Ghana: President Akufo-Addo, Please Implement Your Pension Scheme for Cocoa Farmers

Cocoa

The Afosu Area Cocoa Farmers Association in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region has appealed to the government to institute a pension scheme for cocoa farmers to free them from poverty in old age. This, according to a GNA report, could be done by deducting tokens from their sales proceeds to sustain the scheme.

Zimbabwe: Arda Earmarks Land for Tokwe Mukosi Irrigation

farmer

The Agriculture and Rural Development Authority has earmarked a significant hectarage of land for agriculture production using water drawn from Tokwe Mukosi Dam.ARDA chairman Mr Basil Nyagandza said while plans were still in its infancy, "Arda will be definitely earmarked for a significant hectarage".

South Sudan Famine Ebbs, but Situation Still Desperate As Hunger Spreads

South Sudan refugee Children eating food.

More than 6 million people now facing hunger driven largely by conflict, Famine has eased in South Sudan after a significant scale up in the humanitarian response, according to new analysis released today.

Nigeria: Banks Kick-Start Agric SMEs Equity Fund With N26 Billion

Banks Kick-Start Agric SMEs

Commercial banks in the country have raised a total of N26 billion as part of their commitment to finances agro-based small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

Kenya: Schools Face Closure as Food Shortage Bites, Prices Soar

Food

There is fear and anxiety among school principals over rising food prices with some saying they may be forced to close schools before third term ends.

Federal Government Launches Yam Export Tomorrow.

Yam

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, will tomorrow launch Nigerian Yam Export as a part of federal government determination to earn foreign exchange through agricultural export.

Tanzania: Mbeya to Have 10 Billion/ - Irish Potato Centre

Irish potato

Irish potato growers in Tanzania stand to benefit as construction of Irish potato development centre in Mbeya Region which is expected to boost yields is set to begin this year.

Nigeria Projects N2.98 Billion to Check Armyworm Invasion

maize

There is anxiety among farmers in Northeastern Nigeria as the invasion of the African Armyworm has spread to the area, with the Federal Government saying it needs N2.98 billion to check the pest nationwide.

Africa: Exposed - Uganda's Secret GMO Research

maize farm

Barbara Ntambirweki, a research fellow with Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) is preparing for a bit fight - against introduction into the country of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Nigeria: Zero Hunger - Nigerian Governors Endorse Pam to Facilitate Attainment By 2025

Zero Hunger

Five state governors in Nigeria have endorsed a peer advisory mechanism to enable them monitor the implementation of their state-grown agricultural plans with a view to ending hunger by 2030.

Farmers Asking for Further Price Reduction of Fertiliser

Fertiliser

Farmers who spoke to Foroyaa, while welcoming a reduction in the price of fertilizer from 950 dalasis to 700 dalasis, say they were anticipating a much lower price; some are even calling for a free supply of fertilizer to the farming community.

Anti Open Grazing Law Helps Us to Retain Status As Food Basket

Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Micheal Gusa

Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Micheal Gusa in this interview, discusses the challenges of the office of the Attorney-General, the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, the Anti Open-Grazing Law of the sate and other national issues.

Excerpt:

East Africa: Mauritius Hosts Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement Meeting

Sofitel So Mauritius, Bel Ombre.

press release

Mauritius will host the first Meeting of the Compliance Committee of the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) and the 4th Meeting of the Parties from 23 to 30 June 2017.

South Sudan: Famine is Over, but Situation Remains Dire - UN

camp

UN aid agencies have downgraded the severity of famine that had been gripping parts of South Sudan. But there are still higher than ever levels of extreme hunger across the country.

Ogbeh: Nigeria Striving to be World’s Top Yam Exporter

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has pledged support for yam producers, saying the country is pushing to become the number one exporter of the commodity in the world.

Africa: Why Calling for a New Climate Deal Isn't Such a Bad Idea

climate

US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord was greeted with consternation in the rest of the world. Both the United Nations and former President Barack Obama described the decision as a major setback.

Somalia: Famine Averted, For Now - UN

A girl cooking outside Sheikh Omar IDP camp in Jowhar, Somalia,

A senior United Nations official says famine has been averted in Somalia for now. He warns food shortages still loom and could result in a catastrophic situation if international support wanes.

