africa

Taking stock of national agricultural R&D capacity in Africa South of the Sahara

This report is a timely input into the ongoing development agenda for Africa South of the Sahara (SSA). The 2013 report on agriculture and food systems by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network released a set of post–2015 development goals, including recommendations that low- and middle-income countries increase their spending on agricultural research and development (R&D) by a minimum of 5 percent per year during 2015–2025, and that they allocate at least 1 percent of their agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) to public agricultural R&D. More recently, the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa was adopted at the African Heads of State Summit, necessitating the development of a continent-wide implementation plan. This report, which summarizes SSA’s recent progress in developing its national agricultural R&D systems, is intended to serve as an important input into, and potential benchmark for, the implementation of the science agenda in SSA and the broader development agenda for the region. The analysis is based on comprehensive primary datasets by Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI), the most recent of which was compiled during 2012–2013.

PDF file: 




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Achieving Food Security in Africa South of the Sahara Through Food Value Chains

Time: 
12:15 pm to 1:45 pm EDT (Please join us for lunch beginning at 11:45 am); Live webcast coming up at the scheduled time.

Presenter(s): 
Moderator: Rajul Pandya-Lorch, IFPRI | Welcome: Astrid Jakobs de Pádua, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany | Paul Mwafongo, Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania | Speakers: Khamaldin Mutabazi, Sokoine University of Agriculture SUA in Morogoro, Tanzania | Ephraim Nkonya, IFPRI | Stefan Sieber, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research ZALF
Contact/RSVP: 

RSVP to Simone Hill-Lee - s.hill-lee@cgiar.org, 202-862-8107.

Location: 

International Food Policy Research Institute
2033 K Street, NW, Washington, DC
Fourth Floor Conference Facility

This seminar will present findings of food and nutrition security research projects in Africa south of the Sahara (SSA) funded by German federal ministries. The presentations will highlight results of the projects, share success stories of food value chains, and outline key policies required to achieve food and nutrition security through the value chain approach.

Stefan Sieber will present an overview of German research programs and related projects conducted in SSA. Khamaldin Mutabazi and Ephraim Nkonya will present empirical evidence of both success stories and challenges of the value chain approach in Tanzania, as well as discuss policies that enhance or pose challenges for market development in SSA.




africa

Agriculture in Africa -- Telling Facts from Myths

Time: 
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT
Presenter(s): 
Keynote Speakers: Chris Barrett, Cornell University | Gero Carletto, World Bank, Living Standards Measurement Study | Luc Christiaensen, World Bank | Klaus Deininger, World Bank | Makhtar Diop, World Bank Africa Region | Shenggen Fan, IFPRI | Francisco Ferreira, World Bank | Ethel Sennhauser, World Bank | Stan Wood, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Contact/RSVP: 

Simone Hill-Lee, s.hill-lee@cgiar.org; 202-862-8107

Location: 

International Food Policy Research Institute
2033 K Street, NW, Washington, DC
Fourth Floor Conference Facility

• Are women in Africa doing all the farming?
• Can Africa’s postharvest loss really be that high?
• Is input use still dismally low? Is land still abundantly available and land rental non-existent?
• Are Africa’s youth exiting agriculture en masse?

More information

For presentations, video and other related materials please visit the World Bank project page

Come and join us at an IFPRI-World Bank conference featuring 15 revealing Ignite-style presentations. The panel discussions are based on research conducted by an international consortium of universities and international organizations led by the Chief Economist Office of the Africa Region of the World Bank, and are intended to scrutinize conventional wisdom about African agriculture. Co-hosts Shenggen Fan, Director General of IFPRI, and Makhtar Diop, Vice President of the Africa Region of the World Bank, will make opening remarks, and the expert panels will reflect on the research findings and their implications.

Registration for this event is now closed. Conference will be streamed in its entirety on this page.

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June2015EventAgendaFinal.pdf34.63 KB




africa

East Africa: Ethiopia's Tourism Taking Great Leap With New Destinations

[Ethiopian Herald] In step with global tourism trends, Ethiopia is revising its tourism policy and expanding destinations to unlock its vast potential and generate significant income, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The government plans to invest heavily in infrastructure and amend restrictive policies to fully realize the sector's promise.




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South Africa Partially Reopens Mozambique Border After Unrest




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News24 | Property laundromat: Prominent African families used SA properties to wash dirty money - report

An investigation by NPO Open Secrets has accused heavyweight South African estate agents and law firms of facilitating money laundering - allegedly helping African kleptocrats use dirty money to acquire luxury properties in the country.




