Fascinating science
- A breakthrough in agriculture
After years of observation the French missionary and agronomist Henri de Laulanié devloped, together with farmers on the island of Madagascar, a new method of planting rice, the so-called Rice Intensification System (SRI). It takes less work and has a much higher output. The seedlings are planted individually with a space of about one foot between them so that the roots can develop better and become stronger. Each plant gets a maximum of light and nutrients. Also, the fields are not flooded but just kept moist so that microbes develop better and methane production is highly reduced. No fertilizer is used, just compost and manure. The yields increased fourfold and more, with only one tenth of the amount of seeds required! Recently this method has spread to many other poorer countries and has been used with other crops successfully, like wheat, potatoes and corn.
- more details can be found here
- the best science page on SRI: sri.ciifad.cornell.edu
- more model projects like this one: www.globalagriculture.org - The incredible health benefits of
simple walking
Walking for half an hour a day has been shown to have these results:
- increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
- reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
- stronger bones and improved balance
- increased muscle strength and endurance
- reduced body fat.
Read more under www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.