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)

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Certification problems make Indonesian agricultural produce less competitive

Benget Besalicto Tnb., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 03/07/2009 2:19 PM

Lack of certification has been blamed as the main factor behind the lack of competitiveness of Indonesia's agricultural products, both domestically and internationally, an agribusiness consultant said Friday.

Ernest E. Bethe III, program manager of agribusiness for the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Indonesia Advisory Services, said the lack of certification stemmed from the absence of awareness on the need for certification for the international market.

He also blamed the fact that certification agencies in the country were not fully developed yet.

He pointed out that 20 years ago, Indonesian agricultural products could still manage to compete in global markets.

During that period, he went on, the Singaporean market was flooded with Indonesian agricultural produce. But now, even in the domestic market, local produce cannot compete with imported foods.

There have been several cases where Indonesian food products, especially fresh produce, have been rejected in overseas markets due to problems related to pesticide content or other harmful chemical substances.

Some standardization and certification agencies have set up operations in the country, but are running at less than peak effectiveness, Bethe said.

"I think it is mainly related to the lack of certification and the problem of inefficiency in the supply chain," he said.

He added that poor infrastructure in supporting the supply chain had fueled the need to import agricultural produce, because under such conditions, imported foods became much cheaper.

"We've also witnessed that it is very costly to acquire certification for food products here," he told a media briefing for an upcoming conference on the sustainable agricultural supply chain.

"This is because producers have to ask foreign certification agencies to ensure their produce is acceptable for the international market."

The conference will run from March 12-13, and will be organized by the IFC, an institution that operates under the World Bank to promote growth and reduce poverty in developing countries like Indonesia, in partnership with the private sector.

Bethe said the IFC conference would feature a number of experts in supply chain management, who would share best practices with executives from emerging Asian companies.

There will also be technical workshops on supply chain management, which will be combined with interactive strategy sessions and networking opportunities.

"Participants will receive advisory services and information on consumer market trends," Bethe said.

"All will be tailored to the new realities in the face of the worldwide economic crisis, rising food prices and increasingly stringent import specifications and standards."

Brigit S. Helmes, the head of advisory services at IFC Indonesia, added the conference was part of the institution's program to target about 900,000 farmers for training in the supply chain management as a way to increase their income over the next five years.

She said that the IFC, in cooperation with the Smallholder Agribusiness Development Initiative (SADI), would commit a total fund of US$38 million this year to train farmers.

But she pointed out this would be done in cooperation with companies involved in the supply chains of certain agricultural products, and not do it directly with farmers.

SADI program director Jacqueline Pomeroy said SADI, which is fully funded by the Australian government, had so far focused its training programs in four provinces in the eastern part of Indonesia: South and North Sulawesi, and East and West Nusa Tenggara.

It has provided about Rp 1.1 billion for each of 24 subdistricts in the provinces, or a total fund of about Rp 24 billion, to train farmers.

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