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editorial novembeR 2007 – FebRuaRy 2008 PARTNERS
Coping with climate
change
Agriculture depends on the sustainable use India, which addresses the environmental and
of natural resources and, for this reason, will public health benefits derived from sowing Partners in Research for
be more directly and significantly affected seed directly into the soil without the need for
Development is the flagship
by climate change than other sectors of the burning off stubble from the previous crop; and
publication of the Australian Centre
economy. Agriculture is also a significant management of nitrogenous fertilisers in the
contributor to climate change. Developing North China Plain, where scientists have shown
for International Agricultural
countries are more likely to be affected by that, by reducing the amount of fertiliser used Research (ACIAR). Partners presents
climate change because they rely more on on rice crops, not only is there reduced wastage articles that summarise results from
agriculture for employment and contribution to and improved profits for farmers, but also less ACIAR-sponsored research projects,
their economies. emissions of nitrous oxide—one of the most and puts ACIAR research initiatives
And the poorest farmers—who are often potent greenhouse gases. into perspective.
located on the more marginal production Most of ACIAR’s climate-change work is
areas—could be expected to bear the brunt of concerned with adaptation—helping build Technical enquiries will be passed
climate-change impacts the capacity of farmers on to the appropriate researchers
first. They are also to respond to climate for reply. Reprinting of articles,
generally the first to feel Each of these climate- change, through the either whole or in part, is welcomed
the effects of seasonal change projects is development of more provided that the source is
climate variability. sustainable, resilient acknowledged.
Agricultural research driven by the need to agricultural systems.
plays a central role in improve smallholder This can be achieved This publication is freely available
helping farmers, farmer productivity. by identifying and from ACIAR’S website at
communities and developing new crop www.aciar.gov.au. It is also freely
policymakers develop varieties—for example available on request from ACIAR.
strategies to adapt to, or lessen the effects of, breeding for better water-use efficiency,
climate change. In the first instance, ACIAR tolerance to drought and water-logging, The use of a trade name does not
funds several projects that address seasonal and resistance to pests and disease that may constitute any endorsement of, or
climate variability. Some of the tools that are become more prevalent in a changed climate. discrimination against, any product
developed to make decisions on seasonal An important aspect of this work is the by ACIAR.
variability can then be applied to longer-term collection of data and material for international
shifts in climate associated with global warming. gene banks. ISSN 1031-1009
Improving the reliability of seasonal Another way that more resilient agricultural
forecasts is a key tool for reducing farmers’ systems can be achieved in the face of shifting
exposure to risk. One project in Lombok climates is by changing farming practices. In a Executive Editor: Georgina Hickey,
(eastern Indonesia) is applying the knowledge China grasslands project, for example, reducing ACIAR, +61 2 6217 0500
of seasonal climate forecasting to the livestock numbers was shown to increase yields Managing Editor: Brad Collis
management of irrigation systems, while and profits for smallholder farmers, at the Associate Editor: Dr Gio Braidotti
Coretext Pty Ltd, +61 3 9670 1168
another in the Philippines is looking at potential same time reducing soil erosion and methane
economic benefits of seasonal forecasts and production.
how they can be used in setting policies (see Each of these climate-change projects is
Design and Production:
'Profiting from the climate prophets'). driven by the need to improve smallholder Coretext Pty Ltd, www.coretext.com.au
Reducing carbon emissions and other productivity while at the same time addressing
Letters from readers are welcome,
greenhouse gases that contribute to climate climate change and environmental protection. and should be addressed to:
change is another focus for ACIAR. Examples If new practices and products can be shown to The Editor
covered in this issue of Partners include be cost-effective, and to improve agricultural Partners in Research for Development
assessments of carbon sequestration in profitability and sustainability, there is a good ACIAR
GPO Box 1571
Indonesia, where economists and scientists are chance they will be adopted by farmers. And
Canberra ACT 2601
working out ways to pay farmers for planting any benefits to the environment, in terms of Australia
forests, or for leaving forests standing; the reduced greenhouse gas emissions and land Email: comms@aciar.gov.au
‘Happy Seeder’ project in the Punjab state of degradation, will follow.
Photos: All photos ACIAR unless credited
PARTNERS novembeR 2007 – FebRuaRy 2008 contents
Features
Plant breeders prepare
for climate change 4
Crop breeding is proving a viable tool to assist
Farm forests seen as
commercial carbon sinks 16
a new carbon-sequestration study in Indonesia
Profiting from the
climate prophets
making seasonal climate forecasts available
in adapting to climate change. could pave the way for farmers to be paid for to farmers in Indonesia and the Philippines
9 re-planting and maintaining forests. is contributing to better water-resource
management.
Chalky rice
Profile
as higher temperatures affect rice quality
around the world, researchers are developing
5
Dna markers to produce more
heat-tolerant varieties and stop rice grain
overseeing a rural
turning to chalk. renaissance
a group of motivated young economists in
China, led by Dr Huang Jikun and Dr Shang
Linxiu, are tackling environmental issues as part
of a broader rural development platform.
ACIAR roundup
Prime minister’s wife
visits Dili projects 26
India's burning
rice bowl 19
Stubble burning is a serious problem in the
Tony Fischer wins 2007
Farrer memorial medal 26
intensive-agricultural state of Punjab. although
new technology could stop the need to burn
Fisheries leaders meet
stubble, there are barriers to its adoption.
in Townsville 26
aCIaR hosts
Cambodian vIP 27
Farewell Ken and bill 27
Crawford Fund seminar
considers the future
of biofuels 28
new appointments 29
Restoring China's
grasslands 10
an aCIaR project in western China aims to
Targeted fertiliser lifts
income and lowers waste 0
although nitrogen deficiency is a major yield
new projects
new publications
30
30
improve farmers’ livelihoods while encouraging constraint for food crops in many parts of asia,
the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and overuse of fertiliser can cause financial loss to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. farmers and problems for their environment.
