Lets Talk About Soil

Soils are fundamental pillars of sustainable development. They are essential for food security, support human well-being, and provide further ecosystem services, such as carbon storage.

They are not only essential but also severely threatened, suffering a continuous decline in quality and being taken over by urban sprawl.

Even though soils are managed and owned locally, their degradation is a key global issue, as their functions transcend national boundaries.

Therefore, we urgently need to upscale actions towards sustainable soil management.

The First Global Soil Week will provide a platform to initiate follow-up actions on land and soil-related decisions made at the Rio+20 Sustainable Development Conference and will take place within the framework of the FAO’s Global Soil Partnership.

The First Global Soil Week offers a forum of interactive exchange and dialogue.

Stakeholders from science, government, business and civil society will come together to share their land and soil-related experience and expertise, and to develop future plans of action for sustainable land/soil management and governance.

The animated film LET’S TALK ABOUT SOIL emphasizes human dependence on soils and describes how sustainable development is threatened by certain soil use trends; the film offers options to make the way we manage our soils more sustainable.

LET’S TALK ABOUT SOIL was produced by designer and animator Uli Henrik Streckenbach for the Global Soil Week and the Global Soil Partnership with the support of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) – Global Soil Forum, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Deutsche Welle.

Re-blogged from Functional Ecosystems.

The Story of Soil

Soil is an amazing substance. It is a complex mix of ingredients: minerals, air, water, and organic matter—the countless micro-organisms and the decaying remains of once living things. Soil is made of life and soil makes life.

To the farmer, soil is where crops grow.

To the engineer, soil is a foundation to build.

To the ecologist, soil supports and connects ecosystems.

To the archaeologist, soil holds clues to past cultures.

To craftspeople, like potters, soil provides clay to make things.

To the soil scientist, soil is all of these things. 

Water

Food, feed and fodder quality

Human and livestock health

Soil has been called "the skin of the earth" because it is the thin outermost layer of the Earth's crust.

Like our own skin, we can't live without soil. It's easy to take soil for granted, yet it's one of the most important resources we have. That's why we want to spread the word about The Story of Soil - and you can help! 

Courtesy of Soil Science Society of America in their 75th Anniversary 

Soil is the Core of Civilization!

Only 10-12% of the earth’s surface is available to use. We need to maintain the soils natural capacity to renewal. It took the earth thousands of years to create this lovely soil that gives us life! It takes a long time for rock to become soil. We can’t grow produce out of rocks! We can’t grow produce out of dead soil! The soil we see and use every day is soooo alive it’s unbelievable what communities’ microorganisms share all around us. It’s a complicated network of organic communities. The things we can do to maintain these organic networks to maintain fertile soil and future generations of life are so simple. Yes, it sounds contradicting, how can such a complicated network of life only need minimal attention? Nature on its own is already self-sustaining, and knows what works to maintain the circle of life (thanks Lion King). As humans we are a part of this circle of life and we can either be parasites or in harmony with the natural process taking place. And it starts at the most basic levels like recognizing the importance of dirt, and building a relationship nature!

Soil is awesome! Love it! Appreciate it! Plant lots of seeds and trees! Conserve the soil, let’s avoid desertification across the globe, and minimize global warming affects… Please?

Source: Reblogged from AWAKEN OASIS

Australia Awards: PhD Studies in Agricultural Research for Africans

Deadline:  31 Mar 2013

The Australia Awards program will support 20 eligible candidates in Africa for PhD studies in agricultural research at Australian universities, commencing in 2014.

The program is open to nationals from the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

The program encourages applications from researchers currently employed in African agricultural research with a focus on bio-physical, social, or economic sciences. Being employed by a National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) or regional equivalent in Africa is highly desirable.

Applications from women are strongly encouraged, and mechanisms are in place to support women applicants and Awardees.

Australia Awards provides supporting detailson eligibility criteria, and how to apply. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2013. Applicants are encouraged to apply earlier, if possible.

HIV/AIDS and food and nutrition security

Mitigating the effects of the pandemic through a rights-based approach

Date: 23 September – October 11 2013; Venue: Wageningen, The Netherlands

-      NFP Fellowships available – apply before 05 February 2013   -

Introduction

Although the world is making progress in addressing the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS, there are still 33.3 million people affected by it. In most countries, the response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic has mainly come from the health sector. However, solutions to mitigate the effects have to be sought in the combination of health and agriculture. Read more

Application

Interested candidates can apply at the website of Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen UR for admission to the training. Click here to apply.

