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African stakeholders push for innovations to combat fall armyworm
Agricultural industry stakeholders in Africa are pushing for the application of innovative technology to help deal with fall armyworms, which have invaded farms across the continent. They say this is crucial to avert future destruction of farm fields as has been seen on the continent this farming season, plunging farmers into debt.
Fall armyworm invasion spreads to Ghana
African nations struggle to control the invasive fall armyworm, which is devastating maize, cocoa and cowpea crops and threatening food security.
As armyworm invasion devastates crops, Ugandan scientists bemoan GMO political stalemate
Ugandan scientists are confident that their latest field trials of genetically modified drought-tolerant and insect-resistant maize are yielding promising results, and say the seeds should be ready for farmers within two years — if the political environment improves. The ongoing trial of Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) hybrids at…
World Food Day: Global ceremony highlights the right to nutritious and affordable foods
The global ceremony marking World Food Day 2024 took place in Rome, Italy today, with participants underlining the need for universal access to enough diverse, nutritious, affordable, and safe foods. The event came amid growing global tensions, conflicts, and climate shocks, which are among the factors contributing to the…
Nigeria approves commercial release of GM maize varieties
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the commercial release of transgenic insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize varieties, known as TELA maize. The approval was granted by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF), headed by Prof Olusoji Olufajo at its 33rd meeting at…
Kenya gives green light to 58 GMO projects despite lawsuits and misinformation
Kenya lifted a 10-year ban on cultivating and importing genetically modified (GM) crops in October 2022. Scientists, who see GM crops as the answer to food insecurity, welcomed the decision. However, the move is opposed by lobby groups that went to court and got an injunction, thus blocking…
Head of premier biotechnology research institute assures Kenyans GM crops pose no danger to their health
I conducted some random research on the acceptability of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Kenya. I called some farmers I know and asked them if they would plant GM corn if given seeds by the government. More than 95 percent of my respondents were categorical that they would not. Across…
Information technology transforms the way Kenyan farmers manage crops and market their produce
Following four failed rainy seasons that pushed pastoralists to the edge of climate adaptability, Mwai Karang’u, a dairy farmer in Nyeri County says milk production on his farm has never been higher. Karang’u is a beneficiary of iCow, an integrated system of services and tools that leverages ICT to…
Kenya launches its first operational satellite to monitor climate change effects and help boost food production
Kenya finally launched its first operational earth observation satellite on April 15. The launch was scheduled for April 11 but got postponed more than once due to unfavorable weather. Kenyan engineers from SayariLabs constructed and designed the satellite while Bulgarian firm EnduroSat aided in the…