Plenary Papers
Publication Date
2013
Location
Sydney, Australia
Description
Grasslands make up about 40.5% of the world’s land surface, and almost everywhere they make vital contributions to food supplies, livelihoods, watersheds, conservation of biodiversity and to ameliorating climate change through carbon sequestration. However, grasslands are under-represented in discussions on food security and livelihoods. Despite large investments in building human capacity, improving production systems and in research, grasslands are continuing to degrade and there is no let-up in sight for the consequent strife, famines and conflicts among the pastoral and other communities that depend on them. This review of grassland issues identified many critical skills that are lacking but it also revealed models of public–private partnerships involving educators, entrepreneurs and researchers that could, by enabling the parties to work together, revitalise the skill base in grassland research and practice.
Citation
von Kaufmann, Ralph, "International R D & E Investment: Revitalising the Skill Base in Grassland Research and Practice" (2013). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 9.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/22/plenary/9)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
International R D & E Investment: Revitalising the Skill Base in Grassland Research and Practice
Sydney, Australia
Grasslands make up about 40.5% of the world’s land surface, and almost everywhere they make vital contributions to food supplies, livelihoods, watersheds, conservation of biodiversity and to ameliorating climate change through carbon sequestration. However, grasslands are under-represented in discussions on food security and livelihoods. Despite large investments in building human capacity, improving production systems and in research, grasslands are continuing to degrade and there is no let-up in sight for the consequent strife, famines and conflicts among the pastoral and other communities that depend on them. This review of grassland issues identified many critical skills that are lacking but it also revealed models of public–private partnerships involving educators, entrepreneurs and researchers that could, by enabling the parties to work together, revitalise the skill base in grassland research and practice.