NFP Fellowships

A limited number of fellowships is available from Nuffic - the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. In order to apply for such a NFP fellowship, you have to register through theNuffic Scholarship Online (SOL) system. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted before 05 February 2013. SOL opens on December 01. You will be informed by Nuffic whether your application has been accepted. More information on the NFP fellowships.

Important

Please note that for a valid NPF fellowship application you need to register directly at CDI as well as at Nuffic (SOL). Your fellowship application will not be taken into account if you register with only one of these two institutions.

Please feel free to circulate a link to this post through email in your network.

Course coordinator: Fannie de Boer

Centre for Development Innovation (CDI)
Wageningen UR
P.O. Box 88, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
E-mail: fannie.deboer@wur.nl  

Please like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/CDIwageningenUR

Website: www.wageningenur.nl/cdi

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CDIwageningenUR

Facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and social learning

Using participatory approaches for institutional change

Date: 02 – 20 September 2013; Venue: Wageningen, The Netherlands

-      NFP Fellowships available – apply before 05 February 2013   -

Introduction

Complex problems require innovative solutions. Such solutions are created when diverse stakeholders are able to meet, share experiences, learn together and contribute to decisions. Ultimate success then lies in developing the collective commitment and capacity to turn ideas and plans into action. This can be achieved through multi-stakeholder processes (MSPs) and social learning. Read more

Application

Interested candidates can apply at the website of Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen UR for admission to the training. Click here to apply.

NFP Fellowships

A limited number of fellowships is available from Nuffic - the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. In order to apply for such a NFP fellowship, you have to register through theNuffic Scholarship Online (SOL) system.. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted before 05 February 2013. SOL opens on December 01. You will be informed by Nuffic whether your application has been accepted. More information on the NFP fellowships.

Important

Please note that for a valid NPF fellowship application you need to register directly at CDI as well as at Nuffic (SOL). Your fellowship application will not be taken into account if you register with only one of these two institutions.

Please feel free to circulate a link to this post through email in your network.

Course coordinator: Karèn Verhoosel

Centre for Development Innovation (CDI)
Wageningen UR
P.O. Box 88, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
E-mail: karen.verhoosel@wur.nl  

Please like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/CDIwageningenUR

Website: www.wageningenur.nl/cdi

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CDIwageningenUR

Climate change governance: International course on

Adaptation and mitigation as institutional change processes

Date: 02 – 13 September, 2013; Venue: The Netherlands, Wageningen

-      NFP Fellowships available – apply before 05 February 2013   -

Introduction

Large contrasts exist in how we manage the food we have available. While in parts of our societies there is a shortage of food, in the urban and wealthier communities, good food is thrown away only because it is beyond its sell-by date. Optimising the ‘farm to fork’ chain can contribute significantly to food security. Read more

Application

Interested candidates can apply at the website of Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen UR for admission to the training. Click here to apply.

NFP Fellowships

A limited number of fellowships is available from Nuffic - the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. In order to apply for such a NFP fellowship, you have to register through the Nuffic Scholarship Online (SOL) system. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted before 5 February 2013. SOL opens on December 01. You will be informed by Nuffic whether your application has been accepted. More information on the NFP fellowships.

Important

Please note that for a valid NPF fellowship application you need to register directly at CDI as well as at Nuffic (SOL). Your fellowship application will not be taken into account if you register with only one of these two institutions.

Please feel free to circulate a link to this post through email in your network.

Course coordinator: Ingrid Gevers

Centre for Development Innovation (CDI)
Wageningen UR
P.O. Box 88, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
E-mail: Ingrid,gevers@wur.nl

Please like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/CDIwageningenUR

Website: www.wageningenur.nl/cdi

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CDIwageningenUR

Viable Small Holder Organic Projects

Re-blogged from GREEN EMIPIRE FARMS courtesy of Antony Muhia

When we talk about Organic Farming for youths majority of them wonder how possible and yet they have no land for crop cultivation. Agricultural land has proved a big challenge due to the fact that the existing land is inherited and this mainly happens at the death of parents. The other option is purchasing one which is rely expensive beyond the capability of youths.

