Private sector plays key role in Indonesia’s pursuit of sustainable agriculture, food security

By:
On:
In: Asia

The produce the firm purchases from farmers is processed at its facilities in West Java, after which it is sold to clients within the country, as well as exported to Singapore, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The company has multiple greenhouses and several research farms.

RESEARCH A CRUCIAL FACTOR

Research and development (R&D) is crucial in determining agriculture productivity and affects food prices.

Muhammad Ifdhol Syawkoni, the hydroponic R&D manager at Beleaf Farms, told CNA that even details such as how many holes there are in each hydroponic system, have to be carefully researched.

“It can’t be, ‘Oh, there are a lot of holes on this, let’s use all’, because the standard is that this is the medium where the roots grow. If the medium is too small, it will be washed away by water in the production area. If it’s too big, we’ll incur too much cost,” he explained.

Beleaf Farms has secured nearly 40 partner farmers so far, but getting them on board in the first place is not always easy.

Continue Reading

Why is China experiencing its worst flooding in 60 years?

By:
On:
In: Asia

BEIJING: A Chinese river basin where 110 million people live has been hit by the worst floods since 1963 despite massive mitigation efforts, particularly during the rule of Mao Zedong, overwhelmed by the impact of global warming and outdated infrastructure. Typhoon Doksuri, the most powerful storm in China this year,Continue Reading

33 dead, 18 still missing after record Beijing rains

By:
On:
In: Asia

BEIJING: Thirty-three people have been confirmed dead and 18 are still missing after Beijing’s heaviest rains on record, officials said Wednesday (Aug 9). China’s capital has been hit by record downpours in recent weeks, damaging infrastructure and deluging swathes of the city’s suburbs and surrounding areas. Officials said Wednesday thatContinue Reading

Scores of horses suffer sunstroke at Japan samurai event

By:
On:
In: Asia

Two of the animals died, they said. The annual three-day event, which features more than 400 participants dressed as medieval samurai warriors fighting on horseback over flags that are shot overhead by fireworks, attracted more than 120,000 people, reports said. Yoshichika Hirata, a member of the festival’s executive committee, toldContinue Reading

How one small community is fighting off the dengue fever scourge, as cases accelerate rapidly in Thailand

By:
On:
In: Asia

CLIMATE CHANGE HELPING DENGUE SPREAD

Dengue fever is a disease closely associated with the environment. Rainfall, temperature and airflow all play a part in assisting transmission.

Ongoing research shows the direct connection between climate change and the spread of dengue fever at higher rates and to previously unaffected communities.

In temperate zones with warmer temperatures, mosquitoes may expand their habitats and are able to live in places they could not previously. 

“The primary factor influencing this situation is temperature, as even a one-degree increase can result in a 10 per cent higher chance of dengue fever occurrences, according to the research we have conducted,” said Kanchana Nakhapakorn, an associate professor with expertise on dengue fever and climate change at Mahidol University.

Nakhapakorn explained that mosquitoes tend to stay inactive and rest when the temperature is lower – below 24 degrees Celsius. But when the temperature rises, they become more active and are able to fly around in search of food.

“If the temperature rises, the developmental process from eggs to larvae and adulthood of mosquitoes accelerates, the chances of them reproducing and spreading increase significantly. This also makes it easier for disease transmission,” she said.

With increasing urbanisation, common throughout Thailand and the Southeast Asia region, reduced airflow in cities means mosquitoes have better conditions to breed.

The onset of the atmospheric phenomenon known as El Nino is also expected to bring elevated temperatures and the likelihood of extreme weather that could exacerbate dengue spread. 

Record heat has already been recorded across many parts of Asia this year and changes to rainfall patterns could prove problematic when trying to contain the disease.

“Since dengue fever occurs due to mosquito bites, improper environmental management could lead to its continuous occurrence. If there is an abnormal amount of rainfall, we surely have reasons to be worried and concerned,” Wisit said.

“When there is frequent rainfall, even small puddles can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever,” he added.

Continue Reading

Effects of climate change increasing in Asia, WMO says

By:
On:
In: Asia

GENEVA: Extreme weather events ranging from droughts to large-scale floods and other effects of climate change are on the rise in Asia and bound to affect food security and the continent’s ecosystems, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said. In a report published on Thursday (Jul 27), WMO said that AsiaContinue Reading

Japan PM in UAE to pitch green technology ahead of COP28

By:
On:
In: Asia

“CLEAN ENERGY COOPERATION” On Sunday, Kishida discussed energy security and decarbonisation with senior Saudi officials including Prince Mohammed in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, official Saudi statements said. During the meeting with Prince Mohammed, Tokyo and Saudi Arabia agreed to launch the “Lighthouse Initiative for Clean Energy Cooperation,” accordingContinue Reading