Agriterra E-zine international nr. 7

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Agriterra
E-zine International
nr. 7

December 2011

About Agriterra
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Dear reader,

This is the time of year to close the year 2011. Since this is the last E-zine of the year, I want to take this opportunity to thank our clients and others involved in our efforts once more for having worked with us. This year has marked a new phase in the Farmers Fighting Poverty programme, through which Agriterra will dedicate itself to supporting farmer-led businesses and local entrepreneurship. Of course we will continue to focus attention on advocacy and innovation within our field of activities, but our emphasis will shift to economics. More emphatically than previously, we are seeing opportunities and roles for the Dutch agrarian business community in helping to support economic progress in developing countries. Next year, I hope that we can tell you proudly of our many new results along this route. I wish you a prosperous 2012.

Kees Blokland, managing director Agriterra

Should you have any questions, suggestions, remarks, or interesting articles for future editions of this newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact our communications department by phone: +3126-4455445 or e-mail communications@agriterra.org.

We hope you enjoy this E-zine International!

Kees's corner
Kees Blokland, Agriterra's director, acquaints us in this column with his thoughts about his and the agency's focus in their work. This time he discusses contributions researchers from our network have made to Agriterra's development theory. Roldan Muradian from Radboud University and Rutger van den Noort from FrieslandCampina and the Technical University of Delft made it into the news with their research results. Kees feels that this helps Agriterra focus its work even more sharply. > read more

Stay posted!
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Also you can become fan of Agriterra at facebook or join the Farmers Fighting Poverty Group on linkedin.

Ecological Christmas parcels from Bolivian farmers
In 2003, the Bolivian agricultural organisation for ecological farmers Aopeb started selling ecological products at shops they set up themselves. Ecological products were, and still are sought-after by consumers. They soon enough knew where to find these shops called 'super ecológico'. No surprise the shops shot up like (ecological) mushrooms. Many products are for sale on the internet, too, by now. This year, Aopeb goes for something new: Christmas hampers with ecological products. > read more

Alpaca wool steals the fashion show
Beautiful clothes can be made of alpaca and vicuña wool. This was proved once again at a fashion show recently held in Cusco (Peru) that revolved around creations of the wool of these lama-related animals. Fashion experts were full of praise about the collection made of Peruvian wool. The wool for all clothes that were shown came from farmers who are a member of the cooperative of alpaca and vicuña holders (Coopecan) and the organisation of vicuña breeders in Cusco (Acrivirc). > read more

Zambia National Farmers Union launches e-transport system
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) recently launched an E-transport system under the auspices of the European Union. It has potential to significantly reduce crop wastage and improve the country's food security, says the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction. > read more

Organic potatoes conquer Peruvian supermarkets
The Peruvian farmers cooperative Coopain Cabana recently made a very lucrative deal that benefits the members and the cooperative itself. Their own brand of organic potatoes can now be found on the shelves of the supermarkets of Plaza Vea, one of the largest supermarket chains in Peru. > read more

Farmers' movement in the Congo in the spotlights
The farmers' movement in the Congo has achieved two significant feats to be proud of this year. In the spring, lobbying by Congolese farmers and their organisations made possible the passing of an agricultural act detailing the general principles of the agricultural sector. In October, the establishment of the national umbrella organisation of male and female farmers, the Confédération Nationale des Producteurs Agricoles du Congo (CONAPAC), expanded upon this first achievement. > read more

P.O. Box . 158 / 6800 AD Arnhem / Netherlands / T +31(0)264455445 / E communications@agriterra.org