South Sudan’s vast agricultural sector potential untapped

The agricultural sector in the independent South Sudan has more potential than the much fancied oil, gas and minerals. However, agriculture has not received the deserved attention from both locals and foreign investors compared to the other three. Compared to Kenya where only a third of the land is arable, Southern Sudan has 80 % [...]

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Activists oppose import of genetically modified foods

Kenya’s environmental and food security activists called on the government to recognize and support organic agriculture practiced by most small scale farmers to avoid imports of genetically modified (GM) foods. Kenya allowed importation of genetically modified food in 2009 and also controlled growing of genetically modified crops. The activists said the introduction of patented seeds [...]

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Horn of Africa Drought, Food Crisis: Agricultural Trade Policies Questioned

Almost twelve million people are in need of food aid because of drought and conflict in the Horn of Africa region, according to many reports. As the crisis grows, some experts are questioning the role of agricultural trade and investment policies in the region. A joint statement from intergovernmental agencies and a humanitarian aid group [...]

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Targeting gaps in the food supply Chain

Agricultural production is only the first step in moving the world’s food from farm to fork, according to Nourishing the Planet, a project of the Worldwatch Institute. The other links in the food chain: harvesting, packaging, storing, transporting, marketing, and selling ensure that food actually reaches consumers. Inefficiencies in these activities, rather than just low [...]

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Tanzania sets $30m for agriculture

Tanzanian Government has set aside over US$ 30m this financial year for rehabilitation and improvement of agricultural infrastructure in the country, it has been revealed. According to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives, the money will be used for rehabilitation and maintenance of agricultural infrastructure and capacity building in various forms to agricultural research [...]

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South Africa should lease farms to black farmers: bank

South Africa should consider leasing farms to previously disadvantaged black farmers with an option to buy to speed up land reform, a financial institution which gives loans to farmers said in a report released. South Africa set a target of handing over 30 percent of commercial farmland to blacks by 2014. But so far only [...]

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Climate change framework does not accommodate agriculture fully

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Assistant Secretary General, Stephen Karangizi, says the existing framework for climate change does not explicitly provide for agriculture in the region. Sustained support to agriculture, including conservation agriculture, and other issues must be discussed by member states. COMESA is going to review regional food security situation and [...]

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SADC centre for agricultural research launched in Botswana

Centre for the Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA), which was established by SADC in 2010 under a charter, launched its center in Botswana on 14 July, 2011. The center is expected to coordinate joint regional research programmes in SADC, facilitate the sharing of research information and resources, as well as [...]

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Report: Climate change will have huge impact on Sahel

A report on the impact of climate change predicts that Mali’s agricultural output will suffer greatly, which could exacerbate problems such as unemployment and security problems. The new report, “Mapping Hotspots of Climate Change and Food Insecurity in the Global Tropics,” contains some grim news for the Sahel. The report predicts that global climate change [...]

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Africa Governments Frustrated by Weak Farmer Credit Schemes

Though some African governments have invested significantly in agricultural credit schemes, weak oversight roles and interest rate distortions undermine their performance. This is because commercial banks are reluctant to effect borrower friendly terms demanded by governments due to internal management hurdles and limited sensitisation within the farming community. The high interest rates were mostly blamed [...]

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