There is increasing emphasis being put on the need to be 'internationally competitive'. This imperative is being driven, it is argued, by the globalization of economic and corporate life. This 'globalization' is the subject of a burgeoning academic literature. To achieve and maintain the necessary competitive edge requires companies to be innovative, technologically dynamic, and organizationally efficient - in a dynamic, not just static sense.

Despite the rapid international development of biotechnology, we still lack knowledge and information about how low- and middle-income countries can best access this promising technology. Nor are the socioeconomic repercussions of applying biotechnology in these countries’ agricultural sectors well understood. This study seeks to fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge by analyzing a biotechnology transfer project that provided proprietary recombinant potato technology to Mexico.

It is now widely acknowledged that biotechnology will have significant implications for development. While biotechnology’s potential for low income economies is still the subject of controversy, this paper argues that it is precisely in these countries that food and agriculture related biotechnology could efficiently contribute to the achievement of development objectives. To date, however, biotechnological advances have been realized predominantly in industrialized countries.

This presentation is from the Global FFS webinar series on Climate Change, “Session 2: Equipping Farmers for Climate Action: Key Concepts and Tools for FFS.” The document presents a case study on the Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) approach and illustrates how it can be used as an “innovative curriculum responding to climate change.”

This present and explain key concepts related to climate change.

The first presentation, “Overview of Climate Change” by W. Pieter Pauw (Eindhoven University of Technology), explains what the greenhouse effect is, its causes, and its consequences for the environment.
The second presentation, “What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change to Take Action?” by Brent M. Simpson (FAO Consultant), explains the impacts of climate change on agriculture and outlines the different adaptation and mitigation measures and tools available to farmers.

This is a case study conducted in Senegal, designed to address one key question: What do farmers already understand about climate change?

This is a learning modules and exercises that Farmer Field School practitioners can use with farming communities for community-based adaptation planning.

In this document, we explore concrete experiences from Farmer Field School (FFS) practitioners on the critical steps before launching an FFS programme on climate change.
Panelists:
• Okoth James – Senior Programme Officer, FAO
• Paul Mutungi – Agriculture Officer, FAO
• Tiko Hema – Specialist in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Training in the FFS Approach, FAO

This document presents practical tools for assessing community vulnerability to climate change and for planning adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies. Presentations: