read all interesting agriculture stories on zimbabwe news spiked. Newsdzezimbabwe agriculture is updated every day and is very reliable.
By Lloyd Rabaya The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has so far expropriated above 300 metric tonnes (MT) of grain from farmers who were intending to side-market their grain. This came out on Tuesday when Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa was addressing the post-cabinet briefing. In her address, Mutsvangwa urged farmers to…
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has embarked on aggressive customer engagement programmes countrywide. The objective is to engage, update and conduct awareness programmes to address pertinent issues affecting stakeholders, especially in rural areas. On Saturday, ZETDC was at Gokwe Centre and the Commercial Director Engineer Ralph Katsande spoke to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting…
By Charles Dhewa Besides consuming a lot of money and other resources, many water bodies like dams are under-utilized across Africa. Several dams that were built to support food production have ended up being used for recreational purposes and touristic ventures which do not benefit the majority. Before building a dam, it is critical for…
Fellows from six African countries this week joined colleagues at Leeds to strengthen networks and build research and leadership skills, helping to bring sustainable change in African food systems. The Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa) works with early-career researchers in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. The aim is to build…
By Charles Dhewa A major lesson for African leaders from the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that they should accelerate the development of food systems that have no direct link with foreign currency. African agriculture has remained thinly defined for decades as shown by how agricultural policies focus on less than five percent of African food systems…
For many years, large-scale and small-scale farmers in the traditional food basket have been planting every season without paying attention to soil health. Over the years, this has resulted in dwindling productivity at the farm level as they grappled with the worst effects of climate change coupled with the high cost of farm inputs. Kenya’s…
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) yesterday announced that it is providing technical advisory support to a new World Bank investment project in Ethiopia. The project valued at $600 million aims to increase the resilience of Ethiopia’s food systems and its preparedness for food insecurity. As a result of climate change, smallholder farmers in…
Tweaking a pair of genes in rice could significantly improve the crop’s heat stress tolerance and increase yield under higher temperatures, according to a new study by Chinese scientists. The discovery could help secure food supply, with crops vulnerable to rising temperatures and extreme weather events under climate change, the researchers said, in a paper published on…
By Marlvin Ngiza Youths have been challenged to engage in safe and lawful informal means of earning a living and grab any chance available to them as a way of countering unemployment in the midst of the obtaining economic crisis. This was said by one of the youths, Garikai Muteiwa who has recently successfully set…
By Muchaneta Chimuka More than 1 500 women from Gatsi Village, Seke, and Edernsburg in Manyame District in Mashonaland East Province are now earning a living through the vegetable gardening projects that have been necessitated by the Survivors in Action Grassroots Women Network (SAAGWN) which has enabled them to fight gender based violence through the…
Pitch competition awards cash prizes to youth technology innovators in Africa’s agriculture and food sectors African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), Heifer International, and Generation Africa today announced the launch of Pitch AgriHack 2022, marking the second year the organizations have come together to provide cash grants that accelerate entrepreneurial growth and job creation in Africa’s…
By Charles Dhewa What differentiates African food markets from the rest is that they do not just sell commodities but educate consumers. Where the majority of workers in formal markets like supermarkets focus only on selling commodities, traders in African food markets are always ready to educate consumers on different ways of preparing food. Farmers…
By Clayton Masekesa MARANGE – From a distance, the atmosphere paints a hazy picture as hot thick air pervades the dry open land that has no life, it is a sad scenario that signifies rigorous drought. After living on one of the world’s richest diamond fields, villagers in Marange have been subjected to excessive hunger…
