News

Obesity Likely Contributing To Older, Minority Women's Increased Risk For Arthritis, Study Finds

Older minority women are more likely than their white counterparts to develop osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, likely because of risk factors such as obesity, according to a study published last month in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, Reuters Health reports. For the study, researcher Nicole Wright of the University of Arizona and colleagues studied 146,494 women participating in the Women's Health Initiative -- an ongoing study of healthy postmenopausal women. Forty-four percent of the women had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Researchers found that the risk for developing osteoarthritis was slightly higher for American Indian and black women compared with white women. Asian women had the lowest risk. Women in their 70s had the highest risk of osteoarthritis, while younger women had less risk. Other risk factors for osteoarthritis include level of activity, education, income and weight, Reuters Health reports. Among women in their 50s, 39.3% of Hispanic women had osteoarthritis, compared with 36.4% of American Indians, 33.8% of blacks, 25.8% of Asians and 22.6% of whites. Risk factors associated with the condition were more common among blacks, American Indians and Hispanics. For example, 57.9% of blacks were obese, compared with 51% of American Indians, 41.9% of Hispanics and 32.9% of whites. Researchers speculate that excess weight increases the physical stress on the joints and bone mineral density, which might increase stiffness in bones and contribute to the weakening of cartilage. According to the study, the findings offer "strong evidence that body weight and [body mass index] may be large contributing factor[s] to the number and severity of osteoarthritis symptoms, further elaborating the importance of postmenopausal women" -- especially those who are black, Hispanic and American Indian -- to maintain a healthy weight (Reuters Health, 10/17). An abstract of the study is available online. Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 21 October 2008 (Source: Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation ; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126143.php; Rachel Leach - HOPE network and network Co-Ordinators)

Child obesity: Council to ban takeaways near schools

A council plans to ban new takeaways opening within 400 metres of schools, youth centres and parks to help combat child obesity and promote healthy eating. Waltham Forest council, east London, also wants to bring in new planning rules to limit the number of fast food outlets in shopping parades and restrict their opening hours. The council is one of the first local authorities in Britain to propose such restrictions, which were suggested in the government's obesity strategy. Knowsley council, Liverpool, has also asked planning officers to consider restricting fast food outlets. Waltham Forest said child obesity is higher there than the national average - with 17.2% of children obese, compared with 15% across England. Another 11.5% of children in the borough are overweight. "We don't want to tell people how to live their lives – but at the moment residents simply don't have enough choice because of the amount of fast food takeaways," said Clyde Loakes, the council leader. "We have too many fast food outlets in this borough and we've had enough. "We're sure our residents will agree with what we are trying to do. This is the first step in ensuring our town centres more attractive places to visit by making them cleaner, safer and providing a better mix of shops, cafes and restaurants." Fried chicken outlets, burger bars and kebab shops are all included in the proposals, which have been put out to public consultation. Waltham Forest chose to act after residents questioned its sustainable community strategy and said they disliked the noise, litter and antisocial behaviour associated with the outlets. The school restrictions are partly a response to concerns that children put off by school dinners being made healthier after Jamie Oliver's campaign may leave the premises at lunchtime to buy fastfood. Another council is trying to reform takeaway food. Environmental health officers in Barking and Dagenham are planning to work with local restaurants and takeaways to try to change the food options they offer. Angela Mawle, the chief executive of the UK Public Health Association, said Waltham Forest's planned takeaway ban was "fantastic". "We've been calling for this for years. It can make a significant impact and set the pattern for health communities," she said. Source: Sara Gaines 21 October 2008 (Source: Society Guardian; Rachel Leach - HOPE network and network Co-Ordinators)

Gene Mutation Protects Against Obesity And Diabetes

A group of researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition* led by Hadi Al-Hasani and Hans-Georg Joost has identified a natural mutation in the Tbc1d1 gene that keeps mice lean and also protects against diabetes despite a high-fat diet. The researchers were thus able to gain a deep insight into the function of the gene. Further clarification of its function would provide a basis for developing new approaches for prevention and treatment, as this gene could also be linked to obesity and diabetes in humans. The mutation that knocks out the Tbc1d1 gene causes increased fat uptake in skeletal muscle and, at the same time, boosts fat oxidation. On the other hand, glucose uptake of muscles is reduced. “This shows that the normal Tbc1d1 gene has a very important function in fat and glucose metabolism and therefore plays an essential role in regulation of energy metabolism“, explains Hadi Al-Hasani. “Not only how much food we eat but also how our body uses it is decisive for development of obesity and diabetes“, says Hans-Georg Joost, Scientific Director of DIfE. When the relation between glucose and fat oxidation shifts so that the muscles use more fat and less glucose as a source of energy, this is energetically less efficient. As a result, the body stores less fat. This lowers the risk for obesity and consequently also for diabetes. In Germany, 66 percent of the men and 50.6 percent of the women are already overweight or obese. In the USA, even three-fourths of adults “break the bathroom scales“, according to the latest reports. Overweight increases significantly the risk of heart attack, stroke, intestinal cancer, and type-2 diabetes. At present, more then seven percent of Germans are diabetic and this number will increase even more due to the growing number of overweight persons. Studies in animals and humans have shown that there is a relation between overweight, type-2 diabetes, diet, and genes. Researchers suspect that natural variants of at least 50 genes are involved in the development of overweight. As for diabetes, probably more than 100 genes are involved. Only very few of these genes and variants are known to date. In addition, they form a functional, interacting network with environmental variables that is incompletely understood. Since humans and mice are genetically very similar, the researchers of DIfE use the mouse model to identify genes involved in the development of overweight and diabetes. If an “overweight gene“ has been discovered which plays a role in both species, then the researchers can investigate its function and the basic molecular mechanisms in animal models under controlled conditions. Such studies often cannot be carried out in humans for ethical as well as practical reasons. The results from the animal model studies can then be used to develop new medications for treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Background information

