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Editor’s Note
“Generally, farmers have difficulty in dealing with the concept of ‘plants being sick’, and sometimes attribute plant diseases to witchcraft,” remarked one scientist at a workshop on rice diseases.
Not only farmers, even scientists sometimes have difficulty in understanding some complex diseases, such as rice blast — probably one of the well-known cereal diseases in the world, which destroys worldwide over 150 million tons of rice every year. The story Tracking down a notorious cereal killer in this issue shows how scientists around the world are trying to better understand the blast and find a durable solution.
Favorable policies and political support are vital for moving improved agricultural technologies from research stations to the hands of farmers and consumers. Putting NERICA on the political agenda gives brief accounts of the recent declarations of commitment made by political leaders, including Heads of African States, to promote the widespread dissemination of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA).
News and Notes gives you a glimpse of some unforgettable moments in the Center’s life.
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