Cell wall fortification is one of the best resistance mechanisms in wheat (Triticum aestivum) against Fusarium graminearum, which causes Fusarium head blight (FHB). Analysis of FHB resistant near-isogenic lines (NIL-R) led to the identification of various resistance-related (RR) metabolites, including hydroxycinnamic acid amides, such as coumaroylagmatine and coumaroylputrescine.

Australian researchers discovered that common Panic grasses could help improve the yields of staple food crops and help feed the world with increasing temperature, and a population of nearly 10 billion people by 2050. The researchers aim to enhance the growth and yield of crops such as wheat and rice by transplanting an enzyme from Panic grasses into them.

The USDA FAS Global Agricultural Information Network released updates on the status of agricultural biotechnology in several countries in Latin America. According to the report, Chile is the fifth largest producer of seeds (biotech and non-biotech seeds) globally. It does not require GE products labeling.

GDP Growth Rate in Vietnam is expected to be 6.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate GDP Growth Rate in Vietnam to stand at 6.20 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the Vietnam GDP Growth Rate is projected to trend around 6.20 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.

The 155^th session of the FAO Council wound down today, with Members giving the thumbs-up to the creation of a new department focused on climate change and approving a fine-tuned strategic framework that fully aligns the Organization's work with the 2030 Global Agenda.

Genetically engineered (GE) sugarcane will soon hit the markets in Brazil, according to the Sugarcane Technology Center CEO, Gustavo Leite. He said that the first variety of GE sugarcane will be commercially available in early 2017. The approval of the GE crop will come from the National Technical Biosafety Commission (CNTBio), which is responsible for regulating the research and commercial use of the crop.

Nigeria's National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) head announced that genetically engineered (GE) cowpea will be commercially available in the country on or before 2019. Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, NABDA Director General, mentioned this during the November meeting of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB). Prof. Ogbadu said that GE cowpea is currently under field trials and has shown positive results.

Over 80 policy makers, members of the academe, government, industry representatives and other stakeholders attended the seminar on Socialization of Food and Feed Safety Assessment of Genetically Engineered Product on November 14, 2016 at Salak Tower Hotel, Bogor, Indonesia.

The second National Antibiotics Awareness Week in Viet Nam highlights the continued high level commitment of the government against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Running under the theme: Together and Stronger against AMR, the campaign brings together various sectors: health, agriculture, industry and trade, environment and natural resources, academia, local governments, communities and the public.

To increase the availability and accessibility of quality climate data in Mali an initiative titled ‘Enhancing National Climate Services’ (ENACTS) was launched recently. For the purpose, a workshop was held to introduce stakeholders to Mali weather station’s new data and web interface called the Mali Meteo Data Library and solicit their feedback.