#cassava farming policy

[farmerstrend]

Cassava Ugali and the Rise of Cassava Farming: A Comprehensive Exploration

Cassava ugali and stewed smoked fish is one of my all-time favorite meals. There is something deeply satisfying about the rich, earthy flavor of cassava paired with the smoky aroma of the fish stew. However, I’ve learned to eat it cautiously, knowing that cassava ugali, while delicious, can be heavy and pasty. Its dense nature makes it incredibly filling, a trait both a blessing and a challenge…

[plethoraworldatlas]

Having grown up on a farm in Uganda, I have seen the damage of the climate crisis firsthand. My family lived in a small village near the banks of Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, and my childhood was spent climbing trees, planting seeds, and eating fruit straight from the trees. We grew bananas, guavas, beans, cassava, sugarcane, and coffee. It sounds idyllic but I remember the first time I realised climate change would affect us—it was a rainy season unlike any we had seen before. For days and nights heavy rain battered the fields and strong winds bent and broke the crops until they were unsavable. Not only did the rains affect us financially, but I missed months of my schooling because flooding blocked the roads and I couldn’t get to school.

Burning fossil fuels, which releases carbon pollution into the air and causes our world to overheat, is the number one cause of the climate chaos we’re facing. 2024 may be even hotter than 2023, resulting in even more catastrophic weather.

But there is still hope. Those with power must act now, and the insurance industry holds more power than most to slow the crisis and protect our future. Without insurance, fossil fuel projects can’t operate. If insurance companies updated their policies and refused to insure new fossil fuel projects, there would be no new oil pipelines, liquefied natural gas terminals, or dirty coal mines. If they focused instead on insuring clean, safe energy and a just transition, our communities and our world would be safer for current and future generations.

The insurance industry’s role is to protect and manage risk, but right now it is failing spectacularly at both. Instead of protecting communities, it’s adding fuel to the fire by continuing to insure new fossil fuel projects. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a prime example. This proposed pipeline would run 1,443 kilometers between Hoima in Uganda and Tanga in Tanzania, but the project has stalled as it has not yet secured full insurance and financing due to the many human and environmental rights abuses associated with it. These include the harassment and imprisonment of peaceful protesters, the disturbing of sacred burial grounds, and the forcible removal of communities to make way for the pipeline. If EACOP gets insured and goes ahead, it will cross 200 rivers and pass through Lake Victoria’s water basin. Over 40 million people depend on the lake for survival, as well as countless animal species; if the pipe leaks and spills oil into the water, what will happen to them?

The corporations behind EACOP say it will “unlock East Africa’s potential,” but let’s be clear: It is neocolonialism at its best, and the only ones who will gain are the foreign companies set to profit. EACOP will irrevocably damage East Africa’s biodiversity, displace thousands of people, destroy their livelihoods and communities, and unleash 32.3 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere per year, setting off a climate bomb that will make our world overheat to devastating levels. The International Energy Agency has stated that there can be no new oil pipelines if we are to save the future, and yet insurance companies including AIG, Tokio Marine, Chubb, Hiscox, and Lloyd’s of London still refuse to rule out insuring EACOP.

[adalidda]

Strategies for Boosting Agricultural Exports from Africa to China 

China’s ambitious goals to strengthen political and commercial ties with Africa have paved the way for African agribusinesses to explore the Chinese market. With its immense population and growing demand for agricultural products, China offers a lucrative opportunity for African exports, supported by initiatives like preferential shipping rates by COSCO and streamlined customs registration through the GACC. These efforts align with China's broader policy to diversify its agricultural imports while enhancing trade relations with Africa. 

However, navigating the Chinese market presents unique challenges, from meeting large-scale demand to adhering to strict quality standards. Drawing from successful experiences of African exporters, this guide provides actionable strategies to help agribusiness leaders establish robust export pipelines to China, leveraging the opportunities and mitigating potential risks along the value chain. 

Key Strategies for Export Success 

1. Collaborate for Large-Scale Supply 

One of the most critical lessons learned from African exporters is the necessity of scale. China's demand for agricultural commodities often requires volumes that exceed the capacity of individual firms. For example, Chinese buyers may request quantities like 100,000 metric tons (MT) of dried cassava chips monthly—volumes that are difficult for a single producer to meet consistently. 

To address this, African agribusinesses should adopt a consortium approach, where multiple firms collaborate to pool resources, standardize production practices, and share logistics infrastructure. Countries like Côte d���Ivoire have successfully employed this strategy for cocoa beans, enabling exporters to compete in high-demand markets like China. Consortia not only amplify production capacity but also enhance bargaining power, allowing African exporters to negotiate better terms with Chinese importers. 

2. Focus on Quality, Logistics, and Reliability 

Experiences from exporting coffee and tea to China highlight the importance of quality and consistency. Chinese buyers place a premium on reliable delivery and adherence to quality standards, often rejecting shipments that fall short of specifications. 

Exporters must implement rigorous quality assurance systems, from farm-level production to post-harvest processing. For instance, Kenya's tea exporters have gained a foothold in China by consistently delivering premium-quality products, backed by certifications and traceability. Additionally, partnering with dependable logistics providers is vital to ensure shipments arrive on time and in optimal condition. Meeting these expectations fosters trust and lays the groundwork for long-term partnerships. 

3. Secure Favorable Payment Terms 

A recurring challenge for African exporters is managing the financial dynamics of international trade. Delayed payments, currency fluctuations, and access to working capital can strain operations. Lessons from exporters of cashew nuts and sesame seeds show that negotiating favorable payment terms with Chinese buyers is crucial. 

For example, securing letters of credit or partial advance payments can ease cash flow challenges. Collaborating with banks to secure export financing or credit guarantees further enhances financial stability. These measures allow exporters to maintain operations smoothly while meeting the stringent demands of the Chinese market. 

4. Implement Robust Risk Management Practices 

Exporting to China involves navigating complex risks, including fluctuating commodity prices, regulatory changes, and logistical challenges. Insights from the palm oil and cotton industries underline the importance of proactive risk management. For instance, exporters in Nigeria have successfully mitigated risks by diversifying their buyer base, insuring shipments, and employing forward contracts to lock in prices. 

Additionally, maintaining compliance with Chinese import regulations—such as those for packaging, labeling, and pesticide residue limits—minimizes the risk of shipment rejections. Continuous monitoring of market conditions and regulatory updates ensures that exporters can adapt swiftly to changes, reducing potential disruptions in the supply chain. 

5. Tailor Products to Chinese Consumer Preferences 

Beyond meeting basic export requirements, understanding Chinese consumer preferences can significantly enhance market penetration. For instance, the growing popularity of African coffee in China has been driven by targeted marketing campaigns that highlight its unique flavors and origins. Similarly, packaging innovations and certifications like organic or fair trade can add value and attract discerning Chinese consumers. 

Engaging with local partners in China, such as distributors and trade associations, provides valuable insights into market trends and helps African exporters tailor their offerings to align with consumer demands. 

Lessons from Experience 

Successful African exporters have highlighted several critical lessons that others can emulate: 

Collaborative Models Work

Countries like Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire have demonstrated that pooling resources through cooperatives and consortia significantly improves their ability to compete in high-demand markets like China. 

Adaptability is Key

Regulatory landscapes and consumer preferences in China are dynamic. Exporters who proactively monitor these changes and adapt their strategies—such as switching to organic certifications or refining logistics—have consistently outperformed their peers. 

Relationship Building is Essential

Establishing trust with Chinese buyers takes time and requires a commitment to quality, reliability, and transparency. Long-term success hinges on building relationships that extend beyond transactional trade. 

Conclusion 

Exporting agricultural products to China presents African agribusinesses with unparalleled opportunities to scale and grow. By adopting collaborative supply models, prioritizing quality and logistics, securing favorable financial terms, and implementing robust risk management, exporters can meet the demands of this dynamic market. 

Drawing on lessons from successful exports of cocoa beans, coffee, sesame seeds, and other commodities, African businesses can align their strategies with China’s import needs while addressing challenges with resilience and innovation. In doing so, they not only contribute to their own growth but also strengthen the broader trade partnership between Africa and China, driving mutual prosperity for years to come.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and learned something new and useful from it. If you did, please share it with your friends and colleagues who might be interested in Agriculture and Agribusiness.

Mr. Kosona Chriv

Group Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.

Solina / Sahel Agri-Sol Group (Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania)

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Deko Group (Nigeria, Cambodia)

Photo: Cocoa Beans (AI-generated Image)

[brandspurng]

Agriculture News Update: The Latest Developments in Nigeria's Farming Sector

Introduction: Nigeria's agricultural sector plays a vital role in the country's economy, providing livelihoods for millions of people and contributing significantly to food security and economic growth. Keeping abreast of the latest news and developments in the agricultural industry is essential for farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders alike. In this blog post, we'll explore the most recent updates and trends shaping agriculture News in Nigeria Today.

