We used to refer to wheat as the "political grain." However, it seems to have now been replaced by corn, which by any measurement is the largest and most important crop grown in the U.S. and, for that matter, the world. We used to refer to wheat as the "political grain." From the 1960s through much of the 1990s, U.S. wheat growers were arguably the most politically influential group of agricultural producers in the U.S. Their strong influence over certain U.S. agricultural policies and politics as well as the process of creating the quadrennial farm bill was legendary. One reason for this was the historical status of wheat itself -- the first crop cultivated by humans in pre-historic times, and wheat's image as the "staff of life." Another...
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.
ZanzibarMnemba Marine Parksouthern cassowary Mnemba Marine Park is located 10 kilometres (6 mi) from Stone Town and forms part of the northeastern Unguja Island. A marine reserve and atoll, its shallow stretch of coral reef is in the shape of an oval. It is located between Matemwe and Nungwi, w...
A microlith is a small stone tool usually made of flint or chert and typically several centimeters in length and half a centimetre wide. They were made by humans from at least the Upper Paleolithic, across Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. The microliths were used in spear points and arrowhea...
Kiwengwa/Pongwe Forest Reserve Kiwengwa/Pongwe Forest Reserve is located on the northeast coast of Unguja, 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the Town. The reserve is an important biodiversity spot in the coral rag zone. The forest reserve is rich both in faunal and floral species. The faunal species r...
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