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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Entertainment amidst cash crisis: Creative musician in maize for admission gesture

By Lovemore Chazingwa Sungura music exponent, Simon Mutambi has sent tongues wagging on social media platforms as well as on the streets when he crafted a poster marketing his upcoming Uchataura Zvese album outreach family show at Kamwaza Beer Hall in Raffingora this Sunday. The poster boldly screams out to the public that fans do…

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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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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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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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AUDA-NEPAD raises youth, media awareness for AU Year of Nutrition

By Baboloki Semele The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) seeks to hold a two-day youth and media awareness and orientation symposium on the AU year of nutrition. The two-day orientation billed for 9th and 10th August in Accra, Ghana will be held under the theme “Strengthening Resilience…

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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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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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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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The Metaverse And Digital Transformation At McDonald’s

By Bernard Marr The famous golden arches are recognized worldwide not only as an icon of fast food, but also of technological transformation. McDonald’s – the world’s largest restaurant chain – has been an early pioneer of tech-driven innovation, from the drive-thru to self-service kiosks. Today it’s forging a path for fast food into the…

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GMB expropriates above 300MT of grain from farmers

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…

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All set for the 2022 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon

All is set for the 14th edition of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, to be held in the picturesque tourist destination today (Sunday, July 3, 2022). The hugely popular marathon makes a big comeback to the resort town of Victoria Falls after a three-year absence caused by the COVID pandemic. Econet Group Chief Executive Officer…

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Building globally sustainable food systems

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…

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The value of delinking African food systems from foreign currency

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…

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How conservation farming is boosting yields, mitigating effects of climate change

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…

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UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator urges people to embrace healthy lifestyles

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe, Mr. Edward Kallon has underscored the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health. He made the call today while delivering a message for the International Day of Yoga (21 June) that was designated by the UN General Assembly….

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Prof. Aslan in solo art exhibition of “Anatolia” at Turkish Embassy

Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University – Faculty of Fine Arts – Ceramics and Glass Department Head Associate Prof. Dr. Tamer Aslan’s solo exhibition “Anatolia” (Turkey) was held at the Turkish Embassy in Harare between 6-8 May 2022 under the auspices of H.E. Hakan Kivanc, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Harare. The exhibition, which was…

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Low grain deliveries: Government invokes SI 145 of 2019

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…

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Food security under severe threat in Buhera

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…

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ZimDancehall Artiste Endorses Hotplate Grill House

By Arts Correspondent Popular fast foods outlet, Hotplate Grill House, has been given a huge boost after rising Zimdancehall artiste King Jae penned a jingle for it. According to the budding Zimdancehall artiste, born James Munama, the song was just an appreciation of the tasty cuisines being offered by trendy food outlets. “I wrote this…

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Seke-based champion farmer Tatenda Mhishi determined to scale greater heights

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….

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An African framework for commercialising indigenous food is long overdue

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….

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AfDB Board approves $1.5 billion facility to avert food crisis

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…

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“Taura” spotlights young people’s views on health and wellbeing

The Art of Health, by The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU ZIM) a Zimbabwean based organization that uses creative means to champion well-being in societies is pleased to present a theatrical production titled ‘Taura’ which shall be showcased from the 2nd to the 4th of June at Reps Theatre in Harare and the 18th of…

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A new pandemic has struck the world: Food inflation

By Richard Mahapatra Food prices are increasing at an unprecedented rate worldwide, triggered by 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic-induced disruption and now the Russia-Ukraine war The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was pushed off global front pages last fortnight by food inflation. Food prices have leaped 75 per cent since mid-2020, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assessed. In India,…

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2022 “Amai’s Cook Out Competitions” off to a good start

The much-awaited 2022 edition of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Amai’s Traditional Cook-out competitions took off to a good start in Mashonaland Central Province yesterday. In her keynote address at the event, the Guest of Honour, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi said as a way follow up to…

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Model Nicole Madimutsa on Miss Supra-eminence Global Pageant

Zimbabwean Model, Miss Nicole Madimutsa embarked on the journey of MEA 2021 competing with other 25 African countries, and emerged the winner. The Queen was accompanied by Cameroon as the first runner up and Nigeria second runner up. She has the opportunity to select the next international Ambassador through the Miss Supra-eminence Global organization as…

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