A renewed focus on agricultural development is critical to successfully reducing global poverty and hunger, according to a new World Bank report co-authored by economists at the University of California, Berkeley.

West Australian farmers say the continued strength of the Australian dollar is forcing them to cut their prices in order to compete overseas.

The World Bank has approved a $600-million loan for farmers in India to help fight rural poverty. Concern is growing over slow growth in the farm sector, which supports nearly two-thirds of the country's population, as Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi.

Business and political leaders in Cape Town for the World Economic Forum on Africa say agriculture can fuel economic growth in impoverished countries. Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stepped in to lead a new effort to double African farm productivity in the next 20 years.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned that France will veto negotiations at the World Trade Organization if French farming interests are threatened.

Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh has said that the Centre will offer incentives to states that take urgent measures to avert a farm crisis.

Wind farms get very popular since their work spares environment, but they can have bad impact on birds and bats. Ducks in Dakota, tanagers in Texas, grosbeaks in Mexico - all may be negativly affected by wind power.