Government Initiatives and Policies: The Nigerian government continues to implement various initiatives and policies aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting rural development. Stay informed about government programs such as the Anchor Borrowers Program, the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, and the Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP) to understand their impact on farmers and agricultural practices nationwide.

Technological Advancements: Advancements in agricultural technology are revolutionizing farming practices in Nigeria, making them more efficient, sustainable, and resilient to climate change. Keep an eye out for news about innovative technologies such as precision agriculture, drone surveillance, and mobile applications that are empowering farmers with real-time data and insights to improve crop yields and manage resources more effectively.

Market Trends and Prices: Monitoring market trends and prices is crucial for farmers, traders, and consumers to make informed decisions about production, marketing, and purchasing agricultural products. Stay updated on commodity prices, market demand, and supply chain dynamics for key crops such as rice, maize, cassava, and cocoa to capitalize on market opportunities and mitigate risks.

Climate Change Resilience: Climate change poses significant challenges to Nigeria's agriculture sector, including unpredictable weather patterns, droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks. Stay informed about climate-smart agriculture practices, adaptation strategies, and resilience-building initiatives that are helping farmers mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard their livelihoods.

Youth Engagement and Empowerment: Engaging youth in agriculture is essential for the future sustainability of Nigeria's farming sector. Keep abreast of news about youth-led initiatives, training programs, and entrepreneurship opportunities that are encouraging young people to pursue careers in agriculture, innovate new solutions, and contribute to the development of rural communities.

International Partnerships and Trade: Nigeria's agricultural sector is increasingly interconnected with global markets and international trade agreements. Stay informed about bilateral and multilateral partnerships, trade negotiations, and export opportunities that are shaping Nigeria's position in the global agricultural economy.

Conclusion: Staying informed about the latest news and developments in Nigeria's agriculture sector is essential for driving innovation, fostering resilience, and unlocking the full potential of the country's farming industry. By staying abreast of government initiatives, technological advancements, market trends, climate change resilience efforts, youth engagement initiatives, and international partnerships, stakeholders can work together to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for Nigeria's agriculture sector.

[bring-it-all-down]

It seems essential to Black Sails’ themes of anti-imperialism to understand the general history of the Bahamas, from Columbus to the general time period of the show.

Prior to Christopher Columbus landing there in 1492, the Bahamas had been home for approximately a thousand years to the Lucayan people. A number of archeological projects have discovered that the Lucayans were a matrilineal society structured through the family, such that each house was home to a full extended family, and the ruler was chosen through material ties (e.g. the sister’s son would become the next ruler). Their diet consisted largely of seafood and cassava, and they produced enough cotton for their own use and for trade. While the Lucayans did have class divisions, they had little specialization––people generally participated in multiple of the following: the construction of housing, in fishing, in farming, and in the construction of pottery and the making of cotton products. 

By 1515, the Spanish had entirely enslaved the Lucayans and transported them to Cuba, leaving none of them on their home islands.

When he landed in the Bahamas in 1492, Columbus immediately began enslaving the Lucayans, forcing them to dangerously dive for pearls, which were to be transported back to Spain. Then, in 1509, King Ferdinand of Spain ordered the enslavement of the entire Lucayan people in order to replace the enslaved peoples of Cuba and Haiti (Hispaniola) who had died while forced to mine for gold. The barbaric working conditions, coupled with the importation of diseases like smallpox, measles, malaria, and influenza decimated the Lucayans. The 40,000 Lucayans pre-Columbus, had already been reduced to 15,000 by 1509, and then to the hundreds by 1513. The remaining few Lucayans were once again forced to dive to their death for pearls, a practice fellow colonizer Bartolome de Las Casas called “one of the most cruel and condemnable things which there would have been on earth.”

Following the genocide of the Lucayns, the Bahamas remained deserted until an English faction of colonizers led by WIlliam Sayle landed there in 1648. Although Sayle and his 70 pals were unsuccessful in establishing a settlement on the island due to being unable to extract surplus value from the land, his efforts placed the Bahamas in the interests of the British Empire. In 1670, Charles II granted proprietorship of the island to the Duke of Albemarle and six other men. These men drew up a plan for the island in which roughly 500 white families and 9,000 enslaved Africans would relocate there over a period of 2 years in order to begin establishing cotton, tobacco, and indigo plantations. 

By this time, however, New Providence Island had become a haven for piracy, due to its close proximity to Spanish, French, and English ships. In an attempt to maximize profits, the English “owners” of this island  instituted laissez-faire policies that frequently ended in conflicts with the French and Spanish, who took turns razing parts of the island. In 1684, for instance, the Spanish burned much of New Providence to the ground, after which control of the Island returned to the Crown, and it became a haven for privateers (state-owned pirates who turned over a portion of their profits to the Crown). 

In 1697, the English attempted to institute a stricter set of trade laws and a court system designed to enforce them. However, when the War of the Spanish Succession broke out in 1701, England’s attention was pulled elsewhere, leaving New Providence open to raids by the French and Spanish in 1703 and 1706, which further destabilized the Bahamas and expanded piracy in the area. 

The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which resulted in England letting go of 36,000 sailors who had served during the war. Many of these sailors turned to piracy to make a living, vastly increasing the number of pirates in New Providence and once again establishing piracy as a threat to the British Empire. As pirates attempted to fully control the economic and political systems in the Bahamas, the British Empire dedicated increasing resources to squashing piracy, resulting in the conflicts that shaped the Golden Age of Piracy, as well as the events of Black Sail.

(The bulk of this information is from Michael Craton and Gail Saunders’ Islanders in the Stream: A History of the Bahamian People: Volume One: From Aboriginal Times to the End of Slavery, and John C. Appleby, “Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers: The Changing Face of English Piracy from the 1650s to the 1720s” in The Social History of English Seamen, 1650-1815.)

[faroukgumel]

Farouk Gumel - The Role of Agriculture in the Economic Development of Nigeria

Nigeria, like many Africa nations, is an agrarian nation. Contrary to the general perception that it is an oil and gas country, the majority of Nigerians in reality earn their living through the agricultural and food value chain. This should not be a surprise. A country with over 200 million people will surely have a large appetite. 

In this article, we are going to briefly look at how agriculture is one of the biggest reasons why Nigeria is the world’s 27th largest economy, and why investing in this sector will propel Nigeria  to greater heights globally.

The Truth About Nigerian GDP

Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa with the highest population on the continent. It was ranked the 27th largest economy globally and is among the largest producers of oil and gas in the world. 

The whole world knows Nigeria for its Oil while ignoring its other assets – arable land, water, solid minerals and ofcourse, its young and talented population. 

Oil is considered by many as the biggest contributing factor to the Nigerian economy, and to some extent, they are right. Oil reserves in Nigeria amount to 35 billion barrels and oil still remains the largest earner for the Nigerian government. Most of the oil is exported in crude form. There is little value addition locally this means only a few jobs are created locally.

So if oil is such a big factor in the Nigerian economy, then why is agriculture the main focus of this article?

Statistically, agricultureis a key factor of the Nigerian GDP. In 2019, agriculture accounted for nearly 22% of Nigeria’s GDP and employs more than one-third of the population. We have 14 million cattle produced in our countryand are the largest producer of cassava (59.4 million tons) and yam (47.5 million tons) plus major exporters of cocoa,  cashew, sesame and beans to mention a few. For local consumption, Nigeria produces maize, sorghum, rice, millet and wheat. It has a vibrant and fast growing poultry and fisheries industry. There have also been significant investments in vegetable oil refining in recent years. 

It is worth noting that as the oil and gas and many other sectors fell into recession in recent years, Nigeria’s agriculture sector continued to grow and create jobs.

What can be Done in the Future?

Just to be clear, Oil is and will remain a huge factor in the GDP of Nigeria, but to create a better and more inclusive economy, Nigeria needs to focus on its secret weapon,  agriculture which supports more than 70 million people in Nigeria, 

In the last 5 years,  the Nigerian Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria have pushed aggressive fiscal and monetary policies aimed at harnessing Nigeria's agricultural potentials. The policies, which target both small scale farmers and large scale corporates, have resulted in significant investments in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

TGI Group, through its numerous subsidiaries such as WACOT Ltd is one of the many private sector companies to participate in this latest push by Nigeria to put Agriculture to work.

WACOT Ltd has started up projects of new rice mills across Nigeria and employs over 9,000 workers both in blue and white-collar jobs. Its new rice mill which is speculated to be the turning point in Nigerian agriculture and will provide farming the boost it needs can store up to 120,000 tonnes of rice paddy and has the storage facility to keep that much raw produce for 6 months in advanced silos.