About the study: The researchers identified the mutation on the Tbc1d1-gene by means of back-crossing experiments. Then the genetic makeup of two very different mouse strains was compared. The New Zealand obese mouse gains weight rapidly under a high-fat diet (60 percent fat) and develops obesity, whereby the proportion of body fat can increase to over 40 percent. Despite a very high fat diet, the mice of the Swiss Jim Lambert strain did not gain weight but stayed lean, due to their genetic makeup. Seven base pairs are missing in the mutated Tbc1d1 gene of the Swiss Jim Lambert strain. These changes lead to the synthesis of a shortened Tbc1d1 protein molecule and, most likely, loss of enzyme activity. The Tbc1d1 protein molecule is located mainly in skeletal muscle. Researchers have found smaller amounts in heart, pancreas, intestine, kidney, and hypothalamus. It is not found in fatty tissue or liver. *Deutsches Institut für Ernährungsforschung Potsdam-Rehbrücke, DIfE

Journal reference: Chadt et al. Tbc1d1 mutation in lean mouse strain confers leanness and protects from diet-induced obesity. Nature Genetics, October 19, 2008; DOI: 10.1038/ng.244 Adapted from materials provided by German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), via AlphaGalileo. 20 October 2008 (Source: ScienceDaily; Rachel Leach - HOPE network and network Co-Ordinators)

Potential Treatment To Prevent Diabetes And Obesity Using Interleukin-6

A molecule called interleukin-6 has opened new doors for the creation of new drugs against obesity and diabetes. This is the conclusion of an international project which has had the participation of researchers from Vitagenes, a company which forms part of the Campus program promoted by the University of Granada (UGR) and situated in the Technological Park of Health Sciences (PTS). Vitagenes has collaborated in this project through its technical director, doctor José Luis Mesa, who has been one of the main authors of the study together with distinguished scientists of the University of Melbourne and the Baker Heart Research Institute (Australia). The most relevant results of the project, such as a potential treatment to prevent diabetes and obesity, have been published in the international scientific Journal of Endocrinology.

An (un)known molecule

The main discovery has been the change of the paradigm of a molecule called interleukin-6 in the prevention of obesity and diabetes. Up to now, scientific evidence suggested that interleukin-6, chronically high in obese persons and diabetics, could be harmful for obesity and diabetes; however, this study proves exactly the opposite. "No study had tried to inject interleukin-6 directly to analyse if this molecule was really harmful or, to the contrary, could help to prevent obesity and diabetes" José Luis Mesa points out. He explains that "our hypothesis was that interleukin-6 was naturally high in diabetic and obese persons precisely to combat such diseases. In order to prove it, we injected human recombinant interleukin-6 daily for two weeks and analysed its behaviour and its effects on the metabolism". Mark Febbraio, scientific director in the Baker Heart Research Institute and a member of the Advisory Scientific Committee of Vitagenes, points out that "we obtained surprising results. The exogenous administration of interleukin-6 improved insulin sensitivity and the absorption of glucose, essential for diabetics". In addition, according to Mesa, "interleukin-6 also increased the expression of important genes related to fats metabolism, such as PPAR and UCP2. This suggests that interleukin-6 could be involved in the metabolic control of body weight". However, Vitagenes has also reported that this is a preliminary study carried out in animal models, and we need new studies in humans to establish definite conclusions, "although everything seems to indicate that the application in humans would be possible in the medium term. This could substantially improve the state of people with diabetes and obesity", points out Mesa. Vitagenes is a company emerged from the University of Granada and pioneer in the research and development of genetic applications to improve health and well-being. It is located in the Technological Park of Health Sciences and is supported by the Andalusian Council and the Ministry of Industry. 20 October 2008 Adapted from materials provided by University of Granada - Communications Department, via AlphaGalileo. (Source: ScienceDaily; Rachel Leach - HOPE network and network Co-Ordinators)

Snellman expands into the food service market

Snellman Group has acquired 77 per cent of the share capital of Oy Wikholm Food Trade Ltd, establishing a presence in the food service sector to supplement its meat processing business and ready-to-eat meals products. The agreement was implemented as of 1st September 2008. Snellman has also established a new subsidiary, Snellman Trading Oy, and Wikholm Food will be fully incorporated into Snellman Trading following the take-up of the remaining shares.

High quality products and expertise

“Wikholm Food has grown rapidly in the food service sector thanks to high-quality products, a keen eye for international trade opportunities, and distribution channel management expertise. Snellman will leverage its reputation as a supplier of premium quality retail products to reproduce that success in the food service sector. Wikholm products are an excellent fit with Snellman’s processed meat products and ready-to-eat meals, forming a great range for institutional kitchens,” comments Managing Director Martti Vähäkangas. Oy Wikholm Food Trade Ltd was founded in 1993 and based in Helsinki with a production plant in Ulvila the company has a turnover of around 8 MEUR and employs 35 people. Wikholm Food has scored hits with its Panini concept, bake off products and frozen product imports. “Merging with Snellman, another company known for its focus on high quality with a strong brand, will mean a more versatile range of products reaching new markets,” says Ilkka Wikholm, founder of Wikholm Food.

Snellman continues to build on meat processing

Snellman Group is focusing its core meat processing business in a new company, Snellmanin Lihanjalostus Oy, of which Henrik Snellman was appointed Managing Director as of 1st September 2008. Oy Snellman Ab has operated as a meat processor since 1951 and will remain the parent company of Snellman Group, holding one hundred per cent of Snellman Trading Oy. Ready-to-eat foods and trading operations will also operate as separate limited liability companies under the parent company. Further information: Snellman Wikholm Food 18.09.2008 (Source: Finfood)

Milk, coffee and tea are good for teeth

Thirsty? While you’re deciding what to drink it’s wise to consider the impact on your teeth of two components commonly found in drinks of all kinds. Sugars are a source of energy for microbes in the mouth and these bacteria create dental caries, while for instance citric, tartaric, acetic and malic acids dissolve the enamel on your teeth effectively making the surface of the tooth thinner. Sipping acidic drinks over a longer period of time subjects teeth to continuous attack that may result in tooth decay. But the lactic acid in sour milk, tannic acid in coffee and tea, and carbonic acids in mineral waters don’t cause tooth decay.

Milk promotes dental health

“Milk is an excellent choice of drink for dental health as it neutralises the acidity in the mouth. Milk also contains many nutrients that are useful to the teeth and it’s good to drink with a meal, too. In fact, it contains no acids harmful to the teeth with a pH of 6.7 indicating neutral acidity. While milk sugar, or lactose, does have an acid effect, the other nutrients present in milk balance that out,” explains Taina Luova, Nutritionist at the Finnish Dairy Nutrition Council. Milk nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and protein protect and repair the teeth against acid attacks caused by sugar. On the surface of the teeth and in the saliva, these nutrients make the enamel harder and help prevent it from dissolving. Regular meals and breaks between them are also good for your teeth. Finns often drink a whole glass of milk with the meal which is another real plus for health. Further information: Valio www.valio.com Paulig www.paulig.fi Forsman Tea www.forsmantee.fi 18.09.2008 (Source: Finfood)

Finland first with free school meals

Finland has been serving free school lunches to children and teenagers for 60 years, making it a privilege that has been enjoyed by most Finns living today and a benefit now felt by around 900,000 school children.

A happy, healthy anniversary

Finland was in 1948 the first country in the world to provide free school meals to all pupils. While provision is statutory, composition is subject simply to recommendation. The guidelines were updated last spring 2008 to the effect that the meal should be balanced, tasty, sufficient and account for one third of a child’s recommended daily intake and nutritional needs. Municipal food service directors are responsible for practical implementation with a sum allocated for the purpose. The municipalities currently pay an average of 60–80 cents for the food products used in a single meal. Food allergies, which are quite common in children nowadays, add to the cost as school kitchens have to prepare several kinds of meal at the same time, and over five per cent of these are made for children with special dietary needs.

Working to a strict and well-defined budget

School kitchens have increased co-operation with parents by sending lunch menus home and making use of parents evenings to discuss ideas promoting unhurried meal breaks and good table manners. Higher food prices impact school meal planning but the cost of the food itself accounts for only about one third of the total costs of a meal, which currently amount to an average of around 1.5 euros. In small schools with only one cook a meal may cost nearly three euros. Large municipalities also sell food to providers of private care services and the income can be used to benefit the school meals service. Many municipalities have joined forces with others to centralise purchasing and bring raw material costs down.

Orange-marinated salmon for Aleksis Kivi Day

The Finnish association of municipal food service specialists Kuntaruokailun asiantuntijat ry together with Ateriamestarit Oy, a company which produces food ingredients for e.g. professional and institutional kitchens, organised a recipe competition for food service personnel in honour of the 60th anniversary of school meal provision in Finland. It is intended that the special meal be served at all Finnish schools on Aleksis Kivi Day*, Friday 10th October. The final recipes will be sent to the schools, which may themselves decide whether or not they wish to participate. The cost of the food ingredients used to prepare the meal will be higher than usual at around 1.5 euros. The winning anniversary recipe comprises orange-marinated salmon, a fermented cream-based herbal sauce, pre-cooked potatoes, honey-flavoured beetroot and pumpkin salad, served with rye bread, a spread, drinks, and a blueberry mousse dessert. Gone are the days when the porridge served by schools was accompanied by a bottle of milk and a sandwich both brought from home! * Aleksis Kivi was the leading Finnish nineteenth century writer, playwright and poet, credited with writing the first Finnish novel, Seitsemän Veljestä (Seven Brothers, 1870). 18.09.2008 (Source: Finfood)