Inputs designed to increase crop production, yields, and quality are not immune to volatility and high prices, the two common threads linking all 21 sessions comprising Sosland Publishing Co.’s 45th annual Purchasing Seminar in early June. For the first time, a breakout session at the seminar was devoted specifically to fertilizers with an outlook that…
The Ministery of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development yesterday launched the Presidential Rural Development Programme in pursuit of accelerating the attainment of Vision 2030. In his keynote address, during the launch in Mashonaland West Province, Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development said the programme was the…
By Marlvin Ngiza The construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam in Matebeleland Province is progressing well with the project registering 66,2% of completion. The project will facilitate the development of the Gwayi-Shangani Irrigation Scheme, Hydro-Power Generation, and clean water supply for the city of Bulawayo and all schools along the pipeline. Speaking at a post-cabinet media…
By Charles Dhewa Unfair trading practices have continued to characterize African agriculture and food systems for decades. Determining and setting prices for agricultural commodities remains a big challenge in most African countries including local markets where the majority of farmers, traders, and consumers depend for their food and income. There have not been convincing answers…
By Charles Dhewa When there is nothing new to train farmers, the onus is on agricultural extension services departments to re-imagine how else they can remain relevant. This is what is happening in many African countries where farmers have either been over-trained or have mastered enough skills on how to seek knowledge from markets and…
By Marlvin Ngiza Learning institutions have been commended for their positive contribution towards preserving the environment. This comes after learners at Mukodza Secondary School in Buhera recently conducted a gulley reclamation exercise. Environmental Management Agency (EMA) spokesperson Amkela Sidanke thanked authorities and learners at Mukodza school and all other institutions who have been participating in…
By Marlvin Ngiza The cabinet has ratified the Disaster and Risk Management Bill as a way of ensuring preparedness and swift response to the increase of disasters in the country. The Disaster Risk Management and Civil Protection Bill will promote the involvement of all citizens in disaster-prone communities in managing the increasing multiplicity and severity…
By Marlvin Ngiza Retailers have concurred with the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) suggestions of dealing with instability in the local retail environment through strengthening local raw materials supply chains. Recently, Zimbabwe Farmers Union Secretary-General, Mr.Paul Zakariya told this publication that local farmers should be capacitated in order for them to produce enough for the country….
By Baboloki Semele This year’s Bonn Annual UN Climate Change Conference kicked off yesterday, It is designed to lay the groundwork for success at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Governments are meeting for the first time since the conclusion of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow last November, at which the operational details…
To ensure agriculture sector viability, the government is taking corrective measures to address some bottlenecks that could impinge on the development of the sector, Dr. Jenfan Miuswere, the Acting Chairperson of the Cabinet Briefings has said. In the 15th Post Cabinet Press Briefing today, Dr Muswere said Cabinet received an update on the 2022/23 Cereal…
By Elvis Dumba Banket – The partnership between Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Tobacco Research Board which has spanned three decades is positively impacting the success of rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into society. Prisoners are benefitting from a tobacco husbandry one-year training course where they will get the free life skills that…
By Wellington Zimbowa Famously renowned as the mineral hub of Zimbabwe, Shurugwi ‘s landscape and picturesque surroundings can be a sore sight due to environmental degradation owing to rife mineral activities which in some cases go unchecked. But it is in this southern part of Zimbabwe, Midlands province where Honde Valley prodigy Mrs. Rujeko Emily…
A worsening shortage of global grains, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will be the next affliction to hit American pocketbooks as the price of bread and rice increase by the end of the year, economists say. Ricky Volpe, an agricultural economist at California Polytechnic State University, said the rising cost of wheat and soybeans caused by…
By Marlvin Ngiza Farmers have the capacity to produce wheat in excess of national demands if all farming indispensables are in place. This was said by Zimbabwe Farmers Union Secretary-General, Mr. Paul Zakariya amid bread price hikes being attributed to a wheat deficit caused by a military operation in Ukraine, a major global wheat supplier….
