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5 Simple solutions that llama farmers love
Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to visit a number of Practical Action's projects across Latin America. Not only was I overwhelmed by the colours, culture and pure grit of people living in some really challenging environments, but by the generosity and open friendship they showed when welcoming us into their homes.
At an altitude of almost 4000m, high in the mountains of western Bolivia is the Jesús de Machaca municipality. With a population of roughly 400 people, a tough four hour car ride from any major town along rough dirt roads, this is a remote and arguably hostile landscape to live in. There are few ways to make a living up here, and apart from growing limited crops such as quinoa, the environment means agriculture is largely restricted to farming camelids.
Llamas and alpacas are hardy animals, which when cared for properly; provide a vital income for farmers. However; challenges of weather, uncontrolled breeding, inadequate knowledge of rearing livestock, along with often unfair access to markets means that farmers in the upland areas of Peru and Bolivia are struggling to earn a living to support their families.
But, with the help of our kind supporters, Practical Action is changing this. Below you can read about five simple, sustainable solutions that are helping to transform the livelihoods of camelid farmers in Latin America.
1. Covered shelters:
The relentless push of climate change is causing the weather to be unpredictable in high altitude areas, and farmers in Bolivia are often caught out by sudden bites of frost, or prolonged rainfall. Martin Queso and his family showed us the open fronted shelter that Practical Action have helped him to build, he told us:
"Before, my animals would just range freely. When the weather suddenly changed, with cold winds, ice or rain, they would get sick, often they would die, and I would have no way of making any income. I couldn't afford to replace a lost llama, and my flock got smaller and smaller."
With the shelter, now the family can easily bring the herd inside for protection from the elements when needed.
2. Rainwater storage, irrigation and water pumps and troughs:
With erratic and unreliable rainfall, mountainous areas in Peru and Bolivia often go for periods of time where water is scarce. With the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems like this one is Nunõa, Peru, water can be collected and stored. Irrigation pipes are connected to the reservoirs, ensuring the surrounding ground remains green for grazing. In Jesús de Machaca, the installation of photovoltaic water pumps and troughs means that livestock have access to fresh water all year round.
"We didn't believe it would work at first" Dalia Condori, a member of the local council told us, "but now it has brought water and a better life for so many"
3. Breeding pens:
We've seen them patch-worked into the countryside of the United Kingdom for centuries:
Dry-stone wall enclosures that hem-in herds, divide open grassland and mark boundary lines; but this simple method of livestock separation has only been introduced fairly recently to communities in the Nunõa district, near Sicuani in southern Peru. Enabling farmers to isolate certain alpacas from the rest of the herd allows for selective and planned breeding of the healthiest animals, in turn producing the highest quality wool fleece, returning a better price at market. It also means that young alpacas can be nurtured and protected for longer periods of time before being released to roam freely with the herd, thus boosting their fitness and increasing their chances of survival.
4. Market access and product diversification:
In the remote villages of upland Bolivia, getting a fair price for llama wool is tough – individual farmers can only sell for whatever the going price in the local area is, even though this may be much lower than what the fleece is actually worth. Practical Action is working with farming communities to create co-operative groups that can work together to access bigger markets for their products, and demand a higher, fairer price. Llama farmers like Andrés are also encouraged to diversify their products in order to make a better income. Andrés, who has won multiple awards for his spinning and wool-product work, also makes and paints traditional Bolivian clay figures to sell at the tourist markets.
5. Training and knowledge:
Practical Action helps to provide training on basic animal husbandry and wellbeing. Farmers in Jesús de Machaca learn about the right type and quantities of nutritious food, how to administer medication for their llamas when they are sick, and how to maintain the grazing pasture land. The knowledge is then shared between farming communities by Practical Action 'Promotors' who help to teach others how to breed and care for their livestock effectively.
It is vitally important to the families in these areas that the great work that Practical Action is able to do continues. Llamas and alpacas are strong and intelligent and are crucial for the farming communities in Latin America. Access to the tools and knowledge for breeding and looking after their animals provide families with a secure source of income. With just £47 you can help to support a llama farmer in Bolivia by buying a 'llama lifeline' Practical Present today.1 Comment » | Add your comment
Determination leads to success
Sushil Chaudhary, a 22 years old young farmer, is a model farmer for the youth who are migrating towards the cities and Gulf countries in search of jobs and better earnings, instead of generating self-employment using own resources.
Sushil lives along with his seven-member family in Hikmatpur Village Development Committee (VDC) of Kailali district in Far-Western Nepal with a small land holding, i.e. 0.1 ha (10914.60 square feet). The family source of income was only wage labouring and subsistence farming that only partly fulfilled family needs. Sushil was forced to seek employment in the Gulf. But his family was unable to sponsor him for the cost required for employment in the Gulf.
Because of this, he had no option other than wage labouring until he heard about the community library in his locality, which was helping community people improve their earnings and livelihoods.
In 2015, he visited Tikapur Community Library to seek information for self-employment and a better livelihood. Sushil was advised on an integrated farming system for sustainable income which was suitable for people with small land holdings.
With the guidance of a community worker and information from the library, Sushil began vegetable and pig farming. He participated in vegetable farming and animal husbandry training provided by the library. In the first year itself he was able to earn Nepali Rupees (NPR) 43,000 by selling vegetables and NPR 39,050 by selling two pigs (1 USD = 100 NPR). He expects more income this year as one of his piga gave birth to 10 piglets and all of them are healthy. Besides farming, Sushil is also pursuing his Bachelor's degree and is in his second year of college.
Sushil says,
"Until I visited the library, I was unable to decide what to do for better earnings… The guidance and technical information in the library helped me make up my mind…"
He adds, "On account of what I learned, I have adopted commercial pig farming along with vegetable farming as a method of income generation. I initiated with four pigs in the pigpen constructed by myself. Two of the pigs I had been raising were recently sold for meat at the rate of NPR 170- NPR 200 per kg for the net price of NPR. 39,050. Furthermore, one of my pigs recently gave birth to ten piglets. Not very long ago, I used to be unemployed but now I have a reliable source of income. Tikapur Community Library's Technical Knowledge Service section has not only helped me but also a number of other villagers who didn't use to have much knowledge about agriculture or animal husbandry."
Embolden by his success he is planning to expand his farming by leasing more land and rearing more pigs. With a smile on his face, he says,
"I am helping other youths in the community by advising them that one can achieve a goal if he has determination and zest to seek the right help."
Practical Answers Service in Tikapur Community Library, Kailali, is supported by Nepal Flood Resilient Project (NFRP) funded by Zurich Foundation.
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Learnings from a food security project in far-western Nepal
When I look back, it still gives me a reason to visit the place again and again. The trip to far-western Nepal, our project sites, was a whirlwind – with all sorts of emotions jumbled up – getting me excited at each turn of the road.
Though harsh life in the rugged terrain is a daily affair for people living in abject penury, it is a moment of revelation if you are a first-time traveller to those areas.
The Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition and Food Security (POSAN-FS) project is being implemented in four remote districts of far-western Nepal – Achham, Bajhang, Bajura and Doti with an overall objective to contribute to enhance regional food and nutritional security.
Out of the four, we visited three districts and had chance to hear the real stories from the horse's mouth.
Here are few nuggets of knowledge I gleaned from the tour.
If people find opportunities at home, they would never migrate.
Achham and other neighouring districts in the Far-Western Nepal suffer from a chronic disease of seasonal migration. No wonder, the district has the highest number of HIV cases in Nepal. People, from here, leave for India to earn a living every year.
Man Bahadur BK recently returned from Gujarat, India after spending 35 years there. Along with him was his wife, Chandra Devi BK, who had been with him in India for the last 10 years. Man Bahadur worked in a Bajaj motorcycles showroom for many years and later started a small business of his own.
After returning to his home in Achham, Man Bahadur has opened a shop – a mom and pop store selling items of daily need. To augment his earnings, he has kept three goats along with chickens provided by the POSAN-FS project. The project has also provided corrugated galvanised iron sheets for roofing the coop.
Man Bahadur also showed us a small patch of tomato farm by the side of his shop. The couple is affiliated with the Punyagiri group of farmers who cultivate vegetables and spices and use kitchen waste water for irrigation.
Though traditional crops are neglected, they are nutritious.
Talking with local people, we came to know that they had left cultivating traditional crops that are nutritious. With the awareness raised by the project and its support, they have been encouraged to grow neglected crops like yams, millet and buck-wheat among others.
Climbing down a hillock, we could see newly grown yam saplings on the erstwhile barren slopes. When asked, Project Manager Puspa Poudel explained, "Yams have been introduced as nutritious but neglected crops."
Kitchen gardens are essential for food security.
Among the piles of problems, water scarcity is another ubiquitous problem here. People need to walk miles to fetch a pail of water. In these conditions, thinking of growing vegetables in kitchen garden is a far-fetched idea.
Reaching the Janalikot Village, we met with Saraswati Karmi, a young farmer in her early twenties working in her vegetable plot.
Saraswati proudly showed us the brinjals and chillies in her kitchen garden. Standing next to the vegetables was a healthy crop of turmeric. Nearby was a small ditch for waste-water collection from the kitchen. Though the area is parched with water scarcity, the small puddle stored enough water to grow vegetables, enough to eat and sell in the market.
Introduced to kitchen garden concept few months ago, Saraswati is self-sufficient, at least for vegetables. She doesn't need to buy them from market any more. She now saves nearly NRs 1200 (around USD 12) per month, which else, would be used in buying vegetables.
Besides kitchen gardening, she has been raising chickens provided by the project. Out of the 19 chickens given to her by the project,10 were ready to be sold in the market. They looked like local chickens and would sell at least at NRs 800 per chicken.
The kitchen garden produce and chickens are taking care of the family's food security. Now, instead of spending, they are saving!
Know more about the POSAN-FS project.2 Comments » | Add your comment
Impact of low cost irrigation technologies on livelihoods and women's empowerment
ICIMOD held an international workshop on water, livelihood and gender nexus recently in Kathmandu. We were also invited to share our experience. The following is the full script of the presentation I made on the impact of low cost irrigation technologies (micro irrigation technologies) on livelihood and women empowerment.
The impact of irrigation on livelihoods is obvious. However, the impact of conventional irrigation schemes on the livelihoods of poor and marginalised households is not that obvious. Marginalised households often live at the edges of the settlements, mostly in small numbers, making it difficult for the conventional schemes to reach them.
This Google map shows a typical village in western Nepal. The main settlement constitutes about 60 houses. Five houses are below the main settlement, at about 20 minutes' walking distance. These houses belong to the poor, most likely to Dalits. Conventional irrigation would target the main settlement as there is often pressure to reach the larger population as better value for money.
Extending the reach of the irrigation scheme to marginalized households is costly. The per unit cost would be very high and economically unjustifiable. Even if economic viability is discounted and the budget is not a constraint, the water is less likely to reach them, because there is not enough water, even for the main settlement. Hence, some households will be left out.
There are thousands of similar villages across the country. You won't find any village, even in the remotest part of the country, where there is no irrigation scheme of some sort; however, you will find such left out households in almost every village. Hence, large numbers of marginalised households are deprived of irrigation facilities. We promote the low cost irrigation technologies to cater the irrigation needs of such marginalised households.
The following are some of the low cost irrigation technologies we have been promoting:
So, how do the micro irrigation technologies improve the access of poor and marginalised households to irrigation?
- Low cost irrigation technologies fill the void left out by conventional schemes.
- They increase water efficiency. Our mountains and hills are dry. Limited resources we have are also shrinking gradually. Hence, it is very important that we use our water resources wisely and efficiently. These low cost technologies help achieve this.
- Studies and our own experience have shown that low cost technologies are more sustainable. They have small and homogenous users. Hence, all the users have equal say in decision making and the distribution of water is more or less equitable. This ensures more ownership towards the technologies which help to improve their sustainability.
- Low cost technologies are affordable and simple to operate and maintain. This improves access of marginalized households to the technology.
- Low cost irrigation technologies also help in women empowerment.
This is Tula Devi Saud from Bajura. She literally had to beg to her husband to let her to grow vegetables on some of their land. In the rural areas, women rarely own land. Hence, they have little say in deciding how to use the land. After much pleading, however, her husband agreed to let her cultivate vegetable in 0.5 Ropani (1 Ropani = 508.72 sq. m) of their land. But, there was no irrigation facility in their village.
She had to fetch water from a well about 20 minutes walking distance from the village. It would cost her 2-3 hours daily. Hence, she would produce only about 50-60 Kg of vegetable in a season which would earn her merely about five thousand rupees in a year. Thus, she was solely dependent on her husband for all kind of expenses.
Two year ago, they constructed an irrigation pond in the village. She actively participated in the construction. Now, she grows vegetables on 2.5 ropani of land. It takes her only about an hour to irrigate her plots. Now she sells 1200 kgs of vegetables a year. Last year, she made Rs 45000 from selling vegetable. Now, she supports her husband financially. In fact, she gets her husband to porter the vegetable to the market whenever he needs pocket money. This story pretty much explains the significance of micro-irrigation to women's empowerment.
We can summarize as follows:
- While the conventional irrigation schemes are more concerned with cereal crops, the low cost technologies are often used for cash crops, mainly vegetable farming. Often, vegetable farming is the only prospect for rural women, who are mostly illiterate, to earn money. So, the low cost irrigation technologies help.
- Rural households have multiple water needs. And women are responsible for meeting the needs. Statistics tells us that 80% of the water needed in rural Nepal are met by women. The micro-irrigation technologies help to meet the multiple water needs. For example, water in the jar or the irrigation pond can be used for irrigation, for cattle and maintaining household sanitation.
- The low cost irrigation technologies bring the water closer to the house, which reduce their drudgery and save time and energy. It also allows them to attend other household chores alongside irrigating their plot.
- Finally, the technologies are affordable and simple to operate. Hence, women can own and operate them on their own.
The 21st century is defined by technological revolution. However, its benefit is lopsided. The rich have greater access to technologies. The technological innovations are inclined to meet the desires of the rich than the needs of poor. However, it is invariably the poor who bear brunt of the negative consequences of indiscriminate use of technologies. In Practical Action we call this technology injustice, and seek to reduce it by promoting the low cost appropriate technologies. Micro-irrigation technologies are among the technologies which hold much promise for improving the livelihoods of the poor and supporting women's empowerment.1 Comment » | Add your comment
Local innovation in agriculture in North Darfur
Over the past few years Ibrahim Hamid Mohamedain, a farmer from Magdoub A in North Darfur, has been selectively breeding his millet crop, the region's foremost staple grain. Like farmers across the region, Ibrahim has struggled with increasingly low yields of millet year on year. Whereas twenty years ago one mukhamas (equivalent of 1.25 acres) used to produce 6-8 sacks of millet, it now rarely produces more than half a sack. The reasons for the falling fertility of the sandy soils on which the crop is grown are many, chief among them is widespread deforestation across the region.
Ibrahim realised that one of the (albeit lesser) causes of this deforestation was the practice of local farmers cutting down trees on their farm land, and uprooting tree seedlings, as a preventative measure to reduce the number of birds, seen as one of the main pests of the millet crop.
As an environmentally conscious farmer, he sought a biological and natural form of bird control. One day, his wife Aisha Adam observed that a few of the millet plants grown by her sister were covered in small hairs and were thus resistant to birds and grasshoppers. He took some of these seeds back to his farm, so beginning his three-year endeavor to selectively breed a bird-resistant millet variety which would also have high tolerance to drought (essential in an arid area increasingly prone to rain shortages) and a high yield.
In this attempt, he drew on his experience accumulated as a Practical Action trained agricultural extension agent (from 2004). In 2005 he participated in an exchange visit to neighbouring North Kordofan state with the State Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Research Corporation, where he was taught how to select and propagate seeds. More recently, he participated in a refreshment training course in agricultural production techniques for village extension agents, organised as part of the Wadi El-Ku catchment management project for peace and livelihoods.
Close-up of Abu Suf (hairy) millet
