Agriculture
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Africa shifts towards genetic modification to boost food security
The designation of Ghana as the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) collaborating center for Africa, focusing on plant breeding and associated technologies for food and nutrition, is being seen as a pivotal moment in the application of genetic modification in Africa. In a recent press statement, the IAEA announced its collaboration with the Biotechnology and…
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Digital tool to increase farm profitability, sustainability
A western Australia-based project aims to develop a scientifically rigorous decision-support tool to help farmers and their advisors increase profitability and optimise risk management. Dubbed the Agri-analytics Hub, the $4-million project will help producers analyse variability in crop performance and profitability on an in-paddock scale. The project involves the Food Agility Co-operative Research Centre, NGIS,…
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Secrecy in international fisheries management: bad news for our oceans?
By Ryan Orgera, Global Director, Accountability.Fish Who controls the world’s oceans? Even though this is a massive question, the answer is problematic, to say the least. It’s problematic in that the only bodies with any meaningful say in what happens to the oceans are 17 obscure organizations that are heavily focused on the management of…
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Funding critical for driving genome editing, agricultural innovations
Funding strengthens institutional capacity and the uptake of genome editing through strategic partnerships, alliances, and linkages with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) spearheading biotechnology in eight countries in Africa. Genome editing, with its immense potential to revolutionize various aspects of human life, holds an important place in the realm of scientific discoveries. The GE…
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Increasing the capacity of communities to process information and knowledge
By Charles Dhewa One of the reasons why democracy has taken so long to germinate in African countries is that ordinary rural people lack the capacity to process information from within their own communities as well as information from government sources, from members of parliament, from development agencies, and from mainstream media. Given that higher-quality…
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Rising El Niño Intensity Sparks Global Food Security Concerns
Global climate shifts this year are likely to disrupt food production throughout the world, straining food security worldwide. A report published this month by scientists associated with Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) explained that El Niño is going to bring too much rain to some parts of the world, and too little to others. This…
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Strategic partnerships, alliances with institutions of higher learning drive genome editing
There is a need for strategic partnerships, alliances, and linkages with institutions of higher learning and national research institutes for the successful implementation of genome editing tools that require strong institutional capacity, a senior government official has said. This was said today in Harare by Deputy Chief Secretary in The Office of the President and…
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Great optimism for African agriculture if continent embraces right strategies
The 14th African Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) painted a bright future if the right strategies are embraced to ensure the continent’s food and nutrition security. In his address, while pulling the curtain down to the meeting, Mr. Patrick K. Kangwa,…
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Extend Malabo Declaration Commitments from 2025 to 2030: WFP’s Stanlake Samkange
Mr. Stanlake JTM Samkange, outgoing Chair of the Development Partners Coordination Group (DPCG) of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and Senior Director for Strategic Partnerships at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has called on the African Union and development partners to extend the time period for implementing the Malabo Commitments through…
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Key takeaways from 14th ADFNS and 19th CAADP PP: PELUM Zambia
Writes Wilfred Miga (PELUM Zambia, Head of Programmes) The ongoing 14th Africa Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) commemoration and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) conference highlighted a number of issues that are of interest to Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zambia. It is evident that there is a…
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CAADP Commitment: African Youth Consortium in Agriculture and Climate Change Network launched
BABOLOKI SEMELE AND BYRON MUTINGWENDE LUSAKA, ZAMBIA: “We can do so much, we have so much, and yet we seem to be not doing that so much, the much that we want,” these powerful words resonated with hope and determination as Vice President of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, delivered her keynote address at the launch of…
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JICA promoting agriculture development in Africa
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA’s policy for agriculture development in Africa is transforming the continent in the promotion of food and nutrition security. In his address during a plenary session at the ongoing 14th Africa Day on Food and Nutrition Security and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP…
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AU member states committed to addressing food and nutrition insecurity
To demonstrate their commitment to addressing food and nutrition insecurity, African Union member states and other key stakeholders are in Lusaka for the 14th Africa Day on Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP). In her keynote speech while officially opening the meeting today, Mrs.…
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Empowering Farmers: A Step Towards Sustainable Agriculture in Mutoko District
Own Correspondent In the heart of Zimbabwe’s Mutoko District, a group of dedicated farmers is revolutionising the agricultural landscape. Through their hard work and determination, members of the Dorowera Irrigation Scheme in Ward 6 have found a sustainable livelihood and avoided urban vices. Tinotenda Musowenyama (27) is one such young man, along with his wife…
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Parliamentarians play key role in the attainment of Malabo targets in agriculture
Parliamentarians play an important role in effectively lobbying towards the achievement of the Malabo targets, Hon. Dr. John Kanyuithia Mutunga, MP for Tigania West Constituency, and Chairman of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee of the Kenyan National Assembly has said. He made the remarks during a plenary session to commemorate the 14th Africa Day for…
