Robber fly - Nature photographer Thomas Shahan specializes in amazing portraits of tiny insects. It isn't easy. Shahan says that this Robber Fly (Holcocephala fusca), for instance, is "skittish" and doesn't like its picture taken.

Nature by Numbers (Video)

"The Greater Akashic System" – July 15, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) (Subjects: Lightworkers, Intent, To meet God, Past lives, Universe/Galaxy, Earth, Pleiadians, Souls Reincarnate, Invention: Measure Quantum state in 3D, Recalibrates, Multi-Dimensional/Divine, Akashic System to change to new system, Before religion changed the system, DNA, Old system react to Karma, New system react to intent now for next life, Animals (around humans) reincarnate again, This Animal want to come back to the same human, Akashic Inheritance, Reincarnate as Family, Other Planets, Global Unity … etc.)

Question: Dear Kryon: I live in Spain. I am sorry if I will ask you a question you might have already answered, but the translations of your books are very slow and I might not have gathered all information you have already given. I am quite concerned about abandoned animals. It seems that many people buy animals for their children and as soon as they grow, they set them out somewhere. Recently I had the occasion to see a small kitten in the middle of the street. I did not immediately react, since I could have stopped and taken it, without getting out of the car. So, I went on and at the first occasion I could turn, I went back to see if I could take the kitten, but it was to late, somebody had already killed it. This happened some month ago, but I still feel very sorry for that kitten. I just would like to know, what kind of entity are these animals and how does this fit in our world. Are these entities which choose this kind of life, like we do choose our kind of Human life? I see so many abandoned animals and every time I see one, my heart aches... I would like to know more about them.

Answer: Dear one, indeed the answer has been given, but let us give it again so you all understand. Animals are here on earth for three (3) reasons.

(1) The balance of biological life. . . the circle of energy that is needed for you to exist in what you call "nature."

(2) To be harvested. Yes, it's true. Many exist for your sustenance, and this is appropriate. It is a harmony between Human and animal, and always has. Remember the buffalo that willingly came into the indigenous tribes to be sacrificed when called? These are stories that you should examine again. The inappropriateness of today's culture is how these precious creatures are treated. Did you know that if there was an honoring ceremony at their death, they would nourish you better? Did you know that there is ceremony that could benefit all of humanity in this way. Perhaps it's time you saw it.

(3) To be loved and to love. For many cultures, animals serve as surrogate children, loved and taken care of. It gives Humans a chance to show compassion when they need it, and to have unconditional love when they need it. This is extremely important to many, and provides balance and centering for many.

Do animals know all this? At a basic level, they do. Not in the way you "know," but in a cellular awareness they understand that they are here in service to planet earth. If you honor them in all three instances, then balance will be the result. Your feelings about their treatment is important. Temper your reactions with the spiritual logic of their appropriateness and their service to humanity. Honor them in all three cases.

Dian Fossey's birthday celebrated with a Google doodle

Dian Fossey's birthday celebrated with a Google doodle
American zoologist played by Sigourney Weaver in the film Gorillas in the Mist would have been 82 on Thursday (16 January 2014)

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Yogya partnership produces super soybean

Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

A partnership of stakeholders comprising farmers, a university and the food-processing industry has led to the discovery of a local variety of black soybean considered superior both in terms of productivity and nutritional content.

Named "Mallika", the newly discovered soybean variety was officially launched in Yogyakarta on Monday during a dialogue entitled "Revitalization of Soybean Seedlings to Support the Self-production of Soybeans by 2015" held at Gadjah Mada University's School of Agriculture.

Mary Astuti from the School of Agriculture said the new superior variety of soybean was named after the Tamil word "Mallika", which literally means kingdom.

"We hope 'Mallika', as the local soybean variety, will become the king of soybeans in the country," said Mary, who is also head of the school's Agro Industry Management and Technology Development Institution.

Research and development of the new soybean variety has been ongoing since 2001, with financial support from consumer goods company PT Unilever Indonesia.

According to Mary the research has proven that "Mallika" has a relatively high productivity level.

"Productivity has reached up to 2.7 tons of soybean per hectare of plantation," said Mary, adding the development of the new variety had covered some 1,600 hectares and involved some 6,000 farmers in 13 regencies across four provinces -- Yogyakarta, Central Java, East Java and West Java.

The figure is considerably higher than that of the national productivity level of other soybean varieties, which is less than a ton per hectare. The government has been struggling to raise productivity to 1.5 tons per hectare in a bid to achieve self-sufficiency in soybean production by 2015.

Mary said the "Mallika" as a plant is more resistant to both flooding and drought. As a seed, similarly, it has a considerably high growth capability.

"Even after 8 months of storage, Mallika seeds still have a growth rate of 80 percent," she said.

In terms of nutritional content, likewise, Mallika is considered superior due to the antioxidant content in its black skin, making it not only beneficial in preventing cancer and high cholesterol but also in preventing degenerative diseases.

"Another positive feature of the 'Mallika' is that it is has not been genetically modified," Mary added.

As an ingredient in the production of soybean ketchup, Mary said "Mallika" is also superior as even without food enhancers the ketchup has a very specific taste.

Director General of Food Crops at the Agriculture Ministry Sutarto Alimoeso said the "Mallika" soybean project was a good example of a successful partnership between the food-processing industry, the university and farmers.

"The Agriculture Ministry is very appreciative for the finding and hopes it will be an entry point for further development, not only for soybean production but also for other commodities and industries," Sutarto said.

He expressed hope the new soybean variety would also speed up the country's independence over imported yellow soybeans, which have flooded the Indonesian market and food-processing industry for years.

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