To my opinion there is a solution by adopting projects that require small portions like underutilized backyards, flower gardens and parking spaces and convert them to productive spaces.

Are you still wondering what I intend with such spaces? Well only high value crops like strawberries & basil can give you some substantial money. But rearing rabbits or mushroom growing are some of the most viable projects. The other option is value addition and processing of organic crops grown by elderly farmers who own agricultural land.

These are but just a few projects where youths can be self-employed with limited resources and make a decent living.

Antony Muhia harvesting spinach in his farm

This was my first commercial production organic plot from the successful experience of the organic kitchen garden. The plot measured 50×100 ft. equivalent to 1/8 acre.

On this plot I practiced intensive crop production and companion cropping of high value horticultural crops: Sweet & Hot peppers, Tomatoes, Italian spinach, Lettuce, Chinese cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus, Assorted herbs & spices while observing a strict crop rotation routine.

There is a composting site at the entrance where all crop residue, fresh vegetation, leguminous crops and farm yard manure are composted to rich compost manure/ fertilizer for using at the plot.

From the sale of fresh produce I was able to construct a greenhouse measuring 25×45 feet and later on installed a drip irrigation system to the whole plot.

From the production and sales records it's evident that such a project is capable of generating sufficient income of KES 20,000-30,000 (US$300-400) a month to sustain a single household in rural or even urban Africa.

Post by Antony Muhia 

Cambridge Scholarships for International Students 2013-2014

The GatesCambridge Scholarships is are prestigious international full-cost scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time graduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

Eligibility

• Citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom
• May apply to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study:
• PhD (three year research-only degree)
• One year postgraduate course (e.g. MPhil, LLM, MASt, Diploma, MBA etc.)
• MSc or MLitt (two year research-only degree)
• May apply to study any subject available at the University of Cambridge
• Must be admitted to one of the degrees above at Cambridge through the University’s normal admission procedures

 A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge.

How to Apply

 All applicants apply simultaneously for admission as a graduate student to the University of Cambridge and a Gates Cambridge Scholarship using the one application pack.

Application Deadline:  December 4, 2012

For information click here

World Teacher's Day, 5th October - Celebrate your Teachers

World Teachers’ Day, held annually on October 5th since 1994 - when it was created by UNESCO - celebrates teachers worldwide. Its aim is to mobilise support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers.

Click here to send your teacher an ecard. 

Take a stand for the teachers!

VLIR-UOS Master and Short Training Scholarships 2013-2015

VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from Africa, Asia and Latin-America to follow a training or master programme at a Dutch speaking university or university college in Belgium. The eligible training or master programmes are taught in English. They are designed for people in positions of responsibility in civil society.

The scholarships cover all related expenses. For application, please visit the website of the training or master programme. You can apply for a scholarship from October 2012 (master programmes) or November 2012 (master programmes organised at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and all training programmes). The deadline for application for the master programmes: 1 February 2013; for training programmes: check the programme websites.

Overview Eligible Programmes The master programmes, lasting one or two academic years, focus on specific problems of developing countries. These are designed to enable graduates to share and apply acquired knowledge in the home institution and country. In the shorter training programmes, lasting one to four months, the focus is on transferring skills rather than knowledge, thus creating opportunities for cooperation and networking.

International Master Programmes 2013-2014 Master of Science in Development Evaluation and Management Master of Science in Globalisation and Development Master of Science in Governance and Development Master of Science in Human Settlements International Master Programmes 2013-2015 Master of Science in Aquaculture Master of Science in Biology – Specialisation Human Ecology Master of Science in Statistics - Specialisation Biostatistics Master of Science in Environmental Sanitation Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans & Lakes) Master of Science in Molecular Biology (IPMB) Master of Science in Nematology Master of Science in Nutrition and Rural Development Master of Science in Physical Land Resources Master of Science in Food Technology Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering International Training Programmes 2013 Lib@Web : Management of Electronic Information and Digital Libraries AudioVisual Learning Materials – Media and Learning Unit (AVLM) Human Rights for Development (‘HR4DEV’) Road safety in Low and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges and Strategies for Improvement Technology for Integrated Water Management Dairy Nutrition International Training Programme in Food Safety, Quality Assurance Systems and Risk Analysis

