Using earthworms to improve soil fertility in Zimbabwe

Bimini1002015-09-25T13:32:34-05:00

A project in Zimbabwe is promoting the use of earthworms to enable the country’s small-scale farmers improve soil fertility Earthworm technology can address the waste management and food security issues in Zimbabwe. According to Ephraim Whingiri, CEO of Zim Earthworm Farms (ZEF), earthworms eat organic wastes and their feces that are more potent than ordinary compost are used to improve soil fertility, which in turn boosts crop yields. “Soil conservation technologies enhance productivity and help farmers realize increased production,” said Whingiri. Whingiri explained [...]

October 14, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

South Africa to spend US$33.8mn to establish agri-parks

Bimini1002015-09-25T13:27:09-05:00

The government of South Africa has decided to spend US$33.8mn for the establishment of agri-parks in the KwaZulu-Natal region The aim of the agri-parks is to provide a network of contacts between producers, markets and processors. Gugile Nkwinti, minister of rural development and land reform, announced that ten sites have been identified for the establishment of agri-parks and that they are in different stages of development. “Each district has been reviewed and commodity options have been selected, which takes into account [...]

October 7, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Three new cab tractors from Massey Ferguson

Bimini1002015-09-25T13:24:01-05:00

AGCO brand Massey Ferguson has launched three new cab tractor models in its MF 4700 series The new dual circuit hydraulic system ensures sufficient flow for continuous operations. The 75 hp, 85 hp and 95 hp standard farm tractors are the first completely new tractors that the company has developed in recent times, and they have been designed to meet a wide range of requirements. The company has designed a completely new cab specifically for the MF 4700 series tractors. Full glass [...]

October 5, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets

Bimini1002019-03-05T12:51:32-05:00

Since 2002, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has supported Colombia in integrating more than 55,000 smallholder producer households into modern value chains, lifting their productivity and sales volumes, and reaching vulnerable groups including women, indigenous people, and Afro-Colombians. Challenge Similar to other developing countries, the majority of the rural households served by the Project engaged in smallholder agriculture characterized by low productivity, asymmetric information in prices and selling opportunities, and limited market access. Many of these households sold their [...]

September 30, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Climate Smart Agriculture: Zambia’s Strategy to Reduce Emissions

Bimini1002015-08-31T13:15:28-05:00

Written by Nancy Saili The agricultural sector is believed to be the backbone of the Zambian economy thereby alleviating problems associated with poverty and food security. The development of the sector is viewed as one sustainable way of economic growth and ‘Eradicating Extreme Poverty and Hunger’ which is goal number one of the Millennium Development Goals (UN, 2000). The sector contributes to the growth of the economy, to exports, employment of the labour force, income generation, GDP and foreign exchange. Effects [...]

September 28, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Honey farming revives Zimbabwe’s farmers incomes and saves forests

Bimini1002015-09-24T18:16:52-05:00

Story by Ray Mwareya When Stella Nzuma – 42 – was kicked off from her receptionist job of eight years, she obtained no pensions. Two years into her new job as a bee honey farmer, incomes have recovered, and her children can finish their education. “I’ve a new saviour,” Stella smiles, “my bees work for me. They fill 1000 bottles of honey every year. My profits climb to $2500.” Stella is part of 200 female honey bees farmers in eastern Zimbabwe who [...]

September 23, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Massey Ferguson launches two new combines for 2016

Bimini1002015-08-31T12:58:43-05:00

Massey Ferguson, an AGCO brand, has announced MF Activa 7340 and MF Activa 7344 combines for the 2016 season The new five straw-walker, MF Activa 7340 combine replaces the MF Activa 7240 and is an entry-level machine powered by a 176 horsepower, AGCO Power 4.9 litre, four cylinder engine. Highlighting the benefits of the new four cylinder combine, Adam Sherriff, marketing manager at Massey Ferguson, said, “It has been a long time since a combine has been powered by a four [...]

September 21, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Pöttinger introduces new tedder for small farms

Bimini1002015-08-31T12:53:07-05:00

Pöttinger has introduced the trailed 6-rotor HIT 6.80 T with a working width of 7.45 metres for small farms Integrating the latest technical developments from its newest tedder models into the HIT 6.80 T, the company has brought its professional technology to smaller farms, where, thanks to its low power requirement, the tedder can be used with smaller tractors. The new trailed HIT 6.80 T can be hitched either to a linkage bar or by using a drawbar. The large tyres [...]

September 16, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Massey Ferguson introduces hay and forage equipment

Bimini1002015-08-31T12:50:39-05:00

Massey Ferguson, an AGCO brand, is introducing a new range of hay and forage equipment designed and built at AGCO’s Feucht facility in Germany The new line-up of agricultural equipment includes a wide range of high quality and energy-efficient mowers, rakes and tedders that the company is introducing across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. “Massey Ferguson is a highly successful manufacturer of a full line of tractors, material handling and harvesting equipment, including high quality combines and balers. So it [...]

September 14, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...

Nigeria’s agriculture sector to get US$1.8bn

Bimini1002015-08-31T12:47:23-05:00

The Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG) has plans to invest US$1.8bn for the development of agribusiness across Nigeria Sunny Echono, permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this announcement at NABG’s first annual general meeting in Lagos. NABG is a private sector agribusiness group led by Sani Dangote, and it is comprised of stakeholders across the agriculture value chain, from farmer associations to food processors and transporters as well as banks and finance companies. Echono called the [...]

September 10, 2015 Uncategorized Comments OffRead more...