Farouk Gumel, executive director of Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group has rightly stated in an article that TGI/WACOT Ltd projects are made to take advantage of the new government policy direction and that the new WACOT Ltd rice mill will bring with it a lot of opportunities for the people of Nigeria. Farouk Gumel also stated that WACOT is planning to build two more rice mills in the coming years.

In addition to WACOT, many other well known brands are participating in Nigeria’s rice revolution. For example, Dangote Industries, intends to set up 10 rice mills in the coming years. Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man announced he is investing over $4 billion in farming and food processing in Nigeria. Olam in a recent press release also announced its plans to make more investments in food production and processingacross Nigeria. As these big names and many more continue to invest in food production, Nigeria’s agricultural sector may finally deliver its true potential.

[xtremereturns]

Farming in Nigeria – Everything you should know now

In Nigeria, there is tremendous agriculture. There is prominence in food production and self-sufficiency in the food supply. Nigeria is famous for exporting peanuts and palm kernel oil, but its export rate has decreased over the years. Farming in Nigeria is very easy and pleasant.

 If Nigeria were held to its market share in palm oil, cocoa, peanuts, and cotton, today these commodities would yield at least $ 10 billion per year. Farm training program Nigeria is also beneficial for farmers.

 With the country's vast agricultural resources and large expanses of arable land, well-distributed rainfall and warm temperatures throughout the year, agriculture played a progressive role in serving as a major source of livelihood for the country's population. Major crop production in Nigeria includes bean rice, sesame, cashew, cassava, cocoa beans, peanuts, gum arabic, cola nuts, maize (maize), melon, millet, palm kernels, palm oil, plants, rice, rubber, sorbet, soybean, Bananas. 

 There are lots of Modern farming methods in Nigeria. Before the colonial masters arrived on Nigerian soil, our ancestors were mainly engaged in farming as a major occupation and using raw agricultural equipment as a means of subsistence and feeding themselves, despite the use of crude oil. Sufficient food was produced for and cash crops were produced for barter. 

 British colonial policy in Nigeria was largely shaped by economic considerations, inspired by the Industrial Revolution in Britain, during which British industries required more raw materials. Until that time, there was an urgent need to obtain the resources of other lands to survive the British economy. Farm training program Nigeria proves why this country is moving forward in the field of farming.

 This shifted farmers' attention and expertise from food crop to cash crop production. Despite Nigeria's immense potential in modern farming methods, the country has still lost its place in the global community as a major player in agriculture Neglect of the agricultural sector, and total dependence on oil exports have been a disaster for the country's economy.

There is nothing that can be done about the economic past of Farming in Nigeria. There is support for and support of agriculture in Nigeria by all economic indices for the nation at the rate of awareness and speed. The days of adverse effects and neglect of agriculture are certainly counted. To get proper training, visit our website now and make more profit.

[farmerstrend]

Developing Vegetatively Propagating Seeds (VPS) in Kenya

Discover how Kenya is revolutionizing agriculture by developing a regulatory framework for Vegetatively Propagating Seeds (VPS) like potatoes and cassava, empowering farmers with access to high-quality planting materials. Learn about the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to promote Vegetatively Propagating Seeds (VPS) in Kenya, bridging policy gaps to boost food security and farmer…

[vyldan]

The Merikins or Merikens[1][2] were African-American Marines of the War of 1812 – former African slaves who fought for the British against the USA in the Corps of Colonial Marines and then, after post-war service in Bermuda, were established as a community in the south of Trinidad in 1815–16. They were settled in an area populated by French-speaking Catholics and retained cohesion as an English-speaking, Baptist community. It is sometimes said that the term "Merikins" derived from the local patois, but as many Americans have long been in the habit of dropping the initial "A" it seems more likely that the new settlers brought that pronunciation with them from the United States. Some of the Company villages and land grants established back then still exist in Trinidad today. During the American Revolution, the British recruited Freedmen.[3] After that war, the British settled the Marines in colonies of British Empire including Canada, Jamaica and the Bahamas.[3] During the War of 1812, there was a policy that was somewhat similar except that Freedmen were treated as free as soon as they came into British hands and there were no conditions nor bargains attached to recruitment. Six companies of Freedmen were recruited into a Corps of Colonial Marines along the Atlantic coast, from Chesapeake Bay to Georgia.[3][4]Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, on taking over the command of British forces on the North America station on 2 April 1814, issued a proclamation offering a choice of enlistment or resettlement:[3]... all who may be disposed to emigrate from the UNITED STATES will, with their Families, be received on board His Majesty's Ships or Vessels of War, or at the Military Posts that may be established, upon or near the Coast of the UNITED STATES, when they will have their choice of either entering into His Majesty's Sea or Land Forces, or of being sent as FREE Settlers to the British Possessions in North America or the West Indies, where they will meet with due encouragement ...Cochrane's recruitment of the Colonial Marines, mostly in the Chesapeake, went doubly against his orders from the British government, who had instructed him to accept volunteers for military service only from Georgia and South Carolina and to send all such volunteers away immediately for training overseas for the Army.[4][5]After the end of the War, the Colonial Marines were first stationed at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda. Although they had signed on for a military life, they rejected government orders to be transferred to the West India Regiments, and finally agreed to be settled in Trinidad and Tobago.[4]The Governor of Trinidad, Sir Ralph Woodford, wanted to increase the number of small farmers in that colony and arranged for the creation of a village for each company on the Naparima Plain in the south of the island.[3] Local planter Robert Mitchell managed the establishment and maintenance of the settlements, petitioning the governor for supplies when needed.Unlike the American refugees who were brought to Trinidad in 1815 in ships of the Royal Navy, HMS Carron and HMS Levant, the Veteran Marines were brought there in 1816, with their families, in the hired transports Mary & Dorothy and Lord Eldon .[6][7][8] There were 574 former soldiers plus about 200 women and children.[3] To balance the sexes, more black women were subsequently recruited – women who had been freed from other places such as captured French slave ships.[3] The six companies were each settled in a separate village under the command of a corporal or sergeant, who maintained a military style of discipline.[3] Some of the villages were named after the companies and the Fifth and Sixth Company villages still retain those names.[3][4]The villages were in a forested area of the Naparima Plain near a former Spanish mission, La Misión de Savana Grande.[9] Each of the Veteran Marines were granted 16 acres of land and some of these plots are still farmed today by descendants of original settlers.[7][9] The land was fertile but the conditions were primitive initially as the land had to be cleared and the lack of roads was an especial problem.[9] It is sometimes said that some of the settlers were craftsmen more used to an urban environment and, as they had been expecting better, they were disgruntled and some returned to America,[8] but this comment applies to later free Black American settlers, who came from towns, and not to the Veteran Colonial Marines, who were all refugees from the rural areas of the Cheasapeake and Georgia. The settlers built houses from the timber they felled, and planting crops of bananas, cassava, maize and potatoes.[3] [4] Rice was introduced from America and was especially useful because it could be stored for long periods without spoiling.[3]Twenty years after the initial establishment, the then governor Lord Harris supported improvements to the infrastructure of the settlements and arranged for the settlers to get deeds to their lands, so confirming their property rights as originally stated on arrival, though it is not clear that the initiative was carried through universally.[7][3] [4] As they prospered, they became a significant element in Trinidad's economy.[3] Their agriculture advanced from subsistence farming to include cash crops of cocoa and sugar cane.[3] Later, oil was discovered and then some descendants were able to lease their lands for the mineral rights.[3] Others continued as independent market traders.Many of the original settlers were Baptists from evangelical sects common in places such as Georgia and Virginia.[3] The settlers kept this religion, which was reinforced by missionary work by Baptists from London who helped organise the construction of churches in the 1840s.[3] The villages had pastors and other religious elders as authority figures and there was a rigorous moral code of abstinence and the puritan work ethic.[3] African traditions were influential too and these included the gayap system of communal help, herbal medicine and Obeah – African tribal science.[3] A prominent elder in the 20th century was "Papa Neezer" – Samuel Ebenezer Elliot (1901–1969)[10] – who was a descendant of an original settler, George Elliot, and renowned for his ability to heal and cast out evil spirits.[3] His syncretic form of religion included veneration of Shango, prophecies from the "Obee seed" and revelation from the Psalms.[3] The Spiritual Baptist faith is a legacy of the Merikin community.[11][12]

Famous Merikins[edit]The following people are descended from this community:Tina Dunkley, American museum director[13]Hazel Manning, Trinidadian senator and education minister[13]Althea McNish, British textile designer[14]Brent Sancho, footballer, Minister for Sport for Trinidad and Tobago

[hardynwa]

