Swiss News

20.07.2010
Streit um die neuen Bauernregeln
Discussion in "Die Zeit" between Urs Niggli (FiBL) and Reinhard F. Hüttl (GeoForschungs Zentrums Potsdam) on limited resources, biotechnology, sustainability and the challenges for agricultural research

20.07.2010
SECO supports sustainable trade in Peru
press release by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs on a cooperation arragement with Peru to improve its export capacities with projects concentrating on training, product quality and offering as well as national and international trade policy

05.07.2010
First Workshop of the Round Table on Organic Agriculture and Climate Change
information by FiBL on the results of a worshop about ways to assess the potential contribution organic agriculture has to mitigate climate change

05.07.2010
International Graduate School North-South
information by the NCCR North-South about a new Swiss and international research network that advances sustainable development worldwide and that is based on an agreement between the universities of Bern, Basel, and Zurich

17.06.2010
Mongolei: Viehwirtschaft in der Krise 578kb
information by SHL on the problems of the livestock sector in Mongolia and the contribution of SHL to an SDC project aiming to establish sustainable livestock production

10.06.2010
6e Prix CSRS 2011 – Fonds Eremitage pour la recherche scientifique en partenariat
information by KFPE on the CSRS Prize 2011 for research partnerships with institutions in West Africa, in various thematic areas (among other: food security and nutrition)
Deadline for application: 31 October 2010

10.06.2010
SECO and WTI jointly support development of Regional Competence Centres for Trade Law and Policy in Peru, South Africa and Vietnam
information by the World Trade Institute (WTI) about a four-year academic cooperation project with SECO aimed at creating regional knowledge hubs and competence centres in the field of international trade regulation in Peru, South Africa and Vietnam

08.06.2010
FiBL-supported Citricos Ex wins Prestigious Mexican National Export Award for organic citrus exports to Switzerland
information by FiBL on the successful launch of an organic product line by the Mexican company Citricos Ex (Citrex) resulting from a cooperation with FiBL, who provided consultancy all along the supply chain, including facilitation of organic certification

27.05.2010
Telebanking für Kenyas Kleinbauern
article in NZZ about a collaboration between a mobile phone company and a bank providing mobile banking services for small-scale farmers in Kenya

27.05.2010
Spotlight turned on issue of land grabbing
article by Swissinfo on a recent seminar about the new trend of foreign companies buying or leasing huge tracts of agricultural land in developing countries

21.05.2010
Landraub in Afrika?
talk with Journalist Ruedi Küng on Swiss Radio DRS about problematic foreign investments in agricultural land in Africa and a seminar in Switzerland on this subject

20.05.2010
CIARD: New platform to promote access to agricultural science
the recently launched global initiative on Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) is working to make agricultural research information publicly available and accessible to all.

17.05.2010
Run auf südliches Agrarland
article by Tagesanzeiger on the current boom of investments in agricultural land in developing countries, the Swiss investors and the position of Swiss development cooperation

17.05.2010
Ausverkauft! Händler und Textilproduzenten reissen sich um Helvetas Baumwolle
press release by Helvetas about producers of organic cotton in West Africa profiting from increased demand on the world market

26.04.2010
Programme for Local Agrarian Innovation (PIAL) in Cuba: Environmental Prize for SDC Project
information by SDC on its PIAL project in Cuba whose coordinator was awarded the 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize

26.04.2010
Reduction in risks linked to the agricultural sector in developing countries
press release by seco on a Swiss contribution of $3.8 million to a World Bank programme concerning insurance against risks linked to price fluctuations and variations in weather conditions in the agricultural products sector in developing countries

19.04.2010
Nachhaltiger Obstbau für Bulgarien
press release by Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW about a successful ecological pest management project in the Bulgarian fruit-growing sector

06.04.2010
Syngenta and CIMMYT establish industry-leading partnership to advance wheat research
press release by Syngenta announcing a public-private partnership with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) for joint research and development in the areas of native and GM traits, hybrid wheat and the combination of seeds and crop protection to accelerate plant yield performance

06.04.2010
Polish-Swiss Research Programm: Call for Proposals 344kb
The program supports joint research projects of Polish and Swiss researchers in 5 thematic areas: ICT, Energy, Nanotechnologies, Health and Environment. Deadline for applications: 30 July 2010

29.03.2010
Perspectives – newsletter by ETH North-South Centre
With this new newsletter the ETH North-South Centre will regularly inform about its strategic topics, success stories in research collaboration, as well as achievements in capacity building.

