Taking Back Ownership of Our Crop Genetic Resources

Crop Genetic Resources

We Americans value the freedom to do what we want with our property. These days, our freedom of action in regard to what we own is increasingly being eroded and constrained by the expansion of corporate power and the evolving legal dimensions of ownership.

Farmers Claim Drift Problems Persist After Two States Banned Herbicide Dicamba

Herbicide Dicamba

Researchers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture found in August that every formulation of the herbicide dicamba they tested—including Monsanto’s XtendiMax, BASF’s Engenia, and DuPont’s FeXapan—displayed volatility, or a tendency to blow away from the location it was originally sprayed. Some formulations remained volatile for up to 36 hours, even when proper application instructions were followed carefully.

Organic agriculture: panacea for job and health creations

In black suits, Dr. O. O Adeoluwa giving training lecture on organic to participant from Gombe state.

The Lead Country Coordinator, Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Dr. O.O Adeoluwa has described the opportunities in the practice of non-synthetic crops and animals’ productivity as a greater antidote to fighting unemployment and health creation for the majority people, emphasized the need for farmers to acquire training for optimal benefits.

UK Yam, exporter denies rejection, say they were certified

Lt-Rt- Capt John Okakpu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Prof. Simon Irtwange & Prience Yandeu Amaabai, Yam Exporter to United State, during the end of the yam exporters’ stakeholders meeting held in Abuja.

·         Minister says we are undaunted

·         British to train Nigeria to exploit $30 market

As against the recent report of Nigerian yams rejection recently exported to United Kingdom, the real exporter of the produce Prince Yandev Amaabai has finally cleared the air saying all his consignments were cleared at the United Kingdom (UK) and delivery to the selling ware houses. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh said there was no going back.

Sesame stakeholders shocked at mycotoxin

In tie standing, RMRDC Dr. Negedu speaking on mycotoxin.

·       4.5 billion exposed to aflatoxin

·        $750 million losses to grains in Africa

·       Nigeria has no legislative  control

·       Farmers refuse to off take aflasafe

Many stakeholders at the sesame seeds training and awareness raising on best agronomic practices to attracting market and ensuring food safety were yesterday totally perplexed at the devastating effect of mycotoxin on both human and animal just as 4.5 billion people are said to be exposed to the bacteria, thereby causing one ill health or the other with Nigeria having no specific regulation to ensure control.

Remembering Gus Schumacher: Farm Hero and Food Justice Advocate

farmers

Bioversity International released a new report analyzing how agrobiodiversity, or the biological diversity of food, can improve food system resilience, sustainability, and nutrition. Titled “Mainstreaming Agrobiodiversity in Sustainable Food Systems,” the 200-page report outlines how biodiversity can help us produce foods that are both nutritious and sustainable.

Tanzania: Aga Khan's Lifeline for Farmers

President John Magufuli bids farewell to visiting Prince Karim Aga Khan with whom he held talks at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

For many years Athumani Mohamed Omolo, a smallholder farmer in Mtwara Rural District, couldn't produce enough to feed his family. He wasn't the only one, with many smallholder farmers in this district facing a four-month lean period year after year. It wasn't until he received training from an Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)-trained lead farmer that he learned how to farm sustainably and increase productivity.

New Global Hunger Report: farmer Collaborate for Comprehensive Analysis

farmer

The United Nations released a report in September saying global hunger increased from 2015 to 2016, with the number of chronically undernourished reaching 815 million people, or 11 percent of the global population.

After a Global Hunger Increase, These 17 Organizations Innovate for Change

farmland

The United Nations released a report in September titled “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2017,” identifying a five-percent increase in global hunger from 2015 to 2016.

Image Speaks- Thursday end of the yam exporters’ stakeholders meeting held in Abuja.

Lt-Rt- Capt John Okakpu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Prof. Simon Irtwange & Prience Yandeu Amaabai, Yam Exporter to United State, during the end of the yam exporters’ stakeholders meeting held in Abuja.

Angola: ANAVI Strives to End Egg Imports

Egg

The National Association of Poultry Producers of Angola (ANAVI) intends, in the medium term, to stop egg imports and is therefore committed to increasing production levels.

Kenya: Finance Lift for Drought Prone Kenya Livestock Farmers

livestock farmers

LOCAL livestock farmers enduring the worst drought in decades are set to access to training and credit facilities through a new programme stakeholders have launched.

New Report:C Affects Every Step of the Food Value Chain

young farmers

Researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have published an extensive report highlighting the effects of climate change on agriculture and global nutrition.