Hardship: AfDB plans $2.7bn budget, agric loans for Nigeria

…approves $134m fund for emergency food productionThe African Development Bank Board of Directors has approved $134m for Nigeria to implement an emergency food production plan, AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina has said. According to him, talks are also ongoing for a $1.7bn economic and budget support loan as well as the launch of a $1bn agro-industrial processes in 28 states. Adesina made the disclosures during an interview with journalists in Lagos on Monday. The development came amid a biting food shortage that has led to hunger protests in Nigerian states and most recently attacks on grain warehouses in Abuja, Ogun, Niger and Kaduna states. Last June’s fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification policy of the government have led to severe hardships with inflation now nearing 30 per cent amid a sharp depreciation of the naira. Weak consumer purchasing power has affected businesses with the nation recording weak Gross Domestic Growth during the last quarter of the last year. However, Adesina told journalists in Lagos that AfDB had pledged to support Nigeria through this period, disclosing that a number of agric initiatives should yield about five million metric tons of wheat, rice, cassava, maize this year for the country. He exuded confidence that the development bank would work with Nigerian government to proffer solutions to the problems confronting Africa’s biggest economy. He said, “I’m not used to complaining; I’m used to finding solutions. I did tell the President when I can last year that we would strongly support the Nigerian government in finding a solution to the challenges. As I speak to you today, we have approved $134m for Nigeria to implement an emergency food production plan. And that is not something that we are planning to do; it is what we are already doing. “We have supported the cultivation of 118,000 hectares of wheat in Nigeria already this season. We will do 150, 000 hectares of maize production this march. By the rainy season, in May and June, we will support Nigeria to do 300,000 hectares of rice. We will also do 300,000 hectares of maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava and 50,000 hectares of soybean. So, that means that by the end of March, Nigeria would get out an additional one million metric tons of wheat; and by November, we will have an additional four million metric tons of rice, cassava, maize and soybeans.” The AfDB chief however advised Nigeria to push for more food supply, pointing out that food inflation is a major component of the nation’s inflation figure. Tackling inflation requires looking at some of the structural drivers, according to him. “A big part of that (Nigeria’s) inflation is food price inflation. If you look at the Consumer Price Index, probably 65 per cent of it If not even 75 per cent of it now, is actually the price of food. And so, you don’t necessarily deal with food price inflation through your standard macroeconomic policy of tightening monetary supply. You deal with it by producing the food because that’s the thing that needs to be done. So I think it’s very important to be able to deal with that,” He emphasised the need to enhance food production in the country. On how the country could boost food production as quickly as possible, Adesina said, “But one thing that I would say is that the government needs to go back to the policy of electronic wallet system. Remember when I was minister, we did design a programme to get seeds and fertilizers to farmers directly via their mobile phones by electronic vouchers. We were able to reach 15 million farmers in four years; the whole place was booming with food. And I think that is what I will advise needs to be done and done very quickly. Because access to high performing yields, high performing seeds and fertilizers and farm inputs is very critical; otherwise you will not be able to do it.” Nonetheless, Adesina also pointed out the need for Nigeria to get low-interest concessionary financing to overcome its economic challenges. The development bank boss said issues around the exchange rate must be dealt with as an import dependent nation. According to him, the AfDB is planning about $1.7bn economic and budget support loan for the country. He said, “There needs to be a lot of support around Nigeria, given the tight fiscal space and the lack of forex, to make available a lot more concessional financing to the Nigerian economy. And that’s what we’re doing at African Development Bank. This year we expect to approve with our board because we always go to our board of directors for approval, but our plan is to be able to do $1.67bn of financing to Nigeria in different sectors, including considering a potential policy base operation of budget support to Nigeria. We are discussing with the Minister of Finance; that is part of a $1bn budget support operation that will go into two tranches. Again, I will say it has to be approved by the board, but these are all the things that we are hoping to be able to do.” He spoke about other agric projects in the country. Also, the AfDB is planning to launch this year a programme for a $1bn special agro-industrial processes are in 28 states, adding that “It this structural interventions that I will say would make agriculture more productive, efficient, and competitive.” “So those are the things that we are doing in Nigeria. In addition to that, we have a programme that we’ve already implemented, called Special Agro Industrial Processing zones. So these are new economic zones we are supporting Nigeria to develop. We provided $520m for that, ourselves, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural, currently working now in eight states. We expect that those things will start hitting the ground and start construction by June of this year,” he added. Read the full article

[findsunbiz]

Angola, country located in southwestern Africa. A large country, Angola takes in a broad variety of landscapes, including the semidesert Atlantic littoral bordering Namibia’s “Skeleton Coast,” the sparsely populated rainforest interior, the rugged highlands of the south, the Cabinda exclave in the north, and the densely settled towns and cities of the northern coast and north-central river valleys. The capital and commercial centre is Luanda, a large port city on the northern coast that blends Portuguese-style colonial landmarks with traditional African housing styles and modern industrial complexes.

The Portuguese government regarded Angola as its overseas crown jewel during the colonial period. It made the colony a target of ambitious settlement schemes and encouraged investment in the economy. As a result of these efforts, the Angolan economy was growing rapidly by the 1970s, with commodities such as coffee, sisal, diamonds, and petroleum the leading exports. Some light industry also developed in the major towns. But this growth was unbalanced, most of the profits being concentrated in the hands of a small settler class, with the majority of the population relegated to forced-labour projects or compelled to sell agricultural goods at artificially low prices to marketing boards. The resultant inequality of income and opportunity played a significant role in the development of the nationalist movements.

There was a large exodus of skilled Portuguese workers at national independence in 1975, and, because the colonial state had failed to adequately develop local educational systems and job opportunities, few Angolans were available to take their place. The loss of capital and skills had an immediate negative impact on economic development. In addition, the new government sought to impose socialist development on a Soviet and Cuban model that included a high degree of state participation in the economy, such as collective and state-run agricultural enterprises. Foreign capital was often nationalized, and exchange rates were set artificially high.

Colonial policies favoured the growth of large Portuguese-owned estates producing export crops and discouraged production of any but subsistence crops on the small holdings of the majority of the rural population. Rural people were subjected to various schemes of forced and contract labour to provide workers for the estates. Only about 3 percent of the land area was under cultivation, with less than 1 percent irrigated. Coffee was of greatest importance, with production concentrated in the Malanje highlands and along the northwestern margins of the Bié Plateau near the centre of the country. Prior to independence, Angola supplied almost one-fifth of world coffee production, with an annual output of more than 200,000 tons in the early 1970s. Cotton, sisal, and corn (maize) were also important cash crops, while cassava (manioc), millet, sorghum, and rice were grown as subsistence crops, and livestock such as goats, pigs, and chickens were also kept for subsistence.

Estates were nationalized after independence, and the creation of state farms followed. The contract-labour system was replaced by a similar system of forced labour, called voluntary brigades. The ensuing civil war, however, prevented the implementation of a state-run estate system, and agricultural production faltered. Cooperatives replaced marketing boards for the small holders and proved to be just as inequitable, and the flight of Portuguese petty traders broke the distribution system. The transport network deteriorated; insecurity spread throughout the country; the overvaluation of the currency acted as an increasingly heavy de facto tax on exports; and the collapse of manufacturing removed all incentives to sell agricultural commodities to the towns. As a result, the urban population came to depend on imported food.

Fertile agricultural land is limited to a few favoured locations in the highlands and river valleys, and less than one-tenth of the land area is thought to be arable. The combination of poor soils and insufficient rainfall over most of Angola is a severe limitation to crop growing, although the country does contain both temperate and tropical climates. However, the country’s agricultural potential remains underutilized outside the Bié Plateau, the coastal oases, and the Ovambo floodplain on the Namibian border. Although pastoralism is inhibited by infestations of tsetse flies, poor pastures, and the lack of surface water in the Namib zone, the southwestern quarter of the country has favourable conditions. The main subsistence crop is cassava. Commercial food crops such as coffee and sugar are again being grown; the production of palm oil and tobacco increased in the 1990s; and even cotton production has increased slightly. The greatest impediment to agriculture, whether subsistence or commercial, however, is the number of land mines that were buried throughout the countryside during years of conflict.

Prior to independence, timber extraction from natural forests was concentrated in Maiombe in the Cabinda exclave and in Luso on the eastern stretch of the Benguela Railway. Large eucalyptus plantations along the western stretches of the Benguela Railway provided firewood for the steam locomotives and fed the paper-pulp plant near Benguela. Timber exports ceased at independence, and available resources came to be used primarily for fuel. Timber resources remain significant, however, as nearly one-fifth of the country is forested. The Maiombe forest in the north of the Cabinda exclave contains the most-valuable commercial species, notably white tola (Balsamiferum harms) and limba (Terminalia superba). There are also stands of commercial timber along the rivers of the southeast, especially mussibi (Guibourtia coleosperma).

Angola’s resources are considerable in comparison with those of most African countries. There are large reserves of petroleum and natural gas, concentrated in the maritime zones off the Cabinda exclave and the Congo River estuary. Production is largely concentrated off the coast of Cabinda, although there is some onshore production near Soyo and Luanda, and prospecting extends as far south as Kuanza Sul. The quality of the crude oil is generally good, with a low sulfur content.

