International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences
IAAS World Volume 1, Issue 1 Winter 2006
Agricultural Innovation
PLANTS TO BE MILKED COCONUT OIL & AIDS IN INDONESIA
A NEW AGRICULTURE/ UNA NUEVA AGRICULTURA
Editor’s Note: I would like to thank the readers for the opportunity to work on this magazine, which touches so many agricultural students throughout the world. IAAS is an amazing organization to work with and I look forward to the following edition. Be looking for the next edition in the spring, which will feature IAAS’s 50th Anniversary! The magazine has been a great learning experience for me. I enjoyed reading all the articles in preparation for the magazine. There are wonderful things happening throughout the world in IAAS and this magazine is proof!
NEW LOGO During the WoCo 2006 in Malaysia, the newlyelected EC came up with a renovated look for IAAS. The new logo featurs a globe and wheat with “softened” edges. The font was also updated. This new logo is a great addition to carry IAAS into its next 50 years.
Thanks to our sponsors! Additional thanks to the EC who were always available for feedback. My most sincere gratitude to Andrea Bohn, at the University of Illinois, who has given me much support through this IAAS trip. Please email me with corrections or comments.
Loyally,
Kate Legge editor@iaasworld.com
Note: The views, opinions, and findings expressed in this magazine are not specifically endorsed by the EC, sponsors, donors, or editor and are full responsibility of the article authors.
IAAS T-Shirts for Sale!
Full Copyright 2006/Reproductions prohibited.
Some of you may not have seen the new IAAS t-shirts that are available in black. They state, “We’re all over the world,” on the front with the new IAAS logo on the back. Contact your National Director or EC member to see how you can buy one. They make great gifts for friends and alumni!
24 A New Agriculture
22 Coconut Oil & AIDS
12 INRA-ENSAIA
Plants to Be Milked
What’s Inside: page
7, 10 14 14 16 28 6, 27 18-19 29
Sponsors including GAFTA, Monsanto, and the Catholic University at Leuven Changes to the Expro Guide and Structure World Congress 2007 Information the Cover: Innovation Chair Seminar in Finland On Many pictures were turned in for the cover, but the best picture illustrating agricultural innovation Innovation in Uganda was submitted by Olga from the IAAS-Ukraine Smiles committee. The picture shows her and four IAAS friends walking through the Borodyanka village World view of IAAS on their way to sky dive for the first time. Olga is wearing the shirt with a British flag. This picture Rustle the Leaf Cartoon not only shows excitement, but it illustrates how IAAS is evolving, right along with the agricultural technology.
Finding information about IAAS, the
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURE AND RELATED SCIENCES, is simple! The website is updated regularly with information about upcoming activities and programs, contains information about our sponsors and partners, and has contact information for every committee! IAAS has hundreds activities around the world each year.
IAAS activities include the Annual Congress, Regional Director’s meetings, Subregional meetings, Exchange Programs, seminars and conferences, Village Concept Projects, working camps, exchange weeks, and more.
Visit today to find out more about the largest agricultural student group in the world!
www.iaasworld.org Recent Changes to the EC Structure by Matjaž Turinek The Executive Committee (EC) of IAAS has gone through some substantial changes at this years World Congress (WoCo). The first one is the number of officers or members that compose the EC and also their tasks. While retaining the president, the vice president position was extended to two positions – to the vice president of finances and vice president of partnership. The secretary general’s position was canceled and divided into two positions as well. Now there are the vice president of exchange and vice president of communication. These changes were urgently needed in the face of the difficulties our predecessors were facing in the last two years. With this division of tasks we hope to work better and more efficient. The other big change is the fact that the Headquarters (HQ) in Leuven were temporarily dissolved. We
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still keep the office, which is going to be run be the local committee there. This year we also have the luck that our VP of Communication and VP of Exchanges both reside in Leuven and thus can work in the office and be of assistance to the other members of the EC. In general the members of the new EC live in their home countries and stay in touch over the internet, where we have regular online meetings. The communication is done also through new email addresses, which are as follows: President president@iaasworld.org Vice President of Finances vpfinance@iaasworld.org Vice President of Partnership vppartnership@iaasworld.org
Vice President of Exchange vpexchange@iaasworld.org Vice President of Communication vpcommunication@iaasworld.org So in the case you need to contact any of us, please feel free to do so through these new email addresses. Staying in touch and more or less updated on what’s going on in the IAAS community is of course a challenge when we are further away from each other, but with the help of modern technology we are mastering this challenge in quite a good way. There is a lot to be done this year and we already managed to do some of the planned changes. You can see some on our website www.iaasworld.org. We will try to update it regularly, since it is one of the ways to keep in touch with all of our members – with all of you! Page 4
MATJAŽ TURINEK, President — From Maribor, Slovenia — Studies organic agriculture at University of Maribor — Fondly remembers the AgroSOS seminar in Cuba and the EDM in Macedonia
RACHAEL COX, VP Finances — From the United States — Studies Agroecology and Agronomy at the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa — Loves stir fry vegetables
ALICJA RONISZ, VP Communication — From Poland — Studies animal science at Warsaw Agricultural University in Poland — Loves ferrets as pets
WOUTER GEURTS, VP Exchange — from Belgium — studies material engineering at KU Leuven — loves the train ride from Belgrade to Zagreb to Vienna Julia Köehler, VP Partnership — from Germany — studies Agriculture Economics at the University of Bonn, Germany — remembers best Turtle Bay “eye candy” from WoCo in Malaysia
ExPro - Announcement! IAAS is looking for Archimedes Pioneering Committees, that want to start to find internships in companies and organizations. Do you have a team of volunteers in your local/national committee that is willing to really contribute to the set up of Archimedes and to the creation of new opportunities for our students worldwide? Or you feel this is a good idea, but you are more Ceres-oriented? In both cases, please let us know, just by sending a mail to vpexchange@iaasworld.org so that we can have a talk with you and bring you in close contact with our Exchange Quality Board‌
Pictures from World Congress Hosted by IAAS-Denmark, in Malaysia from 16 July — 6 August 2006
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IAAS World
K AT H O L I E K E
UNIVERSITEIT
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences www.aces.uiuc.edu/studyabroad Volume 1, Issue 1
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From GA in Malaysia to EDM - GA in Poland
W
hen we first heard that in 2006 IAAS World Congress “Sustainable Development— Environmental Protection and Agricultural Innovation” is hosted in Malaysia, we didn’t think, we would be able to take part in that event. It was unreal, like a dream. Participation fees and travel costs were too high for Polish students. We looked for sponsors. Unfortunately the companies which we had asked for support from refused one after another. The European Grant, which was supposed to pay for two airfare tickets, wasn’t granted. We were losing hope, because our attendance was more and more uncertain. The odds were that nobody would represent Poland. First light inside the tunnel appeared when Professor Krystyna Gutkowska, Pro-Rector of Warsaw Agricultural University helped us, followed by Professor Andrzej Chochowski, Dean of Faculty Production Engineering. A large contribution was also made by Mr. Eugeniusz Sawicki – Ambassador of Republic of Poland in Malaysia and Mrs. Datuk
Raziah Mahmud-Geneid – Honorary Consul of Republic of Poland. Our delegation was made up of Marcin Adamczyk (IAAS
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North Western European Regional Director), Michal Przyborski (IAAS Polska National Director), Magdalena Dzięgielewska, and Elzbieta Niemotko. The delegation was also supported by private companies, such as the DLG Polska (www.dlg.com.pl) and ZCH Police (www.zchpolice.com). These companies have become the Partners of IAAS Polska, but not only for IAAS World Congress. Thanks to their involvement, the Polish delegation has gained first hand knowledge about sustainable development in agricul-
tions, laboratories and industrial waste treatments demonstrated how the theory works in practice. In addition, rainforest trekking was an incredible adventure for all of us. United with nature for few days enabled us to understand more environmental protection than many university lectures could have. Thanks to IAAS – Denmark Organizing Committee, who prepared the World Congress Malaysia 2006, IAAS Polska delegates have plenty of amazing memories and had been given an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. This meeting helped to refresh contacts and to gain new ones. Next time we will meet all together at European Directors Meeting, which is place in Poland from 28th December 2006 to 4th January 2007.
