CIGR Newsletter No 39
WHAT'S NEW IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
20th International Conference of Section IV of CIGR on Rural Electrification and Rational Energy Use in Agriculture
The Agricultural and Veterinary Institute Hassan II in cooperation with ANAFID (Association National des Améliorations Foncières, de l'Irrigation et du Drainage) organised the 20th International Conference of Section IV of CIGR. Under the scientific and organising responsibility of Board Member Prof. A. Ramdani more than 50 scientists from 15 countries discussed the following topics:
- Technical options and financing
- Renewable energies
- Agricultural applications
- Case studies
- Impact of electrification on the rural population.
A view on the organiser's table at the 20th International Conference of Section IV of CIGR: 'Rural Electrification and Rational Energy Use in Agriculture'.
As an outcome of the conference the following recommendations have been summarised with special regard to the problems of developing countries:
- Keep research on renewable energy and technology of other sources as well as energy saving,
- Take care of the dissemination of research results and technology,
- Use of local renewable energy as source for the development of rural areas, mainly in the developing countries,
- Try to combine energy and environment effects, biogas is a good example,
- Try to find funding for projects.
The technical tours of one and two days covered energetic aspects of irrigation, renewable energies (PV, Biogas) and a visit to the Centre for the Development of Renewable Energy (CDER) in Marrakech with a broad field of research and dissemination activities.
The conference proceedings may be obtained for the price of 35 USD, including mailing and packaging, payable with cheque at the following address:
Prof. A. Ramdani, I.A.V. Hassan II, Dept. Agricultural Engineering, B.P. 6202, Rabat Instituts, Rabat, Morocco.
Merger in Denmark
The Danish Institute of Animal Science and the Danish Institute of Plant and Soil Science have merged on April 1, 1997 into one Institute viz. The Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences (DIAS). DIAS is Denmark's largest research institute under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries with approx. 1,050 staff members. Approx. two thirds of the new institute's activities are carried out in the Research Centre Foulum, the remaining one third takes place in the research centres in Bygholm near Horsens, Aarslev in Funen and in three departments in Sealand. These three departments will move on August 1, 1997 to the new Research Centre Flakkebjerg near Slagelse.
The main address of the new institute is : Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark.
AITD launches a global network on non-motorised transport
India like many other Asian and African countries still has a significant traditional, non-motorised transport (NMT) sector. While a lot of costly infrastructural facilities have been developed for motorised transport, rural masses still depend largely on non-motorised transport as most of the transport takes place off-highways. NMT modes are prominent in the urban scene too, particularly for short trips, in congested areas and on narrow roads, and for access to motorised public transport.
The Asian Institute of Transport Development (AITD) in New Delhi, India, commissioned a study on the present scenario of the NMT in India and has brought out a study report entitled 'Non-motorised transport in India: Current Status and Policy Issues'.
AITD wishes to document, commission studies on the status of NMT in other developing countries also. Therefore AITD has established a network on non-motorised transport. Those who are interested in joining the network may contact: The Coordinator, Network on NMT, Care Director, Asian Institute of Transport Development, Apt. E-5, Qutab Hotel, Saheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi, 110 016, India.
Fax.: +91 11 685 61 13
E-mail: klt%aitdin@globemail.com
