tagresults
Esri partner QSIT implements AI solution for Egyptian agriculture sector
Esri , the global leader in location intelligence, announced the Egyptian partner Quality Standards for Information Technology (QSIT), has successfully implemented the Crop Mapping and Field Boundary Detection solution.
Dangote Fertilizer to train farmers in the South East
Good times are ahead for farmers in the South-East geopolitical zone as Dangote Fertilizer has promised to train them on better ways of farming to obtain bumper yields…
FAO and the African Union Commission launch a guide to help countries enter Africa's new single market
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the African Union Commission's Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development (AUC-DARBE) have launched a guide to boosting intra-African agricultural trade under the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
FMC Corporation announces executive leadership change in EMEA region
FMC Corporation (FMC), the global agricultural sciences company, announced Marc Hullebroeck, FMC vice president and president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, will retire from the company at the end of June 2021.
Climate change taking a toll on Ethiopian coffee, study
Ethiopia may produce less specialty coffee and more rather bland tasting varieties in the future.
QSIT implements Artificial Intelligence solution for Egyptian agriculture sector
To meet challenges such as crop disease, weed management, pest control, and irrigation, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute (AEnRI) sought to increase agricultural output in different regions all over Egypt.
USAID launches $3 million grants to support food security challenge in Nigeria
In launching the Challenge, USAID seeks commercially viable youth-led and mid-stage companies already working in food production, processing, and distribution.
[Kenya] Family Bank partners with USAID to finance agribusiness
Through an initiative dubbed ‘Pay for Results’, the bank targets to provide financing across dairy, horticulture, livestock and energy for agriculture value chains.
IFAD, Islamic Development Bank invest $500 million to address impacts of climate change among rural communities
Using their own resources, IFAD and IsDB will jointly finance priority projects in some of their 57 common member countries over the next five years with a cofinancing target of $500 million.
[Column] Apollos Nwafor: How Africa can rebuild through agriculture
The COVID-19 pandemic has created massive disruption in agri-food systems around the world. It has compounded the food security situation globally.
[Column] Baiju Kantaria: Kenya and UK should do more to cement trade ties
In this context, the prevailing diplomatic tiff between Kenya and UK over travel bans occasioned by concerns over new COVID-19 variants shouldn’t be allowed to escalate any further.
ITFC, Cameroon sign a $750 million agreement to support key sectors
Through this framework agreement, ITFC will also be extending its support to SMEs and private sector through financing facilities to local banks and financial institutions.
USAID launches agriculture consortium to combat threat of infectious diseases to human and animal health
The five-year, $33 million consortium will harness innovation to sustainably improve animal health, strengthen animal agriculture production systems in Asia and Africa and enhance global health security.
ACTESA develops over four million seed labels to grow in-country seed trade
The labels will enable companies engage in regional seed trade for large seed consignments crossing the borders and in-country seed trade in smaller packages.
Global food prices rise for 10th month in a row, FAO index
Global food commodity prices rose in March, marking their tenth consecutive monthly increase, with quotations for vegetable oils and dairy products leading the rise.
[Nigeria] Dangote Fertilizer to train farmers on good agricultural practices
The fertilizer company which has commenced operations has the capacity to meet and exceed the domestic demand for fertilizer across the country.
Digital information service helps small scale farmers respond to COVID-19
As movement restrictions and other safety measures took hold across Kenya, the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) created a mobile phone–based information service as a way to respond to the crisis and keep farmers better informed.
[Column] Akinwumi Adesina, Patrick Verkooijen: African agriculture is ready for a digital revolution
After a dark 2020, a new year has brought new hope. In Africa, where up to 40 million more people were driven into extreme poverty and the continent experienced its first recession in 25 years.
African fisheries need reforms to boost resilience after Covid-19, study
The African fisheries sector could benefit substantially from proper infrastructure and support services, which are generally lacking. The sector currently grapples with fragile value chains and marketing.
AgDevCo invests $3 million in East Africa poultry company Uzima Chicken
AgDevCo has announced a $3.0 million follow-on mezzanine debt investment into Uzima Chicken Limited, a poultry company operating in Rwanda and Uganda.
InspiraFarms partners with Ifria to develop cold chain tech in West and North Africa
Ifria and InspiraFarms are partnering following a mutual concern. Over 40% of food produce in Africa spoils before it reaches a consumer, approaching 60% for fresh produce in Sub Saharan Africa and North Africa.