Valio Evolus® double effect lowers cholesterol and helps control blood pressure

The first double effect dairy product to promote cardiovascular health

Valio has developed a product family with a unique double effect on cardiovascular health. Valio Evolus® double effect contains both cholesterol lowering plant sterol and blood pressure lowering milk protein based peptides produced using a Valio patented method. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure maintain blood vessel elasticity while high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and stiffening blood vessels are all considered cardiovascular disease risk factors. Valio Evolus® double effect will be available in Finland in September superseding Valio’s former Evolus® product family. In addition to the effect on blood pressure, new Evolus® double effect contains cholesterol lowering plant sterol which scientific evidence was approved to be strong enough by European Food Safety Authority for the stated health claim that “plant sterol lowers cholesterol”. “Valio Evolus® double effect is a prime example of Valio’s R&D expertise in action. We have succeeded in developing a tasty product family, based on solid research, that combines two qualities significant to Finnish public health. Around a half of Finnish adults have elevated cholesterol values and about one third suffer from elevated blood pressure. I believe that Evolus double effect will become a success story outside Finland, too,” says Elli Siltala, Marketing Manager at Valio. Clinical studies on Valio Evolus® double effect in relation to blood pressure were conducted by Valio in co-operation with health care organisations and universities. The product’s maximum effects are achieved in just 5–7 weeks when a sufficient daily dose is taken regularly. (More information about the research underpinning Evolus can be found at www.valio.com entering “Evolus” in the site’s search engine, and at www.evolus.fi). Valio Evolus® double effect is the natural way to lower cholesterol and help control blood pressure with no side/adverse effects as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Yoghurts, daily dose drinks, fermented milk – remember to recycle the packages

The Valio Evolus double effect product family includes strawberry and orange-pineapple yoghurts, yoghurt-based daily dose drinks (raspberry and apple-pear), and fermented milk. All products are low lactose or lactose free. A daily dose sufficient to affect blood pressure and cholesterol can be obtained from two glasses of fermented milk (3 dl), two cups of yoghurt or one bottle of daily dose drink, and contains 2 grams of plant sterols and 4.2 mg of peptides. The fermented milk cartons and daily dose drink bottles can be recycled through paperboard or beverage carton recycling systems. Rinse, squeeze and take them to your local recycling bin or energy waste bin. The paperboard holders for daily dose drinks and yoghurts are recycled as paperboard or energy waste. Yoghurt cups are also suitable for energy fraction, and if that type of waste is not collected in your home town they can be burned in a stove or disposed of as general waste. (www.valio.fi/kierratys).Further information: Valio Evolus® double effect research: Tiina Jauhiainen, PhD, Concept Manager, tiina.jauhiainen@valio.fi, +358 50 384 1178 Product information: Elli Siltala, Marketing Manager, elli.siltala@valio.fi, +358 50 384 2532 09.09.2008 (Source: Finfood)

WARDA DG makes strong case for African agriculture at UN MDG meeting

Invited by the UN Secretary General as a lead discussant for the thematic roundtable on Poverty and Hunger at the recent UN high-level event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Africa Rice Center (WARDA) Director General Dr Papa Abdoulaye Seck affirmed that Africa could become one of the largest granaries of the world, provided African leaders and stakeholders recognize and make optimal use of the continent’s huge multi-faceted and untapped resources. “Africa has enough water, land, large agro-ecological diversity, human capital and technologies that are available but lie underutilized because of the lack of effective innovation systems,” Dr Seck stated at the roundtable on Poverty and Hunger, which was co-chaired by H.E. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain, H.E. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of Malawi and H.E. Yayi Boni, President of Benin. The President of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mr. Lennart Bage, acted as a Rapporteur. More than 65 Heads of State and Government and representatives from international organizations, private sector, civil society, and philanthropic foundations attended this roundtable. Dr Seck was accompanied by the WARDA Board Chair Mr Getachew Engida. The high-level event was jointly convened by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the UN General Assembly Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann to evaluate the progress made towards achieving the MDGs at the halfway point towards the 2015 target. The roundtable discussions helped pinpoint gaps and identify further steps to speed up progress toward achieving the MDGs. In his speech titled “Can Africa feed itself?” Dr Seck underlined that the combination of four factors – appropriate technologies, infrastructure quality, economic and institutional environment and preservation of natural resources – would positively transform African agriculture. Dr Seck said that a recent simulation study by WARDA showed that Africa could become a net exporter of rice, providing more than 5 million tonnes per year to the international market while ensuring cost and quality competitiveness. It would be possible to achieve this by increasing the area under rice cultivation by 15% without deforestation, and by adopting NERICA® and other improved rice varieties and farming practices developed by WARDA and its partners. Stressing that Africa can feed itself, Dr Seck proposed a 6-point concrete action plan to reach this goal: Provide appropriate support to agriculture: It is imperative to correct the mistakes of the past relating to agricultural policy in Africa that led to the abandonment of rural priorities for the benefit of the so-called rationalization of public expenditure and premature liberalization. Only 10 out of 53 African countries have fulfilled their commitment made 5 years ago in Maputo to allocate 10% of the national budget to agricultural development. Increase investment in agricultural research: Africa only accounts for 0.3% of the world's scientific publications and has only 70 researchers per 1 million inhabitants compared with 4380 for Japan. To improve Africa’s research capacity, national programs, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and advanced research institutes (ARI) working in Africa need to be strongly supported. Improve water control: According to FAO, Africa uses only 4% of its renewable water resources. Through efficient water control, African farmers can increase cropping intensity and yields. For example, the yield of irrigated rice is 3 to 4 times higher than that of upland (dryland) rice. Develop basic infrastructure (storage, roads etc.): This will help reduce post-harvest losses (which accounts for 40 to 60% of production), improve access to markets, increase rural incomes by at least 30% and reduce transaction costs. Provide targeted subsidies for the purchase of inputs (seeds, fertilizers and small machinery): In Africa, without targeted subsidies, significant increase in yields is not possible, because each innovation has a cost which needs to be supported. Support national, regional and pan-African strategies to boost agriculture: It is important for the international community to support initiatives such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) “By increasing support to African agriculture, the international community will strengthen one of the biggest contributors of world food security of the future,” Dr Seck concluded. The Africa Rice Center’s involvement in these high level deliberations has led to a greater awareness of the Center’s excellent work to date amongst world leaders. 2 October 2008 (Source: CGIAR)

