Japanese aid enabling Zim farmers to grow sesame
The United Nations World Food Programme welcomed a donation of R90 million from the government of Japan to support 37 000 smallholder farmers wrestling with the effects of climate challenges in five districts in Zimbabwe.
Agri investments in Africa remains under pressure
Investments in agrifoodtech in Africa is showing a slight recovery after crashing from a peak of over US$700 million (about R12,7 billion) in funding in 2022 to US$275 million (R5 billion) in 2023.
Zimbabwe achieves record wheat crop
Zimbabwe has, since the beginning of November, harvested a record 518 502t of wheat from 106 230ha. A total of 119 594ha were planted to wheat this year compared with 91 000ha in the previous season, when a crop of 465 546t was achieved.
‘Namibian agriculture needs more resources’ – Calle Schlettwein
Calle Schlettwein, Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, recently called for agriculture to be recognised as a national priority and for resources to be allocated accordingly.
Zimbabwe commits to grow environmentally friendly tobacco
The Zimbabwean Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) recently announced a number of sustainability measures aimed at minimising the negative impact of tobacco production on the environment. This includes land clearing.
Zimbabwe to cull elephants to feed the hungry
Zimbabwe recently confirmed its intension to cull 200 elephants to feed communities facing acute hunger following the worst drought that country had seen in four decades.
Botswana to comply with EU’s deforestation regulations
Beef exports from Botswana to the EU will in future depend largely on adherence to the EU’s Deforestation Regulation that will become effective on 1 January 2025.
Zimbabwe signs agreement to export avocados to China
The agreement recently concluded between Zimbabwe and China in terms of the exportation of avocados to China created a significant opportunity for Zimbabwe to take advantage of the vast Chinese market. This was according to Linda Nielsen, CEO of the Zimbabwean Horticultural Development Council (HDC).
Namibia to cull game to feed drought victims
The Namibian government recently announced a plan to cull wild animals and to distribute the meat to food-insecure people because of the severe drought in the country.
Southern African weather conditions likely to improve
The largest part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region could expect normal to above-normal rainfall between October and December 2024, according to a recent statement by the 29th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-29). The forum members met from 26 to 28 August in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Minister Banda calls for climate action
Speaking at the recent annual Kulumba Traditional Ceremony of the Chewa people of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, held in Zambia, Malawian Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda said climate change posed a serious threat to his country and its people.
Zim’s latest land compensation offer draws criticism
The Zimbabwe government’s latest announcement regarding compensation for land lost by white farmers during the land reform process in the 2000s was nothing but propaganda, according to Saai chairperson Dr Theo de Jager.
