CABI launches PlantwisePlus Programme to aid production of safe, quality food

UK – Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) has launched a worldwide programme – PlantwisePlus -to help support low and lower-middle income countries to predict, prepare themselves for and prevent plant health threats in a changing climate reducing crop losses and empowering farmers to increase income, food security and food safety by producing more and higher quality food. CABI…

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Research institutions in Nigeria develop GE rice to bolster yields

NIGERIA – The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in association with National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) among other research institutions in Nigeria has developed a Genetically Engineered (GE) rice which could increase yield by 20 per cent and significantly boost the food security agenda of the federal government. The foundation said the…

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Nigeria launches transgenic insect resistant cowpea

NIGERIA – Nigeria has officially launched and released a genetically modified (GM) cowpea variety, which is resistant to the pod borer pest. The pod borer-resistant (PBR) cowpea popularly known as beans in Nigeria is resistant to the insect pest Maruca vitrata, which is accountable for up to 80 percent yield losses. PBR cowpea was first released in Nigeria in December…

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Kenya National Food fortification summit roots for joint effort to enhance food fortification

KENYA – Stakeholders at the 2nd Kenya National Food fortification summit have emphasized the importance of concerted effort and multi-sectoral approaches to increase food fortification efforts for a nourished country. The summit running under the theme: “Creating an Enabling Environment for Food Fortification in Kenya” was organized to assess the progress made compared to challenges that were highlighted during the…

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Sectoral Council on Agriculture, Food Security in Africa calls for harmonized policies

AFRICA – The Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS), has called for the urgent need for the region to implement harmonized policies, and to operationalize regional instruments, in order to guarantee sustainable agricultural production, trade in commodities and to attain sustainable regional food and nutrition security. It had earlier in 2019 given a nod to harmonized procedures for…

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National Research Fund, Egerton University launch safe food laboratory

KENYA – The National Research Fund (NRF) in partnership with Egerton University has launched a Safe Food Laboratory (SAF-LAB) worth 39 million Kenyan shillings(USD $ 361278.37) to bolster production of quality food and economic development. As a government mandated research and science development agency, the NRF funds research, the development of high-end human capacity and critical research infrastructure to promote…

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Nigeria’s council on agriculture, rural development warrants crop bio-fortification

NIGERIA – Nigeria’s National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD), has at the 44th regular meeting of the Council, rubber-stamped mainstreaming staple crop bio-fortification in all aspects of agricultural interventions in Nigeria. This is a major stride towards improving nutrition for millions of Nigerians who suffer from micro-nutrient deficiency. The council is charged with the advocacy of agribusiness in…

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FAO, Spain vow to tighten ties in bid to heighten food security

ITALY – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Kingdom of Spain have released the first edition of their partnership report entitled, ” FAO + Spain: Working for global food security and nutrition to mark their long-standing co-operation” in a virtual event. FAO’s director general was joined by Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,…

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