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Initiatives to enhance food systems in Africa gain momentum
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The vision towards enhancing food systems in Africa is gaining momentum as the continent is positioning itself and giving food and nutrition the necessary attention. This came to the fore at the 14th commemoration of the Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) and the 19th CAADP Partnership Platform (CAADP PP)…
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Accelerated implementation of CAADP to improve African food and nutrition security
There is an urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a continental framework for agricultural transformation and agriculture-led growth strategy to achieve ambitious targets on food and nutrition security as outlined in the Malabo Declaration. These were sentiments by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)’s Director of Agriculture,…
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CAADP PP, ADFNS to promote intra-Africa agri-food trade and improved nutrition
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The 14th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) Commemoration and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) running from the 30th of October to the 2nd of November 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia will ensure cross-fertilization and provide a platform for sharing experiences and lessons and discussing…
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ICGEB offers course on biopesticides and biocontrol agents
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is offering a course on “Harmonising regulatory requirements for registration of biopesticides and biocontrol agents in Africa: From principles to practice” which will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 27 to 29 February 2024. The Scientific Organiser is Dr. Dennis Obonyo Ndolo from ICGEB…
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Regulations and yields threaten global arable profitability
Global arable farm profits have reached record levels over the last year, but European performance is being impacted by new regulations, while there is also a worrying decline in African yields meaning the continent must expand its farmland if it is to feed its growing population. These were some of the findings from the Agri…
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Indian-based horticulture seed manufacturing company to set base in Mashonaland West
Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – An international agriculture company has been attracted to the country by Zimbabwe’s favourable climatic conditions and investment environment. Right Seeds, an Indian-based horticulture seed manufacturing company intends to set a base in the country. This was revealed by Right Seeds Company Indian Director, Annirudha Tinali, when he led local and…
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Workshop looks into benefits and regulation of biopesticides
A workshop by various stakeholders in the agricultural value chain has brought to the fore the benefits and regulation architecture of biopesticides. The workshop is being held in Harare from 24 to 26 October 2023 under the auspices of the Southern Africa Biopesticides Project titled, Enhancing Trade Through Regulatory Harmonisation and Biopesticide Based Residue Mitigation…
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Biopesticides increase agricultural productivity and production
Increased agricultural productivity and production can be achieved through adaptation and use of new technologies such as biopesticides, a senior government official has said. This came to the fore today at a workshop on targeted interventions towards enhancing the registration and use of biopesticides in Zimbabwe that is running from 25 to 26 October 2023…
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Fossil fuel, mining, and extractive industry expansion threaten remaining tropical forests
Indigenous and civil society organizations hold press conference calling on world leaders gathering at the Summit of the Three Basins this week to commit to protecting tropical forests in these critical basins and to scale up rights-based legal protections We are at a critical juncture in the nature crisis: the science is unambiguous about the…
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Marian Chombo warns abusers of Presidential Inputs Scheme
Writes Elvis Dumba Sanyati – The government has put adequate measures to ensure a successful 2023/24 agriculture season by ensuring the timeous availability of agriculture inputs with people being warned against abusing the program. Launching the Presidential conservation farming, Pfumvudza/Intwasa for Sanyati District, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian…
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Sir John Kennedy Primary School’s environmental club bears fruits
Writes Chimeno Azriel The introduction of Environmental Clubs is benefitting educational institutions like Kadoma-based Sir John Kennedy Primary which joined the Head of State and Government, His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa during the 2023 edition of the Harare Agricultural Show where it scooped the best stand award for the schools category. The impacts of climate…
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Communication and advocacy spurs uptake of genome editing
MOMBASA, KENYA – Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) director for programme development and commercialization has urged proper communication and advocacy to influence the adoption of biotechnology and complementary innovative technologies like genome editing so as to catalyse productivity transformation and improve food system resilience in Africa. He made the remarks in…
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Zimbabwe to invest in multi-billion dollar biotechnology industries
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said his administration is investing in emerging industries such as the multi-billion dollar biotechnology industries as a way of expediting the achievement of an upper-middle income economy by 2030. He made the remarks while officially opening the Great Zimbabwe University Innovation Hub during the institution’s 17th Graduation Ceremony, held under the…
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China Approves “Dozens” of Genetically Modified Corn, Soybean Varieties
Bloomberg writer Hallie Gu reported that “China has approved dozens of genetically modified corn and soybean seed varieties for planting, in a breakthrough move that could eventually boost production and reduce dependence on foreign supplies. “The country is the world’s top importer of soybeans and corn “A national committee set up by the agriculture ministry has approved 37 GM corn seed and 14 soybean…
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Communication, commercialisation and innovation systems for genome editing intertwined
