African Development Bank President Wins the World Food Prize
Voice Of America, June 27, 2017
Akinwumi Adesina, president of African Development Bank, has won the 2017 World Food Prize. The award is often called the Nobel Prize for food and agriculture. Adesina has worked for many years to increase food production in Nigeria. He has increased access to credit to small farmers, and influence agricultural policies throughout Africa.
"So in a way for me this is not a job. This is a mission," he said. Read more >
Zimbabwe bans corn imports after bumper crop: media
Bizcommunity, June 14, 2017
Zimbabwe has banned the import of corn after enjoying a bumper crop that authorities hope will be enough to feed the nation and stimulate home-grown production, state-owned media reported on Tuesday.
"Government stopped issuing grain import permits about four months ago and no maize imports are allowed at our borders," Davis Marapira, the deputy agriculture minister, told the state-controlled Herald newspaper. Read more >
Big data highlighted to transform Africa's agriculture
XinhuaNet, June 14, 2017
Strategic application of big data are expected to speed up modernization of Africa's agriculture sector and enhance its contribution to the continent's socio-economic transformation.
African ministers for agriculture said at a conference in Kenya's Nairobi on Wednesday that investment in data collection, storage and dissemination infrastructure is to transform a sector whose contribution to the continent's economies is profound. Read more >
Why reliable climate and weather data is key to Africa's agricultural transformation
How We Made It In Africa, June 12, 2017
There is a lack of real time access to reliable and usable weather data across Africa. The information is often not available or, even if it exists, is inaccessible, of poor quality or unknown to those that need it most. Farmers don't know where to obtain efficient information on drought forecasts, rainfall distribution, and pest outbreaks -- leading to low agricultural production and food insecurity. Read more >
South Africa's best crop in history still isn't enough to lift its farmers's spirits
Quartz, June 12, 2017
A bumper crop should have been a good news for South African maize farmers, but market forces are saying otherwise.
It's been a rough few years for the country's agriculture producers. A hot, dry El Nino climate pattern that swept across southern Africa made 2015 the driest year on record in South Africa. 2016 offered a little respite until spring, when the heavens opened and crops were able to recover. Read more >
Burden faced by Africa's small farmers masked by focus on migration and poverty
EURACTIV, June 9, 2017
Some 70% of the world's food is grown by smallholder farmers, the majority in the developing world, who will have to help output double by 2030 to keep up with population growth, a panel of experts at the European Development Days in Brussels heard on Thursday (8 June).
But the plight of these smallholders, often tilling one hectare of land or less, gets overlooked in the global fight against poverty and the media's focus on migration, a senior figure from the EU's Development and International Cooperation commission admitted. Read more >
Conference makes case for agriculture insurance
The Observer, June 5, 2017
Agriculture remains mostly neglected but has potential that insurers are yet to tap, according to various speakers who attended the 44th African Insurance Organization (AIO) conference held at Speke resort Munyonyo recently.
The conference came at a time when farmers were facing a tough time with widespread crop failure and livestock decimation due to prolonged drought. Media reports have indicated that up to 10 million Ugandans face starvation. Read more >
Agriculture behind Africa's health
Forbes Africa, June 5, 2017
No doubt, African nations and institutions remain resolute in their quest for peace and prosperity.
As the African Development Bank (AfDB) takes ownership of this grand mission through its High 5 development priorities, the West Africa sub-region, host to the bank headquarters and the location of Africa's poorest, largest and fastest growing economies, continues to be a source of cheers and sobriety in equal measure. Read more >
How the AfDB wants to spur economic growth in Africa by transforming agriculture
Ghana Business News, June 4, 2017
The African continent can very much be the food basket of world, but not yet. There is currently an impending threat of famine facing 100 million people on the continent, particularly in the Horn of Africa.
