An Overview: Impact of rural urban migration on agriculture

By: Erastus Ngaruka, Technical Advisor: Livestock and Rangeland Management Rural-urban migration refers to the movement of people from rural to urban areas, or simply from villages to towns or cities. This migration is triggered by several socioeconomic factors, such as employment, business, education, and health, among others. In Namibia, the phenomenon is particularly conspicuous, as evidenced by the influx of people from rural to urban areas in recent years in […]

November 15, 2023 12

Africa

New study pushes for protection of one of Africa’s ‘least understood treasures’

by Ryan Truscott on Mongabay Aerial view of the NGOWP team’s mekoro along the Cuando River. Image by Kostadin Luchansky/National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. A new study reveals the extent of a tropical water tower in Angola, which performs the same role as snow-capped mountains in the Northern Hemisphere. The Angolan Highlands Water Tower contains peatlands and freshwater lakes that supply major rivers in the region, and the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta […]

November 15, 2023 12

Africa

African nations are increasingly favouring green bonds over emissions trading to power their transition to green energy.

By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency African countries are now favouring raising funds for projects that have positive climate and sustainability outcomes over emissions trading as green bond issuances soar across the continent. While legislative plans to regulate the sale of carbon credits are proliferating the continent, this race has been beset by controversies, with critics claiming it allows companies to continue polluting without reducing their emissions. Green bonds are becoming […]

November 15, 2023 8

Environment

Supporting the Desert Lion Conservation – A Pledge to Protect the Namib’s Icons

Desert Lion Conservation (DLC), also known as the "Desert Lion Project," stands as a beacon of hope for the preservation of an extraordinary and endangered species, the desert-adapted lions of the Northern Namib. This small non-profit organization is dedicated to a mission that not only encompasses the survival of these majestic creatures but also serves as a model for harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. The Desert Lion Conservation under […]

November 7, 2023 14

Africa

Growing African vegetables on buildings can save space and feed cities – new study

The Eco Green Wall is an example of a sustainable living wall system. Karen Botes Karen Botes, University of Pretoria As cities grow, more people need food. However, space for farming is limited in cities. Building facades can offer a solution for growing food. We asked landscape architect Karen Botes to tell us about her research – cultivating traditional African vegetables on walls. What are ‘living wall systems’ and why […]

November 6, 2023 5

Africa

“Do not overlook Africa’s multi-trillion food and agribusiness sector” African Development Bank chief tells investors at World Food Prize Dialogue

Africa’s food and agribusiness will be worth an estimated US$11 trillion by 2030, African Development Bank President Dr Akinwumi Adesina told participants of the World Food Prize Foundation’s Norman E. Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday. The annual event in America’s agricultural heartland, revolved around this year’s theme of “harnessing change,” with delegates and panellists exploring innovative ideas to shore up innovation, adaptation, and diversification, and mechanisms for improving resilience, recovery from […]

October 30, 2023 6

Environment

Fruit Production an untapped Agribusiness with many Opportunities

By Hanks Saisai, Technical Advisor: Crops & Poultry According to a study conducted by the Namibian Agronomic Board, Namibia ‘s fruit production sector accounts for about 4% of local production (a mere 732 tons) compared to an estimated 20 282tons imported from other countries to meet local demand. Most fruits consumed in Namibia such as apples, pears and bananas are seldom produced in Namibia. To this end, oranges and grapes […]

October 30, 2023 18

Environment

Silent Extinction: Giraffe Reveal Stunning Genetic Diversity and Urgent Need for Conservation

Giraffe numbers in Africa have dropped significantly in the last 35 years and latest estimates by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) have their numbers at only 117,000 animals in the wild. This means that there is only one giraffe for every four elephant remaining in Africa. This rather perturbing situation is exacerbated by the recent understanding that there are four distinct species of giraffe and not only one as previously […]

October 23, 2023 6

Environment

Lion protection fee paid by tourists could help stop trophy hunting – South African study

Neil D’Cruze, University of Oxford; Angie Elwin, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Herbert Ntuli, University of Pretoria Trophy hunting is contentious. It typically involves paying for and pursuing a specific wild animal, often a large or iconic species, with the goal of killing it to obtain a trophy, such as the animal’s head, horns, or hide. Popular public opinion is largely in favour of ending the killing of wild animals for […]

October 23, 2023 6

Environment