EDM
tural sector, environmental protection and agricultural innovation. Taking part in seminars and lectures in Malaysia was great chance to know the attitude of sustainable development in Asia. Field trips to manufacturing plants, palm, vegetables and fruits planta-
The IAAS European Directors Meeting [EDM] is a traditional annual meeting of International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences [IAAS]. It is held always in the middle term of IAAS World Executive Board. During this time, all European committees can review mid-term situations in the organization, discuss progress in
IAAS World
fulfilling our goals set at General Assembly (July/August), and present their current and future activities. It is also a great opportunity to meet people from the IAAS world and establish long lasting contacts. To make the EDM more valuable and fruitful, delegates can take part in seminars, discussions and workshops relevant to the topic of the meeting. The topic of this year event is "Corporate Social Responsibility: Sharing the Wealth: Corporations Making a Global Impact". This year patronage of EDM has been taken by: Professor Tomasz Borecki, Rector of Warsaw Agricultural University; and by the Responsible Business Forum - the first nongovernmental organization in Poland, which provides an in-depth focus on the concept of “corporate social responsibility.” The Forum's mission is to make the idea of responsible business widespread as a standard in
Poland. This is to increase companies' competitiveness, and to satisfy society and to protect natural environment. The IAAS Polska – SGGW
Enjoying the University Fair
Warszawa Committee, as a member of the Responsible Business League actively cooperates with the Responsible Business Forum. The League associates scientific circles and students organizations from many cities in Poland. The Polish IAAS committee in collaboration with the Responsible Business Forum and the Responsible Business League prepared workshops, discussions and
debates with experts. Thanks to these people we can promote the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility. We want to spread the idea that responsibility in business is not only towards charity, but also a manner in which company treats its stakeholders, such as clients, business partners, employees and the local community including natural environment. This year we will have an exceptional General Assembly during EDM in Poland. The changes in the IAAS Constitution and Bylaws that have been made at the GA in Malaysia should be now approved be notary. More than 100 students from Poland and abroad will take part in European Directors Meeting and General Assembly in Poland. On behalf of Organizing Committee we are excited to host this great event!
More information about this event you can gain at www.iaasworld.org and via iaas@tlen.pl. Marcin Adamczyk, President - Organising Committee Magda Dziegielewska, Vice – President Content.
Tours in Malaysia Volume 1, Issue 1
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IAAS-St. Petersburg Local Committee IAAS-St. Petersburg was organized by Alexandra Razzhivina (1st director) in December 2003. The first meeting was held on the 27th of December, with a holiday mood. Since that day many things have changed: the number has changed as many people have already graduated. Several activities were organized by IAAS-Russia and by the Local Committee itself, for example the Regional Meeting in October 2004, Ex-week with Serbia in April-November 2004, and many Summer Schools for international students and young specialists each summer. From the 22nd to the 27th of October 2006 there was a Regional Meeting of the North-Eastern
European Region with a great amount of participants – about 30 people. It became a nice tradition, since the Committee of Finland first realized it, to invite people from different committees to participate in the Regional Meetings. It brings many fresh ideas. People, who belong to committees of different regions, may change their experience and participate in something unusual for their region. So at time of print in October we expect following countries to participate in RM: Belgium, Belarus, Finland, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine. It’s going to be an exciting Meeting!
Grain And Feed Trade Association Page 10
And IAAS people are very much welcome to our Summer Schools in summer!!! We are always glad to meet our IAAS colleagues on our summer activities!
Warmest wishes, Lyubov Lapatina LD of IAAS-St. Petersburg RD of North-Eastern European Region
www.gafta.com IAAS World
EXCHANGE
WEEK
An exchange week is one of the greatest opportunities given by IAAS to go abroad and to learn about the culture, the history, the food habits or the agriculture of a foreign country. For all these reasons our French committee of Nancy wishes to organize an exchange week. Furthermore in France we can usually almost stay three years in the association (the period that we are in the engineering school) ; so we really want to enjoy our IAAS membership as much as possible. Hungary was looking for an exchange partner too, and so we started our cooperation. From the 10th to the 17th of September 2006 some members of our committee of Nancy (actually the only one in France) went to Hungary. The Bulgarian committee was invited too ; so we were about twenty persons from the three countries together in Hungary. The topic of this week was “The Bridge Between East and West”. We landed in Budapest, but
HUNGARY-FRANCE-BULGARIA
instead of visiting the capital we stayed in Mosonmagyarovar, a small town in the western part of Hungary. We stayed all the week in a student hotel (except one night, when we went to the lake Balaton). During the week we had some lectures. The first lecture was about the environmental impact on the bees' pollinating. Then we had a presentation of a university next to the wonderful Balaton lake. This institute dealt with water chemistry and studied mostly the fauna, the flora and the water quality of the lake. The last lecture explained the agricultural differences (based mostly on economical and political points) between the Eastern, particularly Hungary, and the Western countries. There were lots of visits during the week. We went to the lake Ferto, which is one-third in Hungary and two-thirds in Austria, and the lake Balaton, about eightyfive kilometers long. We also saw some beautiful churches (one was built in the twelfth century!), a castle, an old village museum, and
some little towns. We had two very interesting wine tastings, since Hungary is a quite important wine country. We had also the opportunity to do some sport activities in the week.
We were never bored during the evening either. We went to some parties or drank a beer in a pub. These moments were very interesting too, since we could exchange a lot with the other IAAS members, and so see the differences between our countries. We were able to learn about the food habits, the school system, the weather, the agriculture, and the hobbies of other people. Finally this exchange week was really great. We visited some nice places, had interesting lectures and evenings too, but also time to relax and to discuss. The second part of this exchange partnership will probably take place in April 2007 in France. We hope to make a great program, so that the second week is as nice as the one in Hungary.
