The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful in the coming year despite the nation’s prevailing challenges. Ize-Iyamu made the call on Wednesday at the hospital’s Nine Lessons and Carols Night and End-of-Year Party for staff and students in Benin. She expressed confidence that the new year would bring improvement for individuals and institutions, noting that enduring hope could only be sustained through faith in Christ, whom she described as the true source of strength amid the country’s economic and social difficulties. “UBTH cares, just as Christ…
Author: Newsdesk
As climate change continues to shrink water supplies and disrupt rainfall patterns, farmers across the world are increasingly rethinking how they water their crops, with precision irrigation emerging as a practical response to a growing crisis. Agriculture already accounts for approximately 70 per cent of global freshwater use, but experts say a significant share of this water is lost through inefficient irrigation methods, such as flooding and poorly controlled sprinklers. Much of the wasted water runs off fields or evaporates before crops can benefit, putting further pressure on rivers and underground aquifers. FoodLAND Africa says precision irrigation is helping farmers…
In a generous initiative led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, 5,000 households in Osun Central Senatorial District received food hampers yesterday to celebrate the 2025 Yuletide season. The event was organised by Femi Oyetola under the Ileri-Oluwa initiative, aimed at supporting low-income residents across the ten local governments in the district. The distribution took place at the Ileri-Oluwa office in Osogbo and included various beneficiary groups such as the elderly, orphanages, people with disabilities (PWDs), and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Femi Oyetola said, “This initiative is the third edition aimed…
The Federal Government has reinforced its commitment to ranching as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term livestock development strategy, signalling a major shift towards sustainable agriculture, food security and economic diversification. This position was restated during an inspection visit by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, to Manchong Integrated Farms Limited in Nasarawa State. Leading senior ministry officials and key industry stakeholders, the Minister described the farm as a compelling demonstration that modern ranching is not only possible in Nigeria, but also scalable, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable. According to him, the facility challenges long-standing assumptions that ecological and climatic…
Dorper sheep breeding in Zimbabwe is experiencing renewed growth, with rising demand, strong auction prices and expanding breeder participation signalling a positive turnaround for the sector. This upward trajectory was highlighted by the first-ever Dorper sale held in Matabeleland on 28 November 2025 in Bulawayo – a landmark event for the country’s small-stock industry. Zimbabwe Dorper Sheep Breeders Association chairperson William Hundermark told that Matabeleland had never previously hosted a Dorper sale. He explained that Zimbabwe’s stud breeding industry, including the Dorper breed, suffered heavily during the land redistribution programme, which led to the emigration of many established breeders. The situation…
Malawi’s tea industry has recorded a sharp decline in production during the third quarter of the year, yet paradoxically delivered significantly higher export earnings, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of Malawi. The contrasting performance highlights the resilience of one of the country’s most vital agricultural sectors despite ongoing production challenges. Tea output fell dramatically to 4.7 million kilogrammes in the third quarter, down from 13.4 million kilogrammes in the previous quarter. This marks one of the lowest production levels seen in recent years and is also below the 5.5 million kilogrammes recorded during the same…
Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is poised for renewed growth following sweeping regulatory reforms that will see several statutory fees scrapped or significantly reduced from the coming year. The government-led initiative is expected to ease the cost of doing business for farmers, boost productivity and strengthen the country’s food security and export potential. The reform programme, coordinated by the Office of the President and Cabinet with support from the Treasury and technical assistance from the World Bank, targets more than 20 permits and levies across the livestock, dairy and stockfeed industries. Treasury officials confirmed that once the measures are gazetted, agriculture will…
Access to veterinary services for dairy farmers across Rwanda is set to improve following the handover of 135 motorcycles to Community Agro-Vet Entrepreneurs (CAVEs) operating in 27 districts. The motorcycles were distributed under the Rwanda Dairy Development Project Phase II (RDDP II), with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implementation by Heifer International Rwanda. The initiative aims to strengthen last-mile delivery of animal health services, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach rural areas. The handover comes shortly after Rwanda launched the Veterinary Sanitary Mandate (VSM) policy alongside the Veterinary Registration and Licensing Module under the Agriculture Management Information System…
Drought-resistant cassava is transforming livelihoods for farmers in Rwanda’s dry eastern regions, with growers in Nyawera Cell of Mwiri Sector, Kayonza District, recording improved harvests despite harsh climatic conditions. Through the Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project Phase II (KIIWP2), once-parched hillsides are now producing healthy cassava crops, demonstrating the power of climate-smart agriculture. The project is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). KIIWP2 aims to lift 40,000 rural households out of poverty by supporting climate change adaptation, boosting food production, and increasing household…
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has reaffirmed its readiness to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment across the state during the Christmas and New Year festivities. In a statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Authority had activated a comprehensive waste management plan to address the anticipated increase in waste generation across residential, commercial, and public areas, during the period. According to him, LAWMA has deployed waste evacuation trucks, personnel, and supervisory teams to strategic locations, including major highways, markets, motor parks, and other high-traffic public spaces, to ensure prompt and…