African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina has pledged US$250 000 to a fund which supports young African farmers. Dr Adesina, who this month was awarded the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, said engaging young Africans in agriculture is the solution to the continent’s high unemployment rate. “By empowering the…
The price of soya bean has gone up to K2 700 per ton from K2 200. According to the Zambia Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE), international demand spurred the increase. “The demand for soya beans on the international market has gone up from about September 2017, with buyers offering up to K2…
The 2017 season shows the South African agricultural sector is recovering well after recurring drought that ended in 2016. Large outputs are driving decelerated inflation. According to South African business chamber Agbiz, South African food product price inflation slowed down to 1.9% y/y in August from 3.3% y/y in July…
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev) and agronomists and food scientists from the Stellenbosch University in South Africa’s Western Cape will partner on a R6 million research project on beer producing grains. Dr Nikki Else, Research and Development Manager: Agriculture Africa at AB InBev, said projects on cassava and sorghum will…
A new training academy which recently opened in Zimbabwe will provide the opportunity for local farmers to embrace mechanization in on-field experiences. The Case IH Training Academy is on the BlueSky Farms and will be run in partnership with Case IH, its Zimbabwean distributor Agricon and BlueSky Farms. The Academy,…
President Edgar Lungu has assured farmers that the price of K60/50kg for white maize being offered by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), will be reviewed. The president’s statement comes after he for months refused to be drawn on the deadlock. The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) welcomed the statement. “President…
Zambian forestry officers have seized 138 logs of the endangered mukula tree. The latest incident brings the total to nearly 1 000 logs which were seized by law enforcement officers in the last fortnight. The logs were seized in Kasempa district in North Western Province, when local forestry officials intercepted…
New Holland has just revealed its methane powered concept tractor, taking a step to provide a self-sufficient fuel and lower carbon emission future for farmers. In practice, this means farmers with all the necessary resources won’t have to rely on fossil fuels to power their machinery, but can be energy…
South Africa has moved out of recession and returned to growth. It was driven by a growth in agriculture production after recovering from the worst drought in years. The Financial Times reports that agriculture added 0.7 percentage points to the overall growth of 2.5% the economy experienced in the second…
