A Genetically Modified contamination register report by both the Greenpeace International and Green-watch details 39 new cases of GM crop contamination in 23 countries over the past one year. Most of this contamination involved such stable crops as maize and rice, and included cotton, bananas and papaya. According to the report, since 2005 the GM register has recorded 216 contaminated events in 57 countries since GE crops were first grown commercially in large scale in 1996.

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The inability of the past and present governments in the West African countries to harness the potientials of agriuculture to develop their respective economies is no doubt a major factor against the development of the sub-region. Chinyere Elele writes that the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) is set to assist its member states in agricultural production. With it’s tropical climate, rich soil and elatively adequate rainfall, the West African sub- egion is regarded as one of the most naturally endowed areas for agricultural production.

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Potatoes production in Rwanda can be improved if biotechnology is used, says Dr. Jan Krenze, project coordinator of International Potato Center (CIP). Biotechnology is any technique that uses living organisms or substances from those organisms, to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals. It involves gene transformation and the use of chemicals. In potato production, it enhances disease and weevil resistant potato species.

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The first consignment of 500 processed chickens and 4,000 chicks imported from Uganda have been delivered to Rwanda.

The poultry products were supplied by Ugachick Poultry Breeders in Uganda and arrived in Rwanda last week following the announcement that Rwanda lifted the ban on importing Ugandan poultry and its products.

“We resumed exporting our products but the orders are still small because some people are not aware about the lifting of the ban. We shall be exporting 4,000 chicks and 500 pieces of processed chicken weekly until the market stabilises,” Immaculate Nabatte, manager sales and marketing, Ugachick Poultry Breeders Limited said, adding that before Rwanda imposed the ban, Ugachick used to export 8,000 chicks and 1,000 processed chicken to Rwanda weekly.

With the ban, exports to Eastern DR Congo and Burundi stopped-as the products could not be transported through Rwanda. “We are optimistic that the business will start booming soon now,” Nabatte concluded.

Exceeding the R2 billion mark for the first time, the Capespan Group’s revenue rose by 19,4% from R1,79 billion to R2,14 billion. Operating profit (adjusted EBIT) was up by 157% to R98,7m.

After releasing the group’s abridged 2007 report, managing director Neil Oosthuizen reported that headline earnings per share also showed good improvement from 15,3 cents to 20 cents per share – up 30,7%.

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