Meanwhile, agriculture is a very important sector in Africa - the continent is literally an agriculture continent, but African countries together spend $35 billion every year importing food, and that is expected to rise to $100 billion by 2025. Read more >
Sesame farming in Africa: The little seeds with big potential
The Cable, May 31, 2017
Sesame is popular amongst African farmers and is commonly referred to as the 'survivor' plant - it can resist drought where other crops fail and it doesn't require much fertiliser making it less expensive to cultivate. It is this remarkable drought resistance, requiring 66 percent less water than grain sorghum and an impressive 77 percent less water than corn to cultivate, that makes it noteworthy of its tag as the 'survivor plant'. Read more >
Africa seeks agricultural transformation with India's help
Financial Express, May 28, 2017
With a vast untapped potential in agriculture, African countries are keen to gain from India's experiences, including the "green revolution," to bring about a transformation and enable their 420 million poor people to come out of poverty. Africa is estimated to have 65 percent of world's uncultivated but only about 10 percent of global food output. Read more >
Narendra Modi: 'India, Africa can be key partners in agriculture'
The Times of India, May 24, 2017
With agriculture playing a critical role in their economies, India and Africa see a lot of scope for partnership and knowledge sharing. "This (agriculture) is an area where India and the bank can fruitfully join hands," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while formally open the 52nd African Development Bank's (AfDB) annual event on Tuesday. Read more >
Why Africa should speed up agricultural commercialisation
CNBC Africa, May 24, 2017
The pros and cons of commercial farming models in Africa
The Conversation, May 23, 2017
Colonialism brought large-scale farming to Africa, promising modernisation and jobs - but often dispossessing people and exploiting workers. Now, after several decades of independence, and with investor interest growing, African governments are once again promoting large plantations and estates. But the new corporate in African agriculture has been criticised as a "land grab." Read more >
Abu Dhabi funding contributes to $99m farming investment in three African countries
The National UAE, May 21, 2017
The Lives and Livelihoods Fund has committed US $99 million for livestock farmers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal to improve the lives of more than one million people. Read more >
How Digital Technology Is Changing Farming in Africa
Harvard Business Review, May 18, 2017
African entrepreneurs are now interested in how farmers work and how they can help improve yields. The barrier of entry into farming technology has dropped, as cloud computing, computing systems, connectivity, open-source software, and other digital tools have become increasingly affordable and accessible. Entrepreneurs can now deliver solutions to small-size African farms at cost models that farmers can afford. Read more >
Enhancing Food Security in Africa through Implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, May 17, 2017
Trade-related barriers constitute one of the major causes of food insecurity in Africa. How can the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement help facilitate agricultural trade and improve food security on the continent? Read more >
Opinion: Unleashing Africa's Youth Farmpreneurs
Devex. May 16, 2017
Across Africa, the appetite for farming and venturing into farming as a business is evident. From Namibia to Zambia to Botswana, young people are flocking to agribusiness. Governments and business entities are responding to their interest. In Nigeria, for instance, the federal government, in partnership with the African Development Bank, is preparing to launch an ambitious 280 million Enable Youth Programme. It is an initiative that hopes to fund over 1000 youth-led agricultural enterprises in an effort to continue making agriculture attractive to youth. Read more >
Using Agriculture and Agribusiness to Bring About Industrialisation in Africa
Inter Press Service News Agency, May 12, 2017
No region of the world has ever moved to industrialised economy status without a transformation of the agricultural sector. Agriculture, which contributes to 16.2% of the GDP of Africa, and gives some form of employment to over 60% of the population, holds the key to accelerate growth, diversification and job creation for African economies.
But the performance of the sector has historically been low. Cereal yields are significantly below the global average. Modern farm inputs, including improved seeds, mechanisation and irrigation, are severely limited. Read more >
Invest in agriculture, Africa urged
Bizcommunity, May 5, 2017
African governments should invest in agriculture, giving particular attention to the small-scale farmers on whom the sector and the continent's economic transformation are premised. Speaking during a debate here yesterday on leadership in an era of disruption, Oxfam International Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said it was critical for governments and the private sector to invest in irrigation equipment, infrastructure such as dam and roads, and the availability of the finance facilities to ensure that the sector reaches it potential. Read more >
Unlocking the potential of agriculture for Africa to reduce poverty and end hunger
Malabo Montpellier Panel, May 2, 2017
There are millions of small-scale farmers in Africa, of which at least half are women. Many are poor and food insecure and have limited access to markets and services. Despite challenging policy and institutional obstacles, their collective efforts feed millions of people every day. By linking with other small-scale farmers and to markets they could significantly increase the value of their products and their incomes. They could unleash their considerable potential to contribute more to national economies, and create jobs and boost markets. Read more >
Rwanda: RDF steps up fight against armyworm
The NewTimes, April 21, 2017
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has intensified the fight against the fall armyworm that has devastated farmers' crops, especially maize.
The pest has left farmers around the country worried about their harvests fuelling concerns about the country's food security in the near future if the invasion is not contained fast enough. Read more >
Using real-time satellite data to track water productivity in agriculture
FAO, April 20, 2017
Measuring how efficiently water is used in agriculture, particularly in water-scarce countries, is going high-tech with the help of a new tool developed by FAO.
The WAPOR open-access database has gone live, tapping satellite data to help farmers achieve more reliable agricultural yields and allowing for optimization of irrigation systems. Read more >
Stanford study explores risk of deforestation as agriculture expands in Africa
Stanford News, April 4, 2017
In particular, the study recommends policies that would alleviate poverty in local regions and incentivize forest conservation rather than the widespread of deforestation that has accompanied agricultural expansion in other regions. Read more >
African Development Bank will learn lessons in agricultural practices
Money Control, April 3, 2017
The Annual General Meeting of African Development Bank, being hosted by India here in May, will provide African nations an opportunity to learn lessons in agricultural practices from India, its president Akinwumi Adesina said. Read more >.
