Lifestyle
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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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Food trade protectionism detrimental for the world
After banning wheat exports in May, India has now banned exports of broken rice, while imposing a 20 percent tariff on exports of unmilled rice, husked brown rice, semi-milled rice, and wholly milled rice, effective from Sept 9. At a time when the Black Sea “food corridor” has just restarted, easing the global food crisis…
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Cultural proponent Gurewamukuru legend buried according to tradition
By Ronnie Chisamba Musana – Hundreds of Gurewamukuru members were among the people who thronged the local cemetery on Tuesday afternoon to bid farewell to one of the legends of the traditional dance, Laytan Losat. Believed to have been in his late 80s, Laytan succumbed to an undisclosed illness on Sunday. In line…
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AU year of Nutrition: Calls for upscaled efforts towards food security
By Baboloki Semele Calls have been made for increased effort in upscaling food and nutrition security by African Union member states in order to realise development outcomes as espoused in the AU’s Agenda 2063. Although the African region seems to have witnessed a decrease in malnutrition of its population by about 13.5%, from 35.5% in…
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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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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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13th AUC Task Force on Food and Nutrition Development convenes in Botswana
By Baboloki Semele The 13th African Union Commission (AUC) Task Force on Food and Nutrition Development (ATFFND) meeting will be held on 7-9 September 2022 in Gaborone, Botswana, culminating with a High-level National Launch of the theme of the Year on Nutrition, as a cascade of the launch performed during the 35th Ordinary Session of…
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Mechanising value chain nodes could make a difference in African food systems
By Charles Dhewa The seasonal nature of African food systems implies there are times when particular food commodities are out of season and other times when so much some food is abundant that preservation or semi-processing would increase shelf life by several months. While the absence of value addition is more visible in fruits like…
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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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Dost Eli of Turkey distributes food to needy families in Darwendale
Amidst gloomy statistics showing that the war in Ukraine has left many Africans grappling with soaring inflation and Covid-19-induced economic hardships that have affected countries like Zimbabwe, Dost Eli of Turkey has distributed food hampers to more than 400 families in Darwendale. Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank recently opined…
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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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Workshop equips PAP with knowledge on nutritional resilience and food security
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By Baboloki Semele The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has been oriented on the AU Theme for 2022: “Strengthening nutritional resilience and food security on the African continent: strengthening Agri-food, health, and social protection systems for the acceleration of the development of human, social and economic.” Held on 24 August 2022 at the headquarters of the…
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NetOne corporate social responsibility initiative ushers prestigious Miss Albinism 2022
By Own Correspondent The state-owned mobile telephone company, NetOne’s corporate social responsibility initiative ushered in a glamorous Mr and Miss Albinism pageant show. The prestigious event was held yesterday at the Marina Casino at the famous Long Chen Plaza in Harare. NetOne was represented by officers from its public relations department and joined hands with…
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Calls to fund local fertiliser manufacturers as commodity prices go up
By Hillary Munedzi Fertilizer companies call for more funds for the procurement of raw materials on the auction floor, with the United Nations predicting that food prices will rise by an additional 8,5% by 2027. Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Dr.Richard Dafana, the Managing Director of Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company said there has been a 300…
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Turkey partners Zimbabwe in agriculture to ensure food security
In pursuit of alleviating food insecurity in the country, Turkish organisations have partnered with the Government of Zimbabwe in agricultural projects in Mashonaland West Province. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in conjunction with Islamic Information Bureau Trust represented by Mr. Adam Wadi and the Dost Eli executed a successful agricultural project at the…
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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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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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Entertainment amidst cash crisis: Creative musician in maize for admission gesture
