Background: Mass cultivation of algae for biofuel production has focused on the use of open ponds or closed bioreactors. Both approaches depend upon routine liquid culturing of the algae and require the removal of large quantities of water at the time of cell harvesting and subsequent extraction of desired products. This invention proposes the use of porous inert membranes to support the growth and subsequent harvesting of the algae.
Improved cultivation techniques
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ObjectiveWhat is Micro-algae
Micro-algae are a group of unicellular or simple multicellular fast growing photosynthetic microorganisms that can conserve CO2 efficiently from different sources, including the atmosphere, industrial exhaust gases, and soluble carbonate salts. Micro-algae act as a major system for converting atmospheric CO2 into lipids under sunlight and increase the output of algal oil. The enzyme acetyl Co-A carboxylase (ACCase) from micro-algae catalyzes the key metabolic step in the synthesis of oil in algae.
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Publication dateObjectiveSectorsApproachDescription of the project: The Kagera river, a tributary of the Nile, is being threatened by silting due to unsustainable farming methods. Its river basin is a very rich agricultural ground supporting 16.5 million people in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The project aims to improve and modernize current farming methods, in order to improve food security and ensure resilient livelihoods for people and animals living in this area. Groups of 50 new beneficiaries are trained every month on farming methods, followed by a tree-planting scheme by the river.
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Publication dateObjectiveApproach
Climate change impacts disproportionately affect the poor. Impacts will intensify yet poor communities already struggle to cope with current climate shocks. Adaptation is therefore fundamental, yet daunting. This edition of the Tiempo newsletter addresses the issue of community-based adaptation strategies. Four articles included are:
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Publication dateObjective
Upstream water use is not adjusted to reflect rainfall fluctuations, and downstream farmers of the Nagarjuna Sagar irrigation project in the state of Andhra Pradesh are increasingly vulnerable to water supply shocks. This paper documents the wide range of adjustments adopted by managers and farmers in Nagarjuna Sagar during a period of fluctuating water availability (2000-2007). Primary and secondary data indicate managerial adjustments such as rotational and timely water supplies to meet critical water demands of standing crops.
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Publication dateObjectiveSectorsApproach
Bhutan is a mountainous landlocked country with a varying climate and rich biodiversity. Despite significant economic progress being made over recent years Bhutan remains a least developed nation with constraints and vulnerabilities adversely affecting its capacity to cope with climate change.The authors recognise that Bhutan’s vulnerability is heightened by low economic strength, inadequate infrastructure, lack of institutional capacity and an agro-based rural economy. Impacts of climate change will have significant implications for the overall development of Bhutan.
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Background
As the prices of both land and labour rise in China facility-based agriculture is beginning to gain momentum. Rather than growing food in open fields Chinese farmers are increasingly likely to use greenhouses and other covered facilities for cultivation. In 2010 there were more than 3.5 million acres in use for facility agriculture and this is expected to grow by a further 50% by 2020.
