Below are some current developments on Agriculture in Africa:
Agricultural Issues
SADA Mango Project on Course
The mango project of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) in the northern part of the Volta Region is on course to improve the lives of farmers within the area. Many of the mango farmers are optimistic that they will in the next four years benefit from the project which has been introduced by the government to help reduce poverty in the area. The issue of SADA has become topical following reports that most of the projects under it, including that of the mango project in the northern part of the Volta Region, are failing.
GMOs, EPAs Signs of Neo-colonialism; Farmers Cry
Hundreds of farmers in the three Northern Regions of Ghana Friday embarked on a street march in protest against attempts by Government to pass the Plant Breeders Bill into law as a prelude to the introduction of GMO products into the country. The more than 600 small-holder farmers marched through the principal streets of the Northern Regional capital, Tamale to draw attention to what they said were dangerous steps being considered by government which have the potential to undermine the local economy and worsen poverty in deprived regions of the country. They cited the Plant Breeders Bill, the Genetically Modified Organisms as well as the vexed issue of the Economic Partnership Agreement (which government is determined to sign) as the retrogressive steps.
Smallholder Famers to Benefit from Mechanized Agriculture
John Deere Corporate Citizenship, a United States-based company, is to introduce improved mechanization and skills training to small holder farmers in the Upper East Region. The company which is partnering Technoserve, a local NGO giving technical support to farmers on Agriculture, would provide entrepreneurial training to small holder farmers to improve crop yields through new technologies. Mr Geoff Anderson, Director of Business Planning and Strategy of the company, made this known at a dinner with the Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh at the Regional Coordinating Council.
Workshop on Fertilizer Quality Control in Africa Opens
A two-day workshop to discuss issues relating to quality standards and control in the fertilizer value chain across Sub-Saharan African countries is underway in Accra. The workshop, organized by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), brings together 50 participants from 13 African countries to share experiences and lessons learnt in the roll out of country-level fertilizer quality control regulations. It would also provide opportunities for cross projects and country partnerships to enhance the development of good fertilizer quality control systems within and across countries.
Agro-Revolution For Anambra State Farmers
Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano launched what may be called an agricultural revolution, Thursday, when he flagged off the 2014 farming season at Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of the state, declaring that with that ceremony, he had symbolically lighted up the fire of agro-revolution in the state. Addressing a mammoth crowd of farmers who turned up with various farm produce and livestock to mark the beginning of another bountiful season, Governor Obiano explained that the theme of the ceremony, “A New Dawn for Agriculture in Anambra State,” was carefully chosen to reflect the attitude of his administration to agriculture.
FARA Calls for Massive Education on Angular Leaf Spot Disease
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), has advocated a massive educational campaign to create awareness on the Angular leaf spot disease, which is fast devastating citrus production in Ghana. The fungi disease, first seen in the country in 1995, had since devastated large tracts of citrus plantation, with most cultivators losing as much as 50 per cent of their crop yield. The most endemic diseased areas include the Ashanti, Volta, Central, Eastern and Brong-Ahafo Regions which have about 40,000 people engaged in the citrus industry.
Tomato, Onion Prices Surge in Tamale – Survey
There has been a sharp increase in commodity prices in the Tamale Metropolis with onion and tomatoes recording the highest increases this week, a GNA market survey has shown. The survey conducted on Friday in the Aboabo and Tamale Central Markets showed that bowl of onions, which was sold last week at GH20.00, is now being sold for GH32.00. Similarly, the price of a bowl of tomatoes (Navrongo variety) more than doubled to GH15.00 in the week to Friday, as against last week’s price of GH7.00. Three tubers of yam (medium size), now sell at GH7.00, instead of GH5.00 and the price of a bowl of maize also saw a slight increase from GHc2.50 to GH3.00….