Litt Matthieu Bouchez Grégoire Volume 1, Issue 1
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PLANTS
TO
BE MILKED
by Aurélie Cohen-Skali, IAAS France Many molecules of vegetal origin are used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. But the active ingredients, like the anti-cancer substances, are sometimes difficult to synthesize chemically, and their natural production remains weak. In Nancy, researchers of the mixed unit of research "Agronomy and environment" INPL* (ENSAIA**)-INRA, developed an innovating, simple and economic technology, allowing to cultivate plants on liquid medium and to excrete the molecules of interest by the roots. The treatments being nondestructive, the plants remain available for successive "drafts". After eight years of research, this technology was patented by the INRA and the INPL on a world level. This led to the creation of a company called Plant Advanced Technologies SAS. *INPL Institut National Polytechnique of Lorraine ** ENSAIA Higher National school of Agronomy and Food Industries
A Simple, Innovative Process The technology developed by the researchers of Nancy consists in cultivating plants in liquid medium, and excreting certain bio-active molecules in the nutritive medium by the roots thanks to various INRAphysical, Figure 1 : The molecules with chemical high added value are excreted or bioby the roots. l o g i c a l treatments (Figure 1). This method of harvest is nondestructive for the plant and makes it possible to repeat cycles of production in time, by successive "drafts". The molecules with high added value are recovered starting from the nutritive medium by applying conventional methods of trapping, separation and purification. The level of purification of the molecules can be adapted according to the needs for marketing (concentrate, purified molecules). This technology constitutes a process of production of first choice for substances of vegetal origin which are difficult to synthesize chemically, and result from wild plants
which can not be cultivated in full field. This new process, by preserving the vegetal resource and by improving the outputs, will make it possible to use rare or protected plants within the agreements from protection of biodiversity (Convention of Rio, 1992). Produced substances The process of “milking plants” was set up and validated with Datura innoxia, a tropical plant which produces alkaloids tropanic of pharmaceutical interest (hyoscyamine and scopolamine). Such a system also makes it possible to produce taxol, an anti-cancer substance, from Taxus baccata. One gram is approximately the quantity necessary to the treatment of a patient during one year and currently requires the demolition of three 150-yearold trees. It still allows
the production of furocoumarines, which are used in the treatment of the psoriasis and certain cancers from the Ruta graveolens, a Mediterranean plant. It is also applicable for the production of shikonine (cosmetic dye) resulting from Lithospermum erythrorhizon (Chinese plant), and for the production of flavonoïdes. An alternative to the in vitro culture This developed process is an intermediate between the in-vitro culture as a bioreactor and the field. Under the conditions of in vitro culture as a bioreactor, the
Figure 2 : The process of Plants to be milked. Page 12
IAAS World
growth of the cells is slow, the production of the molecules is weak, and the need for maintaining the cultures in sterile conditions generates constraints of handling and important costs. Moreover, to extract the molecules of interest, it is necessary to destroy the vegetal biomass. By opposition, the process of “milking plants” (Figure 2) is simple and does not need sterile conditions. It thus has important advantages in terms of productivity and cost price. It is also an alternative to the production by extraction of the vegetable biomass in the open air. Thanks to the exploitation of the INRA-INPL patent, the company "Seedling Advanced Technologies SAS" was created on July 1st, 2005 in Nancy. Its objective is to quickly de-
velop productions of molecules of pharmaceutical and cosmetic use starting from the technology just covered.
The technology of the “plants to be milked” was awarded four prizes this year: —prize winner of the contest of company of the Ministry for Research (creation category), —prize winner of the contest Plug and Start (Area Champagne), —prize winner of the contest Springboard-Companies 2005 of the Senate, —prize winner of the contest To Undertake in Lorraine.
For questions regarding this new technology, contact: Scientific: Frederic BOURGAUD 03 83 59 58 37 Frederic.Bourgaud@ensaia.inplnancy.fr
(Continued from page 21)
existence. Part of the territory they occupy has been set aside as parkland, therefore gorillas are strictly protected theoretically. But in fact they are being pushed into eversmaller ranges, chiefly by
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Scientific: Eric GONTIER 03 83 59 57 81 Eric.Gontier@ensaia.inpl-nancy.fr
poachers and Batutsi herdsmen. Unless a better-planned and more-determined effort is made to save the mountain gorilla, it is doomed to extinction within the next two or three decades. This is why gorillas are now considered to be an endangered species. The mountain gorilla, in particular, has become very rare. They are also susceptible to human diseases; in 2003 the World Con-
Seedling Advanced Technologies Sas: Jean-Paul FEVRE 03 83 68 52 70 contact@patsas.com
servation Union (IUCN) warned that the Ebola virus may have killed thousands of apes in recent years. In Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where about 80% of gorillas are found, numbers have halved over the past 20 years. I It is feared that gorillas they may face extinction within a decade unless farreaching measures are taken.
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New EXPRO changes are coming your way! STEP BY STEP MOVING TOWARDS IMPROVED QUALITY Written by Wouter Geurts, Vice President of Exchanges IAAS Expro is heading for its biggest facelift in years… During the GA in Malaysia, a profound debate took place on how the quality and the reliability of the Exchange Program (Expro) can be improved. This is not the first time it happened in IAAS, we are aware of that. However, this time we are prepared for it and we were able to take more structural measures. Soon, our ways of organizing Expro will change, both on the local as the international level. A new integrated Expro-management system has been presented and approved during the last GA. The ‘start’-sign will be given on 1st of January 2007 after sending out the Expro-Guide. The Expro-Guide is a little booklet that will be our most important tool to explain to students, coordinators and companies or farmers how to undertake action in the new system. Discussion &
Promotion of the new
approval on the GA July 2006
Introduction to the debate What motivates an Exchange Coordinator (ExCo) to go on the road every time to search for internship places? What keeps him/her on going? Actually, in many cases we see that he/she is just motivated to search for possibilities to contribute to the association, and he/she is happy if the incoming/outgoing students have a wonderful experience. Organizing a successful traineeship depends on the dynamism and the reliability of our international network. Our mem-
The IAAS World Congress will take place from the 20th of July to the 8th of August 2007. About 120 students from all over the world are expected to participate. The World Congress consists of the General Assembly of IAAS and a two week seminar on "Food Security and Food Quality – the Challenge is Ours!". The first part of the event takes place in Germany, the second one in Switzerland.
general strategy in IAAS on all levels
bers on the local level make the difference! We want them to see their initiatives flourish, and all the new changes mainly focus on that. When we organize Expro with IAAS, we want all our stakeholders to be well-informed. We want to give them the feeling that IAAS is there for them, but also to be proactive to make their own internship to a success. A booklet is not enough… The Exchange Quality Board (EQB) Since last congress, a permanent group (EQB) works on the quality improvement
Applying new general strategy (01/1/ 2007)
of the IAAS Exchange Program. With the EQB we will support our exchange coordinators, help them out with problems on the local level and take arbitrary decisions to solve issues. Every year, EQB will consist of a mix of experienced and less experienced people, in order to increase continuity in IAAS. This year, the 5 EQB – members are: Nora Neumann (Austria), Jelena Jesic (Serbia), Michal Przyborski (Poland), Sasha (Russia) and myself. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Contact IAAS Switzerland Universitätsstr. 2 8057 Zürich +41 (44) 632 42 85 coordinator-ch@iaas-woco2007.org IAAS Germany Katzenburgweg 9 53115 Bonn coordinator-de@iaas-woco2007.org
www.iaas-woco2007.org Page 14
IAAS World
►Timing: At 1st of February 2007, we will finish an initial period in which we give people the time to adapt to the new procedures. Starting from 1/1/2007 they will become the new standard procedure in IAAS.
