Charcoal and Solar Power Used to Revolutionize Lake Victoria Fishing
Omena, a small silver cyprinid fish, forms the backbone of the fishing industry in the Lake Victoria region, sustaining millions of livelihoods.
Super Seeds" Developed in Kenya Could Quadruple Farmers' Yields
In response to the growing threat of climate change to food security, Egerton University has taken a leading role in developing climate-smart seed varieties.
Namibian Desert Blooms as Farmers Turn Bush into "Black Gold"
In the arid landscapes of Namibia, where farming has long been a challenge, a group of innovative farmers is quite literally turning trash into treasure.
Can Aquaponics and Sandponics Combat Urban African Food Crisis?
At the University of Johannesburg's Bunting Road campus, an unassuming hillside has been transformed into a vibrant hub of agricultural innovation. The Centre for Ecological Intelligence (CEI) has established itself as a pioneering force in sustainable urban agriculture, offering a glimpse into the future of food production in Africa's rapidly growing cities.
University of Fort Hare Research Reveals Critical Gaps in Climate Change Preparedness Across South Africa’s Eastern Cape
Two recent studies from the University of Fort Hare (UFH) have uncovered significant gaps in climate change awareness and preparedness across both rural and urban areas of South Africa's Eastern Cape province. The research highlights the urgent need for improved communication and education strategies to enhance resilience against climate-related challenges.
Walid Gaddas
Stecia International fosters partnerships to boost African agriculture: Key collaborations with universities, startups, and institutions driving innovation taking North African solutions to West Africa.
Technology Can Boost Farming In Africa, But It Can Also Threaten Biodiversity - How to Balance the Two
Cultivating one hectare of maize used to be an arduous task for Precious Banda, a farmer in Zambia. It would take her hundreds of hours to prepare her land before sowing and to keep it weed-free until harvest – equipped with nothing but a small hoe. She says it was backbreaking work: “I can still feel it.” For a few years now she has hired a tractor, and a neighbour sprays herbicides for her. “Life has become so easy,” she says.
But she has also noticed changes around her farm. There are fewer bees and – most worrying for her – fewer caterpillars, which used to make a delightful dish. Precious Banda’s story is a perfect example of the situation millions of African farmers face.
Literature From the Congo Basin Offers Ways to Address the Climate Crisis
The African continent is responsible for only 2–3% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions from energy and industrial sources. But it’s alarmingly suffering from the effects of the climate crisis, as reports from the UN and others show. On the positive side, Africa has a huge potential for climate mitigation, especially thanks to its tropical rainforests.
What Changed When Ugandan Farmers Rated Input Quality And Local Vendor Services
Each agricultural season, small-scale maize farmers in southeastern Uganda face the same dilemma. Should they shell out a few extra shillings and buy commercial maize seed from the nearby agro-input shop, or should they just plant seed saved from the previous harvest?
The advantages of the first strategy are obvious. The small investment in commercial seed can substantially increase future income from maize. About 28,000 UGX (roughly US$8) buys enough seed to plant half an acre, and can yield an additional 1.25 to 2.5 bags of maize – an extra income of between 88,000 and 176,000 UGX ($25-50).
Tap Digital Solutions to Transform Africa’s Agriculture
The value of agritech at scale for Africa is that it can help improve yields, increase food security and improve the quality of life for billions. Policymakers in Africa can support digital solutions by investing in infrastructure as well as communication and financial technologies.