IFC invests in Insta Products to fight malnutrition in East Africa
Reliefweb, April 3, 2017
IFC , a member of the World Bank Group, announced a combined investment and mobilization of $11 million into a Kenyan company Insta Products, which produces ready-to-use therapeutic food. A high-calorie fortified peanut paste, the food is used for emergency feeding by relief organizations, like UNICEF and World Food Program, to treat people suffering from acute malnutrition across East Africa and Yemen. Read more >
In Africa, drones are in the business of precision farming
Business Insider, March 30, 2017
Specialists in UAVs, developers and researchers, have been selected by CTA for their knowledge of realities in the fields. They will help to put increase precision agriculture in Africa by setting up drones in farming in their country of origin. This is just "a first step," according to Mr. Rambaldi. The demonstration in October in Ghana with the equipment was an opportunity for different stakeholders to meet. Read more >
School feeding schemes can fill children's tummies and farmers' pockets
The Conversation, March 30, 2017
Several African governments are integrating the pro-smallholder procurement model into their school feeding schemes. For instance, the Purchase from Africans for Africa initiative is being piloted in five countries: Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger and Senegal. Results from the first phase of implementation revealed that about 37% of participating farmers' produce was bought to support school meals. Read more >
Africa needs more contract farming schemes
The Herald, March 30, 2017
And how can Africa address food self-sufficiency?
To be able to do this, there is need for greater private sector participation in the agriculture sector. If the private sector can join hands with government to come up with outgrower schemes that will benefit both the farmers and the company, economies will automatically benefit from a reduced import bill. Read more >.
Africa's food security challenges driving technology innovation
Bizcommunity, March 20, 2017
Climate change, severe drought, water scarcity and the invasion of Fall armyworm see's Africa food security under threat, but technology tools are available to help solve the continent's food security problems. Lawrence Kandaswami, Managing Director, SAP South Africa says: "Smart farming solutions will become the cornerstone of global food production over the next decade." Read more >
Armyworm turns Zimbawe's rain celebration to misery
BusinessDay, March 20, 2017
Struggling farmers in Zimbabwe had been hopeful of finally getting a good harvest in March, following the first heavy rains in nearly three years. But a new variety of new problems, from flooding in some regions to the arrival of a destructive Latin American armyworm, now Threaten to cut harvests and expectations for recovery, the government and development agencies say. Read more >
In Nigeria's steady progress in agriculture, potential history in the making
Vanguard, March 19, 2017
Agriculture's emergence as Nigeria's umber one economic opportunity comes as failing oil prices are taking their toll on this oil-rich country. Nigeria urgently need a more stable foundation fro providing income and employment for a fast growing population that, by 2050, is likely larger to be larger than that of United States. Agriculture already accounts for 70 percent of employment in Nigeria, but only 40 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an indicator that the sector is underperforming. Read more >
South African agriculture Minister addresses Africa's principal fertilizer conference
PR Newswire, March 16, 2017
"Fertilizers play a leading role in the global food industry and fertilizer is the largest and most important component to ensure abundant and affordable food for a growing population." South Africa's minister for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, said in an opening address to over 520 delegates gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 8th annual FMB Argus Africa Fertilizer conference. Read more >
We could stop tons of food losses by scaling these African-made low-tech cooling units
Quartz Africa, March 13, 2017
Many of the innovative cooling units available, which could potentially save billions of dollar of food waste, are also a reminder of the need to scale innovations with backing from investors in order to have a real impact on Africa's agriculture ecosystem. Read more >
Agriculture, bait for economic development in Africa - Kofi Annan
GhanaWeb, March 12, 2017
Mr Kofi Annan, Former United Nations (UN) Secretary General has said agriculture could be a bait in the process of economic development in Africa. He therefore urged private investors and government to consider agriculture as a business and invest in it to achieve the desired socio-economic development and reduce poverty in Africa. Read more >
National Microfinance Bank to digitize agricultural sector in Tanzania
BizNis Africa, March 9, 2017
National Microfinance Bank has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Mastercard to ensure the digitization of the agricultural sector in Tanzania with the roll-out of eKilimo, a mobile solution developed by the Mastercard Lab for Financial Inclusion. Read more >
Africa Food Prize opens 2017 nomination: Here is what you need to know
Ventures Africa, March 7, 2017
The Africa Food Prize has announced the commencement of the search for the 2017 Africa Food Prize Winner. This is a distinguished award that recognises outstanding individuals or institutions that are leading the effort to change the reality of farming in Africa from a struggle to survive to a business that thrives. Read more >
There is no hunger in Nigeria --Audu Ogbeh insists
Daily Post, March 6, 2017
Ogbeh was apparently reacting to a recent report by the three UN Agencies: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and International Fund of Agriculture and Development (IFAD), that famine was imminent in the country. Read more >
Drought, Conflict worsen food security in Africa - FAO
All Africa, March 3, 2017
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Thursday that drought and conflicts were worsen food security across Africa, especially in its part, amid strong global harvests.
According to the UN Food Agency, some 37 countries require external assistance for food, including 28 African countries as a result of lingering effects of last year's El Nino-triggered drought on harvests. Read more >
Uganda not meeting Malabo Declaration on agric funding
The Monitor, March 2, 2017
In the financial year 2015/2016, the agriculture sector was allocated Shs479.96 billion out of Shs18.311 trillon National Budget, representing a 2.6 per cent allocation. In terms of growth agriculture sector grew by 3.6 per cent in 2013, 2.9 per cent in 2014 and the growth of the sector in 2015/2016 was at 3.2 per cent. Read more >