Petroleum was first discovered in 1955. Angola has become one of the largest exporters of petroleum in sub-Saharan Africa, and production has nearly tripled since independence. Because Angola was not a member of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) until 2007, for many years the country was not subject to any restrictive quotas on its exports. Angola has also benefited from a combination of favourable geologic conditions, a high rate of exploration success, and relatively low operating costs. Natural gas has been found both associated and unassociated with petroleum, but about half of this has been burned off and the rest injected back into oil wells. A state company was set up in 1977 to engage in joint ventures and production-sharing agreements, while management of the oil business was left largely in foreign hands.

Alluvial diamonds occur widely over the northeastern quarter of the country, with a high proportion of gem-quality stones, and there are several kimberlite pipe formations that may be mined. Before independence, Angola was the fourth largest diamond exporter in the world in terms of value, but since that time output has fluctuated. The National Diamond Enterprise of Angola, a parastatal company, is responsible for approving diamond concessions, and it also licenses buyers. In 1992–94 most Angolan diamonds on the market were mined and smuggled from regions controlled by UNITA. The Angolan government gained control of this area in mid-1994 and tried to halt the activities of thousands of illegal diamond prospectors. UNITA retook some diamond regions in the mid- to late 1990s and controlled them until early 2002, when UNITA’s leader, Jonas Savimbi, was killed.

Manufacturing had expanded rapidly prior to independence, but it was severely disrupted after 1975. Nationalization and the loss of skilled labour hit the manufacturing sector especially hard. Industries in Angola produce construction materials, refined petroleum and equipment for the petroleum industry, processed food, textiles, and electrical goods. Output declined severely during the quarter century after independence because of the continuing threat of warfare, raw material shortages, and disruptions of power and the transportation infrastructure. In the 1990s Angola attempted to counteract these problems by privatizing many businesses and industries and by introducing a new foreign investment code. The construction industry saw an increase of activity after the end of the civil war, as reconstruction was a priority of the government.

Hydrocarbons account for the largest proportion of exports; almost half goes to China, where low-sulfur crude oil is sought by refineries. The economy is thus highly vulnerable to shifts in the price of oil. A small quantity of diamonds are also exported.

Imports come from several countries, with Portugal, China, and the United States among the top sources for imports. Angola imports consumer goods and capital goods and some transport equipment. It generally has a positive balance of trade.

Although Angola has rural beauty and the economic resources to develop a thriving tourist industry, the long-term civil war prevented the development of this sector. Nevertheless, the country does have a national tourist agency, and some 40,000 tourists entered Angola annually in the late 1990s; in the years following the end of the civil war, that number increased dramatically.

Finally, I will leave a link which includes all companies and enterprises in Angola, for those who want to research and discover more about this island. Thanks for reading.

All businesses address in Angola: https://findsun.net/AO

[irispublishersagriculture]

Iris Publishers - World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science (WJASS)

Biofertilizer Impacts on Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Cultivation: Improved Soil Health and Quality, Igbariam, Nigeria

Authored by Ayodele A Otaiku

Introduction

Many diseases are caused by pathogens, whose damage symptoms appear on the leaves, stems and storage roots [1] during cassava cultivation. The common diseases of cassava are cassava mosaic disease, cassava bacterial blight, cassava anthracnose disease, cassava bud necrosis and root rot. Some of these diseases attack the leaves and stems of cassava plants while others attack the storage roots [2]. Cassava mosaic disease is caused by the African cassava mosaic virus which occurs inside the leaves and stems and causes yield reductions of up to 90 percent [3]. Economical damage by diseases, pests and weeds of cassava is relatively moderate, although white flies can be a menace in some regions, if the problem is not identified early, and remedial action not implemented in a timely manner (Figure 1). Correct identification of the pest and an understanding of its behaviour, including its most vulnerable stages would provide insights into its management affects crops yield and development. Care must be then taken if pesticide application is contemplated, since there is the likelihood of high residual levels remaining in the product after harvest if an inappropriate formulation is not used.

Biopesticides can exert fungicidal, insecticidal, or nematocidal action via the microbial inoculate in the biofertilizer, a combination of them and possibly other auxiliary functions such as bird and mammal repellents or herbicides. According to recent classifications [4,5]. Bio-control action is due to multiple synergic mechanisms, generally including: i) production of antibiotics and other secondary metabolites (e.g., phenazines by Pseudomonas spp., lipopeptides by Bacillus spp., and hydrocyanic acid by Rhizobia); and ii) secretion of lytic and defense enzymes (e.g., chitinases, glucanases, peroxidases, polyphenol oxidases, and phenylalanine ammonia lyases produced by Trichoderma, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Serratia, Streptomyces and Bacillus strains) [6,7]. The drawback of using living microorganisms is that their efficacy is often unpredictable under changing field conditions, and their fitness is reduced by the presence of an indigenous microbiota difficult to displace by non-native microorganisms [7,8]. Additionally, the antagonistic interactions occurring in formulations containing more than one microbial species limit their potential in integrated pest management strategies [9,10].

Climate change and soil biological health

It is commonly observed that applying only N or N + P can lead to a decline in particulate organic matter (>53 m fraction) and soil biological activity (soil respiration, microbial biomass C and N). These however improved significantly by moving towards balanced application through the addition of NPK or NPK+ organics [19]. Also, actual field studies on microbial diversity and activity are few. Contrary to a hypothesis that leaf litter produced under elevated CO2 and having a high C: N ratio would be difficult to decompose, the microorganisms were found to adapt to changing soil carbon input under elevated CO2 and there was no effect on their turnover and behaviour [20]. Expectedly, under 15 elevated CO2, increased immobilization of fertilizer N by stimulation of mineralization (SMB) of soil organic matter (SOM) nitrogen was observed [21].

Thus, greater microbial demand for N (>27%) was observed under elevated CO2 [22]. As warmer temperatures are maintained, the less efficient use of carbon by the microbes causes them to decrease in number, eventually resulting in less carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere [23] via an agricultural soil vis-à-vis a desert soil (warmed in real world over time) attests this reality. Mycorrhizal and N2-fixing relationships are generally enhanced by CO2 enrichment, but effects of warming are highly variable [24]. There are reports proving that soil resistance and resilience is linked to soil biodiversity [25] and ‘higher’ soil diversity protects the soil against ecosystem malfunctions under stress or disturbance: an ‘insurance hypothesis’ linked to soil biodiversity [26].

Unfortunately, some African soils lack essential nutrients. In Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania low yield of crops was attributed mainly to poor soil fertility [27]. For instance, Zn is deficient in most West African soils, especially the lowland areas [28] while plant viable P is unavailable in the iron-rich tropical soils of Africa due to low pH and high level of iron and aluminum oxides [29]. The soil lacks Ca, Mg and K, and when acidic, has a high level of free Mn, which is toxic to crops. Buhmann, et al. [30], some South African soils are deficient in K and P, making it unsuitable for cultivation. Africa has lower fertilizer consumption when compared to other regions of the world. In 2002, sub-Saharan Africa had about 8 kg/ha of fertilizer consumption which increased to 12 kg/ ha in 2010 and 18 kg/ha in 2013 (Sommer et al., 2013). This is far below that of other regions of the world such as North America, South Asia, and East Asia and Pacific which were estimated at 127.9 kg/ha, 151.8 and 337.0 kg/ha respectively (World Bank Fertiliser Consumption, 2013).

Sub-Saharan Africa fertilizer market lacks basic infrastructure for sustainability, efficient pricing and competition (Sommer et al., 2013). Biofertilizers should not be misunderstood for organic fertilizers such as compost, animal manure and plant manure or extracts [31,32]. However, whether the beneficial microbes improve crop accessibility to nutrients [6,33] or replenish soil nutrients (Shridhar, 2012; Thamer et al., 2011), if the overall nutrient condition of crop and soil has been improved, such substances containing the beneficial microorganisms are considered as biofertilizers [32]. The objectives are:

• How biofertilizer functional architecture links system design (microbial inoculant) impacts on the cassava crops nutrient use efficiency.

• To use the outcome indicators (crop yield, soil organic matter) as a determinant of soil health and quality and soil nutrient facility management.

• How the microbial inoculant impacts on the integrated soil management?

• What are the indicators of soil quality?

