Climate
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US35 000 equipment, wheat and homesteads up in smoke in runaway veld fire
By Elvis Dumba Raffingora – Irrigation equipment worth US39 000 and 45 hectares of ready-to-harvest wheat were destroyed as a result of a runaway veld fire at Dalston Farm near Raffingora. The fire also rendered some Zvimba families homeless and without food after destroying homes. A man in Zvimba North Constituency who was clearing his…
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Transboundary eco-tourism to foster sub-regional economic development
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), the Joint Management Board met on 30 September 2022 to discuss various issues related to the collaborative management of this important cross-border conservation area. The in-person meeting was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, and attended by Ms. Celmira da Silva, the…
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Egypt’s COP27 Presidency sets out UNFCCC vision, urges world to act now
By Baboloki Semele Egypt’s COP27 Presidency set out its vision for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, taking place in Egypt’s coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh from November 7th to the 18th. The aim is to make COP27 an implementation COP by urging action across prior agreements through all areas of climate change need…
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Optimising water use key for agri-food systems: FAO
Irrigated land has accounted for 85 percent of the increase in global cropping area over the past decade, according to Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Dr. Qu said droughts and associated water shortages around the world this year have underscored the importance of finding solutions to…
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Tourism to contribute to the reversal of biodiversity loss
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity on the occasion of the World Tourism Day 2022 held on 27 September 2022 has said tourism stands in a unique position to significantly contribute to the reversal of biodiversity loss. “The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “rethinking tourism”, and…
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Ignoring Africa’s small-scale food producers at COP27 will imperil their survival
By Alliance for Food Security in Africa (AFSA) Africa’s small-scale farmers risk being disregarded and shut out at international climate negotiations (COP27) in Egypt this November, warns Africa’s largest civil society movement, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa. AFSA represents over 200 million small-scale farmers, fisherfolk, pastoralists, and indigenous peoples. The warning comes after…
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‘My Food is African’ campaign launched at the National Seed Fair
Zimbabwe launched the My Food is African campaign at the National Seed Fair which was graced by the Guest of Honour, Dr. George Kembo, the Director-General of the Government’s Food and Nutrition Council (FNC). Zimbabwe’s National Seed Fair is hosted by the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP), which the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe…
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Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre Solar Power Plant: Implementing renewable energy
The Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) has demonstrated its commitment to providing renewable energy and implementing green initiatives when it installed a 300 KVA solar plant at the Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre. The solar plant generates 0.3 MW of solar power for the hotel and has become the main souce of power ahead of the…
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IFRC warns of deepening global hunger
By Baboloki Semele Gaborone, Botswana – The warning lights are flashing on high: armed conflict, climate-related emergencies, economic hardship and political obstacles are leading to a growing wave of hunger in countries around the world. The misery for millions will deepen without immediate urgent action, warns the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent…
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Economic growth underpinned by sustainable environment, tourism and climate resilience
The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Mangaliso Ndlovu has said the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) blueprint prioritizes a sustainable environment, tourism, and climate resilience, which anchor and underpin economic revival growth. He made the remarks at Leopard Rock Hotel in Vumba during the ministry’s strategic planning workshop meant to enhance…
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Zimbabwean teams compete in Tusk Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2022
The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2022, third year in running, hosted over 100 ranger organisations from more than 20 African countries for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 21km half marathon on 17 September, including elite field rangers from Zimbabwe. The Conservative and Wildlife Fund (CWF) and Painted Dog Conservation joined rangers around the pan-African Wildlife Ranger…
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TJGIN embracing joint-venture partnerships for youth empowerment, economic development
The Joshua Generation International Network (TJGIN) is embracing joint-venture partnerships in its programming in order to guard against shortcomings associated with dealing with individuals in its quest to promote youth empowerment and economic development for young people globally. This was revealed in Zimbabwe’s eastern border town of Chipinge yesterday by Pastor Xavier Mzembi, one of…
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Prison officers red flag Karoi toxic smoke
By Nhau Mangirazi KAROI – Some Karoi officials from Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services have raised their concerns over toxic smoke from a nearby dumpsite that is choking Ward 5 residents. It is affecting the officers and inmates. Air pollution is a health hazard concern according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Speaking in an…
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Customs officials trained in combating illegal trade of ozone depleting substances
Staff Writer Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Hon Mangaliso Ndlovu, has said the government through his ministry has partnered with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in equipping customs officials in combating the illegal trade of banned ozone-depleting substances (ODS). In his speech to commemorate World Ozone Day, Hon Ndlovu said he was grateful…
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Samsung pumps trillions into green initiatives
By Joseph Waring Samsung Electronics refreshed its environmental strategy, earmarking more than KRW7 trillion ($5 billion) for green initiatives by 2030, targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and joining RE100, a global renewable energy initiative. The company stated the investment will go to researching new technologies to develop energy-efficient products, increase water reuse and foster…
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US announces $5 million grant to support AfDB in tackling methane emissions
The grant, subject to the completion of US domestic procedures and approvals, will go to the multi-donor Africa Climate Change Fund, which is managed by the African Development Bank The United States government has announced it will provide a $5 million grant to the African Development Bank to support efforts to abate methane gas emissions,…
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AMCEN spotlights environmental actions for job creation, livelihoods improvement