US$18.7 million loan and US$515,000 grant to Madagascar will support farmers’ organizations improve agricultural production and increase rural families’ income

A US$18.7 million loan and a US$515,000 grant from IFAD to the Republic of Madagascar for the Support to Farmers’ Professional Organizations and Agricultural Services Project will help strengthen farmers’ organizations to increase levels of production, and better integrate into the economy. The IFAD project is co-financed by the European Union, African Development Bank and the World Bank and is part of the Agriculture Sector Programme recently adopted by the Government The loan agreement was signed today in Rome by Jean Pierre Razafy-Andriamihaingo, Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar to Italy, by the IFAD Vice-President, Kanayo F. Nwanze. 85% of the population of Madagascar live in rural areas and recent reforms have helped reduce rural poverty. The project will boost farmers’ production by supporting them in joining farmers’ associations and agri-business centres (CSA) to improve services to farmers. The project will improve access by rural poor people to financial services through regional agricultural funds (FRDA) The IFAD project will target 75,000 poor rural families belonging to 1,000 farmer organizations, at the grass-roots level, regional level and six organizations at national level. These include small-scale farmers with little or no land and households with nutritional deficits. Women and young people will be specifically targeted as potential members of farmers’ associations. Smallholders and their organizations will be strengthened so they can participate more closely in policy decisions. Farmers’ associations, supported by the project through training and capacity building, will have better access to rural and financial services in 5 regions of the south and center of Madagascar. The sustainable development of farming systems and the conservation of natural resources will be enhanced for 1,000 professional groups in the targeted regions, 12 CSAs and FRDAs, 125 farmer field schools, 2000 ha irrigation schemes, and 150 km feeder roads. The programme will support the linkage of farmers’ organizations in Madagascar to worldwide networks. To date IFAD has funded 13 rural development projects in Madagascar for a total of US$159 million. Press release No.: IFAD/47/08, Rome, 1 October 2008 (Source IFAD)

UN Forum to discuss how partnerships with the private sector can help cut rural poverty

A unique UN forum tomorrow will see business leaders invited for the first time to UN Headquarters in New York to discuss poverty reduction. The UN Private Sector Forum: “Food Sustainability and the Millennium Development Goals” on 24 September 2008 will be attended by the IFAD President and will bring together global business leaders, heads of other UN agencies and civil society leaders to debate how the private sector can work with the UN to achieve the MDGs by 2015. “Private sector entities such as investors, agro-processors, traders and market agents are key partners in IFAD-supported programmes in developing sustainable and innovative solutions to problems facing small holder farmers in order to accelerate rural growth and development,” says IFAD President Lennart Båge. Under the title ‘Agricultural Inputs and Infrastructure’ the IFAD President will co-host an IFAD/FAO roundtable session at the Forum which will consider how to improve sustained investment in the agricultural sector by donors and private investors. ‘We must increase available tools to strengthen partnerships with private sector actors so as to launch successful and profitable economic activities involving small holder farmers,’ says Båge. The roundtable discussion will be chaired by Jacques Diouf, Director-General, FAO and the IFAD President. Public-private partnerships are urgently required to facilitate training, reduce transaction costs and link smallholders with suppliers and buyers. Representatives of the private sector will also be able to articulate the business perspective on what can be done to achieve the MDGs by 2015. There are 1.4 billion people suffering from extreme poverty in the world today. The current global food price crisis is expected to push about 100 million more people into poverty and food production will need to rise 50 per cent by 2030 to meet growing demand. Increasing agricultural production in developing countries will only be achievable by more public and private investment, working together. Press release No.: IFAD/46/08, Rome, 23 September 2008 (Source IFAD)

IFAD President addresses UN high-level event on the response to the food price crisis in Africa

Speaking at the UN yesterday at a high-level event in New York on ¨A Response to the World Food Crisis Smallholder Agriculture, Food security and Rural Development in Africa¨, the IFAD President Lennart Båge said that the current crisis could be transformed into an opportunity, to create ‘a new day’ for agriculture. The crisis demands an urgent response he told the gathering, held by the Rome-based UN agencies, in partnership with UNDP, UN-NGLS and the Earth Institute of Columbia University and with the Republic of Malawi. “The plans and the systems are in place. What is urgently needed now are the funds to implement the plans” he said. Opened by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the event brought together high-level officials of member states, heads of UN agencies, civil society organizations and farmers’ groups to discuss how the international community is responding to the current food price crisis, in particular through support for smallholder agriculture and rural development in Africa. Last year saw an unprecedented rapid rise in food prices and in July, global food prices were more than 80 per cent higher than they had been three years earlier. Over that period prices have almost doubled in nominal terms and real prices have risen dramatically. Africa is at the centre of the food price crisis and agriculture must be central to resolving it, the IFAD president noted. “Farmers are a key part of the solution. We have seen from projects on the ground that when farmers are involved from the start, the end results are better” Mr Båge said. Small-scale farms provide up to 80 per cent of African agricultural production. In sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture provides as much as 70 per cent of jobs, most of which are in smallholder farming. Over 50 per cent of IFAD’s development projects are in Africa. Press release No.: IFAD/44/08, Rome, 23 September 2008 (Source IFAD)

