Ghana gets US $1.8 billion loan for cocoa sector

Ghana’s cocoa regulator, Cocobod, has signed a US$1.8bn loan with international banks to finance purchases for the 2015/16 season Cocobod hopes to start Ghana’s new cocoa season from 2 October. According to Cocobod spokesman, Noah Amenyah, the loan, signed in Paris by 23 lenders, will be used to purchase around 850,000 tonnes. The loan is the largest soft commodity deal in sub-Saharan Africa. Lead arrangers for the facility were Barclays Bank, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, French investment bank Natixis and Japan’s [...]

NDC launches US$111mn palm oil project in Tanzania

Nava Bharat Pte. Limited (NBS) in collaboration with Tanzania’s National Development Corporation (NDC) is investing US$111mn in a 10,000ha (hectare) Integrated Palm Oil project in Ruvu Basin Coast region near Dar es Salaam The palm oil project will be located near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (Image source: David Davies) A palm oil processing plant will also be set up to add value to the project, according to the NDC. The two firms have already acquired 6,000ha for the project expected to produce [...]

New drought-tolerant maize variety developed in Kenya

The African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF), in collaboration with Crop Africa Seeds, has developed a drought tolerant maize variety for Kenyan farmers. The maize variety has been named WE1101. It is said to be able to cope with drought conditions and still produce yields comparable with other commercial varieties. A survey conducted by AATF indicated that the WE1101 variety resulted in an average harvest of 4.5 tonnes of maize per hectare, which is more than double the national average of [...]

Uganda to get agriculture assistance from FAO and China

FAO, China and Uganda have signed a two year agreement worth almost US$2.5mn to support small-scale farmers in Uganda. The agreement marks the second phase of a partnership that was established in 2012 to make training and technical advice available to the Ugandan agriculture sector. It will help farmers in the African country boost their production and promote the use of sustainable technologies. Priority areas for the second phase of the project include developing crop, horticultural, livestock and aquaculture production, as [...]

Case IH launches new Farmall JXM series tractors

UK-headquartered Case IH has launched a new series of Farmall JXM tractors that offer a balance of design and strength The optional 20x20 creeper transmission offers speeds as low as 280 metres per hour for specific applications such as trenching and mulching. (image source: Case IH) The Farmall JXM series is powered by the Iveco S8000 series engines which are available in two versions, 80 hp and 88 hp. The four-cylinder turbocharged powering is further enhanced by the intercooler in both [...]

Using earthworms to improve soil fertility in Zimbabwe

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 [...]

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

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 [...]

Three new cab tractors from Massey Ferguson

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 [...]

Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets

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 [...]

Climate Smart Agriculture: Zambia’s Strategy to Reduce Emissions

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 [...]

REGISTER TODAY AND RECEIVE

15% Off Shipping..


X