Hurdles of Kenyan farmers, organisations as well as small and medium sized enterprises in the agriculture value chain in accessing credit are set to ease with the signing of a €13 million ($13.8 million) financing agreement between German lender KfW and the East African Development Bank .   The lender will provide medium to long term loans.   The agreement targets the "Agricultural Financing Kenya" project which is.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 28th April 2017

Morogoro — Social security funds plan to establish at least 25 industries countrywide and create over 300,000 jobs for Tanzanians, the government declared here yesterday.   The Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour, Employment, Youth and People with Disabilities, Ms Jenista Mhagama, said the government was determined to achieve the industrial based economy through serious public and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 27th April 2017

American roasters are expected to raise coffee purchases from Kenya by a quarter to Sh3.5 billion annually after the country showcased its produce in the ongoing symposium in Seattle, US.   Coffee Directorate made a pitch for Kenya's specialty coffee during the exhibition to have the US, which pays a premium price for the commodity, increase its uptake 25 per cent.   America buys seven per cent of Kenya's annual export of 46,000.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 26th April 2017

The high demand for poultry in Ethiopia is shaping the lives of a group of friends who came together in 2010 to start a poultry farm. In the capital Addis Ababa, Friendship Agroindustry is now the second largest supplier of chicken and other poultry products. The company was started after they put their personal savings together and took a loan of 3,500 US dollars as capital. In seven years, the business has grown.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd April 2017

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, could be the world’s biggest rice exporter in the next five years. This is according to the head of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina. Akinwumi was Nigeria’s Agriculture minister when Dangote was the largest importer of rice into Africa’s most populous nation. He recounted how the billionaire businessman once walked into his office and resolved to switch from.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd April 2017

Recently, Ethiopia has launched the new Agricultural Extension Strategy, which is considered to speed up the transformation of Ethiopian agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources had recently tabled the new Strategy for discussion with stakeholders.   According to the discussion, the agricultural, market-oriented, climate change extension services are typical instruments among global and continental institutes to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 24th March 2017

IN a bid to ensure production and supply of fertilisers in the country, the Norwegian YARA International company, which produces fertilisers has announced to invest 80bn/- at the Port of Dar es Salaam so as to improve the business.   The idea is likely to improve agriculture production in the country, since majority farmers will benefit from the huge investment. The Norwegian ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Hanne-Marie Kaarstad said his.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 24th March 2017

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource said the new Agricultural Extension Strategy is believed to speed up the transformation of Ethiopian agriculture. This was disclosed Monday when the new Ethiopian Agricultural Extension Strategy tabled for discussion with stakeholders.   Minister Dr. Eyasu Abriha on the occasion said currently the agricultural, market-oriented, climate change extension services are typical instrument among.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

The government is finalising the construction of a Sh800 million station to keep bulls that will generate quality semen for Artificial Insemination (AI) services following an increased demand from Kenyan dairy farmers.   The bull station, based at the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) headquarters in Kitale will supply semen to the Eldoret-based liquid nitrogen plant for storage and sale.   Livestock Principal Secretary.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017

The newly built fertiliser plant in Eldoret has started sales after the government bought five tonnes to be offered to farmers under the taxpayer-funded subsidy plan.   Japanese conglomerate Toyota Tsusho owns the Eldoret blending plant and hopes to upgraded it in the second phase of construction at a cost of Sh123 billion.   Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett said the five tonnes will be used in pilot farms to establish.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017

The government has announced new measures to stabilise milk prices. Under the new plan, farmers will avoid middlemen and deliver their produce directly to processors.   The plan is also meant to guarantee farmers good returns and stable supply to consumers during wet and dry seasons.   Currently, milk producers are reeling from heavy production overheads, thanks to dwindling supply of raw materials such as maize used to manufacture.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017

Agriculture is the mainstay of our economy as 80 per cent of the population earns its living directly from it. It supplies food to local market and also serve as a means of hard currency earning. However, as a rain-fed one, it is highly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions such as drought and flood. Moreover, the prevalence of pests and herbs highly compromise the amount of yield.   For many decades in order to improve productivity.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017