Irrigation Systems for Sub-Tropical Agriculture

Juan Aldaz2017-04-20T16:06:53-05:00

Technology in irrigation systems has been rapidly advancing across the world.  Low flow systems are assisting farmers at reducing the amount of water they need to satisfy the crop’s requirements while keeping their energy and costs associated with irrigation down.  ‘Smart Phone’ technology allows farmers to monitor the moisture and temperature in their fields from the palm of their hand, which will greatly reduce waste and increase economic yield when used properly.  Advancements in pump designs, water delivery systems, [...]

April 20, 2017 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Biochar and Subtropical Agriculture

Juan Aldaz2017-04-14T11:36:45-05:00

Before going on the fine print about Biochar, we have to mention that half of the world’s population resides in the wide belt of land and water that lies between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn known as the Subtropics.  The world’s people and governments are becoming increasingly aware of the region 's unique properties, problems, and potential.  We have come a long way to understanding the diverse biological system that exists there, as well as its important role [...]

April 14, 2017 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Current State of Investments in Agriculture

Juan Aldaz2017-03-31T12:40:01-05:00

This report summarizes the state of investment activity in the Agricultural Industry.  It will focus on trends relating to Sustainable Systems development, as well as new technology which might be applied to increase yield and/or quality of the food produced in the US. “Agriculture” is a widely defined industry.  It spans from the mining industry through to the manufacturing sector, production, processing, and distribution networks which derive most of their gross receipts in support of, or in the process of [...]

March 31, 2017 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Is Climate Change for Real?

Juan Aldaz2017-03-10T10:20:41-05:00

Or..…Is the Sky Blue? The Climates of our planet have undergone climate change and shifts and trends for millennia after millennia since the dawn of time.  The difference now, is that we can actually measure it with more accuracy than ever before.  When you combine that with the advances in atmospheric science, the consensus among scientists is that this time, we as humans play a significant role in its pace. I’m not much of a political type.  However, I remember actually [...]

March 10, 2017 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Agricultural Productivity on the Rise in West Africa

Juan Aldaz2017-02-24T11:07:03-05:00

West African Agricultural Productivity  is on the rise thanks to a program created by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and funded in part by the World Bank.  The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) as it is called is striving to step up to this challenge.  13 West African countries are engaged in this effort and great strides are being made in productive, sustainable food systems which are improving nutrition, creating jobs, and opening doors to [...]

February 24, 2017 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Integrated Nutrient Management in the Subtropics

Juan Aldaz2017-02-03T15:47:49-05:00

Nutrient management is a key component to increasing sustainable yields of crops in sub-tropic regions of the world.  The heavily weathered soils and rapid degradation of existing organic matter in those soils makes for a seemingly insurmountable task of establishing viable agricultural crop systems. An understanding of what factors are at work in your soils, and how to respond to them is an important first step.  The important finding in research and actual practice in these regions; combined with known [...]

February 3, 2017 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Bringing Cleared Land into Agricultural Production

Juan Aldaz2017-01-27T10:22:12-05:00

By John Deibel, Freelance Author and Agronomist As the adoption of new Agricultural technologies evolve in the countries of sub-tropic regions around the world, the clearing of land once occupied by forests, fringe mixed stands, non-agricultural brush land, and other non-agricultural areas is continually increasing.  In the past, we did not know what we know today about Sustainable systems whereby any human activity, no matter where it is carried out, needs to be cognizant of the fact that it will affect [...]

January 27, 2017 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

How a Farmer Became a Symbol of the Food Revolution in California

Juan Aldaz2017-01-03T14:07:38-05:00

Most-read books on Sustainable Farming and the Food Revolution What would you do if the varieties of peaches you (and your parents before you) grow, are no longer in demand? Image from David Masumoto's Family Facebook That’s what happened to David Mas Masumoto in 1987, when his farm came to a crossroad.  He found that the large volume buyers no longer wanted his Sun Crest peaches.  “An heirloom variety just didn’t have the right cosmetics for the market place…it didn’t get red lipstick-red [...]

December 16, 2016 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Will there be a global agricultural crisis in our time?

Juan Aldaz2017-01-03T16:39:33-05:00

The world populations is growing by 75 million people each year, and more than 40% of earth’s land has been cleared for farming. Some believe this could spell the inevitability of an agricultural crisis at a global scale. Why? As Agriculture strives to meet the skyrocketing demand for food, it has become vulnerable to claims as being the largest driver of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental destruction. TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of [...]

November 18, 2016 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...