JKT shows vegetable preservation system

Vegetable farmers in the rural areas have a reason to smile, thanks to a new traditional cooling technology that has been introduced by the Tanzania National Service (JKT).   A Warrant Officer 2, who is also in charge of JKT pavilions at Nzuguni grounds, Simon Uggi, told the ‘Daily News’ in an exclusive interview at Nzuguni grounds, where Nane Nane exhibitions are underway, that the tradition cooling system can preserve vegetables for seven days.   The.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Kenya woos investors to regain pyrethrum top spot

 Kenya plans to regain its position as the world’s biggest exporter of pyrethrum, a flower used to make insecticide, by allowing private producers to grow the crop, the Pyrethrum Regulatory Authority said over the weekend.   pyrethrum110814The authority is targeting output of as much as 15,000 metric tonnes of liquid pyrethrum, compared with 1,000 tonnes produced last year, according to Managing Director Alfred Busolo.   Legislators enacted a law governing the.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Uganda Govt to formulate tea policy

 The state minister for trade, David Wakikona, has pledged to make drastic changes in the tea sector. Although tea as a cash crop contributes $135m annually to the country, it has no body or policy that manages it like sister cash crops such as cotton and coffee.   A worker sorting tea leaves A worker sorting tea leaves As a result, tea factories and estates have reported losses in the recent past following the drop in the commodity price on the international.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Tanzania: Rural Electrification Boost Farmers' Earnings

 RURAL electrification has proved to be efficient driver in promoting value addition particularly of agricultural products that helped farmers to fetch premium market prices.     Statistics from Rural Energy Agency (REA) shows that there are 16 small hydropower projects operating since 1970's and 13 projects with a total capacity of 28.8 MW which are in various stages of development.     Presenting research paper on Management of the Hydro power plants.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Kenya Boosts Wind Power in Its Renewable Energy Mix

 Nairobi — Kenya is set to gain more wind farms as the East African country moves to increase and diversify its clean energy resources. Nairobi-based company Bluesea Energy Ltd has announced it will begin producing 40 megawatts (MW) in the second half of 2015 at its flagship wind power plant in Meru, expanding the renewable energy mix of a country that has previously relied on hydro and geothermal energy. "We are moving away from traditional methods of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

US$ 285m limestone mining plant to be set up in Kenya

 Kenya’s Athi River Mining Company (ARM) has been given the go-ahead to set up a US$ 285m limestone mining plant in Ngaie, Kyuso district.   Minerals executive George Mulatya was pleased when confirming the reports and he said the cement firm is expected to set up a clinker and cement manufacturing plant which will in return create 7,000 jobs and give the Government US$ 3m in annual revenue.   Mr. Mulatya pointed out that although 2,000 residents will be.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Tanzania sets aside US$17m for construction of ring road

 The Ministry of Works in Tanzania has set aside US$17m for construction of ring roads in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.   The funds are aimed at constructing tarmac ring roads in the city to ease traffic being experienced. The government has already set aside US$1.2m for the installation of road lights from Mwenge to Tegeta along Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road.   This was revealed by the Minister of Works Dr. John Magufuli during a tour of the roads under construction in Dar es.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Korea agency VP concludes visit to Kenya

Kenya: South Korea is cementing its relationship with Kenya, ramping up its social investment projects in the country. Korea International Co-operation Agency ( KOICA) Vice President, Doo Jungsoo, was in the country between August 2 and 7, on an official visit to strengthen trade links with Kenya. During his stay, Mr Jungsoo made visits to projects that the agency is funding and those that it has earmarked for funding. He visited the upgraded Kitengela Sub-county Hospital in Kajiado.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Fiber cement and steel structure will make housing cheaper in East Africa

Technological revolutions could make building cheaper with introduction of Fiber Cement siding, a building material that is used to cover exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic housing applications. Fiber Cement is made of sand, cement and Cellulose fibers.   Fiber cement is manufactured in sheet form or horizontal boards. The product is nailed onto place on steel structure. It is easier to see how combination of steel structures and fiber cement can.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

13 Wind Power Sites Project In Kenya

13 wind power sites will be put up in Kenya through the Wind for Prosperity power project. The sites are meant to benefit mainly the local communities where the wind turbines will be set up in off grid areas.   The project, dubbed Wind for Prosperity, will target establishment of the wind power plants in remote areas in Kenya.   One and three turbines, each with 660 kilowatts will be set up according to Morten Dyrholm, the Vestas Head of Global affairs. In addition to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 15th August 2014

Kenya: KenGen embracing geothermal wellhead plants

 KenGen Assistant Manager Peter Ouma says adoption of geothermal wellhead generators would help reduce the time it takes to generate electricity from geothermal steam wells. Geothermal wellheads are smaller power producing units that generate between 5 and 10 megawatts of electricity. Ouma says the wellheads are affordable and easy to install, and help in early tapping of electricity while waiting for the construction of big geothermal power plants. The move is expected to.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 14th August 2014

Kenya adds first 140MW at Olkaria geothermal project

 Local news source informs that Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has added 140MW to the national grid from the 280 MW Olkaria geothermal project. The 140MW is from two units – one of which has already completed reliability test while the other is expected to complete the test by mid August. At the same time, two more units are expected to commence reliability tests in September and October respectively.It is expected that before the end of the year, the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 14th August 2014