Paris, 11 February 2008


EFITA newsletter / 348 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


Thanks for the news and for good jokes
Contact: Francisco SALMERON from Nicaragua (Central America)
E-mail: fsalmeron99(a)yahoo.com


2nd International Tech For Food Symposium
26 February - PARIS at the International Agriculture Show
Tech For Food is a symposium about how technologies enhance agricultural development in developing countries (remote sensing, mobile phones, internet, renewable energy...). It aims at:
- gathering field project holders, researchers, experts in technologies, development agriculture to point out initiatives' highs and lows
- promote exchanges in between these role-players (to promote partnerships, etc.)
- promoting innovative projects
- informing both public and institutions on the new tools used to develop agriculture in the South
Tech For Food was initiated by a French press group specialised in agriculture and environment, TV Agri, the National French Space Study Centre (CNES) and the Foundation for Agriculture and the Rural world (FARM). It was rapidly joined by renowned partners (FAO, UNCTAD, IRD, CIRAD, CTA, French Research Ministry, etc.).
Tech For Food 2008 will focus on the use of mobile phones and the Internet to enhance agricultural trade and on the use of remote sensing and other innovative technologies to better manage natural resources.
Contact: Camille ORNY
E-mail: camille.orny(a)nouvellecampagne.com


IAALD congress
24 - 27 August, 2008 – near TOKYO

1. Registration
It is already possible to register, to submit a paper or poster, and to book a hotel. A special site has been set up at: https://entry.jtb.ne.jp/me/registrye/registrye.asp?id=0955

2. Call for papers and posters
The organizers are calling for papers and posters related to the general theme: "‘advancing information and communication management, knowledge creation and sharing, and the application of information technologies in agriculture."
We expect the scope of the congress to cover information technologies, information knowledge and communication activities related to the applied life sciences, including: agriculture, food from production to marketing, natural resources, fish and wildlife, environment, extension, communication, and education
See: http://afita.ac.affrc.go.jp/wcca2008/paper.html
Submit abstracts of your proposals at: https://entry.jtb.ne.jp/me/registrye/registrye.asp?id=0955

3. Pre-Congress Workshops
Sunday 24 August will comprise a series of workshops organized by members and partners of IAALD, AFITA and the other organizers. These already include 'Adoption of ICT-enabled information systems'; 'rural telecentres'; 'semantic problems and solutions', 'image management'; 'RSS feeds'. More are being planned.

4. Special Congress Sessions
Within the main congress, there will be the usual mix of plenary and parallel events. One plenary forms part of the e-agriculture initiative led by FAO. We will also organize several thematic sessions - on aginfo developments in Africa (led by the IAALD Africa chapter); on experiences in the 'Pacific islands' ; on forest information (with IUFRO); on open access; and on research/science information systems.
See: http://iaald-afita-wcca2008.org/
Contact: Peter BALLANTYNE
E-mail: peter.ballantyne(a)iaald.org


A man and wife were sitting at a table at his high school reunion, and he kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.
The wife asks, "Do you know her?"
"Yes," He sighed, "she's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."
"Good grief!" says his wife, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
So you see, there really are 2 ways to look at every thing!!
Contact: I. KITRON
E-mail: kitron1(a)terra.com.br


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