Adsorption isotherms of 3 selected paper-based packaging materials, that is, vegetable parchment (VP) paper, Kraft paper, and solid-bleached-sulfate (SBS) paperboard, were determined at 3 different temperatures (25, 40, and 50 °C). The GAB isotherm model was found to fit adequately for describing experimental adsorption isotherm data for the paper samples. The monolayer moisture content of the paper samples decreased with increase in temperature, which is in the range of 0.0345 to 0.0246, 0.0301 to 0.0238, and 0.0318 to 0.0243 g water/g solid for the MG paper, the Kraft paper, and the SBS paperboard, respectively. The net isosteric heats of sorption (qst) for the paper samples decreased exponentially with increase in moisture content after reaching the maximum values of 18.51, 27.39, and 26.80 kJ/mol for the VP paper, the Kraft paper, and the SBS paperboard, respectively, at low-moisture content. The differential enthalpy and entropy of 3 paper samples showed compensation phenomenon with the isokinetic temperature of 399.7 K indicating that water vapor had been adsorbed onto the paper samples with the same mechanism. Depending on the paper material, tensile strength of paper samples was affected by moisture content.

This Workshop was jointly organized by the Tigray Agricultural Research Institute (Mekele, Ethiopia), The Tigray Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), FAO- ICARDA CACTUSNET, International Center for Agricultural research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Swiss Association for International Development (Helvetas-Ethiopia), and International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). The choice of East Africa and Ethiopia to host this workshop was not incidental. Indeed, (i) East Africa is facing food security and poverty issues challenges; (ii) FAO has been and still implementing fruitful projects in Tigray to promote cactus crop as food, feed and income diversification option; (iii) Tigray region and its research institutes and centers are obviously the most advanced in East Africa in the field of cactus pear crop development and uses (iv) the interest and support of the FAO Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa was a guarantee for the success of the workshop. The workshop coincides with the first shipment of cochineal to abroad to be processed to produce red carmin; this new initiative is most welcomed to diversify and increase poor farmers’ income.

Water scarcity is a critical issue for food production in the poor developing countries because agriculture is the primary consumer of the dwindling freshwater around the globe. This paper calls for strategies for the sustainable use of water in agriculture. Most food in the world is produced using soil moisture from precipitation - known as &ldquo;green&rdquo; water. Irrigation is the source of &ldquo;blue&rdquo; water. <br /><br />This paper analyses alternative water futures using a combined green and blue water accounting framework embedded within the water simulation components of IFPRI&rsquo;s International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT). It uses a series of scenario results to 2050 for the Limpopo and Nile River Basins, which are representative of the wide range of irrigation and rainfed agricultural conditions.<br /><br />The paper presents the following policy recommendations:<br /> an accounting framework that distinguishes between green and blue water should be included in projections to enable enhanced analysis of alternative policies for improving agricultural production in the face of growing water scarcity. to identify policy options an examination of the relative contribution of precipitation to total water consumption and that by irrigated areas can be useful. alternative investments in agricultural productivity and irrigation expansion, can lead to major water savings from both irrigation and precipitation. In the Limpopo Basin, growing water scarcity suggests the need for investment in technologies aimed at enhancing irrigated and rainfed crop yields while in the Nile Basin, the focus needs to be on expanding irrigated areas and improving rainfed crop productivity. many existing technologies should be embedded into the support and extension systems to enable new research and development addressing rainfed crop water use to benefit the rural poor in developing countries. an integrated approach for the development of strategies aimed at helping humanity adapt to climate change and increased climate variability should be adopted. The authors conclude that an approach that combines blue- and green-targeted water management strategies with other complementary rural agricultural development investments, has the potential to positively impact the lives of many poor people.

Globally, most food is produced using soil moisture that comes from precipitation (i.e., “green” water). Moreover, most of the water that reaches plants in irrigated systems also stems from precipitation. Despite this, irrigation (or “blue”) water has typically been the focus for policy analysis, largely because it is possible for humans to manipulate blue water. This paper analyzes alternative water futures using a combined green and blue water accounting framework embedded within the water simulation components of IFPRI’s International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT). Future scenarios recently developed for the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) and other studies are assessed with respect to this adjusted green/blue water accounting framework. The results reveal that accounting explicitly for green water resources broadens the scope of options for decision-makers who are seeking to improve agricultural production in the face of rising food and energy prices, a degrading water and land resource base, and increasing demands. This analysis highlight the importance of green/blue water accounting and presents a wider range of agricultural science and technology policy options for increasing global crop productivity across a span of potential futures. | Non-PR | IFPRI1; GRP38; GRP22 | EPTD

In January 2007 and June 2009, project and theme leaders working with the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) were invited to tell stories about the ‘most significant change’ they had observed as a result of CPWF activity. 54 stories were collected in Round 1, and 15 in Round 2. A selection of 44 stories are presented here.<br/><br/>Many of the stories are grouped under 5 themes:-<br/><br/><ul> <li>Theme 1 Crop Water Productivity Improvement</li> <li>Theme 2 Water and People in Catchments</li> <li>Theme 3 Aquatic Ecosystem and Fisheries</li> <li>Theme 4 Integrated Basin Water Management System</li> <li>Theme 5: The Global and National Food and Water System</li> </ul><br/>The remaining stories are listed under Basin Focal Projects or the Small Grants Program.

Research and Policy Memo #3

Groups of 0+ Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts were transferred to duplicate seawater tanks, and subjected to five different ration levels, 0% (starved), 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% (full fed). Waste feed was collected after each meal. After six weeks all groups were re-fed in excess. During the trial period body weight and length increased significantly in the 50, 75 and 100% groups, while no significant changes in body weight were observed in the 0% and 25% groups. A significant decrease in SGR was observed in the 0 and 25% groups during the first month in sea water. After re-feeding, SGR increased in all groups. All groups, except the previously starved group, showed peak SGR between weeks 6-8 and 8-12. Food restriction at 0% and 25% of full ration for a period of six weeks resulted in significant osmotic disturbances. After six weeks in sea water, plasma Cl⁻ levels were higher in the 0% group than in the other groups. Branchial Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity increased in all groups following exposure to seawater. Re-feeding caused a transient increase in branchial Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity after two weeks in the previously starved group, with a concurrent reduction in plasma Cl⁻ levels. Previous exposure to different ration levels significantly influenced growth rate and mean body size. Compensatory growth and partial size compensation was seen in the 0, 25 and 50% feed deprivation groups, whereas full size compensation was found in the 75% group.