Scientists Debate Safety of Glyphosate

The European Food Safety Authority, in contradiction to a previous report from the World Health Organization, declared glyphosate to be safe.

Glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide commonly known as Roundup, is used in more than 160 countries. While glyphosate is the second most widely used herbicide on lawns and gardens in the United States, its primary use is on farms growing corn and soy, where producers used more than 300 million pounds in 2012. And in March 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared glyphosate a probable carcinogen.

Leaders Underscore Urgent Need to Create Jobs for African Youth through Agriculture, ICT, Industry

AFDB

Africa needs to step up investments in skills development and promotion of entrepreneurship to create jobs for young people, African leaders and businesses executives have reaffirmed.

Red Meat and Processed Meat May Lead to Cancer, Study Shows

While Americans are eating less red meat than during past decades, levels of consumption remain high.

Processed meat and red meat may increase the risk of cancer, according to a new study from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which was recently published in Lancet Oncology.

Africa: New Pesticide Guidelines Seek Faster Phase-Out of Risky Toxins

maize

Rome — FAO and WHO offer road map to deal with Highly Hazardous Pesticides . FAO and WHO have released new guidelines aimed at reducing the damage done by pesticides that pose especially high toxic risks to human health and the environment.

Waste Not, Want Not: Turning Harvest Waste Into Electricity

Johnnie McMillan

 Gorge farm utilises local organic crop waste as feedstock for an innovative two-stage Anaerobic Digestive plant that is consistently up to 30% more efficient than conventional single-stage plants. The waste is digested by micro-organisms feeding in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas... “Through biogas and solar, we want to displace expensive and imported generation fuels – like diesel and heavy fuel oil – from Kenya’s distributed power mix" - Johnnie McMillan, Managing Director, Tropical Power.

Across Africa countries are committed to scaling up renewable energy production to meet their growing energy needs. However, this will require bold thinking and innovation to deliver affordable and reliable power solutions that can be rapidly deployed. When even waste material can be used to produce energy, it’s a win-win situation all round.

World Health Organization Study Proves Need for Regulation of Fast Food Industries

As obesity-related health problems reach an all-time-high, government’s role in mediating the fast food industry is up for debate.

Fast food might be convenient, but it’s weighing eaters down in the long run, according to the World Health Organization. Researchers found that simply living near a fast food restaurant is linked to a 5.2 percent greater risk of obesity. Fast food has become so common-place that most children in North America are able to recognize McDonald’s before they even learn to speak, according to Partners for Your Health.

Africa: Extreme Weather Increasing Level of Toxins in Food, Scientists Warn

farmers

Nairobi — As food plants suffer more stress, they are producing more health-damaging chemicals, researchers find. As they struggle to deal with more extreme weather, a range of food crops are generating more of chemical compounds that can cause health problems for people and livestock who eat them, scientists have warned.

2nd annual AgricBusiness commenced yesterday in Nigeria

Chief Executive Officer/Director of Events, Dr. Kune Igoni,

The 2nd annual AgricBusness organized by West Africa Exhibition and Conference has yesterday commenced at the Conference Centre in Abuja and it will continue today 28 June, 2016 with the theme " The New Agriculture Agenda for Economic Growth and Food Security".

DABINO OR DATE FRUITS: UNSUNG HEALTHY NUTS OF THE DESERTS

Date-Dabino

Many would have come across this fruit usually hawked by northerners around the country but only a few would have paid attention to details about this plant.

Improving Food Access in Minnesota

Second Harvest Heartland (MN) partners with Hennepin County Medical Center to Integrate Health and Hunger Issues During Healthcare Visits.

Second Harvest Heartland is one of the largest food banks in the United States, distributing enough food to provide 74 million meals annually. The organization works to end hunger through food shelves, pantries, and other partner programs throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Second Harvest Heartland is also a member of Feeding America, a network of food banks serving every state in the U.S.

Ethiopia: Booming ICT Networks Foster Multidimensional Growth

ICT

A range of activities whether undertaken indoor or outdoor, knowledge transfers and other related human tasks have been facilitated by ICT and other ongoing technology-born devices. Apart from playing an unmatched role in disseminating information, easing communication challenges, keeping quality and expanding education, ICT has also become one of human job creation opportunities. This dynamic science-born new technology utility is not confined to specific purposes but it as well is used for enhancing multidimensional growth. 

CASSAVA : Foundation advocates new approach to increased yield

cassava

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), has noted that the continuous low yields of cassava in some cassava growing nations of Africa may confine the continent to a poor status if new a approach is not promptly embraced.

Survival of Women Owned Businesses: NEPC holds interactive session in Lagos

NEPC

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has organized an interactive session on Women in Export, which will enable the setting up of national strategies and policies that would enable women achieve their potentials in international trade.

CHECKING DESERT ENCROACHMENT : Kaduna State Govt. To Plant 10m Trees

Soil

The Kaduna State Government is to plant 10 million trees as part of measures to check desert encroachment in the state.

