Calls to fund local fertiliser manufacturers as commodity prices go up

By Hillary Munedzi Fertilizer companies call for more funds for the procurement of raw materials on the auction floor, with the United Nations predicting that food prices will rise by an additional 8,5% by 2027. Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Dr.Richard Dafana, the Managing Director of Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company said there has been a 300…

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Turkey partners Zimbabwe in agriculture to ensure food security

In pursuit of alleviating food insecurity in the country, Turkish organisations have partnered with the Government of Zimbabwe in agricultural projects in Mashonaland West Province. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in conjunction with Islamic Information Bureau Trust represented by Mr. Adam Wadi and the Dost Eli executed a successful agricultural project at the…

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Climate change may hit wheat yield harder in developing countries

Climate change could have more of a negative impact on low-latitude countries than on high-altitude countries, further widening the gap between the fortunes of wheat farmers in developed countries and wheat farmers in developing countries, according to research from China published Aug. 19 in the journal One Earth. The researchers developed a climate-wheat-economic ensemble modeling approach in which…

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Income streams have different flavours: Wisdom from African food markets

By Charles Dhewa   Every income stream associated with African food commodities has unique socio-economic flavors, according to farmers and traders who have been participating in African mass food markets for many years. Farmers and elders with different sources of income tend to have diverse tastes and fulfillment nuances compared to those who depend on…

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CGIAR initiative plants Golden Rice in Philippines

Initial farm-level cultivation of Golden Rice is underway on 40 hectares during cropping season in the Philippines as part of a nutrition initiative by the global research partnership CGIAR. This project is part of the expansion of seed production in partnership with the Philippines’ PhilRice branch stations, partner seed growers, regional Department of Agriculture research…

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Community nutrition gardens helping smallholder farmers

By Hillary Munedzi Community nutrition gardens have the potential to transform urban communities and increase local opportunities to eat better and fight poverty caused by soaring food and fuel price inflation imposed by the war in Ukraine. Community nutrition gardens are mostly found in rural areas as they have ample space. Implementing the concept in…

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Climate-smart sorghum varieties most valued among Tanzanian farmers: ICRISAT study

Against the backdrop of recurring adverse climatic and agronomic conditions, such as drought, disease, and pests in Africa, a study by researchers from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has established that environmental stress-tolerant sorghum varieties are most valued among Tanzanian farmers. The results could contribute to improved crop productivity and…

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Youth Circle event underscores the importance of young people in driving climate-smart agriculture

The Youth Circle event organised by the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) that was held virtually yesterday underscored the important role that children and young people play in driving climate-smart agriculture. In her keynote address during the virtual conference, Ms. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, the African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy said she was pleased…

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Agrochemicals company agrees IFC facility

IFC will provide USD 35 million to agrochemicals player Jubaili Agrotec to support growth, promote environmental best practice and improve food security in Africa.   World Bank Group subsidiary International Finance Corporation (IFC) has signed a USD 35 million financing agreement with Nigeria-based agrochemicals company Jubaili Agrotec. Under the remit of the fellow World Bank Group subsidiary the International…

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SADC has potential to address food insecurity, increase trade: Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has great potential to address food insecurity and increase trade in pursuit of attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs). He made the remarks in his maiden speech during the 42nd Ordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government held in the…

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Make farming climate-resilient, future-ready

IN 1947, India’s population was about 330 million and the foodgrain production was around 50 million tonnes (MT). This amount was insufficient to feed the population. India could not purchase foodgrains from other countries because of lack of foreign exchange. The US Public Law 480 allowed India to purchase American foodgrains with rupees. India imported…

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Averting an African food crisis: The African Emergency Food Production Facility

By Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina   Fertilizer price hikes of over 300% make it increasingly difficult for African farmers to grow enough wheat, maize, rice and other crops   It didn’t take long for Russia’s war in Ukraine to impact Africa. Already grappling with soaring inflation and still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, Africa now…

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Dunja Trifunovic playing key role in GCSAYN’s CYA programme

Dunja Trifunovic, a 19-year-old girl who started her journey in climate activism as a Pre-COP26 delegate has been active in promoting climate-smart agriculture as a Chairperson of the Children and Youth in Agriculture (CYA) flagship of the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN). As she leads preparations for the Youth Circle – a flagship…

