Posted on February, 24, 2016 at 10:34 am
Regional News
West Africa: Gambia hosts regional training on harmonised seed policy
The Minister of Agriculture Ismaila Sanyang Monday presided over the opening of a sub-regional training on variety cataloguing in the implementation of the Harmonised Regional Seed Policy held at a local hotel in Bijilo. The forum brought together participants from Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201602231393.html
Kenya News
Relief for farmers as 104,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers expected end month
A consignment of 104,000 metric tonnes of subsidized fertilizer is expected at the Port of Mombasa by the end of the month ahead of the planting season. Bett blamed logistic issues for the delay in importing the fertilizer but assured farmers supplies will be available to them in different depots across the country beginning of March.
45 students for irrigation training in Israel
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday flagged off 25 Kenyan students to travel to Israel for irrigation studies in an effort to boost Kenya's food production. The three-week programme will benefit 45 students from Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) in a scholarship by the Israeli government. The President flagged off the first group of 25. The second one of 20 students will travel to Israel after the first returns.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201602230411.html
Kenya inks agriculture, irrigation deal with Israel
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have signed a deal on irrigation and agriculture that could boost the one million acre Galana-Kulalu project. Israel has played a key role at the Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme, having extended a Sh7 billion loan for the development of the 10,000-acre model farm. The agreement was signed Tuesday in Jerusalem, Israel, where Mr Kenyatta is on a three-day State visit.
Tanzania News
Agricultural stakeholders' conference starts next Friday
The second Annual Agricultural Policy Conference (AAPC) that will bring together over 150 stakeholders is scheduled to take place for three days between Friday and Sunday in the country's commercial city, Dar es Salaam. The conference which is organised by Policy Analysis Group (PAG), according to media statement issued, aimed at making strategic contributions to the implementation of Tanzania's development vision and the identification of concrete actions necessary on food security, jobs creation and poverty reduction in the context of the Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP II) agenda.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201602231325.html
Over 836 farmers remove khat from their farms
More than 836 farmers from among 1300 engaged in Khat farming in the Same District have decided to uproot the crop from their farms. The farmers reached the decision a few days ago since Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa directed the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner to deal with those engaged in illegal farming.
Uganda News
Bidco hits back over Uganda farmers lobby’s land claims
Edible oil manufacturer Bidco has dismissed compensation claims raised by Kalangala farmers’ lobby saying its involvement in Uganda’s palm oil development project does not include land transaction. Edible oil manufacturer Bidco has dismissed compensation claims raised by Kalangala farmers’ lobby saying its involvement in Uganda’s palm oil development project does not include land transaction.
Rwanda News
Central Bank governor on the spot over interest rates
Members of Parliament yesterday urged officials from the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) to help bring down the interest rates for acquiring loans. The public has continually complained about the high interest rates charged by commercial banks and savings cooperatives, prompting the legislators to demand answers from the Governor of the central bank, John Rwangombwa, and his team. The call was made during a one-day consultative meeting in the Lower House through which MPs sought to understand the country’s monetary policy. Clients pay between 16 and 18 per cent in annual interest rates for loans from commercial banks, while they pay about 24 per cent to get loans from Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Umurenge-SACCOs). The rates are too high to positively drive people’s economic activities and the central bank should do something to reverse the situation, several MPs argued. Even as policy-makers and financial market players argue that interest rates are lower than in regional countries, for example in Kenya and Uganda where commercial banks hiked rates to as high as 27 per cent last year, many legislators say they should be revised downwards.
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2016-02-24/197357/