Summary of the new procedures: The most important changes involved, are (1) the introduction of a real student contract, (2) student acceptance of a detailed internship offer before matching. Also, (3) exchange policies and quality standards have been introduced and approved on the GA. They apply on all the stakeholders of the IAAS Exchange program and are published in the Expro Guide. This guide will be mandatory for all outgoing students to read. How are we going to divide the work? In future, Sending exchange coordinators will have to support their receiving colleagues more. Also, the outgoing students will be more actively involved in preparing their internship, in order to keep the extra workload for Exco’s to a minimum.
Receiving ExCo
Sending ExCo
1) Conditional application for the program the student contract (starting from 1/1/2007) Students are motivated to go abroad and can undertake a lot of things to prepare their own placement. In order to prepare their ‘access’ our exchange system, we ask them to read the Expro-Guide and to provide their sending ExCo with all the documents needed to prove the correctness of their statements on the application form. Upon application, the sending ExCo invited for a small ‘contact-interview’ by his. Only objective criteria will be used, and upon selection a contract will be signed.
2) The Acceptance Note If we expect more efforts from sending ExCos we will ask the receiving ExCos as well to do some efforts: i.e. to respond quickly (at least within 18 days). Applicants of course want to know what happens with their application. Keeping them waiting for an answer is quite frustrating for them and for receiving Excos in case they found another opportunity in the meanwhile. If a place is available for them, then they need to know more or less what will be the conditions. This information will be provided towards the student by means of an ‘offer’ (containing details about accommodation, type of work,…). When the student finds this offer acceptable, he should give a note of acceptance, before he can get placed for the internship.
3) Exchange Policies and Quality Standards Please look in our expro guide to learn more about these new guidelines! They are written for ALL stakeholders. If there is a problem between expro-stakeholders, the EQB can be contacted and will use the exchange policies and quality standards as a reference to evaluate the situation and take a decision.
Questions? We hope that everything will become more clear once you feel, touch and read the Expro Guide… Guide
Want to learn more about it? Find the online version of the Expro Guide on our webpage, updated 22/12/2006. Visit www.iaasworld.org (under ‘about us’ and ‘downloads’ ). We also invite you to our forum/support site on http://iaasexpro.ia.funpic.de/e107/news.php Volume 1, Issue 1
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"Innovation Chain in Agrifood Business" Seminar — April 2007 Helsinki, Finland What does the country Finland bring to people's minds? Nokia, Lordi, exotic nature, sauna, Santa Claus, cold winters. .. We are known as the country of one hundred thousand lakes, but did you also know that we are the northernmost country in the whole world where agriculture is carried on professionally? Or that the food research in Finland is on the cutting edge on research worldwide? How about Finnish functional foods? In all aforementioned cases innovation has been a key to effective results. Sometimes innovations can be discovered by accident, but more often as a result of years of hard work. In our seminar, we want our participants to learn about the role of innovation in agrifood business - innovation is also a key to sustainable development in a world where population growth constantly increases and the need for alternative, renewable energy sources is significant. And of course we want our participants to discover our beautiful country! new product and bringing it to the market. Two cases The case Fuels and Fibers We have divided our will give our participants a view seminar into two cases: 1) on how it is possible to innovafunctional foods 2) fuels and tively utilize the materials of agrifibers. These two cultural and forcases will help estry industries. our participants Such themes as in forming a bio-fuels and nonview on the infood products will novation chain in be highlighted. agrifoodAs a new part of businesses. IAAS-activities, Functional we want to offer foods gives us our participants examples of Finthe possibility of nish innovations getting a credit of in the field and attending the basic informaseminar. What tion on the procthis basically ess of patenting a Page 16
means is that the participants who want to get credit should write a learning diary during the seminar or give a presentation on his/hers home country’s innovation in the agrifood business. More info about this will be given later on. At the seminar there will also be a presentation of our faculty's English Master's Programs. On a campus tour you will get to see a glance of what studying in Finland is like - we will take you to our campus' greenhouses, DNA laboratories and research barn.
Parties and sightseeing! Besides the official program, we have prepared a great amount of activities. Our participants will see the most famous atIAAS World
THE O.C.(at the moment - but more people will be involved) From left: Laura (Head of the O.C.), Jenni, Anu and Veera and Pete in the small picture.
Pre-seminar
tractions in Helsinki on a sightseeing-tour with our own IAAStram! After the closing of the seminar on Saturday 21st, we will spend the afternoon in the biggest water park in the Nordic Countries. This place, called Serena, is like a paradise for anyone who likes to have fun in the water--or just relax in the jacuzzis.
We also want to give you a taste of traditional Finnish food so as one of the evening activities we have a dinner at a Finnish restaurant. And let's not forget that we will get an introduction to all our participants' cultures on Trade Fair! Not to mention all the other parties!
The seminar will begin with a voluntary two-day pre-seminar--the main point is to get to know each other better and give our participants a chance to experience Finland before the official program begins. On the pre-seminar we will take a hike in a beautiful national park and camp in the woods; either in a tent or indoors--the choice is yours! You will also be able to challenge yourself by climbing down a rock or taking a swim in a forest pond after sweating in a traditional Finnish smoke sauna!
WELCOME TO FINLAND! What? Where? When? Why?
Seminar : Innovation Chain in Agrifood Business Helsinki, Finland Preseminar: 15-17 April 2007; Seminar: 17-22 April 2007 To increase the knowledge of the role of innovativeness in agrifood business. You also have the possibility of getting a credit of attending the seminar! The participation fee for the seminar is 50â‚Ź and pre-seminar 20â‚Ź Cost? More info? Contact the head of the OC (laura.kihlstrom@helsinki.fi) or iaas-finland@helsinki.fi PLUS STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO ON IAAS' MAILING LIST! Volume 1, Issue 1
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IAAS NATIONAL COMMITTEES
AMERICAS Guatemala Mexico U.S.A.
EUROPE Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece
Hungary Italy Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Poland Russia Serbia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine
“We’re All Over the World!”