In the 2014 agricultural season he tied a strip of cloth around the first millet stalk to flower, considering this as an early maturing variety and resistant to drought. He also observed that as it grew, the millet head was the biggest, a sign of high production. Most importantly, he also he observed that the same millet head was covered in long hairs which made it difficult for the birds to eat. He observed a second millet variety with a compacted seed head with large seeds that made it hard for locusts and bird to dislodge and eat.
He selected these millet heads and stored them as seeds for the coming year. This second crop was harvested in October/November 2015 with stunning results. Despite being one of the worst rainy seasons in many years, he produced a surplus of millet beyond his annual household's needs, the only farmer Magdoub A to do so in 2015. The crop was virtually untouched by birds.
Scaling up use of new millet variety
Ibrahim invited Practical Action to attend the harvest, with the aim of seeking support to scale-up the propagation of this new millet variety. Practical Action, accompanied by a team from the State Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), visited the farm to assess the seeds and to discuss with Ibrahim how his millet variety could best be expanded to the benefit of other farmers in the state.
This scale-up began with Ibrahim training 250 other farmers in Magdoub, and from neighbouring satellite villages, in identifying, selecting and breeding seeds. The next step in the scale-up plan is still being discussed but the provisional plan entails distributing the seeds to 50 farmers in the state who will then grown the seeds; keeping half the crop and passing the other half on to a further 50 farmers. Practical Action also hopes to use these seeds to encourage farmers to adopt agro-forestry. As they no longer need to fear birds damaging their crops, planting Acacia trees on their sandy soils after 4 or 5 years will significantly improve soil fertility. At this point they can also benefit from the trees as Arabic gum gardens supplying reliable source of additional income, through the sale of gum Arabic.
Aisha Adam harvesting her Abu Suf millet
While this variety of millet is not new to Sudan as a whole, with other pioneer farmers developing similar locally propagated improved seeds in several states, his efforts show how with limited training and outside support, farmers can find locally appropriate solutions to their livelihood challenges.
This is in line with Practical Action's vision of promoting local knowledge that contributes to improving the livelihoods of poor communities. By connecting farmers with governmental institutions such as MOA and ARC, we encourage sustainable development.No Comments » | Add your comment
Will COP21 deliver a Paris Protocol?
Have the global negotiations for a new climate agreement switched from a marathon to an egg and spoon race?
We are now in the final leg of the marathon negotiations for a new climate agreement. At the last meeting in Bonn, the negotiators were expected to intensify their pace, but by the end of the meeting it was clear no one had sped up, if anything the pace had slowed. We are now entering the final sprint to the line. In 5 days the 21st Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Paris. Without a sprint finish it is unlikely that an effective Paris Protocol will be signed.
The Great Climate Race is just one example of what communities around the world are doing to tackle climate change. A fund raising run/walk to raise money for community solar power, because climate change is a race against time!
So what are the core stumbling blocks in the way of delivering a Paris Protocol?
The first barrier is a long standing one around whether developed and developing nations should be treated differently. The issue known as "differentiation" remains a significant hurdle. To be effective the new agreement must build on the original convention text around common but differentiated responsibilities. But it must update the text to match today's reality and be dynamic to evolve as the world changes. Historical emissions must not be ignored, but the changing dynamics of global emissions means that the text must be flexible enough to respond to changing circumstances.
The second barrier is around finance. For poor and developing nations allocating sufficient resources will be vital to deliver the agreement. At the Copenhagen COP in 2009 developed countries committed to mobilise jointly USD 100 billion dollars a year by 2020. A lack of clarity around these contributions, double counting of existing development assistance and the role of the private sector all continue to hinder progress in this respect.
Thirdly, Loss and Damage continues to divide parties. Some countries hope to see it embedded within the heart of the agreement, while others suggested it should be removed. Lack of action to reduce emissions will lead to a greater need for adaptation. Lack of finance for adaptation will lead to accelerating Loss and Damage. The logic is clear, but still Loss and Damage fails to receive the recognition and importance it deserves.
The Paris COP is supposed to light the way for governments to finally deliver an effective global response to the threat of climate change. However, to avoid another failed UN sponsored global conference it will be vital for politicians to put in the additional legwork to make the Paris Protocol a reality.
We don't just want an agreement, we need a robust agreement that delivers. Human rights, gender equality and the issue of a just transition must be central to the agreement. A human rights centred agreement offers a holistic approach that makes the connections between the economic, social, cultural, ecological and political dimensions, and links what we are doing to tackle climate change with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Action on Disaster Risk Reduction. Is this too much for our children to ask for?
Further information
- http://policy.practicalaction.org/component/dspace/item/why-technology-justice-is-critical-for-the-climate-negotiations-delivering-on-loss-and-damage
- https://practicalaction.org/cop-21-un-climate-change-conference-2015
- http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
- http://www.unisdr.org/we/coordinate/sendai-framework
As GMO patents expire, will they be used more by smallholder farmers in LDCs?
Today 16th October is World Food Day, a day to highlight the hunger and suffering millions of people face throughout the world. One of the responses to hunger in recent years has been to turn to science and technology to help boost yields of 'staple crops'. One such method has been the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). But the use of such seeds is controlled by the companies who 'make' them. Recently however, the patents protections on some of the earlier generations of GMOs are starting to expire. (more…)No Comments » | Add your comment
World Food Day and the SDGs: The challenge – no! the opportunity – for agriculture to leave no one behind
Today, 16th October, is World Food Day. A day when we are reminded of the vital importance of agriculture in providing our basic need – food. More importantly, the vital role agriculture plays in providing food security and livelihoods for the majority in developing countries. For me it is a reminder of how, to date, agriculturalists and the international community are still failing to enable the many millions of small-scale farmers to use their efforts, and their resources – the natural environment for which they are in fact our custodians – to develop their agriculture so it is productive, resilient and sustainable. Our understanding of ecology and agricultural systems tells us that sustainable agriculture is possible, but this is not reflected in our research and development efforts to pursue that approach. This injustice is evident from the fact that the 2014, Global Hunger Index concluded that levels of hunger remain "alarming" or "extremely alarming" in 16 countries, and this year's FAO report on the State Of Food and Agriculture (SOFA, 2015) show that most of the extreme poor and hungry live in rural areas.
Great Goals
Whilst alarming this is not news, and it was therefore with good reason that last month, through the Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs), the international community properly recognised the vital role of agriculture in combating poverty. Unlike their predecessor, the Millenium Development Goals (the MDGs) in which agriculture was omitted, the SDGs have a specific goal to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030 (Goal 2). And, to achieve that, specific targets to double agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, whilst maintaining the genetic diversity of our food crops and livestock, and delivering a sustainable food system.
With the SDGs the global community has done well to agree meaningful goals and targets for agriculture. However, this is not enough because agriculture is complex, it provides different things to different people, there are many strategies for growth and intensification and there are many interests at stake. For example, at the household level agriculture is important for food security, incomes, identity and jobs. For many it is a safety net – a base from which to rise. As a sector it is important financially and economically – for trade, adding value (processing), technology (inputs and machinery), raw materials for industry (fibres, fuels, oils), investment and growth. Agriculture is also one of the most significant of human activities that impact on the environment. Expanding and polluting agriculture is causing the loss of forests, wetland and marine ecosystems, which is having a negative knock on effect on our climate. There is a tension between food and incomes now, and maintaining our natural resources for future generations.
The Role of Technology
Many people and governments look to science and new technologies for the solution. The green revolution multiplied the yields of major staple crops, but yields are plateauing, soil fertility is declining and land degradation threatens the sustainability of the gains achieved. Despite the dramatic, even transformational, effect of that science, poverty and hunger remain.
Certainly science and technology has a vital role to play but it needs to create accessible, innovative and sustainable solutions. To do this requires research, capacity building and policies that enable farmers to make the most of the assets and knowledge they already have, and to use science to complement and improve their efforts. Agroecology provides an agricultural development pathway to do that. To be relevant, and bring forward, the many millions of smallholder farmers, in particular women, indigenous people, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, so that indeed many fewer are left behind.
Implementation & Measuring Success
Coming back to the SDGs, and the challenge of implementation, the important issue now is to have realistic indicators for monitoring and measuring success, and most importantly, guiding the strategies that governments choose to promoting transformation in agriculture.
There will be a tendency, the sake of easy implementation, measurement and reporting, to simplify the issues. For example, to measure yields and the closing of the so called 'yield gap', use of fertiliser or new seeds. As we have seen from the green revolution and the environmental pressures on agriculture in developed countries, such measures do not ensure access, innovation or sustainability. The SGD indicators should rather measure the ability of farmers to adapt and cope with change, and our ability to refocus research and development to improve their capacity, knowledge and skill so they can so they can improve and manage the natural resources they have.
In conclusion, the food insecurity of millions of extreme poor people could be alleviated with agroecological technologies to improve the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers, rather than investments in technologies for industrial farming.No Comments » | Add your comment
Rice duck farming in Nepal in pictures
Authors: Jack Spoor, Menila Kharel, Dr. Sujan Piya
Women in innovation
Rice is a staple food crop in Nepal, accounting for about 67% of cereal consumption.[1] Ensuring maximum yield and minimising loss is a vital in ensuring food security. Here, women farmers are transplanting rice seedlings that have been grown in a nursery with specific spacing into a flooded paddy field. A project like rice-duck farming which helps to empower smallholders will have a great effect on gender equality, as many smallholders are women who are often excluded from innovation due to a lack of access to funds, information or connections.
Ducklings as input support
Rice farmers are given ducklings as part of a project. Additionally, they are given intensive training on rice-duck farming technology and duck raising.
Ducks in rice: win- win
Rice-duck farming is a perfect example of agro-ecological farming, in which both the environment and productivity benefit. The rice-duck farming technique increases yield and decreases reliance on external inputs such as inorganic fertilizer which is costly and can damage the environment.
The ducklings are introduced to the paddy after 15-20 days of tra nsplanting, where they feed off the small weeds that would compete with the rice for space and nutrients, and also the pests. The relationship between rice and duck is symbiotic, with each benefiting from the relationship. Not only do the ducks eat weeds and pests, but their droppings also provide an organic source of nutrition for the rice plants, reducing the need for the farmer to buy inorganic fertilizer.
Best use of local resources
A farmer uses locally available materials to make a fence. The ducks are vulnerable to predators like any other livestock, and care must be taken to ensure the rice paddies are adequately protected.
Duck housing
While the ducks can help increase crop yields, some agricultural land must also be given up to house the ducks, as they cannot remain constantly on the water.
Ducks for nutrition and income
Not only do the ducks benefit the rice crop, but they can also be sold for extra income. Some are kept for next year's crop while others are either consumed or sold for the high value meat.
Private sector business extension
The most prominent private sector Bilas Haas from Janakpur District, has been supplying ducklings across the country and is connected with rice farmers for supplying the Hong Kong and Pekin cross ducklings, most suitable for paddy. The firm also buys back the ducks from farmers and sell to local and national markets.
A new depot is opened up in Chitwan District by Bilas Haas to provide farmers with a source of young ducks for the project, as the existing supply was not able t o meet the increased demand. Initiatives driven through market demand enable the project and its benefits to be scaled up. Private sector involvement provides the necessary capital and entrepreneurship to spread rice-duck farming across the country. The supply and demand effect on the private sector also ensures that gaps in the system (such as a lack of young ducks) are filled efficiently as possible.
A new business start up
Two new duck meat outlets are opened up, one in each project district. Previously, there was no system of selling duck meat from meat outlets. Hotels and restaurants used to collect ducks from individual farmers. Now, consumers have easy access to duck meat.
Linking with urban market
The ducks from the project districts are also sold for meat in the capital, Kathmandu. The meat is considered healthier and more nutritious than locally produced fowl and also has improved taste.
Working together for influencing
The project worked closely with the District Agriculture Development Office (DADO) in Chitwan and engaged them in planning and implementation of the project. Now, they have owned and included the technology in their annual plan with a commitment to disseminate it more widely.
The success of the rice-duck farming project shows that sometimes simplicity is the key to success. It is just one example of agro-ecological techniques being combined with private sector innovation to provide a positive outcome for those marginalised the most in society. Hopefully, the success fo this project can be replicated in other areas in order to achieve Practical Action's Change Agenda.
[1] World Bank, Food Price Increases in South Asia, p109, 2010, Washington4 Comments » | Add your comment
The 9th Community-Based Adaptation Conference: ensuring adaptation works for smallholder farmers
The 9th Community-Based Adaptation conference (CBA9) will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 24-30 April, 2015. Organized by the International Institute of Environment and Development, and co-sponsored by Practical Action, the conference will bring together development practitioners to discuss current challenges and opportunities facing community-based adaptation to climate change.
The challenge of climate change adaptation
Climate change will exacerbate the global challenges we face: delivery of basic services, providing enough food for a growing and urbanizing population, and responding to increasing natural disasters. The impacts of climate change will be difficult to predict; however, it is clear they will be unequally distributed. The poor and the marginalized, particularly women and girls, will bear the greatest burdens.
It is vital that adaptation funding is targeted to benefit those who will find it hardest to respond. Adaptation must move beyond vulnerability reduction to building long-term adaptive capacity, empowering communities to make livelihood decisions in the face of unpredictable climate change.
To take adaptation to scale, we must re-vision the role of the private sector. Development practitioners must facilitate equitable market access for those living in poverty, and inclusive, pro-poor technological innovation that benefits both smallholders and private investors.
Technology choices affect communities' adaptive capacity
Technology choices made by farmers, planners, policy makers, research and the private sector to enable or promote agricultural adaptation to climate change are not neutral. Choices between different technologies and systems of governing these technologies have consequences for access (inclusivity), sustainable use (choices available for future generations), and resilience.
As a sector, agriculture is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events and climatic change, and in developing countries it employs over 50% of the population. Therefore, agricultural technology choices will have a huge impact on food security and economic development. If agricultural adaptation is to be beneficial for smallholder farmers in developing countries, technology choices must improve adaptive capacity and maintain the natural resource base upon which livelihoods depend.
Key messages for CBA9
- All actors – government, civil society, private sector – must recognise that technology choices are not neutral and have consequences for adaptive capacity, inclusivity, and sustainability
- Communities must be re-engaged in analysis, planning and innovation in response to climate change
- If community-based adaptation is to be effective, it must utilise both indigenous knowledge and experience and climate information and forecasts, with acknowledgement of what we do not know about the future
- The gendered impacts of climate change and the additional burdens it will place on women and girls must be placed centre stage
- We need to re-vision private sector involvement in community-based adaptation to take it to scale – this will require access to markets for products and inputs, and mutually beneficial relationships
Practical Action at CBA9
Practical Action will be sending representatives from Bangladesh, Nepal, Peru, the UK, Sudan and Zimbabwe to CBA9, who will present a selection of Practical Action's community-based adaptation projects from around the world (posters here, under 'Key Publications'). They will also facilitate several interactive learning sessions on a range of key issues, including the use of climatic information, the role of the private sector, and Climate Smart Agriculture.
Find Practical Action at CBA9 here, and remember to follow us on Twitter! #cba9 @Jodi_Sugden @Chris_P_Hen @ColinMcQuistanNo Comments » | Add your comment