By Dr. Richard Munang Today is #WorldEnvironmentDay “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”. The science is clear. Time is running out. We must go from harming our planet to healing it. We need to rethink the way we live & the way we consume. There is #OnlyOneEarth. We have to…
Zimbabwe will tomorrow join the rest of the world in commemorating World Milk Day. The country’s Dairy Industry stakeholders which include government, processors, farmers, and consumers will come together to celebrate this day in style. A number of activities are lined up for the day. “Drum majorettes supported by Airforce of Zimbabwe Brass Band will…
A visit today by editors and senior journalists on a United Nations in Zimbabwe tour that focuses on development reporting witnessed the progress of an operation by the UNHCR Zimbabwe project on innovative solutions to support the livelihood of vulnerable communities. The project was implemented from October 2018 to December 2021 with USD 1.4M with…
Mr. Edward Kallon, the United Nations Zimbabwe Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator has said multi-stakeholder collaboration as demonstrated at Maunganidze Irrigation Scheme is a key ingredient for sustainable development. “I am pleased to see improved livelihoods and the work of UN agencies uniting together to bring positive results as evidenced by the works of UNOPS, FAO,…
By Lovemore Chazingwa Climate stories hitting newsrooms are usually minimal and at the same time boring to audiences, a leading editor has noted. Zimpapers flagship publication, The Herald, Night Editor Isdore Guvamombe made the remarks in outlining his expectations at the ongoing media workshop on Progress In Phasing Out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), in Kadoma…
The World Trade Organisation has said that it is finding ways to prevent member countries from hoarding their food and avert a global food crisis. The WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, said the over three-month Russia-Ukraine crisis is posing a huge threat to global grain supplies. She also admitted that the fertilizer industry was hit…
In pursuit of empowering communicators on sustainable development, the United Nations in Zimbabwe is undertaking a week-long workshop on development reporting as well as embarking on field visits in Manicaland. Bringing together some 30 editors, sub-editors and senior reporters, and United Nations (UN) officials, the high-powered seminar will be followed by subsequent field visits to…
By Elvis Dumba Harare – The government has claimed massive side-marketing of grains especially maize and soybeans as evidenced by low deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) – a situation that prompted corrective measures against the problem. According to Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary John Basera, about 30…
By Marlvin Ngiza Residents in Buhera are faced with food insecurity due to price hikes, adverse climatic conditions, and poor road networks. In a statement released to mark Africa Day yesterday, Buhera Residents Network Trust coordinator Leonard Mabasa said current price hikes of basic commodities have seen residents failing to have nutritional meals. A bucket…
State-owned mobile telecommunications service provider NetOne’s mandate and thrust is to provide digital solutions. As such, it has introduced an exciting and relevant innovation, Hurudza/Umlimi Omkhulu a new agricultural platform for farmers that allows them to subscribe and get access to diverse information in the farming ecosystem. The Hurudza/Umlimi Omkhulu platform is here to address…
By Staff Writer For 32-year-old Seke rural district widow Tatenda Mishi, winning the champion farmer award for the year 2022 over the weekend was a dream come true. She believes it was criticism from people in the neighborhoods at the beginning of her farming journey which pushed her to work hard and reap the fruits….
The Livestock Growth Plan seeks to address a number of challenges that are constraining livestock production, productivity, and profitability, a government official has said. Dr. Josphat Nyika, the Chief Director of the Department of Veterinary Services revealed this at a discussion by the Livestock Business Forum that focused on the many issues affecting the livestock…
By Charles Dhewa As part of combatting the negative effects of pandemics such as COVID19 and distant wars on food systems, African countries have to develop frameworks for commercializing indigenous grains, fruits, vegetables, and livestock. There is no longer any doubt that depending on global value chains makes African countries vulnerable to international market forces….
By Wellington Zimbowa Game changer milk producer, Mafuro Farming is basking in its pasture-based dairy farming model and is geared to enter its next growth phase mid this year. Only started in 2018 through financial support from government-controlled Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC) formerly Agribank, the farm only milked 75 cows at the leased Marondera-based Grasslands…
The African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) Board of Directors on Friday approved a $1.5 billion facility to help African countries avert a looming food crisis. With the disruption of food supplies arising from the Russia-Ukraine war, Africa now faces a shortage of at least 30 million metric tons of food, especially wheat, maize, and soybeans…
Senegal is on the front lines of the global climate challenge and will play a critical role in leading Africa’s response, Patrick Verkooijen – CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation said in closing remarks in Dakar, after meeting President Macky Sall on Friday. Cutting climate finance risks stoking even bigger conflicts down the…
By Elvis Dumba Banket – Government intends to finance small-scale wheat farmers under the presidential inputs scheme with free inputs. Professor Obert Jiri, Chief Director of Agriculture Extension Department (AREX) under the Ministry of Agriculture said the small farmers who have access to irrigation for three hectares will benefit from the facility as the government…
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr. John Basera officially launched the Potato Value Chain Financing Facility being administered by AFC Holdings on Tuesday, 3 May 2022. The launch was hosted by one of the first beneficiaries of the scheme, Mr. Ronald Museka at Parklands Farm in…
