Malawi and the New Green Revolution

One Brit's perspective on how Malawi is becoming food independent.

Seeking Africa's green revolution

From the begging bowl to the bread basket: in just two years, Malawi has gone from famine to food surplus - a minor agricultural miracle.

By applying a mixture of...(complete article here).

Rwanda and Healthy Development

Rwandan Researchers promoting a balanced approach to development. Attention to Ecosystems critical to success of agriculture and overall economic health.

Rwanda: Economic Development Depends on Healthy Ecosystems

Kihesi Rwaguma
Kigali

Natural resources and ecosystem services contribute significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction.

They provide us with food, fuel, natural medicines, ease flood impact, prevent soil erosion; they are a source of recreation and tourism, just to mention a few of the benefits.

Rwanda is now...(complete article here).

Sudan Food Production and Food Aid

This is a complex issue that underlines the difficulty with working with the corrupt regimes in some parts of the world.

Darfur Withers as Sudan Sells a Food Bonanza

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: August 9, 2008

ED DAMER, Sudan — Even as it receives a billion pounds of free food from international donors, Sudan is growing and selling vast quantities of its own crops to other countries, capitalizing on high global food prices at a time when millions of people in its war-riddled region of Darfur barely have enough to eat.

Here in the bone-dry desert, where desiccated donkey carcasses line the road, huge...(complete article here).

Ethanol Battle Not Over

Livestock producers are suffering from high feed prices. Soon, we will likely see a reduction in numbers in our livestock herd which will translate ultimately to higher protein prices for consumers.

This issue is not just domestic in nature. U.S. corn prices have an impact on the world market. Most other countries that use our corn do so for human consumption. In places like Africa, the effect of high U.S. corn prices is a contributor to famine conditions.


Ethanol battle unlikely to fade

Livestock, food industries discuss intensifying push to change law

By BRETT CLANTON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 8, 2008, 10:08PM

Efforts to cut or freeze U.S. corn ethanol requirements are unlikely to end with the federal government's denial Thursday of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's plea to waive half of this year's mandate.

Livestock and food industry groups that backed the request already are talking about increased lobbying efforts in Washington to change the law.

Legislation under discussion in the Senate could...(complete article here).

A Successful Agricultural Stimulus in Africa

It is good to see a success story in Africa.


A winner

Input trade fairs boost harvests in Swaziland

Rome/Mbabane – With food prices hitting record highs world wide, FAO is helping implement urgent measures to increase local food production in the most affected countries. A telling example from Swaziland shows how input trade fairs enable poor farmers boost their crops.

Passing through the sloping green fields of Swaziland’s central plains one may well imagine that agriculture is thriving in...(complete article here).

The Growing Numbers of Hungry People

Below is linked a thoughtful piece from the FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, regarding the hunger crisis -- particularly in Africa. He clearly points to the need of addressing infrastructure needs rather than purely food aid in order to resolve the crisis.


About 50 million more hungry people in 2007

Hunger on the rise due to soaring food prices

3 July 2008, Rome/Brussels - The number of hungry people increased by about 50 million in 2007 as a result of high food prices, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said today addressing a conference at the European Parliament in Brussels.

“Poor countries are...(complete article here).

For a related report from the USDA click here.

African Agriculture Needs New Approach

The issue is infrastructure and good government. Until those issues are resolved there will continue to be a food crisis in parts of Africa.

Africa: Global Food Crisis Demands New Approach to Agriculture

More U.S. Aid to Africa

Infrastructure is critical to getting crops from the fields to markets.

Boost for Africa green revolution

A US government aid agency has formed an alliance with a group headed by former UN chief Kofi Annan to try to boost African agriculture.

Mr Annan has called for a "green revolution" to solve the food crisis.

The new partnership aims to invest in Africa's inadequate infrastructure, as well as...(complete article here).

Black-eyed Peas!

Mmm, mmm, black-eyed peas and cornbread and a glass of sweet iced tea!!

Team seeks to improve the black-eye pea

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A team of University of Virginia researchers is working to increase the drought- and disease-resistance of the black-eyed pea, a staple of the diets of roughly 200 million people in west and central Africa.

The U.Va. scientists are working with African growers to produce a tougher version of the legume, also known as the cowpea. About 80 percent of the...(complete article here).

Kenyan Unrest to Cause Food Shortages

The inconvenience of possibly higher tea and coffee prices for U.S. consumers pales against the potentially devastating food shortages that Kenyans may face.

Kenya: Food Shortage Looming

Business Daily (Nairobi)
23 January 2008
Posted to the web 23 January 2008

Morris Aron

Economists are warning that violence in Rift Valley will affect food production, supply and dampen foreign exchange earnings from tea exports if the political stalemate is not resolved soon. Maize, tea and milk production stand to suffer most resulting in inflation and reduced foreign exchange revenue.

