Two UN groups are teaming up to help identify and respond to areas likely to be impacted by food shortages in the future.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has agreed to share data concerning floods, hurricanes, mudslides, drought and other forms of severe weather with the World Food Programme (WFP).
This information can help the WFP provide better
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Zinc is an essential micronutrient needed by crops and people. Almost half of the world’s cereal crops are deficient in zinc and zinc is the fifth leading risk factor for disease in the developing world.
Research has shown that regions with zinc-deficient soils often produce poor crop yields and widespread zinc deficiency in humans. This was
Improving the formulation of pesticides and moving towards more precise irrigation and applications systems can help increase water efficiency.
For example, the use of air induction nozzles, which mix air with the spray liquid, can reduce water volumes used from 1,500-2,000 liters with conventional sprayers to 200-800 litres.
If the water-based sprays are combined with high precision
Innovative solutions can also help protect biodiversity – for example in the UK, farmers were encouraged to leave small plots of bare soil in their growing crops for skylarks to nest.
The results were very positive: in fields where skylark plots had been made, skylark fledglings increased by 49% .
No-till also helps protect food sources for
