles uncovers.
The European Plant Science Organisation discuss improving the impact and visibility of plant science in Europe plus an example of research in the field.
Graeme Willis, Senior Rural Policy Campaigner at the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) explains why soil has long been a Cinderella issue of environmental policy in the UK
Banana exports are threatened by pests, diseases, and climate change. Students at Exeter University have joined researchers to address food research challenges, as Dr Daniel Bebber, Senior Lecturer in Microbial Ecology describes
Alberto Mantovani, Research Director at Istituto Superiore di Sanità reveals how the European Commission is taking action on endocrine disruptors (EDCs) and calls for a multidisciplinary network of cross-cutting silos
Commissioner Phil Hogan shares his remarks on World Food Day 2018 at the Civil Dialogue Group Discussion - Global Food Security, Sustainable Development and Relations with Africa on 16th October 2018, where he charts global efforts to fight hunger and feed the planet in a sustainable way
Our global economy is leaving our small farmers behind, yet they produce more than 60% of the fresh food we consume. eHarvestHub gives farmers direct access to the global market making our food more affordable and accessible, as this analysis from Alvaro Ramirez at eHarvestHub reveals
The USDA’s Agricultural Research Services and National Institute of Food & Agriculture both play key roles in advancing food and agricultural research, effective resource management and economic opportunities for rural communities, as Open Access Government learns
The effects of climate change threaten food security worldwide. What needs to be done to improve the resilience of vital dryland cereals to more extreme weather?
Michael Wisniewski and David Livingston III from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) share their expert thoughts on the topic of plant cold hardiness in today’s changing climate
Prof Robert Aiken, research crop scientist at Northwest Research—Extension Center tells us about his fascinating research into water and temperature, including the extent to which they limit crop productivity.
The vital work of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is examined here by Open Access Government, with a focus on their efforts to promote food security and provide humanitarian assistance in other countries, such as Ethiopia
When it comes to how to safely store silage on a farm, this article by Charles Renwick from Lycetts explains who is responsible for which elements and what to expect when it comes to getting in touch with the Environment Agency.
