This book with 33 chapters divided into five parts is a compendium of selected papers from the conference that can be broadly categorized as land and water management, fisheries and aquaculture and rice-based agriculture systems. Intensification of aquaculture and rice-based agriculture frequently produces negative effects that range from environmental degradation to social conflict; managing these impacts in a sustainable manner is imperative to protect the social and ecological foundations of tropical deltaic systems. New approaches to the intensification and diversification of rice-based production systems are presented in this book, which could impact positively on the livelihoods of millions who inhabit the deltaic areas of South, South East and East Asia if implemented on a large scale. More importantly, these innovations could begin to reverse man's current exploitive behaviour and ensure the preservation of critical ecosystems. A significant section of the compendium is devoted to the intensification of marine shrimp aquaculture production. Negative impacts associated with shrimp production are well recognized, and several innovative approaches to waste management are presented. Further critical questions are raised over the introduction of exotic shrimp species and the long-term impact this could have on native species, which suggests a cautionary approach to future development. A clear consensus emerged from the conference that highlighted the importance of social mobilization and the role of communities in decision making.

A barragem subterrânea é uma técnica de captação de água de chuva que tem contribuído efetivamente com a democratização do acesso à água para a agricultura familiar, em áreas dependentes de chuva, no Nordeste brasileiro. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo mostrar as experiências de duas famílias agricultoras com barragem subterrânea, na região do Sertão do Araripe, no Estado de Pernambuco, visando a estimular a multiplicação desta tecnologia no meio rural do semiárido. Foi realizado um monitoramento em duas propriedades, no município de Ouricuri, PE, no agrícola novembro/2006 - maio/2007, onde se acompanhou as características físicas e químicas do solo; as culturas plantadas; e o manejo dos respectivos agroecossistemas. Para se obter informações gerais sobre as propriedades e as famílias, foi elaborado e aplicado um questionário. As experiências das duas famílias demonstraram que a barragem subterrânea tem transformado um quadro de adversidade em múltiplas potencialidades; é, sem dúvida, uma das alternativas que em conjunto com outras tecnologias de captação de água, vem viabilizando a produção de água para obtenção de alimentos, o que tem resultado na valorização da cidadania, consequentemente na qualidade de vida das famílias.

In this study different concentration of ascorbic acid was used as antioxidant(0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4%) from the oil weight percentage in food model system. Water content 5,10,20,30% from the dry base. Sample were kept in transparent plastic bags exposed to normal light in room temperature from march till June. The bags were completely sealed in order to restrict oxygen absorbing .Pv value was used as a criteria for autoxidation progress at storage period . Results showed that the oxidation was suppressed in the system low moisture (5%) at beginning weeks. The process was enhanced in system with high water content and ascorbic acid concentration (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4%).After one month of storage all samples unaffected in all percentage used.

The gasification of some selected components of food wastes using H₂O₂ as the oxidant and in the presence of NaOH has been investigated under subcritical water conditions. Hydrogen production was enhanced when both NaOH and H₂O₂ were used compared to when either NaOH or H₂O₂ alone was used or in their absence. Results indicated that the H₂O₂ acted to partially oxidize the samples while NaOH significantly increased hydrogen gas yields by promoting the water-gas shift reaction with subsequent CO₂ capture. In the presence of NaOH, the main components were Na₂CO₃, CH₃COONa and CH₃COONa·3H₂O. Char and tar production were suppressed in the presence of NaOH.

Most food globally is produced from soil moisture that comes exclusively from precipitation, or “green” water. Moreover, most of the water reaching plants in irrigated systems also stems from precipitation. Despite this, irrigation or “blue” water has typically been the focus for policy analysis in the past, given the possibility for human manipulation of these resources. 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). Recently developed future scenarios for the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) and other work are assessed with this adjusted green/blue water accounting framework. Accounting explicitly for green water resources broadens the scope of options for decision-makers trying to improve agricultural production in the face of rising food and energy prices and a degrading water and land resource base in the face of increasing demands. Results highlight the importance of green/blue water accounting presenting a wider range of agricultural science and technology policy options for increasing global crop productivity across a span of potential futures.

Co-digestion of press water from organic municipal wastes and of homogenized food residues with defibered kitchen wastes (food waste) as the main substrate was examined to improve biogas production. Although the biowaste digester was operated already at high organic loading (OLR) of 12.3kgCODm⁻³ d⁻¹ during the week, addition of co-substrates not only increased biogas production rates but also improved total biogas production. By feeding the two co-substrates up to 20kgCODm⁻³ d⁻¹ gas production followed the increasing OLR linearly. When the OLR was further increased with food waste, not more gas than for 20kgCODm⁻³ d⁻¹ OLR was obtained, indicating the maximum metabolic capabilities of the microbes. During weekends (no biowaste available) food waste could substitute for biowaste to maintain biogas production. Addition of press water or food waste to biowaste co-digestion resulted in more buffer capacity, allowing very high loadings without pH control.

PR | IFPRI3; ISI | EPTD