Bad press and wild claims have unfairly slowed GM crops on the continent, African scientists say BY JOSEPH MAINA

South African scientists are urging governments across the continent to take concrete actions to enhance the acceptability and adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMO) — a move they say could unlock the region’s vast food potential.

NANONO INAUGURATES GOVERNING COUNCIL FOR SOIL SCIENCE INSTITUTE

The Hon Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono has inaugurated governing council for the institute of soil science, asked them to ensure a strategy that would enhance agricultural productivity through the appropriate use of soil by extension services across the nation.

Book review: Jennifer Thompson’s ‘GM Crops and the Global Divide’ offers lessons drawn from the history of the agricultural biotechnology revolution, for activists to CRISPR advocates

 Jennifer Thompson

  I’ve spent the last few weeks reading “GM Crops and the Global Divide,” the new book by Jennifer Thomson, emeritus professor at the University of Cape Town. Though the original title was “GM Crops:

Minister asks NASC, seed stakeholders to implement PVP effectively

The Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Alhaji Sabo Nanono has urged all the involving Government agencies like National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) and private organizations to ensure proactive implementation of the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) bill newly signed into an act by President Mohammadu Buhari.

Kebbi Governor, AFAN president differ on food skyrockets

The Kebbi State Governor, Sen.Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and president, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Architect Ibrahim Kabiru have taken different position on the causes of increasing prices of food, while the formal posited the cause to increase in foreign exchange on inputs, the latter attributed insecurity as the cause.

Nigeria moves forward with nitrogen-efficient GMO rice

 Still basking in the euphoria of commercializing sub-Saharan Africa’s first genetically modified (GM) food crop — insect-resistant cowpea —Nigeria has begun moving toward the environmental release of an improved GM rice.

Kenya approves disease-resistant GMO cassava

In yet another big win for its smallholder farmers, Kenya has become the first country globally to approve national performance trials of genetically modified (GM) cassava.

Agric PS hails AFCFTA working group to expand market

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr. Ernest Umakhihe has commended the inauguration of the working group for the effectiveness of expansion of  free trade for African agricultural produce and other services saying the initiative would enhance a single continental market with reduced tariffs without barriers.

Let us harness ginger potential says National President

The National President, Ginger Growers, Processors and Marketers Association (GGOMAN), Dr. Florence Edward 

The National President, Ginger Growers, Processors and Marketers Association (GGOMAN), Dr. Florence Edward has posited that the global position of Nigerian ginger must be a task for all levels of Government and private stakeholders to protect against stiff competition from other nations.

UN Food Systems Summit: Biotechnology key to meeting zero hunger goals

Agricultural biotechnology is a crucial tool for transforming global food systems to meet the United Nation’s goal of ensuring zero hunger by 2030, say some scientists, academics, and civil society representatives.