ASIA AFRICA Benin Ghana Kenya Nigeria Rwanda Togo Uganda
Georgia India Indonesia Malaysia Nepal Sri Lanka Tajikistan Thailand Uzbekistan
ON EXCURSION THROUGH "SOFIYIVKA" by Olga Khaliukova, IAAS—Ukraine
I
small architectural form is not only beautiful; it also expresses the idea n April 2006, the head of- of a legend or an event. All of this fice of IAAS—Ukraine had is well thought out and intercona meeting with representa- nected, which smoothly blends tives of LC from Uman State Agricul- into a symphony of beauty. tural Academy. After the meeting It is impossible to describe was completed we went to visit the every element of the park’s commuseum of nature: the beautiful park positions, so I will share with you “Sofiyivka”. information about only one of the I would like to tell you a cou- most beautiful part of the park, ple words about that fantastic walk. that place called “Diana’s grotto.” In V.Allan's picture (1815) First of all, with great pride I would like to say that the den- it is called "the well grotto”. The drological park "Sofiyivka" of entrance is shut due to hygienic reaUkraine's National Academy of sons. Every day 280 cubic meters of Science is well-known far away water come to the city and now to from the borders of Ukraine. It is the source "The Iron Pipe" from the grotto. The grotto was one of the most fabuilt on the foot of a mous masterpieces stony chine in 1796-1800. of the world gardening landscapes at the “It is one of Its walls were carved in the rock and made of end of the 17 th to the the most large granite slabs. As beginning of the 19th famous Ivaschenko stated in 1895, century. Sofiyivka stands at the same masterpieces there was a white marble of Diana there. The level with other examof the world statue statue was lit up with a ples of park construcgardening small lath of light coming tion of Europe, such as Balbi Garden in landscapes…” through the hatch of the grotto. Diana's reflection Florence (Italy), Sanin the water of a small recSusi Park in Potsdam tangular pool carved in the (Germany) and Versailles (France). This famous park is center of the grotto was seen as in situated in the town of Uman, in the mirror; it explains the origin of the Cherkasy region of the the name - Diana's Mirror. The source which nourishes Hippocrene's Ukraine. With every step you make in and Silver springs starts here. The first historians of SofiySofiyivka you find out something new. According to the architect’s ivka did not say anything about plan the park is an illustration to Diana's statue in the grotto. some parts of Homer’s epic poems T.Themery, referring to strikingly "Iliad" and "Odyssey”. Sofiyivka is clean and clear water in the grotto, famous for being built on a classical noted that S.Trembecki called this basis. Actually, Homer's "Odyssey" place Diana's Mirror. S.Groza, deis materialized in the objects of scribing the park, shared his imthe park. Every composition or a pressions how the branches of the Page 20
trees were beautifully reflected in the pool through the hole in the grotto (Groza, 1843). In a famous Alan's engraving, which was in S.Trembecki's French translation "Sofiyivka" (Trembecki, 1815), we can see a figure of a woman bending to the water in the pool, but there is no pedestal where statues are usually installed. Quite possible, it is not a statue of Diana. It could be a result of creative imagination of the creator who decorated the grotto with a picture of a beautiful young woman. The following interesting story was told to us by the park’s tour guide. Diana is a Roman goddess of vegetation, an embodiment of the moon. Diana has always been identified with the Artemis, because she was considered to be the goddess of hunting and a defender of wild animals. A beautiful and ever young Artemis was a virgin, and according to a legend she liked to have a rest in cool grottos, situated far away from peo-
IAAS World
ple. Once Acteon with his friends came to hunt where the goddess with her nymphs were enjoying themselves. Acteon noticed a nice grotto in a steep slope of the mountain and a clear stream. Peace, quietness and coolness reigned everywhere. Acteon came into the grotto and saw Artemis there; she gave her bow and arrows to one of the nymphs and was getting ready to bathe.
GORILLAS Gorillas belong to the family Pongidae. They are classified as Gorilla gorilla. The western lowland subspecies is classified as Gorilla gorilla gorilla, the eastern lowland subspecies as Gorilla gorilla graueri, and the mountain subspecies as Gorilla gorilla beringei. Gorillas, being mammals, are the largest and most powerful anthropoid ape. Gorillas inhabit the forests of equatorial Africa from the western lowlands near the Cameroon coast to an altitude of about 3,000 m (10,000 ft) in the central highlands of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Three geographically distinct types are recognized: the western lowland gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla, and the more densely coated mountain gorilla. The mountain gorilla's range is limited to a small area of lush wet forests in central Africa. Gorillas, contrary to legend, are shy and amiable creatures, usually living in groups of 5 to 15. A typical band includes a silverback, one or two subdominant males, several mature females, and young. Most of the young males are driven out at maturity and may form all-male groups or loosely attach themselves to other bands. A silver-
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Having noticed Acteon who was just entering the grotto, the nymphs gathered around the goddess; and Artemis got so angry that she turned him into a deer. Acteon tried to run away but he was caught and torn by the dogs, which always accompanied Artemis. Till now grotto keeps mysterious peace and quietness. We delighted our trip to Uman town in full. These happy smiling faces can only wish you health and possibility to come and admire beautiful
AFRICA
BY TEMITAYO (TEMMY) ILORI, IAAS NIGERIA
back defeated by a male challenger thereafter leads a solitary life. Each band roams within a territory that ranges up to 40 sq km (16 sq mi). Gorilla Dynamics A gorilla group centers around its silverback male [seen at the upper left of this gathering]. Because females leave their birth groups to join a male, they are rarely related to each other, eliminating the tie that is usually the strongest in a primate colony. It is instead the dominant male’s relationship with each member of his group that holds it together. During rest and play periods, females with young tend to stay closest to the silverback. In this way, their infants quickly get used to his protective behavior. Gorillas build makeshift camps each night after a day of foraging for the succulent plants, berries, and leaves that constitute their diet. At times the females and young sleep in trees on platforms made of small branches and leaves, while the older males nest on drier grass at the base of the tree. A hooting sound is uttered as an alarm or to signal any unusual event; when
it is used by the male leader, the entire group is instantly attentive. Other calls include sharp grunts for invoking discipline and low growls for expressing pleasure. All gorillas beat their chests; in the male this behavior may serve as a display of power or intimidation. The gorilla has no natural enemies, but the male leader will charge all intruders while the females and young flee to a safe distance. Intruders who run away may be chased and killed; however those who stand their ground are seldom harmed. Gorillas are the largest of the great apes. A mature male may be six feet tall and weigh 400 pounds or more; his enormous arms can span eight feet. The sexual cycle in the gorilla is the same as in the human being. The female menstruates about every 28 days and may mate in any season. Single or occasionally twin young are born after 9 months, are suckled for about a year, and mature at 11 to 12 years. Young gorillas ride on the backs of their mothers during the day. The maximum known lifespan is about 50 years. The mental capacity of the gorilla is still being explored. Not as curious or excitable as its nearest relative, the chimpanzee, the gorilla shows more persistence and memory retention in solving a problem and is more likely to perform a task out of interest than to earn a reward. It also discriminates between geometrical shapes more effectively. There are only a few thousand gorillas remaining, leading a precarious (Continued on page 13)
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Advantages of
VIRGIN COCONUT OIL AND
H
umans have their own mechanism to protect their body from stranger things from their environment: the immune system. This immune system always keeps each part of our body working normally. HIV is short term for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus infects the cells of the immune system--the very thing the body uses to fight against germs. HIV is most commonly spread by coming into direct contact with blood, semen or vaginal fluids during unprotected sex with an infected partner. HIV is also frequently spread among drug users by the sharing of needles or syringes contaminated by very small quantities of blood from someone infected with the virus. More persistent or severe symptoms may not appear for many years after HIV first enters the body in adults, or within two years in children born with HIV infection. This period of “asymptomatic” infection is highly individual. Some people may begin to have symptoms within a few months, while others may be symptom-free for 10 years or more. Even during the asymptomatic period, the virus is actively multiplying, infecting, and killing cells of the immune system. (American International AIDS Foundation, 2006) AIDS is short term for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
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and applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. AIDS itself includes all HIV-infected people who have fewer than 200 CD4 positive T cells per cubic millimeter of blood. Because of their low immunity, HIV-infected people easily to suffer from subsequent other diseases.
AIDS..
death, to some of the antiretroviral nucleoside analogs when used alone or in combination. The most common side effects associated with protease inhibitors include nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Because of this, we need natural drugs to treat AIDS. One example is the essence in virgin coconut oil (VCO).
