Ethiopia: Promoting Investment in Agriculture to Provide Stimulating Growth

For over two decades now the government has showed a commitment towards enhancing agricultural productivity through attracting investment on agriculture both from local and foreign stakeholders. Legal frameworks are crafted and institutions are established for the provision of land for investors and licensing.   In addition, incentive provisions is also made a point. To attract investors the government offers incentives such as duty free importation of goods,tax holidays,access.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 11th January 2017

Africa's First Electricity Producer Powered by Biogas

Naivasha — Using waste from vegetable and flower production, biogas is providing energy to Kenya's electricity network   A commercial farm in Kenya has become Africa's first electricity producer powered by biogas to sell surplus electricity to the national grid, cutting the carbon emissions associated with oil-powered generation.   The Gorge Farm Energy Park in Naivasha produces 2 megawatts (MW) of electricity - more than enough to cultivate its 706 hectares (1,740.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 11th January 2017

Tanzania: Focus Should be on E-Health This Year

This year 2017, as a nation, we ought to adjust more efforts in the adopting and using e-health so that our country advances steps closer to attaining the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).   For instance, an effective tele-health improves healthcare access at lower cost.   The healthcare industry is among the sectors that are enjoying the fruits of technology. The world is now endeavouring to achieve the goal of UHC, where every individual will have access to the.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 11th January 2017

Beehive fences ward of crop-raiding elephants

 When the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust asked British Airways if it could help build a fence, it agreed. It provided the funding because this was a honey fence, which is a very simple and effective solution to an age-old problem. The problem is elephants, or more specifically what happens when populations of wild elephants come into contact with rural farmers. In the Tsavo East National Park in Kenya, this had become an all too common occurrence, when elephants followed their.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 11th January 2017

East Africa: China Pledges Support for Tanzania's Industrialisation Drive

Dar es Salaam — China has pledged more development support for Tanzania to enable the country meet targets set in the 2016/20 National Development Plan and achieve the ambition to build the industrial economy.   The Chinese minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi, issued the promise during official talks with his Tanzanian counterpart, Dr Augustine Mahiga in the city. Mr Yi had paid a day-long official visit.   He said, China was ready to assist Tanzania in its.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 11th January 2017

Kenya: Farmers to Get Fertiliser Next Month Ahead of Planting Season

 The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has assured farmers that subsidized Diammonium Phosphate (Dap) fertilizer will be available from next month. NCPB Managing Director Newton Terer said in a telephone interview that 150,000 metric tons of fertilizer will arrive late this month, in time for the planting season that starts in February. "The three million bags have already been procured by the board and are expected to arrive by end of January. "We are urging.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 11th January 2017

Ethiopia: Honey Has Potential to be Major Foreign Trade Commodity

Ethiopia stands out when it comes to the number of bees in Africa. Though the nation has huge potential it has not yet benefited much. Still, it is in a traditional way the over 90 per cent of the country's honey is produced .   Yes, it has been recognized that honey is a potential commodity which could generate foreign currency as much as coffee. Besides ,it is one of income generating means for Ethiopian farmers.   Also, recent studies throw light on Ethiopia's huge.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 10th January 2017

Ethiopia: JICA Training Program Helping Smallholder Farmers Improve Productivity

Agriculture is the main pillar of Ethiopian economy, contributing more than 40% share in the gross domestic product (GDP), and approximately 85% of the population labor.   However, food insecurity has been a persistent problem due to climate variability and the poor performance of the agricultural sector. To address this problem, the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has been implementing several strategies, and have given due emphasis on increasing agricultural production and.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 10th January 2017

Tanzania: Investing in Irrigation Key to Food Security

The spectre of famine is threatening Tanzania. However, this should not have come as a surprise as climate change has been sweeping across the world, yet we pretended to be immune and stuck to the business of yore of depending on rainfed agriculture.   Many Tanzanians are waiting for rain with bated breath as drought has left land unfit for farming. Crops have failed and livestock died for lack of pasture.   Drought has scorched a number of districts, with residents.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 10th January 2017

East Africa: Grow and Earn From Coffee Faster

It is no longer really true that growing Robusta coffee is a prerogative for the patient farmers that can afford to wait several years after planting before they can harvest the crop and begin earning money, according to Matia Ssengooba the proprietor of Ssemanja Coffee Nursery in Rakai District.   He says that if intending coffee farmers take time to find the right plantlets, it takes them much shorter to start harvesting the crop and getting money.   "I have heard.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 10th January 2017

Tanzania: Zanzibar Brands its Cloves, Other Spices to Boost Exclusivity

SPICES grown in Zanzibar, including cloves, are set to increase their competitiveness in the world market following the inauguration of its branding under the name 'Zanzibar Exotic Original.'   Isles President Ali Mohamed Shein graced the inauguration of the branded spices, noting that Zanzibar cloves remain the world's best, asking the people to maintain the standard.   "We took the best decision not to privatise cloves; it would be under threat of collapse with.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 10th January 2017

Tanzania: Gold Mining Firm Top Gainer on Dar Stock Exchange

ACACIA mining was the top gainer in Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) last Friday as the market continued with a bear run.   According to market report, shares of the gold mining company gained by 7.13 per cent after closing the day trading at 10,820/- up from 10,100/-.   The top movers CRDB Bank, which had 1,614,966 shares traded at weighted average price of 215/- per share in 82 deals down from 250/- on opening of trading in Friday and Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 10th January 2017