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AfDB’s “Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation” initiative wins NABJ award

America’s largest organization of journalists and media professionals of color has named the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) a “Salute to Excellence” award winner for the Bank’s communication around its Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation program. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) cited the Bank’s excellence in online media relations and marketing about the landmark…

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Involving youths in sustainable development ensures a bright future: Ntiokam Divine

Mr. Ntiokam Divine, a prominent advocate of sustainable development has said the involvement of youths in such initiatives is a key ingredient in ensuring a bright future and peaceful world. He is the Executive Director of Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN). He told Spiked Online Media that as a demonstration of his commitment…

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International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 preparations take off

The build-up activities towards the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 have begun in earnest with a series of youth consultations kicking off next month starting in Kenya. The call for application to take part in the first in a series of youth consultations to develop a Vision Pastoralist Youth 2026 is open!…

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Stewarding knowledge on African food systems – beyond collecting statistics

By Charles Dhewa When African policymakers talk about food systems, they are often only interested in estimating national requirements of maize, wheat, and other few commodities considered more strategic. Although it is known that everybody needs a good stew, there is no policy interest in understanding the demand for potatoes, tomatoes, pulses, meat, and other…

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Climate Action: An Opportunity for Investments and Business Growth

By Dr. Richard Munang Doing business without costing the planet is very critical. It all starts with appreciating some vital facts on the intersection of business on the one hand and the environment and hashtag#climatechange on the other hand. Three socio-economic production and consumption systems underpin nearly any business – food, infrastructure, and energy –…

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FAO, IAFN collaborate on Women SME Accelerator Mentorship Programme

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) are launching a pilot Accelerator Mentorship Programme to support women entrepreneurs in addressing key challenges and constraints they face in their businesses. The two organisations note that women agripreneurs are fundamental drivers of sustainable development and play a critical…

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Namibia-Zimbabwe in drought resistant maize seed revitalisation program

By Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The Namibian Embassy Charge de Affairs, Zema Gawachas said a twinning arrangement between her country and Zimbabwe will see increased research on projects that promote food self-sufficiency at the grassroots level. Namibia’s Okavango Province has a twinning arrangement with Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West Province with the two countries working on various…

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International Conference on Integrated and Sustainable Management of the Miombo forest

Miombo woodlands are some of the most important and widespread woodlands in eastern and southern Africa across southern Africa. They provide food and cover for a diverse range of wildlife, including antelopes, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and some of the largest populations of elephants in Africa. Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwean Minister Hon Nqobizitha…

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Climate change disrupting food system, making it vulnerable to new crises

In Kansas, more than 2,000 cattle died in a record heat wave. In Tunisia, fires razed fields of grain to the ground. In southern China, historic flooding damaged almost 100,000 hectares of crops. In northern Italy, a farm lobby warned that drought could claim half the region’s agricultural output. That was just June. The global food supply is taking a hit from…

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Mashonaland West Agricultural show celebrating 75 years as exhibition starts

By Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – Mashonaland West Agriculture Society will celebrate its 75th agriculture exhibition this year under the theme “Fostering a self-sufficient future, retaining a heritage”. The show runs on 3-6 August 2022 with exhibition stand uptake currently standing at over 60% according to Mashonaland West Show Society Manager Brian Vengai. He said the…

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Building Climate-Resilient Food Systems

‘Global syndemics’ are pandemics that intersect with climate change, undernutrition, and obesity—posing a grave threat to human and planetary health. The global community could today be sitting amidst a syndemic. With the world’s population expected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050, the demand for food would exponentially grow, increasing the requirement for land for agricultural…

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Ethiopia using digital tools for enhanced food security

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is promoting the adoption of smart agriculture in Ethiopia in a bid to address the complexities involved in agricultural processes using technology in pursuit of attaining food security as espoused in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Speaking to Spiked Online Media on the sidelines of…

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Byron Mutingwende joins Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN)