Apply Technology to Agric to Improve Results - Prez
President John Dramani Mahama has advised farmers to move away from the age-old practice of 'miracle agriculture' to science-based agriculture in order to take advantage of the benefits technology brings to the business of agriculture. He said ‘miracle agriculture’, "which is praying to God to give us food to eat", was unpredictable, as against science-based agriculture, which could accurately predict what the farmer could get. The President gave the advice when he witnessed the first harvesting of tomatoes produced through the EnvironDome Greenhouse Systems at Okumanin near Kade in the Eastern Region yesterday.
UE Regional Minister Tasks Local Steering Committee
The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh on Thursday tasked the Local Steering Committee (LSC) of the Ghana Sustainable Land and Water Management Project(GSLWMP) to ensure that the project was implemented very well to achieve the desired impact. The GSLWMP which started in 2011 in eight Districts drawn from the Northern, Upper and Upper West Regions is aimed at improving land management in selected micro-watersheds in Northern Ghana to reverse the land degradation and enhance agriculture productivity. The Project which is funded by a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is to also help improve spatial planning through integration of…
CIKOD Holds Consultation Workshop on Plant Breeders Bill
Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, Pathologist and Fellow of Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, has urged Parliament to take a second look at the Plant Breeders Bill (PBB) before it is passed into law. He said the bill in its current form does not protect Ghanaian breeders but rather international organisations. Speaking at a day’s consultation workshop on Plant Breeders Bill and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Prof Akosa linked the loopholes in the bill to inadequate consultation with local stakeholders. The workshop was organized by Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and organizational Development (CIKOD), a non-governmental organisation in collaboration with Action Aid Ghana (AAG) for representatives of small, medium and large scale farmers across the country.
African Awakening Will Avert Future Food Crises
Thirty years on from a famine that claimed more than a million lives, Ethiopia is making great strides towards food security. And though progress across the continent is uneven, many other African nations are adopting policies that see agricultural development as a priority, to protect smallholder farmers and other rural households from the threats of volatile food prices, conflict and climate change. 'Resilience' is a term used in development discourse for the ability of poor communities to bounce back from shocks and stresses. Building resilience means helping these communities, as well as countries and global institutions, to prevent, anticipate and cope with such shocks.
Ghana, US To Partner In Vocational And Technical Training
Ghana and the United States are set to strengthen ties in the area of vocational and technical training. This came to light when the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations recently paid a working visit to some renowned vocational and training institutions in the United States of America at the invitation U.S. Department of Labour for a programme on Child Labour. The institutions that the Minister visited include Genesee Valley Educational Partnership in Mount Morris, SUNY Geneseo, American Rock Salt, Once Again Nut Butter and Noyes Health. Nii Armah Ashietey also visited renowned Edison Tech and Munroe Community College respectively.
Media Must Devote Time to Development Issues-Aidoo
Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, has appealed to the media to devote time to development issues rather than concentrating on political issues. He said journalists must initiate debate in areas such as agriculture, education, roads, health and sanitation that impact positively on the people and not direct attention on personalities. Mr. Aidoo was interacting with journalists and selected Heads of Departments in the Region at Sekondi aimed at strategizing and finding ways to chart a new development paradigm for the Region.
Asenso-Okyere Passes On
Former Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, is dead. A statement issued by the university, among other things, claimed the former Legon VC died while on an FAO mission outside Ghana. News of his death was broken to the university and the family on Saturday, May 10, 2014 by officials of the FAO in Accra. “The family and the University of Ghana are deeply saddened by this news. Further details will be provided as they become available”, the statement said. Prof. Asenso-Okyere served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana from 2002 to 2006. He was the first VC to head the university but did not attend Achimota School.
Domeabra Chief Lauds SNV for Biogas Plant
Nana Kusi Boadum, Chief of Domeabra, near Kumasi, has commended the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) Ghana, and the Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (CEESD) for their commitment towards the provision of a biogas plant for the Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture (KITA). Nana Boadum made the commendation at the inauguration of the plant, which cost GHC70,000, at Kumasi over the weekend. The Bio-gas plant would process human excreta to generate electricity and organic fertilizer. Nana Boadum said the gesture had come at an opportune time, complementing the overall ongoing developments and activities within the community.