Issues of job creation and improved livelihoods of the people are topical at the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Dakar, Senegal where the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu is leading Zimbabwe’s delegation. The Ministerial segment is being held from 15 to 16 September 2022. The…
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Conservation, regenerative agriculture bringing food security for smallholder farmers
The Government of Zimbabwe trained over one million farmers on conservation agriculture (CA) and in calculating the concept of community gardens and the use of regenerative agricultural techniques in urban areas so as to elevate hunger at the household and national levels. Regenerative agriculture is growing quickly throughout the world and Zimbabwe is no different.…
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African Energy Week 2022: AfDB expected to sign deals and forge partnerships
Representing the official partner of AEW 2022, a strong delegation from Afreximbank led by the organization’s Chairman and President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, will be coming to AEW 2022 to lead discussions, sign oil and gas deals, and reshape the narrative on Africa’s energy future. In pursuit of consolidating Africa’s own narrative around oil, gas, and…
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How regenerative agriculture can increase Africa’s food production
As global stakeholders work towards COP27, the next climate change conference, and accelerate efforts to confront the climate crisis, there has been increasing focus on “regenerative agriculture” – a term that is widely used but not always well understood. How it is defined globally will have a major impact on how it is applied. To…
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World Bank Group Delivers Record $31.7 Billion in Climate Finance
Financing focuses on helping countries reduce GHG emissions and adapt to mounting impacts of climate change The World Bank Group delivered a record $31.7 billion in fiscal year 2022 (FY22) to help countries address climate change. This is a 19% increase from the $26.6 billion all-time high in financing reached in the previous fiscal year. The…
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PELUM-Zimbabwe capacitates Mazvihwa community on water harvesting techniques
By Wallace Mawire A four-day farmer exchange visit facilitated by the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM-Zimbabwe) in Mazvihwa community in Zvishavane from 10 to 13 August 2022 has capacitated local farmer organizations to learn and share knowledge, information, and ideas to promote water harvesting in the wake of climate change, especially in the arid…
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Africa should build resilient food systems: President Mnangagwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Africans to focus their attention and responsibility towards shaping pathways and solutions to the challenges that confront the continent by building resilient agricultural food systems. He made the remarks while opening the Plenary Session of the African Green Revolution Forum titled “Accelerating Food Systems in a time of Crisis”…
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AfDB: African Green Revolution Forum’s top-tier partner
The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) returns as a top-tier partner of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) – Africa’s largest agriculture conference – taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 6-9 September 2022. On Monday, the Bank kicked off its AGRF 2022 activities by co-organizing a pre-forum side event focused on the African Emergency Food Production Facility…
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African Leadership: World Must Double Down on Climate Adaptation to Secure Africa
Africa Adaptation Summit outlines a 5-point “Adaptation Delivery Breakthrough” for the key UN climate conference in Egypt (COP27) this November and $55 million of new funding to mobilize over $5 billion in climate adaptation action projects for Africa Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Sep 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — African and global leaders joined the Africa Adaptation…
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Climate change weighing on agriculture
Among the many difficult challenges facing grain, executives are assessing climate change impacts. The headline of a special Fitch report, published in June, provided a stark reminder of the massive stakes associated with climate change: “Developing countries are more challenged by climate change adaptation.” The report’s focus was on “the stark differences across the world…
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Summit lays foundation for an adaptation breakthrough for Africa at COP27
The Global Center on Adaptation, together with the African Union, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Africa Adaptation Initiative, and the Climate Vulnerable Forum, are convening the Africa Adaptation Summit to lay the foundation for an adaptation breakthrough for Africa at COP27, in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. The Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism,…
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Health And Nutrition: Are Millets Good For You?
Millets – a cereal grain that belongs to the grass family are repositories of protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Thus, it is often touted as a ’superfood’ because of its nutritional value. The best part is that this grain can be used in everything – from sides to salads and mains. There are different kinds…
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Africa Climate Week: EcoEthics building synergies and collaborations for young people
By Miranda Dzumbunu Ecoethics Global Movement on Friday 2 September 2022, successfully held EcoEthics Africa Climate Week in an engagement that spearheaded knowledge sharing among youths across Africa on matters of climate change and the environment. Climate change and environmental activists from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Nigeria among other African nations participated in the Climate…
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ZAS 2022: TelOne introduces climate-smart agriculture crop monitoring service
The leading provider of voice and broadband services, TelOne, has introduced a new product onto the market – Crop Monitoring Service, in a move anticipated to position the company in the smart agriculture sector and transform remote farming. In an interview with Spiked Online Media at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) in Harare yesterday,…
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Africa Climate Week: Community Involvement Key for a Just Transition
By Masutane Modjadji As we commemorate Africa Climate Week, the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) affirms that the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is inevitable. The energy transition in Africa must respond to the continent’s realities. A just energy transition in Africa must be people-centred. We firmly oppose the imposition of commitments…
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Global warming to boost wheat yield, drive up price volatility: Study
Global warming is likely to boost crop yields in some countries, helped in part by higher carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, which increases plant growth and helps them become more efficient in using water. The results may seem hopeful, given the current surge in food prices globally. But there’s a catch – despite higher yields, future global…
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Where does agriculture begin and end? Natural Ecosystems have Rights too!
