Archive | August 26th, 2009

Seeking Diversity, Resilience and Farmer Control

Tags: , ,
Posted on 26 August 2009 by Zahira Kharsany

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) claims that its “stress breeding”, high-yield seed program…

Continue Reading  |  Comments (0)

Biotechnology: Africa Must Not Be Left Behind

Tags: , ,
Posted on 26 August 2009 by Zahira Kharsany

KAMPALA, Jul 3 (IPS) – Africa must embrace agricultural biotechnology or risk being excluded from a major technological revolution that has had increased food production in the Europe, North America and Asia.

Professor Diran Makinde, director of the West African Biosciences Network and NEPAD Biosciences Initiative says that “Africa missed the Green Revolution, which helped Asia and Latin America achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

Continue Reading  |  Comments (0)

Add Water and Stir

Tags: , ,
Posted on 26 August 2009 by Zahira Kharsany


MAPLOTINI, Swaziland, Jul 5 (IPS) – What is the first step towards transforming life in a hardscrabble rural community? Address issues of water.

The Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (SWADE), a government parastatal, has injected new life into the community of Maplotini using an integrated water resources management approach.

Maplotini lies in the heart of the lowveld, which receives not more than 300 mm of rain per year.

Continue Reading  |  Comments (0)

Investment, Information Keys To Productivity

Tags: , ,
Posted on 26 August 2009 by Zahira Kharsany

Sustained investment in agriculture accompanied by effective and inclusive policies are key strategies for Southern Africa to address the global food crisis.

Continue Reading  |  Comments (1)

NGOs Sceptical of Govt’s Rural Development Plans

Tags: , ,
Posted on 26 August 2009 by Zahira Kharsany

In an attempt to reduce rural poverty, Angola’s government plans to diversify its oil-focused economy by trying to restore the country’s once-booming agricultural sector.

Continue Reading  |  Comments (0)

FANRPAN 2009

Tags: , ,
Posted on 26 August 2009 by Zahira Kharsany

“Linking Media with Agriculture and Development in Africa”

Inter Press Service (IPS) Africa will host a training workshop for journalists and produce a conference newspaper in Maputo, Mozambique, where more than two hundred government officials, professors, farmers and researchers from across Southern Africa are meeting next week to discuss agriculture and economic development.

IPS Africa has partnered with The Food Agriculture Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)…

Continue Reading  |  Comments (0)