Droughts and floods associated with El Nino are degrading food security in eastern and southern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where communities are already weakened by conflict. More than 10 million people in the region currently face hunger, and without a swift humanitarian response millions more could join them next year, aid agencies warned.

ZAMBIA - Cargill Zambia has launched a US $2 million maize milling plant in Chipata.

Speaking during the launch yesterday, Cargill projects manager Emmanuel Mbewe said the milling plant would provide local and urban farmers with reliable and consistent market for the maize.

“This is a special day for Cargill Zambia. It’s special because this year, 2015, we are celebrating 150 years of Cargill’s existence here on earth. It’s also a special day today because we launch the first [milling plant] here in Chipata,” Mbewe said.

He said the mill was the first-ever to be launched by Cargill in Zambia.

“The new maize [milling plant]

MEMBERS of parliament have urged the government to lift the ban on GMO foods, saying the move was not necessary.

The MPs, who are members of Parliamentary committees, called for a research-based policy change.

“Biotech projects address perennial drought problems that affect food security,” Emuhaya MP Wilbur Ottichilo said.

He said Kenya will remain food-insecure if farmers are denied technologies like biotechnology to increase farm yields and livelihoods.

Ottichilo asked why the government imported 60,000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania last week yet the country has no maize deficit.

He spoke during a field visit to the Kenya Agricultural and

DAR ES SALAAM – IITA has started a special scheme for young people  dubbed ‘IITA Youth Agripreneurs’ to help transform agriculture into business.

The scheme is part of others already operating in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

It is a pilot study that has two main objectives, tackling youth unemployment and encouraging young people to transform agriculture in Africa. IITA is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

IITA Regional Corporate Communications Officer for East and Southern Africa, Catherine Njuguna said young people, have energy, skills and knowledge so it is easy for

Smallholder farmers are asking for support to help them increase crop yield, enhanced agricultural knowledge and access to markets.

A poll conducted by Farm Radio International where 8, 891 farmers in Tanzania (nationwide) participated showed that more than half of the farmers said they have no access to good and reliable markets for their harvest.

Presenting the results recently at an event in Dar es Salaam, under the banner of 'Do Agric, It Pays' Farm Radio International Executive Director Kelvin Perkins said the poll also showed that farmers have view and opinions on what will help them but they are rarely not