Agricultural Issues
Ghana Attempts Cultivation of GM Cowpeas
Local and international researchers and farmers have begun a pilot project on the planting of genetically modified cowpea seeds in the country. The pilot project, being executed in Tamale in the Northern Region, is the outcome of a research which indicates that Ghana’s land is fertile for the growth of genetically modified cowpea seeds. [more]
Phone Farming: How SMS is Changing Agriculture in Ghana
A private communication company, Esoko, is helping farmers access tips on weather, better farming methods and market prices. Currently the only way most farmers get such information is through extension officers. The government employees meet with farmers to provide information, but they barely reach a quarter of the total number of farmers in Ghana. As well, according to information from Ghana’s Finance Ministry, about 70 per cent of extension officers will retire from active service in the next three years. [more]
Ghana: First Country to Launch National Yam Strategy
Ghana has taken a major step ahead of other yam-producing nations with the launch of a strategy for the development of the yam industry from farm to market. This follows the global conference on yams held in Accra on 3-6 October and ongoing strategic development for the sector. [more]
Food Crisis/Security
Committee on World Food Security Meets on Hunger Challenges
The Committee on World Food Security, the world's most important intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder platform for food security and nutrition, opened its 40th session (CFS 40) at FAO headquarters, amid urgent calls to build more effective links between international policies and the daily needs of millions of the world's most vulnerable people. [more]
Reports/Articles
Applications of ICT and Impact of Mobile Telephony in E-Agriculture
VSRD International Journal of Computer Science & Information Technology, Vol. 3 No. 2 February 2013
Mobiles phones adoption has exploded just because of the fact that continuous advancements in research and development in mobile technology have made them low cost, rich in features, and used worldwide. With the advances in improved mobile telephone services from third generation (3G) broadband data services to the latest fourth generation (4G) cutting edge innovative IP networks, mobile phones have increased access to information at reduced costs and effective reach to vast population in shortest time. The past decade has witnessed a rapid expansion of mobile telephony in developing countries. This paper reviews the impact of mobile telephony on several agricultural sectors in the developing countries and its influence of information and communication technology on market behavior. [more]
The role of Agricultural Development Bank in the Development of Rural Women in Agriculture (A Case Study of Wa-West District).
Research Journal of Finance and Accounting. Vol.4, No.12, 2013
This study shows the role of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) in assisting rural women in agriculture, a case study of the Wa-West District notably Ponyentanga, Gaa and Nyoli. The study looks at the way rural women in Agricultural are equipped with ADB loans to improve upon their farming practices. The study critically examines the loan size, mode of payment and interest rates aiming at evaluating its efficacy towards improve farming methods. [more]
Thank you
The articles included in this news digest have been generated from online news sources and the daily graphic newspaper published within last week. For more information on any of these articles, please contact Adwoa Kwarteng at A.Kwarteng@cgiar.org
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