The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition now has commitments from private investors totaling more than $10 billion, U.S. and African officials announced at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. These new investments are expected to create about 650,000 jobs and reach over 5 million small-holder farmers in initial New Alliance and Grow Africa countries, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said in a press release. This.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 2nd September 2014

 THE country's agriculture sector will get 60 million US dollars (about 100bn/-) in investment guarantees from World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to boost growth and tame poverty.  MIGA Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Michel Wormser said in Dar es Salaam on Thursday that the agency will partner with the United States government agency, Overseas Private Investment Corp to boost foreign direct.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 29th August 2014

 Momabsa — President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for the formulation of policies that will unlock the country's potential in coconut farming.     He said commercialization of the coconut sub sector - which is capable of contributing up to Kshs 25 billion annually - would boost the economy of the Coast region.     "Time and again, research has shown that oil and nut crops have huge potential to contribute.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 29th August 2014

 THE country's agriculture sector will get 60 million US dollars (about 100bn/-) in investment guarantees from World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to boost growth and tame poverty.     MIGA Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Michel Wormser said in Dar es Salaam on Thursday that the agency will partner with the United States government agency, Overseas Private Investment Corp to boost foreign.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 29th August 2014

The Governmnet of Rwanda has received a US$15m grant from the Japanese Government to fund an irrigation scheme in Ngoma District, Rwanda, which will be implemented by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).   The funds will be used for the construction of dams, 900,000 meter cubes water reservoir, regulating tanks, irrigation canals, bridges, and a solar power unit. It will also provide solar panels, pump facilities and help.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 25th August 2014

 THE government and other agriculture stakeholders have been urged to recognise and promote mushroom farming in the country. Mushroom farming, which is growing at a fast pace in Southern regions - Lindi and Mtwara - has yet to be recognised despite the fact that it is one of the activities that take place throughout the year involving less investment capital and labour. The farmers who narrated the importance of mushroom to the 'Daily.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

 About 60 percent of the crops in the Kenyan farms are lost due to pest and disease attack, costing farmers huge harvests and financial investments. Although the crop specialists highly recommend for the use of the expensive inorganic pesticides due to their scientifically proven efficiencies, many small scale farmers across the country are opting for the cheaper traditional remedies. While the most commonly used chemicals available.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

 You have heard of cases where mosquito nets have been used for other purposes, such as fishing or protecting vegetable gardens. Well, the idea around agronets is not too far from what farmers and fishermen do with mosquito nets, only these nets are made specifically for farmers. Agronet technology involves the use of agricultural synthetic nets that have been tested and can be used in managing key pests in horticultural crops. Pests.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

 Northern Tanzania’s vegetable growers have started embracing AgroNet technology, which encourages the use of netting in horticulture to control crop pests. Florence Nkini is one of small-scale vegetable growers on the slopes of the Africa’s highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro, who have started benefiting from the new technology. Like other farmers in Koboko village of Siha district, Kilimanjaro region, Florence grows different.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

 African suppliers are ready to export up to 100 000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables per week, previously delivered into Russia via EU. African producers intend to increase the direct export to Russia, bypass the European countries, - announced Elena Nagornaya, the President of the Trade Alliance of African countries in Russia. According to the results of 2014, East African countries have the opportunity to increase export of fresh.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

THE Cotton and Textile Development Programme (CTDP) is promoting 20 high-performing farmers to become village-based agro dealers in-charge of quality inputs.     The dealers, according to CTDP Input Market Manager Ms Lillian Magak, have been trained by experts from the Arusha-based Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI) to ensure that they buy seeds on time, and from reliable sources.     "TPRI taught.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

 South Africa has become home to Africa’s first Seed Care Institute as agribusiness Syngenta on Tuesday opened its eleventh research and development (R&D) facility  The Africa Middle East (AME) Seed Care Institute, established at the company’s formulation, fill and packing plant, in the North West, aimed to stimulate the developing and testing of seed treatment and protection technologies to address the challenges of.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014