A LONG time struggle to transform agriculture is bearing fruit, giving hope for a brighter future. That was the implication in President Jakaya Kikwete’s move when launching an agricultural research facility built by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

“Overcoming the many challenges facing African agriculture is a gigantic task that requires addressing many issues including developing adequate capacities for research in order to develop high yielding and disease-resistant seeds,” said president Kikwete.

The president added: “In 2006, the government of Tanzania developed a comprehensive 14-year Agricultural Sector Development Programme to overcome the challenges. The purpose is to increase agricultural productivity through more application of modern science and technology.”

Read the full article HERE

Serengeti — FARMERS in Serengeti District in Mara Region have generated more than 8bnl/- after selling 2,520 tonnes of tobacco this season.

The Serengeti District Council Executive Director (DED), Ms Goody Pamba, made the revelation during a full council meeting on Wednesday. “Tobacco has earned Serengeti farmers 8.42bn/-from the 2,520.13 tonnes sold this season,” Ms Goody told the Serengeti District Council full meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Serengeti District Council Chairman, John Ng’oina. The district council, she said is keen on ensuring that tobacco farming does not have any negative impact on food security and environmental conservation in the wildlife rich district.

Read the full article HERE

NYARUGENGE DISTRICT LEADERS have embarked on promoting tea and coffee farming to boost household incomes and fight poverty among residents.

With about 62 per cent of its population living under the poverty line, the district remains one of the poorest in the country.

As majority of its population relies entirely on agriculture, local leaders believe developing the sector would significantly uplift the lives of residents and speed up development.

Mayor Francois Habitegeko said the plan is to support tea and coffee farmers to keep on improving the quality and quantity of their crops. The hilly district is favourable to tea and coffee production due to its climate and soil acidity.

Read the full article HERE

Barring any unforseen developments, the Afram Plains will soon give full meaning to its accolade of Ghana’s major food basket.

A tour of the two farming districts of Kwahu Afram Plains North and Kwahu Afrarm Plains South depicted that farmers there are now able to cultivate four times bigger acreages than they did previously, and their output per acre has more than quadrupled, thanks to such simple-but-effective technologies as irrigation pumps, improved seeds and animal breeds.

The Afram Plains District Agriculture Development Project (APDADP) is the brain behind the mechanisation of agriculture and the wonders it is doing in the Afram Plains.

Read the full article HERE

Windhoek — Namibian dieticians are in agreement with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation recommendations this week that eating nutritious insects could help fight obesity.

And for Namibia they recommend mopani worms. In fact the Ministry of Trade and Industry is confident that mopani worms have the potential to become an export item, equal to indigenous products such as the marula oil and silk from moths found on the Acacia tree. “The mopani worm could follow the same route,” opines Minister of Trade and Industry Calle Schlettwein when reached for comment this week. Schlettwein confirmed that his ministry is looking at all commodities to develop as consumer-ready products.

Read the full article HERE