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Sport | Botswana Football Association backs South African coach Morena Ramoreboli to take Zebras to Afcon

Botswana FA's president, Tariq Babitseng, is confident that South African coach Morena Ramoreboli will guide the Zebras back to the Africa Cup of Nations, where they have been absent for 12 years.




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"Mrs And Mrs": Celebrity Chef Ritu Dalmia Gets Married In An Intimate Ceremony In South Africa

Chef Ritu Dalmia, one of India's most celebrated chefs, tied the knot on November 5, 2024.




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3rd T20I: Tilak Varma Ton Guides India To 11-Run Win Over South Africa

Tilak Varma's fabulous maiden T20I hundred formed the fulcrum of India's narrow 11-run victory over South Africa in the third match in Centurion on Wednesday.




africa

Is South Africa One of the Most Politically Polarised Countries in the World? No, It's Not - Sociologist

[The Conversation Africa] A number of reports have called South Africa a politically polarised society. This may seem uncontroversial, given the country's history of dispossession and discrimination during colonialism and apartheid, and their continuing legacy after 30 years of democracy.




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South Africa Calls for Calm Amid Post-Election Tensions in Mozambique

[SAnews.gov.za] South Africa has reiterated its call for calm and restraint following post-election protests in Mozambique.




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South Africa Doesn't Have a Water Security Threat - Minister Majodina

[Parliament of South Africa] The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Pemmy Majodina, has assured Parliament and the country that there is currently no threat to South Africa's water security.




africa

Why Africa needs clinical trials — Researchers

Leading health researchers have urged Africans to embrace clinical trials, emphasising their vital role in addressing local health challenges and boosting economic opportunities. Ahead of the 2024 Impact Africa Summit in Lagos, the group of experts highlighted the need to create a robust and sustainable clinical trial ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa. They noted that this


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africa

Experts push contract farming to boost Africa food systems, farmers’ income

Nairobi — As African farmers struggle with unpredictability caused by climate change, some are looking into contract farming, which involves growing a certain crop for a price set in advance. About 400 people attended the International Conference on Contract Farming in Nairobi this week to learn more about the practice.  Peris Wanjiku, the conference director, said such agreements can help solve the challenges that many smallholder farmers face in Africa.  "It's always important to farm with a plan. I believe it's not enough to simply plant a crop, whatever it is, without knowing where it will end up," Wanjiku said. "Farmers should know beforehand what to grow and where to sell. This is why contract farming is so important, as it provides the framework for certainty and sustainability. "But it's not only about the traditional farmer. I believe we can extend the benefit of contract farming to those who may not be farmers themselves right now, but they own a piece of land."    Experts say the growing interest in contract farming is associated with increasingly complicated systems in food production, marketing and distribution, which has made it difficult for farmers to meet consumers' demands.  Contract farming, experts say, is an instrument that manages and reduces production risks for both parties.  Wilson Milito Ole-Rampei, a vegetable farmer in Kenya, is attending the conference and is optimistic that the practice would help him.   "I will benefit because if, for example, I am growing vegetables, we will arrange with them to get a market. They will give me their technical advice, then our arid land will be used. Because of [a] shortage of rain, we will do irrigation. I would have knowledge of what I am growing," Ole-Rampei said.    An economist for the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Lan Li, said contract farming is often a good deal for small-scale farmers.   "It sets the agreements on what products to produce, quantity, and price," Li said. "As such, it helps secure more stable income and better production planning for producers. It can improve access to inputs for small-scale holder farmers, technical assistance training, and financing solutions."  African farmers have seen reduced harvests due to global warming and drought. For many, a lack of knowledge and skills also contributes to low food production.  In areas where farmers can produce enough food, they sometimes face obstacles such as bad roads or insecurity that prevent them from getting to market.   Carole Kariuki, head of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, said the private and public sectors need to collaborate to improve the agriculture sector.  "The private sector is doing its best. It's filling that gap where it can, but we cannot do it all, and we need the government to be able to go back and say we can get agriculture extension officers helping out small farmers and all the farmers in the country. Contract farming holds immense potential to transform African agriculture,” she said.  Contract farming can have drawbacks, such as making farmers less able to sell to alternative buyers when produce prices increase. In addition, there are environmental risks from growing only one crop for a long time.   Buyers, meanwhile, can face high transaction costs from contracting with many farmers.  But Kariuki believes the benefits outweigh the risks. She called contract farming a model to lift up small-scale farmers, boost food production, and drive sustainable growth.