[Rwanda] AgriGO apps to empower the local smallholder farmer to grow financially
AgriGO apps, is primarily assisting a farmer to improve the current yield, by availing the right, modern and personalized best practices in farming through personalized SMS in local languages.
eco.business Fund receives €85m for biodiversity conservation in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa
The eco.business Fund received an investment of €85 million from its strategic partner, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via KfW Development Bank.
[Morocco] Amethis to invest in irrigation systems to increase agricultural productivity
Through its advanced micro-irrigation solutions, Amethis investment will help farmers reduce water inputs while improving their productivity.
The Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program extends support for OCP Africa’s Agribooster Program in Côte d’Ivoire
The program will benefit 20,000 farmers. It serves as an end-to-end value chain solution that brings together all the conditions necessary for improving rice productivity and small farmers revenues.
[Interview] Gad Akonkwa, PDG, JUNAF DRC
Gad Akonkwa est le PDG de JUNAF, une entreprise agroalimentaire qui est spécialisée dans la transformation des jus de fruits et legumes en République Démocratique du Congo.
Rwanda farmers receive smartphones to boost new age agriculture
Female leaders of farming cooperatives in Rwanda have been given smartphones to sensitize farmers on agriculture best practices under the #ConnectRwanda initiative.
Rwanda banks on tech to get 18% households out of food insecurity
Experts in the agriculture sector have called for robust efforts to increase production and availability of nutritious food following revelations that over 18 per cent of the country’s households face food insecurity.
[Kenya] Co-op Bank receives $10 million from eco.business Fund for on lending to agribusinesses
The eco.business Fund has provided its first investment in Kenya in the amount of $10 million to Co-operative Bank of Kenya ,Co-op Bank, one of the commercial banks in the country.
John Deere set to expand construction brand into 18 African countries
The expansion, which will include the availability of backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders, and crawler dozers, will be sold and supported by independent, newly appointed John Deere dealers, to be announced.
Kenya’s agriculture sector umbrella body ASNET lauds Kenya-UK trade pact
The trade deal allows tariff-free market access for Kenyan top agricultural exports to UK including vegetables, fruits, flowers, coffee and tea.
[Column] Nelson Maina: The nexus between steep pump price hike and agriculture in Kenya
While we think of farming as a soil business therefore insulated from fuel cost hikes, nothing could be further from the truth. Farms purchase inputs are transported by motorized means through the retailer, distributor and manufacturer.
[Nigeria] Nestlé, Technoserve unveil project targeting 5,000 farmers in four value chains
Nestlé, IDH the Sustainable Trade Initiative, and TechnoServe have announced the launch of the Developing Inclusive Grain Value Chains project.
Zimbabwe agritech startup Farmhut secures investment to scale operations
Zimbabwe agritech startup Farmhut has received $US100 000 investment from the Hult Prize Foundation. This follows through the Hult Prize accelerator program of the 2020 cohort.
[Sierra Leone] Capitol Foods receives $1 million debt facility to boost expansion
Cordaid Investment Management (CIM) and Triodos-Hivos Fund, two Netherlands-based impact investment funds, have co-financed Capitol Foods’ expansion of its local fruit processing capacity to meet the growing demand for its Sierra Juice beverage products.
[Egypt] Kemin becomes a majority shareholder in animal vaccine company MEVAC
Kemin Industries is growing its presence in the global vaccine market by becoming majority shareholder of MEVAC, an animal vaccine manufacturer based in Cairo, Egypt.
[Interview] Daniel Wa Mukina, PDG, DIMbusiness family, DRC
Daniel Wa Mukina est le PDG de DIMbusiness family, une firme congolaise de futurs créateurs d'entreprises donnant un sens aux projets des entrepreneurs ainsi que lever les fonds pour financer les différents projets.
[Morocco] Heavy rainfall improves the productivity of agriculture and fruit exports
The heavy rainfall Morocco has experienced in the last three months has had a “very positive impact” on the country’s 2020-21 agricultural season.
ASIP Accelerator Program open for applications from disruptive startups in Africa
To develop the potential of startups driving the internet economy, Telecel Group has opened applications for the ASIP Accelerator Program powered by Startupbootcamp AfriTech.
Heifer International and Rwandan government announce $10 million investment in livestock farmers
Heifer International, and the Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture have announced a partnership to invest more than $10 million in livestock and training for 23,400 smallholder farming households.
[Ghana] Upfield joins Global Shea Alliance
Upfield has also registered as a GSA sustainability partner, committing to promoting the sustainable development of the shea sector. Joining the Global Shea Alliance is an important component of Upfield’s sustainability strategy.