New IFAD President to be elected in February 2009

IFAD Member States have started the process of appointing through election a new president to succeed the current President, Lennart Båge of Sweden. The new president, the fifth since IFAD’s establishment in 1977, will be appointed in February 2009, during IFAD’s annual Governing Council in Rome, following an election by IFAD’s Member States. Nominations of candidates for the presidency of IFAD are put forward by Member States of the Fund. The closing date for nominations is 20 December 2008. IFAD’s new president will lead a results-driven and values-based institution that has seen its lending and grants programme grow by an average of 10 per cent per year over the past six years. The Fund supports over 240 ongoing programmes and projects whose investment costs total US$8.4 billion, with IFAD providing approximately US$4 billion. IFAD is now one of the largest sources of development financing for agriculture and rural development in many developing countries. “For more than three decades, IFAD has led some of the UN’s most successful development efforts aimed at the rural poor,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in June 2008. Today’s soaring food prices have brought global recognition of the compelling need to increase agricultural productivity and production, making IFAD’s mandate more central than ever to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations, dedicated to enabling poor rural people to overcome poverty. During Lennart Båge’s term of office, particular emphasis has been placed on working in partnership - with developing country governments, with poor rural farmers and their organizations, other civil society organizations and the private sector, as well as with United Nations agencies and the international development community as a whole. Over the last few years, IFAD has successfully undertaken an ambitious programme of institutional reform, to improve the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of its work. In so doing, it has combined growth with quality and has improved its results and impact. The President of IFAD, under the direction of IFAD’s governing bodies, is responsible for managing the Fund and is the chairperson of its Executive Board. S/he is also a member of the UN Chief Executives Board, chaired by the UN Secretary General. The President serves a four year term, renewable once. Lennart Båge’s term of office ends on 31 March 2009 and the term of office for the new president will commence on 1 April. More information is available at www.ifad.org/election Press release No.: IFAD/45/08, Rome, 22 September 2008 (Source IFAD)

US $31.1 million IFAD loan to Mozambique will improve the livelihoods of poor rural households

A $31.1 million loan to the Republic of Mozambique from IFAD will enable smallholders to increase their agricultural incomes by marketing their surpluses more profitably. The IFAD programme is co-financed with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. The total cost of the Rural Markets Promotion Programme is US$40.6 million. The loan agreement was signed today in Rome by Carla Elisa Mucavi, Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to Italy and IFAD’s President Lennart Båge. Poor-performing rural and agricultural markets seriously affect the livelihoods of the majority of the rural population in the northern region of Mozambique. Two thirds of the population live below the poverty line. Because of poor returns from surplus sales, smallholders adopt low-risk strategies, resulting in some of the lowest yields in southern Africa. The programme will improve the terms of trade for smallholders, providing them with the incentives to move out of semi-subsistence agriculture. The programme will provide direct support to 20,000 farmers in some 670 farmers’ associations and 375 small-scale traders. Programme activities have been designed to facilitate the participation of the poorer members of the community. Smallholders will be able to market their surpluses more profitably thereby increasing income. Access to and participation in agricultural markets and value chains will be improved and efficient market intermediaries and effective partnerships will be established, stimulating increases in agricultural production. Government agencies, farmers’ organizations, agribusiness enterprises and service providers will be strengthened. Smallholders will also benefit from improved access to markets and social services through better transport. To date, IFAD has provided a total of US$143.9 million in loans for nine programmes and projects in Mozambique. Press release No.: IFAD/43/08, Rome, 17 September 2008 (Source IFAD)

US $242.655 million from IFAD in loans and grants for rural poverty programmes and projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Near East and Central and Eastern Europe

IFAD’s Executive Board concludes meeting in Rome IFAD’s Executive Board approved more than US$177.41 million in loans and US$60.235 million in grants for twelve programmes and projects that will improve the lives of the rural poor in developing countries. The 94th session of the Board, which met in Rome from 10-11 September, approved an additional US$5.01 million in grants to support agricultural research and development activities.

Western and Central Africa: US$28.39 million in loans and US$9.07 million in grants

In the Republic of Cameroon, a loan of US$13.5 million and a grant of US$0.2 million will target smallholder farmers who cannot currently access financial services. Without access to financial services, most of these smallholders cannot make any meaningful investment to sustain their activities. This project will help increase the income of smallholder farmers, particularly young women and men, by expanding the network of microfinance institutions. Increased investment will help diversify the range of income-generating activities, providing more rural employment and food security. The status of women will improve through their participation in the management of microfinance institutions. The programme will use modern technologies to make financial services readily available to the poor and will facilitate more medium and long term loans to the target groups. In the Republic of Congo, 250 villages will be targeted by a project reaching about 20,000 households. The programme will be supported by a US$8.6 million grant. Current yields in the targeted region are very low as a result of poor-quality seed and the effects of mosaic disease on cassava. The project will help farmers’ interest groups to produce, multiply and disseminate improved disease-free cassava planting materials and seeds. Training will be provided so that smallholders will have the knowhow for improved cultivation practices. It will also finance the rehabilitation of rural roads with the aim of increasing access to production areas. By inserting ex-combatants into agricultural and food production systems, the project will support the first pillar of fostering peace in the region. In the Republic of Senegal a loan of US$14.89 million and a grant of US$0.27 million to support agricultural value chain development will help tackle rising rural poverty in the country’s “groundnut basin”. An extended slump in world groundnut markets, continued land degradation and climate change have contributed to a steady economic decline in the area. Although new markets are opening up, most smallholders are unable to access them. The project will assist them through the promotion of production/purchase contracting arrangements between their organizations and market operators. Farmers’ organizations will be strengthened to give members a greater say in decision making at regional and national levels. This will increase market access and a more equitable distribution of profits along a given value chain. The project will improve marketing conditions for higher surpluses and terms of trade for small producers as well as a more sustainable use of natural resources.

