“Nigeria is undergoing rapid changes in its agriculture sector.”
Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria, has announced that the country expects about 3.5 million jobs to be created in the agriculture and allied industries by the end of 2015 with the current policy and institutional reforms taking place in Nigeria.
Continue reading… “Agriculture sector in Nigeria to create 3.5 million jobs by 2015”
Tens of thousands are returning home with money and skills, hoping to cash in on a farming boom that is remaking the continent.
Last year, Kojo Anku left a high-paying job on Wall Street to return to his native Ghana. He didn’t go there to replicate his financial career but to launch an aquaponics farm, raising organic lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs indoors in nutrient-rich vats. His business, in central Accra, is now booming. “I feel I’m making a bigger difference in the lives of others by applying my knowledge and capital to food production,” Anku says. “Sure, my family and I are adjusting, but it’s worth it to help Ghana leapfrog to the forefront of innovative farming.”
Continue reading… “The Untold Story of Africa’s Farming Boom”
A variable rate irrigation system installed to water crops saves hundreds of thousands of gallons of water.
The U.S. has seen record-setting drought in recent years. The drought has pushed everyone to look for new ways to save water. So, the The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has joined forces with America’s beer brewers to change how farmer irrigate their crops. For the non-profit, conserving America’s rivers meant growing America’s barley, one of the primary ingredients in one of our favorite cold beverages, with less water.
Continue reading… “Precision agriculture moves farmers into the high tech age”
Tribine
Grain harvesters have been called combines since the 1930’s. They were called combines because they combined the harvesting machines, the binder and the stationary threshing machine. The Tribine takes it one step further as it combines the two historic harvest functions with a third – the grain cart, according to Ben Dillon, the developer of the machine.
Continue reading… “Tribine – agriculture’s latest breakthrough innovation”
Sustainable farming, which often ties into organic growing, has been reaping profits.
Last week, in an auditorium at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, startup companies sought out investors to help take their ideas to the next level. This wasn’t a tech conference. Venture capitalists were here to check out sustainable farming.
Continue reading… “If you are looking for a new startup idea, try farming”
Futurist Thomas Frey: Understanding trends is more of an art form than an exact science. But for those who can read the tealeaves, and make bold moves, leveraging trends can give them a serious competitive advantage.
Continue reading… “28 Major Trends for 2012 and Beyond – Part 2”
PodPonics
PodPonics is new hope for urban agriculture. The startup, based in Atlanta, is pursuing a new kind of recycling. They are transforming old shipping containers into miniature hydroponic farms that can be used to grow food anywhere. Matt Liotta started PodPonics in 2010 and it is already supplying about 200 pounds of leafy greens a week using six converted containers. About one acre’s worth of produce can be produced in each “pod” which is in only 320 square feet. PodPonics crops use 90% less water than traditional farms, no pesticides, less fertilizer, and go from harvest to your plate in just a matter of hours! (Pics)
Continue reading… “PodPonics – shipping containers transformed into miniature hydroponic farms”
Scientists blame agriculture, with restricted diets and urbanization.
Man has conquered Everest and landed on the Moon, so it is tempting to think we are bigger and better than our ancestors. But on a purely physical basis we just don’t measure up. Mankind is actually shrinking.
Continue reading… “Mankind is shrinking and so are our brains”
Futurist Thomas Frey: On Tuesday evening we had a packed audience at the DaVinci Institute to discuss the future of micro farming. Admittedly, we weren’t terribly well organized and the range of topics we touched on were far more than most of us could reasonably consider in a single setting. But for those who took part in the discussion groups, some amazing ideas came to light.
Continue reading… “Inventing the Rocking Chair Tree”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
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