Agriculture – Science Africa

09 Nov, 23

US$27M Initiative to Improve Cashew Nut Value Chain in West Africa

US$27M Initiative to Improve Cashew Nut Value Chain in West Africa By Whitney Akinyi Cashew nuts are pivotal to the West African food sector, with the region responsible for 44% of the world’s cashew crop. Global cashew trade has more than doubled in the last decade, primarily driven by the Ivory Coast, which accounts for […]

09 Nov, 23

GMOs: Biosafety Laws are Key but Insufficient to Spur Commercialization

GMOs: Biosafety Laws are Key but Insufficient to Spur Commercialization By Gift Briton Nigeria is one of the leading African countries in genetically modified (GM) crops, starting with the commercial release of pest-resistant Bt cotton in 2018. By 2023, the country had approved the cultivation and importation of at least four more GM products, including the pod-borer resistant Bt cowpea, […]

06 Nov, 23

Africa: Mechanization, Digitization can Entice the Youth into Agriculture

Africa: Mechanization, Digitization can Entice the Youth into Agriculture By Gift Briton Incorporating technology in agriculture, including the use of modern powered equipment and digital tools, can reshape the rudimentary outlook of African agriculture, which is a key barrier to youth participation. This came out as a major recommendation highlighted by speakers during the discussions […]

06 Nov, 23

Africa Needs Better Infrastructure for Early Warning Systems to Benefit Farmers

Africa Needs Better Infrastructure for Early Warning Systems to Benefit Farmers By Gift Briton The ongoing inaugural African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) has triggered discussions around early warning systems with speakers urging Governments to put more effort into infrastructure development for local farmers to benefit from them. Early warning is a key component in […]

02 Nov, 23

ACAT Conference: African Governments Urged to Embrace New Agricultural Innovations

ACAT Conference: African Governments Urged to Embrace New Agricultural Innovations By Gift Briton The inaugural African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT 2023) has officially kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital with most speakers calling on countries to harness technology for improving agricultural productivity in the continent. During the next four days until 3rd November, delegates […]

High-Quality Seeds to Improve Kenya’s Cassava Production

High-Quality Seeds to Improve Kenya’s Cassava Production By Joyce Ojanji As Kenya grapples with a soaring demand for cassava, which has surpassed local production levels by a staggering 200%, the government is making an effort to ensure that the country becomes self-sufficient. Paul Rono, Kenya’s Principal Secretary of the State Department for Crop Development […]

12 Sep, 23

ILRI: Local Data for African Livestock GHG Emissions Available

ILRI: Local Data for African Livestock GHG Emissions Available By Gift Briton Although science has proven that ruminant livestock, including cattle, sheep, camels and goats produce methane which contribute to climate change and that they are the main source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in most African countries, uncertainties still exist due to limited local […]

17 Aug, 23

Greater Horn of Africa: Heat Stress to Continue in Some Parts

Greater Horn of Africa: Heat Stress to Continue in Some Parts By Gift Briton High levels of heat stress are expected to continue in northern Sudan and coastal Eritrea in the next seven days, with warmer-than-average temperaturespredicted over most places of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA). This is according to the Intergovernmental Authority on […]

14 Aug, 23

AATF, NABDA Discuss Partnership to Improve Food Security in Nigeria

AATF, NABDA Discuss Partnership to Improve Food Security in Nigeria By Joyce Ojanji The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) in Nigeria are set to collaborate on research and development activities capable of reducing post-harvest crop losses and enhancing nutrition security among Nigerians. The possible areas of collaboration identified by […]

07 Aug, 23

Food Security: Sub-Saharan Africa Should Leverage Available Climate-Smart Seed Varieties

Food Security: Sub-Saharan Africa Should Leverage Available Climate-Smart Seed Varieties By Whitney Akinyi Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been urged to take advantage of the already available newly improved climate-smart seed varieties to boost agricultural productivity in the region. Dr. Munyaradzi Jonga, the Seed Production Specialist and TAAT Maize Compact Lead at African Agricultural […]