Eastern and Southern Africa: US$49.8 million in loans and US$20.97 million in grants

In the Republic of Madagascar, the Support to Farmers’ Professional Organizations and Agricultural Services Project (AROPA), supported by a US$18.7 million loan and a US$515,000 grant will help poor rural families including small-scale farmers with little or no land and households with nutritional deficits. 85 per cent of the population live in rural areas and recent reforms have had an impact in cutting poverty. The project will boost farmers’ production by supporting them in joining farmers’ associations and agri-business centers (CSA) to improve services to farmers. This will improve agricultural production and increase rural families’ income. Farmers’ organizations will be better integrated into the economy and able to mobilize providers to deliver the services required. The project will improve access by rural poor people to financial services through regional agricultural funds (FRDA). In the northern provinces of the Republic of Mozambique an estimated 20 000 farmers, 375 small-scale traders and 200 000 individual farmers and non farmers will benefit from a new seven-year programme. Supported by a US$31.1 million loan, and based on the success of previous projects, the programme will improve the livelihoods of poor rural households, enabling smallholders to increase their agricultural income by marketing their surpluses more profitably. There is an enormous untapped potential to develop commercially-oriented and market-focused agriculture in the region. Farmers’ organizations and small-scale traders will be supported through capacity building, including basic business training and direct counselling. There will be investment in feeder roads as well as construction of district and provincial markets. Profitable partnerships between smallholders and agribusinesses will be promoted, producing mutually beneficial arrangements. The project will increase access to financial and market services and improve market transparency. A new project in the Republic of Rwanda will be supported by a grant of US$20.45 million – to be followed by a second grant of US$6.32 million when resources become available - helping poor smallholders in the Kirehe District of south-eastern Rwanda. Poverty reduction depends on intensification in the area since there is little prospect for agricultural expansion. The programme will help farmers overcome their food insecurity and low incomes by promoting market-orientated intensification of agricultural systems. Land degradation will be stopped and soil fertility restored. It will develop irrigation facilities, reducing dependence on erratic rains and allowing farmers to shift to higher value crops. Poor physical access is a major hurdle to increasing trade in this area so feeder roads will be improved and maintained. Local institutions will be developed giving them the tools to support an increase in profitable smallholder agriculture.

Near East and North Africa region and Central and Eastern Europe and Newly Independent States region: US$21.9 million in loans and US$14.43 million in grants

A loan of US$9.2 million and a grant of US$0.40 million will help the poorer and poorest households in the mountainous northern part of Albania, the most disadvantaged part of the country. This investment will support a new programme, the “Mountain to Markets Programme,” that builds upon lessons learned from previously successful poverty reducing strategies in the mountain areas. The main thrust of the programme is an emphasis on raising cash incomes from farming, improved opportunities for wage employment and self-employment in micro, small and medium enterprises. The programme will enhance access to financial services, support investments in small-scale, commercially justifiable rural infrastructure and introduce innovative technology both at farm and enterprise level. In Moldova, a loan of US$12.70 million with a complementary grant of US$0.53 million will be invested in the Rural Financial Services and Marketing Programme. The programme will create opportunities for employment and income generation in on and off-farm activities for the rural poor, related to the promotion of the Moldovan horticultural value chain. This will be accomplished through the provision of targeted rural financial services, development of rural commercial infrastructure as well as knowledge and technical expertise required to participate more profitably in national and international markets. Although the programme will have national coverage, its investments will be aimed at areas with the highest concentrations of rural poor people. Women and young people will have equal access to programme benefits. In Sudan, a programme supported by a grant of US$13.5 million will increase food security and incomes in six counties in the States of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei, through improved agricultural productivity and marketing. Rural poverty in southern Sudan has been linked to the prolonged conflict situation, population displacement, poor service coverage, inaccessibility, low labour availability and low productivity. Agriculture has been identified as the main engine of economic and rural development. The project will support the following productive activities such as farming, herding and fishing and the support will be directed towards rural households in particular woman-headed households and returnee households. The project will also finance infrastructure rehabilitation such as potable water, repair of rural feeder roads, and rehabilitation of market infrastructure. The project will enhance managerial capacity and accountability at the county level and build county capacity in resolving resource-based conflicts.

Asia and the Pacific: US$68.13 million in loans and US$9.4 million in grants

A national programme to reduce poverty and improve local-level governance in rural Indonesia will be supported by a loan of US$68.13 million and a grant of US$0.4 million. At the request of the government and in partnership with other external development agencies, IFAD will provide its support to the National Programme for Community Empowerment, which will cover all the rural sub-districts in the country during 2009-2015. IFAD will also provide targeted support for agricultural development in Papua and West Papua that are largely populated by indigenous and ethnic populations and have the highest rates of rural poverty in the country. In the Kyrgyz Republic a country-wide project targeting 475 rural communities will be supported by a US$9.0 million grant. The project aims to improve the institutional and infrastructure environment for farmers and herders, with a strong emphasis on the livestock sector. It will specifically increase the productivity of farmers, particularly livestock farmers, and reduce animal diseases that have a public health impact (e.g., brucellosis). During its five-year duration, the project will assist in developing and adopting an adequate legal and institutional framework to govern the management and use of pastures. It will support the development and operation of a market-oriented rural advisory service system. The project will also provide technical assistance for the establishment of a suitable legal and regulatory framework for the delivery of veterinary services. IFAD will finance the project in partnership with the World Bank and the Swiss Development Cooperation.