Antibiotic Growth Promoters: A Double-edged Sword of Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence

Food Tank had the opportunity to interview Dr. Byeonghwa Jeon about foodborne pathogens and antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Byeonghwa Jeon is an assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta in Canada. He teaches courses on Food Safety and One Health, and his research focuses on foodborne pathogens and antibiotic resistance. Dr. Jeon has written numerous articles on food safety and antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Ebonyi Empowers 3500 Farmers on Cassava Value Chain

cassava

Over 3,500 farmers in Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State have benefited from an empowerment and enlightenment program where they were taught how to produce cassava chips, biscuits, bread, flour, Fofo, tea, among other derivatives, they were also enlightened on the benefits and needs of biofortified Vitamin A cassava in the life and health of people.

From North to South, African Farmers are Putting Great Technology to Work

Charles Maina

Charles Maina has been working on Gorge Farm for 17 years – so it is hardly surprising that the farm has long since become more than a workplace for the Kenyan. The Gorge Farm outside Naivasha in Kenya ... uses GE’s Jenbacher gas engines to pump power back into the community’s inconsistent electricity grid. 

 

Agriculture has played a vital role in the growth of civilisations and industry in Africa. The ancient Egyptians were able to make cultural and technological strides in large part due to the fertile soils of the Nile, optimising farming patterns around the flooding of the great river and developing the first known irrigation system to ensure a steady supply of food and raw materials. But in modern times, agriculture is too often seen as a backward sector, particularly where small-scale farmers are involved.

Price Of Bread will be high soon- Bakers

Bread

Chief Simeon Abanulor, the National Chairman, Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, said “there would be a hike in the price of bread to enable bakers to remain in business.

Philadelphia Passes Soda Tax

Philadelphia’s City Council passed a controversial tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, making it the first major U.S. city to do so.

Philadelphia is the first major United States city to pass a tax on sugar-sweetened and artificially-sweetened beverages. The Philadelphia City Council approved the controversial US$0.15 per ounce tax, which will go into effect on January 1, 2017, by a vote of 13-4.

Federal Ministry of Agriculture Associate With China To Train Personnel

farmer

The Nigerian Government in association with the Chinese Government has commenced a five day agricultural technical training programme for forty members of staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

91 percent of imported tomato paste fake – Erisco, Dangote

tomato paste

Local manufacturers of tomato paste and purée, yesterday told the House of Representatives Committees on Healthcare Services and Drugs and Narcotics,that about 91 percent of tomato paste imported into the country are sub-standard.

Tomato: Farmers Crave Standard Storage Facility

Tomato

Farmers under the aegis of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the State of Osun have advised the Federal Government to provide standard storage facilities for tomato during the period of harvest.

Agriculture is Africa’s biggest employer of labour – Elumelu

Tony Elumelu

The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu has identified agriculture as the biggest employer of labor on the Africa continent, saying that about forty percent of Africa’s GDP is accounted for by agriculture.

Rates of type 2 diabetes are on the rise in the MIddle East across all age groups.

In recent years, parts of the Middle East have been experiencing a food-related public health crisis: an extreme rise in type-2 diabetes in the Arabian Peninsula region.

The National Grazing Reserves Agency Bill has passed the first reading stage at the Senate.

National Grazing Agency Bill

The National Grazing Reserves Agency Bill has passed the first reading stage at the Senate. The bill, which is set to establish grazing reserves for cattle and pastoralists across the country, was sponsored by a Senator from Kano Central, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

AfDB plans $175m for agricultural transformation in North-West region

AFDB

The Country Director, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Ousmane Dore, has earmarked 175 million dollars for Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme (ATASP-I) as instrument for consolidating the bank’s investments in Nigerian agricultural sector.

Keying Into Cassava Production As Solution To Nigeria’s Economic Woes

farmers

 

Cassava remains one of the most popular staples in Nigeria and has several uses which if properly keyed into can become the solution to the nation’s economic woes says the Cassava Growers, Association Ruth Tene Natsa writes on the many uses and benefits to cassava as propounded by the NCGA.

SENATE PASSES GRAZING BILL FOR FIRST READING

cow

The National Grazing Reserves Agency Bill has been passed by the senate for the first reading. The bill which is set to establish grazing reserves for cattle across the country was sponsored by a Senator from Kano Central, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Commissioner wants Fadama initiative extended to all 13 LGAs in Ebonyi

Fadama

Abakaliki, June 22, 2016, Mr Uchenna Orji, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Ebonyi, has appealed to the World Bank to extend the Fadama initiative to all the 13 Local Government Areas of state.

What Will it Take to End Global Malnutrition by 2030?

The Global Nutrition Report examines the root causes of malnutrition and offers solutions to tackle the global health crisis by 2030.

Malnutrition affects one in three individuals, according to the Global Nutrition Report, From Promise to Impact: Ending Malnutrition by 2030. This independent annual review explores the state of nutrition in the world, the underlying determinants of malnutrition, and the individual and societal challenges that accompany the global health crisis.