Group Economists - the research arm of South Africa Standard Bank which has interests in Stanbic Bank - gave...(complete article here).

West African Food Security Initiative

More news out of Africa.

West Africa: New UN Initiative Aims to Boost Food Security in Region

UN News Service (New York)
23 January 2008
Posted to the web 23 January 2008

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched projects in five West African countries, considered to be among the world's poorest, to help increase agricultural output and create new markets for products.

Launched as part of the FAO Trust Fund for Food Security, the projects are taking place in Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone, thanks to a...(complete article here).

Botswana FMD

I find African agriculture to be interesting because in so many ways it is different from our own. The conditions are often primitive and the battles that must be fought are often against nature as well as the economy. FMD is still found in many parts of the continent.

Botswana: Cattle Disease Ravages Ngami

Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
23 January 2008
Posted to the web 23 January 2008

Chandapiwa Baputaki

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Ngami constituency has caused an outcry and hardship for residents who are most dependent on the livestock for their daily survival.

Before the outbreak they could sell their cattle at the Botswana Meat Commission in Francistown and in butcheries within the constituency.

Since the outbreak, that was confirmed in mid October last year, the department...(complete article here).

The A-corn (Vitamin A Fortified)

For less developed areas of the world corn (or maize) is an important food. Boosting vitamin A may help alleviate some chronic health issues in those areas.

Scientists find way to increase corn's vitamin A

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. scientists have developed a way to breed corn that can boost the vitamin A it gives people who eat it -- a potentially important advance for regions of the world burdened by vitamin A deficiencies.

Vitamin A deficiency is an important cause of eye disease and other health problems in developing countries.

Corn, also known as maize, is the dominant subsistence crop in much of Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 30 percent of children under age 5 are vitamin A deficient.

Scientists want to...(complete article here).

New Approach to Mosquitoes

Anything to help control mosquitoes is good. This might be a great tool to control malaria carrying mosquitoes in Africa and other tropical regions. Since the ban on DDT, attempts to stem malaria have been ineffective. This might be the answer.

New Nonchemical Approach to Curbing Mosquitoes

By Sharon Durham
December 20, 2007

Most pesticides are toxic to insects and humans alike, but a molecular pesticide developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists may provide a new way to deal with mosquito pests without causing a risk to human health.

The molecular pesticide technology would...(complete article here).

Kenyan Locust Swarms

A locust swarm certainly is not needed in an area often plagued by inadequate food supplies.

Kenya battles swarms of locusts

Kenyan authorities are battling swarms of locusts, which are reported to have damaged crops.

A BBC correspondent says it is the first time such large numbers have been seen in Kenya for 45 years.

The ravenous creatures - which are capable of stripping vegetation in minutes - are laying eggs in remote areas in...(complete article here).

Africa, Livestock and AIDS

When one sets aside the humanitarian aspects of the AIDS pandemic in Africa and looks at it from a purely economic issue, it is interesting to note the ripple effect throughout the economy. Economic health revolves around human lives, their productivity, and their consumption of that which is produced. In order to have a healthy economy there must be healthy people.

I think too often governments forget that the well-being of all people must be raised in order for economies to thrive. Instead of repressing people groups or those in specific economic or social strata, governments should seek to improve the situation of all groups. The result will be more wealth for all.


Livestock production threatened by HIV/AIDS

Better management could increase livestock as a household asset

30 November 2007, Rome – Not only is AIDS taking a dramatic toll on human lives but livestock production, a main income earner for rural households, is also being threatened in the most affected countries, FAO warned today.

With more than 60 percent of all people aged between 15 and 49 years living with HIV to be found in sub-Saharan Africa of whom 11.4 million are children orphaned by AIDS, the effect on the all important livestock sector has become a real concern.

Livestock make a substantial contribution to...(complete article here).

Malaria Control

It's good to see someone other than the U.S. contributing to malaria control. However, it seems like during the "Cold War" the contibutions from Russia (U.S.S.R. at the time) always came with strings attached.


Russia Contributes US$20 Million to Malaria Control in Africa

Contacts: In Washington:
Marina Vasilieva (7 985) 920 7785 (mobile)e-mail mvasilieva@worldbank.org
Miriam Van Dyck (1 202) 458 2931e-mail mvandyck@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, October 19, 2007— The Government of Russia signed an agreement with the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization (WHO) that will see the country commit US$20 million for malaria control in Africa. The contribution marks Russia’s growing role as a donor and active partner in international development efforts.

“Russia is expanding its contributions to development aid, particularly in infectious disease control, education and access to energy,” said Russian...(complete article here).