Latin America and the Caribbean: US$12.0 million in loans and US$0.6 million in grants

A US$9.19 million loan will support a programme in Costa Rica which will target regions characterized by environmental fragility and high rural poverty levels. An estimated 25,400 people will benefit directly including small-scale producers, subsistence fishers, indigenous communities and jobless young people. The income-generating activities of these groups will be improved by broadening their access to competitive markets. The programme will develop local enterprises and establish sustainable agribusinesses. The Government’s poverty reduction priorities will be supported by the creation of local technical and financial service markets as well as a national rural development institute. Special attention will be paid to vulnerable groups - women, indigenous communities and young people, increasing employment and incomes. In Honduras and Nicaragua, IFAD will provide additional funds for ongoing projects to increase food security and guarantee the participation of small-scale producers in a sustainable response to the current food crisis. The project for Enhancing the Rural Economic Competitiveness of Yoro in central Honduras will receive US$2.27 million to assist an additional 1700 families to increase their grain production and expand their access to seeds, fertilizers and technical assistance. The Small-scale Producers in Value Chains and Market Access project in Nicaragua will receive a US$0.6 million loan and a US$0.6 million grant. The supplementary financing will allow 1,200 additional smallholders to improve their production capabilities and incomes. The Executive Board approved one grant under the global/regional grants window to a CGIAR-supported international centre for a total of US$1.2 million:

- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), for the Programme for Promoting Rural Innovation through Participatory Tree Domestication in West and Central Africa

The Executive Board approved three grants under the global/regional grants window to non-CGIAR-supported international centres and organizations for a total of US$3.13 million:

- Kenya Gatsby Trust (KGT), for the Rural Finance Knowledge Management Partnership – Phase II

- Commission on Family Farming of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR), for the Institutional Consolidation of the Commission on Family Farming of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR)

- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), for the Support for the Formulation and Implementation of Pan-African Land Policy Guidelines

The Executive Board also approved one grant (under the country-specific grants window) to the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO) for a total of US$680,000:

- Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), for Institutional Capacity Strengthening, Resource Mobilization and Rural Financial Services Expansion Press release No.: IFAD/42/08, Rome, 15 September 2008 (Source IFAD)

Nigerian Tribune: How Nigeria can address food insecurity

...He pointed out that research institutes such as CRIN, IITA, IAR and IAR&T had since in the 1980s developed over 40 rice varieties suitable for different ecological zones in the country. 23 October 2008 (source IITA)

The Punch: Nigeria’s agricultural assets more powerful than oil – IITA

Nigeria, Africa‘s largest oil producer, has agricultural assets that are more powerful than oil, Director-General of the Ibadan-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Peter Hartmann, has said. 19 October 2008 (source IITA)

AllAfrica.Com: Nigeria's Agricultural Assets More Powerful Than Oil - IITA

Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, has agricultural assets that are more powerful than oil, says Dr. Peter Hartmann, Director-General of the Ibadan-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in his message on the occasion of the World Food Day, yesterday. 17 October 2008 (source IITA)

Easing organic agricultural trade

Organic farmers in developing countries will have greater access to world markets, thanks to two new tools that seek to ease trade in organic agricultural products. 08/10/2008 (source FAO)

Reviewing biofuel policies and subsidies

Biofuel policies and subsidies should be urgently reviewed in order to preserve the goal of world food security, protect poor farmers, promote broad-based rural development and ensure environmental sustainability, FAO said today in a new edition of The State of Food and Agriculture. 07/10/2008 (source FAO)

Is the aquaculture boom starting to fade?

The aquaculture industry has reached an important crossroads, with new challenges emerging regarding the sector’s ability to meet future world demand for fish. Small-scale farmers in developing countries are facing difficulties in exporting their produce, and need help to become competitive and access global markets. 06/10/2008 (source FAO)

Converting Research Reactors from HEU Fuel

Speaking in the USA, IAEA Deputy Director General Yuri Sokolov reviewed progress in global efforts to convert research reactors from high-enriched to low-enriched fuel that poses lower proliferation concerns. 6 October 2008 (Source: iaea)

Kazakh Agrarian University honors Dr Mahmoud Solh

Dr Mahmoud Solh was awarded the title of "Honorable Professor" by the Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University, Astana, on 20 June. Dr Solh was invited to deliver a special lecture on "The role of ICARDA in Central Asia and the Caucasus." The lecture was attended by more than 100 senior faculty members, representatives of Kazakh Government, graduate and postgraduate students of the University, NARS leaders from the eight CAC countries, as well as scientists and researchers from the CG centers. In his lecture, Dr Solh elaborated on ICARDA's mission, research activities and achievements in the dry areas of the world, including the CAC region. The participants were highly impressed with ICARDA's research achievements in germplasm conservation, breeding new crop varieties, soil conservation and water saving technologies, livestock management, as well as socioeconomic research. 3 July 2008 (Source ICARDA)