Agriculture | Page 11 of 32 | Best African News Online

Recently Inaugurated Zimbabwe Carbon Association Seeks to Contribute to Climate Mitigation and Adaption

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago07 mins

The recently inaugurated Zimbabwe Carbon Association, representing many of the major investments in carbon project development in the country, welcomes the Government of Zimbabwe’s effort to bring transparency and accountability to carbon trading in the country and position Zimbabwe as a credible, attractive destination for green financing. The Zimbabwe Carbon Credit Framework, which the Government…

Origin Digital’s Predictive Analytics Fosters Financial Inclusion, Greater Productivity to Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago09 mins

South Africa’s largest agricultural lender, ABSA, says new technology has huge potential to unlock capital for smallholder farmers and SMEs who have previously had limited access to finance Pioneering ag-tech company Origin Digital is poised to help lenders revolutionise the agricultural credit landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa and drive growth in the sector. Providing credit to the smallholder…

Dorowera Community Gets Financial Literacy Training

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago07 mins

The Dorowera Irrigation Scheme, located in Mutoko District in Mashonaland East Province, is famous for its prolific farming. The produce makes its way to Harare’s Mbare People’s Market and some leading markets in Zimbabwe. The Adam Molai Foundation and GetBucks Bank held a financial literacy seminar for the Dorowera community last Friday at the Irrigation…

Government Analyst Laboratory receives SADCAS ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 accreditation

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago08 mins

The Government Analyst Laboratory (GAL) received the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation after a successful assessment by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS). In a speech read on his behalf during the accreditation ceremony in Harare today, Zimbabwe’s Secretary for Health and Child Care, Air Commodore, Dr. Jasper Chimedza said the Government Analyst Laboratory (GAL)…

My Food is African! Campaign promotes consumption of traditional Zimbabwean foodstuffs

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago09 mins

Under the auspices of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe is undertaking a campaign in Zimbabwe to raise awareness and consciousness on the farming, and consumption of traditional Zimbabwean food under the banner of the My Food is African! Campaign. In Zimbabwe, the campaign is…

Hundreds of land seekers duped by masquerading name dropping war veterans

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago1 year ago04 mins

Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – Prospective land seekers have been against being duped in their earnings by an unscrupulous group masquerading as war veterans specially assigned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to allocate land. This was said by Mashonalnd West Provincial ZANU (PF) Veterans League Chairperson, Happison Muchechetere when he addressed hundreds of people who had…

How revisiting the meaning of data can add value to African content

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago011 mins

Writes Charles Dhewa The advent of digital solutions has brought confusion to the meaning of the word data. This continues to undermine indigenous knowledge systems and African intellectual heritage in several ways. Academics and researchers have always viewed data as a subset of information that can be collected and processed into diverse knowledge products such as…

USAID enables WFP to provide support to Zimbabwe’s urban communities

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago04 mins

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$2 million contribution from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support more than 2,000 vulnerable families in three urban areas over the next year. Under the initiative, WFP will create assets and develop transformative skills that will improve vulnerable families and communities’ access to…

EOS Data Analytics Obtains US Patent For Web-Based Algorithm Generating Crop Productivity Maps

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago06 mins

The algorithm is implemented in EOSDA Crop Monitoring by EOS Data Analytics. It is designed to automatically process earth observation imagery data and provide agricultural analytics in a web interface. EOS Data Analytics, a global provider of AI-powered satellite imagery analytics founded by Dr. Max Polyakov, has obtained a United States patent for an algorithm built…

53rd SADC PF Assembly focuses on modernising agriculture for food security, employment creation

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago019 mins

The 53rd Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) Assembly has roared to life in Tanzania and will focus on the Theme “Modernising Agriculture to Address Food Insecurity and Youth Unemployment in the SADC Region: The Role of Parliaments” and is running from 2 to 8 July 2023. In his presentation at the meeting,…

Government intensifies climate proof agriculture, targets 700 000 hectares for small grains production

