Update January 2011

Please feel free to distribute this update to other members of your organisation.
If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included in the next newsletter, please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk by 10am on 14 January 2011.

Content in Summary:

Events – Next CPPS lecture by Dr Danny Zamir (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Is there a limit to tomato yield?  17 Feb 2011, 16:00-17:00 at the Dept of Plant Sciences, Cambridge CB2 3EA, followed by networking; Training Event: Growing Quality Ware Potatoes: 24 Feb 2011, 09:00-16:00 in Attleborough; Conference: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture: 28 Feb-1 March 2011, at the Royal Society

Funding Opportunities - African Enterprise Challenge Fund Agribusiness and Renewable Energy Calls, deadline 31 Jan 2011; Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) Award  to explore 'Life after manufactured fertiliser', deadline 18 March 2011.

Jobs – Research & Knowledge Transfer Managers in Non-Food Uses and Agronomy at HGCA ; deadline 31 Jan 2011

Miscellaneous – CALL FOR PAPERS: The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development; deadline 15 Feb 2011; Technology and Innovation Centres Prospectus published

Events

Next CPPS Lecture
Speaker: Danny Zamir, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Title: Is there a limit to tomato yield?
Date:  17 Feb 2010, 16:00-17:00 (followed by wine & nibbles)
Venue: Dept of Plant Sciences (Large Lecture Theatre), Cambridge CB2 3EA
The lecture will be followed by networking over wine and nibbles; an excellent opportunity to connect with the speaker and other members from industry and academia!   All welcome, no registration is necessary.
Abstract available here
- - - - -
Growing Quality Ware Potatoes
A seminar from the Training Association
Date:  24 Feb 2011, 09:00-16:00
Venue: Breckland Lodge, Attleborough, Norfolk
BASIS CPD points have been applied for
This seminar will deal with the blemishes and rots and what can go wrong with potato tubers destined for high quality outlets. It is aimed at practical potato growers and their advisors, as well as others who in their daily work deal with high value potato crops. Participants will be encouraged to contribute from their own experience in dialogue and discussion in order to acquire a better understanding of the reasons behind disease management strategies.
Cost: £50 (+ VAT)
For information about the course, and to obtain a booking form, contact Paul at paul@gansplanthealth.com or telephone 01223 212496 or 07834 355899 or visit www.gansplanthealth.com.

- - - - -
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture
Date: 28 Feb-1 March 2011
Venue: The Royal Society
Delivering the increases in food production required from a growing population, while reducing agricultural emissions and adapting to climate change, presents a unique scientific challenge, which this discussion meeting at The Royal Society proposes to explore. For information on how to register, see http://www2.royalsociety.org/events/forms/1111.htm.

Funding Opportunities

 
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund launched in mid-2008 and has since run seven rounds of its investment competition, supporting new investment in the agribusiness, rural financial services and media and information sectors, across Africa.
Calls currently open:
* Tanzania Agribusiness Competition
* Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies Competition
Deadline for both 31 Jan 2011
Read more on: http://www.aecfafrica.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid

- - - - -
Opportunity to study 'Life after manufactured fertiliser' - Applications Open: The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) is pleased to announce a special award offering leading industry individuals the chance to explore 'Life after manufactured fertiliser'. This special award is open to UK residents working in the fields of food, farming or forestry and there is no age limit. The closing date for applications is 18 March 2011, to be followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates on 7 April 2011.

Jobs

 
HGCA are recruiting for Research & Knowledge Transfer Managers in Non-Food Uses and Agronomy.  Based at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, deadline 31 Jan 2011. Details of HGCA's job vacancies are available on the AHDB website: http://www.ahdb.org.uk/vacancies/default.aspx.

Miscellaneous

 
CALL FOR PAPERS: 

The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development
Manuscripts due February 15, 2011
JAFSCD invites researchers, ag/food system development professionals, and others to submit applied research papers, critical reflection essays, commentaries, and other manuscripts that provide critical insights into small- and mid-scale food value chain development.          
Further information can be found on: http://www.agdevjournal.com/current-special-topic-call.html. For details about JAFSCD and author guidelines, visit www.AgDevJournal.com/submissions.

- - - - -

Technology and Innovation Centres Prospectus Published
In October 2010 it was announced that over £200m will be invested in a network of elite technology and innovation centres, to be established and overseen by the Technology Strategy Board. A prospectus (pdf) has just been published to begin launching these world-leading centres, including an invitation for organisations to register their interest in forming a technology and innovation centre focused on the area of high value manufacturing. Read more on http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/technology-and-innovation-centres.ashx.

_____
If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included in the next newsletter, or to unsubscribe, please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk (deadline for inclusion in next newsletter is 10am 14 January 2011).