Africa Still Hesitant to Adapt Agro Biotech

Farming in Africa.

Lack of funding, loss of trained technical expertise, slow development of the biotechnology sector, lack of political will and the issue of public acceptance brought by activism are the main challenges facing many African countries especially, East African countries on biotechnology and bio-safety.

Kenya: Ship With 660,000 Bags of Maize Docks at Mombasa Port

maize

A ship with 660,000 bags of maize set to be released to the market has docked at the port of Mombasa.

Ethiopia: Harnessing Agricultural Quality to Enhance Export Revenue

Ethiopian Coffee

Agriculture remains the leading sector in Ethiopia's economy and an important source of economic growth. It contributes 39 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment opportunities for about 73 percent of the population.

Aquaculture in Sub-Saharan Africa - Small Successes, Bigger Prospects?

aquaculture

If you don't know what aquaculture is, you're not alone: a 2009 survey found that a remarkable 85% of South Africans had never even heard the term, and most are still unaware of its importance. The situation hasn't improved much, more people have heard of it but few actually know what it is.

No GMOs Grown in Any Nigerian Farm - Dr Ebegba

GMOs

The Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Rufus Ebegba, has debunked the information by some farmers that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have affected their farms, saying, for now, there are no any GMO in the Nigerian environment.

Planting for Food & Jobs Programme Despatches 6,040 Bags of Fertilizer to Bongo

press release
 

Ghanian Flag

The Bongo District Directorate of Agriculture this week took delivery of 6,040 bags of NPK fertilizer from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in readiness for the implementation of the government's "Planting for Food and Jobs" programme.

Overfishing Leaves an Industry in Crisis

Overfishing in West African waters has depleted stocks of high-quality fish, such as a local grouper known as thiof in Senegal. Thiof is revered in the cuisine and culture.

It was almost sunset as fishermen guided their boats back onto the beach at Joal, Senegal, after a long day at sea.

FG to boost sugar production

sugar

In a bid to guarantee self-sufficiency and create jobs in the country, the Federal Government has disclosed plans to increase investments in the sugar industry to boost production levels.

Controversy trails N9.6 billion Ges season dry

Chief Audu Ogbeh

There is great indication that the payment of the 2016 dry season Growth Enhancement support (GES) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) may be facing questioning due to high cost bill of about N9.6 billion naira despite allegations of haphazard delivery.

7 Obnoxious weeds you should be wary of in your garden

PIG WEED (Amaranthus spp)

Weeds have the potential to wipe out your entire crop or lawn. In fact, sometimes, they cause harm to livestocks. Such cases abound every year where animals succumb from feeding on poisonous weeds.

PRESS RELEASE- FG CREATING LUCRATIVE BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE - SENATOR LOKPOBIRI

SENATOR LOKPOBIRI

Federal government has once more expressed strong political will and commitment to creating business employment in agriculture. 

Ethiopia Eyes U.S.$12 Million From Ramadan Meat Export

Meat

The Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute (EM- DIDI) said it has been working to secure over 12 million USD from meat exports to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia during this Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

With a Bit of 'Time Travel', Mali Prepares Farms of the Future

Farmers in central Mali, Sibougou to be precise, have been part of a programme by ICRISAT that prepares agriculture-based communities for changing climatic conditions.

By looking north, can you visit your farm's future as climate change takes hold?

Nouhoun Tigana, a farmer in rural central Mali, doesn't know for sure what the weather will be tomorrow - other than that it's likely to be blisteringly hot again.

Rice sellers urge FG to strengthen support for home-grown rice

Rice

Rice sellers in Lagos have tasked the Federal Government to intensify its efforts towards promoting home-grown rice in the country.

Oyo Goes Tough Over Cows Herding in Schools, Public Places

Cows in an Edo State classroom.

The Oyo State government has warned that herdsmen found shepherding cows into public schools or converting their playground to grazing fields will be arrested for prosecution, while the straying cattle will be seized as exhibits.

30 ships loaded with food items, other goods set to arrive Lagos

Thirty ships loaded with food items

Thirty ships loaded with food items and other goods are expected to arrive the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos from June 1 to June 19.

Edo Pushes Anti-Open Grazing Bill

Grazing

A bill for a law to establish the Edo State Cattle Rearing and Grazing Agency on Tuesday passed second reading on the floor of the Edo House of Assembly.