11.03.2010
International Geneva Award
The Swiss Network for International Studies has established this Award to encourage outstanding research scientists to produce publications that are particularly relevant for International Organisations. The Award will be given to the three best papers published on a subject related to International Studies.
Deadline for submissions: 20 April 2010

10.03.2010
Call: Research Fellow Partnership Programme
The objectiv of the RFPP is to enhance the human resource base for research in the fields of agriculture, forestry and natural resource management in international development. RFPP aims at generating development relevant knowledge, training young scientists and establishing research partnerships.
Deadline for project proposals: 31 March 2010

10.03.2010
Switzerland creates a finance institution for economic cooperation and development
With the establishment of the development finance institution SIFEM AG (Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets) Switzerland is contributing to facilitating access to long-term finance for SMEs in developing countries and countries in transition.

10.03.2010
Solar Powered Weather Stations and Mobile Phone Technologies Drive Groundbreaking Micro-insurance Plan for Kenya’s Drought-stricken Farmers 169kb
press release about the launch of a program supported by Syngenta Foundation that will use a low-cost, mobile phone payment and data system, and automated, solar powered weather stations, to offer thousands of farmers in parts of Western and Central Kenya affordable, “pay as you plant” insurance.

25.02.2010
Tropentag 2010 in Zurich: submission of abstracts
The subject of this conference will be the world food system, encompassing all the natural resources involved in the production of food, including the management and processing of these resources as well as food distribution and consumption; young scientists are especially encouraged to submit their research;
deadline for submission of abstracts: 31 March 2010

25.02.2010
Population Survey on Development Policy: Development Cooperation deeply embedded
press release by SDC on a survey about the Swiss population's opinion on development cooperation, showing that enhancing fair trade and addressing global issues are seen as the most urgent issues

18.02.2010
Combating the Food Crisis is the primary Objective
press release by SDC on its Annual Media Conference where it stated that making a contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and enhancing food security are priority concerns in 2010

16.02.2010
Mit Vielfalt gegen Hunger
press release by Swissaid on the launch of their biodiversity campaign for the year 2010

15.02.2010
Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum (WIT) Award for early-career women wheat researchers
Call for applications for a new award, established in 2010, providing professional development opportunities for women working in wheat during the early stages of their career.
Deadline for applications: 1 March 2010

09.02.2010
Tender for hosting the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) Directorate
The ESPA programme is a planned 7 year, £40.5m interdisciplinary research programme, funded in partnership by the Department for International Development (DFID), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Economic & Social Research Council. Interested individuals/organisations are invited to bid for a tender to host the ESPA Directorate. Deadline for submission of Pre-Qualification Questionnaire: 7 March 2010

26.01.2010
Josef G. Knoll European Science Award 2010
Award by the Foundation fiat panis (in succession to the Eiselen-Foundation) aiming to support young academics whose work focuses on helping to reduce hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Deadline for applications: 30 April 2010

26.01.2010
Die Katastrophe auf dem Teller
article in "Wochenzeitung" on the approval by Indian authorities of the cultivation of a genetically modified aubergine (eggplant), which could open the door for the use of many more genetically modified crops

26.01.2010
CAS Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)
programm of continuing education by the Berne University of Applied Sciences, where participants will be trained to consider water-related problems from an integrated and global point of view, derive and discuss possible solutions and propose potential activities in a local context. Registration deadline: 14 May 2010

21.01.2010
Indo Swiss Public Private Partnership Pilot Programme: Call for Joint Proposals for Market Oriented R&D Projects
eligible are innovative proposals leading to a new solution, service, product or technology, they must include participants from Switzerland and India, proposals from the area of Life Sciences are eligible. Deadline: 28 February 2010

18.01.2010
6th call for proposals for applied research projects in developing and transition countries
programme by the Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (KFH) supporting universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education working in cooperation with developing and transition countries on projects involving applied research and development.
Deadline for submission of project-outline: 2 April 2010

14.01.2010
Organic farmers must embrace GM crops if we are to feed the world, says scientist
article in Times Online about Professor Gordon Conway of Imperial College in London claiming that with a combination of organic methods and GM technology farmers could maximise yields while limiting damage to ecosystems.

