Water management in Brazil is critical, affirm researchers

By Elton Alisson

Agência FAPESP – Water resource management in Brazil represents a critical problem due to the lack of mechanisms, technologies and, above all, sufficient human resources to adequately manage the country’s hydrographic basins, according to researchers participating in the “Seminar on Water Resources and Agriculture” held on October 2 at FAPESP.

 

The event was part of the activities surrounding the 58th Bunge Foundation Award and 34th Bunge Foundation Youth Award, which this year is exploring the areas of Water Resources and Agriculture and Literary Criticism. In the area of Water Resources and Agriculture, the awards were given to Klaus Reichardt of the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA) at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and Samuel Beskow of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPEL), respectively…. Continue Reading

 

 Source and Photo: Agência FAPESP, November 27, 2013

Labex Korea on Twitter and Facebook

Conserve Water and Soil Fertility to Increase Productivity under Climate Change

ANALYSIS – Higher temperatures and longer growing seasons in the UK could provide opportunities for farmers to increase productivity.

 

This in turn will allow them to benefit from potential rising global food prices. However, the farmers will need to also take into account the productive capacity of the land because of limited water resources, the loss of soil fertility or the persistent presence of pests and diseases according to a new report from the Committee of Climate Change.

Impacts of changes in land use on bodies of water

By Elton Alisson
Agência FAPESP – The changes in land use that are currently taking place in most of the world, with the greatest intensity in the tropical regions – caused by population increases and the demand for food and energy –, have had numerous impacts on the chemical composition and biodiversity of bodies of water.
In Brazil, groups of researchers in partnership with colleagues from other countries have studied some of the alterations in rivers and lakes due to the expansion of sugarcane and soybean cultivation and the replacement of forests by pastureland.

Is the food industry running on empty when it comes to water?

The Guardian – As US farmers struggling with one of the worst droughts in living memory will tell you, a scarcity of water can be crippling to jobs and livelihoods, even in the richest nation on Earth. Amid the rice paddy fields of south-eastern Texas, the situation looks especially bleak.

Last week, the Lower Colorado River Authority voted for a second year running to withhold vital water from downstream farmers, citing precariously low reservoirs and a need to protect town supplies. It was a bitter blow for Edward Sunderman, manager of the Lucy Sunderman Farm in Colorado County, who depends on water as the lifeblood of his business.

Click here to access the complete article
Source and Photo: The Guardian, 25 January, 2013
You also follow Labex Korea by Facebook and Twitter

World Water Week blog: why we just can’t get enough water

By Dave Tickner

 The Guardian – Some international conferences can be turgid events during which policy wonks compete to inflict a didactic death by PowerPoint on their audience.

But World Water Week is a rare thing: a genuinely useful talkfest. It’s where representatives from governments, aid agencies, business, the research community and NGOs come together to share ideas, form partnerships and exchange knowledge. It’s the place to be every August if you’re struggling to fix a water or river-related problem, or if you have bright ideas that might be helpful to others.

Click here to access the complete article
Source and Photo: The Guardia, August 31st, 2012
You also follow Labex Korea by Twitter

Fighting for Water: Ownership, Use on Crops, Factors for the Future from CSSA’s President

Crop Science Society of America – The Lonestar State’s water woes is pushing many agribusinesses to prepare for the worst. Ronald Gertson’s family grows rice in the claylike soil near Lissie, in Southeast Texas. He believes it’s the first time in five generations, there’s worry about the water supply. Gertson says, “I can grow about a third of my rice using groundwater. If I push it, I might get 45-percent of the acres I normally plant. But many of my neighbors and I are already looking at what we can do to cut costs in what is clearly going to be a hard year.” Texas usually produces 5-percent of the nation’s rice but the region is implementing emergency plans now, which may mean water will not be released from lakes and rivers for irrigation this summer, following one of the most severe droughts in state history last year…. Read More.

Source and Photo: Crop Science Society of America
You also follow Labex Korea by Facebook and  Twitter

Water issues create strong undercurrent at Rio+20

By Brooke Barton
The Guardian – Last month, I was one of more than 40,000 people who descended upon Rio de Janeiro for the Rio+20 Earth Summit. 40,000 is quite a crowd, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the rapid population growth Rio has seen since the first Earth Summit in 1992 – more than 800,000 residents in 20 years.

Brazil’s population as a whole is growing rapidly, and it’s changing just as fast. Across the nation, a rising middle class is snapping up air conditioners and other appliances and is expected to push national demand for electricity up 56% by 2021. More than 20 hydroelectric plants are scheduled to be built along the Amazon river’s tributaries to meet the new demand for power, but these projects are facing several challenges….>>Read More<<

Source and Photo: The Guardian, July 4th, 2012
You also follow Labex Korea by Twitter and Facebook

BPEX: Water-saving advice for pig farms

Practical steps to save water and money on pig farms have been published by BPEX. There are a number of short-term and long-term measures producers can take to conserve water in this latest Knowledge Transfer (KT) Bulletin.
BPEX environment project manager Anna Davis said: “Both drought and flooding can cause water shortage and lead to higher costs for the water used. There are plenty of things producers can do to limit the impact on their businesses.
“First steps include checking for leaks, pipe work maintenance and checking pig drinkers are correctly positioned to limit waste. Some producers may also want to look at longer-term solutions such as rainwater harvesting.”
Water is fundamental to pig production, from satisfying the pig’s basic freedom from thirst, to maintaining animal heath via effective cleaning and disinfection. It is also a legal requirement that all pigs have ready access to good quality, clean water.
The bulletin covers:
• Leaks
• Pressure washing
• Boreholes
• Drinkers
• Flow rates
• Wet/dry feeders
• Diet
• Weather
• Rainwater collection

Download a copy of 2TS KT Bulletin 20 – Water usage: Tips on saving a precious resource click here or call 024 7647 8792 (UK) to order a copy.

Source: http://www.pigprogress.net
You also follow Labex Korea by Twitter

Brazil launches proposal for preservation of water resources

Based on the successful Brazilian’s experience in the protection of streams and river banks, farmers in Brazil launched on the 6th World Water Forum in Marseilles, France, (March 13rd), the proposed creation of a protected area continuing worldwide.
The suggestion for the world create protected areas, in order to preserve water resources of the planet, was presented by the chairman of the Agriculture and Livestock Confederation of Brazil (CNA), Senator Katia Abreu, an event in the flag of Brazil. ………  >> Read More<<

You also follow Labex Korea by Twitter

Making the business case for water and green growth

By Andrew Deutz
Guardian – When it comes to water, good news can be as scarce as the resource itself. But at the recent World Water Forum in Marseille, there was some good news – for nature conservationists, for the development community and for the corporate sector.

Source and Photo: Guardian, March 302th, 2012
Click here to read the complete article
You also follow Labex Korea by Twitter