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Becket [Blu-ray] [Eng/Fre/Spa] [1964]
- Release Date: 11/25/2008
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Ratings & Reviews
Special Features
- Commentary with Peter O'Toole
- Theatrical Trailer
- Still Gallery
- Interviews with Editor Anne V. Coates and Composer Laurence Rosenthal
- TV Spot
A high-class costume drama with a substantive historical basis, Becket is the true story of the friendship between King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and Thomas à Becket (Richard Burton), a royal courtier and confidant whom Henry appoints as Archbishop of Canterbury. As Becket takes his duties with the Church seriously, he finds himself increasingly at odds with the King, who finally orders the death of his once-close companion when he continues to defy the throne. Burton is very good and O'TOOLE is even better: both men were nominated for the Best Actor Oscar, while Edward Anhalt's screenplay, based on the stageplay by Jean Anouilh, won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The basic theme of separation of church and state still reverberates today, while the top-notch production values ensure Becket's place as one of Britain's better historical epics. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi
Cast & Crew
- Richard Burton - Thomas Becket
- Peter O'Toole - Henry II
- John Gielgud - Louis VII
- Donald Wolfit - Bishop Folliot
- Martita Hunt - Queen Matilda
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text: Featuring a vented texture for enhanced air-flow, the PING Double Break Polo is great for a hot, humid day on the golf course. The vented texture mixed with P3 Fabric Technology helps keep you more dry and cool, even on the warmest days. For style, the shirt features repeated, horizontal, multi-color stripes.


