Category: Agriculture

FG Launches GMO TELA Maize Seeds in Nigeria

19Jun

By adminNo Comments

Agriculture, Nigeria, Science

FG Launches GMO TELA Maize Seeds in Nigeria

Nigeria’s federal government has launched a new Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) maize variety named TELA, despite widespread concerns and opposition from citizens. The initiative, ostensibly aimed at boosting maize production, has been criticized as prioritizing corporate and governmental interests over public health and ecological safety. The TELA maize was developed at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in collaboration with the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF). The project received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other partners. See Also: Nigeria: Why I Spoke Directly to Nigerian Leaders – Bill Gates At the launch event in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sena...

The U.S to Support Nigeria’s Cocoa Value Chain with a $22million Project

24Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

African Development, Agriculture, United States of America

The U.S to Support Nigeria’s Cocoa Value Chain with a $22million Project

The United States and Lutheran World Relief are both in a cooperative agreement to support the cocoa value chain in Nigeria. See Also: World Bank To Fund $900 Million Development Projects In East Congo The Program indicated as the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress is valued at $22 million. The program will be followed through the next five years with roughly 68,000 farmers across Abia, Cross River, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, and Osun State benefiting from the program. It is focused on farmers in high-density and high-producing communities as well as those in low productivity but sited in highly promising areas. The program aims to increase cocoa productivity, improve access to inputs, and improve processing and export markets. Speaking on the program's a...

Gov Soludo Prohibits the Open Grazing of Cattle in Anambra

21Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Agriculture, News

Gov Soludo Prohibits the Open Grazing of Cattle in Anambra

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has prohibited the movement and open grazing of cattle in all parts of Anambra State. Governor Soludo made the decision with the members of the Anambra State Cattle Menace Committee at the Government House in Awaka, He said the ban was to complement the 2021 anti-open grazing law of the State. He also assured that the newly implemented law would be enforced and effective from September. See Also: Gov Soludo Lauds Peter Obi’s Management Quality Governor Soludo lauded the members of the Anambra State Cattle Menace Committee for their previous efforts, he also added that while the people of Anambra and Herdsmen have lived in harmony, the herdsmen must abide by the law of the state while conducting their business. “Now t...

Four Million At Risk Amid Kenya Food Crisis – UN

11Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Agriculture, Kenya, News

Four Million At Risk Amid Kenya Food Crisis – UN

More than four million people are facing high levels of food insecurity in Kenya, according to new data released by the UN. This figure has risen from just over three million people last year. Over 900,000 children below the age of five have been found to be acutely malnourished. The entire country’s north, and much of the north-eastern regions, are facing food insecurity at crisis or emergency levels, the data classification shows. The March to May rainfall has been low, irregular and poorly distributed in much of the distressed regions, which has affected production of food. Read Also: Northern Ugandans Face Starvation As Hunger Bites – UN Aside from a prolonged drought, the crisis has been worsened by a rise in food prices because of the spike in the cost of fuel,...

Northern Ugandans Face Starvation As Hunger Bites – UN

9Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Agriculture, News, Uganda

Northern Ugandans Face Starvation As Hunger Bites – UN

More than half a million people in Uganda’s north-eastern region of Karamoja are facing a high risk of hunger and starvation, according to a study by several UN agencies. Those affected are about 40% of the population in the region. In Moroto district alone, more than half of the population goes without any meal for a full day and night at least three times a month, the study found. The region has also witnessed high levels of malnutrition, especially among children under the age of five. In some cases, mothers were forced to feed their babies on a local brew made from sorghum. Read Also: UN Urges Urgent Action To Avert Famine In Somalia The semi-arid region normally has one rainy season a year and has had historical food security challenges. But an escalation of ...