14.01.2010
"Agrarforschung Schweiz" - neue zweisprachige Zeitschrift
«Recherche Agronomique Suisse» - nouvelle revue bilingue
new journal on Swiss agricultural research edited by Agrocope, the Federal Office of Agriculture, the Swiss College of Agriculture, the AGRIDEA advisory centers, the Department of Agricultural and Food Science of ETH Zürich and the research stations of Agroscope.

12.01.2010
Switzerland and the International Potato Center (CIP) 344kb
information by CIP on the contribution of Switzerland to the activities of CIP during the last years

07.01.2010
Ukrainian certification body Organic Standard internationally recognized
press release by FiBL on the recognition of Organic Standard (OS) of Ukrania as an official certification body; OS was set up within the context of a Swiss-Ukrainian Project implemented by FiBL

05.01.2010
Höhenflug nach der Talfahrt
short article in "Tagesanzeiger" on the rising prices for primary products - including agricultural commodities - on the world market

04.01.2010
Wasser: das blaue Gold - Der Umweltingenieur Wolfgang Kinzelbach im Gespräch mit Norbert Bischofberger
interview in Swiss Television (programme "Sternstunde Philosophie") with ETH professor Wolfgang Kinzelbach on global challenges in water management

04.01.2010
Arme Länder bezahlen für unsere Notvorräte 126kb
article in Global+ about a hidden tax Switzerland is raising on imports of sugar, coffe, rice, cooking oil and cooking fat, even if they come from least developed countries

16.12.2009
Round Table on Organic Agriculture and Climate Change established
press releas by FiBL on the foundation of this multi-stakeholder initiative with the principal objectives to support research on organic agriculture and climate change, to advise the international community on this issue and to develop a measurement method to enable reliable quantification and certification of carbon sequestration in organic agriculture.

16.12.2009
swiss-academies award for transdisciplinary research
td-net for Transdisciplinary Research grants this award to an outstanding transdisciplinary research project by an individual or a research group. The award is open to researchers of all fields.
Application deadline: 2 April 2010

09.12.2009
Reducing greenhouse gases, sequestering carbon – Harnessing the potential of organic farming!
press release by FiBL in the context of the Copenhagen Climate Summit calling for the recognition of the potential of organic agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

09.12.2009
Gefangen in der Tradition 1838kb
article in "Horizonte" - the magazine of the Swiss National Science Foundation - about research by the team of Claudia Binder on how Colombian potato farmers protect themselves when applying pesticides to their fields.

04.12.2009
New funds for Ecosystems Services for Poverty Alleviation research
The Department for International Development (DFID), the Natural Environment Research Council and the Economic & Social Research Council launch a £40.5m research programme for Ecosystems Services for Poverty Alleviation. The first call invites proposals for Programme Framework grants and Partnership & Project Development grants. Deadline: 3 March 2010

01.12.2009
GCARD Regional consultation - Final synthesis for Europe 170kb
in preparation for the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development due to take place on 28-31 March 2010 in Montpellier, consultations have been held in six different regions; this document compiles the results of the European consultation.

30.11.2009
World Summit on Food Security, Rome, 16-18 November
information by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) on the results of the Summit and the position of Switzerland

17.11.2009
Call for Joint Research Projects between Switzerland and Brazil
a new bilateral agreement provides funding for joint research projects in the field of neurosciences, health, energy and environment. Deadline for submission: 15 January 2010

17.11.2009
Biologischer Landbau in der Ukraine: eine Pionierarbeit /
Agriculture biologique en Ukraine : un pari audacieux 225kb
information by the Swiss College of Agriculture on its contribution to the development of organic agriculture in Ukraine

17.11.2009
Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize for Agriculture and Food
This new price aims to recognize individual researchers for their exemplary contribution in promoting agricultural innovation in order to improve food and agricultural systems sustainability
Deadline for nominations: 20 January 2010

05.11.2009
Mind the gap: Aussie farmers must share their knowledge, as well as yields, to feed the world’s growing population
information by Syngenta Foundation on a keynote speech by its director Marco Ferroni about the necessity to provide small-scale farmers with knowledge, technologies and infrastructure to increase their productivity