Students Are Trashing Hunger, Not Food

Students Are Trashing Hunger, Not Food

From Vietnam War protests to the French Revolution, young people have been a catalyst for major social and economic change throughout history.

Image Speaks- 41st Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology Conference held in Abuja

Group picture at the  41st Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology Conference held in Abuja

After Hurricane Maria, Long-Term Recovery Efforts Are Crucial

Hurricane

Hurricane Maria, the second major hurricane to pass through the Caribbean in a matter of weeks, directly hit Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Arriving as a Category 4 storm, Maria has caused severe flooding, structural damage to homes, transportation routes, and critical infrastructure, and the loss of all electricity across the island.

Most American Food Waste Comes From Consumers, Research Reveals

 Food Waste

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) recently released the second edition of its landmark food waste report, Wasted: How America Is Losing up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill. The new report highlights the latest studies, success stories, and key recommendations for reducing food waste across the food system in the United States.

For Climate Change, the American Farmer is the Sleeping Giant

For Climate Change, the American Farmer is the Sleeping Giant

The most recent National Climate Assessment found that temperatures across the United States have already risen due to climate change by more than 1 degree on average.

Leaders Gather to Develop Sustainable Solutions in Asia-Pacific

Dr. Bruce Tolentino

The inaugural EAT Asia-Pacific Food Forum will be held on October 30 and 31, 2017, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

‘My China experience with NCAM technologies’

The National Secretary, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) Dr. Bello Nuhu Dogongaji

The National Secretary, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) Dr. Bello Nuhu Dogongaji shares his experience in relation to the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM). He pointed out that both the private and government sectors must harness the potential at the Centre for development of the sector through the using simple tools and equipment to reduce farming drudgery.

FG to upscale food production

Cross Section at the 2017 Agriculture Joint Review

*prioritizes 10 key agric projects

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has disclosed that the federal government was working hard to upscale the present level of its production from 45 percent increase to higher level of productivity. He said this while addressing the participants of the Joint Sector Review in Abuja.

Fadama threatens sanction against defaulters of MoU

Group Image

The National Coordinator, FADAMA III Additional Financing(AF) programme, Mr. Tayo Adewumi has threatened to sanction any state where there isdefault of Menoranda of understanding (MoUs) or a breach of guidelines, by withholding the disbursement meant for such state. The threat was issued at a technical meeting with agro-dealers, off-takers and officials in-charge of the programme from all participating states, held in Abuja.

Editorial - Rejection of exported yam by U.K authorities, an embarrassment

yam

The recent rejection of yams exported to the United Kingdom (UK) by Nigeria is, to say the least, very embarrassing. It is embarrassing because in the first place we were not even supposed to be talking of exporting raw commodities by now but processed or value-added goods.

Cocoa summit: Stakeholders consider new body to regulate affairs

Agric Minister, chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of State For industry  and Trade, Aisha Abubakar and CEO NEPC, Mr, Segun Awolowo at the International Cocoa Summit exhibition.

·       *FG regrets set back

Stakeholders in cocoa productivity have decided to move the industry forward by having a central body similar to the Cocoa Board of olden days to govern, regulate and serve as a body to guarantee loans for farmers, among other functions just as the Federal Government (FG) expressed its regret for the neglect of the sub sector that have been a strong engine power of the country in term of foreign earning in the past. Also, Taraba state governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku announced plans to reenact the semblance of the defunct Cocoa Board very soon.

Igwe, Ukulu Kingdom asks COMFAS to grow patiently in rural agriculture

Chairman, Dunukofia local government Council, Hon. Uchenna Umerie and President,  Comafas, Austin Maduka.

The Igwe Peter Uyanwa Ezedike of Ukulu kingdom has advised the Community Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (COMAFAS) to be patient and consistently pursued its rural agricultural development dream towards ensuring food security in Nigeria.

The Food and Health Lab Challenge You to Mindfully Meet the Food Waste Challenge

 Food and Health

Dr. Selena Ahmed, an ethnobotanist, and Dr. Carmen Byker Shanks, a nutritionist, challenge you to mindfully reduce your food waste to improve nutrition.

Botswana: Ngamiland in Suspected FMD Outbreak

Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle

Farmers and the public are informed of the suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Ngamiland district.

Researchers Build Interactive Toolkits to Teach About Pesticides

Toolkits to Teach About Pesticides

This article is a follow-up to our recent post exploring the political and community conflicts sparked by expanding use of the pesticide dicamba and describes new research that suggests that dicamba volatility in United States cropping systems may be more likely and widespread than has been understood.

