The Future of Food: To GMO or Not To GMO?

The Future of Food: To GMO or Not To GMO?

An organic diet has never been more in style than it is right now, with millions of consumers willing to shell out extra dollars for organic foods.

Cocoa Farming Breakthrough - Farmers Granted First-Time Ownership of Timber TreesCo

Cocoa

• UN International Day of Forests announcement positions farmers to benefit from agroforestry and contribute to fight against deforestation and climate change
• Ghanaian Forestry Commission approves tree registration for 150 cocoa farmers near Asankrangwa, in Ghana's Western Region
• Shade trees are conducive to a positive cycle of afforestation on cocoa farms

For the first time ever in Ghana, cocoa farmers have obtained official ownership of valuable non-cocoa trees on their farms. Benefiting from this breakthrough are 150 farmers in Ghana's Western Region who have successfully petitioned the Ghanaian government to register ownership of trees planted on their cocoa farms.

Once And For All, Here’s What Science Says About GMOs

GMO

You’ve probably heard the same conversation, in one way or another, for years: Some say genetically modified organisms (GMO) are harmful, while others say they’ll help us feed the growing billions of humans that populate our planet.

Pigeon Peas - How India Contravened WTO Rules

Pigeon Peas

Local producers and exporters of pigeon peas are disappointed by the government's silence on the blocked market of their produce to India.

Sex - Birds Do It, Bees Do It - and Fungi Do It Too. Here's How, and Why It Matters

Mushrooms on the forest floor.

Sex is an essential part of life. You, me and almost every other living organism on this planet are only here because two individuals got together at some point in the past to have their genes represented in the next generation.

National food security council, Madlion criticizes.

  

 * Says farmers not involved

·      Lament over insecurity

The Group Managing Director of Safari 54, Mr. Shedrack Madlion in a chat with Nancy Illoh on Money Line a popular financial programme on African Independent Television (AIT) has criticized the action of the Federal government (FG) on the non-involvement of farmers and other technocrats in the recently inaugurated National Food Security Council, pointing that farmers are the ones at the receiving end and their issues cannot be discussed without being involved.

Food security: Data shows Nigeria as threatened

national committee

·      President institutes national committee

The international organizations on food security matters have confirmed 16 states of the federation as in secured in terms of food availability.

With an Eye on Hunger, Scientists See Promise in Genetic Tinkering of Plants

Scientists at the University of Illinois used tobacco because it is a particularly fast and easy plant to use when trying new genetic alterations. They hope food crops will also be successful.

A decade ago, agricultural scientists at the University of Illinois suggested a bold approach to improve the food supply: tinker with photosynthesis, the chemical reaction powering nearly all life on Earth.

Agro dealers ready for protest

Agro dealers ready for protest

The Growth Enhancement Scheme Agro-dealers Association of Nigeria (GESAAN) is ready to stage a third protest in Abuja over N29 billion owed its members by the Federal Government, which has remained unpaid since 2014. A reliable source disclosed this to Food farm news, in Abuja.

FAO intensifies efforts to control devastating crop pest

FAO

·       * Train extension workers to control Fall Armyworm

As part of the efforts to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security in Nigeria, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) trained extension workers on the management and control of the Fall Armyworm (FAW). 

Prices of cassava stems retreat to N400 per bundle

A recently harvested demo plot in Oyo state with farmers in jubilation over bumper yield from an improved weed controlled plots

Prices of cassava stems have nosedived to N400 per bundle after touching a high of N1200 as demand eases in Nigeria.

Ibadan Animal Health College staff in faceoff with management

Federal College of  Agriculture Moore Plantation, Ibadan

The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan witnessed another faceoff between the members of Staff and the management recently.

PRESS RELEASE- NIGERIA POISED TO BOOST PRODUCTION OF FISH AND AQUACULTURE - MINISTER OF STATE, AGRICULTURE.

Fish

Worried by the low level of development in aquaculture in Nigeria, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has expressed the readiness of the present administration to increase the level of fish production and aquaculture in the country.

The Future of Food: To GMO or Not To GMO?

These Foods Aren’t Genetically Modified but They Are ‘Edited’

Gene-edited soybeans will be made into cooking oil that will not need hydrogenation, which yields trans fats. CreditCellectis Group

In a few years, you could be eating the next generation of genetically altered foods — potatoes that do not turn brown or soybeans with a healthier mix of fatty acids.

Images speak @ FCA, Akure

The visit of the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure yesterday,15th March 2018. Along with the Governor, his Deputy Barrister Agboola Ajayi, the SSG Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Chief of Staff, Chief Gbenga Ale. others are from the Banks, Captains of Industries and other stakeholders in Agriculture. At hand are the Chairman, Governing board, Chief Bayo Oyero and one other member, Hon. Tola Awo.

The visit of the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure yesterday,15th March 2018. Along with the Governor, his Deputy Barrister Agboola Ajayi, the SSG Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Chief of Staff, Chief Gbenga Ale. others are from the Banks, Captains of Industries and other stakeholders in Agriculture. At hand are the Chairman, Governing board, Chief Bayo Oyero and one other member, Hon. Tola Awo.

