Nearly 6 in ten of all maize varieties released in 18 African countries were related to the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). At the end of this period, in 2015, almost half of the maize areas in these countries grew CGIAR-related maize varieties. All that was accomplished through the modest, maximum yearly investment…
Backyard poultry producers in Africa to benefit from new PREVENT project
Over 150,000 small-scale poultry producers in Africa will benefit from an ambitious new four-year project which aims to support producers become more productive and efficient by building their businesses and overall sustainability. The PREVENT project (PRomoting and Enabling Vaccination Efficiently, Now and Tomorrow) supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will see more than…
Africa Science News ranked top among Africa’s websites
Africa Science News Service has been placed 8th best website among 30 others for its continued and persistent coverage of science and its related disciplines in Africa. Breaking the news to the management of Africa Science news, Anuj Agarwal, the Founder of Feedspot noted Africa Science News’ contribution to this world. “I would like to…
GIZ – GIAE and IITA launch a project to boost maize, Cassava productivity in Nigeria
The Green Innovation Centers for the Agriculture and Food Sector Program (GIAE) – Nigeria funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is launching an eighteen (18) months project to boost maize and cassava production and create job opportunities for youth and women in…
Partnership to promote the cultivation of improved cassava varieties and consumption of locally processed agro-products kicks off
A public-private sector initiative between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) under the Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) and SANO Foods Limited is seeking to promote the cultivation of improved cassava varieties as well as the consumption of locally processed products in Nigeria. Part of the deal is…
One Planet Fellowship US$19.2 M climate change, agriculture solutions calls for entries
The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has announced the call for the third cohort of the One Planet Fellowship. The US$19.2 million One Planet Fellowship seeks to invest in over 630 agricultural scientists, fostering their leadership expertise, strengthening their research skills, including integrating gender into their work, and catalyzing partnerships in Africa…
Africa urged to fast-track adoption of second-generation resistant maize varieties
By Joshua Masinde Scientists are calling for accelerated adoption of new hybrid maize varieties with resistance to maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease in sub-Saharan Africa. In combination with recommended integrated pest management practices, adopting these new varieties is an important step towards safeguarding smallholder farmers against this devastating viral disease. A new publication in Virus…
Delivering improved maize seed against all odds
By Joshua Masinde As one of the pioneer homegrown seed companies in Uganda, Farm Inputs Care Centre (FICA) has become one of the leading players in the seed sector value chain. Since its inception in 1999, it has played a significant role in variety development and maintenance, seed production, and processing, packaging and marketing. The…