Master of Science in Physical Land Resources

Tenable at Ghent University & Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Period: September 2013 - September 2015
Language: English
Number of VLIR-UOS Scholarships: 16
Promoter: Prof. E. Van Ranst (Ghent University)
Prof. W. Cornelis (Ghent University)
Prof. O. Batelaan (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Link to application form: www.plr.ugent.be/main.htm#application
Contact:
OPTION SOIL SCIENCE:
Ghent University
Physical Land Resources Programme Secretariat
T +32 (0)9 264 46 38
F +32 (0)9 264 49 91
plrprog.adm@ugent.be
www.plr.ugent.be/main.htm
OPTION LAND RESOURCES ENGINEERING:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering
T +32 (0)2 629 30 21
F +32 (0)2 629 30 22
hydr@vub.ac.be
http://phylares.vub.ac.be

Programme content

A country’s physical land resources are fundamental for human life and welfare. Worldwide population pressure and severe degradation, pollution and desertification problems are threatening these natural resources leading to competition between agricultural and industrial purposes, urban planning and nature conservation. To guarantee proper use and management of what is a basic commodity for a nation, well-trained specialists are given thorough knowledge of the properties and characteristics of this natural resource and solid insight into factors and measures that may alter their actual state and value.

The purpose of the main subject in Soil Science is to train researchers, academics and government staff in the inventory and detailed characterisation of land capacity, particularly soils. Graduates understand the development and evolution of soils under natural conditions or following human interference, using field, map, laboratory and remote-sensing data. They have the knowledge to use and manage soil and water in a sustainable way and optimize land use. The main subject in Land Resources Engineering offers training in non-agricultural use and application of soil, and includes geotechnical aspects (use of soil as building material or for foundations, slope stability and stability of excavations), the role of soil water and groundwater for water management and supply, and soil management in relation to environment and land use (erosion, sediment transport, coastal development and protection).

The first year provides a general and comprehensive foundation in physical land resources and as such is accessible to students with a good scientific background who have a limited knowledge of physical land resources. The first year courses are mainly general courses and (25%) main subject courses in the field of either Soil Science or Land Resources Engineering. All 1st year courses are lectured at Ghent University. In the second year the student continue the same main subject as in the first year: students of the option Soil Science continue their studies at Ghent University and those of the option Land Resources Engineering will be lectured at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The first semester of the 2Nd year consists of 6 elective courses and the 2nd semester is fully reserved for the master dissertation. (30 credits out of 60). 

All courses have a theoretical and a practical part. Some courses include fieldwork and may be supplemented with excursions. The first year programme provides for informative and interdisciplinary seminars that allow students to participate actively and work independently. The thesis (second year) must be defended orally, in public before a jury.

Admission requirements

Each application will be evaluated by a board of admission of the specific programme and has to be approved by the Faculty Council and by the Rector’s office

i) Entry conditions
Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree of minimum 3 years with good overall scores (at least a second class or equivalent, preferably higher) from a university or recognized equivalent.

ii) Language knowledge
The applicant must be proficient in the language of the course or training programme, i.e. English. Command of the English language is a very important criterion for admission. With the exception of those who have a diploma (Secondary Education, Academic Bachelor Degree, Master Degree) issued by an institution officially recognized by the Flemish Government, applicants must be able to prove their proficiency in English. There are 4 possibilities to supply this proof:

1.     TOEFL certificate (the UGent TOEFL code is 2643) with:

•       a minimum total score of 550 on the paper based test, or

•       a minimum total score of 79 on an internet based test.

•        The test validity is max. 2 years.

2.     IELTS with a minimum overall band score of 6. The test validity is max. 2 years.

3.     Proof of at least 1 year of comprehensive English-based instruction at a university or recognized equivalent.

Remark: TOEFL/IELTS predictive tests are not acceptable.

iii) Specific academic admission criteria
Applicants are expected to have a basic science training in (1) mathematics or statistics and (2) chemistry or biochemistry, and an overall academic education background in a relevant discipline like (either) agriculture, biology, forestry, environment, land and water management, physical geography, geology or civil engineering. Relevant research or working experience of about 2 years is recommended but not a prerequisite, unless the former field of study (degree obtained) was not directly relevant for or pertaining to soil science or land resources engineering.