By Lovemore Chazingwa Sungura music exponent, Simon Mutambi has sent tongues wagging on social media platforms as well as on the streets when he crafted a poster marketing his upcoming Uchataura Zvese album outreach family show at Kamwaza Beer Hall in Raffingora this Sunday. The poster boldly screams out to the public that fans do…
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DStv Zimbabwe Customer Wins Trip To Dubai
A Harare-based woman will soon be heading for a holiday in Dubai with a friend or family member, enjoying a sponsored trip for two after winning the DStv 100% Premium Promotion. She is Maryleen Majongwe, who became the first winner of the grand prize in the promotion aimed at rewarding DStv Premium bouquet viewers whose…
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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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Agrochemicals company agrees IFC facility
IFC will provide USD 35 million to agrochemicals player Jubaili Agrotec to support growth, promote environmental best practice and improve food security in Africa. World Bank Group subsidiary International Finance Corporation (IFC) has signed a USD 35 million financing agreement with Nigeria-based agrochemicals company Jubaili Agrotec. Under the remit of the fellow World Bank Group subsidiary the International…
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Averting an African food crisis: The African Emergency Food Production Facility
By Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina Fertilizer price hikes of over 300% make it increasingly difficult for African farmers to grow enough wheat, maize, rice and other crops It didn’t take long for Russia’s war in Ukraine to impact Africa. Already grappling with soaring inflation and still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, Africa now…
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Involving youths in sustainable development ensures a bright future: Ntiokam Divine
Mr. Ntiokam Divine, a prominent advocate of sustainable development has said the involvement of youths in such initiatives is a key ingredient in ensuring a bright future and peaceful world. He is the Executive Director of Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN). He told Spiked Online Media that as a demonstration of his commitment…
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AUDA-NEPAD raises youth, media awareness for AU Year of Nutrition
By Baboloki Semele The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) seeks to hold a two-day youth and media awareness and orientation symposium on the AU year of nutrition. The two-day orientation billed for 9th and 10th August in Accra, Ghana will be held under the theme “Strengthening Resilience…
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Climate change disrupting food system, making it vulnerable to new crises
In Kansas, more than 2,000 cattle died in a record heat wave. In Tunisia, fires razed fields of grain to the ground. In southern China, historic flooding damaged almost 100,000 hectares of crops. In northern Italy, a farm lobby warned that drought could claim half the region’s agricultural output. That was just June. The global food supply is taking a hit from…
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Mass food markets – the Facebook of African food systems
By Charles Dhewa When you want to understand African food systems, visit African mass food markets in big cities. This is where most food commodities are mobilized from diverse parts of each country. While every community may have its own local market, commodities in that market are not as diverse as those found in mass…
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Human capital development critical in the implementation of NAIPs
Human capital development plays a key role in the implementation of the National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) as espoused in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in pursuit of achieving the delivery of the Malabo Declaration on Africa Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation. This emerged today during a panel discussion at the high-level NAIPS…
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Food Security is More than Just Increasing Production – A Deep Dive
Dr. Richard Munang Whenever I think of food security in Africa, one insightful proverb comes to mind – “there is honey but no bees”. This self-explanatory proverb implies that the solutions to achieving Africa’s food security are like unprotected honey. They are accessible and not exotic. But just as we know, “he who doesn’t find his way back…
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CAADP dialogue: stakeholders analyse NAIP status, progress in 15 years
During a high-level policy dialogue that kicked off in Dakar, Senegal, yesterday on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) food system review, stakeholders gave an overview of the status of the National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) and lessons drawn from the programme in the last 15 years. In a breakaway session that focused on…
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NAIPs, RAIPs instrumental in agricultural transformation, resilience of African food systems
Despite a plethora of challenges affecting food and nutrition security in Africa, the National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) and Regional Agriculture Investment Plans (RAIPs) are instrumental in driving the agriculture transformation processes and building resilient food systems on the continent. In her welcome remarks delivered virtually at the high-level meeting of the National Agricultural Investment…
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Japan extends further support to Zimbabwe to alleviate food insecurity