Methodology

Biofertilizer functional models - soil health and quality

The environment-centric view (biofertilizer impacts) considers function as its effects (biofertilizer). The device-centric view considers function in term of internal parameters of the object (cassava crop physiology). The device-centric functions are the outcome (yield, soil health and quality) of the deployment of the environment centric functions. Eppinger and Browning, 2012 define. Underrating the biofertilizer system architecture of cassava crop cultivation within the agro-ecology, their relationships to crop development, evolution and outcome (yield, soil health and quality). Models are representations of the current understanding of a phenomenon or process of interest [34,35]. Functional models describe the relationship among variables using the simplest description of causal relations possible that still provides a useful description of the process or phenomenon [36]. A functional model would describe the components of the biofertilizer system and how they interact soils and crops cultivation. A mechanistic model would describe the properties of the biofertilizer contained in the components of the soil systems during cultivation. Information is also required on the driving forces that impact the variables controlling outcomes This driving force-outcome-response framework (or pressure-state- response framework) is widely used in environmental assessment [37].

Biofertilizer is dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in the cassava (independent variable or manipulated variable) field experiment. The independent variable (cassava crop) effect on the dependent variable is observed and recorded. Indicators can be used to communicate information on driving forces, outcomes, or responses. Driving force indicators communicate information on the causes of a problem, which may provide incentives for appropriate responses or be used to monitor the efficacy of responses. Outcome indicators communicate information on the effects of a problem on a goal. Outcome indicators are often slow to respond but are directly related to the issue and are useful for assessment and planning. Response indicators communicate information on the extent to which remedial actions are implemented. Response indicators respond quickly, but their effects are not evident until much later. Indicators may communicate information on level, change or structure [38]. An indicator of structure provides information on industry or policy structures related to driving force (e.g., average farm size) or response (e.g., proportion of farms with an environmental farm plan). Water quality: watersheds with the greatest risk of non-point pollution are identified based on leaching and runoff vulnerability indices calculated for pesticides and nutrients (Figure 3).

For example, vulnerability indices for nutrients are obtained from estimates of excess nutrient levels (manure or commercial fertilizer sources) combined with estimates of leaching (based on precipitation and hydrologic factors) or estimates of run-off, Figure 2 reported by Kellogg et al. [39]. In the United States to develop soil ratings based on measured soil properties for the comparison of land management systems [40] and the approach, soil quality is considered an inherent property of the soil that can be determined from measurable soil attributes [41]. When a soil quality parameter declines below an acceptable limit, an appropriate response is required to increase soil quality. Acceptable limits depend on land use, soil characteristics, landform and climatic conditions. Many potential parameters of soil quality, measurable at various scales of assessment, have been proposed (Table 1). Wander & Bollero [42] concluded that particulate organic matter, mean wet weight diameter of aggregates, bulk density and penetration resistance may be good indicators of soil quality because they are sensitive to management and environmentally relevant.

Acton & Gregorich [43] defined soil quality as “the soil’s fitness to support crop growth without resulting in soil degradation or otherwise harming the environment”. Larson & Pierce [41] stated that “soil quality describes how effectively soils: 1) accept, hold, and release nutrients and other chemical constituents; 2) accept, hold, and release water to plants, streams and groundwater; 3) promote and sustain root growth; 4) maintain suitable biotic habitat; and 5) respond to management and resist degradation”. Karlen et al. [44] defined soil quality as “the capacity of a specific kind of soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation”.

Soil quality and health

Soil quality can be defined as the fitness of a specific kind of soil, to function within its capacity and within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation [45]. Soil quality is related to soil functions and soil health concepts views soil as a finite and dynamic living resource [46]. Plant health is clearly a component of soil health but necessarily not of soil quality [47]. Baker & Cook [48] described the soils in which disease severity or incidence remains low, in spite of the presence of a pathogen, a susceptible host plant and climatic conditions favorable for disease development, as suppressive soils. Soil biota like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a significant role in improving plant nutrition but also act as bioprotectants against pathogens and toxic substances [49]. Thus, there is a considerable degree of overlap in the meaning of soil quality and soil health (Doran, 2002), though soil health perceptions tend to focus more on biotic components of soil [50]. Soil degradation or deterioration in soil health or quality implies loss of the vital functions of soil: (i) providing physical support, water and essential nutrients required for growth of terrestrial plants; (ii) regulation of the flow of water in the environment and (iii) elimination of the harmful effects of contaminants by means of physical, chemical and biological processes, i.e., environmental buffer or filter [38,51]. The quality and health of soil determine agricultural sustainability and environmental quality, which jointly determine plant, animal and human health [21,52].

Results and Discussion

Biofertilizer - mechanism of action

The absence of a population of degrading microorganisms can be overcome by the inoculation of the plant rhizosphere with pollutant degrading strains and biosurfactants during crop cultivation via biofertilizer. This approach successful in reducing the levels of benzene, ethylene, toluene xylenes, hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides in polluted environments [50,53] especially in Africa poor soil profile. The rhizosphere is defined as the volume of the soil over which roots have influence, and which is shared with soil bacteria. Plants release exudates in the rhizosphere likely to serve as carbon source for microbes [54]. Consequently, rhizosphere microbes can promote plant health by stimulating root growth via production of plant growth regulators, enhance mineral and water uptake. Some bacteria, especially fluorescent pseudomonads, produce siderophores that have very high affinities for iron as compared to fungal siderophores [55] and can sequester this limited resource from other microflora thereby preventing their growth [56].

Earlier reports have demonstrated the importance of P. fluorescens siderophores in disease suppression [57,58], Figure 4. However, many endophytic bacteria are facultative plant colonizers and have to compete well in the rhizosphere before entering the plant [59] and might be therefore equipped with a rich arsenal of metabolites involved in defense as well as in interaction with the plant. Many bacteria with the capacity of colonizing plants utilize the nutrient niche of root surfaces in the rhizosphere and most of them might even actively switch from root surface to endophytic lifestyles [59,60]. These bacteria comprise several well characterized species of Bacillus and Pseudomonas and a number of metabolites, particularly lipopeptides synthesized by non-ribosomal peptide synthesases, have been described to be important for rhizosphere bacteria for antibiosis and for inducing plant defense mechanisms (Figure 5). Biofertilizer characteristics (Table 2) and biosurfactants (Table 3) applied in the filed cassava cultivation requires no chemical pesticide. This was as a result of might be cassava plant-associated lifestyle requires adaptation to several niches, in which different metabolites act as signals for interaction (communication) with the plant and host specific plants nutrient and crop protection.

To read more about this article: https://irispublishers.com/wjass/fulltext/biofertilizer-impacts-on-cassava-manihot-esculenta-crantz-cultivation-improved-soil health.ID.000578.php

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[tradologieglobal]

Thailand: Agri-Commodities Market Overview

Thailand (Thai: ���ระเทศไทย), previously known as Siam and officially as the Kingdom of Thailand, is a Southeast Asian country. You must have known this beautiful country for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha, but it’s much more than that. Its rising Agri-commodities market has also added glories to its popularity and has brought global fame to the country.

Thailand is commonly known as ‘The Land of Smiles’. Its wonderful rural surroundings, farmlands, delightful cuisines, and Jasmine Rice make it so special that caters exceptionally well to tourists despite appearing to be in the middle of nowhere.

Here, you will get deep insights and interesting facts about Thailand’s commodities market, global trade, and a complete market overview.

Thailand’s socio-economic growth has been exceptional in recent years. It achieved upper-middle-income status in 2011 and seeks to achieve higher-income status by 2032.

Before the 1960s, the Thai economy was largely dependent on the production of rice and other foodstuffs for local consumption.

Thailand had begun on a steady path of industrialization by the 1980s; even the late-twentieth-century economic crisis could not stop this economic change but was delayed.

Thailand’s economy was one of the fastest expanding economies in the world between 1963 and 1997.

In 1963, the enactment of the first national development plan accelerated the transition from agricultural to industry.

Although Thailand has emphasized developing a more forward-thinking, modern economy, ranking second only to Singapore in economic backing within the ASEAN cluster, the country’s agriculture sector remains a critical gear in the engine propelling the country ahead.

It maintains its enviable position as a significant exporter of products – including highly consumed agricultural commodities such as rice, sugar, and rubber – across the world by capitalizing on its long-standing farming history and a favorable environment.

Domestic Production and Global Market:

Thailand’s agriculture industry accounts for 9 percent (approx) of its GDP and employs 49 percent of the total workforce.

Thailand is mainly dependent on agriculture, with 20.4 million hectares of farms (ESCAP).

Rice, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, and soybeans are some of the major crops grown in Thailand.

With over 60% of Thai farmers preferred cultivation, Rice is one of Thailand’s most important crops. Half of Thailand’s cultivated area is dedicated to rice production, and the country is one of the world’s major rice exporters.

Thailand is also a leading exporter of tapioca, rubber, frozen shrimp, canned tuna, and canned pineapple in the world. Rice, cassava, rubber, sugar, corn, and palm oil contribute to almost three-quarters of Thai agricultural valuation.

Thailand is the largest exporter of sugar as well. Thailand is also the major producer and exporter of dairy products in ASEAN, producing around one million tons of milk each year.

