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Writes Charles Dhewa African agriculture cannot be transformed in isolation because in most agriculture-driven economies agriculture anchors more than 75% of other sectors. The fact that agriculture and food systems transformation require some technical knowledge from technocrats along value chains is a major reason for tying food systems with the education sector. Technocrats like agronomists,…
As Africa experiences the persistent onslaught of extreme weather events ravaging livelihoods and infrastructure, stakeholders have been urged to scale up climate resilience and adaptation to address the phenomenon. These were the sentiments of Estherine Fotabong, the Director of Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) delivered virtually during…
With technical support from the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), the governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe have developed a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) for the Buzi, Pungwe, and Save (BUPUSA) River Basins. Upon finalization, the TDA is expected to inform the priorities for unlocking investments for reduction in environmental degradation, reduction in poverty, improved…
As Africa races against time to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and the Malabo Commitment to end hunger by 2025, the continent faces formidable challenges aggravated by climate change, inflation, and regional conflicts. The urgency to re-evaluate financing mechanisms is increasingly recognized, with a growing emphasis on mobilizing domestic resources and exploring…
Writes Zvikomborero Machinga In rural Zimbabwe, small-scale farmers face the dual challenge of surplus produce and limited market access. However, with the right value-addition techniques, these farmers can transform their excess fruit and vegetables into profitable products. This article explores low-cost value-addition methods tailored for small-scale farmers in Mutoko, Zimbabwe, empowering them to maximize the…
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) handed over feed analysis, laboratory equipment and goats to Esigodini Agricultural College worth over US$80 000 to advance the agricultural training institution’s capacity in goat breeding and nutrition. The initiative is set to enhance the institution’s educational programmes, extension, and business advisory services. “The integration of these resources into…
The 33rd Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa has concluded with a strong ministerial declaration that calls for greater support to build resilience in African countries against climate shocks, increase cooperation for Blue Transformation to intensify African aquaculture, a revival of underutilized African crops, and inclusive rural transformation. The declaration comes at the…
Southern Africa is on the brink of a devastating hunger crisis as a relentless drought tightens its grip. El Niño has led to searing heat that led to massive crop failure causing water sources to dry up. As a result, millions of people in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia have been driven towards starvation. To highlight…
Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) As Zimbabwe marked its 44th Independence Day under the theme “Unity, Peace, and Development towards Vision 2030,” it is crucial to reflect on both the progress made and the persistent challenges facing our nation. Despite strides in various sectors, Zimbabwe continues to grapple with significant socio-economic issues that…
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization with global members spanning academia, government, and industry, has released a white paper that examines how underutilized and biofortified crops could help improve global food and nutrition security. Food Science and Technology Solutions to Improve Food and Nutrition Security: Advancing the Use of Underutilized and Biofortified Crops examines benefits,…
Linking science and practice serves to accelerate Africa’s socio-economic transformation, a Continental Technical Session on the Harmonized Design and Governance Framework of Genome Editing-related Communities of Practice running in Maputo Mozambique from 18-19 April 2024 has revealed. Addressing workshop participants, the Director of the National Centre for Biotechnology and Biosciences of Mozambique, Prof. Alsacia Atanasio…
Writes Charles Dhewa The lack of capacity to convert harvests into commodities and products that last longer has negatively impacted African food systems for more than five decades. Huge harvests are meaningless if much of the food is not consumed or turned into better livelihoods and employment creation. If there was serious investment in food…
Writes Zvikomborero Machinga In the world of agriculture, certifications such as Global G.A.P and organic certification have become indispensable markers of quality, sustainability, and marketability. However, for small-scale farmers, the cost of individual certification often stands as a formidable barrier, constraining their ability to access lucrative markets and maintain competitiveness. In response, a growing trend…
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has organized a three-day workshop to validate the SADC Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP); developed with technical and financial support of FAO under the European Union (EU) funded Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements…
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has partnered with the Government of Zimbabwe by providing information communication technology (ICT) equipment to alleviate hunger in the country. The WFP today handed over ICT equipment to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare. The donation comprised 75 tablets, 5 laptops, 2 desktops, and 3…
Staff Writer There are thousands of village business units being set up by the Government across the country, with some already operational, including about 50 in Murambinda alone where the 44th Independence celebrations are taking place. During the Uhuru celebrations, President Mnangagwa will officially hand over the model village business units to beneficiaries. Recently, Cabinet…
How to blunt the impact South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have recently published reports indicating a potential decline in grain harvest because of intense El Niño-induced dryness. These developments could put the entire Southern African maize supply chain at risk, with Zambia and South Africa hard hit by heatwaves and dryness. The neighbouring small producers such as Zimbabwe,…
Zimbabwe’s president declared a state of national disaster over a drought that’s curbed farm output in the southern African nation. The announcement follows similar declarations last month in neighbouring Zambia and Malawi, where poor rainfall has cut production of the staple corn and other grains and contributed to higher food prices that have hurt poor…
Writes Charles Dhewa Who really benefits from expos such as agricultural shows, trade fairs, food festivals, cooking competitions, and several other bandwagons? How do those who benefit do so? Without clear methods for evaluating these events, it is difficult to get correct answers to such questions. There is a strong feeling among many people that…
Staff Writer Prevail Group International (PGI) has taken its borehole drilling scheme to rural Plumtree to provide villagers desperate for portable clean water. Plumtree, a district in Matabeleland South province is facing a grave water crisis worsened by an El Nino-induced drought. Several water sources have since dried up, with villagers walking long distances to…
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and representatives from West African nations have converged on Abuja to explore diverse ideas to better handle flood risks affecting food security in the sub-region. The goal is to foster a collective approach towards more proactive flood risk mitigation with shared knowledge from different actors…
The Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA), through working closely with grassroots women, is taking a leading role in building back their families and communities affected by climate change in Zimbabwe. On the 25th of March 2024, 24 grassroots women affected by climate change gathered in Harare for a Reflection, Planning, and Consultative Forum…
Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – Mashonaland West Province intends to surpass 45,000 hectares of irrigated wheat as the winter wheat season for 2024 beckons. This was revealed by Mashonaland West Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo during an agricultural stakeholders interactive meeting on agricultural programs held at Banket Sports…
Agriculturist Cary Fowler is best known as the former executive director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust and co-founder of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which houses more than 1.2 million seed samples covering every crop variety imaginable on an island in the Norwegian Arctic. Now he’s engaged in an ambitious new plan to use the genes…
By Hopewell Chibvongodze Harare, March 22, 2024 – The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife has warned developmental planners against ignoring the importance of wetlands and the accompanying bio-diversity loss through the destruction of wetlands. Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining water quality and bio-diversity, yet they are often overlooked in development planning,” said…
Written by Dr Loreen Katiyo, Transboundary Water Governance & Environmental Specialist- GWPSA and Leticia Ngorima, Regional Communications Specialist-GWPSA Growing populations and climatic impacts are placing unprecedented pressure on water resources. This is true of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which comprises 16 Member States, whose population in 2018, was estimated to be at…
Plant breeding innovations have significant benefits to offer South Africa. Innovative breeding technologies can help to protect and grow our agriculture and retail sectors, which will also lead to further job creation and economic revenue. These technological advances in plant breeding can also provide enhanced food security at a time when economic and geopolitical realities have…
Writes Charles Dhewa Most African economies are now driven by the trading of external commodities that are not backed by local manufacturing. For example, in addition to imported food, second-hand clothes businesses are draining African resources as traders import used clothes from Asia and the Global North. Such unfortunate practices are creating employment in countries…
In a landmark development, Ministers responsible for Water Affairs from the Republics of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe gathered in Musina, South Africa on 14 March 2024 to officially launch the “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin (LIMCOM-UNDP/GEF project).” The Ministers pledged to ensure that the…
Scientists at Lilongwe University of Agriculture (LUANAR) say trials have shown that Genetically Modified (GMO) maize seeds are resistant to insects, particularly fall armyworms which affect maize yields in Malawi. The trials for the GMO maize are being done at LUANAR’S Bunda Campus and according to scientists, leaves for maize plants that have transgenes are…
Writes Ryan Orgera WASHINGTON: Is today’s fisheries management system capable of taking on a bigger role in the future of ocean governance? Or, is it even effectively managing the sustainability of the world’s marine wildlife today? From Accountability.Fish’s perspective, the answer to both questions is no – and the transparency advocacy group is launching a…
Writes Elvis Dumba Zvimba – The government has acquired 40 state-of-the-art borehole rigs which will be used to ensure clean water provision for schools in the country. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon Torerayi Moyo said the borehole rigs will help in the setting up of nutrition irrigation gardens in schools which will help…
Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga officially opened the 2024 Tobacco Marketing Season on Wednesday 13 March 2024 where he reiterated that agriculture remains one of the key sectors in Zimbabwe’s accelerated drive to achieve an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030. In 2020, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr….
