Please see the webinar series details in the following news items
As part of our continuing commitment to supporting developing countries to enhance their scientific capability and institutional capacity to estimate and track agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, we are pleased to present Progressing Partnerships – a three-part capacity building webinar series to provide advice, technical assistance and training to existing and new member countries of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA), particularly from Africa.
Register for webinar 1 HERE
Register for webinar 2 HERE
Register for webinar 3 HERE
Each webinar will feature topical experts currently working with various science networks and provide an opportunity to learn about on-going research activities for reducing agricultural GHG emissions in each of the GRA’s four Research Groups (Croplands (CRG), Paddy Rice (PRRG), Livestock (LRG) and Integrative (IRG). Expert facilitators will share their personal experiences in working with different stakeholders from both developed and developing countries, answer your questions, and highlight further opportunities for research collaboration provided by the GRA and other related science networks. The webinar series will also create opportunities for valuable knowledge sharing and peer learning by drawing on good practice examples of relevant GRA programmes in different countries and regions.
If you are intending to engage with the GRA, and if you would like to be part of important science networks on agricultural GHG emissions, you are welcome to participate in the Progressing Partnerships webinar series.
This webinar will highlight the importance of international collaborations in addressing the challenges of agricultural emissions reductions in the context of food security, poverty reduction and sustainable development, in particular the role of the GRA.
The webinar will provide information on the overall objectives, activities and strategies employed by the GRA in its efforts to address agricultural greenhouse gas emissions globally. The webinar will provide information necessary to support member countries to identify opportunities for research collaboration to implement and advance the agricultural greenhouse gas research and development agenda.
Date: Wednesday, 5th August 2020 (9 – 10am UTC)
| Presenters | Agency | |
| Relevance of the Global Research Alliance | Hayden Montgomery | Special Representative, Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases |
| International collaborations on reducing greenhouse gases | Bob Turnock Edward Yeboah Eugenia Saini | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada CSIR-Soil Research Institute Ghana Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO) |
This webinar will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the operations and future directions of the four Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) Research Groups and associated science networks of the GRA. The webinar will highlight the activities and Flagship Projects undertaken by each Group to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the webinar will highlight the benefits of active engagement in the research groups, the opportunities provided through their networks and how member countries can effectively participate.
Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2020 (9 – 10am UTC)
| Presenters | Agency | |||
| Strengthening actions for collaboration in global agricultural mitigation research through science networks | Jeroen Dijkman (Webinar chair and Co-Chair of LRG) María Rosa Mosquera Losada (Co-Chair of CRG) Laure Tall (Co-Chair of PRRG) Jean-Francois Soussana (Co-Chair of IRG) | New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre University of Santiago de compostela Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute – ISRA National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE, France) |
The third webinar will present an example of practical methods for compiling livestock greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 approach and showcase good practices from the development of a Tier 2 GHG emissions inventory for the dairy sector in Kenya.
The webinar will draw on the recent publication Livestock Activity Data Guidance (L-ADG), published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) to improve understanding on the steps involved in compiling livestock GHG inventories.
The webinar will also draw on practical challenges and lessons learnt from the development of a Tier 2 GHG inventory for the dairy sector in Kenya. This will provide other countries (intending to develop Tier 2 GHG inventories in the livestock sector) with tools and improved understanding of how to mobilise, inter alia, in-country support for GHG inventory development.
Date: Wednesday 23rd September 2020 (9 – 10am UTC)
| Presenters | Agency | |
| Practical methods for compiling livestock GHG inventories using the Tier 2 approach | Andreas Wilkes | UNIQUE Forestry and Land Use |
| Experiences from the development of a Tier 2 GHG emissions inventory for the dairy sector in Kenya | Benjamin Kibor Robin Mbae | Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Kenya |
Agroscope are looking for a PostDoc to measure greenhouse gas exchange of agricultural ecosystems in Switzerland. The work focuses on N2O emissions depending on fertilisation. It is part of a project supporting the establishment of a country-specific method for the national greenhouse gas inventory.
For more information and where to apply click here
Applications close 25 July 2020
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Team Leader, Mazingira (Environment) Centre to lead and expand a team of researchers looking at the environmental footprint of livestock systems in developing countries.