Namibia: Water Conservation Under Spotlight At High Level Talks

water

With studies having shown that more rainwater is stored underground on farms with bush thinning compared to farms with none, and with a poor grazing conditions, the challenges now are how Namibian producers can use these advantages and how international consumers can get the assurance that the meat bought at a bonus is produced in the right manner.

Tanzania Can Become World Food Basket

Food Basket

WAS recently impressed when Nigerian business leader Aliko Dangote dominated the world on Wednesday, after various media outlets quoted him after he had addressed a meeting in New York.

26 September 2017 New Era (Windhoek) Namibia: Niledutch Offers New Hope for Grape Export Through Lüderitz Port

grape

Grape growers were given new hope of exporting their produce through the Port of Lüderitz in the near future.

Image Speaks- Community Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (COMAFAS) ongoing grassroots mobilizations

This is Community Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (COMAFAS) ongoing grassroots mobilizations and best agronmics practice training to farmers at Dunukofia, Anambra state. This is presently ongoing as pictures speak.

Nigeria: 2.9 Million Children Benefit From Govt's School Feeding Programme

Nigerian Student

Over 19,000 schools have so far been covered under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

South Africa: Farmers Speak Out Against New Plant Bills

farmer

"Seed is something that is sacred. Seed is life. In our tradition, it is about culture, identity; it's about sharing ... If everything is for sale, when will it stop?" asked Rifqah Tifloen at a public hearing on the Plant Improvement Bill and the Plant Breeders' Rights Bill in Port Elizabeth's City Hall on Friday.

Sudan: Bread Scarcity Closes School Cafeterias, North Kordofan

bread

The scarcity of flour in the capital of North Kordofan and other towns has worsened. School cafeterias were forced to close as they were unable to offer bread to the pupils and students.

Botswana: Horticulture Way to GoRalotsia

fruit

In view of its endless job creation possibilities along the lines of input supply, seedling and flower production, machinery contracting and refrigerated trucks hiring among others, horticulture has every reason to be regarded as the second green diamond for this nation.

Africa: Fall Armyworm to Cost More Than U.S.$2 Billion in Losses

Armyworm

African countries are facing a maize shortage and losses running into billions of dollars due to the devastation caused by the fall armyworm.

East Africa: Stakeholders Tackle Blows Hindering East Africa Agro Sector

Agro Sector

THE agriculture sector in East Africa is not developing fast enough to meet market demands due to the lack of commercialization, mechanization and access to information.

Image speaks- National Agric Show 10th Anniversary and World Food Day

Cross section of pictures at National Agric Show 10th Anniversary and World Food Day, held at the National Agricultural Show Ground, Km 28, Abuja-Keffi Road, Tudun Wada, Karu L.G.A., Nasarawa State.

NEEM elects Karaya, others as leaders

The  New NEEM Executives

The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) has conducted an election that emerged Alhaji Musa Karaya as the President of Neen Growers, Processors and Marketers Association with six other Vice President (VP) from the geo-Political zones of country as officers.

South Africa: From a Dumpsite to a Vegetable Garden

 Vegetable Garden

Five residents of France location in Pietermaritzburg have turned a dump site into a vegetable garden, selling and donating vegetables to the community .

Africa: Millions of People On Brink of Severe Food Crisis

Food

Over hundred million people are facing food insecurity with some on the brink of famine, says Daniel Gustafson, deputy director of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. Helping people feed themselves is key.

South Africa: Farmers Speak Out Against New Plant Bills

Nigeria: Govt Releases 5,000 Improved Cocoa Seedlings to Farmers in Adamawa

Cocoa

The Federal Government through the National Cocoa Production Programme has released 5,000 improved Cocoa seedlings to Adamawa Government for distribution to farmers.

Six Million Nigerian Under-Five Children Stunted Due to Malnutrition - Unicef

child

Over six million children in Nigeria under the age of five are stunted due to malnutrition, the United Nations Childrens Fund, UNICEF, has said.

Tanzania: Farmers Grapple With Low Prices

tobacoo

Following a drop in tobacco prices in the world market, firms buying the crop in Chunya District, Mbeya Region, have as well reduced the quantity of tobacco they buy from farmers.

EOA Initiative next level

The visiting Kenyan, in black and white top, Miss Stella Joan Muthoni with other executives of FACAN  in Abuja and the media consultant, Publisher of Foodfarmnews, Ayeni Oladehinde.

