Kenya: Antibiotics in Meat - Why Kenya Needs to Do More

meat

Fast food chain Burger King has made a commitment to only serve chicken meat from animals that haven't been fed antibiotics in the US and Canada. But the same rules won't apply in Kenya.

Press Release- Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development holds Strategy Retreat to unlock institutional effectiveness for the Green Alternative

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in collaboration with Synergos (a non-profit organization that fights poverty and its effects) has recently held a 2-day strategy retreat for its Directors towards unlocking institutional effectiveness of the sector using the new agriculture roadmap “ the Green Alternative”

Benue Govt Cedes Land In Agatu LGA For Use as Cattle Routes

Gov. Samuel Ortom

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has provided land in Agatu Local Government Area of the state for use as cattle routes.

Nigeria Cashew Farmers Plan Output Boost With Eye on Exports

• 

  cashew

   
  *Country earned $253 million from cashew exports in 2015
• *Cashew farmers want to cultivate 340,000 additional hectares

Nigerian cashew producers are working on a four-year plan to cultivate more land and boost exports more than threefold to 500,000 metric tons a year to feed a growing export market.

What the World Can Learn from SmartSOIL, a Research Project in the European Union

SmartSOIL

The SmartSOIL (Sustainable farm management aimed at reducing threats to SOILs under climate change) project developed options to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) in Europe. It used meta-analyses of data from long-term experiments to model the impact of different farming practices on SOC.

Chocothon Seeks to Save Cocoa Production in Ghana

Cocoa

According to research at the University of Reading, cocoa contributes between 70 to 100 percent of Ghanaian farmers’ annual household income and employs about 3.2 million workers there. Ghana is the second largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans, after Côte d’Ivoire.

Emmy Simmons: "Food security is key"

Emmy Simmons, independent consultant on international development issues

Emmy Simmons, independent consultant on international development issues focusing on food, agriculture, and Africa, is speaking at the third annual D.C. Food Tank Summit, Let’s Build a Better Food Policy, which will be hosted in partnership with George Washington University and the World Resources Institute on February 2, 2017.

PRESS RELEASE: FEDERAL MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH AND SCIENCE & TECNOLOGFY PARTNER WITH THE MEDIA TO EDUCATE NIGERIANS ON THE NEED TO EMBRACE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY OF USING STAINLESS GRINDING MACHINE – AGRIC MINISTER

Chief Audu Ogbeh

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has said that the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health and Science and Technology will partner with the Media to educate Nigerians on the need to embrace the new technology of operating and using electronic Stainless Grinding Machine.

Is Irrigation Only Way to Food Security in Africa?

Irrigation in a maize field.

 As Tanzania grapples with delayed rains that are certain to adversely affect agriculture, new analyses tout increased investment in irrigation as a solution to food insecurity.

Federal Ministry of Industry inaugurates committee for cocoa international fair

Cocoa

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) through its Permanent Secretary (PS) has today inaugurated an Inter ministerial Committee for the 2017 International Cocoa Summit was inaugurated today. by the PS FMITI.

Africa: The Smart Way to Help African Farmers Tackle Climate Change

African farmers are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

Kakamega/Kenya — Agriculture is the most important sector of African economies, from the livelihoods it supports to the future jobs it can generate.

Despite hurdles, agric fared well in 2016, kept faith on rice – Ogbeh

Chief Audu Ogbeh

As he inaugurates committee to restructure Bank of Agric, Chief Audu Ogbeh said although agriculture was up against diverse obstacles in 2016, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has expressed determination to ride out the storm in 2017 by embarking on many ambitious projects.

We are taking Nigeria back to the top in cocoa – Ogbeh

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has described as embarrassing the downgrade of Nigeria in the global cocoa business.

Families Face Starvation as Famine Hits Kenya

Families Face Starvation as Famine Hits Kenya

More than 50,000 Tana River County residents are staring at death because of the ongoing drought, Governor Hussein Dado has warned. Mr Dado said the figure could rise to 90,000 if the dry spell continues.

South Africa: Western Cape Agriculture Conducts Site Visit to Clanwilliam

Jacob Zuma, South Africa President

press release

Multi-million rand maintenance plan underway to stem agriculture losses in Clanwilliam. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture will today (20 January 2017) conduct a site visit to Clanwilliam after reports of a canal break earlier this week.

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta Bans Maize Export

President Uhuru Kenyatta

President Uhuru Kenyatta has banned exportation of maize until the ravaging drought ends. The Head of State further ordered the arrest of unscrupulous traders, who were hoarding maize to make "abnormal" profits.

Chinese Firm to Invest U.S. $1 Billion in Cassava in Tanzania

cassava farmer

Tanzania has signed a $1 billion partnership agreement with a Chinese firm to commercialize cassava farming and processing, raising hopes to growers who have been grappling with the challenge of accessing reliable markets.

Africa: It's Time We Get Serious About Organic Farming

Add Organic Farmers

Washington — Conventional farming and food production practices in this country are creating serious environmental and public health problems. Every day, an industrial farming system spinning out of control confronts all Americans with serious challenges.