We can treat HIV infection with several drugs. There are two Virgin coconut oil is now regroups of drugs used to treat HIV garded by medical experts worldinfection: reverse trancriptase (RT) wide as a powerful tool against inhibitor and dreaded viral disease protease insuch as AIDS. This is hibitor. Howjust one of the astoundever, HIV can ing facts revealed by one “Virgin coconut oil become resisof the well respected is now regarded by Filipino doctors Conrado tant to any of these drugs, Daynit M.D., father of medical experts therefore Health Secretary Manuel worldwide as a health care Dayrit, about the health powerful tool providers must benefits of the virgin against dreaded use a combinacoconut oil during the tion treatment viral disease such 53rd anniversary celebrato effectively tion of the Philippine Asas AIDS.” suppress the sociation for the Advirus. The antivancement of Science, retroviral Inc. drugs also have In a seminal study preside effects for some patients. The sented by Professor Conrado Dayrit RT inhibitor may cause a decrease on the use of MCFAs and in particuof red or white blood cells, espe- lar monolaurin as a cure for HIV/ cially when taken in the later stages AIDS, he concluded that initial triof disease. Some may also cause als confirm anecdotal reports that inflammation of the pancreas and coconut oil does have an antiviral painful nerve damage. There have effect and can beneficially reduce been reports of complication and the viral load of HIV patients. Furother severe reactions, including IAAS World
thermore, the study showed that the positive antiviral action was seen not only with monolaurin, but also with coconut oil itself and thus showed the effectiveness of the consumption of coconut oil in boosting the immune system of the body (Ennig and Fallon, 2003). This oil which is called laurifera was researched since 60th by Prof. Jon J. Kabara. “Several last researches showed that HIV can be suppressed by consuming virgin coconut oil,” said the leader of the center chemistry researches division in LIPI, Dr. Ir. Anny Sulaswatty (Prasetyo, 2004). Virgin coconut oil has high levels of medium chain triglycerides (MCT), or fatty acids, such as caprylic acid (C8), capric acid (C10), and lauric acid (C12). These MCTs have the unique physical characteristic that is more polar than long chain triglycerides (LCT). This makes it water soluble. Therefore during metabolism, MCT can enter the liver directly via vena portal and burned as energy. This means that MCT helps provide greater energy and isn’t saved in the body tissues as fat. MCT can increase the bloodstream, raising the metabolism of the body. Virgin coconut oil will keep the body fit. MCT is absorbed by the intestine more easily than LCT. It needs less energy and fewer enzymes for absorption than LCT metabolism. Hence, the metabolism of fat and vitamin become easier. Monoglycerides of short and medium chain fatty acid are contained in virgin coconut oil have been found to have strong antiviral, antibacterial, and protozoal properties. The essential fatty acids in
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coconut oil have been shown to be active in fighting Candida Albicans. C. Albicans can cause infections of varying levels in patients. It has emerged as a cause of death in patients with a compromised immune system such as an AIDS victim.
attack the virus from intracellular and extracellular ways. Slowly, the patient can reduce the antiretroviral usage and only consume VCO. Therefore the patient doesn’t have to worry about the side effects because VCO is natural.
Generally bacteria and viruses are protected by lipid membrane which combine organism DNA with other cellular materials. MCT will destroy the membrane with the fix-and-weaken method so that the membrane is opened and the fluid inside the virus or bacteria cell will be released. This particularly happens inside the body. The rest of the bacteria and viruses will clean up with the white blood cells.
Testing done in independent laboratories revealed virgin coconut oil contains 50%-57% of lauric acids, a nutrient that also found in human mother’s milk. This explains why lauric acid can boost the body’s immune system. VCO also contains a nontoxic version of trans-fats that modern research has shown is responsible for many health problems.
VCO can be used effectively as an AIDS supporting treatment because it contains strong antiviral effects. Antiretroviral drugs such as reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors inhibit the virus inside the CD4 cells. Antiretroviral drugs make the virus’s RNA immature but does not kill the virus itself. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as the cause of AIDS has one lipid-coated membrane that is susceptible from MCT. MCTs that contain high lauric acid and capric acid, will effectively kill HIV, which is proven in the laboratory. Unlike other HIV drugs, MCT attacks the virus’s genetic structure directly. MCT, like other fatty acids, collect the lipid membrane that is absorbed by the virus and weakens the membrane until it separates from the structure, killing the virus.
The research of Filipino doctors Conrado Dayrit M.D. claimed that the viral counts in 15 HIV patients considerably decreased after giving them dosage of VCO over six months. The amount of CD4 of AIDS patients is increased until the amount of the viruses decreases until undetected. It’s important for AIDS patient to have longer lives.
The writers are: Afni Rahmania Lucky Damayanti Rochmatul Rizqiyah All are students of medical facultyBrawijaya University and still active in IAAS Indonesia LC Unibraw.
VCO can support the conventional treatment (using antiretroviral drugs), so the treatment can
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A NEW AGRICULTURE UN NUEVO AGRICULTURA Written by R. Brako and L.R. Gran
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owa is full of it, agriculture that is. Ninety-six percent of Iowa’s land is devoted to it. Many have said that the United States is a land of immigrants, and this is certainly the case for Iowa. During the 1800s immigrants began dispersing across these productive and beautiful tall-grass prairies to settle the land. Over those generations the farm families worked the land and built schools and civic bodies while the government provided various forms of aid to the people in order to make farming a viable occupation. Presently, although many Iowans continue to garden and love to eat local produce to support small producers, countless descendents of the farm settlers of these lands are removed from agriculture. Today, however, there is a new immigrant generation yearning to place spade into soil and grow more than food. They want to grow family, community and dignity from the fertile lands. Ramona Chavez is one of these potential modern-day immigrant farmers. Chavez is a United States legal resident on the path to citizenship who immigrated to the United States from El Beladero, Mexico, in the western state of Jalisco. She left her alcoholic ex-husband in Mexico and fled with her five children to California. She stayed with friends in California until she learned about the quality of life in the Midwest. Now living in Iowa, Chavez is happily re-married with two more children and lives in a charming 100-year-old home. Like many new immigrants in Iowa, the Swift meat packing plant was
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where Chavez found her first job. Her husband had worked there as well. However, these jobs were not sustainable for the Chavez family because there was no room for vertical mobility. Her husband, Benigno, worked the same position for almost 11 years for Swift. At this point, Swift fired him because the injuries his body suffered due to the repetitive actions of the job began to prevent him from performing his job. Chavez, on the other hand, worked on the skinner machine. Her boss was cruel and said terrible things to her and her fellow immigrant workers. She didn’t understand the words because of her poor English, but used a dictionary and TV every day for years in order to teach herself. When her boss used words she didn’t know, she would look them up after work and the next day defend herself and her co-workers. “The Anglos treat us like we are ‘Made in Taiwan’; they just throw us away.” Chavez said, referring to this workplace treatment. One year, both she and her husband went without work from February until May. They did without electricity, gas and such utilities for days on end. Iowa’s number of family farms has been steadily decreasing every year, as has the number of people in the rural countryside {see graph}. Between 1997 and 2002 the number of farms (anything that could be sold with a value greater than 1000 dollars—including big gardens)
in Iowa decreased about 6 percent, from around 97,000 to 91,000, according to the 2002 USDA Census. Chavez comes from an agricultural background. For generations her family worked a small piece of land to produce food for home consumption, including cheese. Their farming skills and techniques have been unused in Iowa, and she and her husband would love to use these skills by having land to farm. “Everybody almost dies of hunger over in [my area] of Mexico because the land is poor and rain is less,” she said. “But in Iowa, [there is] great land and great weather.” She said she would love to have 20-40 acres of land, which is significantly less than the average farm size in Iowa (about 350 acres). Ideally her family would grow vegetables and fruits, and would raise chickens, pigs and cattle. They already know how to butcher animals and would love to have fresh meat for home consumption. The whole family wants to get involved with farming. One of Ramona’s older sons attends college studying business administration; the knowledge he gains would be a great addition to the family farm, Chavez said. In Marshalltown, where there was once only one Mexican-owned grocery store, there are now six. She said she expects a local place for her family to market their products will be easy to find, even including the specialty cheese products the family farmers hope to make. “It’s good to buy
“We are part of the solution, not part of the problem,” Chavez said.