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Located at the entrance of Mostar, Pansion Fenix features an on-site bar, free Wi-Fi and free parking. It is about 1.6 miles from the historic town centre and UNESCO-protected Old Bridge. Cable TV and a private bathroom equipped with hairdryer are provided in all accommodation units at the Fenix. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room on the ground floor. Public buses stop just 66 feet away and offer connections to the town centre. The nearest restaurant is about 657 feet away. Mostar Airport is only 3.1 miles from Fenix Pansion, while the famous pilgrimage site of Međugorje is 14.3 miles away.


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Description: redhead model drinks her boyfriends piss after deepthroating and riding his micropenis
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Julie Bishop to use Iran visit to discuss nuclear program and tackling Islamic State
When Julie Bishop steps off the plane in Tehran on Sunday, she will become the first Australian Government Minister to set foot in Iran for nearly 12 years.
Jason has been a journalist with Fairfax Media since 1995, including 10 years reporting on federal politics in Canberra, where he wrote for The Australian Financial Review, The Age and The Sunday Age. From 2008 to 2010 he was Fairfax Media's Middle East Correspondent.
When Julie Bishop steps off the plane in Tehran on Sunday, she will become the first Australian Government Minister to set foot in Iran for nearly 12 years.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has stressed that Australian couples wanting children born through surrogacy abroad to carefully consider the legal circumstances both in the country where the child will be born and also in their home state in Australia.
More and more states are moving to ban cow slaughter, and the battle is far from over.
The World Health Organisation estimates that rabies kills 20,000 people in India each year.
India's government and women's rights groups condemn the airing of a film that features an interview with one of Delhi gang rapists.
Investigators have made a breakthrough in the case of 400 followers of the so-called "guru in bling", who followed their master's advice and castrated themselves in an effort to meet God directly.
Last year, there were more than 100 blasphemy cases registered. Since 1991, 62 people accused of blasphemy have been lynched, more than half of those in the last five years.
Such was the personality cult surrounding the now ex-President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa that it was difficult to imagine the country's voters tossing him out.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has conceded defeat in his re-election bid and promised to clear the way for a smooth transition.
Sri Lankans began voting on Thursday in a tight presidential race that would end in a big upset if surging challenger Mithripala Sirisena defeated incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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Women's Pink Zani Skort
Function meets fashionable form with our Zani skort—a chic short and skirt hybrid with asymmetrical accents in a subtly textured silk. Silk. Relaxed fit. 14" in length at longest point; 3 1⁄2" short inseam. Asymmetrical wrap front overlay; hidden shorts; slash pockets at sides; asymmetrical sash overlay at waist; hidden zip at side seam with hook-and-eye closure. Partially lined. Dry clean. Color: pink