For more information and where to apply click here
Applications close 7 August 2020
The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) recently held a day-long, around-the-world virtual relay event, starting in Australia and concluding in Colombia on 25 June 2020.
The webinar “A new era for food and climate: Driving transformative actions” aimed to inspire collective action on the 11 priorities laid out in the flagship report of the Transforming Food Systems Under a Changing Climate initiative, catalyzing efforts to address the current food crisis prompted by COVID-19 and averting future food insecurity from our changing climate.
Click here to read more about the webinar
We are excited to announce that 57 PhD candidates from 20 developing countries will receive scholarships in Round 4 of the Climate, Food and Farming – Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Development Scholarships programme (CLIFF-GRADS).
Increasing interest in the CLIFF-GRADS Programme has seen the number of recipients in this scholarship Round double after hundreds of applications were received.
The full list of awardees, their research projects and the 34 host institutes that they will be hosted by can be found below.
CLIFF-GRADS offers short research visits of up to 6 months providing opportunities for early-career scientists to gain exposure to equipment, software and expertise that they would not otherwise have access to at their home institute.
During their research visit CLIFF-GRADS recipients will research rumen microbiology, rice production, soil emissions, and pasture management, among other topics.
We’d especially like to acknowledge the support of fellow GRA country members and international partners, particularly CCAFS, for supporting these technical training opportunities for students.
The Round 4 awardees are:
Keep an eye out for further information about the awardees coming soon.
Listed by Name, Nationality, Host Organisation and Project Topic
| Abdoulaye Tyano Burkina Faso National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), Spain Agricultural management’s potential effect on soil carbon sequestration at national level |
| Abdulkareem Raheem Nigeria International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Thailand Evaluation of field measurements, focussing on the impact of rice varieties on greenhouse gas emissions in combination with advanced mitigation technologies |
| Abera Assefa Biratu Ethiopia Alliance of Bioversity International – International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Ethiopia Modelling and predicting SOC sequestration potentials of Sustainable Land Management Program (SLMP) watersheds in Ethiopia |
| Addis Tadesse Tekle Ethiopia Columbia University, USA Modelling adaptation co-benefits of mitigation in regional farming systems |
| Adnan Arshad Pakistan Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit, USDA-ARS, USA Greenhouse gas emissions from dryland cropping systems under two tillage and crop rotations |
| Ahmed Olanrewaju Aliyu Nigeria Bangor University, Wales, UK Greenhouse gas mitigation from dairy and beef systems across a development gradient |
| Alex Zizinga Uganda Alliance of Bioversity International – International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya Increasing farm productivity and carbon sinks on sandy soils |
| Ana Veronica Juarez Sequeira Argentina National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), Chile Directed evolution of rumen microbial cultures towards the identification and stimulation of electron sinks alternative to methanogenesis |
| Anabella Lozza Argentina La Molina National Agrarian University, Peru Quantification of enteric methane (CH4) emissions and carbon footprint of silvopastoral systems in the Peruvian Amazon Region |
| Andrés García Argentina Veterinary Institute for Tropical and Altitude Research (IVITA), Peru Defining the most fit dairy cattle genetics for high altitude Andean small-holder systems: Determining feed energy partitioning to methane (CH4), stress response, energy expenditure and their ratios to milk energy |
| Armwell Shumba Zimbabwe National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture through the use of alternative fertilizers |
| Azamat Suleymanov Russia ISRIC, World Soil Information, Netherlands Improved soil carbon mapping in sub-Saharan Africa to support soil fertility and climate mitigation studies |
| Beatriz Elisa Bizzuti Brazil National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina Energy use efficiency of dairy cows fed by-products in early lactation |
| Beshea Abdissa Chemeda Ethiopia Mekelle University, Ethiopia Improving productivity and adaptive capacity of coffee-based agroforestry systems for enhancing food security in a changing climate in Ethiopia |
| Boma Victor Iriso Nigeria National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), Chile Effects of inhibiting methanogenesis on propionate production in the rumen |
| Catriel Mateo Espinosa Argentina Massey University, New Zealand Assessment of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrate leaching in pasture soils modified with the addition of woodchips |
| Der Dabire Burkina Faso French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), France Co-design and dissemination of options to mitigate the impact of livestock on Climate Change |