UN Urges Urgent Action To Avert Famine In Somalia

8Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Agriculture, News

UN Urges Urgent Action To Avert Famine In Somalia

The UN has warned that Somalia is heading towards a famine as the country faces its worst drought in at least four decades. Currently, close to half of the population is facing crisis-level food insecurity. The UN’s humanitarian co-ordinator for the country, Adam Abdelmoula, has said the international community must act now or more people will die. He said the country was on the brink of devastating and widespread hunger and mass starvation that could claim hundreds of thousands of lives. Read Also: 20 Million Farmers In Africa To Benefit From $1.5 billion Emergency Food Facility Four consecutive rainy seasons have failed and the UN estimates the ensuing severe drought has affected seven million people and displaced more than 800,000. At the same time, food prices ar...

Vietnam Develops ‘World’s First’ African Swine Fever Vaccine For Commercial Use

2Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Agriculture, News

Vietnam Develops ‘World’s First’ African Swine Fever Vaccine For Commercial Use

Vietnam said on Wednesday it had successfully developed a vaccine to administer to pigs to fight African swine fever, with the aim of becoming the first country to commercially produce and export it. African swine fever, one of the most devastating livestock diseases, was first detected in Vietnam in February 2019 and forced the country to cull around 20% of its hog herd last year. It originated in Africa before spreading to Europe and Asia and has killed hundreds of millions of pigs globally. African swine fever is harmless to humans. “This is a milestone of the veterinary industry,” deputy agriculture minister Phung Duc Tien said in a statement. “With immunity lasting six months, the vaccine will be a shield for hog-raising industry and pig production globally.” Read ...

Eat Cassava If Wheat Is Expensive, President Museveni Tells Ugandans

23May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Agriculture, Cost of Living, Economy, News, Uganda

Eat Cassava If Wheat Is Expensive, President Museveni Tells Ugandans

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni says his government will not intervene in the current economic situation amid a rising cost of living. Prices of petroleum products, imported raw materials and food have been rising in recent months, a crisis being experienced globally following the war in Ukraine. In a televised national address on Sunday night, Mr Museveni said that government subsidies or removal of import taxes would collapse the economy. There would be a haemorrhage of dollars from the national reserves for the purchase of those expensive products, he added. Read Also: Peter Obi Warns That Nigerians Now Spend 100% Of Salary On Food Mr Museveni said Uganda will need to frugally use the imported items it can afford. He advised citizens to substitute expensive whea...

20 Million Farmers In Africa To Benefit From $1.5 billion Emergency Food Facility

21May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Agriculture, News

20 Million Farmers In Africa To Benefit From $1.5 billion Emergency Food Facility

The African Development Bank has approved a $1.5 billion emergency food production facility for 20 million farmers on the continent. This is aimed at reducing the looming food crisis driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the bank announced on Friday. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is further disrupting a global and liberalized food system that was already undermined by COVID and the unfolding climate crisis. Read Also: Kwara State to Partner AfDB on Infrastructure Devt., Women Empowerment The funding is meant to assist Africa overcome a shortage of at least 30 million metric tonnes of food due to the disruption of global food supplies caused by the conflict in Europe, especially for wheat, maize and soybeans imported from Russia and the Ukraine. The facility was designe...

Drought Killed 70 Kenyan Elephants In One Year

20May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Agriculture, Environment, Kenya, News

Drought Killed 70 Kenyan Elephants In One Year

Over 70 elephants have died in the last year as a result of the ongoing drought affecting all of East Africa, Kenya’s Tourism Minister Najib Balala has said. The animals were in Tsavo National Park, one of the country’s oldest parks. It is also one of the world’s largest wildlife reserves. The Kenyan authorities fear the ecosystem will experience more wildlife deaths if the drought continues. A number of giraffes have also died, said Mr Balala. Read Also: Elephants Killed 60 Zimbabweans this Year – Official "We have an abundance of wildlife but still every animal counts and we care if one goes down," he added. The Kenyan government is aiming to use an old dam to create water pans in the area to prevent further wildlife deaths. The drought in East Africa has also a...