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) is ready for the 2024 Auction tobacco marketing season that opens on Wednesday 13th March 2024. This emerged at the TIMB Media Interface held at the board’s headquarters in Harare today. Addressing journalists, Mr. Tapiwa Chimedza, the TIMB Head of Business Development revealed that under the Muhancha Project,…
SCS Global Services, the world’s leading 3rd party certification body, has become the first auditor accredited to provide certification for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) Feed Standard. The certification represents a significant step forward in promoting greater environmental and social responsibility within the aquaculture industry. As the leading 3rd party certification body, SCS Global Services (SCS) brings its…
AFC Holdings, through its Land and Development Bank, is expected to finance at least 18000ha of winter wheat crop this season. This will be supported by Agro-bills which will be backed by government guarantees. “We have applied for a government guarantee worthy of US$42 million to enable the raising of funds from the market.”, said…
The Scaling up Community Action for Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Southern Africa and Beyond (CBA-SCALE Southern Africa+) launched on the 29th of February 2024 in Harare realises that to support groups most impacted by climate change, community-based adaptation provides livelihood opportunities for communities suffering from climatic shocks. Addressing delegates who witnessed the launch at Wild…
The youth bear the brunt of vulnerability to climate change hence engaging and empowering them in promoting agro-ecology, sustainable farming practices, and advocating for climate justice is crucial for building resilient and sustainable food systems in the country. This emerged today at a symposium by the Young Volunteers for the Environment (YVE) in partnership with…
Rwanda, on February 21, published in its Official Gazette a law governing biosafety, which seeks to ensure that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are handled, transferred, and used safely in the country. According to the purpose of the law, it establishes an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer and use of living…
Engineer Malven Takaidza, the Head of the Mechanical and Production Engineering Division of the Harare Polytechnic has said the Zimbabwean human capital skills development for industrialisation requires a hands-on technical capacity of an individual towards the fulfillment of an assigned socio-economic assignment. He said this while giving an overview of the skills landscape in Zimbabwe…
In a significant move aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda has recently expanded its network of licensed seed companies. With the addition of 10 new licenses, the total number of seed suppliers in the country has surged to 23. This strategic initiative is poised to enhance the…
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Fredrick Shava, has opened the First Session of the Zimbabwe-Belarus Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC). Honourable Sergei Aleinik, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and Co-Chair of the First (1st) Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the…
Billions of dollars have gone into African agriculture and food systems over the past few years but the main challenge remains the absence of a coordinated framework for deploying such resources. Resources that are squandered through fragmented investments by development organizations, government, and the private sector are more than what is needed to address challenges…
At a time when food security in Rwanda is under increasing threat from several phenomena, including climate change, the government is committed to supporting agricultural innovation through the $2 million Hanga Agritech Innovation Challenge Fund. In Rwanda, the government is banking on digital innovation to improve farming practices. The “Hanga Agritech Innovation Challenge Fund” initiative…
The country requires critical technical skills and other fundamental soft skills to be competitive, Prof Paul Mavima, the Minister of Skills Audit and Development has said. Prof Mavima made the revelation at a Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on the Mandate of the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development that got underway in Harare today. The workshop…