| Endale Balcha Gurmu Ethiopia National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), Chile Directed evolution of rumen microbial cultures towards the identification and stimulation of electron sinks alternative to methanogenesis |
| Eyerus Muleta Fatula Ethiopia National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), Uruguay Development of nitrogen-urea-milk content as an indicator of temporal and spatial distribution of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions |
| Flavia Yesica Olguin Argentina Jimma University, Ethiopia Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from coffee production systems through shade management |
| Florence Akwatulira Uganda University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK Soil organic carbon sequestration potential for different management options in silvopastoral ecosystems in Latin America |
| Fredrick Agutu Kenya Alliance of Bioversity International – International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya Feed gaps and associated greenhouse gas emission intensities of smallholder dairy systems in Tanzania and Rwanda |
| Funmilola Adebisi Oluwafemi Nigeria Hawassa University, Ethiopia Application of biochar and co-composted biochar from urban, agricultural and agro-industrial processing organic wastes: promising tool for climate smart agriculture |
| Habtamu Degefa Debelie Ethiopia Research Center for the Management of Environmental and Agricultural Risks (CEIGRAM), Spain Greenhouse gas emissions from extensive livestock systems under Mediterranean conditions: On-site nitrous oxide (N2O) quantification and carbon budget estimations by LCA |
| Haftay Hailu Gebremedhn Ethiopia French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), France Co-design and dissemination of options to mitigate the impact of livestock on Climate Change livestock |
| Janeth Chepkemoi Kenya Alliance of Bioversity International – International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya Assessing the soil organic carbon sequestration potential of planted forages in Rwanda and Kenya |
| Josias Steve Adjassin Benin Natural Research Institute Finland (Luke), Finland Quantifying methane (CH4) conversion rate (Ym) from Finnish lactating dairy cows |
| Juan Pablo Inamagua Uyaguari Ecuador La Molina National Agrarian University, Peru Quantification of enteric methane (CH4) emissions and carbon footprint of silvopastoral systems in the Peruvian Amazon Region |
| Kpante Koutando Togo Climate and Agriculture Group, Agroscope, Switzerland Nitrous oxide (N2O) mitigation from agriculturally managed organic soils |
| Laure Lysette Chimi Nkombo Cameroon Massey University, New Zealand Assessment of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrate leaching in pasture soils modified with the addition of woodchips |
| Leonardo Fernandes Sarkis Brazil Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit, USDA-ARS, USA Greenhouse gas emissions from dryland cropping systems under two tillage and crop rotations |
| Luis Antonio Milesi Delaye Argentina Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit, USDA-ARS, USA Using a tier II model (CQESTR) to predict soil organic carbon storage and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
| Lumena Souza Takahashi Brazil National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA); National Technological University, Argentina Mitigation strategies to decrease methane (CH4) emissions of Argentina pastoral livestock systems |
| Maduabuchi Iboko Nigeria International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in diversified rice systems |
| Manuel Camilo Valencia Molina Colombia Salta Experimental Station, National Institute of Agricultural Technology (EEA Salta INTA), Argentina Nitrogen management to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in sugarcane |
| Maxwell Adebayo Adeyemi Nigeria National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina Greenhouse gas emission mitigation options for different productive strategies in dairy production systems of Argentina |
| Merabtene Mohammed Djemel Elddine Algeria Bangor University, Wales, UK Managing nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) through improved agricultural liming practices |
| Meseret Teweldebrihan Ethiopia Alliance of Bioversity International – International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Ethiopia Modelling and predicting SOC sequestration potentials of Sustainable Land Management Program (SLMP) watersheds in Ethiopia |
| Moyosore Joseph Adegbeye Nigeria Agrosavia, Colombia Validation of active principles from trees and shrubs implemented as an integrated strategy to rumen ecosystem and its eco-systemic services in Cundinamarca-Colombia dairy systems |
| Nelly Blondelle Momo Wobeng Cameroon Soils and Ecosystems Research Group, Bangor University, Wales, UK Managing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from small-scale farm features |
| Paula Re Argentina Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Spain Combining mitigation strategies to enhance soil carbon sequestration without compromising yields in Mediterranean woody cropping systems |
| Priscila Matos Brazil Embrapa Rice and Beans, Brazil Technologies and practices to increase carbon sequestration in integrated crop-livestock system on humid tropical Savannah |
