Video

Bamboo, a crop

The Kerala Forest Research Institute in Peechi, Kerala (India), has produced a 22-minute video documentary on bamboo and how it can be cultivated as part of a rural ecosystem in the tropics. The commentary is in English. The documentary, called 'Bamboo, a crop', is part of an effort to revitalize and promote the cultivation of bamboo within the agroforestry systems of Kerala. The film presents traditional knowledge and practices for producing sustainable yields and shows the results of on-farm experiments to 'undercrop' bamboo. Other subjects include scientific methods for propagation, issues of supply and demand in Kerala, and the economics of bamboo cultivation. The aim of this communication tool is to trigger interest among farmers and encourage them to cultivate and manage this valuable resource in a sustainable way. Contact: The Librarian, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi 680 653 Trichur, Kerala, India. Tel: +91-487-782037, Fax: +91-487-782249. E-mail: root@kfri.ernet.in Video Crops, cultures and 'cosmovision' Many indigenous peoples and other rural communities farm in a holistic context. A good harvest can be obtained only if farming is practised in harmony with the rules set by the gods and other spiritual beings. There should be harmony between the social world, the natural world and the spiritual world. Farming requires adequate knowledge of the natural world, and the application of technologies that address biological and physical problems. But at the same time, farming requires knowledge of the spiritual world--of the gods, ancestors and spiritual beings that affect life. There is a need to build up good relationships with this world through rituals, sacrifices and meditation. In many cultures, the agricultural calendar and the ritual calendar are closely linked. Rituals are activities by which people urge the spiritual world to allow events to take place in the natural world. The video film shows examples of the relationship between 'cosmovision' and agriculture in Bolivia, India and Ghana. It also makes reference to the situations in Norway and the Netherlands. The cultural and ecological context of agriculture in these countries is briefly described as background to the various indigenous institutions and views of the cosmos. Interaction between these views and knowledge from conventional sources is illustrated, as are the problems and potential of 'cosmovision' in a development perspective. COMPAS is a platform for intercultural dialogue on cosmovision and agriculture. The video film advocates a dialogue between the holders of different visions on the basis of respect for each other that neither romanticizes nor condemns anyone's views, whether traditional or modern. The video film includes slides and music made by partners in the COMPAS project. Duration 35 minutes. VHS/PAL video can be ordered by sending a request to Ellen Radstake, COMPAS, c/o ETC, PO Box 64, 3838 AB Leusden, The Netherlands, and by transferring US $ 20 to the bank account of ETC (Rabobank number 33 59 16 589). Video New concepts in ecosystem management For the past four years, an intensive course for managers has been offered under the title 'New concepts in ecosystem management'. The course is a product of the Olympic Learning Center in partnership with the Pacific Northwest Experimental Station of the US Forestry Service; the Bureau of Land Management of the British Columbia Ministry of Forests; and Washington State Cooperative Extension. It offers a broad overview of biological, social and operational concepts as presented by leaders in a variety of fields. In order to make the course material available to a wider audience, the 1995 sessions were taped. Edited excerpts have been placed on five 30-minute video tapes. The subjects of the tapes are: Tape 1: An overview of landscape scale processes, wildlife and fisheries linkages and operational applications. An excerpt from a day-long field session on Vancouver Island and in Carmanah Valley with Dr Jerry Franklin, Dan Hogan and Walter Klenner. Tape 2: Soil ecosystems: Fungi. Excerpts from a lecture by Dr Shannon Berch on mycorrhizal relationships in Northwest forests. Tape 3: Soil ecosystems: Invertebrates. Excerpts from a lecture by Dr Andrew Moldenke on the role of micro-invertebrates in maintaining forest productivity. Tape 4: Landscape analysis and design. Excerpts from a lecture/workshop by Nancy Diaz on an ecology-based process of landscape planning. Tape 5: Aboriginal approaches to land management. Excerpts from a lecture by aboriginal forester Garry Merkel on the values and perspectives of native peoples in forest planning and management. The video tapes are sold only in sets of five. There is a minimum charge of US $ 25 for a set, plus shipping and handling charges. Please specify that you are ordering the Forest Service tapes. For international orders, it may be easiest to use VISA or MasterCard. Specify the tape format you wish to receive. You are welcome to make additional copies to meet your needs. For copies of the video tapes contact: Jeannie Evenson, Customer Service Department, Vaughn Communications, 1434 N.W. 17th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209, USA. Tel.: +1-503-224-3835, Fax: +1-503-224-2703. For further information, please contact: Kathleen Snow, Olympic Learning Center, PO Box 280, Quilcene, WA 98376, USA. Tel.: +1-360-765-221, Fax: +1-360-765-2202.

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