Soil erosion may threaten global food security

• 
  

  

  Soil erosion may threaten global food security

  In many places, soils are being lost faster than they are being naturally made
• Rises in rock phosphate prices may cut the availability of inorganic fertiliser
• More efficient food distribution and nutrient recycling are needed to end hunger

Global soil erosion has reached levels that will endanger humanity’s ability to feed itself if nothing is done to lower it, a study warns.

Project promises hardy maize for Africa

• 

  maize farmer

  
  Initiative aims to breed 70 climate-resilient varieties for 12 countries
• Varieties would also be more tolerant of diseases and poor soils
• The goal is to increase productivity for smallholders by up to half

A Mexican-African project to develop better and more climate-tolerant maize varieties using traditional breeding techniques has been launched.

Nigeria’s Agency Secures $700m Loan To Develop Agriculture, Real Estate

Agriculture, Real Estate

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has secured a $700 million loan for the development of the nation’s real estate and agriculture sector.

Commentary: Should you worry about food animals causing drug resistance in people? No. Should you worry about raw milk? Definitely.

Milk

Despite the headline intending to alarm consumers, a recently released report once more finds no conclusive evidence of a link between the use of antibiotics in food animals and the emergence of drug-resistant Campylobacter.

Lagos to stimulate youth’s interest in Agriculture

Lagos State Governor

Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to broaden capacity and stimulate the interest of youths in the agriculture sector through intensive training and skill acquisition programmes.

Gov. Lalong pledges to turn around Plateau’s economy through agriculture

Simon Lalong

The Governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, has promised to turn around the economic fortunes of the state through harnessing of its huge agricultural potential.

Ministry of Agric Launches Smart Phone App for Flood prediction

Ministry of Agric Launches Smart Phone App for Flood prediction

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched a Smart Phone Application – “Wetin App” for flood forecasting especially along the Niger and Benue rivers.

Deadly fish virus finally identified

• 

  fish

  
  Mysterious virus has decimated farmed tilapia in Ecuador and Israel
• Tilapia lake virus believed to be novel variety
• Farmers urged to report cases and improve biosecurity measures

A mysterious virus that has decimated tilapia fish stocks in Ecuador and Israel has finally been identified by an international team of scientists.

How to create resilient agriculture

Farmers

Durable food security and agricultural growth depend on development strategies with resilience built in from the start, says Gordon Conway.

Syria’s wheat shortage deepens

• 

  Wheat

  
  Ongoing harvest and low stocks insufficient to feed the country
• Many farmers lost access to their land, tools, fertilizers
• Agro research also suffered from the conflict

Syria’s ongoing wheat harvest is not large enough to feed people living in areas controlled by the government, researchers have warned.