Science and Development Network
SciDevNet
News and Media
Mission
News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world.
Items: 165
In Kenya, fall armyworm has spread to many parts of maize-growing areas, with the government estimating that over 50% losses in maize yields could occur this year as a result of the spread of the pest. Ineffective pesticides and a lack of coordination between the national and county governments in terms of intervention have further exacerbated the situation.
Picture-based crop insurance could debut in Kenya after a study found that it may avoid the pitfalls of other insurance schemes. While the costs of processing tiny farms and the high frequency of crop failure have thwarted traditional insurance success, photo-based insurance has been more cost effective, though trust is needed between farmers and insurers.
A new study shows that as many as 155,000 people are exposed to the risk of landslides or floods in highland regions of Rio de Janeiro. Using a new methodology, researchers cross-referenced information about areas susceptible to natural disaster with demographic and socioeconomic data provided by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.
For policies to translate to a local level, researchers must identify the underlying motivations that compel communities to favour a new policy over one that has been implemented for decades. Experts can learn from development research, which is well-suited for understanding local policies and can also be applied to global levels.
According to WHO, for the first time doctors have been given the go-ahead to deploy experimental drugs for all patients in an Ebola outbreak. The DRC has approved five experimental treatments among ongoing discussions between WHO, Doctors Without Borders, and the Congolese government to fine-tune the details on which drugs will be used as a first-line of defence.
Researchers say average temperatures and heatwave frequency will keep rising in Pakistan, as the country has struggled to come to grips with soaring temperatures in recent weeks. Pakistan was already hit by 126 heat waves of varying durations over the 1997‒2015 period, with a projected increase of 75% by 2030.
Agriculture is a risky business in Africa due to dangers such as uncertain weather and poor rural infrastructure but a new detailed guide on the status of and opportunities for climate smart agriculture (CSA) could offer farmers the much needed break. The detailed guide is aimed at guiding future investments and reduction of risks in implementing the approach.
Despite proactive efforts from many African countries, five invasive insect pests cost the continent $1.1 billion every year. Recent research predicts that the threat from invasive insects will continue to increase with African countries expected to be the most vulnerable, but stronger plant regulatory systems and an emergency fund will improve the situation.
Voluntary Commitments
The organization has no registered commitments.
The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful toolto know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables.