New seed variety promises to boost maize production in Africa
At the beginning of the year, Monsanto launched DK777, a pest-resistant white maize cultivar, in Kenya.
Big boost for Rwandan poultry production
Social impact agribusiness investor, AgDevCo, recently announced a US$3 million (about R43 million) debt investment in the Rwandan poultry company, Uzima Chicken.
SA company aims to improve Mozambican chicken production
A 50/50 partnership between South Africa’s Philafrica Foods and Mozambique’s Novos Horizontes was aiming to improve chicken production and supply within the borders of Mozambique.
EU commits $7 million to agri development in Zimbabwe
The European Union (EU) has set aside $7 million (R96 million) for proposals for a project that would strengthen the agriculture value chain in Zimbabwe.
Disease identification app to boost food security in Africa
A team of researchers that has developed an app which will allow small-scale farmers in Africa to identify cassava diseases has won a US$100 000 (R1,4 million) grant to expand the tool for use on other root, tuber and banana crops.
Boost for East African wheat production
Recommendations aimed at boosting wheat production in East Africa have been approved by the principal secretaries for trade in Kenya and Tanzania, Dr Chris Kiptoo and Prof Adolf Mkenda.
Zimababwe hosts 6th Stockmanschool
The Zimbabwe Stockmanschool will run for the sixth time this year at Ant Farms, a cattle farm, outside Harare.
Botswana reports suspected foot-and-mouth outbreak
Botswana recently reported a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Ngamiland to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Lesotho grants SA company medicinal marijuana grower’s licence
Lesotho has granted one of its first licences for the production of medical marijuana to South African company, Verve Dynamics. The company has a branch in Lesotho.
New fresh produce market set to boost Nigerian agri sector
An agricultural commodities market is being set up near Benin City in Nigeria, as part of the Nigerian government’s efforts to resuscitate the farming industry and reduce the country’s reliance on the struggling oil industry.
Zimbabwe farmers launch compensation rights group
Commercial Zimbabwean farmers have launched the SADC Tribunal Rights Watch to seek compensation for the loss of their farms and livelihoods, and to stop farm seizures. This was according to a statement from the organisation.
Smallholder cattle development project launched in Zambia
Smallholder cattle farmers in Zambia’s Northern Province were reportedly set to see their livelihoods improve under a recently launched livestock improvement project.
Agribusiness training to boost fertiliser use in West Africa
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has contracted the South African-based African Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) to train agro-dealers in order to boost fertiliser access by smallholder farmers in Ghana and Cameroon, two of the top cocoa producing countries in the world.
Tongaat Hulett capitalises on Mozambique’s sugar demand
Tongaat Hulett has begun construction on its first sugar refinery in Mozambique, to capitalise on the shortage of locally refined sugar.
Geneticists confirm farmers’ expertise at selecting wheat
Subsistence farmers’ traditional wheat trait selection, has, for the first time, been mapped against modern genome selection methods.
Zimbabwe looks to energy-efficient tobacco-curing method
Zimbabwe is evaluating the efficacy of a new, more energy-efficient method of curing tobacco with a view to switching from traditional approaches that burn too much coal and firewood.
British potatoes put roots down in Africa
A potato seed trial in Kenya has passed initial tests and the plants are now growing well in three locations in the country.
Dr Akinwumi Adesina named 2017 World Food Prize winner
African Development Bank (ADB) president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has been announced as the 2017 World Food Prize (WFP) laureate.
Zimbabwe kicks off anti-malnutrition programme
From 1 July this year Zimbabwe will enforce its mandatory food fortification programme to fight malnutrition among people, especially women and children.
Crop failure and conflict affecting food security in Africa
Low rainfall, drought, conflict, and internal displacement are affecting food security across Africa.