IAAS World
En Espanol: land, maybe little farms and we would have a better life. [My] kids learn to grow their own food, they will be happy,” Chavez said. Mexican immigrants are not the only immigrants coming to Iowa. The Sudan, Nigeria, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, China and others are more countries of origin for such new immigrants. Many of them come from a farming background or have a strong connection with farming. Paul Becker, a 140-acre family cattle farmer from outside of Dyersville, Iowa, understands this feeling; his grandfather from Austria felt this same force over 100 years ago. The family story goes that upon arrival in the port of Ellis Island, a rumor spread through the cabin of European Immigrants that the ship was set to turn back without a single immigrant allowed to stay in America because of possible disease. Becker’s grandfather, who at the time was 12 years old and traveling only with a childhood friend, gave his possessions to the friend, jumped from the ship, and swam the distance to shore. This 12 year old boy bought land in Iowa with some help from family friends and started farming in the northeast part of the state. Becker said he feels it could be beneficial to diversify Iowa’s agricultural landscape. Immigrant farmers who sell produce out of their truck can be a lucrative market. “Vegetables generate money here. Niche markets [are] a specialized but profitable corner of the market. They generate revenue,” Becker said. He also commented on new immigrant farmers, saying that “if they have the diligence to make the agriculture thing work, that can be a pretty good business.” Considering the opinions of other farmers in his area, including large farm operators, Becker said that because the new wave of farmers specialize and do more truck farming, large and small farmers won’t feel threatened. Because farming techniques are also different, he said current farmers wouldn’t understand what the new farmers were doing. Becker said he sees the additional farmers as beneficial to the Iowa.
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“[They] might bring in more opportunities, work within the community, help in getting people out in the rural areas,” he said. At the moment, there seems to be much interest in immigrants who comprise the fastest growing sector of farmers today (NIFI 2006). Denise O’Brien, candidate for Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, believes that there must be greater leadership within the state’s Department of Agriculture in order to bring new farmers onto the land, particularly farmers that will contribute to a local food system (where food is grown for local consumption). “Immigrant farmers are out there,” O’Brien said. “You can see it in the diverse booths at the farmers markets.” She said research shows Iowa could see increased economic vitality if just 31,000 acres, just 0.0014% of 27.15 million cropland acres, were to be devoted to vegetable and fruit production for local markets. “This would create 4,400 new jobs, including new businesses like family producers and food processors,” O’Brien said. The state of Iowa was built by agricultural immigrant families. Over time, this state has seen fewer and fewer families on the farm. Today there is new hope for family farms with new immigrants from Mexico and other countries. Iowa is “A Place to Grow,” says the state motto, and it is a state built by immigrant farmers. “We are part of the solution, not part of the problem,” Chavez said.
This article was published
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Translated by Raquel Garcia-Alvarez.
owa esta lleno de agricultura. Noventa y seis por ciento de la tierra esta dedicado a eso. Muchos han dicho que los Estados Unidos es una tierra de inmigrantes, y esto es cierto para Iowa. Durante los 1800s, los inmigrantes comenzarona a llegar al hermoso estado de Iowa. Desde ese tiempo granjeros trabajaron la tierra y construyeron escuelas y cuerpos cívicos mientras que el gobierno proporcionó varias formas de ayuda a la gente. Hoy, hay una nueva generación inmigrante que anhela colocar la espada en suelo y crecer más que el alimento. Desean crecer la familia, la comunidad y la dignidad de las tierras fértiles. Ramona Chavez es uno de estas personas. Chavez es un residente legal de Estados Unidos en la trayectoria a la ciudadanía. Ella vino desde El Beladero, Jalisco, México. Ella dejó a su ex-marido alcohólico en México y huyó con sus cinco hijos a California. Ella se quedo con amigos en California hasta que ella aprendió sobre la calidad de la vida en el Midwest. Ahora viviendo en Iowa, Chavez tiene un nuevo esposo y dos más hijos y viven todos felices en Iowa. Como muchos nuevos inmigrantes en Iowa, la planta Swift del embalaje de la carne era donde Chavez encontró su primer trabajo. Su marido había trabajado allí también. Sin embargo, estos trabajos no eran sostenibles para la familia de Chavez. Su marido, Benigno, trabajó la misma posición por casi 11 años. Swift dejo ir a Benigno porque la lesiones que su cuerpo debido a las acciones repetidoras as sufrió del trabajo comenzó a evitar que él realice su trabajo.
"A New Agriculture -- Un Nuevo Agricultura." UHURU: The Freedom Magazine. Fall 2006 Vol. 4 Issue 1. Iowa State University: Ames, Iowa U.S.A.
Chavez, por otra parte, trabajó en la máquina del desollador. Su jefe decía cosas terribles y crueles a ella y sus compañeros de trabajo. Ella no entendía las palabras por no entender el ingles. Pero se enseño utilizando un diccionario y la televisión cada día. Cuando su jefe usaba palabras que ella no sabía, ella uso el diccionario y al día siguiente se defendía y a sus compañeros de trabajo. (Continued on page 26)
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(Continued from page 25)
"Los Anglos nos tratan como “somos hecho en Taiwán” y nos tiran a la basura. Alguna vez falto trabajo en Swift y a partir de febrero hasta mayo se quedaron sin electricidad, gas y tales utilidades por días en extremo. El número de granjas de familia han estado disminuyendo constantemente cada año, también el número de la gente que vive en el campo rural {vea el gráfico}. Entre 1997 y 2002 el número de las granjas (cualquier cosa que se podría vender con un valor mayor de 1000 dólares -- incluyendo jardines grandes) en Iowa disminuyó cerca de 6 por ciento, alrededor de 97.000 a 91.000, según el censo 2002 del USDA. Por muchas generaciones la familia de Chavez trabajó un pedazo pequeño de tierra para producir alimento para la casa, incluyendo el queso. Sus habilidades técnicas han sido inusitadas en Iowa, y ella y su marido amarían utilizar estas habilidades teniendo su propia tierra para cultivar.
la isla de Ellis, habían rumores en la cabina que la nave regresaba a Europa sin permitir a nadie llegar a los Estados Unidos por enfermedades en la nave. El abuelo de Becker, que tenia en ese entonces 12 años y que viajaba solamente con un amigo de la niñez, dio sus posesiones al amigo, salto de la nave, y nadó la distancia al puerto. Este muchacho compro tierra en Iowa con ayuda de amigos de la familia y así empieza la granja de los Beckers.
