Cassava production in Tanzania to remain afloat following the success of an AI app for early detection of diseases

TANZANIA – The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has praised the success of using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform to detect cassava pests and prone diseases as the country bets on increasing production. Dubbed the ‘NuruAI’, the software can recognize diseases like cassava mosaic, cassava brown streak, and any damage by red and green mites, as well as provide…

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Concern grows as avian flu outbreak in South Africa threatens Namibia’s poultry industry

NAMIBIA – The Poultry Producers’ Association (PPA) has issued an alarm over continued chicken imports from South Africa amid a severe avian flu outbreak in the neighboring country. The PPA has expressed deep concern that this unchecked importation poses a grave risk to Namibia’s poultry sector. “We are deeply concerned that the avian flu could be introduced into Namibia, with…

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Kenya launches ambitious agricultural project to bolster food security

KENYA – In a concerted effort to enhance food security and transform the agricultural sector, the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) has unveiled the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCPD). This five-year initiative, backed by funding from KALRO, the World Bank, and other partners, represents a significant investment of Sh.3.5 billion (U.S$ 24,018,564) by KALRO and an…

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Ghana appoints ‘Custodian of Weights and Measures’ to revolutionize fair trade

GHANA – The Minister of Trade and Industry Ghana, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has appointed Professor Alex Dodoo, the Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), as the ‘Custodian of Weights and Measures,’ wielding newfound authority to enforce trade standards and foster international credibility. This historic appointment, mandated by the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078), came into effect on…

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Kenyan farmers wrestle with toxic pesticides,  posing risk to consumers, environment

KENYA – In a shocking exposé, a report titled “Toxic Business: Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Kenya,” has shed light on the troubling agricultural practices in Kenya. Despite the well-documented dangers posed by Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) to human health and the environment, Kenyan farmers continue to rely on them extensively, jeopardizing food safety and the nation’s ecological balance. The comprehensive…

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WorldVeg, IFDC join forces to revolutionize crop research, nutrition in Tanzania

TANZANIA – The World Vegetable Centre (WorldVeg) and the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) have inked a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Tanzania in a significant stride towards agricultural transformation and food security. The agreement, signed during the recent Africa Food Systems Forum, heralds a collaborative effort to advance research in crop production and fertiliser usage, with a primary…

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Ghana enhances Salmonella serotyping expertise with UK training strengthening One Health

GHANA — In a significant stride toward advancing both human and animal health, four experts from Ghana’s National Food Safety Laboratory (NFSL) have completed intensive training in Salmonella serotyping in the United Kingdom. This transformative endeavor, facilitated by the Animal Health System Strengthening project, underscores the interconnection of human and animal well-being, aligning with the One Health Agenda. The distinguished…

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Stakeholders urged to align with NAFDAC’s guidelines to prevent losses in Nigeria’s export trade

NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a rallying call to various trade groups involved in Nigeria’s export business, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to halt the alarming rate of food export rejections by European and American markets. NAFDAC has stressed that a unified approach is essential, one that involves aligning…

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USDA, global organizations join forces to safeguard plant, animal health in Africa

AFRICA – At the recent Africa Food Systems Forum held in Tanzania, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled visionary collaborations aimed at fortifying plant and animal health across the African continent. These transformative partnerships promise to usher in a new era of agricultural sustainability and food security, with far-reaching implications for Africa’s future. Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for…

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South African scientists issue Listeria warning as beef sector contamination raises concerns

SOUTH AFRICA – In a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP), South African scientists have raised alarm bells over the presence of Listeria in the beef sector, sparking fears of a potential outbreak. The research, spanning from 2019 to 2020, examined the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in beef and beef products at various stages of…

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