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.
Wheat production gets boost in Zimbabwe
Wheat farming in Zimbabwe was projected to rebound this winter after government raised US$140 million (R1, 96 billion) to be loaned to farmers to plant 70 000ha to wheat, which was expected to yield 280 000t.
Zim avian flu outbreak: SA farmers must step up biosecurity
Following the recent avian flu outbreak in Zimbabwe, the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) have urged SA poultry owners to implement basic biosecurity measures to prevent poultry from coming into contact with wild birds.
Fall armyworm invades as Kenya recovers from drought
East Africa is grappling with a fall armyworm (FAW) invasion, while still recovering from the effects of a drought that had resulted in significant maize shortages.
New strategy to boost Zimbabwe’s livestock production
President Robert Mugabe's cabinet has approved a policy for the government to introduce a US$150 million (R2,5 billion) "command" approach to boost livestock production.