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago02 mins

Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – The government is strengthening efforts to climate-proof the agriculture sector from the effects of climate change through supporting initiatives towards increased production of small traditional grains. The government has set a target of 700 000 hectares for traditional small grains under the Presidential Climate Proof Agriculture Scheme locally known as…

Joint ventures urged for optimum land use

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago07 mins

Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – Investment partnerships in agriculture are critical for maximum and optimum land use for the success of the government’s agrarian reform program. The sentiments were made by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. John Basera during a winter wheat field visit at Mema Estates in Banket. “As we go for…

Namibian delegation to grace Mashonaland West Agricultural Show

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago03 mins

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The much anticipated Mashonaland West Agricultural Show will roar into life from the 26th up to the 29th of July 2023 in Chinhoyi with a Namibian delegation comprising government officials and players in the agriculture exhibition sector expected in the country for the premier showcase. Speaking to the media during…

AUDA-NEPAD facilitates development of genome editing communication training curricula and modules

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago04 mins

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has initiated the development of communication training curricula and modules to help address the current policy needs, gaps, and challenges of genome editing (GEd) on the continent. Officially opened in Maputo, Mozambique today, the workshop seeks to develop a core module on genome editing communication that can be adapted…

7 critical uncertainties that affect African farmers and food systems

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago07 mins

Writes Charles Dhewa While volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) have become a major characteristic of all economies across the globe, the situation is worse for African farmers and food systems. In agriculture-driven African economies, some of the enduring uncertainties include the following: 1. Price uncertainties – whether producing for the domestic market or export market,…

ActionAid report: High food and fuel prices affect world’s marginalised communities

Byron Adonis Mutingwende1 year ago013 mins

The cost of food, fuel, and fertiliser in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities is continuing to escalate to crisis levels since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with families spending up to ten times what they paid almost 16 months ago, according to new analysis from international humanitarian organisation ActionAid. A survey of more than…

Trading raw commodities generates more knowledge than trading processed food

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago07 mins

…surprises from African mass food markets By Charles Dhewa For people keen to learn about indigenous entrepreneurship, African mass food markets never disappoint. Also known as territorial markets, these institutions are the heartbeat of genuine knowledge exchange. Like any other institution where thousands of people congregate, African mass food markets are not perfect but they…

Government of Zimbabwe helps meet refugees needs

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago04 mins

The Government of Zimbabwe has today contributed 4,400 mt of maize grain to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to meet the food needs of refugees living at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge. The in-kind contribution comes at a critical time – when funding for refugees is limited and follows the commitment made by…

Application of new technologies: Genome editing to boost agricultural production

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago2 years ago013 mins

As Zimbabwe is striving to become an upper middle-income economy by harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation capacity, genome editing has been described as a key enabler in ensuring a boost in agriculture. This was revealed by Mr. Willard Manungo, the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet during a workshop to review and validate…

Dairy value chain to benefit from Belarus mechanisation

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago05 mins

Own Correspondent Zimbabwe’s agriculture dairy value chain is set to benefit from the Belarus mechanisation programme, after the Eurasian country pledged to diversify the programme. This came out when the visiting Belarus Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Leonid Zayats toured two local firms that produce dairy and related products in Harare Wednesday. The visiting Belarusian delegation,…

Japan helps boost community resilience in Zimbabwe’s rural areas

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago04 mins

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has rolled out resilience-building activities with the support of the Government of Japan to boost food security and improve the livelihoods of nearly 9,000 people in Chiredzi district, in southern Zimbabwe. The funding, a US$ 900,000 contribution coming at a critical time, will help WFP to provide food…

First Lady’s educational empowerment programme gave me eyes: Granny

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago06 mins

Writes Elvis Dumba Zvimba – The various initiatives by The First Lady Dr. Auxilia Mnangagwa has been described as empowerment game changer for disadvantaged citizens. A 66-year-old granny Elizabeth Chidakwa said the program has offered her wings and eyes to improve her agriculture activities. The small-scale agriculture enthusiastic granny said the short agriculture training has…

