UN aircraft lift over 58,000 passengers in Nigeria in 2018

UNHAS helicopters serve a vital purpose supporting humanitarian operations across Borno State in Northeast Nigeria. Photo: WFP/ Rein Skullerud

 The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) successfully transported over 58,000 passengers by both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft between January and November 2018 in support of humanitarian efforts in Nigeria.

Asian countries to see net gain from automation

Asian countries to see net gain from automation

Jobs could be lost to artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, but Asia is well-positioned to benefit from automation, says a report on the impact of technology on livelihoods.

Our support for Buhari will go zonal says RIFAN President

Group picture at RIFAN office with the National President

Preparation to replicate the Aso Rock Villa support for President Mohammadu Buhari re-elect by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) at the six Geo political zones will soon be embarked upon according to the President of the association, Alh. Aminu Mohammed Goronyo.

Wheat and barley shortage devastates Iraq

Wheat and barley shortage devastates Iraq

 Iraq’s farmlands are declining due to lack of rainfall and depleted soils, a report by the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics has revealed. Wheat and barley were affected particularly hard, the report said, but it also observed a general decline in the yield per acre of Iraq’s farmland due to “off-season rainfall and dust storms”.

Science is still biased towards staple crops

Info Lady Mahfuza answers farmer Nojrul Islam's question by showing him an advice video on her laptop. In rural Bangladesh the Info Ladies are bringing internet services to men and women who need info 

This year’s world food security report found world hunger rising for the third year in a row. The report cited climate change and conflict as the most important drivers behind this trend.

Import curbs on pulses may continue till March

Kothari said if there was a shortfall in production of tur crop and rabi pulses, then India may allow import of pulses.

Import restrictions on pulses are likely to be extended till March as the government looks to ensure that farmers get remunerative prices for their produce. In April, the government had allowed traders to import 1 lakh tonnes of yellow peas, 2 lakh tonnes of arhar and 3 lakh tonne of urad and moong through December. Traders now say arhar and urad output had been lower than expected and that the government should open import of pulses.

NGO tasks FG on increased budgetary allocations to agric

Bar. Nkiruka Nnaemego

A nongovernmental organization, The Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative (FYBIN) has urged the Federal Government to increase its funding to the agricultural sector, especially for women and youth farmers to increase their yields and attain food sufficiency. Founder of the organisation Bar. Nkiruka Nnaemego, made the call during Yfarm National Colloquium on Attracting Public Financing in Sustainable Agriculture for Youth and Women Small Scale Farmers held in Abuja.

Pesticides blamed for rise in colon cancer deaths

Pesticides blamed for rise in colon cancer deaths

The use of pesticides has been linked to a sharp rise in colon cancer deaths in a developing country for the first time.

Role of technology in the future of food security

Role of technology in the future of food security

World hunger is on the rise. Today, over 820 million people are undernourished, and the number is growing, with conflict and climate change exacerbating food insecurity and crises around the world.

USDA cuts global wheat production estimate to 729.63 mil mt for 2018-19

USDA 

The US Department of Agriculture projected global wheat production at 729.63 million mt at the end of the 2018-2019 marketing year, down 28.39 million mt from the 2017-2018 estimate and 6.63 million mt lower from its prior forecast for the period.