Instead of examining how climate change will affect the broadest territories with the most exposure to climate change, researchers are going to the countries that are most convenient for them to visit and study, says Cullen Hendrix, a professor in International Studies at Denver University, United States. “When I examined…
Despite opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), a number of development donors are now openly investigating and funding research of the technology as a means to feed a growing population, increasing yields and responding to environmental challenges. According to Devex, donors are pushing back against negative perceptions around GMOs after…
The Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it will not release maize to millers because there is enough on the open market. FRA Executive Director Chola Kafwabulula said there was an estimated 3 million tons of maize on the market from last season’s bumper harvest of 3.6 million. “There is…
An ambitious programme to farm apples in Ethiopia has been set back by diseases and pests. The worst affected was the Tigray region, where farmers were earning substantial income from apple production. According to the Tigray Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the spread of diseases was largely to lack of knowledge…
Kenya’s coffee earnings dropped by 13% in the last 4 months as international prices for the commodity fell. According to Kenya’s Daily Nation, the average price decreased from Sh25 000 (US$255)/50 kg to Sh23 300 (US$230)/50 kg. Prices on Kenya’s main grading platform, the New York Coffee Exchange dropped to…
Heavy rains continue to fall across Zambia, prompting flood alerts by the nation’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). According to DMMU, the heavy rains are expected to continue until the end of month, and will be concentrated in Lusaka, North-Western, Southern and Western provinces. “Take precautionary measures as flooding…
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has accused millers inflating mealie meal prices to coerce government to offload cheaper grain on the market. “It is blackmail. There is no shortage. Millers are trying to force government to dip into strategic national reserves for their own benefit,” ZNFU President Jervis Zimba…
Zambian bean producers in Muchinga Province have earmarked 3 000 hectares to grow beans as the area readies for the launch of a US$10 million plant. Area traditional leader Mathias Mphande told local media exports of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) to China and neighbouring countries will start next year. “Beans…
The Zambian maize market is in a crunch following a standoff between millers and traders, sparking fears of price hike in mealie meal prices. This is as the price of maize went up to nearly US$1 700/ton from US$1 200/ton. The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) accuses traders of holding…
A World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) pilot of growing multipurpose, fast growing leguminous trees such as gliricidia (gliricidia sepium), grevillea robusta and melia is helping hundreds of smallholder Tanzanian farmers build resilient farming systems. The pilot, conducted in collaboration with Africa Rising Project, has seen Tanzanian farmers in soil erosion-battered districts…
Zambian Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya has been moved and replaced by Fisheries and Livestock Minister, Michael Katambo. President Edgar Lungu’s Spokesperson, Amos Chanda, announced the changes on Wednesday. Siliya has been moved to Ministry of Broadcasting and Information. She will also act as the government’s Chief Spokesperson. The incumbent, Kampamba…
As the outcry over delayed inputs stretched late into the planting season, Zambian Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya has warned she will dismiss officers found wanting in handling the 2017/’18 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). “Make no mistake, those found wanting will be dealt with. This will be the biggest dismissal…
Improving animal health and welfare standards is key to increasing food production in ways that protect the environment and enhance resilience of livestock farmers, says the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). “Animal health and welfare are two cornerstones for the future of globally diversified livestock production,” said Monique Eloit,…
More than 100 000 Zambian smallholder farmers under the government’s Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) are still in limbo. The programme, which was rolled out on a complete electronic voucher (e-voucher) payment system for the first time, targets 1 million farmers. “I have instructed the permanent secretary to ensure that…
Southern Africa faces food deficits as a result of prolonged dry spells and fall armyworm, says the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This comes as the Zambian agricultural think-tank the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) predicted the climatic and crop disease factors would negatively impact this year’s…
The Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) is predicting heavy rains and floods in the southern and western parts of Zambia. The forecast comes as the 2 regions recover from a long dry-spell that has seen damage to crops. “The pattern of heavy rainfall and floods is likely to persist into the…
Malawi has banned maize exports in an effort to fortify its food reserves in light of a damaging drought. Exacerbating the situation is an outbreak of fall armyworm. This, as its neighbour Zambia recorded an increase in maize prices due to scanty supply. The ban in Malawi comes barely 3…
The University of Africa (UoA) in Zambia will offer scalable and affordable on-farm solutions to rural smallholder farmers, says Chungu Kabaso, Head of Business and Development studies. Kabaso says the initiative will be piloted in Luapula Province this year, where an estimated 10 000 smallholder farmers will benefit from university’s…
The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) says Zambia will face another wheat deficit this year. Last year, the nation was short of 250 000 tons of the national consumption of 540 000 tons. MAZ President Andrew Chintala says producers have not indicated whether they have harvested sufficient stocks this year…
The southern parts of Zambia have finally received rain. Southern Province Agriculture Coordinator Max Choombe said the survival of the rain-fed crops will depend on the amount of rainfall received in coming weeks. “The province recorded good rainfall in the last week, and it is expected this will continue for…
The Zambian government has partnered with the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) to promote new rice varieties to increase productivity and improve the nation’s food security. The rice varieties being piloted require less water compared to the existing varieties, mature quickly and offer high yields. The pilot project…
The Zambian government and European Union (EU) are finalising plans to implement a 5-year irrigation project estimated at €14 million. The project, coming in the wake of intensified calls for investment in irrigation to mitigate erratic rainfall patterns, will be piloted among thousands of smallholder farmers in selected districts of…
Zambian farmers who lost herds of pigs from the African swine fever (AFS) in recent months will get ex gratia payment, said President Edgar Lungu. Though there is now law that allows for compensation to farmers whose animals died of diseases, Lungu said payments must be made to the affected…
Rising imports of fish from China, coupled by uncontrolled fishing, is negatively affecting local producers, say Kenyan fish farmers. Kenya’s Daily Nation reports that imported Chinese fish are being sold at below the cost of production, stifling local fish farmers and traders. “These imports are being sold directly at retailers…