Government Lends Support to Poultry Industry
In fulfillment of promise to increase support to the poultry industry to boost their production and also to sensitize the various poultry associations to actively take advantage of government programmes, President Mahama says government is increasing support to the poultry industry. Tis is to enable farmers not only to produce to meet local demand but also to push the country to become net exporter of poultry products in the nearest future. To this effect, the President has asked the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to make financial assistance to poultry farmers while the broiler project was ongoing.
SEND-GHANA Organises Validation Workshop
SEND-GHANA, in collaboration with Star Ghana has organized a validation workshop on draft guidelines on the relationship between Traditional Authorities and District Assemblies under the theme, “Maximizing the participation of Non State Actors in local governance for increased accountability, transparency and responsiveness.’’ The event, held in Accra, was to review, discuss and verify modalities of the guidelines for District Assemblies and Non-State Actors (NSA) engagement. Mr Daniel Adotey, Trade and Agriculture Programme Officer of SEND-GHANA, said the purpose of the validation was to subject the draft guidelines developed by the Institute of Local Government…
Climatology Professor Calls for Concerted Efforts to Mitigate Climate Change impact
Professor of Climatology, Nana Professor Peter Kwabena Acheampong,. of the University of Cape Coast Department of Geography and Regional Planning, has called for concerted efforts in adapting and mitigating the impact of climate change. He mentioned draught, absence of migratory birds, drying of river bodies, temperature change and the rise of the sea level in some parts of the country, as indications of the reality of climate change, and said there was the urgent need to mitigate its impact which was felt, especially in coastal communities. The Professor was addressing participants of a day's stakeholder’s workshop on “Local Communities’ adaptation to climate”…
Maize Facilities for Farmers are Being Wasted in Eastern Region
A multi-million-cedi grains processing facility, established under the Private-Public Partnership Agreement between the Millennium Development Authority (MIDA), and a private investor, to provide drying, shelling and storage of grains, including maize facilities for farmers in the Upper Manya Krobo, Fanteakwa and Lower Manya Krobo Districts, is lying idle at Asesewa. The Agro-processing facility which was completed in 2012, has a sheller, drier and storage facility for over 1,000 bags of maize and other cereals, but it is not being patronized by the farmers. The facility also has a fumigator for treatment of the grains against germs and weevil infestation during the processing.
Kasapreko Acquires 40% Shares in Cassava Plantation
As part of measures to cut down cost of imports, Kasapreko Company Limited has acquired 40 percent shares in a cassava plantation at Hodzo in the Volta region. The joint venture investment with Caltech Ventures Company limited is inspired by Kasapreko’s strategic objective to be a total beverage production company by 2016. This agreement was announced by the Deputy Managing Director, Kojo Nunoo at a press briefing in Ho. He noted that the project will support the company’s import substitution strategy and confirm its position as a prime local manufacturer that uses predominantly local material in production. The Deputy Managing Director added that when the project commence in May 2015, they will get three million liters of alcohol a year from cassava.
Food Security/Crisis
We’ll Ensure Food Security – Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has pledged government’s commitment to ensure food security and sufficiency in the country. The president made the commitment in Kade in the Eastern Region where he witnessed the harvesting of some vegetables cultivated through an enhanced technology called EnviroDome Greenhouse system. The initiative is a collaboration between the University of Ghana and Stevicksen Ventures Limited. EnviroDome Greenhouse system uses a scientific method to cultivate crops in a controlled environment without using any pesticides. While lauding the initiative, President Mahama said government will support such technologies.
