Uganda invests in science to stop ‘brain drain’ and drive economic growth

The Ugandan government has bumped up its investments in science, a sector that has long been among the most poorly funded in the country, in a bid to boost economic growth.

Gene editing key to improving Africa’s staple crops

 

African scientists are using gene editing to improve major staple crops for increased productivity, enhanced nutrition, and climate resilience.

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.