Editorial- Reversing post harvest losses

Reversing post harvest losses

The rate of post harvest losses among farmers across the country calls for concern. A visit to various food markets and even farms attests to this facts. It has been estimated that about 60 percent of produce ends up being wasted.  This a critical issue more so when Nigerians are crying of hunger.

Kenya: Government Declares Drought a National Disaster

Kilifi County Commissioner Joseph Keter (left) and county Kenya Red Cross manager Hakima Masoud (right) verify an SMS text from one of the beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme launched in Kaloleni. Add caption

The Government has declared the current drought affecting 23 arid and semi-arid counties and pockets of other areas a national disaster.

Hydroponic growing the future of Agriculture

Hydroponic

*Hydroponics technology will improve Nigeria’s food security and driving growth

In this context, one of the most promising developments has been the rapid increase of investment in hydroponic agricultural activity across the globe in recent years. Hydroponic farming, which involves growing plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, has the potential to transform not only regional food security, but to generate a considerable amount of economic growth across the region.

South Africa and EU Spar Over Chicken Meat Imports

chicken

S. African poultry industry workers marched to the European Union's headquarters in Pretoria, accusing the EU of dumping cheap chicken in the country. The EU says it is not the cause of the industry's woes.

FG to launch N10bn Initiative for Women In Agriculture - PMB

President Muhammadu Buhari

The  Federal Government has kick started the Agricultural Policy through which it intends to achieve some key targets among which is using women to unlock food potentials via the launching of a N10
Billion Women in Agriculture Environment Impact Fund (WAEIF) in Abuja. This was made known via a press release issued by the Deputy Director (information) in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. A.B.Lere-Adams.

Gambia's Aquaculture On the Path of Sustainable Development

Senghore feeding the fish in one of his ponds

The Gambia continues to face escalating food and nutrition deficits, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). As in most African countries, improved agriculture practices ensure food security, while agriculture itself is a prime source of income generation and poverty reduction for many rural households living below the poverty line.

Southern Africa Battles Army Worm Invasion

 Army Worm

Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe are urging farmers to act fast with pesticides to halt the spread of army worms now threatening crops. Army worms are a common pest, but this year's invasion has sparked particular concern.

Kenya: Number of Kenyans Facing Starvation Rises By 1.4m

United Nations World Food Programme

The number of Kenyans in need of relief food has risen to 2.7 million from 1.3 million last year, a government agency has said.

IITA boss warns against paying lip service to agriculture

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; Director General, I ITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga; and the Director of Policy and Program, World Food Programme, Mr Stanlake Samkange in Abuja.

There are negative consequences if Africa continued to pay lip service to agriculture, and failed to invest in the sector, the Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Nteranya Sanginga has warned.

FG inaugurates committee on the restructuring of Agric Bank

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh  has inaugurated the National Council on Privatization (NCP), Steering committee on the restructuring and recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and the project delivery team  at the minister’s conference room, Abuja. The launch brought together stakeholders from different sectors to oversee the affairs of the bank, as it is being repositioned by the newly appointed committee members.