food production
A healthy farming sector supports a healthy nation
In the last quarter of 2023, primary agriculture in South Africa employed around 920 000 people directly, i.e., on farms and in agro-processing facilities. If one works on the assumption that every salary supports at least five dependents, then farms and farmers underpin the wellbeing of a minimum of[...]
UNECA: Agricultural innovation needed to aid food production in Africa
Agriculture innovation and science in Africa are seen as the final frontiers if the continent is to be able to feed itself at a time of the worsening impact of climate change. This emerged from a recent meeting of African finance ministers held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe under the[...]
Africa’s food production still lags despite many promises
A report launched by the Africa Food Systems Forum in September 2023 has lamented that targets set by African countries to meet food production and trade demands remain "far-fetched." This is because of what the forum says are underlying challenges that have historically held back the potential of the[...]
African countries seek to escalate food production amid extreme weather
Zimbabwe, like other African countries, poured millions of dollars into the 2022/23 agriculture season, but officials and aid agencies warn that climate change threatens ambitions to increase grain production. Maize is Zimbabwe's main food crop, feeding millions of subsistence farmers, with interrupted production raising hunger and malnutrition concerns. With[...]
Safe food production depends on diligent crop protection
by Dr B Ngwene, AGCO Crop protection is the one activity that keeps farmers busy for most of the growing season. It starts during land preparation and only ends when the harvest leaves the field. The science and practice of managing plant diseases, weeds and other pests are two[...]