Paris, 5 April 2010


EFITA newsletter / 455 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


To read this newsletter on the efita.net web site...
See: http://www.efita.net?d=6772


Information Systems in Agriculture and Forestry with part about Future Farm
11 – 12 May - PRAGUE
See: http://www.isaf.cz
Contact: Pavel SIMEK
E-mail: simek(a)pef.czu.cz


FutureFarm validation workshop
The FutureFarm validation workshop will be organised on 12th May 2010 from 14 00 till 17 00 in Praha as part of the conference Information Systems in Agriculture and Forestry (www.isaf.cz) on Czech University of Life Science in Suchdol.
FutureFarm (http://www.futurefarm.eu/) is a European project funded by the EU as part of the Seventh Research Framework Programme. The official project start date was 1st January 2008, and the project duration is 3 years. The full project title is "Meeting the challenges of the farm of tomorrow by integrating Farm Management Information Systems to support real-time management decisions and compliance to standards", and the funding is under the Cooperation programme of the FP7 in the Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnologies (Knowledge Based Bio-Economy) theme. The goal of the project is to design and developed future knowledge systems for managing of arable farming.
The objective of workshop is to present outputs of project, but mainly to start public discussion about Future Farm vision of Future of Knowledge Systems for Arable Farming.
The program of the workshop will be focused on
- Analysis of management strategies and required compliance to
- Analysis and specification of knowledge based farm management
- Knowledge management in the FMIS of tomorrow
- Socio-economic, environmental impact and technology assessment
- Influences of robotics and biofuels on economic and energetic efficiencies of farm production
- Vision of the farm of tomorrow
Workshop will be in English language. The workshop is free of charge but due administrative reason, we would like ask you for registration on http://www.isaf.cz
Contact : Karel CHARVAT
E-mail: charvat(a)ccss.cz


PyWPS and HSlayers programming courses
During Praha ISAF conference (www.isaf.cz) will be organized two training courses for programmers. First will be focused on PyWPS (12th of May) and second on HSlayers (13th of May). Tutor of the courses will be leader of developing team Jachym Cepicky, participants will obtain certificate of trained developers of both libraries. Both courses are independent and you can register for every course independently. The course fees are 250 Euro for every course and it includes course fees, lunch and refreshment during the courses. In the case, that you will participate on both courses, you will have free access on all conference events also. Accommodation has to organize every participant’s independently in their costs
In the case of free capacity there will be possible to participate for University and PhD students possible to participate free. The students will be selected on the base of earlier registrations

PyWPS (http://pywps.wald.intevation.org) is an implementation of the Web Processing Service of the Open Geospatial Consortium in Python. With PyWPS, it is possible to provide functionalities of geographic information systems and other space-related software via Internet. The course is focused on experienced GIS and WebGIS developers and users from universities, public administrations and private companies and gives an insight into the interoperability of the OGC service WPS (Web Processing Service) with GRASS GIS and other open source GIS applications.
Course program
1. Introduction
2. Installation
3. Configuration
4. Programming custom processes
5. PyWPS and other tools (Gdal, Proj, UMN MapServer, GRASS GIS)
6. JavaScript WPS Client
7. PyWPS and Java

The set of tools HSLayers (http://redmine.ccss.cz/projects/hslayers) is used in new generations of map applications. It is based on JavaScript libraries OpenLayers and ExtJS , used in EU projects, such as Plan4all (http://portal.plan4all.eu). Using these tools it is possible to create applications according to user needs. These applications can vary from simple maps accessible through a web site to complicated applications that are similar to desktop GIS tools in their control and functionality. The course is focused on experienced GIS and WebGIS developers and users from universities, public administrations and private companies.
1. Introduction
2. Installation and build system
3. HSLayers Components
4. HSLayers Portal
5. Server scripts (Transformation, Print)
6. Editing with HSLayers
7. Special HSLayers.Layer.MapServer type

Contact: M. CHARVAT Junior
E-mail charvat_junior(a)ccss.cz


New OECD publication: Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Agriculture
OECD has just published the report Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Agriculture, together with nine background studies, that cover virtual water, water financing, agriculture's role in flood control, and agricultural water pricing in Australia, the EU, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Turkey and the United States.
See: http://www.oecd.org/document/55/0,3343,en_2649_37401_44753399_1_1_1_1,00.html

The report is also available in French at:
http://www.oecd.org/document/55/0,3343,fr_2649_37401_44766922_1_1_1_1,00.html
Contact: Kevin PARRIS
Email: kevin.parris(a)oecd.org


Farmers using their phones to get market, weather and other information
A phone is easier to use than a computer, cheaper and more easily accessible." Dr Mucemi Gakuru is a senior lecturer in electrical and electronic engineering at the University of Nairobi and managing director of Teknobyte.
See: http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/regulars/Q-A/(issue)/53


Network of community knowledge workers (CKWs) in Uganda…
…a suite of mobile applications to give farmers a broad range of information. The CKWs can provide farming advice, market data, pest- and disease-control training, plus weather forecasts.
See: http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/Feature-Articles/Direct_data_on_demand


African Agriculture Technology Foundation
See: http://www.aatf-africa.org


Sunday afternoon 'quickie'
The only way Don and Susan could arrange a Sunday afternoon 'quickie' with their eight year old son in their small apartment was to send him out on the balcony with a Mars Bar and a milk shake and tell him to report on all the street activities.
On this particular Sunday the little boy began his commentary as his parents put their plan into operation:

'There's a car being towed from the parking lot,' he shouted.

'An ambulance just drove by!'

'Looks like the Anderson's have company, 'he called out.

'Matt's riding a new bike!'

'Looks like the Sanders are moving!'

'Jason is on his skate board!

Silence for a short while. Then:

'The Coopers are shagging!!'

Startled, Don and Susan shot up in bed!

Don cautiously called out: 'How do you know they're shagging?'

'Jimmy Cooper is standing on his balcony with a Mars Bar and a milk shake!

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


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