Morocco records rise in fruits and vegetable exports to UK post Brexit
Moroccan exports of fruit and vegetables to the United Kingdom have grown exponentially, following the Union’s withdrawal from the EU.
[Côte d’Ivoire] Magnum commits to planting 465,000 trees where much of its cocoa is sourced
Magnum, the ice cream brand famous for its cracking chocolate, has announced a tree planting programme in the Cavally Forest region in Côte d’Ivoire.
FAO builds stronger veterinary diagnostic laboratories in West and Central Africa
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has buillt stronger veterinary diagnostic laboratories in ten countries in West and Central Africa.
Green Climate Fund approves $80m in FAO-led projects in Congo and Jordan
Two FAO-designed projects, one focusing on agroforestry in sub-Saharan Africa and the other on water management in the Near East, received $80 million, paving the way to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
IDC, partners launch $340m fund to support black farmers in South Africa
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) launched a joint Agri-Industrial Fund to support black farmers in South Africa.
[Zimbabwe] EU invests €5 million in climate-smart innovations in livestock production
The European Union-funded, Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-Zim) Project has been launched in Buhera District, Zimbabwe.
Kenya unveils online platform that automates export and import licensing of key cash crops
Kenya Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, has launched a system that automates issuance of import and export services provided by the Agriculture and Food Authority of Kenya (AFA), the government regulatory agency.
[Kenya] Safaricom Foundation supports youth in agribusiness in Ksh.32 Million programme
Close to 800 youth in Oloitokitok, Kajiado county have benefitted from a KES 32 million funded Safaricom Foundation Youth in Agribusiness programme.
ACF secures $115m syndicated loan for sustainable agriculture
The $115 million syndicated line of credit now available to Agri Commodities and Finance (ACF) has been opened by several development finance institutions
[Rwanda] Dried chili is a new deal for farmers
Rwanda has been given greenlight to export unprocessed dry chili to China.
Mastercard Foundation, partners join forces to train young agripreneurs, provide grants to Nigerian MSMEs
The Mastercard Foundation has partnered with Nourishing Africa and U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) to train 2,0000 young agripreneurs and provide small grants to 125 MSMEs in Nigeria.
Afreximbank announces a $350m term loan facility for OCP Group
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Pan-African multilateral EXIM Bank, announced the signing of a 7-year $350 million Term Loan Facility to provide financing to OCP Group, phosphate mining and fertilizer company.
IFC, ALEXBANK partner to promote Egyptian farmers switch to solar irrigation systems
IFC and ALEXBANK, a Egyptian private bank, announced a partnership to help Egyptian farmers access financing to purchase solar irrigation systems, reducing their reliance on diesel-powered generators and boosting their productivity and incomes.
AfDB appoints Atsuko TODA as Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development
The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced the appointment of Ms. Atsuko TODA as Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, effective 16 March 2021.
[Rwanda] Venture capital available for youth in agribusiness
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rwanda has signed an agreement with JR Farms Limited to promote youth involvement in agriculture and create decent work opportunities.
[Ivory Coast] Rebirth of cocoa smuggling in the east
In Ivory Coast, illegal trafficking in agricultural commodities is a scourge that plagues the performance of the sector.
FMO, FinDev Canada and OeEB support critical food supply in Africa through working capital loan to ETG
FMO, FinDev Canada, and OeEB announced a $115 million syndicated loan facility that will allow ACF (Agri Commodities and Finance), improve and expand its operations in Africa, with FMO acting as lead arranger.
Researchers call for gender-friendly crop varieties to aid food security
A study was carried out by a team of researchers led by Amare Tegbaru, IITA Gender Specialist, to examine the development of drought-tolerant maize varieties in West Africa.
[Column] Eric Kimunguyi: Why Europe wants Africa to end crop protection
Indeed, so extreme is the anti-pesticide noise that we are in danger of plundering our food output and increasing our dependency on Europe for generations ahead.
South Africa ranked top food secure country in Sub Saharan Africa, GFSI
South Africa has been ranked the highest in food security out of 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This according to the latest Global Food Security Index (GFSI) report, despite an overall decline in food security.
FAO to provide livelihood assistance to nearly 49 million people in 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and climate-related crises drive acute levels of hunger higher, FAO is seeking $1.1 billion in 2021 to save the lives and livelihoods of some of the world's most food-insecure people.
IFC invests in Savannah Fund to support Africa’s tech startups funding growth
IFC announced an investment in the Savannah Fund, a technology seed fund in Africa, to increase lending to startups across sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and disruptive companies in high-growth sectors.
