Highlights agribusiness as solution to Africa’s youth unemployment DES MOINES, United States of America, October 18, 2017/ — The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has called for global support for Africa’s young farmers and “agripreneurs”, highlighting how agribusiness is the answer to the continent’s youth employment. In collaboration with the Initiative for Global Development, the Association of African Agricultural Professionals in the Diaspora (AAAPD), Michigan State University, Iowa State University, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the AfDB brought together stakeholders to discuss how to expand economic opportunities for Africa’s youth throughout the agricultural value chain, from lab to farm…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
According to the AfDB President, so huge is the potential of African savannahs that the World Bank called the Guinea savanna zone “one of the major underutilised resources in Africa DES MOINES, United States of America, October 19, 2017/ — The savannahs of Africa cover a mind-boggling 600 million hectares, of which 400 million hectares are cultivable, the President of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), Akinwumi Adesina, has said. But just 10% of this is cultivated, a mere 40 million hectares, Adesina said Wednesday, while speaking at a session titled “Transformation of the African Savannah Initiative (http://APO.af/vSoKvu)” at the 2017 World Food Prize-Borlaug…
The fall armyworm reportedly has a foothold in 28 nations in Africa, and it feeds on crops that include maize, which more than 200 million Africans depend on for food security DES MOINES, United States of America, October 19, 2017/ — The world’s anti-hunger organizations have an opportunity to prevent widespread destruction of African crops by stopping the spread of an insect, warn three of the most respected thinkers on international agriculture. However, the international community must act swiftly, in cooperation, and on a large scale to do so. The fall armyworm reportedly has a foothold in 28 nations in…
Calls for land tax for unused agricultural land or underutilized agricultural land DES MOINES, United States of America, October 17, 2017/ — Africa holds the key for feeding the nine billion people that will inhabit this planet by 2050, the President of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said (http://APO.af/z7AxMV) during his Norman Borlaug Lecture delivered on World Food Day. The Laureate also called for land tax for unused agricultural land or underutilized agricultural land to provide incentives for faster commercialization of agriculture and unlocking its potential in Africa. In a lecture titled “Betting…
“We must get youths into agriculture and see it as a profitable business venture not a sign of lacking ambition”- Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank DES MOINES, United States of America, October 17, 2017/ — On the occasion of the 2017 World Food Day, the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org/en) has highlighted how Africa’s food security depends on attracting young people to agriculture and agribusiness. The sector can potentially create wealth and employment for African youth, thereby stemming migration. World Food Day, celebrated yearly on October 16, promotes worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger…
President Adesina received the 2017 World Food Prize on Thursday, October 19 DES MOINES, United States of America, October 16, 2017/ — The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org/en) President, Akinwumi Adesina, will deliver the Norman Borlaug Lecture today as part of the World Food Prize events taking place from October 16-20, 2017 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The Norman Borlaug Lecture titled “Betting on Africa to Feed the World” will be held on World Food Day, October 16, in conjunction with the annual World Food Prize celebration. President Adesina will receive the 2017 World Food Prize on Thursday, October 19. The…
This is even as the Company prepares to hit the market with One million metric tons of Dangote rice in 2018 LAGOS, Nigeria, October 15, 2017/ — Unemployment: Dangote employs youth graduate for rice farming in Kogi. A multi-million Naira Youth Farming Initiative that will engage teeming unemployed Nigerian graduates in rice farming has been launched by the Dangote Rice Limited (www.Dangote.com) in Kogi State. This is even as the Company prepares to hit the market with One million metric tons of Dangote rice in 2018. The Dangote Youth Rice Farm project, mainly an out-grower scheme for youths only was flagged…
The AAP is open to students throughout Africa and is a direct response to the need to bring young talent into the agribusiness sector in Africa LUSAKA, Zambia, September 29, 2017/ — AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO) (www.AGCOcorp.com), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, is a lead partner in a brand-new training program being established to develop the talent to fill vital junior management roles in African agriculture and the supply chain – currently a major gap in the continent’s skills’ resource. The Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 25 September to inaugurate this important new agribusiness…
By Abdallah el-Kurebe “Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world, producing about 40 million tons annually. It is one of the richest fermentable substances for the production of crude alcohol/ethanol.” – Foraminifera Market Research Ethanol is also produced from cassava and is used as fuel, alcoholic beverages, perfumes, cosmetics, medicaments, etc. Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava but the nation’s annual local demand of ethanol is between 300 and 400 million litres. The country only meets up with three percent of total annual demand. The balance of 97% is presently met through importation, requiring a whooping…
L-R: Prof. Boniface, Dr. Yarama & Prof. Ishiyaku By Abdallah el-Kurebe As more African countries join the Agric Biotech community and Nigeria prepares to commercialise the Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) Cowpea, the national agricultural research system (NARS) has certified the crop as safe for human consumption. Addressing journalists on the Cowpea trial field in Kano Thursday, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), which is the coordinating agency for agricultural research in the country said that after eight years of research, the council was proud to present the “first home-grown genetically modified crop to Nigerians,” a product that had “passed all necessary scientific…