Posted on March, 8, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Regional News
Develop new agro strategies - African countries told
African countries should formulate and develop new strategies aimed at tackling outstanding challenges affecting the agricultural sector in general and grain legumes subsection, Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa has said.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201603071831.html
S.Sudan to boost EAC market
Going by the saying that big is better, the admission of South Sudan the East African Community (EAC), is destined to enhance trade within the region, experts say. The admission makes South Sudan the sixth nation of the EAC bloc thus creating a common market of about 162 million people.
Kenya News
Insurance companies announces new cover for maize farmers
APA Insurance, alongside six other insurance companies, (Amaco, CIC, Heritage, Jubilee, and Kenya Orient & UAP) has launched a new multi-peril micro-insurance product that covers smallholder maize farmers against poor yields as a result of adverse climatic conditions, disease and damages by insects. The Area Yield Index Insurance will be provided in partnership with the Government of Kenya, which is offering a 50 per cent subsidy on insurance premium for up to five acres per farmer.
CAK raids fertiliser firms Mea, Yara over price fixing
The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) Monday raided two fertiliser firms on suspicion of engaging in price fixing. The CAK stormed Nakuru-based Mea Limited and the Yara East Africa, a subsidiary of Yara International, in search of documents to help unravel alleged uncompetitive practices between the two firms—who control about 60 per cent of the fertiliser market.
How Sh2.51tr national cake will be shared
Earlier in the week, the Committee had requested the National Treasury to factor in reallocation of funds within the budget ceiling of various ministries and State agencies and also asked for an additional Sh143.1 billion to be allocated to fund various programmes. Among the top vote heads that received most funds for expenditure include the national interest programmes which received Sh71.95 billion. The money will go towards enhancing national security (Sh18.9 billion), national irrigation and fertiliser clearance (Sh9.5 billion), youth empowerment (Sh11.62 billion), national social safety net (Sh14.35 billion) and the schools digital literacy programme (Sh17.58 billion).
http://www.mediamaxnetwork.co.ke/people-daily/204887/how-sh2-51tr-national-cake-will-be-shared/
Tanzania News
U.S. Raises U.S.$100,000 for Tanzania Farmers
The United States of Africa Development Foundation (USADF) has raised $100,000 to help farmers. The beneficiaries involve groups of more than 20 members in 11 Tanzania regions, including Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Mbeya, among others.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201603071419.html
Uganda News
Development with quality seed
In terms of execution, it's a matter of balancing both delegation and active involvement as a manager especially in critical areas and each comes with challenges and opportunities. For instance, as a manager, when you delegate, it is hands off but eyes remain on. Also, you also take responsibility for the rubbish or good work that comes out of it.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201603072245.html
Rwanda News
Kabuye marshland rice farmers uncertain over drought, floods
A combination of drought and flooding could create food insecurity for rice farmers in Kabuye marshland in Gasabo District. Drought hit part of the area, leading to delayed planting of rice, officials said, but in another area water has submerged rice gardens. Farmers in parts of the marshland zones known as Gasanze, Rutongo (Southern) and Rutongo (North) said hunger looms as they did not plant rice on time. Planting activities are normally carried out in December but they are yet to plant due to water shortage. Yet farmers in the rest of the marshland who had planted are predicting poor harvest due to flooding that wreck their plantations. “We would have planted in December last year, but you see that we are cultivating now when others are in the weeding period. This means that we could have famine when others will be harvesting,” said Epiphanie Mukasoni, a farmer in Kabuye marshland, Gasanze zone, that suffers water shortage.
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2016-03-08/197774/