Paris, 25 December 2006


EFITA newsletter / 289 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


Seminar about agricultural data dictionaries, interoperability and traceability held on 20 December 2006
220 participants.
See: http://www.acta-informatique.fr?d=6597
Contact: Guy WAKSMAN
E-mail: waksman(a)acta-informatique.fr


Thank you for the newsletters along the year! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Contact: Judit Kovács Katona
E-mail: katonaj@agr.unideb.hu


Film-making farmers
This issue of ICT Update, a bimonthly printed bulletin, web magazine, and accompanying email newsletter focusing on the use of information and communication technologies in agriculture in developing countries,  offers a comprehensive look at the uses of digital video – participatory and otherwise – in agriculture and rural development. In the lead article, we investigate how farmers and fishers in the Niger Delta are using an innovative combination of participatory video, mobile-to-web messaging and online video sharing to take on the oil companies that are polluting their lands and waters. We also cover a project in Ghana where cocoa growers are producing videos that teach improved cocoa cultivation principles to their fellow farmers. While HIV/Aids continues to imperil the agricultural workforce across Africa, an Aids support group in Malawi is using participatory video to boost their self-esteem and to encourage others to get themselves tested. In our Question & Answer feature, we interview Jamaica-based participatory video expert Maria Protz on the role of gender in participatory video. We even have an equipment inventory and example budget for any readers who want to start up their own participatory video project.
See: http://ictupdate.cta.int
Contact: Leigh PHILLIPS
E-mail: leigh(a)contactivity.com


Looking for an Agricultural Technical Author Trainee
Valley Forge (UK) Ltd. is one of the leading producers of workshop literature for global automotive and agricultural manufacturers. We currently have a vacancy in our Basildon office for an Agricultural Technical Author Trainee.
The role involves writing mechanical, electrical and fault finding procedures that tell service technicians how to remove and install mechanical and electrical components in newly developed vehicles. Vehicle repair knowledge (mechanical and electrical) is expected, ideally with a City and Guilds 383/Agricultural Mechanics Certificate and/or time served apprenticeship or equivalent; as is a valid, clean driving license and willingness to travel to customer sites.
You must be motivated to develop your career in an office environment and be willing to use your technical knowledge to prepare service information for new vehicle technologies. Full training will be provided, and you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package.
Contact: Lori SITTON
E-mail: lori.sitton(a)radiodetection.spx.com


AGROVOC Thesaurus in German is now available online!
The German edition 3 (version 1999) of the AGROVOC Thesaurus is now available on the Agricultural Information Management Standards Web site. It includes more than 25,300 terms and 1,200 scope notes, including geographical and taxonomic terms. Originally created by The German Centre for Documentation and Information in Agriculture (Zentralstelle für Agrardokumentation und -information - ZADI - http://www.zadi.de/) it will now be maintained by FAO.
The terms are all in upper-case as this was the original format used by ZADI. Subsequent work will be undertaken to be done to convert this to proper case. AGROVOC, together with the other languages, is also available trough web services.
See: http://www.fao.org/aims/ag_alpha.htm?myLangTerms=DE
Contact: Gauri  SALOKHE
E-mail: Gauri.Salokhe(a)fao.org


International Conference on Agricultural Economics, Rural Development and Informatics”
20-21 March, 2007 - University of Debrecen

At this conference there will are “ICT in Agriculture and Rural Development” sessions.
The aim of agri-informatics sessions to show and discuss the results, plans and visions are focused on all the issues contributing to the EU Rural Development Policy 2007-2013 and helps  to realize the community strategic guidelines:

Topics, but are not limited to:
* Farm management systems
* Decision support systems and tools for farmers
* e-AgBusiness
* IT in food safety control and product tracking-tracing
* GIS and precision agriculture
* Information systems and databases
* Wireless and sensor technologies, applications
* RTD projects on European and national levels
* Agro-innovation and ICT
* e-Collaboration tools and systems in agriculture
* Emerging technologies in agriculture and food sector
* ICT development strategies related to agriculture and rural areas
* Internet infrastructure and services for farms and rural communities
* Education/Training and Distance Learning
* e-Government

All the Hungarian and foreign experts are welcomed, including members and leaders of doctoral schools in the field of Agricultural Economics, Rural Development and Informatics.
Deadline for submission papers: 10th January 2007
See: http://www.agr.unideb.hu/ava3/


Longevity revisited
An 80-year old Italian man goes to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor is amazed at what good shape the guy is in and asks, "How do you stay in such great physical condition?"

I'm Italian and I am a golfer," says the old guy," and that's why I'm in such good shape." I'm up well before daylight and out golfing up and down the fairways." "I have a glass of wine and all is well."

"Well," says the doctor, "I'm sure that helps, but there's got to be more to it. How old was your Dad when he died?"

"Who said my Dad's dead?"

The doctor is amazed. "You mean you're 80 years old and your Dad's still alive. How old is he?"

"He's 100 years old," says the old golfer. "In fact he golfed with me this morning, and then we went to the topless beach for a walk, that's why he's still alive. He's Italian and he's a golfer too."

"Well," the doctor says, "that's great, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. How about your Dad's Dad? How old was he when he died?"

"Who said my grandpa's dead?" "He's still kicking."

Stunned, the doctor asks, "You mean you're 80 years old and your grandfather's still living! Incredible, how old is he?"

"He's 118 years old," says the old golfer. The doctor is getting frustrated at this point, "So, I guess he went golfing with you this morning too?"

"No. Grandpa couldn't go this morning because he's getting married today."

At this point the doctor is close to losing it and he exclaimed, "Getting married! Why would a 118-year-old guy want to get married?"

The man replied, "Who said he wanted to?"

Contact: Mick HARKIN
E-mail: harkin(a)iol.ie


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