It takes 7 to 10 years to genetically modify 1 crop – NABDA

Prof. Lucy Ogbadu

The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says it will take between seven to 10 years for scientists to genetically modify one crop, Today reports.

PROMOTION OF EBONYI WORKERS NOW TO BE BASED ON FARM SIZE- Gov.Umahi

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has warned that promotion of civil servants in the state will henceforth be based on their performance in agriculture rather than length of service.

NO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS OFFICIALLY GROWN IN NIGERIA - FG / Argument

GMO Foods

The Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed has called on Nigerians not to panic over the issue of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). She said presently no genetically modified organisms are officially grown in Nigeria.

SENATE PASSES CACS BILL INTO LAW

CBN

The Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme bill has been passed into law after it’s third reading on the 7th of June 2016.

Barilla’s Commitment to Food that is Good for You and The Planet

A recent report from the Barilla Group discusses the company's sustainability initiatives from the past five years, and goals for 2020.

A recent report released by the Barilla Group highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to support both the wellbeing of people and the planet. The sustainability report, titled Good for You, Good for the Planet, discusses the company’s initiatives around sustainable agriculture and nutrition.

Sultan Wants FG To Review Ban On Rice Importation

rice

Worried by the recent skyrocketing prices of food stuff in the Nigerian market lately, the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSICA), has called on the federal government to rescind the ban on rice importation.

CBN to empower 4000 Anambra rice farmers with N1.6bn

Wheat

No fewer than 4,000 rice farmers in Anambra State would benefit from the Anchor Borrower Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the rice value chain in the state.

To Fight Water Insecurity, the UAE Takes to the Skies

A date plantation in the UAE desert. Cloud seeding may help decrease reliance on desalination and wasteful irrigation practices.

The United Arab Emirates National Center of Meteorology and Seismology has recently started experimenting with cloud seeding as an approach to solving water insecurity.

I CAN SOLVE TOMATO EBOLA OUTBREAK – Animashaun , Fmr.Lagos Commisioner

Dr. Animashaun

“The deployment of different strategies locally, to tackle tomato Ebola is the key, rather than using foreign technology which might not be applicable to the Nigeria climate and weather.” These were the words of a one-time Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mufutau Animashaun during an interview session.

‘Experimental Grazing In 11 States Will Improve Dairy Production’

Cow

In Nigeria, there is an increasing demand for dairy products as a result of its nutritional and economic values. However, differing in ecology and poor production have been the major obstacles to meet the needs of the populace, thereby leading to high dependence on importation of dairy products.

Cassava farmers can get 50 tonnes per hectare – FECA

FECA

According to Norman Boulaug, “the first essential component of social justice is adequate food for all mankind. Food is the moral right of all who are born into this world.” Therefore, food must be available, accessed, and adequate for everybody at all times.

YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE: THE SOLUTION TO NIGERIA’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

Nagropreneur

Efforts to drive youth involvement in agriculture has transcended ‘economic gerrymandering’  for the sake of media headlines, but has become a dire necessity  requiring strategically formulated, implemented and evaluated measures geared towards ensuring sustainability.

Open Agriculture Initiative: Is Digital Farming the Future of Food?

Can digital farming and controllable climate conditions be the future of food production?

Open Agriculture Initiative

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, a team of engineers, architects, urban planners, economists, and scientists are on a mission to revolutionize and more specifically, digitalize agriculture.

FG Urged To Implement Insurance Scheme For Farmers To Boost Food Production

farmers

A financial expert on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to implement a workable insurance scheme for farmers to boost food production and ultimately reduce inflation.

23 Arrested for Illegal Tree Felling by Forestry Task force in Kogi State

woods

No fewer than 23 persons have been arrested in Kogi State for illegal felling of trees, while trucks load of woods were also impounded by the Forestry Task force set up by the state government.

Analysis Highlights Countries Leading the Fight Against Food Waste

A comprehensive analysis indicates the efficacy of well-crafted legislative frameworks in reducing household food waste generation.

According to research from the World Resources Institute and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 1.5 quadrillion calories of food are wasted, globally.

Genetically Modified Food Items: Practitioners move against its importation

NBMA

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has begun moves to introduce Genetically Modified (GMOs) cotton and maize into the country’s food and farming system.

TOHFAN DISBURSES TRACTORS TO FARMERS IN ZARIA

TOHFAN DISBURSES TRACTORS TO FARMERS IN ZARIA

Towards improving the agricultural sector by enhancing farmers’ productivity, Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN) has distributed tractors to farmers in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Sub-Standard Tomato Pastes: Health Care Committee to Investigate NAFDAC

Sub-Standard

The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Health-Care Services and Drugs and Narcotics on Thursday, 9th June, made a move to investigate allegations against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), with regards to importation of substandard and cancer causing tomato paste into Nigeria.

Big Food Changes Direction on GMOs

As Vermont successfully passed a GMO labeling bill into law, big food companies are calling for a national standard.

More than 60 countries have implemented genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling laws, according to the Center for Food Safety.