The Government of Japan has made an additional contribution of US$500.000.00 to the World Food Programme (WFP) to help alleviate food insecurity in Zimbabwe. The contribution is especially timely, given that many in the country will struggle to feed themselves at the peak of the lean season because of successive drought and chronic economic challenges,…
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Dakar high-level consultative meeting to discuss African food security, poverty reduction
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Union Commission Department of Agriculture, Rural Economy and Blue Economy (AUC-DARBE) in association with Akademiya2063 will be holding a high-level stakeholder consultative meeting in Dakar, Senegal, from 26 to 28 July 2022 to review the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’s National Agricultural Investment Plans (CAADP/NAIP) success…
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First six months exclusive breastfeeding prevents malnutrition in children
While the causes of malnutrition are complex, it is proven that exclusive breastfeeding till the age of six months is a key factor to prevent malnutrition and ensuring young children get a good start in life. This emerged at the World BreastFeeding Press Briefing held on Monday, 18 July 2022 at the UNICEF Zimbabwe Offices…
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AfDB approves US$271 million Egypt’s Food Security, Economic Resilience Support Program
The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) Board of Directors approved a loan of USD 271 million to finance Egypt’s Food Security and Economic Resilience Support Program to support efforts to mitigate the impact of the global shocks on the domestic economy from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and to preserve resilience. The program includes two major components: Support…
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The Metaverse And Digital Transformation At McDonald’s
By Bernard Marr The famous golden arches are recognized worldwide not only as an icon of fast food, but also of technological transformation. McDonald’s – the world’s largest restaurant chain – has been an early pioneer of tech-driven innovation, from the drive-thru to self-service kiosks. Today it’s forging a path for fast food into the…
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GMB expropriates above 300MT of grain from farmers
By Lloyd Rabaya The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has so far expropriated above 300 metric tonnes (MT) of grain from farmers who were intending to side-market their grain. This came out on Tuesday when Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa was addressing the post-cabinet briefing. In her address, Mutsvangwa urged farmers to…
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All set for the 2022 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon
All is set for the 14th edition of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, to be held in the picturesque tourist destination today (Sunday, July 3, 2022). The hugely popular marathon makes a big comeback to the resort town of Victoria Falls after a three-year absence caused by the COVID pandemic. Econet Group Chief Executive Officer…
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Building globally sustainable food systems
Fellows from six African countries this week joined colleagues at Leeds to strengthen networks and build research and leadership skills, helping to bring sustainable change in African food systems. The Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa) works with early-career researchers in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. The aim is to build…
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The value of delinking African food systems from foreign currency
By Charles Dhewa A major lesson for African leaders from the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that they should accelerate the development of food systems that have no direct link with foreign currency. African agriculture has remained thinly defined for decades as shown by how agricultural policies focus on less than five percent of African food systems…
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How conservation farming is boosting yields, mitigating effects of climate change
For many years, large-scale and small-scale farmers in the traditional food basket have been planting every season without paying attention to soil health. Over the years, this has resulted in dwindling productivity at the farm level as they grappled with the worst effects of climate change coupled with the high cost of farm inputs. Kenya’s…
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Why Is Nutrigenomics The Biggest Flop In Digital Health?
By Bertalan Meskó, MD, PhD If somebody had told me five years ago that I’d sooner review an A.I. guided portable ultrasound device than a nutrigenomics test, I would have laughed so hard. Yet, here we are, this ultrasound test is almost a year old now, and where is a nutrigenomics test I could finally lay…
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Pilot aspirant flies high in the fashion industry
By Lloyd Rabaya Growing up in the dusty streets of Chitungwiza, just like many other children, Jasper Mandizera wanted to be a pilot. An old adage reads, “Fate will find a way.” Now 36 years old, Mandizera has since turned away from his childhood dream and is now pursuing fashion designing as his profession without…
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UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator urges people to embrace healthy lifestyles
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe, Mr. Edward Kallon has underscored the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health. He made the call today while delivering a message for the International Day of Yoga (21 June) that was designated by the UN General Assembly.…