MOMBASA, KENYA – There is an interconnectedness of communication, commercialisation, and innovation systems related to genome editing, a multi-stakeholder strategic workshop on biotechnology in this coastal city of Kenya that is meant to improve African agriculture has revealed. Moderating a roundtable discussion on insights into genome editing/biotech communication and advocacy, Veronica Mwaba, the Director of…
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Mozambique’s Prof Alsácia Atanásio encourages girls and women to take STEM subjects
MOMBASA, KENYA – There are vast opportunities for women and girls in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, Prof Alsácia Atanásio of Mozambique has said. The scientist revealed this in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing genome editing strategic workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, that is organised by the African Union Development…
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First regional meeting to drive Common African Agro-Parks vision
Regional Economic Communities in Africa are set to meet this week to drive forward a proposal for mega agro-industrial hubs across the continent that would boost agricultural development. The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) are aimed at boosting regional trade for agricultural commodities, increasing local processing of key agricultural products and reducing food import. This significant event will…
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Scientists call for Africa to adopt gene editing for success of agriculture
MOMBASA, KENYA – Scientists attending the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) strategic meeting on gene editing in Mombasa, Kenya have called for muti-stakeholder collaboration to ensure the success of the biotechnology meant to ensure food and nutrition security in Africa. In her presentation, Dr. Florence Wambugu, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Harvest, said gene…
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Scientists celebrate Nigerian Professor Charles Adetunji’s high achievements
MOMBASA, KENYA – Stakeholders gathered in Mombasa, Kenya for a workshop on genome editing that is being spearheaded by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), are celebrating one of their own, Professor Charles Adetunji, who has attained the prestigious number 1 position among the top 500 prolific authors in Nigeria, a distinction he has maintained…
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Genome editing offers Africa opportunity to harness new and emerging technologies
MOMBASA, KENYA – With the potential that biotechnology possesses in developing crops and animals that are more resilient to climate change and risks of diseases, the adoption of genome editing sets the stage for Africa to harness new and emerging technologies to ensure food and nutrition security on the continent. These were the sentiments of…
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AUDA-NEPAD’s Mombasa meeting to leverage collaborative alliances for genome editing
MOMBASA, KENYA – The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is convening a meeting towards leveraging collaborative alliances for the enhanced uptake of genome editing to drive Agricultural Innovation in Africa. Addressing a gathering of experts today, who will moderate and facilitate the meeting that runs from the 16th to the 20th of October 2023 in…
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Kenyan court dismisses challenge over GM crops
A Kenyan court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit challenging a government decision to allow the importation and cultivation of genetically modified crops to help combat its food crisis. In October last year, the government lifted a decade-old ban on GM crops in response to dwindling food security following the worst drought to ravage the Horn…
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Devolution stimulates community development: UN
Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The country’s devolution program where communities participate in key decision-making activities in developing their communities has caught the eyes of international humanitarian and development partners under the United Nations. This came out after United Nations Resident Coordinator, His Excellency Edward Kallon, paid a courtesy call to Mashonaland West Provincial Minister…
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New digital tool being built to help farmers do better forecasts
A team of researchers have embarked on a new study in which they will develop a digital tool to help farmers conduct forecasts to enable them to make informed decisions on when to plant and make other decisions on the farm. The researchers who are led by scientists at the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)…
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Why African farming communities are fed up with African politics
Writes Charles Dhewa Partisan politics has made it difficult for African countries to unlock value from natural resources such as land, water, and favorable climate. Otherwise, farming communities would be living more fulfilling lives than urban dwellers. In spite of resources being spent on sending children to school, African politics does not provide space for…
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Grain Swap project launched
Staff Reporter Mola, Kariba District – As the climate change-induced weather patterns threaten to affect food security, the government has put in place measures to ensure that communities in drought-prone areas have adequate food. Mashonaland West Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo today launched the Grain Swap Program at…
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14th ADFNS Commemoration, 19th CAADP Partnership Platform on cards
Writes Baboloki Semele Lusaka, Zambia, is set to become the focal point of significant events at the end of this month. The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with various departments and partners and African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) are organizing a series of important gatherings to commemorate the 14th Africa Day for Food and…
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National Seed Fair breathes life into long-lost millet varieties
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By Lloyd Rabaya As the Green Stars traditional dance group was dishing out their transcendent performance of the Mbakumba dance, the unmitigated crowd’s cheerful plaudits with the golden dust going straight to the skies marked the permanent return of a lost hope. Since time immemorial in Zimbabwe, different occasions called for different dances, which vary…
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Food security a top priority for Morocco, Africa’s future
Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, has said food and health security and sovereignty are at the heart of Morocco’s political and economic concerns with a continental vision. The importance of the orientation of the food systems and their agri-food value chains that Morocco is developing towards…