Benin Republic seeks Nigeria’s collaboration on rice production
The authorities of Benin Republic, Tuesday, dispatched a delegation to hunt President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention for Nigeria to assist the nation produce rice.
OPEC Fund strengthens food security in Burundi with $20m loan
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) signed a $20 million public sector loan agreement with Burundi to co-finance a project that will improve food security, expand access to marketplaces and social services.
[Nigeria] Dangote Sugar increases production by 13.7% despite pandemic
The sugar group also posted an increase in sales volume which rose by 6.9 per cent, from 684,487 tonnes to 731,701 tonnes.
Nigeria, Morocco sign five agreements on hydrocarbons, agriculture
Under the agreement between OCP, NSIA and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigeria will import phosphate from the Kingdom of Morocco and use it to produce blended fertiliser for the local market and export.
Mentoring women entrepreneurs to run successful agribusinesses
Women are the backbone of African agriculture and have been unequally affected by the impacts of the COVID pandemic.
IDRC, ACIAR partner to economically empower African women farmers
As COVID-19 pandemic continues, existing inequalities have been further fanned, with already vulnerable and marginalized groups faced with additional challenges and even further reductions in their access to services and opportunities.
Researcher explores native grass for improving livestock productivity in DR Congo
With a population of close to 90 million people, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, boasts 90 million hectares of pasture that can support 40 million heads of cattle and produce 1.5 million tonnes of beef per year.
Agro expert calls for greater use of Chinese knowledge tech in agriculture in Africa
Africa needs to take full advantage of its close-ties and cooperation with China, in terms of technology transfer, skills and policy development, to fully revolutionize its agricultural sector, according to an agricultural expert.
Chinese agricultural experts help Burundi improve agricultural production
The Chinese experts mainly assisted Burundi in formulating agricultural industry policy planning, providing consultation and conducting experiments, demonstrations and technical training.
AGRA, partners launch online SME Resource Bank to help agribusinesses raise fund
African agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises seeking to fundraise for their businesses can now go online and have access to a newly launched platform where they can find articulated requirements for accessing the funds.
Kenyan farmers find fortunes in community seed bank
A group of farmers in Kenya are earning income and reversing malnutrition trends in their area by embracing the cultivation, preservation and sale of indigenous vegetable seeds thanks to a new community seed bank concept.
[Column] Baiju Kantaria: Addressing capacity constraints in Kenya’s flower export business
Last year at the height of COVID-19 the Kenya flower industry was grappling with a cocktail of threats that had taken a toll on production.
Marlink and Soremar extend partnership to increase options for North African fishing operators
Under the agreement, Soremar customers can access Vessel Monitoring Systems and the mandated Global Maritime Distress and Safety System via the Iridium satellite network, in addition to other providers.
AGRA, ACTESA develop SOPs to improve regional seed trade in staple food crops
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) working with COMESA’s specialised Seed Agency ACTESA, have developed Regional Seed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to improve regional seed trade in staple food crops.
COMESA, EU support development of National Sanitary and Phytosanitary System for Comoros with €3.2m
In collaboration with the European Union, COMESA is supporting the development of an efficient national Sanitary and Phytosanitary System (SPS) in Comoros.
Solar technology helps women farmers in Tanzania cut post-harvest losses
Women farmers in Tanzania have harnessed solar technology to reduce post-harvest losses, enhancing food security.
Bioline Agrosciences acquires Kenya's Dudutech, reaffirms global ambitions in biocontrol
Bioline Agrosciences announced the acquisition of the Kenyan Biocontrol Company Dudutech from the British Company Flamingo Group International.
Rwanda turns to power tillers to mechanize agriculture
The government has started to engage private sector operators to import more power tillers to ease the cultivation of land for framers and help meet agricultural mechanization targets by 2024.
Saudi investors show interest in Senegal energy projects
The President of The Union of Service Providers, Industrialists and Merchants of Senegal (UPIC), Amadou Seck, has met with a group of Saudi Arabian investors to discuss new investment opportunities in Senegal.
Fawligen registers in Kenya
UPL and AgBiTech announced the formal registration of Fawligen, a biological control for Fall Armyworm in Kenya.
Rwandan coffee commences trading on Singapore's online platform
Customers in Singapore and across the world will now have easy access to some of Rwanda’s traditional products following a move by the country’s leading online supermarket, RedMart, to trade them online.