PRESS RELEASE - MINISTER INAUGURATES 23 BOARDS UNDER AGRIC MINISTRY

 Hon Minister of State,Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri delivering his speech while inaugurating Chairmen and Members of   Boards of 23 parastatals, Agencies and Institutions under the supervision of his Ministry  newly inaugurated yesterday in Abuja.

The Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (PHD) yesterday at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, inaugurated Chairmen and Members of Boards of 23 parastatals, Agencies and Institutions under the supervision of his Ministry with a charge that members should regard their appointments as clarion call to service. 

Uganda: Nakaseke Gets Shs1.6b Fruit Processing Plant

 Fruit Processing Plant

Nakaseke residents have welcomed the opening of a fruit processing factory in the district, saying it will boost commercial agriculture in the area.

Image Speaks- Shea2018

Hajiya. Salima Makama, Minister of state, FMITI Hajia Aisha Abubarkar & Director, Commodities and Products Inspectorate Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Mrs. Ope Ewe

Now Arumeru Farmers Battle With Tomato Pest

Tomato Pest

Tomato farmers in Arumeru district, Arusha region have raised a red flag over an agricultural pest attacking their tomato crops.

Shea 2018 Commence today

#Shea2018

Have you signed up for Shea Expo 2018? Show off samples of ingredients, finished shea products,and processing equipment at Shea 2018 in Abuja from March 12-14. Email pnunoo@globalshea.com for more information. #Shea2018

One Dead, 9 Hospitalised After Eating Poisonous Cassava

Cassava

One person has died and nine others are receiving treatment after they ate suspected poisonous cassava on Friday.

Kenya: U.S. Firm, Nyandarua Factory Deal Gives Potato Farmers Hope

Kenyan Map

A business partnership between an export company based in the United States and a Sh1.2 billion horticultural processing factory in Nyandarua has re-energised farmers in the region.

Mozambique: PM Encourages Niassa Prisoners to Produce Food

Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario

Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario on Friday encouraged inmates at the Ntoto open prison in Chimbunila district, in the northern province of Niassa, to redeem themselves from the harm they have caused society in their criminal past, through productive activities.

Uganda Challenged to Improve Coffee Quality

Coffee Quality

Uganda has been tasked to improve its coffee quality if it wants to sell its product at a premium price on the global market.

IITA-CWMP is putting smiles on our faces, and making life easier for us, farmers say

Cassava Farmers

Resource-poor farmers who are participating in the demonstration farms being organized by the IITA-led Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP) have said that the project intervention is making life easier for them. According to them, the project is a “burden lifter.” They said they have “suffered over the years, seeking solutions to weed management in cassava farming systems.”

Soil experts’ conference starts next Monday

42^nd annual conference

About one thousand soil scientists from Nigeria and the rest of world are expected to converge at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan between March 12^th – 16^th for the   42^nd annual conference.

Malawi: No Food Shortage in Malawi - Finance Minister

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe said on Friday that the country will not experience any food scarcity as widely feared by many people in the wake of a dry spell that has affected most districts in the country.

Khartoum to Host FAO Regional Conference for Africa On Monday

FAO

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Africa will be held in Khartoum on next Monday with participation of 5o ministers to discuss improvement of means of production and creating decent and attractive work opportunities.

FVP Heads Meeting of Agricultural Season Follow Up Higher Committee

The First Vice President of the Republic, Lt Gen Bakri Hassan Salih

The First Vice President of the Republic, Lt Gen Bakri Hassan Salih, on Sunday headed the meeting of the Agricultural Season Follow-Up Higher Committee which was attended by the Ministers of the economic sector and the governors of the states.

Food prices on the rise as wheat harvests dip, says FAO

FAO

·        Hints of a likely output decline for maize in the southern hemisphere

 The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has said the global food commodity prices went up in February even as there were indications that wheat harvest were heading downwards.

FAO Regional Conference Kicks Off Monday in Khartoum

FAO

The 30th Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is due to be held on Sunday at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum with the participation of 50 countries, 38 ministers of agriculture, 450 participants representing senior African professionals and five observing countries including the United States, Canada, England, France and the Vatican and 17 international organizations.

Resources Hamper Land Reform in //Karas

Land

The land reform ministry's regional head in the //Karas region, Albertus Engelbrecht, says shortages of transport and limited financial resources hamper service delivery.

Cairo seeds congress ends today

AFSTA President Mr. Denais Zaranyika

The African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) congress for year 2018 which had since February 27^th commenced has ended yesterday March 1^st as it is expected that the conference would have attended to many priority areas of developmental needs in the continent in terms of productivity of quality seeds and their movement across the Africa.

Cement, Cashew, Coffee Boost Southern Zone Industries Output

Map of Tanzania

THE value of manufactured goods in the southern zone has increased by over two-fold pushed up by cement and cashew nut kernel output, according to a Bank of Tanzania (BoT) report.

Shea butter, cotton conference in top gear says Mrs. Ope Ewe

The Director, Commodities and Products Inspectorate Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Mrs. Ope Ewe

The Director, Commodities and Products Inspectorate Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Mrs. Ope Ewe has said  preparation towards the hosting of the two commodities international conference simultaneous this month was in full progress as online registration by participants has started since along visa processing and hotel reservations.