To guarantee healthy soils for sustainable agriculture and food production, you first need to know their condition. FAO’s Global Soil Doctors Programme started to do just that —assessing the condition of soils and guiding farmers in remedying soil problems. The educational material and training modules from this programme help farmers to stay vigilant and responsive to soil health, a vital component of their livelihoods.
University of Idaho Extension launched a website to offer a “one-stop shop” for Idaho farmers and crop consultants by providing data from the various College of Agricultural and Life Sciences pest monitoring programs. The ‘Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard’ debuted last spring and includes data and observations from UI Extension programs that monitor the arrival of potato psyllids, aphids and wind-blown spores to inform farmers in making decisions such as when to apply chemicals.
Blights are destroying rubber trees in Brazil and ravaging potatoes in South India. Unpredictable and erratic weather patterns brought on by climate change will only exacerbate these problems — and, scientists say, make crop diseases more likely to strike and inflict major damage. Plant pathologist Karen Garrett of the University of Florida, Gainesville, believes that artificial intelligence (AI) could be immensely valuable in fighting these blights.
The integration of cutting-edge GPS technology into precision agriculture has ushered in a new era for farmers, giving them unprecedented ability to optimize their practices. With the ability to map their fields, track crop locations, and monitor the spread of pests and diseases, farmers now have access to invaluable information that shapes their decision-making process.
Royal Avebe is partnering with Food Matters Live in a series of new podcast episodes about the amazing history, versatility, and untapped potential of the humble potato. The company says in a recent news release: “The potato plays a huge role in the global food industry and has been a core ingredient in many of our diets for centuries, but there’s a lot more to the potato than at first meets the eye…”
In this Idaho Farm Bureau podcast, Steven Sherman, BioLogiQ’s CEO, shares details of BioLogiQ’s NuPlastiQ, a 100% natural material made from potato, corn and tapioca starches and naturally sourced glycerin, which, when processed, produces pellets that can be blended with existing plastics. These BioBlends help to create more sustainable plastic products.
McCain Foods Limited (McCain) released its Sustainability Report earlier this year. The report outlines how McCain is responding to the challenges faced by climate change, its priority on enhancing soil health and farming partners’ transition to more regenerative practices.
Swedish design studio Tomorrow Machine has collaborated with juice company Eckes Granini to develop a bio-based bottle called GoneShells, which is made from potato and can be eaten, home-composted or dissolved under water when finished with. GoneShells was inspired by the way a fruit is protected by its peel. Once finished with, the bottle can be wound down in the same way thanks to its spiral-like structure. Then, it can be eaten, home composted or dissolved in a kitchen sink.
Lethbridge College in Alberta, Canada, is conducting a three-year, $446,500 research project to study the effects of different potato bedding formations on soil fertility, crop nutrient availability, and greenhouse gas emissions. This research aims to identify environmentally sustainable agriculture practices for potato producers while maintaining optimal results.
Potatoes Without Borders is a network of people dedicated to promoting innovative and sustainable technological developments in the potato industry, recognizing the significant impact that potatoes have on food security and nutrition around the world.
The TuberScan system, a ground-sensing technology developed by B-hive Innovations and partners, is entering its final testing phase in the UK and overseas. This innovative system uses ground penetrating radar, GPS units, and various sensors, combined with computer vision and AI, to provide detailed information on potato crop growth and performance. The system also detects where each potato has been planted, to go beyond traditional sampling methods conducted by growers.
Royal Avebe is partnering with Food Matters Live in a series of new podcast episodes about the amazing history, versatility, and untapped potential of the humble potato. The company says in a recent news release: “The potato plays a huge role in the global food industry and has been a core ingredient in many of our diets for centuries, but there’s a lot more to the potato than at first meets the eye…”
Australian entomologist Dr. Paul Horne discussed the benefits of adopting integrated pest management (IPM) practices at a Potatoes New Zealand research update meeting. He shared examples of growers who have successfully implemented IPM, reducing their reliance on chemical sprays and benefiting from biological control methods. Dr. Horne emphasized the importance of considering the impact of spraying on beneficial insects and utilizing cultural controls.
McCain Foods, the UK’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, and NatWest, the biggest bank for business and one of the largest for the UK farming sector, have come together with an exciting new offering to reduce financial barriers for potato farmers who are transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices.