Food safety risks in developing countries’ informal sector tackled in new report

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago010 mins

The report was produced by Spencer Henson, Steven Jaffee, and Shuo Wang More sticks, fewer carrots: New directions for tackling food safety risks Key messages Despite ongoing structural changes, small-scale processors, grocers, market vendors, and food service operators dominate the food systems of most low- and lower-middle-income countries; Unsafe food is widespread in informal food…

Zimbabwe gears up for carbon trading

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago011 mins

Writes Elvis Dumba Harare – As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change-induced weather pattern challenges, Zimbabwe has joined the carbon trading sector as it gears up its efforts in mitigating the phenomenon. Zimbabwe recently developed and adopted a national carbon credit framework that is expected to guide businesses, benefit communities,…

Government committed to the maintenance of macro-economic stability

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago012 mins

The Government remains committed to the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, preservation of the purchasing power of the Zimbabwe dollar, and restoration of trust and confidence in the economy. This emerged at the high-level dialogue meeting on the economy that officially opened by Dr. Misheck Sibanda, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet and NECF…

USAID and WFP Help 66 000 Hunger-Stricken Zimbabweans

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago2 years ago04 mins

Writes Evans Muranganwa Humanitarian agency, World Food Programme has received US$8.7 million for its 2023 Food for Assets programme from the United States government through USAID. Speaking at the handover ceremony, USAID acting mission director Mr. Ramses Gauthier said the donation will help food-insecure households in Rushinga, Masvingo, Kariba, Mwenezi and Zvishavane. “I am honoured…

Zvishavane women call for participation in extractive sector

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago2 years ago05 mins

By Tatenda Muchadenyika Women in Zvishavane have called upon the government and the extractive sector to recognise and facilitate rural women’s meaningful beneficiation from local resources so as to leave no one behind as espoused in Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy (NDS1). The call was made at a local workshop organised by WCoZ to…

AUDA-NEPAD spearheading genome editing to optimise agricultural production

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago04 mins

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) through its Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation is running the Genome Editing (GEd) project meant to foster a broader understanding of modern biotechnology focusing on GEd among different stakeholder groups through communication and advocacy for enhanced uptake of the tool to optimize agriculture in Africa. This…

Food systems are broader than value chains – thanks to African mass markets

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago09 mins

By Charles Dhewa While there is a tendency for policymakers to conflate food systems with value chains, mass food markets reveal how food systems are broader than value chains. That distinction is very important in clarifying and creating pathways for decolonizing food systems. Putting African mass food markets at the center of food systems demonstrates…

Mozambique delegation impressed by Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago07 mins

By Elvis Dumba A delegation from Mozambique that was part of Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi’s three-day state visit to Zimbabwe said they have been impressed by the country’s agriculture sector and seek to strengthen areas of cooperation in the sector to allow their country to become food secure. The delegation visited Nyathi Imhenyu Farm in…

WFP supports government’s e-extension services

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago05 mins

… as it donates tablets to extension workers By Tafadzwa Muranganwa Realising the immense benefits of digitizing extension services in Zimbabwe, the humanitarian agency, World Food Programme has donated high-end tablets to some government extension workers. Speaking at the official handover of the 635 tablets to the Agricultural Rural Development and Advisory Service (ARDAS) on…

Workshop provides investment opportunities for women in agriculture and business

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago2 years ago010 mins

As the global world embraces the empowerment of women through the theme ‘Global Innovation’, Zimbabwe Women in Agribusiness in collaboration with the Ministry Of Women Affairs, Community DEVELOPMENT, and Small and Medium Enterprise and Zimbabwe National Chamber of Small to Medium Enterprise is today conducting a workshop under the theme: INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN…

Beyond traditional surveys – the value of continuous listening to the market

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago08 mins

By Charles Dhewa Periodic surveys like crop and livestock assessments have become a common feature in most African agriculture-driven economies. These surveys are often conducted during and after the planting season. While surveys like vulnerability assessments are important, in a changing climate characterized by mid-season droughts and disruptions in market supplies, periodic surveys should be…

Egypt sets eyes on Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago05 mins

By Elvis Dumba Banket – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement efforts are bearing fruits with more countries lining up to invest in the country, including former hostile countries such as the United Kingdom (UK). This was revealed by ZANU PF Spokesperson and Politburo member Christopher Mutsvangwa during a ZANU PF Inter-district meeting for Zvimba…

Report: Gene-edited crop seed adoption to surge

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago05 mins

Adoption of gene-edited crop seeds is expected to increase significantly in the next 5 to 10 years, according to a Rabobank report, with adoption rates expected to surpass 50% during that period. “GE technology has the potential to solve issues across the food supply chain for all stakeholders,” said Chia-Kai-Kang, farm inputs analyst for Rababank….