REJOINDER to Agric minister’s release on Cocoa rebirth

Cocoa

In a Press Release titled “Agric Minister Challenges Committee on Revitalization of Cocoa Production in Nigeria”, issued on 13^th January, 2017, it was erroneously/mistakenly stated that the Chairman of the Committee is Dr. Peter Aikpokpodion, who was also referred to as the Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.

Namibia: Food Inflation to Drive Inflation

Namibia

FOOD inflation is expected to be one of the main drivers of inflation this year, Simonis Storm Securities said in a 2017 economic outlook report.

U.S.$21 Million Grant to Boost Mauritania's Food Security

southern Mauritania women

A total of 285,600 farmers, particularly women and young people in six regions in southern Mauritania will benefit from a financial agreement signed today between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Mauritania to improve their incomes, nutrition and food security.

Kenya Switches to Thermal Power as Govt Rules Out Loadshedding

hydro generation

Kenya is injecting thermal electricity into the national grid to compensate for hydro generation -- which has affected by low water levels due to poor rainfall last year.

Tanzania Govt Denies Food Crisis

President John Magufuli in Kagera.

* Opposition Exaggerating Food Scarcity - Ruling Party

 Ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has blamed the opposition for misleading members of the public on the shortage of food in the country.

Malawi: MPs Fail to Find Corruption Element in 'Maizegate', So Far

Maizegate

The four government agencies and ministries that have so far appeared before the Agriculture Committee of Parliament that is probing the maize procurement matter together with the Public Accounts Committee, have so far failed to establish corruption element as ithas been widely alleged in the media.

Somalia: President Appeals for Assistance as Drought Worsens

Drought

As Somalia faces its second major drought this decade, the government has issued an urgent appeal for large-scale, life-saving aid.

Global feeds: Nigeria moves 40th position says NIAS Registrar

feeds

The Registrar/ CEO, Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Prof. Eustace Iyayi has hinted that the position of the country in the global feeds production ranking scaled up to 40^th position from 51th in the world at the present six million metric tons of feeds being annually produced.

South Africa: Eco-Friendly Farm Owners 'Lose Everything' in Paarl Wildfire

wildfire

A wildfire fanned by gusting winds engulfed large sections of an eco-friendly wine farm in Paarl, destroying a manor house and buildings, some of which are more than 300 years old.

Zimbabwe: Senior Zapu Official Says Zanu-PF Thrives On Famine, Ruling Party Unhappy With Current Good Rains

Zimbabwe

A SENIOR Zapu official says this season's predicted good harvest following good rains countrywide will deal Zanu PF's campaign strategy a major blow.

PRESS RELEASE- Agric MINISTER CHALLENGES COMMITTEE ON REVITALISATION OF COCOA PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA

Chief Audu Ogbeh

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has challenged the committee on the re-lunch of cocoa programme in Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria moves from her current position of number seven (7) in world cocoa production to the number one position.

Ethiopia: Promoting Agricultural Investment for Stimulating Growth

farm

Fort over two decades now the government has showed a commitment towards enhancing agricultural productivity through attracting investment on agriculture both from local and foreign stakeholders. Legal frameworks are crafted and institutions are established for the provision of land for investors and licensing.

Sudan: Queueing for Scarce Bread in More Sudanese States

Bread

People in White Nile, El Gezira and Atbara in River Nile are queueing in front of bakeries to obtain scarce bread, caused by a shortage of flour.

Tanzania: Alarm As 21 Million Livestock Face Starvation

Thousands of cattle, goat, sheep are in bad condition

As the drought scare continues in several parts of the country, the meteorological agency has revealed areas that received below average rainfall between October and December, further raising concern with regard to the survival of over 21 million livestock due to shortage of pasture and water.

Angola: Police Seize Eight Vessels in Maritime Exclusion Zone

fish

Police authorities seized eight fishing vessels in a maritime exclusion zone near bloc 4 in Soyo, northern Zaire province, last weekend.

Zimbabwe: Scurvy 'Hits' Zimbabwe's Psychiatric Hospital Amid 'Poor Nutrition'

Zimbabwe

Authorities in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo say they've sent a team to investigate reports that scurvy has broken out in a hospital there.

Zimbabwe: Armyworm Outbreak - Fears Zim's Maize Crops May Be 'Completely' Wiped Out

Maize

Zimbabwe's maize crops could be "completely wiped out" following an outbreak of armyworms in the southern African country, reports say.

Kano produced over 1.5m tons of rice in 2016 – Ganduje

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has revealed that farmers in Kano State have produced 1,551,720 tons of rice in 2016 as against the 692,481 tons produced in 2015.

Simple motorized weeders demonstrate the imperatives of cassava mechanization

IITA modified simple motorized weeders being used on a field in Ibadan

Gasoline powered simple weeders adapted for weeding in cassava farms hold promise and may take off the burden of weeding faced by small-scale farmers in Africa.

