Amsterdam - Top cocoa producer Ivory Coast is confident it will stop the abuse of child labour on its farms by a deadline of July 2008 to avoid US sanctions, the campaign's co-ordinator says. The Ivorian government, cocoa sector and foreign multinationals who export and process Ivorian cocoa have all come under increasing scrutiny from rights and consumer groups who are campaigning for "Fair Trade" foodstuffs untainted by violence and child slavery. Child trafficker held in Mali. Ivory...

Since the 2003 warnings the entire grape industry including growers, packing stations, testing laboratories and exporters joined each other to commonly intervene in the problems, which resulted in the regulation for residue monitoring in produce for export to the EU. India produces the bulk of the national grape production of 1.6 mln. Since the 2003 warnings the entire grape industry including growers, packing stations, testing laboratories and exporters joined each other to commonly...

By Walter Nicholls Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 25, 2007; Page F01 On seven consecutive nights this month, farmer Jim Huyett attached a Frost Dragon propane heater to the back of his tractor and drove for hours through his 5-acre peach orchard, trying to raise the air temperature above freezing. By Walter Nicholls Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 25, 2007; Page F01 On seven consecutive nights this month, farmer Jim Huyett attached a Frost Dragon propane heater...

Ready to watch your weather, your sports and your news on your desktop? Now you can, right here on WITNTV.com! Look for the featured video boxes and the camera icons to see video streaming right on your computer screen! Officials announced the designation one day after Congress approved grants to help farmers. The disaster declaration announced today means farmers qualify for low-interest loans. Crops hit by the freeze included nursery plants, apples, peaches, berries, corn and other grain...

The Statesman : Business : Public sector workers are wealthiest group in Ghana. Public sector workers are the best-off group in Ghana, according to a new report from the Ghana Statistical Service, which shows that despite the year-long bout of strikes over public sector pay and salary reforms, those working for Government have experienced higher income increases than any other Ghanaian workers over the past 15 years. Public sector workers are the best-off group in Ghana, according to a new...

High in plaque and cavity fighting compound Wu's study, funded by the California Raisin Marketing Board, found that raisins are particularly high in a plant-based compound called oleanolic acid, which inhibited two species of cavity- and plaque-causing bacteria in lab analyses that her team performed. Dentists frequently advise patients to limit their consumption of raisins because this sweet, sticky treat is believed to promote dental decay. High in plaque and cavity fighting compound...

Depending where you live, antique apples may be available, check local farm stands, U-pick operations, and other local or regional orchards. When local outlets don t sell the fruits, you might have to try a website like that of Applesource. They came from a farmers market in western North Carolina, and were my introduction to antique fruit varieties. Unlike some apples you buy from supermarkets, this one can be stored for longer periods. Don t judge by appearance alone for this delicious...

Ingredients 3 eggs, separated 1 cup raisins 1 cup water Pinch of salt 1 cup sugar 2 heaping tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon vinegar 2 tablespoons butter Baked single-crust pie shell MERINGUE: 3 egg whites 6 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Cook raisins in enough water to plump; drain. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form. Beat egg whites until frothy. Instructions Separate eggs and save whites for meringue. Pour into baked pie crust and top with meringue. In...

March was unseasonably warm, but an unexpected burst of freezing temperatures right around Easter wiped out many fruit crops and hurt the state's corn and wheat. Steve Bost, an University of 10nessee Extension plant pathologist, says the lengthy late freeze is something that's only likely to happen once every 50 years. State farmers lose many fruit crops, corn and wheat. Also faring better was the strawberry crop. But the good news is, much of the state's sweet corn had yet to be planted,...