By Joseph Checky Abuje joabuje@gmail.com For many years Elda Mariam, a maize farmer from Nambale sub-county, Busia County has been harvesting a maximum of Seven bags in her one-acre parcel. This could however change with the introduction of Bt Maize variety in that locality. “Maize farming has been a big loss to me. I…
Leaders put heads together against climate change
By Joseph Checky Abuje joabuje@gmail.com Participants at a climate change meeting convened by Kenya Climate Change Working Group (www.kccwg.org) have called for integrated approaches at all levels of governance internationally, nationally, and locally as a measure to mitigate climate change effects, that is giving the world’s sleepless nights. According to the speakers, there is…
The rising level of fake medicine worries Africa
By Joseph Checky Abuje joabuje@gmail.com The rising level of fake medicines across Africa has governments worried about the health of their citizens. Sources at a meeting of health experts noted that quality-assured medicine is critical for the diagnostic and treatment of diseases. In 2019, the continent established the African Medicines Agency (AMA) 2019…
Bill and Melinda Gates plot to overcome challenges of delivering COVID-19 vaccines, treatments
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced it will commit an additional $250 million to support the research, development, and equitable delivery of lifesaving tools in the global effort against COVID-19. Marking the end of a year focused on the scientific breakthroughs needed to end the pandemic, the foundation calls for global commitments to…
8 in 10 young Africans want WIFI as a fundamental human right
On Human Rights Day, a recently published pan-African survey of young people finds that the vast majority (78%) believe that access to Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity should be a fundamental human right, while over eight in ten (81%) indicated that it is “…technology that will change the fortunes of Africa”. These findings ultimately suggest that…
Agroecology a pathway to building sustainable food systems even during covid-19 pandemic
Kenyan scientists are fronting agroecological farming approaches as a pathway to building affordable and resilient food systems. Agroecology principles is a diversified farming system that aims for longer-term sustainability of the natural ecosystem and social livelihoods besides the production of safe and sufficient food. “Having agroecology embedded in existing agricultural, food, environmental and climate change…
Kenya committed to tap into the Blue economy
By Henry N. Opondo Kenya’s President has said the central government will support counties that border the Indian Ocean, lakes, and rivers to put in place elaborate plans to tap into the promising Blue Economy. President Uhuru Kenyatta said Kenya is proactively implementing policies aimed at tackling the challenge of water pollution especially from plastic…
Nigeria: Agricultural Council trains seed agents
The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has trained 38 third party seed certifying agents in Kogi and Benue States, as part of efforts to ensure the effective regulation of the seed industry and offer farmers easy access to seed certification. The training, which was conducted in the framework of the Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated…