Date:    8th -22nd March 1996
Title:   Kenaf for livestock feed production and tropical forest protection
by:      Dr. Carol Cross, EcoAgroForestry Trade and Development Center,
         AR, USA
 
This is a public seminar arranged by the "Integrated Biosystems"  (IBS)
project, under the framework of activities by the Zero Emissions Research
Initiatives, UN University, Tokyo. IBS coordinates projects to achieve
complete utilization of agro-industrial wastes into useful products and
facilitates global networking and the exchange of experiences amongst its
network members. You are invited to join the seminar, to subscribe to the
discussion list, please email [log in to unmask] and write the message:
SUBSCRIBE UNU.CONF-ROOM.DAIBUTSU yourfistname yourlastname
e.g. subscribe unu.conf-room.daibutsu Carol Cross
 
For full infomation on the seminar (full abstract and about the author),
please email [log in to unmask] and write the message:
INFO UNU.CONF-ROOM.DAIBUTSU
 
**SHORT SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION PAPER**
 
Agroindustrial development research projects on the use of the
multi-purpose plant - kenaf - include livestock feed, pelletizing mills,
substitution for wood in paper pulp and building materials, as well as
fiber for cloth, litter, oil absorbent, fertilizer and many more.
 
Kenaf is a highly potential crop for livestock feed because it can be
grown in 60-70 days and is particularly useful where land is
under-utilized. Ranchers/farmers in tropical countries need livestock
feed, and by growing and processing kenaf they can create a successful
livestock feed industry. Instead of cutting old growth forests for low
grade pastures, kenaf can be grown for feed. Problems and promising
processes of working with kenaf as livestock feed are also discussed.
 
***Short description about Dr. Carol Cross***
 
Dr. Carol Cross has spent about 10 years formulating EcoAgroForestry, a
new paradigm of development based on sustainable agriculture, sustainable
forestry and rural agroindustrial development.  Through her group the
EcoAgroForestry Trade and Development Center (EAFTDC) she is sponsoring a
conference called the EcoAgroForestry Century Conference to be held in
September 1996 in Southeast Arkansas.  She is pioneering the use of kenaf
for tropical livestock feed.  One project presently underway in the EAFTDC
is the development of small, portable equipment for kenaf decortification.
She is presently writing several books, a) The EcoAgroForestry Century and
b) Kenaf and AgroResidues for Rural AgroIndustrial Development, which
should be available in September at the conference.  Plans are underway to
start a school for those wanting to create EcoAgroForestry Village
Business Incubators (VBI) in the tropics.  The school is to be placed in
Belize in October/November 1996.
 
***Seminar Organizer***
Mr Eng-Leong Foo  [log in to unmask]
(from March 18th, [log in to unmask])