Africa Adaptation Summit outlines a 5-point “Adaptation Delivery Breakthrough” for the key UN climate conference in Egypt (COP27) this November and $55 million of new funding to mobilize over $5 billion in climate adaptation action projects for Africa Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Sep 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — African and global leaders joined the Africa Adaptation…
Among the many difficult challenges facing grain, executives are assessing climate change impacts. The headline of a special Fitch report, published in June, provided a stark reminder of the massive stakes associated with climate change: “Developing countries are more challenged by climate change adaptation.” The report’s focus was on “the stark differences across the world…
The Global Center on Adaptation, together with the African Union, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Africa Adaptation Initiative, and the Climate Vulnerable Forum, are convening the Africa Adaptation Summit to lay the foundation for an adaptation breakthrough for Africa at COP27, in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. The Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism,…
Millets – a cereal grain that belongs to the grass family are repositories of protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Thus, it is often touted as a ’superfood’ because of its nutritional value. The best part is that this grain can be used in everything – from sides to salads and mains. There are different kinds…
By Miranda Dzumbunu Ecoethics Global Movement on Friday 2 September 2022, successfully held EcoEthics Africa Climate Week in an engagement that spearheaded knowledge sharing among youths across Africa on matters of climate change and the environment. Climate change and environmental activists from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Nigeria among other African nations participated in the Climate…
The leading provider of voice and broadband services, TelOne, has introduced a new product onto the market – Crop Monitoring Service, in a move anticipated to position the company in the smart agriculture sector and transform remote farming. In an interview with Spiked Online Media at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) in Harare yesterday,…
By Masutane Modjadji As we commemorate Africa Climate Week, the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) affirms that the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is inevitable. The energy transition in Africa must respond to the continent’s realities. A just energy transition in Africa must be people-centred. We firmly oppose the imposition of commitments…
Global warming is likely to boost crop yields in some countries, helped in part by higher carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, which increases plant growth and helps them become more efficient in using water. The results may seem hopeful, given the current surge in food prices globally. But there’s a catch – despite higher yields, future global…
By Charles Dhewa That food systems are more than agriculture is no longer debatable. However, what is worrying in most countries that depend on agriculture is the extent to which biodiversity and natural ecosystems are being destroyed in favor of agriculture. Conversely, the past few years have seen an increase in the volume of wild…
By Hillary Munedzi Farmers are being urged to venture into integrated farming and the planting of local varieties that are self-producing in their natural regions, in adjusting to the new normal of record high fertilizer prices. With Africa faced with a fertilizer crisis, supply chain woes, and climate change impact, experts in the agricultural business…
With one of Africa’s powerhouses, Kenya, encountering challenges in the promotion of peace, especially among its diverse cultural and ethnic people as witnessed in the aftermath of the 2007 elections, the KALYA initiative is a panacea towards the promotion of food security and peace. Kalya M.D who works for Kabarak University in Kenya as a…
By Dr. Richard Munang Today, about 660 million are without access to electricity and over 930 million are without access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa. These are not just mere statistics. These human faces feel the brunt of the lack of energy access and clean energy. We cannot take this as a footnote but dig…
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…
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…
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…
By Elvis Dumba Banket – An 80-year-old male was burnt to death beyond recognition as a result of a veld fire that blazed through the farming community of Banket over the weekend. Sakatiza Mariza, aged 80, of Plumstead Farm who worked at the nearby St John’s Farm near Banket as a farm guard is reported…
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…
Residents of Bikita District in the eastern district of Masvingo Province have expressed displeasure in the government’s move to relocate 2600 wild animals from Save Conservancy. The major concern of Bikita residents was that the stance should be done whilst reimbursing the district. Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA) spokesperson Mark Mutengani called upon the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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!…
By Joseph Warin Bangladesh-based Robi Axiata stepped-up efforts to boost the use of renewable energy to ease pressure on the nation’s electricity grid, powering more than 1,600 base stations with solar cells. In a statement, the operator claimed it is the first in the country to use tower-mounted solar cells to power its equipment. The…
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 –…
Bangladesh comes third among the world’s top rice-producing countries after China and India. From less than 25% of their total available croplands, China and India grow as much rice, which together constitutes over half of the world’s annual rice output. Due to fast diminishing croplands in Bangladesh, the country has to dedicate up to 75%…
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…
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…
Own Correspondent The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Action Days are part of the Global Week of Action #Act4SDGs (15-26 September 2022). They are decentralised actions in different countries around the world that will aim to connect activists and decision-makers in dialogue to shift the focus towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The overarching message…
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…
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…
A High-Level Ministerial Conference was convened to put under the spotlight the role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and Governments in promoting the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda in Southern Africa. Addressing delegates at the gathering, Mr. Edward Kallon, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe extended his appreciation to the…
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…
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…
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,…
By Shamiso Mutisi Case Note: Shangani Holistic (Pvt) Ltd v Pearline Mineral Exploration (Pvt) Ltd HC 4074/22 The facts On June 30, 2022, High Court Judge Musithu J, granted an interim interdict that prohibited Pearline Mineral Exploration from conducting an aeromagnetic survey over Shangani Ranch in Insiza District before carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment…
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…
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board has approved four new climate projects valued at USD 380.7 million in GCF funding and USD 1.0 billion with co-financing, whilst also launching the process for the Fund’s replenishment for 2024-2027 period. With the newly approved projects, GCF’s portfolio now stands at 200 projects with a total value of…
The core around the Wildlife Economy is the transfer of the benefits to the communities, not only those adjacent to or around the protected and conserved areas, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe, Hon Barbara Rwodzi has said. She made the remarks on the 19th of July 2022 at the…
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) 2022, is currently underway in the Rwandan capital of Kigali. The Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi is leading the Zimbabwe delegation at this ongoing congress in Rwanda. This is the first-ever continent-wide gathering of…
Rashpinder Singh, 36, is a farmer who owns 17 acres (almost seven hectares) of land in the state of Punjab. He took up the profession of his forefathers after completing his MTech degree. “I feel connected with the land. Farming is a part of my identity, since this is what I have been surrounded with…
BY Clayton Masekesa PENHALONGA – Angry workers at Redwing Mine and members of the community have called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to come out clean and solve the mess that has seen gold worth millions of dollars siphoned through well-orchestrated syndicates. Better Brands Mining Company owned by Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya, a flamboyant and flashy personality,…
By Mutuso Dhliwayo, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) Introduction/Background The Stockholm +50 international meeting was held from the 2nd -3rd of June 2022.[1] It was held under the theme “A healthy planet for the prosperity of all: Our responsibility, our prosperity.” The meeting was based on the three leadership dialogue themes namely reflecting on the urgent need…
