The disruption starts now: new big data program promises to shake up agriculture

by Neil Palmer | May 15, 2017

A new multimillion-dollar initiative plans to disrupt food production across the developing world, with the aim of making it more productive, efficient and resilient – all through the power of information. The CGIAR Platform for Big Data in Agriculture is jointly led...

Scientists make a splash with urine experiment

by Neil Palmer | Mar 21, 2017

Not long before dawn, at a dairy farm in Colombia’s Cauca Valley, locals line up to buy fresh milk. But two people in the queue are seeking a less palatable purchase: urine. Twenty litres of fresh, steaming cow urine, specifically. “Early morning is a good time to...

On the trail of ancient treasure in Peru

by Neil Palmer | Feb 27, 2017

On the trail of ancient treasure in Peru By Neil Palmer   It’s down there somewhere. Treasure. At least, it was. Almost thirty years ago. Looking out over Peru’s Sacred Valley, Daniel Debouck checks his map. The same one as before, impeccably preserved. But...

This is what the future of coffee might taste like

by Neil Palmer | Oct 26, 2016

This is what the future of coffee might taste like There have been lots of studies into the likely impacts of climate change on gourmet coffee, and the millions of smallholders that produce it. But a study released today is a bit different. As well as predicting the...

New vulnerability assessment shows how climate change could redraw the agricultural map of Central America

by Neil Palmer | Sep 28, 2016

New vulnerability assessment shows how climate change could redraw the agricultural map of Central America Climate change could transform the agricultural landscape in Central America, with key crops like beans and export-quality coffee losing suitability, and...