It is also one of the top three palm oil producers in the world; however, nearly all of the palm oil produced locally is used and consumed in the domestic markets only. Pineapples, coconuts, tapioca, tuna, and shrimp are some other important exports.

Interestingly, despite being late to the coffee-growing field, Thailand has become one of the major coffee-producing nations.

The entire value of agricultural commodities imported to Thailand in the year 2020 is 717 Billion Baht approximately. With considerable potential in 2020, the import value of agricultural goods has grown in recent years.

Thailand’s Top Export Destinations Of Agri-Commodities In 2020:

Cambodia                 2.62 percent (6.08 billion US dollars)

China                        12.8 percent (29 billion US dollars)

Myanmar                  1.64 percent (3.79 billion US dollars)

France                      1.6 billion US dollars

Canada                    1.54 billion US dollars

Czech Republic        628 million US dollars

Denmark                  357 million US dollars

Chile                        337 million US dollars

Sri Lanka                 301 million US dollars

Benin                       224 million US dollars

Thailand’s Top Trade Deals (Import Sources) In 2020:

China                        24 percent (49 billion US dollars)

Myanmar                   1.34 percent (2.79 billion US dollars)

France                      1.08 percent (2.25 billion US dollars)

Angola                      1.25 billion US dollars

Cambodia                1.14 billion US dollars

Canada                    767 million US dollars

Chile                         410 million US dollars

Denmark                   401 million US dollars

Finland                      288 million US dollars

Czech Republic         238 million US dollars

Tradologie.com is the world’s 1st Next-Generation B2B inquiry to delivery trade enabling a platform facilitating the trade of Agri-commodities and Branded Food Products across the globe.

Over the past four years of operation, Tradologie.com has been able to develop a network of over 3,25,000 verified buyers across 65 countries who have successfully transacted trade over USD 40 billion through tradologie.com with more than 35000 verified manufacturers and exporters working out of 15 countries.

Tradologie.com works by standardizing buyer requirements and arranging live negotiations with verified sellers capable of supplying the buyer on the platform on standardized trade policies which allow for the trade without a phone call or an email through the safe conduit provided by Tradologie.com.

[biogenericpublishers]

The Role of Technological Advancement in Improving Food Security in Africa: A Review by Desalegn Teshale Wolde* in Open Access Journal of Biogeneric Science and Research

Abstract

Technological advancement has brought significant improvement in achieving food security in many parts of the world. This paper tries to review agricultural technology advancement on improving food security in African countries. Different literatures regarding to agricultural technologies which contributed to food security were reviewed. Public investments in scientific research across countries brought significant impact on the food security of its citizens. Notably Green Revolution had brought dramatic production increase mainly in Asian and Latin American countries. Despite its positive influence in Asian countries, African were not well benefited from technological advancement. Hence, little efforts were made in West Africa countries on NERICA rice varieties and in Uganda Mosaic virus resistant cassava varieties were taken as an example. Most recently many African governments showed their commitment to support the agricultural sector so as to boost the production and thereby achieve food security. According to the literatures reviewed diverse agro ecology’s and farming system, rain fed dependent agricultural system, poor infrastructural development, limited knowledge and skills required by the technology were considered as the bottlenecks for achieving food security in Africa. Strengthen the capacity of research and scientific institutions to develop, generate and disseminate the technology could play crucial role in achieving food security. Besides strengthen technology adoption and extension services for smallholder farmers will have significant importance. Equally importantly access and provision of input and output markets, rural infrastructural development, credit access, development of irrigation canals and other issues shall be important policy directions that supports food security. Finally, creating regional or international integration enables countries to exchange, share and adopt technologies that ultimately increase production.

Keywords: Food security, agriculture, Technology, Africa.

Introduction

The world’s population is expected to be more than 9.7 billion in the coming thirty years, with nearly all of the growth occurring in the developing parts of the world particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asian countries. This population boom will be accompanied by increased strains on the food supply and resources, causing increased pressure on political and ecological systems, as well as threats to global security. These regions are experienced with poor agricultural production and productivity where it cannot feed the growing population.

For the last fifty years, scientific and technological advancement have benefited farmers by driving agricultural production in many parts of the world. Agricultural technologies have the potential to increase food availability through boosting crop productivity, increasing the supply and volume of food production per unit of agricultural land, sustaining the overall local and domestic food production [1]. Hence, generating appropriate agricultural technologies is among the most revolutionary and impact full areas of modern technology driven by increasing demand for food and feeding an ever-growing population. Improved technologies in agricultural sector can substantially increase the agricultural production and sustainability. Agricultural technologies refer to the improved management practices, improved and high yielding crop varieties, different agricultural machines and tools designed for improving in the agricultural production system [2]. Moreover, agricultural technology includes use of inorganic fertilizer, use of chemical like pesticides/insecticides, tilling the soil, irrigating land, cultivating crop, harvesting and threshing technologies, livestock feeding, etc.

Increasing food production with the help of land, water, local seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides will not achieve the intended yield necessary to feed the increasing population. Hence, widespread use of local and advanced technologies and practices are critical to increase agricultural production and productivity [3]. Put differently, achieving the galloping food demand Via population growth by the conventional agricultural production might not work anymore which calls attention for agricultural technology advancement. However, access, availability and use of improved technologies into the hands of farming community is hardly possible. Swaminathan (2011) pointed that technological inaccessibility or unaffordability for the poor farmers has an impact on the efficiency of agricultural production. Due to this many smallholder farmers in developing countries particularly in Africa are not yet food secure. This paper tried to review the roles of technological advancement on achieving food security in Africa.

Review Methodology

This review paper focused on technological advancement on the food security issue in Africa. Hence, different available literatures on existing agricultural technologies were reviewed.

Result and Discussion

In this section different literatures regarding to technological advancement on food security, policy approaches and different issues were discussed. Besides, the existing opportunities and challenges were also discussed.

Policy Approach on Technology Advancement

Different literatures’ show that by combining different agricultural technologies like zero tillage, conventional breeding, genetic modification, integrated soil fertility management, irrigation technology and different agronomic practices can boost the existing agricultural production. Hundreds of existing agricultural technologies and practices have the potential to boost agricultural yields in the developing world [4]. Technological innovations and improved farming practices are therefore helpful to increase agricultural production and productivity. Accordingly, African governments shall give due emphasis on the advancement of technologies mainly on drought tolerant seed varieties, drip irrigation, recommended usage and application of fertilizers, agrochemicals, agronomic practices like integrated pest management, conservation farming, and improved watershed and soil management.

African agriculture is characterized by low technology use and adoption coupled with different socioeconomic and institutional limitations for the sector. Despite the existence of agricultural research, science and training institutions in Africa, the capacity to generate, renovate and release agricultural technology is limited [5]. This might be the limited capacity of researchers due to educational system of the respective countries coupled with the limited allocation of public budget spent on research and development. Besides, poor infrastructural development, oversized and fragmented land use system, and outdated farming tools and or equipment were also contributing for low production in Africa. If agricultural technological development is not progressing, African agricultural production continues to experience low or stagnant productivity that leads to increasing food deficit and rising poverty and hunger.

A widely accepted objective for agricultural development in Africa is to achieve sustainable intensification with the adoption of new technologies such as improved high yielding seeds, inorganic fertilizer, irrigation technologies and natural resource management. These technologies improve land and labor productivity there by increasing yield. However, different reinforcing problems that is common in many African economies do not yet achieve food security. To mention some of the problems are poor infrastructures, poor human health, lack of well-developed monetary system, weak coverage of veterinary services, and thin agricultural markets. As a consequence, it has pressing challenges on the productivity of smallholder farmers [6]. The technology uptake of smallholder farmers, therefore, highly contribute to achieve food security. Hence, use of appropriate technologies can improve productivity and high volume of production both at household consumption and for increased household income [7].

Current literatures on the impacts of the technology adoption on food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries is quite limited. It usually lacks properly exploring the multiple aspects which characterize food insecurity. Many authors tried to derive conclusions on household food security indirectly by measuring, instead, the impact on household welfare [8], through monetary (income and expenditure) or production measures (farm production and yields). It showed that the effect of agricultural technologies would have significant impact to achieve food security.

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. "Agriculture is everyone’s business: national independence depends on its development because it enables us to escape the scourge of food insecurity that undermines our sovereignty and fosters sedition; it is a driver of growth whose leverage is now acknowledged by economists and politicians; it is the sector offering the greatest potential for poverty and inequality reduction, as it provides sources of productivity from which the most disadvantaged people working in the sector should benefit." Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of the NEPAD.

Another policy approach as pointed by Johanson and William (2007) is “Agricultural education and training has been demonstrated to be a vital, but much neglected, component of agricultural development in Africa. It is under-valued, under - resourced and under-provided. Human capital in agriculture has been depleted by long neglect.” Hence, what would be necessary to improve agricultural productivity and food security in Africa is strengthening agricultural educational systems, more specifically the coverage and quality of higher education and research institutes. FAO [9] indicated that agricultural growth contributes not only to achieve to food security but also greatly supports poverty reduction. This might be many developing countries are agriculture dependent economy of which the sector is the main livelihood of citizens. Therefore, sustained and continues agricultural growth is very crucial for African countries.

