A German startup is using technology to help Indian farmers.

Progressive Environmental and Agricultural Technologies (PEAT) has, over the last couple of years, been working with 30,000 Indian farmers. Agriculture today is a $500 billion opportunity and there are more than 30 Indian startups that are using technology to solve problems in the industry. According to the World Bank, India has 395 million acres of land available for cultivation, of which only 215 million acres are cultivated. PEAT was set up in 2015. But it all started in South America. Four of PEAT's seven founders met during a German-Brazilian five-year research project in Amazonia, dealing with greenhouse gases (GHG), sustainability and land use change. There main research topic was the emission of GHG induced by land use change and options for action to mitigate them. PEAT’s India entry was through International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), which has its global headquarters in Hyderabad. ICRISAT, which works on improving their mandate crops (mainly pulses) around the world, started work on digital agriculture. This year, PEAT, along with ICRISAT, has rolled out Plantix, a free app for farmers in South India. The app is adapted to important crops in the region and is offered in local languages.continue

India to help Nigerian farmers plant pulses for export.

The Head of Chancery, High Commission of India, in Lagos, Mr Jagdeep Kapoor, on Thursday announced his government’s plans to encourage Nigerian farmers to plant more pulses that would be exported to India. Kapoor said in Lagos that the initiative would create a source of income for Nigerian farmers, as well as ensure steady flow of the produce to India. The Indian Official said that the project would be a priority in India and Nigeria’s 2017 Civil Aviation and Agriculture Cooperation Agreements, that would soon be formalised by both governments. He said, “Nigeria and India’s fresh areas of cooperation in 2017 would focus mostly on the signing of the Civil Aviation and Agriculture Agreements, that would soon be formalised by our two governments.more

How Pets Support People With Mental Illness.

Researchers from the University of Manchester interviewed 54 people with long-term mental health problems regarding the role of pets in their lives. They were given a diagram with three concentric circles surrounding a square meant to represent themselves and asked to fill in their sources of support (with the most important sources filling in the closest circle and then radiating outward). Nearly half of the participants included pets (dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, fish and more were part of the study) as part of their social network. Among them, 60 percent placed pets in the closest circle while 20 percent put them in the second closest. The participants noted many benefits of pet ownership, including being a source of physical contact and comfort, as well as providing a way to channel emotional energy. Many participants reported that their pets intuitively know when they're feeling unwell and act accordingly. The relationship between owners and their pets was so strong that it provided a distraction from negative feelings and symptoms, such as hearing voices among a person with schizophrenia. The researchers suggested pets could provide a therapeutic role in distracting their owners from suicidal ideation, feelings of loneliness and other symptoms of mental illness. In other cases, pets provided a much-need source of levity and humor. The participants noted their pets provided a source of unconditional love, accepted them for who they were without judgement or resentment. Among those with mental illness, many of whom feel stigmatized even by friends and family, this was invaluable. Many also noted the human-animal bond as being a reciprocal relationship, whereas human relationships in their lives were not regarded that way. Some even believed their pets to be struggling with similar symptoms (such as post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), which helped alleviate feelings of isolation and alienation. It's noteworthy, also, that many of the participants were unemployed and struggling with daily life. The pets had a positive effect here, too, as owners felt pride and validation about successfully caring for the pet, keeping him healthy and teaching him tricks. The caring for pets helped the participants to develop routines and gain a sense of control over their lives.

Deadly cat virus outbreak.

A viral disease that was thought to have disappeared has caused the death of scores of cats in Sydney in recent weeks, according to investigations into the outbreak . DNA sequencing by Professor Vanessa Barrs from the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Science and Marie Bashir Institute, has confirmed that the strain of virus causing the outbreak in Australia is feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). It coincides with several large outbreaks of parvovirus in dogs in NSW, around the Shoalhaven area as well as the Riverina region and Tamworth. The symptoms of FPV are fever, lethargy and loss of appetite which is usually followed by vomiting and diarrhoea,but in severe cases cats can die suddenly without exhibiting any warning signs The .disease in cats is caused by parvoviruses, which are small DNA viruses,but the main one is feline panleukopenia virus. The parvoviruses that infect dogs can also cause the disease in cats,so petlovers with cats and dogs must ensure vaccination. FPV, also known as feline enteritis, is a deadly viral infection of cats that was first discovered more than 100 years ago,but with vaccinations the disease virtually disappeared from Australia in the mid 1970s. There is no risk for humans as the disease is not zoonotic and cannot be passed on to them. source.

Meat scientist: nitrates good for body

Meat scientist: nitrates good for body: Nitrates benefit human health and are present in far greater quantities in leafy vegetables than in processed meats, contrary to recent media coverage.

Nutritional upgrade: Changes to diet may address depression: Study

Nutritional upgrade: Changes to diet may address depression: Study: Tweaks to a diet’s nutritional make-up may provide an effective strategy for depression, says a study detailing extended benefits towards the management of associated disorders.

Dual pouch project helps child nutrition in South Africa

Dual pouch project helps child nutrition in South Africa: A functional food pilot in South African schools, using an innovative dual pouch system which allows students to mix water and food powder, has boosted attendance according to its organisers.