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Calf Feeding News
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According to the Farmers Guardian, new research indicates that feeding high protein creep to suckled calves improves growth rates. However, Rumenco's David Thornton states that adjusting the margins and varying the formulation of the creep can improve formulations and therefore its end results. The creep feed used throughout the study comprised rolled barley, sugar beet feed, molasses and ...
By ENDURAMAXX
Germantown, Wis. - Oct. 15, 2013 – L.T. Hampel Corp.'s continuous innovation and commitment to quality have earned the company two awards in the Society of Plastics Engineers Thermoforming Division Parts Competition. Hampel won first place for its best-selling dairy calf housing product, Calf-Tel, in the twin sheet forming category. It also won second place for a hydraulic pump cover in ...
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With an abundance of of Southern daylight Rogue Daylight Studios is an iconic 1850 sq ft photography location in the heart of Chelsea's energized art district.
The space is made available as a blank canvas ready for creatives, celebrities, designers and fashionistas to make their own and do their thing in an upbeat nurturing environment.
Rogue Daylight is available for a one day minimum rental from 8AM to 6.00PM snd can be booked up to one week before shooting.
As socially conscious enterprise, each shoot at Rogue Daylight supports our art programs empowering children in need through our philanthropical wing Rogue Foundation.


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Erin Kristensen Make-Up Makeup Artist
pppleasenotmePhotographer Male London, England, United Kingdom
My Website: www.justynkeeley.comMy MM URL: http://www.modelmayhem.com/pppleasenotme
Mayhem # 1009877
About Me
Looking for anybody - models, photographers or anyone else who's up for working together.
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It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our uncomplicated sign up form and login to the website.
This step is noncompulsory but will drastically boost your chances of receiving views from other daters on the site. Write a little something about yourself, your pasttimes and upload any nice photographs of yourself.
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Ice Diving Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find answers to common questions
I have a dive qualification, but it is not from PADI?
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Can I buy equipment where I will be based?
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Is diving safe?
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Selection.Stat Property (Visio)
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Returns status information for an object. Read-only.
If an object is a reference to an entity in a document, and if that document closes, the Stat property returns a value in which the visStatClosed bit is set.
If an object is a reference to an entity that has been deleted, the Stat property returns a value in which the visStatDeleted bit is set.
A Component Object Model (COM) object, such as a Microsoft Visio Document object, lives as long as it is held (pointed to) by a client, even if the object is logically in a deleted or closed state.
This Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro shows how to use the Stat property to check the status of a Document object. Executing the macro prints 0 (visStatNormal) and then 8 (visStatClosed) in the Immediate window.


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Thule's Crossover Sling Pack is a low-profile day pack that excels whether you're on the bike or walking around town. The single, wide shoulder strap lets you swing the bag around for super-easy access to the angled pockets, while the interior organizer lets you store everything right where you need it. Air channels on the back panel and breathable mesh on the strap provide cooling ventilation. This bag features high-quality aluminum hardware and water-resistant fabrics for great around-town durability.
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The latest collection of WildManT at Mensuas features the following styles-
WildmanT Underwear Styles:
WildManT Low Rise Brief-
The style is simple and classic. You just can't ask for more in men's underwear! Show it off boys WildmanT: Brief w/Ball Lifter® Cock-Ring also in stock brief underwear, men's underwear.
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Pacific countries still low for gender equality in politics
More work needs to be done post-elections in the Pacific to ensure Pacific countries do not remain at the bottom globally for gender equality in politics.
The Fiji Women's Forum says more work needs to be done in the Pacific to boost the participation of women in politics and ensure long-term gender parity.
The United Nations has released its Women in Politics Map 2014, which says Micronesia, Palau and Vanuatu are the lowest ranked, without a single woman parliamentarian.
And it says of the 13 countries with less than five percent female representation, five are in the Pacific region - the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Tonga and Samoa.
The head of Femlink Pacific, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, told Mary Baines the UN's estimation that gender equality in politics globally could be reached in 20 years will not happen in the Pacific if hard work doesn't start now.
SHARON BHAGWAN ROLLS: Although we have seen in the last year Samoa in particular putting in constitutional reform processes to at least make a commitment to 10 percent, but the reality is that politically women are not in the types of elected positions we would like to see, whether in national parliament or in local government, you know, municipal councils as well, in Pacific Island countries.
MARY BAINES: With the elections coming up in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, are there hopes that more women will stand?
SBR: Most definitely. There's a lot of work going on to train women, but I think that we need to see a sustained support for enhancing women's political participation. We got some very good numbers in the 90s, for example, in Fiji, but then you sort of see that women in politics programmes would kind of fizzle out after elections. It has to be sustained. It needs to go from one election cycle to the other. And it also needs to be looking not just at national politics but where women are probably closer to development planning in provincial councils in local government. Vanuatu, for example, has introduced affirmative action for local government. So we're looking at ways I think across the Pacific to see how can we support women to get elected, but also the support that's needed for women to rise in leadership within political parties as well.
MB: The UN's research shows that the number of women parliamentarians are at a record 21.8 percent globally. But would you say this increase is a true reflection of what's happening in the Pacific?
SBR: In the sense of the increase in numbers, you know globally that 21 percent, I don't think we're doing that well at all. We just have a very long way to go. The good thing is that there is the political will to support it, and support women in politics, but what it also needs is sustained resourcing, particularly from within women's civil societies, and that kind of work not just in building the capacity of women's political leadership but also to look at how political parties can be more engaged and supporting women's leadership as well.
MB: And they've also said that gender parity could be sustained in 20 years. Do you think this is a reality for the Pacific?
SBR: To say 20 years, that's two decades away. I don't think we have time. I think we really need to work a lot smarter and a lot faster to ensure there is gender parity in politics. There's no point in having indicators or commitments in the 2015 agenda and then wait for it to get rolled out. I mean, this should be a reality now. To wait for another 20 years means that for another 20 years the women of the Pacific will still be behind in political decision-making.
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Don't Know What To Do?
- Article Summary
- Injecting Methamphetamine
- Methamphetamine Effects
- Meth Psychosis
Meth- Physical Effects
When snorted or taken orally, one "hit" of methamphetamine can produce a high that lasts for about twelve hours. In general, the faster the meth is absorbed into the body, the more intense the pleasurable feelings experienced by the user. Injecting and smoking methamphetamine deliver a "rush" that cannot be achieved by snorting powder or swallowing pills, which slows the absorption process. Most addicts inject liquid methamphetamine or smoke crystal meth because the rush is what they're seeking.
Injecting Methamphetamine
Injecting methamphetamine is the most dangerous method of use. When methamphetamine is dissolved in water, dust, germs, and other materials can get into the liquid. The syringe used to inject the drug into the veins may be dirty as well. Any contaminants in the liquid or on the needle will be injected directly into the bloodstream. Users who inject methamphetamine run the risk of contracting both HIV and HEPATITIS A from sharing needles. The injections can also cause sores at the injection sites.
Methamphetamine Effects
Methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous and addictive drug. It increases heart and breathing rates, blood pressure, and body temperature. Other effects include NAUSEA, diarrhea, increased talkativeness, and a tendency to engage in repetitive actions. When the drug is injected, the initial rush leads some individuals to report feeling invincible, as if they can take on the world. Throughout the high that follows, users frequently appear more self-assured, "pumped up," and sexually aroused. They also may become extremely aggressive. As time passes, however, the surge of energy begins to fade. At that point, users are said to be crashing. They typically experience: 1) dehydration—an abnormally low amount of fluid in the body; 2) anxiety—feelings of being extremely overwhelmed, restless, fearful, and worried; 3) tiredness; and 4) depression—feelings of hopelessness, loss of pleasure, self-blame, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
Meth Psychosis
In severe cases, a mental disorder known as methamphetamine psychosis (sy-KOH-sis) develops. Symptoms of psychosis include paranoia, or abnormal feelings of suspicion and fear; hallucinations, or visions or other perceptions of things that are not really present; and uncontrolled anxiety that may lead to rage and violent behavior. And the hallucinations are not only visual. Users may hear voices. They have also been known to tear their skin apart in search of imaginary "crank bugs" that they think they feel crawling all over their bodies.
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text: Global procurement and vendor management Complete registration The global procurement and vendor management team have an overall responsibility to facilitate, through good procurement practice, the delivery of value for money from external suppliers of goods and services to Norton Rose Fulbright. We also assist in reducing the firm's exposure to commercial, operational and compliance risks, and act as an important point of contact in building ethical business relationships with suppliers. If you determine your company has a compelling value proposition and business solution that would be both relevant and interesting to Norton Rose Fulbright, please submit your details via the "Complete registration" option. Your company and contact details will be held in our supplier database and will also be held in the UK by Vuture Limited, a third party we have engaged to help us manage our online registration forms. After you complete the registration, we will contact you if there is a business opportunity or if additional information is required about the company product or service. Your details will not be used for any other purpose. Please note that registration to our database does not imply a contract, or an intent to purchase, but rather an understanding that if an opportunity does arise we will take your proposal into consideration.


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mrsmellish Review
Earrings for Wedding
I bought these as my something blue for my wedding. I love them, the color is great and the quality was nice. My only complaint would be that they are smaller then they seem in the picture. You definitely need small ear lobes to make them fit and stay on!
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Mediterranea Resort And Convention Center is a 4 star hotel situated in a strategic position, just a few meters far from Salerno's bypass road. Mediterranea Hotel is a modern and comfortable building, where every detail is carefully arranged and inspired by a hotel-management view which makes q...
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We propose an online resource allocation solution for multiprocessor systems-on-chip, that executes several real-time, streaming media jobs simultaneously. The system consists of up to 24 processors connected by an AEthereal [7] Network-on-Chip (NoC) of 4 to 12 routers. A job is a set of processing tasks connected by FIFO channels. Each job can be… (More)
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Peer-to-peer file-sharing networks depend on peers uploading data to each other. Some peers, called free-riders, will not upload data unless there is an incentive to do so. Algorithms designed to prevent free-riding typically assume that connectivity is not a problem. However, on the Internet, a large fraction of the peers resides behind a firewall or NAT,… (More)
—The BitTorrent protocol is by far the most popular protocol for offline peer-to-peer video distribution on the Internet. BitTorrent has previously been extended to support the streaming of recorded video, that is, Video-on-Demand (VoD). In this paper, we take this support for video streaming a step further by presenting extensions to BitTorrent for… (More)
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Sagi Bakshi, GM of Digital Solutions for ironSource, needed a business intelligence application to meet all of his organization's unique needs. When off-the-shelf options proved inadequate, his team decided to build its own layer on top of an existing system. Here's how it did it -- and the role IT played in the process.
In our industry, a sturdy business intelligence solution is key. It helps us power our data-driven platforms, analyze valuable consumer insights, and track our performance -- all in near real-time. This last bit is especially important, considering that at ironSource -- an online software distribution and monetization company with a complete ecosystem for downloadable applications -- we process billions of data points monthly.
Our customer success managers -- who, in a way, were our first customers -- wanted to see how campaigns were performing in real-time, so they could easily adjust and optimize them on the fly.
Naturally, we looked into several major BI providers, hoping one of them would be able to address our strategic needs. BIScience, GoodData, and Qlik were among those we evaluated.
None seemed to quite get the job done. There were a few critical metrics and KPIs missing from each.
[Don't do it like this. Read 8 Ways to Fail at DevOps.]
So, we turned instead to building an additional layer on top of one of the existing BI platforms, and then adjusting it so it could support the essential business units and features we needed.
It took a while (six months to be exact) until we finally developed the perfect BI solution for us. Because we built it ourselves, we were able to add useful and industry-specific features. More on that later.
First, let's talk about how, during the course of this project, our small BI team acted as salespeople, customer support, Q/A, and -- of course -- developers. At ironSource, it's typical for our teams to wear many hats, so we were prepared.
In the beginning, our BI team presented our customer success managers with a trial version and asked them to use it and offer feedback. It was a struggle at first to get the customer success managers to adopt the new tool.
It was an amusing role reversal -- usually they're the ones nudging external leads to use ironSource solutions. This time it was up to us, a group of developers, to get our internal clients to integrate our portal into their everyday routines.
We sent constant email reminders with functionality updates, animations, funny gifs -- anything to catch their attention. We even enlisted the help of our in-house studio to design appealing graphics.
Truthfully, what really pushed the customer success managers to adopt the platform was showing them that our upper management team was using it, too. Our leadership demonstrated how important and necessary it was for them to start utilizing our BI portal.
Specifically, I'd send screen shots pulling numbers and statistics from the BI platform to the customer success managers and ask them to check up on certain campaigns. This way, they'd need to go into the portal in order to respond to and access the data.
This helped us create a shared language for discussing performance, results, and expectations with clients, which can be key to both successful client management and company-wide unification. Since ironSource is made up of many divisions, this is a critical challenge for us.
Failure was a given. But as the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. In the beginning, as with most new platforms, there were discrepancies between the data our portal was presenting, and the actual data. Really, the only way we could fix this particular mistake was with the help of the customer success managers, who consistently flooded our email inbox with bugs and requests.
In fact, within a few days, we set up a WhatsApp group for support, so users could direct all their concerns to it, instead of emailing people individually. Customer support was critical.
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ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
Superior Auto Sales14900 US Hwy 301 Dade City, Florida United States of America
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This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/21/2013 04:44 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/superior-auto-sales/dade-city-florida-33523/superior-auto-sales-joseph-and-jose-muniz-false-advertising-untrustworthy-dealer-dade-city-1000437. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Our big announcement on the Trump-Russia scandal.
It's hard to say (and not worth the effort) who was in the wrong in yesterday's bitchfight between Barack and Hillary (for everything you need to know about it, see the Top Story box of MoJo's News and Politics page). Sure, former Clinton-backer David Geffen's comments about Hillary and Bill were pretty personaland IMHO, Maureen Dowd was off the mark to publish them. But Hillary's campaign exaggerated Geffen's position on Barack's staff. So call it a tie. But it turns out that Barack (I'm going to call him by his first name since everyone calls Hillary by hers) executed his response based on the advice of Robert Gibbs, whom DailyKos calls "a well-known smear-meister best known for his work trashing other Democrats"this from a guy who talks about keeping it positive. End result: Bleh for them both.


text: Check out channel 8 (or whatever you Georgia Public Broadcasting station is) for the AAAAA State Championship football game - game just started. The Grayson Rams are facing the Walton tonight for the championship. #90 for the Grayson Rams, Robert Nkemdiche, will probably by the #1 recruit in the nation next year. He is 6'5", 270 pounds... and only 16 years old. He also runs a 4.6 40. He plays DL and RB (in short yardage situations). The guy is a beast. http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1098488.html Note: he is wearing #1 tonight - at least on offense. Sorry, looks like I put this in the wrong forum.


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Tone in Oedipus Rex
Tone Examples in Oedipus Rex:
Jocasta is the first character to openly embrace fate. Her tone is more relaxed, almost jovial, as she discusses taking things as they come, rather than worrying about what could be. "[F]ortune" is an interesting choice of words, as it can have two meanings. Jocasta uses it as a synonym for an event that happens by chance, but it also denotes a great sum of money. Both of these meanings have positive connotations. This contrasts with the way Oedipus and Tiresias speak about destiny and prophecy in more grave terms.
The tone of the play gets especially dark here as Sophocles examines the illusion of choice in human existence. Sophocles uses "stain" to describe Oedipus's fate, suggesting it is permanent and inalterable.
Tiresias often speaks cryptically, but he seems to be saying that the truth about Oedipus's long-debated parentage will finally be revealed on this day, which will create a sort of rebirth for Oedipus. "Rebirth" usually connotes positive change, but the use of "destroy" creates a more ominous tone.
Even though Oedipus will try to find the truth, an explanation for the plague, he will have a difficult time finding it because Tiresias is the only one who can access it. Oedipus is unable to access this truth to alter the course of events, allowing the prophecy to come true. His ignorance and the tone of inevitability are the main sources of drama and tension in the play.


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USD/JPY under pressure
USD/JPY has come under a renewed selling pressure, having touched 97.15 as of writing. The pair is testing the levels below the 200-day MA (97.26).
Buy orders are concentrated in the 97.20/97.00 area. Slide below 97.00 could open the way for a deeper drop. Next support lies at 96.50.
Chart. H4 USD/JPY


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A scraplift from a Swedish sketch challange. LOVED the idea with the ribbons and just had to do my own!
Pic is of DS, about 5 months old.
The text is a quote from the famous Maria Montessori and reads: To look into the eyes of a child is to look into its soul.


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You missed it This great deal for R-lax Beauty & Wellness Day Spa is over. But don't despair, we've got more great deals every day.
R-lax Beauty & Wellness Day Spa
Pedicure with Nail Art, or Massage Package
87% recommendedin LivingSocial customer ratings
At this full-service spa in The Shops at Dole Cannery, complete serenity is the goal and the promise. These pros ask clients to put their phones on silent so that everyone can pursue full-body relaxation:
• $35 ($60 value) for a pedicure with nail art
• $35 ($60 value) for a 50-minute foot massage includes 10-minute scalp massage and foot soak
• This spa offers peace, luxury, and a notably pleasant staff
"Love this place! Awesome service and very affordable." - Facebook Fan
A Dedicated Team
At this beloved Honolulu location, soothing music sets the scene and helps facilitate complete and utter relaxation for each and every client. Pair these extras with the great talent of this passionate team of wellness professionals, and you can rest assured that you'll get top-quality service at a great price. Trust this teamwork-oriented group to prioritize your repose and enhance your head-to-toe beauty.
PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON May 27, 2022
PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON February 14, 2015


text: Bella S'more Maker $11.25 $20.00 + Free Shipping See Deal About this Deal Free Shhipping to Store Flag this deal Edit deal What's the matter? Choose a reason Dead deal Duplicate Bad link Spam Inaccurate No value Alive again Comments (10) Dexterous Apr 21, 2013 good maker, good for the breakfast time Reply Cancel EzzyLovesToSave Apr 21, 2013 $0.75 price drop. Reply Cancel FibroMom Apr 19, 2013 This looks like it will be a lot of fun to make with and for the grandkids! I know we will ALL enjoy eating them! :) Thanks - nice price! :) Reply Cancel Mawhen Apr 19, 2013 My granddaughter's favorite treat!! I really should get this. She would love it this summer, for sure! Good deal! Reply Cancel krmills1 Apr 18, 2013 We have one of these and have never used it yet. My daughter and wife love them though. Reply Cancel Christine Apr 18, 2013 oooh the deal is back! i missed out last time...can't miss it now! this is such an awesomee idea...yet so dangerous since i wont stop eating it heheh Reply Cancel LisaNtom08 Apr 18, 2013 I could really get in trouble with this!! I love smores! This is a great deal and perfect for urself or a gift! Reply Cancel Jazmine_ilene Nov 26, 2012 This will definetly be cool to have =) Reply Cancel newjerseychickxo Nov 26, 2012 Wow! great price.And the free shipping is a Plus. Thanks! Reply Cancel rockinnrolla Nov 26, 2012 What a cool set! I love me some smores and this price! Thanks for sharing! Reply Cancel Load More Comments


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GF cones and GFVegan ice cream and soft serve. Excellent.
We absolutely love this spot! While it is closed in the off season, it is a must visit in the summer. Staff is super nice and know exactly what to do about celiac. They wash their hands, the scoop and open a new container. They even have GF cones.
Great experience there this past summer. Staff is trained and owner was very involved in the entire process.
Awesome place. Gluten free dairy free with gf and dairy free topping. The gf dairy free fudge was terrific.
Gluten free sugar cones! And staff was very knowledgable.
Excellent and careful. They knew how to take care of my son's order and had one person follow through with it. Very good ice cream!
Best place on the Cape! Super service and understanding of allergies.
Loved the friendly staff members!! Used a new scoop, vetted me on what choices of ice cream were gf; excellent gf sugar comes!! Thoroughly enjoyed ( the coffee was great too!)
Yummy gluten-free ice cream cones! They Even offered to open a new container of ice cream and used a clean scoop before I asked-delicious ice cream. had no symptoms.
Awesome selection of GF and dairy-free options and delicious!
It made my day to be able to eat dairy free soft serve in a gluten free cone. I had been excited to try their cones for weeks and they did not disappoint. having a choice of dairy free ice cream flavors was a huge plus
Delicious dairy and gluten free options! Gf sugar cones were delicious!!
Gf cones in 2 different types. Careful about cross contamination. Offer both gf and regular ice cream flavors. Highly recommended !
My son was SO excited to have a gluten free cone AND dairy free ice cream! They had two types of gf cones and 5 df options.
12 pm - 9:30 pm
12 pm - 9:30 pm
12 pm - 9:30 pm
12 pm - 9:30 pm
12 pm - 10 pm
12 pm - 10 pm
12 pm - 9:30 pm
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Michigan Diner
Diner holding fundraising dinner for Raise-a-ReaderWindsor's Michigan Diner is hosting a fundraising dinner for The Windsor Star's Raise-a-Reader campaign to promote local literacy.
Local News
Michigan Diner to host Raise-a-Reader fundraiserEnjoy dinner and a good cause Oct. 28 when the Michigan Diner opens its doors to raise money for local literacy programs.
Local News
Raise-A-Reader Day At Michigan Diner In TecumsehThe Michigan Diner in Tecumseh is opening its doors to raise money for local literacy programs Monday, donating 100 per cent of their sales to The Windsor Star's Raise-A-Reader campaign.
Local News
Tecumseh diner hosting literacy fundraiserTecumseh's Michigan Diner is opening its doors to literacy in a big way on Monday, with 100 per cent of all proceeds over a seven-hour stretch going to Raise-a-Reader.
Ted Whipp's Table TalkStep this way: Walkerville's Walkabout Walkerville celebrates the festive season with its annual Holiday Walkabout Friday and Saturday.


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Environmental Pollution.
Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author.While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server.
Environmental Pollution
Man is one of the species who inhabit the earth.he is the only one who has interfered with various natural processes for use of both biological & physical resources to meet his multiple demands,man has polluted all the three realms of the earth-lithosphere,hydrosphere & atmosphere.it is essential for us to know about environment & its pollution.
In this presentation we will be able to know about-
That which surrounds, the total sum of the condition of the surroundings within which an organism, or group, or an object,exists(including the natural as modified by human activity & the artificial).
Abiotic Environment
Biotic Environment
Environment is the sum of biotic & abiotic component
Composition of Atmosphere
Acid rain: is caused by oxides of nitrogen & sulphur.It increases acidity of soil & effects the growth of trees & plants. The majestic monument Taj Mahal in India is also affecting by this.
Acid Rain
Solar Radiation
H2SO4 (Sulphuric Acid)
HNO3 (Nitric Acid)
Acid Rain
Factories, Transportation
This era has rightly been called as the era of noise.because heavy industrialization we are exposed to a high level of noise all around us. Noise has become a very important stress factor in modern life.it leads many health hazards.Some of the sources of noise pollution are aircraft,automobiles,factories,loudspeakers& pop& Rock-n-Roll music in clubs
. Noise produces following health problems-
1)Auditory fatigue
2)Deafness or impaired vision
3)Rise in blood pressure, pulse
6)Disturbed sleep
7)Emotional disturbances
High Approximate 80db
Pleasant below than 80dB
Very High above than
Heavy Traffic
Quit Conversation
Jet take off
Loud Conversation
Ticking Clock
Quit Raining
Sports car
Space vehicle launch
Noise Source & their Intensity
We know that certain environmental conditions like air,water,& food are essential for man,s survival.apart from their availability their quality & quantity must be assured according to man,s natural & acquired capacity for sustenance progress in industrialization has brought environmental hazards such as air water & noise pollution.These have caused many health problems & diseases.
As it has been said-
we do not inherit the environment from our forefathers,we borrow it from future generation.
Stockholm conference of 1972 proclaims that:
The protection & improvement of human environment is a major issue which affects the well being of people & economic development throughout the world&it is duty of all governments & people to common efforts for the preservation & improvement of environment for the benefit of all people & their prosperity


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Attorney Jennifer Matassa takes her role as her clients' support system seriously. Included as one of The Best Lawyers in America for multiple years, she prides herself on building strong relationships with her clients in order to fully understand every detail of their case. She will devote her every effort to winning your case and recovering money for your injuries.
Why did you choose Edgar Snyder & Associates?
The firm's commitment to its clients impressed me. Everyone here works to make sure our clients get the best legal representation possible – we treat our clients the way we'd want our own family treated. This sense of dedication and compassion extends beyond our legal work as well. Giving back to the community is a priority at the firm, and I'm proud to be a part of that tradition.Attorney Matassa
Education and Licensing
Professional Honors and Memberships
Community Involvement
Attorney Matassa is a board member and volunteer for the Humane Society of Somerset County and was previously on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Somerset & Bedford Counties. She is also the vice president of the Notre Dame Alumni Club for Central Pennsylvania, through which she participates in activities such as food and clothing drives. In addition, Attorney Matassa volunteers at the St. Vincent DePaul Family Kitchen in Johnstown, PA and participates in her local Walk to Defeat ALS.