[Gabon] More than 50 agricultural inputs exempt from import duties and taxes
The Minister of Agriculture and his colleague from the Economy signed on February 26 in Libreville, a decree setting the conditions for exemption from duties and taxes on the import of agricultural inpu
Union Bank of Nigeria to support startups through UnionX Innovation Challenge
Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s foremost financial institutions, has unveiled the 2021 UnionX Innovation Challenge, as part of efforts to support young startups and boost innovation in the startup ecosystem.
Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire collaborate on cocoa security along common border
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to form a joint committee to find a lasting solution to security challenges faced by cocoa farmers along the southern parts of the shared border of the two countries.
FAO pledges to scale up direct use of digital financial transfers
In another step towards creating a "digital FAO", the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is committing to increasing by 50 percent its delivery of digital financial transfers and vouchers to beneficiaries.
WFP strengthens community skills in Zimbabwe’s urban centres with SDC support
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed an additional $7 million in new funding from Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Climate smart forage grasses increase milk yields and income of Kenya dairy farmers
Dickson Osogo a farmer in Kenya’s Siaya County is among more than 1,000 dairy farmers in Western Kenya who have insulated themselves from high commercial feed prices and poor quality nappier grass and in the process increased milk yields and income.
[Rwanda] Maize farmers cry foul over fake seeds
Rwf2.5 billion was invested by the government to the wetland and used for local seed multiplication for maize and other crops to reduce seeds imports. However, the seeds have failed to germinate for two consecutive seasons.
Côte d’Ivoire in talks with EU for €1bln cocoa loan
Côte d’Ivoire is expecting €1 billion from the European Union to improve the sustainability of its cocoa industry.
Donors commit to highest-ever funding to IFAD to tackle hunger and poverty for world’s poorest
The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will now be able to invest $3.8 billion in the world’s rural poor, from an unprecedented record-high financing target set by governments from 177 countries.
ICIPE launches mass release of indigenous natural enemies to control fall armyworm
Management of the invasive fall armyworm (FAW), scientifically known as Spodoptera frugiperda in Africa, requires the deployment of all tactics within the context of integrated pest management.
[Togo] Gilbert Houngbo reappointed as head of IFAD
Togolese Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
[Nigeria] ENABLE-TAAT trained agripreneurs record their first million in the poultry business
The multifaceted Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) project registered another success story, this time, in Nigeria’s poultry sector.
OPEC Fund extends $50m for poverty reduction in Tanzania
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) signed a $50 million loan with Tanzania to finance the Fourth Tanzania Poverty Reduction Project.
IFC loans CEDIAM to support mango exports in Mali
IFC announced a disbursement of a loan to support expansion at Mali's leading mango processor, Centre d'Étude et de Développement Industriel et Agricole du Mali (CEDIAM).
Global fertilizer market poised to reach $93.9 million by 2027, Renub research
According to Renub research, worldwide fertilizer market was $ 83.5 billion in 2020 and it is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 1.69% between 2020 and 2027.
[Cameroon] financing agriculture - farmers hold parley with project managers and bankers
The National Confederation of Cameroon Cooperatives and Agro-pastoral Federations, met development partners in Yaounde to find solutions to farmers' challenges such as project writing and financing.
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COLUMNS.
[Column] Verner Ayukegba: New leadership and energy sector restructuring will boost investments into Niger
This transition sets a strong foundation for the long-awaited inflow of investments into Niger’s promising energy sector and overall economic revival ...read full column here
[Column] Baiju Kantaria: Kenya and UK should do more to cement trade ties
In this context, the prevailing diplomatic tiff between Kenya and UK over travel bans occasioned by concerns over new COVID-19 variants shouldn’t be allowed to escalate any further ...read full column here
[Column] Apollos Nwafor: How Africa can rebuild through agriculture
So what can be done to bolster African food systems, and ensure we ‘build back better’ when it comes to agriculture? ...read full column here
INTERVIEWS.
[Interview] Victoria Nannozi, CEO, The Association of Real Estate Agents, Uganda
The Association of Real Estate Agents, AREA-Uganda, is an umbrella institution of real estate agency/brokerage companies, consultancy real estate firms, and real estate agency /brokerage professionals in Uganda ...read full interview here
[Interview] Naike Moshi, Country Director, CVPeople Tanzania
CVPeople Tanzania is a talent acquisition and recruitment company that has for 6 years established itself as a frontrunner in the executive search and headhunting for clients across banking, telecom, and NGO sectors ...read full interview here
[Interview] Stephan Eyeson, Founder & CEO, Survey54
British-Ghanaian entrepreneur, Stephan Eyeson, is current CEO and Founder of pan-African consumer intelligence gathering firm, Survey54 ...read full interview here