Bees are winged insects that form a monophyletic clade Anthophila within the superfamily Apoidea of the order Hymenoptera, with over 20,000 known species in seven recognized families and pollinators are things that helps move pollen from one part of a flower to another. Bees and pollinators infograph Diversity of bees Apart from the well-known Apis Mellifera (the Western honeybee), there are 11 other honeybee species and hundreds of stingless bees. These bees often have spiritual, cultural, medicinal significance and are also used as environmental indicators. Huge variety of pollinators There are over 200,000 animal pollinator species. Most are wild species,…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Nigeria has launched the National Livestock Growth and Advancement Strategy (NL-GAS), a two-phase 10-year plan aimed at doubling the nation’s herd size and sectoral output by 2035 through a strong public–private partnership framework. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, unveiled the strategy during an Economic Management Team (EMT) meeting in Abuja, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. Maiha explained that the initiative will focus on modernizing livestock production, boosting value chains, and ensuring sustainable growth in the sector, which remains critical for food security and rural livelihoods. ALSO READ African…
Africa’s agricultural sector continues to play a pivotal role in global food security, with several countries standing out as leading producers of key crops. Data on continental output shows that Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt dominate in different categories, reflecting the diversity of Africa’s agricultural landscape. Nigeria maintains its position as Africa’s agricultural powerhouse, ranking as the continent’s largest producer of rice, banana, yam, cassava, shea nuts, and ginger. These crops remain vital to both domestic consumption and export earnings, underscoring Nigeria’s role in West Africa’s food supply chain. South Africa leads in maize and apple production, benefiting from advanced…
China has made a breakthrough in diabetes treatment through advanced stem cell therapy that shows promise in reversing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in humans. The therapy involves using the patient’s own cells, reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are then cultivated into insulin-producing islet cells and transplanted back into the patient. This autologous approach eliminates the need for anti-rejection drugs, a major advancement in transplant medicine. Details on Type 1 diabetes breakthrough A landmark case involved a 25-year-old woman from Tianjin, China, who had long-term Type 1 diabetes—an autoimmune disease destroying insulin-producing pancreatic cells. After…
The Nigerian government has launched laboratory investigations to determine the exact cause of a strange flesh-eating disease that has killed seven people in Malabu, Adamawa State. Dr. Adesigbin Olufemi, Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday in Abuja. According to him, as of September 10, there were 67 confirmed cases, with eight patients undergoing surgical treatment at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola. “These are undergoing surgical treatment with the support of the government,” he said, stressing the coordinated efforts to manage the medical emergency…
Agroforestry is a land-use practice that combines trees and shrubs with crops, livestock, or both, on the same land in a way that creates ecological and economic interactions between them. It aims to improve land productivity and sustainability by diversifying and integrating components like trees for fruit, fodder, or nitrogen fixation with agricultural activities. This approach offers environmental benefits such as soil conservation and water quality improvement, alongside socio-economic advantages like increased income and enhanced food security for farmers. Forest restoration and #agroforestry projects are being implemented by communities across the world to restore landscapes, sustain food systems, boost agricultural outputs, and…
Integrated coconut farming is redefining sustainable agriculture by combining crop production, livestock management, renewable energy, and eco-relaxation into one cohesive system. This innovative model transforms a coconut plantation into a multifunctional space that supports food production, animal husbandry, and tourism. 🌴 Coconut trees as the foundationCoconut palms serve as the backbone of the farm, offering shade, soil enrichment, and a steady stream of income through fruit, oil, and fiber. Their wide canopy creates a microclimate ideal for housing livestock such as goats, cows, rabbits, and even horses—reducing heat stress and improving animal welfare. 🐐 Livestock integrationDesignated paddocks and open grazing…
President Donald Trump’s surprise proclamation imposing an unprecedented $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas has plunged the U.S. tech sector into immediate turmoil, triggering urgent warnings for tens of thousands of foreign professionals. The policy, signed on Friday, September 19, becomes effective just after midnight on Sunday, September 21, giving visa holders less than 48 hours to return to the United States before facing new, costly visa conditions. The H-1B visa, widely used by technology companies to employ skilled foreign workers, will now require employers to pay $100,000 per year per visa, a stark escalation from the current $2,000 to…
Scientists have announced a major breakthrough in the decades-long fight against HIV, unveiling a CRISPR-based therapy that can completely remove HIV DNA from infected human cells and prevent the virus from returning. The innovative treatment directly targets the virus’s genetic material, cutting it out of the cell’s genome and halting its ability to replicate. In laboratory studies, the treated cells showed no signs of viral rebound, offering hope for what could be a permanent cure for HIV. Unlike conventional antiretroviral therapies, which only suppress the virus and require lifelong use, the CRISPR approach tackles the root cause by erasing the…
For thousands of families in Zamfara State who often struggle to afford even the most basic medical care, relief is on the way. The 14 Local Government Councils in the state have pledged over ₦1.07 billion to fund free healthcare services for 89,232 poor and vulnerable people across 147 wards. The funds, which will be managed by the Zamfara State Health Contributory Management Agency (ZAMCHEMA), are aimed at closing the gap in healthcare access for those most in need — children, orphans, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and others living in poverty. The commitment was made at a…