Posted on February, 23, 2016 at 10:44 am
Regional News
Egypt establishes model farms in Tanzania, Zambia, Congo
Three model pilot farms have been set up in Tanzania, Zambia and Congo, through an agreement between Egypt's Ministry of agriculture and the governments of the respective countries. The farms have areas ranging between 500 and 600 acres. Director of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, (COMESA), Department at the Ministry of Agriculture Maher El-Maghrabi said the ministry agreed with the three countries to establish farms to produce various crops.
Africa: Cultivating Africa's economic fortunes on the family farm
Agriculture is poised to drive a new era of inclusive economic growth for Africa-but only if we focus on the small, family-run farms that are Africa's main source of employment and produce the majority of what Africans eat. The opportunity is clear. Africa's growing population and expanding middle class are creating a domestic market for food products that will be worth $1 trillion by 2030. But to tap this opportunity for Africa's smallholder farmer, we need to stop thinking about them as subsistence growers and embrace their potential to generate income.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201602190257.html
Kenya News
In eastern Kenya, traditional seeds beat drought and poverty
With perennial droughts, the small-scale farmers have found alternatives to beat climate change and fight hunger. A group of women conserve indigenous seeds — grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits— which are loaned out or sold to farmers during planting seasons. The community-based seed producers are providing an alternative to the escalating costs of hybrid seeds which they say have contributed to low yields as they are prone to pests and diseases.
Extension officers shortage crippling maize farming
Farmers at Cheplaskei, one of the country’s leading maize production regions, attribute numerous factors ranging from erratic rainfall to fake seeds, lack of knowledge on best farming methods, declining soil fertility and unpredictable market for the low maize harvests.
RVR inks chemicals, fertiliser cargo deal with Egyptian traders
Rift Valley Railways is set to become the main inland transporter of Egyptian fertiliser and chemicals from the Mombasa port after signing a memorandum of agreement with the Egyptian export council for chemicals and fertilisers.
Tanzania News
2016 Arusha agriculture exhibition kicks off this Thursday
The Equity for Tanzania is organizing the 2016 Agriculture show, to feature farm machinery and tools and the event is scheduled for the 25th of February this year, at the Arusha Declaration Museum. The Marketing Manager for Equity for Tanzania, Mr Peter Temu, said the show running for three days up to the 27th of February, was likely to reach 15,000 clients this year.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201602220633.html
Uganda News
Ugandan farmers want to cut ties with Bidco
Ugandan farmers want the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to cut ties with Kenya’s Bidco and investigate it for alleged malpractices against Ugandan, Kenyan and Tanzanian growers. Bugala Farmers’ Association opposes Bidco Africa’s membership of the Business Call to Action (BCtA) hosted by UNDP. The firm joined the call committing to create 60,000 jobs across the region by 2019.The petition cites Bidco Africa’s failure to comply with court orders to compensate farmers for their land; and the company’s labour practices in East Africa.
Rwanda News
Farmers need to be made aware of available opportunities
Many farmers of late have been complaining of not fully earning their fair share of their endeavours. In many cases, farmers are the very causes of the existence of speculative business people. Prices are always lower during harvest time because the farmers want to sell their produce as soon as possible. The speculators come in, hold onto the grain until prices are favourable.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201602220268.html
Israel investors establish agriculture training center in Rwanda
Rwanda has given green light to Israel investors to establish a training center that will offer skills for horticulture development. Leo Vinovezky, the Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia, Burundi and Rwanda resident in Addis Ababa said the center will be built at Mulindi and will train extension service providers. The center will be jointly run by the ministry of agriculture and Mashav, an Israel agency for International Development Cooperation. Vinovezky told KT Press that they have vast experience in setting up similar centers of excellence. “We established fifteen Agriculture Centers of Excellence in India. Terrific milestone.” The center will focus on horticulture, fruits and vegetables. “We aim at displaying best practices in irrigation among others,” Vinovezky said. Earlier in 2014, Rwanda had engaged the Israel investors to tap into opportunities in the country. Vinovezky says now, “We enter another stage which is the professional implementation. That is why we are bringing engineers, agronomist and other experts.” Israelis relevant expertise accumulated during its own development experience, as a young country facing similar challenges, believes it can contribute to other developing countries. Mashav said training of trainers and capacity building activities are the best way to achieve maximum impact in development activity.