Lao PDR Rice and Fish Production

Rice and fish may or may not be common agricultural commodities produced in your home region. Whether rice and fish production are common in your area or not there is a great chance that we all can reflect and learn from farmers in Lao PDR (Lao People's Democratic Republic). We encourage you to explore the linked story below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe. 

Tapping into aquatic resources to lift rice production

Discussion Points

• The following quote was shared in the article. "In the past we used to farm in harmony with the environment. But now we have more pests, and we do not know how to cope with them." Do you agree with this statement? Would you respond differently in different parts of the world? What about your home region?
• The linked story mentions that diversification in agricultural production is good for the environment and helps reduce poverty. Why is this the case in Lao PDR? Do you think agriculture in your region could benefit from an increase in diversification? Explain your reasoning.
• The story shares how farmers benefited from sharing information. Do you see those in agriculture in your home area sharing data the way farmers have in Lao PDR? 
• What are your final thoughts regarding this global agriculture story? What are your main take-a-ways?

CRISPR Access to Fight Hunger

Science and technology advancements are often expensive and therefore can be unavailable to those who need it most. A university in the Netherlands is breaking the mold and offering access to CRISPR-Cas technology to non-profits in the fight against food insecurity. The linked release includes text and a couple videos regarding the announcement and an explanation of CRISPR-Cas. We encouraged you to explore the linked news release below and utilize the discussion points to engage with others around the globe. 

WUR gives away CRISPR intellectual property licenses 

Discussion Points

• What is CRISPR-Cas technology?
• How does CRISPR-Cas technology have the potential to fight hunger around the world?
• Why is the concept of granting complimentary licenses of CRISPR-Cas technology such a ground-breaking concept? Do you think this is a good thing or not?
• Should other universities and companies follow this example with CRISPR-Cas and other scientific technologies? Why or why not? Do you see this as common practice in the future? Do you think different countries around the world have different outlooks?

Bangladesh Farmers Go Digital

Smart phones loaded with different apps have become a norm for many around the globe. This week we travel to Bangladesh to learn about the Digital Bangladesh initiative and how it is creating a digital transformation through the use of apps and other technology. We encourage you to watch the short video linked below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the world.

Digital Village in Bangladesh

Discussion Points (We encourage you to watch the video twice. Once focusing on the text and the other focusing on the video footage.)

• What did you find interesting about this video/content and why?
• When you focused on the video footage versus the text what did you notice about agriculture in Bangladesh? How is it similar or different than agriculture in your home region? What unique challenges might Bangladesh face that you do not and vice versa?
• The video highlighted the use of apps by farmers in Bangladesh. Do farmers in your region utilize apps in their work? How do you think the use of apps are similar and/or different in Bangladesh and your home region?
• Do farmers in your home region receive similar help/training with apps and technology? Compare and contrast the assistance/training. 

Afghanistan Agriculture Challenges

Afghanistan has been at the top of newsfeeds as of late with the withdrawal of United States military forces. We have heard about a lot of things happening in and around Afghanistan, but agriculture is one area that has not been focused on heavily with most media sources. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations shares the challenges facing around 7 million farmers in Afghanistan in the story linked below. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to guide your conversations with others around the globe.

Drought threatens the livelihoods of 7 million farmers in Afghanistan

Discussion Points

• How is the drought impacting crop farmers in Afghanistan?
• How is the drought impacting livestock farmers in Afghanistan? 
• How might the recent withdrawal of United States military forces from Afghanistan impact farmers in Afghanistan and the challenges they are facing?
• You have just been put in charge of providing assistance to farmers in Afghanistan. What type of assistance will you provide? How will it be delivered? What are considerations you will have to take account for?