By Charles Dhewa That food systems are more than agriculture is no longer debatable. However, what is worrying in most countries that depend on agriculture is the extent to which biodiversity and natural ecosystems are being destroyed in favor of agriculture. Conversely, the past few years have seen an increase in the volume of wild…
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Farmers must prioritise smart agricultural techniques
By Hillary Munedzi Farmers are being urged to venture into integrated farming and the planting of local varieties that are self-producing in their natural regions, in adjusting to the new normal of record high fertilizer prices. With Africa faced with a fertilizer crisis, supply chain woes, and climate change impact, experts in the agricultural business…
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Kenya’s KALYA driving climate-smart agriculture research through promotion of peace
With one of Africa’s powerhouses, Kenya, encountering challenges in the promotion of peace, especially among its diverse cultural and ethnic people as witnessed in the aftermath of the 2007 elections, the KALYA initiative is a panacea towards the promotion of food security and peace. Kalya M.D who works for Kabarak University in Kenya as a…
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Debunking the Spin of Oil and Gas Exploration in Africa
By Dr. Richard Munang Today, about 660 million are without access to electricity and over 930 million are without access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa. These are not just mere statistics. These human faces feel the brunt of the lack of energy access and clean energy. We cannot take this as a footnote but dig…
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Climate change may hit wheat yield harder in developing countries
Climate change could have more of a negative impact on low-latitude countries than on high-altitude countries, further widening the gap between the fortunes of wheat farmers in developed countries and wheat farmers in developing countries, according to research from China published Aug. 19 in the journal One Earth. The researchers developed a climate-wheat-economic ensemble modeling approach in which…
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CGIAR initiative plants Golden Rice in Philippines
Initial farm-level cultivation of Golden Rice is underway on 40 hectares during cropping season in the Philippines as part of a nutrition initiative by the global research partnership CGIAR. This project is part of the expansion of seed production in partnership with the Philippines’ PhilRice branch stations, partner seed growers, regional Department of Agriculture research…
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Community nutrition gardens helping smallholder farmers
By Hillary Munedzi Community nutrition gardens have the potential to transform urban communities and increase local opportunities to eat better and fight poverty caused by soaring food and fuel price inflation imposed by the war in Ukraine. Community nutrition gardens are mostly found in rural areas as they have ample space. Implementing the concept in…
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80-year-old Banket man dies in veld fire
By Elvis Dumba Banket – An 80-year-old male was burnt to death beyond recognition as a result of a veld fire that blazed through the farming community of Banket over the weekend. Sakatiza Mariza, aged 80, of Plumstead Farm who worked at the nearby St John’s Farm near Banket as a farm guard is reported…
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Climate-smart sorghum varieties most valued among Tanzanian farmers: ICRISAT study
Against the backdrop of recurring adverse climatic and agronomic conditions, such as drought, disease, and pests in Africa, a study by researchers from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has established that environmental stress-tolerant sorghum varieties are most valued among Tanzanian farmers. The results could contribute to improved crop productivity and…
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Relocation of wild animals from Save Conservancy irks Bikita residents
Residents of Bikita District in the eastern district of Masvingo Province have expressed displeasure in the government’s move to relocate 2600 wild animals from Save Conservancy. The major concern of Bikita residents was that the stance should be done whilst reimbursing the district. Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA) spokesperson Mark Mutengani called upon the…
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Youth Circle event underscores the importance of young people in driving climate-smart agriculture
The Youth Circle event organised by the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) that was held virtually yesterday underscored the important role that children and young people play in driving climate-smart agriculture. In her keynote address during the virtual conference, Ms. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, the African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy said she was pleased…
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SADC has potential to address food insecurity, increase trade: Hichilema
President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has great potential to address food insecurity and increase trade in pursuit of attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs). He made the remarks in his maiden speech during the 42nd Ordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government held in the…
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Make farming climate-resilient, future-ready
IN 1947, India’s population was about 330 million and the foodgrain production was around 50 million tonnes (MT). This amount was insufficient to feed the population. India could not purchase foodgrains from other countries because of lack of foreign exchange. The US Public Law 480 allowed India to purchase American foodgrains with rupees. India imported…