Own Correspondent   Journalist Byron Adonis Mutingwende, the Publisher and Editor of Spiked Online Media has joined the communication unit of the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN). In an announcement today, Mr. Ntiokam Divine, the Founder and Managing Director of Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) said Mr. Mutingwende’s appointment is crucial…

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My Roots: Values that Shaped my Perspectives on Environment and Climate Action

Dr. Richard Munang (Climate change and development expert)   My Origins I am a proud native of Kom, specifically from a small village called Jinkfuin in the North-Western part of Cameroon. And I have never stopped marvelling at how unique and rich the culture and value system of kom and the entire Cameroon is. The…

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Leveraging technological innovations in food systems transformation

Leveraging technological innovations with a focus on digitalization is essential for attaining increased effectiveness, efficiency, and competitive implementation of National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) in pursuit of the delivery of the Malabo Declaration on Africa Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation. This came to the fore during a panel discussion on the last day of a…

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Next phase post Malabo: women, youths participation ensures food security

As stakeholders trudge towards the next phase post the Malabo Declaration on Africa Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation, the participation of vulnerable groups like women and youth is critical in the attainment of food security. Speaking on the need for strategies to increase food security and nutrition and reduce poverty and the commitment to agricultural…

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Human capital development critical in the implementation of NAIPs

Human capital development plays a key role in the implementation of the National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) as espoused in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in pursuit of achieving the delivery of the Malabo Declaration on Africa Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation. This emerged today during a panel discussion at the high-level NAIPS…

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Food Security is More than Just Increasing Production – A Deep Dive

Dr. Richard Munang Whenever I think of food security in Africa, one insightful proverb comes to mind – “there is honey but no bees”. This self-explanatory proverb implies that the solutions to achieving Africa’s food security are like unprotected honey. They are accessible and not exotic. But just as we know, “he who doesn’t find his way back…

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CAADP dialogue: stakeholders analyse NAIP status, progress in 15 years

During a high-level policy dialogue that kicked off in Dakar, Senegal, yesterday on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) food system review, stakeholders gave an overview of the status of the National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) and lessons drawn from the programme in the last 15 years. In a breakaway session that focused on…

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NAIPs, RAIPs instrumental in agricultural transformation, resilience of African food systems

Despite a plethora of challenges affecting food and nutrition security in Africa, the National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) and Regional Agriculture Investment Plans (RAIPs) are instrumental in driving the agriculture transformation processes and building resilient food systems on the continent. In her welcome remarks delivered virtually at the high-level meeting of the National Agricultural Investment…

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Japan extends further support to Zimbabwe to alleviate food insecurity

The Government of Japan has made an additional contribution of US$500.000.00 to the World Food Programme (WFP) to help alleviate food insecurity in Zimbabwe. The contribution is especially timely, given that many in the country will struggle to feed themselves at the peak of the lean season because of successive drought and chronic economic challenges,…

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Dakar high-level consultative meeting to discuss African food security, poverty reduction

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Union Commission Department of Agriculture, Rural Economy and Blue Economy (AUC-DARBE) in association with Akademiya2063 will be holding a high-level stakeholder consultative meeting in Dakar, Senegal, from 26 to 28 July 2022 to review the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’s National Agricultural Investment Plans (CAADP/NAIP) success…

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Botswana government resolves to establish the country as a food-secure nation

By Baboloki Semele Botswana’s vice president Slumber Tsogwane commended the ‘successful’ relationship between African agriculture and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) for continuing to bear fruits – and hopefully rice! Speaking at an event marking the rice harvesting ceremony, held at the university’s Sebele Farms where the project is being carried…

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AfDB approves US$271 million Egypt’s Food Security, Economic Resilience Support Program

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) Board of Directors approved a loan of USD 271 million to finance Egypt’s Food Security and Economic Resilience Support Program to support efforts to mitigate the impact of the global shocks on the domestic economy from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and to preserve resilience. The program includes two major components: Support…

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Building pathways for home grown African financial systems

By Charles Dhewa Developing countries are still struggling to domesticate western financial systems so that they suit local contexts. The fact that most financial institutions in Africa have Western roots has resulted in Western founders of the financial system continuing to influence the extent to which financial systems can be domesticated. For instance, although commercial…

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