Paris, 3 November 2008


EFITA newsletter / 384 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


The joke (in English) on the French site of ACTA Informatique was hilarious! One would almost hope it was true... ;-)
See the second part of the following issue: http://www.acta-informatique.fr?d=7455
Contact: Thomas NORRBY
E-mail: thomas.norrby(a)sol.slu.se


Looking for information: Meat and fish meal prices evolution
Because in France animal proteins are still banned in feeds, it appears that not any French organization do reports on their price trend. But these animal meals are still used in petfoods. If any one knows foreign internet sites (free or paying) which present that kind of updated reports, I would thank them.
Contact : Regis LESAFFRE
E-mail: rlesaffre(a)centralys.com


AFRIFITA?
I would like organize within IST Africa next year in Uganda http://www.ist-africa.org/home/ a workshop (like first small conference in Africa) related to building African federation and support for African ICT for Agriculture. I need for this workshop some list of papers.

> Workshop Title
AFRIFITA - The Global Strategy for Africa in IT Deployment in Rural Areas

> Abstract
There exist INFITA as Network provides the basis for cooperation among national and international organizations and associations with interest in research and the utilization of information technology in agriculture, food and the environment. This network covers AFITA, EFITA, PanAFITA, IAALD and CIGR. Africa is not represented in this network till now. The workshop will open discussion between representative of EFITA, INFITA (and eventually other representations) with African delegates, how to support establishing of African federation and how to support cooperation between Europe and Africa in this area.

> Description
The workshop will be organised by EFITA, which is an autonomous, non-political, non-profit making Ii is the co-ordinating body and catalyst of its National Member. It is at the leading edge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) developments and the application of ICT in agriculture. EFITA's mission is to facilitate the exchange of information and experience, the development of knowledge in the area of ICT in agriculture in order to enhance the competitiveness of Europe and to promote the awareness of ICT in agriculture, food and environment.
Participants expected: mainly delegates from different Africa countries dealing with issue of rural development.

> Objectives
The objective of the workshop is to support building African Association for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and Environment (AFRIFITA) on the base of experiences from European federation EFITA and also federation From Asia AFITA and American region PanAfita and include Afrita as member of world organisation INFITA. Second objective is support transfer of previous experiences from cooperation between European countries with some African Regions to other regions of Africa.

> Target Audience: Industry, academy, government officials

> Duration: 1 Session: 80-90 min.

> Programme
- What is e rural?
- What are EFITA and INFITA?
- Discussion
- Definition of roadmap

> Core Conference Themes
- ICT for eInclusion and eAccessibility

> Related Themes
- eAdoption - national, regional and sectoral case studies, cultural and policy issues

Contact : Karel CHARVAT
E-mail: charvat(a)lesprojekt.cz


Vet meets farmer at EuroTier 2008
11 - 14 November 2008 – HANNOVER
Sharing the Hanover exhibition grounds this year are one of the most important annual congresses for veterinarians, an associated veterinary medicine exhibition and an international animal health event. Not only is EuroTier recognised as the world’s largest exhibition for farm animal management and equipment, the event this November in Hanover, Germany is also an important international veterinary meeting place. More.
Contact : Malene CONLONG
E-mail: m.conlong(a)dlg.org


Virtual Forum "Mobile Telephony in Rural Areas"
17 - 28 November 2008 at www.e-agriculture.org
Mobile phones are the success story of bridging the rural digital divide, bringing tangible economic benefits and acting as agents of social mobilization through improved communication. But what are the real challenges that face reaching rural areas, and what are some of today's most beneficial applications that can help these rural communities, specifically regarding agriculture development?

This Forum will examine the challenges that rural communities face in enhancing the benefits of mobile telephony, and look at some examples of interesting initiatives and good outcomes from around the globe.

Subject Matter experts include:
- Pete Cranston, ICT and New Media in Development Consultant
- Jawahar Kanjilal, Global Head of Emerging Market Services, Services &
Software, Nokia
- Christian Kreutz, Consultant, Knowledge Activist
- AHM Sultanur Reza, Additional General Manager and Head, Community Information Center, Grameenphone Ltd.
- Luca Servo, Knowledge Manager and Online Communities Expert, Food and
Agriculture Organization
- Nigel Scott, Gamos Ltd

with
- Charlotte Masiello-Riome, Communications Expert and e-Agriculture.org Coordinator
- Michael Riggs, Information Management Specialist for the Asia-Pacific region, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Register on the e-agriculture platform, if you haven't already done so.
See: http://www.e-agriculture.org/regform.html



The banking crisis - It gets worse!
It gets worse. I've just read that uncertainty has now hit the Japanese banking sector. In the last 7 days...
- Origami Bank has folded.
- Sumo Bank has gone belly up.
- Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches.

Yesterday, it was announced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will likely go for a song, while today shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended after they nose-dived.
Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks,

Ninja Bank is reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black.
Furthermore, 500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop and analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where it is feared that staff may get a raw deal!
Contact: I. KITRON
Mél : kitron1(a)terra.com.br


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