A representative of aCatalyst Consulting Firm from Nairobi, Kenya, Miss Stella Joan Muthoni has visited the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) in a bit to take accesscement of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative among local farmers and other stakeholders at all the value chains of its productivity in Nigeria. 

Image speaks- Brazil Delegates Visit to Strenghten Nigerian Agriculture Relationship

Group Picture during the Brazilian Minister of External Relations, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, at the Ministers conference room

Uganda: Armyworm to Cost Uganda Shs 720 Billion, Says Research

 Armyworm

Ugandan farmers are set to lose 400,000 tonnes of grain worth $200m (Shs 720bn) as a result of the fall armyworm invasion, a study has found.

Kenya: Food Shortage Looms as Maize Harvest Declines

maize

A food crisis is looming in the country with this season's maize harvest expected to be 20 per cent less than the projected 40 million bags due to erratic rainfall coupled with Fall Armyworm invasion in the grain baskets.

East Africa: Limited Supply to Keep Maize Prices Up in Region

maize

Maize supply in East Africa is expected to remain restricted up to July 2018 due to Tanzania banning export of the grain to neighbouring countries.

Kenya: Farming Lovers to Meet at 'Seeds of Gold' Clinic

farmers

The sixth edition of the Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic will be held this Saturday, September 30th 2017, at the Kalro Tea Research Institute (TRI) which was formerly known as Tea Research, in Kericho County.

Liberian Farmers Encouraged to Try Organic Farming

 Organic Farming

The majority of farmers in Liberia lack knowledge in organic farming. Local farmers generally practice subsistence farming.

Angola: Cuanza Sul - Women Processors Increase Dry Fish Production

Dry fish

At least 190.539 kilograms of fish were processed in 2016 by 83 women associated with the salting project in the coastal Cuanza Sul province, according to the provincial director of fisheries, Adão Pereira.

Syngenta promises Nigeria cocoa farmers copper free fungicide fighter soon

Syngenta

* CRIN, farmers hail the efficacy of the product

 In compliance to the global ban on copper based fungicide cocoa Agro chemicals from the world, the Nigerian market will soon be flooded with a new chemical product named Pergado, a Syngenta product that is already in circulation at Cote de'Viore.

Malawi: Project Lifespan Worries Dowa DADO

farmers

Dowa District Agricultural Development Officer (DADO), Aaron Kachimela has lamented over the short life span of the Churches Action in Relief Development (CARD) project which is being implemented at the Dzaleka Refugees Camp in the district.

Uganda: Shs113b Fish Handling Project Fast Turning Into White Elephant

fish

The wear and tear is evident, but the road has since been reduced to a bushy footpath laden with black jack and a combination of thorny grasses.

Fadama threatens sanction against defaulters of MoU

Group picture

The National Coordinator, FADAMA III Additional Financing(AF) programme, Mr. Tayo Adewumi has threatened to sanction any state where there isdefault of Menoranda of understanding (MoUs) or a breach of guidelines, by withholding the disbursement meant for such state. The threat was issued at a technical meeting with agro-dealers, off-takers and officials in-charge of the programme from all participating states, held in Abuja.

‘Chief Audu Ogbeh should please tender his letter of resignation and leave the office immediately and let’s have an active minister or the President take over immediately’

Mr Shedrack Madlion

Mr Shedrack Madlion is chief executive of Admiral Environmental Care Limited, Kaduna. Here, in this exclusive interview with Food Farm News conducted via telephone, he expressed disappointment in the  whole agriculture system, especially with the recent rejection of Nigerian yam in United Kingdom. Excerpts…

Tanzania, UN Ink $2 Million Pacts to Fight Armyworms

Armyworms

The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has entered into two agreements worth $2million with the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries to boost surveillance of Fall Armyworm (FAW) across the country.

 

Nigeria Earns N13.5 Billion From Cashew Nuts, As Govt Shores Up Non-Oil Exports

farmers

Nigeria's effort to diversify the economy appears to be yielding results with increased revenue from cashew nuts and other agriculture products' export.

Micro-Dams Contributing in Agricultural Development

Micro-dams being built in Eritrea.

The micro-dams built in 2013 in the Geleb sub-zone, Anseba region, are significantly contributing in the agricultural development in the sub-zone and thus improving the socio-economic lives of the residents.

Russia Makes Room for Black SA Winemakers

farmer

Black-owned wine companies will get a foot into the Russian market when a group of importers visit South Africa next week.