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

Harare — Using drone technology could cut labour and costs spent in collecting data for maize breeding by at least ten per cent, preliminary findings of a project shows.   With increased demand for better seeds to adapt to changing climate, breeders have turned to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also known as drones for precise gathering of data from the field to enable more efficient maize breeding in most of Southern.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 21st March 2017

Brookside has upped the price war in the dairy market after the processor increased its raw milk buying price by 13 per cent to a record Sh42 to boost its intake amid a shortage.   The increase, starting Thursday, looks set to trigger a battle for raw milk with other processors like New KCC expected to follow suit in line with previous trends.   At Sh42, Brookside is now the highest paying processor for raw milk with rival firms.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 17th March 2017

Officials on Wednesday remained mum as Ukraine announced that Kenya planned to import five million bags or 450,000 metric tonnes of yellow maize for the first time in five years at an estimated cost of over Sh10 billion.   On Tuesday the former Soviet republic, one of the top global producers of corn, asked firms in the country to prepare bids for the maize expected to be for cattle feeds manufacturing.   "Companies interested.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 17th March 2017

Agricultural teachings need to be offered in line with smallholder farmers' interests and given special focus on value enhancement technologies as well as practices. The remark was made by Dr. Deola Naibakelao, Managing Director of Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE) Monday at a three- day SAFE networking workshop.   The Managing Director further said: "If small-scale farmers get advice from extension staff who passed.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th March 2017