CABI Blogs: hand picked... and carefully sorted

Author of the Month: Big Data’s Big Potential in Developing Economies, Nir Kshetri

Big data’s role in addressing the root causes of poverty

There clearly are some signs of big data-led political, economic and social transformations taking place in developing countries. Early evidence has shown the huge potential benefits that can be realized by implementing big data in diverse fields that are critical to the future of these countries. The book Big Data’s Big Potential in Developing Economies: Impact on Agriculture, Health and Environmental Security (CAB International, 2016) delves into some of the key social and economic sectors that are being transformed by the use of big data.

Guaranteeing credit to coffee farmers in Ethiopia and Rwanda

At a time when the coffee sector is faced with many challenges, ranging from low productivity, high production costs, to the threat of climate change, it is crucial to remember those most affected. Approximately 25 million small scale coffee farmers and their families produce 70% of the world’s coffee and it is they who bear the brunt of these problems. - Robério Oliveira Silva, Executive Director International Coffee Organization.

1 October is International Coffee Day, a global celebration of coffee’s journey from farms to local shops around the world. It is a great opportunity to honour the men and women who grow and harvest the coffee we love. The 77 Member States of the International Coffee Organization and several coffee associations around the world will come together to celebrate the second annual International Coffee Day. We take a look at how CABI is helping coffee farmers improve their livelihoods.