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

The Kenya Seed Company has assured farmers of adequate certified seed stocks ahead of the planting season expected to begin from April in most parts of country.   Kenya Seed Managing Director Azariah Soi said there are about 30,000 tonnes of maize seeds in the market.   "There is no cause for alarm. We have also adequate seeds stocks for other crops such as wheat and beans. The sufficient maize varieties are there for the all.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th March 2017

Food inflation soared to its highest level in nine months in February, reaching 7.8pc similar to last February. One of the major factors behind the inflation was the rise in the prices of vegetables. This comes during the beginning of the Easter fasting season, as well as just after an announcement of a salary adjustment for civil servants.   Last week, the Ministry of Trade reported that there were signs of price increases by some.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th March 2017

The government has assured farmers of reliable markets of their produce as it prepares to invest heavily in industries towards transforming the economy.   Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Tizeba, told farmers who turned up at the SAGCOT Annual Partnership Forum in Dar es Salaam over the weekend that the contribution of the agricultural sector in the industrialisation drive was inevitable.   "We.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th March 2017

The Eldoret based Rift Valley Textile (Rivatex) East Africa is operating below capacity due to acute shortage of raw materials.   Managing Director Thomas Kipkurgat disclosed that the company is producing an average of 10,000 bales of cotton against a capacity of 70,000 annually.   "Severe shortage of cotton has impacted negatively on our operation," Prof Kipkurgat said and added that the firm has invested more than Sh300.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 14th March 2017

Cotton farmers are set to earn more from the crop after the government increased producer prices per kilogramme from Sh42 to Sh50.   The move is intended to woo growers who have abandoned the crop, forcing ginneries to mill at below capacity.   The Fibre Crops directorate-- which manages cotton and sisal in the country-- said the decision to review the price was reached at as one of the many incentives that the government has lined.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

China has disbursed nearly $30 billion to assist African countries in different projects as it pledged to be the most reliable partner in speeding agriculture modernisation and industrial development. The major developing nation in 2015 announced $60 billion funding support for Africa at the Sixth Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that was held in Johannesburg, South Africa in December 2015.   Addressing journalists at a.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Addis Ababa — Africa need to embrace modern technology in Agriculture to ensure food security for its citizens.   Experts meeting in Addis Ababa with media practitioners from across the continent are concerned that crop farming has been left in the hands of older members of the society while the young generation seeks white collar jobs.   This practice, they said, is dangerous as the cycle is broken once the elderly die.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017