Technological Advancement Policy Issues Related to Food Security

Globally accepted definition of food security is a situation where “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for a productive and healthy life” [10]. In otherworld food security refers to the minimum level and availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, and assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.

Many African countries have adopted food security policy as one of their main national plans. This can be achieved through greater public investment in agriculture technology generation and innovation. Using the agricultural technologies, agricultural production and productivity would increase dramatically. Besides, technologies help conserving food by substantially reducing postharvest losses and food wastage, giving farmers access to real-time information and services in the field. In general, broader use of available technologies and improved management practices would have the following issues;

Help farmers to produce more grain, which improves their livelihoods and can provide food to the growing population.

Enhance safety and nutritional value of the food

Achieve agricultural sustainability through reduced resource use and climate friendly technologies.

Once we understood the wider use of technologies, different policy instruments are important to address and enhance the technology. Following this, many African governments have given due emphasis on technology generation, development and adoption, input subsidy including credit, rural infrastructural development particularly irrigation, market access both for the input and output, access to land and other resources.

Opportunities and Constraints of Technological Advancement

In many parts of the world particularly South and East Asia countries agricultural productivity has been growing rapidly, due to extensive use of new agricultural technologies. For millions of poor people, particularly in Asia, the technological advances of the Green Revolution (complemented by a massive increase in irrigation, chemical fertilizer and high yielding varieties) greatly supported for the reduction of poverty. As farm production increases, farm household’s income and wages would be higher which leads to lowering the price of food, and hence generating new livelihood opportunities as the success in agriculture provided the basis for economic diversification [11]. Rapid technological advancement notably in the last 50 years leading to increased productivity in many parts of the developing world. Green Revolution that most Asian and Latin American countries used it as a vehicle to push out of poverty.

Agricultural technology advancement can reduce the risk of crop failures, safeguarding income of household food consumption and nutrition [12]. Hence, there is a positive link between agricultural technology and food security. Therefore, technologies enhance agricultural productivity gains and lower per unit costs of production, with the effects of raising the incomes of producers and of shifting outward the supply curve, which can lower food prices [13].

New and existing technologies to combat biotic and abiotic stresses, raise crop and livestock productivity, improve soil fertility and water available can potentially increase the amount of food production. Storage, refrigeration, transport and agro-processing innovations can address the different dimension of food accessibility. According to IFAD [14] report average cereal yield in developing countries increased by 2.7% per annum between 1966 and 1982. Particularly the performance in South Asia was quite impressive, where, between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s, wheat yields increased by 240% and those of rice by 160% [15]. Even though rice and wheat were impact full crops during Green revolution, gain from new technology have also occurred in other crops and regions with increased investments in agricultural research and extension service.

Development and release of modern varieties have been impressive in many of the developing countries. Byerlee [16] estimated that 74% of rice, 70% of wheat and 57% of maize grown in developing countries were improved or modern varieties. Even though these seeds are outputs of the green revolution with its ingredients (HYV, fertilizer and irrigation), substantial proportion of these improved or modern seeds are grown with low or no inputs [17]. This might be taken as an additional attribute of the modern seeds. According to the reports of the world bank [18], the average cereal yield in the early times of Green Revolution (around 1961) was 1 ton per hectare in the developing world (around 1961) and the productivity rose to 3 tons per hectare in 2000. Regionally, East Asia and the Pacific increased to 4.5 tons per hectare, Middle East and North Africa increased to around 2.3 tons per hectare, while sub-Sahara countries are stagnated around 1 ton per hectare.

In 2000, the area under improved cereal varieties coverage was 84 % in East Asia and Pacific, 61% in Middle East and North Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, while in Sub-Sahara countries the area covered by improved cereal crops were only 22%. In 2002, fertilizer consumption had reached 190 kg per ha of arable and permanent crop land in East Asia and Pacific, 73 kg in Middle East and North Africa, but Sub-Saharan countries fertilizer consumption was less than13 kg.Here fertilizer is taken as one of the agricultural technologies that can boost productivity. Given available technologies at a hand, the farmers ability or level of technology adoption is limited.

Around 1961, average cereal yields were around 1 ton per ha in the developing world, and rose to nearly 3 tons per ha by 2005. They increased to around 4.5 tons in East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), to around 2.3 tons in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), while they stagnated around 1 ton in SSA [18]. Even though a number of technologies can play a significant role in addressing food security, African countries mainly sub-Saharan region has yet food insecure. This region has many challenges of productivity than any other region of the world; more diversified agroecology, and more crop and livestock pests and diseases than elsewhere. There are no dominant farming systems that extend over very large areas such as irrigated rice and wheat in Asia. Irrigation infrastructure is poorly developed. Climate change will significantly add to the technology challenge. As a consequence of these factors, Africa is less able to borrow technology from other tropical countries; and technology transfers between regions in Africa are also constrained. Unlike Asian, African green revolution was partly on non-cereal crops like mosaic virus resistant cassava varieties released in Uganda [19].

Recently many African countries showed their commitment to boost the agricultural productivity with due emphasis on investment of science and technology. Through plant breeding techniques producing high yielding and disease, pest and drought tolerant crop varieties. These techniques can be hybridization, molecular-marker assisted selection, agricultural biotechnology, crop protection solutions and other technologies that enhance the quality and quantity of the yield. Increasing yield reduced hunger, it further leads more income, then less poverty. On the contrary technology advancement may not necessarily help poor farmers in real terms. If a country is nationally food secure, this might not necessarily mean all citizens at the household level are food secured.

The ingredients of green revolution in India were successful to increase the yield at the national level. These ingredients are affordable to those who are relatively rich farmers. Shiva (1993) as cited by Kathryn Sebby (2010) the Green Revolution favored for the rich who are endowed with best farm areas; hence they can afford expensive technological investments for. High yielding crop varieties are dependent on expensive inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and it also requires knowledge and skills associated with use of these technologies. This large volume of fertilization and chemical use leads to serious environmental issues like salinization problem. Further they forced to sell their land and other assets to afford the technology of the Green Revolution [20]. This clearly showed poor small farmers were far away from the benefits of the Green Revolution and even worse off.

Rashid [21] summarized the futurities of Green Revolution in India; high initial outlay, since most of poor farmers were tenant farmers they have little or no money to buy seeds, fertilizer, fuel, machinery, inappropriate irrigation schemes that cause the environment, unemployment getting higher because of mechanization which leads to other social crisis, caused regional disparities as Green Revolution purposively implemented where water supply, large fertilizer access and farm credit were assured. As consequence India’s first Green revolution which was launched to ensure food security as there was severe food shortage by focusing mass production, was ended by the above-mentioned failures. Hence the country left behind achieving food security at household level.

Even though technological advancement has been registered achievement, hunger and poverty continue to be common phenomenon in the developing world. The problem is particularly acute in areas of the world dependent upon rain-fed agriculture, in particular sub-Saharan Africa, where the impact of new technologies has been less apparent and agricultural productivity has at best stagnated, and may even have fallen in some areas [22]. Widespread use of advanced technologies and practices is critical to intensifying food production in an environmentally sustainable manner, but the situation for food-insecure smallholder farmers is exceptionally risky, making them averse to experimentation [3]. Technology adoption is inhibited due to social, economic and political situation of a given many sub-Saharan countries. Hence, technologies exist, at least some, diffusing it for the poor farmers to enhance the productivity is a critical challenge [23-25].

Recommendation and Conclusion

As world population is increasing achieving food security is key issue in the 21st century. Modernizing the agricultural sector is prime objective, as the sector is main satay in many food insecure countries where population growth exceeds their economic growth. Therefore, food security without continuous and innovative technology development would have been unimaginable. African governments should create enabling policy environment on most promising research and technology innovations that further improve farm productivity. Understanding the technology and its complexity of adoption strategy must be given due attention. Since full range of scientific research both social and natural sciences are key to solve food insecurity challenges, African countries should invest on research and development [26-28]. Removing barriers that prevent technological advancement and adoption of the technology for the poor farmers is crucial, equally importantly secure input and output markets, rural infrastructural development, providing credit, constructing irrigation canals and other issues shall be policy directions that significantly supports food security. Creating regional or international coordination enables countries to exchange and adopt technologies among them [29].

Agricultural technology advancement in Africa not only boost agricultural productivity but also supports its profitability, sustainability and hence ensure food security as well as obtaining the full range of nutrients [30]. Therefore, to make these technologies impact full support policies have to be developed for effective technology transfer and extension programs that ultimately focus on smallholder farmers’ productivity.

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