Agriculture

Food security ‘vital part of national security’, Sunak tells farmers

Rishi Sunak has told farmers that food security is a vital part of national security as he set out support for the sector. Speaking at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) annual conference, the Prime Minister outlined a doubling of the amount going to technology and innovation schemes such as robotics, roof-top solar and agricultural research, to £220 million, helping farmers to increase productivity. The money is part of the Government’s […]

21 February, 2024

Environment

In Brazil’s soy belt, community seed banks offer hope for the Amazon

By Ana Ionova Not too long ago, the plot of land that Maria Ivonete de Souza inherited was barren, the soil hardened by years of cattle ranching. When the family had arrived to the Amazon from southern Brazil four decades earlier, her father had swiftly cleared the dense rainforest to make way for pasture. “He razed it all by hand, with a saw and an ax,” Souza […]

20 February, 2024

Africa

Oromia makes up a third of Ethiopia’s landmass and is key to its fortunes: expert unpacks its significance

By Bizuneh Yimenu, University of Birmingham Ethiopia’s largest and most populous region, Oromia, has been in the news following reports of a rise in kidnappings for ransom. The region is no stranger to war and strife. Its people have long fought against political marginalisation. But the region is more than just the site of conflict. We asked Bizuneh Yimenu, who’s researched the region for over a decade […]

19 February, 2024

Africa

bird TenX: 10 African projects that show the power and versatility of blockchain technology

By Okwi Okoh, bird story agency 1. Catch of the Day (Senegal) The Bleu comme la mer platform connects fishermen and customers directly, eliminating brokers and financial gatekeepers. Payments for seafood can be made in Bitcoin, Ether and Tezos. Details like species, location, and dates are recorded by fishermen and shared with buyers on the blockchain as an attempt to reduce overfishing and waste. 2. Private Property […]

14 February, 2024

Business / Economics

Agri-focus – 13 February 2024

Technical advisor at Agribank Namibia, Hank Saisai, provides an update on the state of the agriculture sector in the country. https://iono.fm/e/1405951

14 February, 2024

Africa

Livelihoods at stake as Lake Victoria’s papyrus swamps come under pressure: Photos

By Patrick Newcombe, via MongaBay The papyrus swamps at the edges of Lake Victoria in East Africa have for generations provided a livelihood to communities living here. While some harvest reeds to make into mats, baskets, and handicrafts, others catch the plentiful fish that nurse in the shelter of the reedbeds. The swamps are also home to birds that have become specialized to live amidst the papyrus reeds in a […]

7 February, 2024

Namibia

Government’s N$2.4 billion land acquisition benefits thousands

The government owns about 3.5 million hectares of freehold agricultural land acquired at more than N$2.4 billion, which makes up 494 commercial farms allocated to about 5480 beneficiaries as of July 2023 through the Resettlement Program. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform spokesperson, Jona Musheko says that farming units have been allocated to beneficiaries.

6 February, 2024

Environment

Farmers need to gain access to agricultural information

By Erastus Ngaruka, Technical Advisor: Livestock & Rangeland Management Agriculture is by far an economic pillar in Namibia as it directly or indirectly supports all livelihoods in the form of food, employment, and income. Besides that, agricultural production faces many challenges that are associated with climatic conditions, technology, markets, and knowledge or skills amongst others. For example, potential agricultural production in Namibia is vulnerable to climate change […]

31 January, 2024

Africa

El Niño: Malawi’s harvest of maize – its staple food – may fall by 22.5% this year

By Joachim De Weerdt, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Channing Arndt, CGIAR System Organization; James Thurlow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Jan Duchoslav, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Joseph Glauber, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Liangzhi You, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) , and Weston Anderson, University of Maryland Maize is the preferred staple of most of southern Africa. […]

30 January, 2024