CABI News

CABI News

issue 1 / May 2007

welcome to CABI News
This is the first edition of CABI News, designed to keep our customers, stakeholders and member countries informed about our latest news and activities. This newsletter complements information found on our new website, www.cabi.org, which we launched earlier this year. Find out more about what's available on the new website >>>

interview - getting to know Dennis Rangi
	Dennis Rangi has just been appointed CABI’s new Executive Director for International Development, where he is responsible for overseeing our agricultural and environmental projects around the world. He kindly agreed to take a moment away from his busy schedule to give us some insights into his life and his work with CABI. Find out what Dennis had to say >>>

the smell of success: better coffee, better lives

As part of a project funded by the Common Fund for Commodities, the International Coffee Organisation, and Illycafé S.P.A., CABI has been working with smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and Rwanda to test new and better ways of processing coffee. Proof of their success was recently provided at the 2007 African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition in Addis Ababa, when coffee produced by the project won a prize at the meeting’s “Africa Taste of Harvest” competition. >>>

training farmers to grow off-season's vegetables in the Punjab

In Pakistan, CABI is working with the Government of the Punjab’s Agricultural Extension Department to boost small-scale farmers’ incomes by encouraging sustainable fruit and vegetable production. By establishing Farmer Field Schools and training local Extension Department staff to act as facilitators, the project aims to help farmers produce more high-quality fruits and vegetables that can be sold internationally, as well as locally and nationally. >>>

interview - Donald Broom, author of Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Donald Broom, the world’s first professor of animal welfare, very kindly agreed to share his thoughts with us about the fourth edition of his book Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare shortly to be published by CABI. Find out what Donald told us >>>

biocontrol fights weeds in North America

Many plants that don’t cause particular problems in their natural environment become aggressive, fast-spreading weeds if transferred to a new area. Controlling these invasive species isn’t easy, and people are often forced to rely on environmentally damaging chemical sprays. However, these aren’t the only options. CABI’s Centre in Switzerland has been researching and identifying biological controls for a range of pests since it opened in 1947. Find out more >>>

using the internet to grow better crops in Sri Lanka
Improving agriculture in Sri Lanka could greatly reduce hunger and poverty. CABI has therefore been working with the Sri Lankan NGO Sarvodaya to improve rural communities’ access to much-needed information about better farming practices through a network of Telecentres. Find out more about this innovative work >>>