News

Population growth, changes in food production to create food security challenges in urban areas, researchers

11-07-2019 | 11:50:49

To help predict and mitigate these challenges, a team of interdisciplinary scholars will study the linkages and interactions between urban food security and rural agricultural production.

Pan African Network for economic Analysis of Policies launched to stabilize agriculture, food sectors in Africa

11-07-2019 | 09:00:00

The African Union (AU) - European Union (EU) partnership officially launched the Pan African Network for economic Analysis of Policies, to reinforce the stability of the agriculture and food sectors in Africa.

Nestlé launches Regional Alliance for Youth in sub-Saharan Africa

11-07-2019 | 08:18:43

Nestlé and its regional partners have joined forces to launch the Regional Alliance for Youth in sub-Saharan Africa to promote employability for young people.

[Rwanda] IITA unveils digital application in the fight against bacterial wilt disease in bananas

11-07-2019 | 08:16:26

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Rwanda, together with partners, has launched a digital Application which will serve more than 5,000 farmers across the country.

[South Africa] Wesgro secures R350 million in agribusiness investment deals

11-07-2019 | 08:11:00

Wesgro, the Western Cape government’s mandated international trade and investment promotion agency, has helped secure R350 million worth of agribusiness investment deals in the Western Cape.

[Ethiopia] Scientists develop digital early warning system for wheat rust

11-07-2019 | 08:05:00

Using field and mobile phone surveillance data together with forecasts for spore dispersal an international team of scientists has developed an early warning system which can predict wheat rust diseases in Ethiopia.

Global food pioneers in Ethiopia to map a route to transformative food assistance

11-06-2019 | 07:04:00

The Government of Ethiopia’s National Disaster Risk Management Commission and the United Nations WFP launched a global convening on how to provide ‘Transformative Food Assistance for Zero Hunger.’

WeFarm rakes in $13million to grow its marketplace and network for independent farmers

11-06-2019 | 06:41:00

WeFarm, a farmer-to-farmer digital network currently in Kenya and Uganda has raised $13 million in a Series A round of funding, with plans to use the money to continue adding more users, farmers, and more services geared to their needs.

[Ghana] Parliament protests govt proposed spending of AfDB cocoa production loan

11-05-2019 | 10:58:44

Currently, Ghana produces 850,000 tonnes of cocoa, making it the second-highest producer of the cash crop globally, after Cote D’ Ivoire.

[Zimbabwe] AfDB, World Food Programme seek closer collaboration to improve livelihoods

11-05-2019 | 09:58:00

Once renowned as the breadbasket in southern Africa, Zimbabwe is experiencing serious food shortages with 5.5 million people in rural areas and 2.2 million of the urban population being food insecure, according to VAM.

WFP supports agricultural development in Tunisia through school meals

11-05-2019 | 08:52:00

WFP and the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture signed a US$340,000 agreement to promote local agricultural development and better nutrition through innovative, home-grown school feeding programmes in Siliana, Tunisia.

Ghanaian cocoa farmer wins at the International Cocoa Awards

11-04-2019 | 08:54:00

A Ghanaian cocoa farmer, Mr. Samuel Tetteh-Korboe from Nobi in the Tafo Cocoa District of the Eastern Region won at the 2019 International Cocoa Awards ceremony in Paris, France.

[South Africa] Minister Didiza elected Chairperson of the AU for Agriculture, Rural Dev., Water and Environment

11-04-2019 | 07:38:00

The Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza has been elected the chairperson of the African Union (AU) Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment.

Japan pledges US$2.7 million for food assistance and strong community resilience in Zimbabwe

11-01-2019 | 13:38:00

The Government of Japan announced an additional US$2.7 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) in funding for asset creation and food assistance initiatives in Zimbabwe.

UN food agencies urge more support for southern Africa's hungry people

11-01-2019 | 13:11:00

A record 45 million people across the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) will be severely food insecure in the next six months, United Nations food agencies have warned.

[Column] John Kufuor: Africa’s smallholder farmers are the linchpin to economic success

Food is the most basic of needs. It decides not just the health of individuals but also the health of communities which affects the health of our economies ...read full column here

[Column] Nixon Gecheo: Role of digital agricultural tools during pandemic

Covid-19 has exposed the vulnerabilities of agricultural and food systems in the world but particularly in low and middle-income countries. ...read full column here

[Column] Roux Wildenboer: Farmers, Ferraris and harvesting good investments in Africa

Agriculture for the most part has been a shining light for the continent and the investor community and governments have recognised that agri is a driver of a couple of key aspects... read full column here

INTERVIEWS.

[Interview] Antonio Loureiro, Founder, A Cozinha, Portugal

António Loureiro together with his wife, Isabel, started the restaurant A Cozinha in Portugal in 2016. Fiercely committed to sustainability and zero waste, A Cozinha was recognized in 2021 by the United Nations as one of the … read full interview here.

[Interview] Mario De Alwis, Founder, North Lanka Family Foods, Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan entrepreneur, Mario De Alwis, is founder and Managing Director of North Lanka Family Foods, a subsidiary of Ma’s Kitchen, acknowledged by the United Nations in 2021 as one of the 50 Best Small Businesses in … read full interview here.

[Interview] Marina Rakotondrasoa, CEO, Massöva, Madagascar

Massöva, fondée en 2018 par Marina Rakotondrasoa, est une entreprise agricole reconnue par les Nations Unies comme l'une des 50 meilleures petites entreprises … lire l'interview complète ici.

[Interview] Dexter Tangocci, Co-Founder, Integrated Aerial Systems, South Africa

Dexter Tangocci co-founded Integrated Aerial Systems (IAS) in 2016 and the company since built up a strong presence in the agriculture sector. Recognized in 2021 by the United Nations as one of the 50 Best Small Businesses in the world, IAS is one of only three licensed … read full article here.

[Interview] Ariestelo Asilo, Co-founder, Varacco, Philippines

Ariestelo Asilo, together with co-founder Kath Manto, started Varacco in 2018. The company was in 2021 recognized by the United Nations as one of … read full interview here.

[Interview] Claudia Isabel Barona, Co-Founder, Lifepack, Colombia

Claudia Isabel Barona is a Colombian entrepreneur that co-founded Lifepack, an enterprise producing 100% biodegradable ecological products made from natural fibers and seeds. Lifepack was recognized by the United Nations as … read full article here.

[Interview] Augustine Sensie Bangura, CEO, Sierra Agri Foods, Sierra Leone

Augustine Sensie Bangura is the entrepreneur behind Sierra Agri Foods, an agricultural food processing business selected by the United Nations as one of the 50 Best Small Businesses in the … read full interview here.