By allAfrica news President Hifikepunye Pohamba last Friday declared a national emergency due to the devastating drought that has already killed 4 000 large and small stock. The current nationwide drought has also affected over 300 000 people classified as food insecure. “Our country is experiencing the wrath of mother nature in the form of a [...]

By admin Inadequate March-May short rains have resulted to total crop failure in Syeikulu Kitui county; the area deputy county commissioner Stephen Momanyi has said. Speaking yesterday, Momanyi said in order to cushion those affected by the food shortage hence they should be provided with adequate food rations. He said most crops had withered after the [...]

In late September, The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) West Africa program, together with partner the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) visited the District of Zandoma, in Burkina Faso. The main objective of the field visit was to interview key members of the Association of Innovative Farmers [...]

Daily Nation Water from the world’s shrinking glaciers was responsible for almost a third of the rise in sea levels between 2003 and 2009, new research showed Thursday. A study published in the journal Science revealed that researchers had analyzed data gleaned from two NASA satellites as well as traditional ground measurements from glaciers around the [...]

Daily Monitor Uganda is fast approaching a major shortage of sawn timber. To meet the increasing demand, the country will soon have to import timber as well as face increased pressure on its remaining tropical forests. To counter both these scenarios, Uganda is now encouraging investment in timber plantations, through both the public sector, National Forest [...]

By Fred Muzaale: Daily Monitor Vegetable farmers, especially those who grow cabbages in Kayunga and Mukono districts are counting losses after a disease, which has been identified as the black rot disease, hit these areas. According to Mr James Rwebikire, an agricultural expert, the disease is caused by fungi or bacteria and is locally known as [...]

By PHILIP BWAYO: Business Daily Farmers in the North Rift risk losses after an outbreak of maize lethal necrosis disease was reported in farms in Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot counties. The viral disease has affected the crop on the farms with agricultural officials warning of poor yields since most farmers ignored guidelines they [...]

By Michael J. Ssali: Daily Monitor The rain season has begun in most parts of Uganda. When it rains, it is normal for us to seek shelter from building or any other structure from where we watch runoff water in the compound making its way to the valley. These are cubic metres upon cubic metres [...]

By DOREEN WAINAINAH: Business Daily As you drive into Purdy Arms in Karen, the serene environment of the place helps you understand how the Organic Farmers’ Market has found a temporary home there. Camouflaged in the lush greenery near the parking, the market has a steady stream of clients walking in with their empty baskets before [...]

The rains presently pounding most parts of Kenya have taken a heavy toll. There have been a significant number of fatalities, thousands of people displaced by floods, property destroyed and crops washed away. The meteorological department is warning that the rains will not let up soon, while the Kenya Red Cross has issued a detailed [...]

By Otushabire Tibyangye: Daily Monitor Every farmer anticipates a big harvest at the end of the growing season but a number of factors at play during the time the crops are in the field have a big influence on the outcome. That is why farmers have to use pesticides, fertilisers and appropriate technology against these [...]

By BOZO JENJE: Business Daily Farmers are expected to earn more from tourism after the completion of a Sh44 million butterfly flight cage at the National Museums of Kenya in Mombasa. Mombasa Butterfly house project manager Anthony Githitho said that the farmers would breed pupae before they sell them. “Initially, the products were exported to the [...]

By Daily Monitor March to May constitutes the first major rainfall season and there are major physical conditions, which are likely to influence the weather in Uganda during this period. These include current conditions over tropical Pacific Ocean and the influence of the emerging cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures over much of the western Indian Ocean. Based [...]

By DAVID HERBLING: Business Daily Listed agricultural firm Limuru Tea almost tripled its earnings last year, thanks to favourable weather conditions and higher tea prices in the global market in 2012. The company posted an after-tax profit of Sh101.8 million for the year ended December 2012, representing a 150.5 per cent growth compared to Sh40.5 million [...]