Tanzania: We Have Enough Food - Ministry

Tanzania

Despite food shortage reports in some parts of the country, preliminary food production forecast for 2015/2016 indicates that the country has a surplus of more than 3 million metric tonnes.

Rwandan Farmers Push for Affordable Irish Potato Seeds

Irish potato

The Soaring prices of Irish potato seeds has left smallholder farmers lamenting, triggering efforts by different stakeholders to a seek remedy.

Ethiopia Gets Really Serious About Feeding Children

Feeding Children

The Ministry of Health and stakeholders from various ministries Thursday launched a 1.14 billion USD nutrition programme running 2016 -2020.

AgraME set to bring global players in agriculture to the Middle East

AgraME

AgraME, the foremost Agricultural trade exhibition of the Middle Eastern and North African countries is set to hold its 2017 edition.

Editorial- Caution against long-term land lease to international farmers

Prof Yemi Osinbajo

This editorial became necessary against the background of recent invitations extended, first to German businessmen by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and, second to Chinese businessmen by the minister of state, agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri to the effect that investors should invest in agricultural production in Nigeria, for export to other parts of the globe.

Press Release- Minister of Agric inaugurates Committee on National Farmers’ Day

Chief Audu Ogbeh

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has inaugurated a committee to plan and organize the first ever National Farmers’ Day celebration in Nigeria.

How AfDB is helping transform Agriculture in Africa – Report

AFDB

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has deployed $5.5 billion in investments into the agriculture sector over five years up to 2015, the new Development Effectiveness Review on Agriculture, has revealed.

Severe Water Restrictions for Mozambican Capital

Greater Maputo Metropolitan Area

The Maputo Regional Water Company (AdeM) has announced drastic restrictions in the water supply to the Greater Maputo Metropolitan Area (Maputo and Matola cities, and Boane district) as from Tuesday.

Africa Resilience Forum: AfDB President lays out blueprint for dealing with fragility

Akinwumi Adesina

• Bank calls for innovative partnerships needed to deal with fragility
• Additional concessional resources for fragile situations increased to 17%
• Bank to deliver High 5s in 10,000 communities in fragile situations in 1,000 day

Nigeria loses 3.5 million birds to Avian Influnza – Ogbeh

Audu Ogbeh

The Federal Government has announced the spread of a new strain of Avian Influenza virus, popularly known as bird flu to 26 states including the Federal Capital Territory, affecting over 3.5 million birds.

FG increases import duties on rice, salt and other food items

President Buhari

The Federal Government has raised duties on some food items being imported into the country. Some of these food items include rice, salt and sugarcane and are known have alternatives that can be sourced locally.

Bayelsa Fishermen, Trawler Operators at war over Fishing Grounds

fishermen

Fishermen in communities of Brass and Southern Ijaw Local Governments Areas, Bayelsa State, have decried the unpleasant activities of fishing trawler operators, who they accused of damaging their fishing gears, attacking local anglers and violating maritime laws.

Nigeria launches plan to end hunger by 2030

L-R: Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; Director General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dr Nteranya Sanginga; andthe Director of Policy and Program, World Food Programme, Mr StanlakeSamkange; during the launch of the “Synthesis Report of the Nigeria Zero Hunger Strategic Review,” in Abuja on Wednesday.

Nigeria makes history today with the launch of a strategic plan and roadmap to achieve zero hunger by 2030.

‘We have cultivated over 5,000 hectares with cowpeas’

Mr. Sunday Wabba

Internally Displaced Persons are now one of the common features of the Nigerian horizon. Associated with them are hunger and deprivations in the camps. However, of recent, a quiet agrarian revolution is going on  and the arrowhead of this revolution, Mr. Sunday Wabba, founder of Smile Again African Initiative chatted with Food-Farm News on the changes  and other issues. Excerpts.

NDE to provide 800, 000 Jobs through Agriculture

youth farmer

As part of efforts to complement the Federal Government’s diversification policy, the National Directorate of Employment has disclosed plans to create over 800, 000 jobs in the Agricultural sector.

Climate Change, Labor, and Transportation Under a Trump Administration

Trump Administration

The current picks for cabinet members of the incoming Trump administration are likely to have a substantial influence on policy across the board, with notable change afoot for food, agriculture, and the environment. President-elect Donald Trump announced Andrew Puzder as his choice for Secretary of Labor.

Promoting Soil Carbon Sequestration: An Interview with Kiss the Ground

Lauren Tucker is the Executive Director at Kiss the Ground

Lauren Tucker is the Executive Director at Kiss the Ground, an organization based in Venice, CA. Established in 2013, Kiss the Ground is a nonprofit organization with the mission of “We can do this!” This simple phrase stems from the idea that eaters and farmers have the science and technology to balance the climate and recreate our food system, but everyone needs to feel hopeful and catalyze diverse community solutions. Because of this concept, everything that Kiss the Ground does has an underlying message of a hopeful future.

CBN approves N75 Billion Loan to Farmers under NIRSAL

CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the disbursement of about N75 billion as loan to farmers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).