03.11.2009
UPOV denies participation to farmer's and civil society organizations
press release by Berne Declaration and other international NGOs condemning the decision of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) not to grant two respected NGOs observer status in UPOV Bodies

28.10.2009
Eine krisensichere Landwirtschaft für den Kampf gegen Hunger und Armut
article by Reinhard Koradi in "Zeitfragen" about the alarming results of the FAO/WFP Report "State of Food Insecurity in the World 2009", the reasons behind them and recommendations for the future

27.10.2009
Syngenta Foundation insurance project pays off for Kenya smallholders 169kb
information by Syngenta Foundation on positive experiences of a pilot project in Nanyuki (Kenya) with Weather Indexed Agriculture Insurance for smallholder farmers

27.10.2009
SNIS research grants: Call for proposals 2010
The Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) offers research grants in the order of 100'000 to 300'000 Swiss Francs for a twoyear period. Applicants have to submit projects that address questions relevant to the domain of International Studies. Deadline for pre-proposals: 18 December 2009

21.10.2009
Global alert against ‘Monsantosizing’ our food
press release by Berne Declaration et al. on a global alert by farmers and NGOs warning about a new class of patents covering plants and animals and endangering innovation and food security

20.10.2009
Global Food Security - Podiumsdiskussion an der ETH
Videopodcast of a podium discussion on global food security with federal councillor Doris Leuthard at ETH, organized by VIAL
(in german)

12.10.2009
ERC Starting Independent Research Grants
Funding scheme within the FP7 of the EU designed to support excellent researchers at the stage at which they are starting or consolidating their own research team. Deadline for applications in the area of life sciences: 18 November 2009

08.10.2009
Sudan Capacity Development in Geoinformation Management
revised internet portal by CDE with information and geodata on Sudan, including a map shop for downloading of digital maps and ordering of high-quality printed maps

08.10.2009
European project LowInputBreeds begins
news by FiBL on a project it coordinates together with Newcastle University, that aims to improve animal health and product quality in European organic and ‘low input’ livestock production systems

30.09.2009
ORCA: Database on organic research institutions now online
information by FiBL on this new database giving an overview of research institutions active in organic agricultural research world-wide and on a proposed Organic Research Centres Alliance.

29.09.2009
Indo Swiss Joint Research Programme - New Calls
The programme has published three new calls:
1) Joint Proposals for Market Oriented R&D Projects
2) Research Fellowships
3) Joint Utilization of Advanced Facilities
Deadlines: 1) 28 February 2010, 2)/3) 30 November 2009

23.09.2009
Züchtet der Mensch Krankheiten? 699kb
article in "Der Bund" on the rising demand for meat, intensive animal production and the spread of diseases worldwide

22.09.2009
Research partnerships with developing countries - new call
Joint initiative by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to enable researchers from Switzerland and developing countries to conduct joint research projects in any scientific discipline.
Deadline for project submissions: 18 January 2010

14.09.2009
Bourses pour jeunes chercheurs
The Fondation du Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast offers scholarships for students of Swiss Universities doing field studies in the area of biodiversity, environment, nutrition and food security and urbanization.
Deadline for application: 15 November 2009

08.09.2009
GCARD regional e-consultation now open
The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) is organizing the Global Conferences on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) end of March 2010. The Conference is preceded by a series of electronic and face-to-face consultations conducted at regional and global levels to capture the contributions and perspectives of all stakeholders in the agricultural research, education and development systems.

03.09.2009
World Climate Conference-3 Establishes a Global Framework on Climate Services
press release by the Swiss Administration on a major meeting of climate scientists and decision-makers, where a Global Framework for Climate Services was established with the aim to enhance climate observations and monitoring, transform that information into sector-specific products and applications, and disseminate those products widely

26.08.2009
Syngenta Foundation launches public-private partnership104kb
Information by Syngenta Foundation announcing a two-year public-private partnership with Syngenta and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to rapidly identify and map genetic markers for use in wheat resistance breeding against Ug99 stem rust.

18.08.2009
Terra Viva Grants
This project develops and manages information about grants for agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources in the world's developing countries. Services are: Funding news, profiles of grant makers, and links to relevant resources for grant seekers.