Becker dijo que él siente que podría ser beneficioso diversificar el paisaje agrícola de Iowa. Los granjeros inmigrantes que venden sus productos afuera de su carro pueden ser un mercado lucrativo. Él también dijo “si tienen la diligencia para hacer el trabajo de cultivar la agricultura, "Somos puede ser un negocio bueno. También parte de la bastante Becker dijo que él ve a los solución, no granjeros adicionales como un beneficio para parte del Iowa.
problema," dijo Chavez.
"Todos casi mueren de hambre en [ mi área ] de México porque la tierra es pobre y lluve menos," ella dijo. "pero en Iowa, [ hay ] gran tierra y buen tiempo." Ella dijo que ella amaría tener 20-40 acres de tierra, que es menos que el tamaño de una granja familiar en Iowa (cerca de 350 acres). Su familia produciría vegetales y frutas, y criaría pollos, cerdos y ganados. La familia desea cultivar y el hijo mayor de Ramona atiende a la universidad y estudia la administración del negocio; el conocimiento que él gana sería una gran adición en hacer realidad sus sueños, dijo Chavez. En Marshalltown, donde había una vez solamente una tienda Mexicana, ahora existen seise. Ella dijo que existe un mercado para sus productos. Los inmigrantes Mexicanos no son los únicos inmigrantes que vienen a Iowa. También vienen de Sudán, Nigeria, Laos, Tailandia,Vietnam, China, entre otros países. Muchos tienen una conexión fuerte con cultivando la tierra. Paul Becker, es un granjero de ganados y tiene una granja familiar de 140acre afuera de Dyersville, Iowa. El entiende esta sensación muy bien; su abuelo de Austria sentía esta misma fuerza hace 100 años. Su abuelo llego al puerto de
Denise O'Brien, candidata para la secretaria de la agricultura de Iowa, cree que debe haber mayor dirección dentro del Ministerio de Agricultura del estado para traer a nuevos granjeros sobre la tierra, particularmente los granjeros que contribuirán a un sistema local del alimento (donde el alimento se produce para la consumición local). Los "granjeros inmigrantes están afuera," O'Brien dijo. "usted puede verlos en las cabinas diversas en los mercados de los granjeros." Ella dijo que las demostraciones de investigación indica que la económica creceria si se dedicaran 31.000 acres, apenas 0.0014% de 27.15 millones de acres del cropland, a la producción del vehículo y de la fruta para los mercados locales. "esto crearía 4.400 nuevos trabajos, incluyendo nuevos negocios como productores de la familia y procesadores del alimento," O'Brien dice. En un cierto plazo, este estado ha considerado a menos y a pocas familias en la granja. Hay hoy nueva esperanza de granjas de familia con los nuevos inmigrantes de México y de otros países. Iowa es "un lugar para crecer," dice el lema del estado, y es un estado construido por los granjeros inmigrantes.
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Hey Alumni! How is life in the real world? What advice can you give job seekers? How did IAAS help you get where you are now? Answer all these questions and help current IAAS members by logging onto the website or contacting your former local committee. Contact Alicja, VP Communication, for questions or concerns.
IAAS World
IAAS Faces Around the World IAAS-Indonesia National Congress Fabian (Germany) boating in Malaysia
EQB meeting, December ‘06
David McDonald (Sweden, Coorganizer of 99 GA), Frederik Oberthur (96-97 IAAS President), and friend share IAAS laughs on an old combine in the Scottish Isle of Gigha.
Tioman Island, Malaysia Volume 1, Issue 1
RM in Belgium, October ‘06
RM Belgium, Trade Fair Night Page 27
RETHINKING INNOVATION
IN
Uganda
Written by Rachael Cox, VP Finance, IAAS-USA
A
to be there.
gricultural innovation: what is it? Dictionary.com defines innovation as, “something new or different introduced.” When I hear the word innovation I normally think of high tech gadgets, new chemicals, genetic alteration, and GIS precision agriculture. But, the given definition says nothing about complicated technologies, so in this article I would like to consider the fact that innovation goes beyond technology, focusing on creative solutions for a changing world. This June, I found myself on a plane bound for Uganda, East Africa. This was my second trip to East Africa, the first taking place one summer earlier in Kenya as an intern at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology. On my second trip to this region I traveled not only as an experienced visitor but also with my first year of agronomic education in my head. It was great to be back. Driving from the airport into Kampala, Uganda, the familiar cultural landscape filled my senses. The smells, the sights, and the sounds reminded me how far away from home I was, yet how happy I was
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The month I spent in Uganda this summer was in collaboration with a grass roots nongovernmental association, VEDCO, Volunteer Efforts in Development Concerns. VEDCO was founded by students from Makerere University in Uganda to help rural people in their country improve their livelihoods through sustainable agriculture. The functioning of VEDCO relies on native Ugandan employees and Ugandan volunteers. Often, volunteering with VEDCO will lead to a job. VEDCO works in seven different districts in Uganda. I worked in the Kamuli district of Uganda. Four sub-counties in this district were surveyed, and the results showed that in the Kamuli district approximately 80% of the rural poor lives in absolute poverty. This is more than half of the population that is
living on less than one meal per day. There are frequent droughts, low crop yields, and HIV/AIDS affect many groups. Farmers grow food and cash crops, sell most of this when prices are low after the harvest, which leaves little left to eat. Perhaps the ideas behind VEDCO’s work are not brand new, in fact, some of them have been used in many other situations. But for the people in this district most of the concepts are new and different, thus we have a great example of successful agricultural innovation. I experienced the success of VEDCO by meeting farmers who shared their stories of how they were at one point not long ago able to feed their family or send their children to school. And now they told us of their success: feeding their family, improving nutrition, educating their children, sharing what they have learned with others, buying a motorcycle, improving their living conditions, etc... The results were clear; the innovation provided by VEDCO was improving the livelihoods of the rural poor in Uganda.
IAAS World
Agricultural innovation does not have to be complicated or confusing. As seen in Uganda, innova-
tive solutions are possible without technology. Huge tractors, complex sciences or chemicals do not have to be the answers. So it is our
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
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challenge not to limit ourselves to thinking that innovation requires new technologies, but instead remember that agricultural innovation can mean creativity: addressing
problems with diverse and sustainable solutions.
Following are some of the initiatives VEDCO has made: ♦ establishing demonstration gardens for a learning center; ♦ multiplication gardens for a breeding center; farmer trainings for planting with continued follow up support training community members to be rural development extentionists strengthening farmer groups linking farmers to people who can provide needed services supporting farmers in pig and poultry production promote growing of nutrient dense crops supporting people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and the disabled providing agricultural advice to schools linking farmers to markets.
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Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. ~Mark Twain
It is not down in any map; true places never are. ~Herman Melville
WE WANDER FOR DISTRACTION, BUT WE TRAVEL FOR FULFILLMENT. —HILAIRE BELLOC I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within. --Lillian Smith
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries. ~Aldous Huxley
Wherever you go, there you are!! ~Carl Franz
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine
What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least Heat Moon
Travel photo
worldwide
IAAS’s 50TH ANNIVERSARY
1957 — 2007 in the field of Agriculture and related sciences all over the world.
IAAS MISSON: To promote the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and ideas, and to improve the mutual understanding between students
from a 1957 small gathering in Tunis to over 45 countries and millions of agricultural students
IAAS MISSON: To promote the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and ideas, and to improve the mutual understanding between students
in the field of Agriculture and related sciences all over the world.