Type of diploma

Master degree

Application

ww.plr.ugent.be/main.htm#application

Belgium's University Commission for Development: Awards, Courses, and Training 2013-2014

Deadline: 13 Feb 2013 

The French-language universities of Belgium award 150 scholarships and 70 training grants each year to applicants from developing countries through Belgium's University Commission for Development (CUD -- Commission universitaire pour le Développement).  

Subjects include aquaculture; tropical animal and plant resources; environmental management; management of natural hazards; and others.  

Eligibility requirements are defined by age, previous education, and nationality.  Applications (French or English) are due 13 February 2013.  CUD's website describes the scholarship programs, and how to apply. 

European Union: Intra-ACP Mobility Support at the Doctoral Level for Africans

Deadline:  05 Oct 2012

 

The European Union funds the Intra-ACP Mobility Scheme to enhance education, research, and intercultural exchange among the countries of the ACP (African, Caribbean, and Pacific) group. 

The current call for applications is directed to citizens and residents of African countries at the PhD level in thematic areas that include agricultural sciences, natural sciences, and others. 

Information about the participating institutions, the scholarship package, and other supporting details are included in the announcement. The extended deadline for applications is 05 October 2012. 

Guest PhD Scholarships in Sweden for Developing Countries

Country and Sponsor: Sweden, Swedish Government

Programme and Deadline: PhD, 1 March every year. Course starts: September every year

Brief description:

Sponsored Ad

The Guest Scholarship Program provides PhD candidates and Postdoctoral researchers with an excellent opportunity to conduct a study or research visit to a Swedish university within all academic fields. As a Guest Scholarship Program candidate you can choose to apply for a study/research visit to Sweden according to the following models:

1. Post-doctoral research: a long-term postdoctoral research visit of 6, 12 or 18 months.

2. PhD studies: a long-term PhD research visit of 6 or 12 months.

Host Institution(s):

Accredited academic institutions and universities in Sweden

Field of study:

Any research program in all academic fields

Number of Awards:

In category one the Swedish Institute has the opportunity to offer approximately 20 scholarships.  In category two the Swedish Institute has the opportunity to offer approximately 5-10 scholarships.  The final number of scholarships depends on how many candidates in the final selection that have applied for a PhD or Postdoctoral stay in Sweden, and for how long.

Target group:

The program is open to candidates from two different categories of countries that determine certain aspects of the program:

Category 1:  Candidates coming from countries on the Development Assistance Committee list of recipients of Official Development Assistance, the so-called ODA recipients.

Category 2: Candidates coming from the following countries:  Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Scholarship value/inclusions:

Stipend: The scholarship amounts to SEK 12,000 per month for PhD students and SEK 15,000 for post-doctoral studies. Scholarship periods are fixed for 6, 12 or 18 months.

Travel Grants: Scholarship holders from ODA countries will receive travel support in connection with the scholarship. The travel grant is a lump sum, given only once. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey and receive SEK 5,000. Citizens from remaining ODA countries receive SEK 15,000. PhD students on a sandwich set-up from ODA countries will be given only one travel grant per calendar year.

Insurance: Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period. For citizens of EU member states and other Convention countries the insurance applies with certain limitations.

Eligibility:

The scholarships are intended for guest students or researchers belonging to any of the above mentioned countries and target groups, applying for full-time studies/research in Sweden. There is no age limit for the scholarship holders.

Please note that to be eligible for a scholarship at PhD level you must be enrolled in ongoing PhD studies at a university outside Sweden.

Please also note that to be eligible for a scholarship at Postdoctoral level you must be holder of a PhD degree, preferably from 2007 or later. You can still apply if you expect to get your PhD degree shortly. However, you must be able to show that you successfully defended your PhD thesis no later than April 15, 2012.

You are not eligible for this scholarship if any of the following is true:

•  You have already lived in Sweden for two years or more when the scholarship period is due to begin.
•  You have a Swedish permanent residence permit.
•  You have a Swedish work permit and you are not an EU citizen.
•  You are applying for a scholarship at Postdoctoral level, but you do not hold any PhD degree, and will not be able to defend your PhD thesis before April 15, 2012.
•  You are applying for a scholarship at PhD level, but you are not enrolled in ongoing PhD studies at a university outside Sweden.

Application instructions:

Read the application instructions here. The deadline for applications is 1 March annually. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website: http://www.studyinsweden.se/Scholarships/SI-scholarships/Guest-Scholarship-Program/