We Will Turn Kogi to Rice, Cassava Haven - Dangote

Rice farmers.

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has expressed his readiness to build the biggest agricultural company in Kogi State with focus in the areas of rice and cassava production.

Substandard rice importation decried by NGF

rice

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), has expressed dissatisfaction over the importation of substandard rice into the country in the last administration.

Uganda: How New Dairy Company Has Transformed Lives in Rushere

Dairy company

Little prepared me for what to expect when Vital Tomosi's Dairy (VTD), popularly known for the MilkMan brand, hosted the media at their factory in Rushere, Kiruhura district, on June 10.

Govt Bans Pig Importation, to Curb Swine Disease

pig

The government has banned, for one year, importation of live swine and its products following an outbreak of Africa Swine Fever (ASF) which has hit some regions in the country.The move is aimed at containing the spread of the disease.

Gambia: Commercial Agriculture - Tips

farmer

The importance of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be underestimated. Over 70% of the arable land is under smallholder agriculture. The sector employs more than 70% of the workforce, and is the primary source of income for rural populations. It contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings and accounts for more than 35% of national gross domestic product.

In a 'World of Plenty,' G7 Must Fight Famine

G7 leaders

World leaders must step up and take action in fighting famine to prevent further catastrophic levels of hunger and deaths, said Oxfam.

Loans for Storing Crops Help Niger's Farmers Absorb Climate Shock

A solution used to the weevil problem in Nigeria, a triple-layer bag that protects cowpeas during storage without the use of pesticides.

Lack of storage forces farmers to sell their harvest at low prices - but changing that can help them get ahead

Surveying his village's stocks of rice, sesame, millet and other food in a storehouse piled high with bags, Amadou Hassane is satisfied - but still a little anxious about the oversupply of baobab leaves.

Tobacco Farmers Wreak Havoc On Forests

Tobacco Farmers

As the vehicle negotiated Hurungwe District's rugged terrain, weaving through countless tree stumps, it was difficult to imagine that once upon a time, the area was a dense forest.

GMO Potatoes Are A Threat To Public Health

GMO Potatoes

Press Release: GE Free New Zealand
GMO Potatoes Are A Threat To Public Health

Allowing GE potatoes into the food chain in New Zealand would be a mistake and threaten public health. For the first time a GMO version of a staple food—not just oils derived from GE crops, is set to be signed off by authorities.

How to Produce More Food With Less Damage to Soil, Water, Forests

Healthy soils are critical for global food production and provide a range of environmental services.

Massive agriculture intensification is contributing to increased deforestation, water scarcity, soil depletion and the level of greenhouse gas emission, the United Nations warns.

Plans Complete for First Agricultural Park in Tanzania

Tanzania

PLANS are underway to set up the country's first Agricultural Park at Kimamba in Kilosa District that will provide farmers with land and irrigation infrastructure in the area to improve productivity for food security and economic growth.

Genetically modified food safe?

Genetically modified food

FARMERS have been modifying crops for millennia. They introduce new and desirable qualities to improve the food's taste, colour or smell; and eliminate unfavorable traits. All this has been done through conventional breeding – using selective breeding or artificial cross breeding of plants within a species.

Livestock Feeds Invests in Supply Chain to Enhance Competitiveness

Livestock Feeds

Livestock Feeds Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc, has announced that it is currently investing in its supply chain operation to drive further growth, and enable it deliver better value to all stakeholders.

How to get rid of armyworms in your farms

Armyworm

If you don’t suffer armyworm outbreaks, be thankful to its natural predators, like birds, insects, and other larvae predators that act as watch-guards in your farms.

Conserving pollinators for improved food production

pollinators

Pollination is an essential process in both human-managed and natural terrestrial ecosystems, and it is critical for food production and human livelihoods, directly linking wild ecosystems with agricultural production systems.

Reduction in food prices fall, a mirage, says Madlion

Mr. Shedrack Madlion

A Kaduna based practicing farmer, Mr. Shedrack Madlion has described the Federal Government’s pronouncement on bringing down the prices of food stuff in two weeks as another statement of hope that was far from reality. He said this in an exclusive telephone chat with Food Farm News.