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These probiotics for plants help farms suck up extra carbon dioxide

Adele Peters

February 07, 2019 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

A startup called Locus Agricultural Solutions has created a "probiotic" for soil that uses a mixture of beneficial fungi and bacteria. Not only does it increase productivity of crops, but it also absorbs enough carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere per acre to offset the emissions of a passenger vehicle. Tests done on an orange grove in Florida showed that areas treated with the product took up an extra 4.38 metric tons of CO2 per acre.

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How high-tech agriculture is transforming the fortunes of Nigerian rice farmers

Olivia Cuthbert

January 16, 2019 |

The Telegraph |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Kebbi

New planting and harvesting techniques and improved seeds are transforming farmers' fortunes and boosting harvests in Nigeria, where rice is a staple food but local supply fails to keep up with high demand. Farmers are also relying on agriculture apps like RiceAdvice and WeedManager, which quickly determine fertilizer quantities and identify harmful weeds.

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Solar Farms Shine a Ray of Hope on Bees and Butterflies

Jodi Helmer

January 14, 2019 |

Scientific American |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oregon

As farmland is converted to space for solar panels, researchers are planting native wildflowers amongst the technology to support populations of bees and other insects facing endangerment. While it's not the only solution needed to reverse the decline of pollinating species, as seen in the past decade, planting them in solar sites are a useful start.

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How African scientists are improving cassava to help feed the world

Amy Maxmen

January 08, 2019 |

Nature |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Ikenne

Cassava, a root plant that feeds and supports over 800 million people across the globe, is ready for an improvement. As part of the Next Generation Cassava Breeding project, scientists are exploring how to increase the plant’s yield and help it withstand climate conditions to feed more people. Through hydroponics and technological testing of seed varieties, cassava is finally getting the attention and funding it needs.

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Agroforestry helps Tajikistan farmers overcome resource pressures

Daniyar Serikov

January 02, 2019 |

Mongabay |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Tajikistan, Isfara

Many farmers in Tajikistan are transitioning from Soviet-era monoculture to agroforestry, a method that more closely mimics natural ecosystems. While the farms are small, many payoffs--good income, diverse crops, robust wildlife, and carbon sequestration, to name several--are being realized.

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Millet anyone? Facing soil crisis, US farmers look beyond corn and soybeans

Story Hinckley Laurent Belsie

December 28, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Iowa

After decades of planting almost solely corn and soybeans, across the Midwest and Plains, farmers are trying new methods to restore nutrients and replenish their soils. Methods like no-till farming, growing diverse cover crops during the winter, and using soil-sensitive crop rotations are growing in popularity. While the new practices face some resistance, cultural awareness is growing and being encouraged by new legislation.

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PNG farmers use agroforestry to fight crop diseases and reduce labor

Camilo Mejia Giraldo

December 19, 2018 |

Mongabay |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Papua New Guinea, Lae, Morobe

Across Papua New Guinea, growers are turning to agroforestry, pairing crops like cocoa and nuts to closely mimic forest ecosystems. The benefits are numerous--diverse income streams for growers, new habitat for wildlife, combatting crop diseases, and carbon sequestration, among others. But success hinges, in part, on growers' ability to balance long-term and short-term goals.

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‘We see its value': Ugandan communities benefiting from agroforestry

Deusdedit Ruhangariyo

December 11, 2018 |

Mongabay |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Uganda, Butanda

Communities across Uganda have been realizing the benefits of agroforestry, an old farming system that mimics natural ecosystems. Apart from creating a diverse, stable local food supply, the practice promotes soil health, bolsters biodiversity, creates wildlife habitat, and sequesters carbon. An NGO is working with communities to spread the practice across the region, with marked effect.

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Agroforestry ‘home gardens' build community resilience in southern Ethiopia

Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 04, 2018 |

Mongabay |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Ethiopia, Bule

Farmers in Bule, Ethiopia, are practicing agroforestry, a diverse cropping method that mimics natural ecosystems. A survey found a stunning average of 16 crop species, including 21 species of tree, on farms. The benefits of the practice are myriad: food security, improved soil health, carbon sequestration, diversified revenue streams, and new wildlife habitat, to name several. While the incentive to grow valuable monocultures can be high, many growers stick with agroforestry regardless.

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How farmers in Punjab are using the practice of mulching to fight climate change

Ankita Anand

November 30, 2018 |

Daily O |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Sunam, Punjab

In Punjab's Sangrur district, some farmers are choosing to mulch rather than burn crop residue. The benefits of mulching are two-fold: increased soil health and reduced air pollution. But a lot of growers in the area still burn, and many are frustrated that the government offers no incentives to mulch.

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