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Bleaching Half Back
A discolored back often becomes a reason for women to hide behind turtle-neck tops or high collar shirts. One best way to get rid of darkness is Bleaching. Bleaching is generally used by people to lighten up their skin that have been affected by discolouration and pigmentation issues. Creams are generally used to do the purpose. People having direct exposure to the sun often experience this type of skin condition, and there are many products out there that claim to treat skin discoloration.


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Howard Megdal covers baseball for the New York Observer. He is a regular contributor to New York Baseball Digest and Inside Pitch, and has written for ESPN.com and numerous other publications. Megdal cohosts the radio program New York Baseball Live with Mike Silva. Megdal's daily haiku recapping each Mets game can be read on Metsgeek.com. He lives in New York.
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H.R.5116 - Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2014113th Congress (2013-2014)
|Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11] (Introduced 07/15/2014)
|House - Homeland Security; Judiciary | Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
|Latest Action:
|07/24/2014 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (All Actions)
This bill has the status Passed House
Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:
- Introduced
- Passed House
Subject — Policy Area:
- Emergency Management
- View subjects
Summary (2)
Text (3)
Actions (13)
Titles (3)
Amendments (0)
Cosponsors (9)
Committees (3)
Related Bills (0)
Summary: H.R.5116 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)All Bill Information (Except Text)
Shown Here:
Passed House without amendment (07/23/2014)
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement a program to: (1) train relevant Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other DHS personnel on how to effectively deter, detect, and disrupt human trafficking and interdict suspected perpetrators during the course of their primary roles and responsibilities; and (2) ensure that such personnel regularly receive current information on matters related to the detection of human trafficking.
Permits training to be conducted through in-class or virtual learning capabilities. Requires such training to include:
- methods for identifying suspected victims and perpetrators of human trafficking,
- methods for approaching a suspected victim in a manner that is sensitive to the victim and not likely to alert a perpetrator,
- training that is most appropriate for a particular location or environment, and
- a post-training evaluation of trainees.
Directs the Secretary: (1) to reassess the training program annually; (2) within one year after enactment of this Act, to certify to the appropriate congressional committees that all such personnel have successfully completed the required training; and (3) to report annually on the overall effectiveness of the training program and on the number of human trafficking cases reported by DHS personnel and the number confirmed.
Authorizes the Secretary, upon request, to provide training curricula to assist any state, local, or tribal government or private organization in establishing its program.


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Sleeveless Ruffle Cap Sleeve Top
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What the retailer says
A blouse with gathered details at the shoulders and allover motifs with fluttery eyelash effects makes for one pretty textured top. Poly. Front keyhole with button closure. Lined. Dry clean. Import.


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Chapter 5
"Good morning, Cassie. Please sit," offered her mother, extending a delicate, graceful hand. Gold sunlight fell from the nearby window unto her face, catching her hair and bringing bright life into her cheeks. Yet, the light contrasted against the dark shadow of the Queen's eye, emotion withdrawn and far away.
Cassandra gently placed herself in her mother's parlor chair, looking her over. She was supposed to be so youthful, a lively beauty, but it looked as if those days had long past, and despite being far younger than her king, Queen Elitha appeared as old if not older than him.
She did not get the opportunity to inquire over her mother's health, as Elitha saw the questioning eyes, the soft, concerned expression, and turned the conversation onto her daughter. "You leave very soon. Too soon. Are you ready?" Queen Elitha smiled weakly as her daughter offered a nod. "You are to pass through the Gherion capital, yes? My old home?"
"I believe so," Cassandra answered hesitantly, not sure where her mother was taking this exchange. Her mother nodded slowly, her eyes drifting off as if she was lost in thought. The Princess continued cautiously, "Why have you never gone back? Why....have we never heard from your father, why has he never visited us?"
They were questions that the young girl had asked often in her childhood, and often her mother would reply vaguely. How Elitha once loved her father with the most dear affection, held him closest to her heart. And then he had sent her away. The Queen swallowed, appearing pained as she shifted in her stiff chair, "He has never been in the best of health, as have I as of late, and....our last encounter was not a pleasurable one."
Cassandra looked at her mother thoughtfully, a thousand more questions gathering in her mind. Elitha could also see them, and continued speaking before her daughter could open her mouth. "Dear, it is far more complex than I ever could explain it. Seeing him again...it would only further the complication of things."
Why had her parents behaving so curiously as of late? Though, still, she said nothing, simply nodding her head.
"You received his invitation?" the Queen turned weary eyes toward her daughter.
"Yes. He offered me to stop and stay at least a week as I pass through," Cassandra answered simply, quietly.
Elitha nodded slowly, turning her eyes away."My father will be very pleased to see you," she murmured absent-mindedly, as if no longer present, stolen away by memories of long ago.
"Mother?" Cassandra tugged her mother back to reality after a moment of pondering silence. "How is your health?"
Elitha smiled slightly, looking over her sweet daughter with an expression of exhaustion. "Cassie, dear, I suffer from the inevitible disease called age. It is the one illness no one can avoid."


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Classic Circuits Are Revived as DIY Art
Star Simpson's circuit boards honor engineering legend Forrest M. Mims
Star Simpson's circuit boards honor engineering legend Forrest M. Mims
The holidays are just around the corner, and it's a good time to pause and reflect—about what new robots to get
Stand aside, Google Glass and Oculus Rift--BMW's giving drivers virtual eyes
2.2 million cars were vulnerable
15 robots that we promise will make fantastic holiday gifts. And some of them you might even be able to afford
Watch these two smartphone-controlled robots in action
Evan? Evan?! EVAAAAAAN!
Philips and Ericsson join forces for more connected, efficient cities
Plus: Bruce Schneier discusses the NSA's war on cryptography, contractor steals 2 million Vodafone customers' personal data
Featuring what could possibly be the cutest robot video you've ever seen


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VanDerBrink Auctions will auction off the Lowell Lundberg Collection of woodie treasures on June 14 in Fargo, North Dakota.
OCW presents annual Golden Quill Awards
Scores of regional and national publications are receiving the Golden Quill Award for club publications published during 2013.
First and Second Firebird Pontiacs built restored and ready for Texas concours
Pontiac Firebird No. 1 and No. 2 have been restored by Gas Monkey Garage of Fast 'N' Loud fame and will be displayed at the Concours d'Elegance of Texas.
Round Two: The next generation of Yenko
Lynn Yenko will be offering the 2012 45th Anniversary SS Yenko Super Camaro Prototype to be sold at Mecum Auto Auction in Indianapolis on May 17.
Final Corvette recovered from sinkhole
The last of the "Great 8" Corvettes has been pulled from the depths of the 40 foot wide by 60 foot deep sinkhole that collapsed within the Skydome building of the National Corvette Museum exactly eight weeks ago.
Iola Old Car Show seeking Mustangs for 2014 event
In addition to the event theme "Four for All in '14", Iola will also be celebrating 50 Years of Mustang.
Chrysler to schools: Crush Vipers
This unique early Viper coupe at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Wash., was ordered to be destroyed by Fiat-Chrysler. Their explanation.
Crane retrieves first three Corvettes from sinkhole
The recovery of the three most accessible Corvettes in the sinkhole – the 2009 "Blue Devil" ZR1, a 1993 40th Anniversary Ruby Red Corvette and a 1962 Black Corvette – was successful.
Prewar car and truck barn find collection in Enid, Okla., to be offered by VanDerBrink Auctions
Beginning in 1945, Oliver Jordan stashed old iron. Now his collection of cars and trucks from the 1910s-'50s will be sold by VanDerBrink Auctions.
Sinkhole savior: Chevrolet to oversee restoration of historic Corvettes
Chevrolet will oversee restoration of the Corvettes damaged in a sinkhole at the Corvette National Museum this week.


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You missed it This great deal for Taste of Brazil, Cozinha Brasileira is over. But don't despair, we've got more great deals every day.
Brazil is known for its carnivals, beautiful white sandy beaches, and general party atmosphere -- so who wouldn't want a taste of it? With today's deal from Taste of Brazil, Cozinha Brasileira, you can sample Brazilian cuisine with a steak dinner for just €20 (a €50.70 value).
Got any amigos that love Brazilian nosh? Give today's deal as a gift -- so throw on your feathered headdress and shake those hips towards the 'Buy Now' button.
Enjoy By March 13, 2014
buy before time's up. or else kitteh gets it.
*'lower price' discount may not apply to multiple purchases, select your options to see your final price. By purchasing, you agree to the deal fine print and the LivingSocial terms and conditions.
By clicking 'Buy Now!', I agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy.
Buy this Deal with confidence, because it's covered by LivingSocial's Deal Credit Guarantee up to the Voucher Expiration Date