If the country is to import cheap sugar, it would lift some 40,000 families from absolute poverty because it would reduce their spending.   The policy paper ‘Competition in Kenyan Markets and Its Impact on Income and Poverty: A Case Study on Sugar and Maize’ was published in January by the bank’s Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice Group.   Jonathan Argent and Tania Begazo argue that sugar is so dear.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 28th August 2015

Over the years, the Chinese government has supported a number of sectors in the Rwandan economy notably the agricultural sector which employs an estimated 90 per cent of the Rwandan population.    East African Business Week  talked to the Minister of State in Charge of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Tony Nsanganira, on how through the training of farmers and mechanisation of the sector, the Chinese have enabled Rwandan.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

KAMPALA, Uganda - Scientist’s at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) have suggested small scale farmers form cooperatives.    “When small holder farmers form cooperatives, NARO can support them with technical skills to enable them establish community seed banks. When this is done we shall solve the problem of counterfeit seeds  on the market and poor market distribution. Farmers have been alleging.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

KIGALI, Rwanda - Rwanda’s target of boosting exports by 28% every year by 2018 were underpinned by The Apairy Limited, a Singaporean company.   They have presented to Rwandan beekeepers a proposal of partnership last week which once concluded will allow the investor to work directly with honey producers.   Esther Su from The Apiary Ltd expressed the interests on August 17, 2015 while meeting with representatives of 20 honey.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Ever since Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta promised his Ugandan counterpart, President Yoweri Museveni that restrictions on Ugandan sugar imports into Kenya would be eased, a sense of misplaced calamity has befallen the Kenya sugar belt region.   A leading opposition leader said he was not against Ugandan sugar being imported to Kenya, but the Kenya sugar industry must be protected.     Although understandable, this type of.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

FOREIGN exchange earnings from agribusiness have registered substantial growth, thanks to the increase of export price and value of some agriculture products.   The increased flow of export earnings from agriculture is good news to the stability of the shilling that in recent months experienced sharp fall against the US dollars. Despite the growing demand for the US dollars from the importer demand, local currency has of late continued to.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

 Tanzania will invest 800 billion shillings ($380 million) over the next eight years in a new state-run agriculture bank to boost growth in the sector, which has long been stifled by low productivity and a lack of financing.   President Jakaya Kikwete launched the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) on Friday after the government provided 60 billion shillings in seed capital for its establishment.   "Around 75.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th August 2015

 According to Unites States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA) 2015 Tanzania Annual Coffee Report, Tanzania’s coffee production will increase to a record 1.2 million 60 kg bags in the marketing year 2015/2016.   This represents an increase of 25% year after year and is due to improved husbandry practices and favorable weather.   The Government of Tanzania continues to implement its strategic.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 6th August 2015

The two Muslim women in headscarves pull out weeds from between chardonnay vines at a vineyard in north eastern Tunisia. They say that their faith is no barrier to doing their job. "What else can we do? There is no other work," says one of the women. "We don't drink in our family," adds her friend. "But everyone should decide for themselves." The two women continue to tend the rows of budding vines under.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th July 2015

CCM has encouraged coffee farmers to seek good prices of the crop from the neighbouring countries particularly Uganda where buyers are ready to offer 5,000/- per kg.   That offer looks very attractive than 2,000/- offered by the Cooperative Unions locally with Mr Kinana pleading for the authorities to let farmers persue reliable markets for the crop.   Mr Kinana made the remark after farmers complained that some government.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 10th June 2015

 Agriculture accounts for 30% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of EA and it employs over 60% of the population of East Africa. In East Africa, it is reported to have annual value of $50b and this represents a 75% of the Agricultural products being traded from the commodities like maize, rice, potatoes, cassava, beans, wheat among others.   Agricultural performance is critically important to pro-poor growth since it employs over.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 3rd June 2015

 Brookside Dairy Limited has taken over operations of leading Uganda dairy operator Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Limited (SALL), making it the first major acquisition by the Ruiru-based processor outside Kenya’s borders. Brookside Director of Milk Procurement John Gethi told a farmers’ field day in Rushere, western Uganda, that the processor had taken over management of SALL’s contracted farmers and assets, including.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 1st June 2015