| Rafael Jiménez Ocampo Mexico Alliance of Bioversity International – International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Colombia Effects of essential oils on rumen fermentation, microbial diversity in the rumen and methane (CH4) emissions in tropical systems |
| Rayanne Viana Costa Brazil Queens University, Northern Ireland, UK Evaluating innovative strategies for ruminant methane (CH4) abatement |
| Rui Zhao China National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), Spain Agricultural management’s potential effect on soil carbon sequestration at national level |
| Sandra Patricia Loaiza Mera Colombia University of California, Davis, USA Methane (CH4) mitigation in rice systems – from field research to supply chain initiatives |
| Solomon Ayele Ethiopia Veterinary Institute for Tropical and Altitude Research (IVITA), Peru Defining the most fit dairy cattle genetics for high altitude Andean small-holder systems: Reducing methane (CH4) emission intensity by efficient feeding and rumen function management |
| Stephan van der Westhuizen South Africa ISRIC, World Soil Information, Netherlands Advances in global mapping of soil carbon sequestration potential and links with drought conditions |
| Susan Nguku Kenya National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), Chile Effect of legumes on reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) losses following application of faces and urine to soil from cows feed with legume diet |
| Tajamul Hussain Pakistan Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit, USDA-ARS, USA Using a tier II model (CQESTR) to predict soil organic carbon storage and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
| Thiago Pinto Brazil Ecology Department, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden Bayesian estimation of greenhouse gas emissions and SOC stocks from man-managed systems through application of first-order compartimental decomposition models |
| Tulasi Prasad Paudel Nepal Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Cameroon Modelling greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farms |
| Valeria Esther Alvarez Argentina Bangor University, Wales, UK What is the contribution of microbial necromass to soil carbon storage? |
| Wadson de Menezes Santos Brazil Soil and Water Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, USA Improved quantification and modelling of nitrogen transformation and loss pathways in ‘hot spots’ following urine deposition and fertilizer application |
| Winnie Ntinyari Kenya Bangor University, Wales, UK Managing nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) through improved agricultural liming practices |
| Yericho Berhanu Meshesha Ethiopia Jimma University, Ethiopia Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from coffee production systems through shade management |
About CLIFF-GRADS: CLIFF-GRADS is a joint initiative of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) low emissions development flagship. CLIFF-GRADS aims to build the capability of early career agricultural students in developing countries to conduct applied research on climate change mitigation in agriculture. Funding is provided by the New Zealand Government, the CGIAR Trust Fund and bilateral agreements in support of CCAFS.
Aarhus University are seeking candidates for two PhD positions:
1. Modelling N2O emissions from soil: Explicit representation of organic hotspots
2. Predicting N2O emissions from soil: Experimental studies of organic hotspots
Please click on the position title above that you are interested in for more information. Both positions are part of a research project recently funded by the Danish Research Council for Independent Research.
Click here to apply.
For further information, please contact Prof. Søren O. Petersen (email: [email protected])
Applications close 1 August 2020 at noon
The fourth meeting of the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) Thematic Group on ‘Bioeconomy and climate action in rural areas’ was recently held online. The meeting discussed how climate change mitigation can be made economically viable and attracting for rural actors.
The Croplands Research Group co-Chair, María Rosa Mosquera Losada presented at the meeting and discussed the ‘Economic aspects of integrating climate change mitigating agroforestry in EU farming‘.
Click here to view all presentations, videos and case studies that were discussed in the meeting.
AgriClima Consulting are seeking candidates for seven short-term positions focused on greenhouse gas offset protocol development in the agriculture and livestock sectors. All positions are home-based with travel to Mexico.
Click here for more details about the positions and where to apply.
For further information, please contact [email protected]
Applications close 8 June 2020
The deadline for applications has been extended to 31 July 2020.
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) invite applications from RUFORUM Member Universities for the first Global Research Alliance Graduate Research Grants (GRA-GRG) call.
The GRA-GRG are aimed at building the capability of graduate and post-graduate level students in Africa to conduct applied research on agricultural greenhouse gases.
Read more and apply:
Click here to view the call for applications.
Further details about the application process can be found here.
For more information please email:
Runyararo Jolyn Rukarwa ([email protected])