Rwanda’s beverage firm Bralirwa has secured a US$25mn loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for maize production. The money will be used for increasing maize production by local farmers who supply high-quality maize grits to the beverage company, an essential ingredient in its brewed products. Bralirwa buys maize grits from more than 5,000 local small-scale farmers. “Farmers will be supplied with modern seeds as.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 4th September 2015

Kenya and the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed an agreement to finance smallholder farmers in Kenya. The funding of US$71.8mn will go towards the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme - Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods Window which will benefit ten thousand smallholder farmers, including women-headed households and young people whose livelihoods depend on maize, sorghum, millet and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

 The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) has produced the world’s first ever flower maps in Africa   Researchers at the Kenya-based institute have developed a new remote-sensing method, allowing ICIPE to produce a map of flowering plants across Africa which can be used by beekeepers to identify flowers suitable for bees. In a paper recently published in the Remote Sensing of Environment Journal,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

 The US has launched a US$19mn, five-year agribusiness financing plan targeting Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania The project will provide financing to small and medium-sized agribusinesses and training for businesses that work along the agricultural value chain in the three nations. “Adding value to farm produce and increasing regional trade in agriculture has the potential to transform the economy in these countries. The program seeks to.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

The Government is committed to transform the co-operative sector across the country to achieve sustainable development, officials have said.   While addressing residents of Ngoma District at the closure of a seven-day trade show in the area, on Monday, government officials highlighted the importance of co-operatives to achieving the country's vision for 2020.   The annual trade fair attracted farmers and business persons from all.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

The Agriculture Rural Development Authority has secured $2 million to resuscitate its tomato processing plant in Norton that has been lying idle for the past five years. arda board chairman Mr Basil Nyabadza told The Herald yesterday that they had partnered Schweppes Limited to resuscitate the plant which is known as the arda Zagrinda.   He said refurbishment of the plant would start this month after which production would follow early.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

Cigarette manufacturer Savanna Tobacco is gearing to expand its footprint on the African continent and has made key changes to its structures in pursuit of that objective, the company said yesterday. The Savanna group, chaired by Adam Molai, announced appointment of two key executives namely Mr Nick Hales as its global chief executive officer and Mr Douglas Mamvura as chief marketing officer.   Announcing the appointments, the cigarette.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

A workshop for framers from Bahir Dar and Butajira surrounding areas was organized at Bicolo Fruit Nursery, West Gojjam in order to train them on how to harvest, pick and prepare, handle avocado. Speaking on the workshop, the Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Belaynesh Zevadia said that the project has been implemented by Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) and USAID in cooperation with the Ethiopian.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

 Earnings generated from the cattle sale at the Pugu Auction market increased to 2.45bn/- last week from 2.36bn/ of the previous period. According to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the daily cattle sales increased to 3,794 in the week under review from 3,682 of the other week, which is 3 per cent rise.   With the exception of female cattle grade two whose price remained unchanged at 700,000/-as the previous.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 2nd September 2015

 Each year, many Kenyans graduate from a college or university. Yet many graduates are unable find a job in the country after finishing their studies. The reason: large numbers of young Kenyans are already unemployed.   Now, some university graduates are turning to agriculture as a way to fight unemployment. They think that farming can be as satisfying as any other business or job.   Thirty-three-year old Caleb Karuga is the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 31st August 2015

  Local maize farmers will be supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group which extended a loan of $25million to Bralirwa Ltd (Brasserie et Limonnaderies du Rwanda), funds that will go to sourcing the maize farmers and support Bralirwa in plans of expanding production of soft drinks.    “The funding will support our extensive program in Gisenyi, Kigali and the Ndego farm.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 31st August 2015

A rural development centre in Ongwediva has launched an animal crushing machine. The machine was made in Ongwediva by artisans at the centre.   The machine processes mahangu, maize, corn and other grains which are used as animal feed.   Nico Aipumbu, a marketing officer at the Ongwediva Rural Development Centre, said requests and demands from visitors of the show last year resulted in the centre creating the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 29th August 2015