Zimbabwe Agriculture Investment Forum interrogates investment opportunities in the sector

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago07 mins

Zimbabwe is hosting an Agriculture Investment Forum under the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which is forging stronger partnerships for increased investments to transform agro-food systems. In his remarks at the 3-day workshop that kicked off in Harare today, Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development said the gathering held under the…

Creating a level playing field for local food and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago011 mins

Contrary to beliefs by most policymakers in African countries, in the history of mankind, no country has built an inclusive society using external food and foreign knowledge systems. That is why developing countries should make sure foreign forces do not accelerate the loss of local food and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). Progressive actions in this…

Food systems innovations to lower methane emissions in livestock, waste, and rice cultivation.

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago010 mins

Agriculture has been a fundamental aspect of human civilization since ancient times, playing a critical role in providing food and other essential resources necessary for human survival. The sector has been a driver of economic growth, food security and employment for many people, particularly in developing countries, where a significant portion of the population relies…

US$450 million Mapinga Lithium Salt Plant paves way for a smart city

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago2 years ago010 mins

Elvis Dumba Mapinga – A new smart city is expected for Mapinga to serve the proposed US13 Billion Mine to Energy Industrial Park that will serve a US $450 million Lithium salt plant, which is earmarked for Mapinga The plant will encompass two 300mw thermal power plants, a coking plant, a nickel-chromium alloy smelter, and…

Increasing smallholder inclusion in markets boosts rural livelihoods

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago06 mins

Smallholder farmers have long been considered purely subsistent producers without the capacity to participate in commercial value chains. This has led to their exclusion from many agribusiness enterprises which typically focus on medium- to large-scale growers. Through the Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and partners are supporting…

Enriching Climate Change discourses with indigenous knowledge perspectives

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago015 mins

By Charles Dhewa The relationship between climate change and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) can be understood better if discussed from a historical perspective. This approach can show pathways and trends through which indigenous knowledge was an integral driver of how African communities dealt with a changing climate using their knowledge, values, intuitions, and experiences. Historical…

Agriculture Insurance – a farming success component

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago2 years ago08 mins

By Elvis Dumba Banket – Climate change has affected weather patterns around the world, thereby affecting many sectors, which include agriculture. Tropical cyclones and other climate change-induced weather patterns have contributed to droughts due to lack of rain and excessive rains in different areas with catastrophic consequences in some places where the loss of property…

Wheat planting season gathers momentum with government targeting 85 000 hectares

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago08 mins

By Elvis Dumba Banket – The government has set a target of hectares for wheat production as the country moves towards a wheat self-sufficient economy. Various stakeholders in the agriculture sector said they are geared up for the 2023 wheat season, with farmers being urged to get their agriculture inputs from reputable manufacturers to avoid…

Zimbabwe farmers reaping bumper harvests by adopting climate change

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago011 mins

Recognising climate change as a serious threat to social and economic development, Zimbabwe has been prioritizing adaptation in recent years. In 2015, a National Climate Change Response Strategy was passed. Two years later, the country’s first National Climate Policy was adopted, providing an overarching framework for climate action programming. With UNDP support, a comprehensive National Adaptation…

Government accelerates efforts to de-risk and climate proof agriculture sector

Byron Adonis Mutingwende2 years ago2 years ago06 mins

By Elvis Dumba Mt Darwin – As the country celebrates 43 years of independence, the government has made tremendous strides towards economic development in various sectors such as health, mining, education, and agriculture. President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the country’s own people are responsible for nation-building through peaceful hard work. Speaking during the 43rd Independence celebrations…