Reports/Articles
Average Daily Gain, AST and Blood NitrogenUrea (BUN) Responses of Bali Beef on Cocoa Waste Extract Supplement
HM Ali - 2014
The research aimed to identify blood plasma AST, BUN, Triglyceride and average daily gain (ADG) responses of Bali beef on cocoa pod husk (CPH) extracts supplementations. 15 males of Bali beef in fattening premises were divided according to feed treatments; group A1 with normal feed; A2 CPH meal (CPH-M); A3= CPH crud (CPH-CE); A4= high theobromine CPH (CPH-T); A5= high polyphenol CPH (CPH-P). Blood collection and body weighting held one day before treatment (B1); B2= 24 h;B3= 14 d; B4= 28 d; 42 d later. Result show that there was no significant difference in ADG values within all treatments, although the control and CPH-P had higher ADG at 14–56d of treatment. The blood AST activity were same (P>0.05) in control, CPH-M and CPH-C and significantly higher (P<0.05) than CPH-T and CPH-P Thus preliminary parameters implied that utilizing of CPH as feed for Bali beef didn’t indicate any negative effect.
Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets and the Implications for Extension and Advisory Services
S Ferris, P Robbins, R Best, D Seville, A Buxton… - 2014
Approximately 1.5 billion people are engaged in smallholder agriculture across the world. They include 75% of the world’s poorest people whose food, income, and livelihood prospects depend on agriculture. They mainly live in rural communities. Despite their important role as food producers and rural stewards, the commercial prospects for millions of poor smallholders remain challenging. Income opportunities have improved since the long period of depressed commodity prices, from the 1980s until the mid-2000s; as commodity prices have recovered, the agricultural sector has shown signs of revitalization. Several global agencies have also renewed their investments in agriculture due to the realization that enterprise continues to be the best hope of improving the livelihood prospects for millions of rural families
Changes in Biochemical and Physico-chemical Qualities during Drying of Pulp Preconditioned and Fermented Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Beans
EO Afoakwa, AS Budu, H Mensah-Brown, J Felix - 2014
This study investigated the effects of post-harvest pod storage as a means of pulp preconditioning on the souring production, flavour precursors development and free fatty acids during drying of fermented Ghanaian cocoa beans. A 4 x 4 full factorial experiment was conducted with pod storage (0, 7, 14, 21 days) and drying times (0, 2, 4 and 6 days) as the principal factors. The souring/acidification indices (pH and titratab e acidity), total sugar, total nitrogen and free fatty acids (FFA) were studied using standard analytical methods. The results showed that titratable acidity, total sugars and total nitrogen in cocoa beans decreased during drying and with increasing pod storage durations probably due to…
Factors Affecting Library Staff Motivation At Council For Scientific And Industrial Research (Csir), Ghana
Folitse, SK Osei - Library Philosophy and Practice, 2014
The paper examines the factors affecting motivational level of Library staff in CSIR, Ghana. The main objective of the study was to identify the factors affecting the motivation of Library staff at CSIR. The nature of this study was descriptive cum survey type. Population of this study included all the Library staffs CSIR in Ghana. For choosing the sample from this population, purposive sampling type was used. All the 54 Library staffs within the CSIR were selected for the study. A questionnaire was used as research instrument for collection of data. The data obtained were tabulated and analyzed by using statistical techniques of means, standard deviation, correlation and multiple regression. On the basis of analysis it was concluded that, recognition and work condition are the most important motivating factors for Library staff in the CSIR of Ghana.
Relative Undernourishment and Food Insecurity Associations with Plasmodium falciparum Among Batwa Pygmies in Uganda: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey
JA Lewnard, L Berrang-Ford, S Lwasa, DB Namanya… - The American Journal of …, 2014
Although malnutrition and malaria co-occur among individuals and populations globally, effects of nutritional status on risk for parasitemia and clinical illness remain poorly understood. We investigated associations between Plasmodium falciparum infection, nutrition, and food security in a cross-sectional survey of 365 Batwa pygmies in Kanungu District, Uganda in January of 2013. We identified 4.1% parasite prevalence among individuals over 5 years old. Severe food insecurity was associated with increased risk for positive rapid immunochromatographic test outcome (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 13.09; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.23–76.79). High age/sex-adjusted mid-upper arm circumference was associated with decreased risk for positive test among individuals who were not severely food-insecure (ARR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.19–0.69)…