africa

My fellow South Africans: President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to address the nation on food poisoning deaths




africa

South Africans divided on whether ‘starving and dehydrated’ illegal miners should be rescued




africa

HONOR’s impressive growth and insights from industry leaders at Africa Tech Festival 2024




africa

South Africa's unemployment rate drops to 32.1% in the third quarter of 2024




africa

Former Sri Lankan refugee pleads for South African citizenship after over 20 years of legal struggles




africa

He’s fantastic – Rohr names player to win African Footballer of the Year

Benin Republic coach, Gernot Rohr has tipped Super Eagles forward, Lookman Ademola to win the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award. The 71-year-old German described Lookman as a fantastic player. Rohr spoke ahead of Benin’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier with Nigeria on Thursday in Abidjan. “For me, Lookman is the best […]

He’s fantastic – Rohr names player to win African Footballer of the Year




africa

East Africa: Conflicts, Delayed Financial Remittance Hinder EAC, EALA Progress

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has taken helm of the Bureau of East Africa Community Speaker amidst challenges facing the region bloc which include underfunding and perennial conflict.




africa

Africa: MultiChoice Profits Dive As Subscriptions Shrink

[Business Day Africa] Africa's biggest pay-television company Multichoice Group has reported a 99 percent dip in half-year profits on the back of subscriber decline and foreign exchange volatility in the operating environment.




africa

West Africa: 'We Are Here to Seek Clarity' - Ecowas Delegation Says

[Liberian Observer] A six-member ECOWAS delegation visiting Liberia yesterday concluded a consultative meeting with the leadership of the Liberian Senate, with the Speaker assuring Senators that the delegation was here to seek clarity, and facilitate mediation.




africa

Africa: Experts Push Contract Farming to Boost Africa Food Systems, Farmers' Income

[VOA] Nairobi -- As African farmers struggle with unpredictability caused by climate change, some are looking into contract farming, which involves growing a certain crop for a price set in advance.




africa

Africa: Ruto Says Africa's Resources Position It to Lead Global Climate Solutions

[Capital FM] Baku, Azerbaijan -- President William Ruto says Africa's natural resources and biodiversity place it in a unique position to lead global climate solutions, highlighting the continent's role beyond participation.




africa

Africa: Peer Power - How Youth-Led Outreach Can Transform PrEP Access in Tanzania #HIVR4P2024

[allAfrica] Margareth Mwakilasa, an assistant research fellow at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania and a PhD student in Global Health at University College Dublin, presented her research findings at the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference (#HIVR4P2024) in Lima, Peru. Her study, titled ''They are Not HIV Treatment Drugs; They are Preventive Drugs (PrEP): Experiences of Using PrEP Among Vulnerable Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tanzania,'' was part of the Oral Abstract





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Africa's elephant population declines by 70 per cent over past 50 years: study




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Africa's policymakers, educators seek ways to end learning poverty on continent




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South Africa expects G20 summit to strengthen multilateralism




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Four-day Africa Tech Festival 2024 kicks off in Cape Town




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Tilak’s maiden ton, Abhishek’s 50 fire India to 219/6 against South Africa in 3rd T20I

Tilak Varma got ample backing from Abhishek Sharma who made a brisk 50 after SA skipper Aiden Markram invited the visitors to bat first.




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African swine fever: culling of pigs complete at Kottiyur in Kannur

A 48-member rapid response team led by District Animal Husbandry Officer Dr. V. Prasanth and Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. P. Biju oversaw the culling of 193 pigs across three farms




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South Africa declares National Disaster after floods, storms

Disruptive rains, floods, strong winds and hail from Oct. 22 to Oct. 29 affected the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, North-West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre




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SA vs IND: Tilak Varma scripts history with maiden century in 3rd T20I against South Africa

Despite the early dismissals of Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh, Tilak continued his onslaught and ensured India posted a formidable total of 219 runs on the board.




africa

IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Tilak Varma's maiden T20I century guides India to 11-run win over South Africa, lead series 2-1

Tilak Varma showcased his talent by scoring his maiden T20I century, leading India to a formidable total of 219/6 in 20 overs against South Africa.




africa

African Americans and Orthodox Christianity

Fr. Moses Berry joins Fr. Barnabas to discuss his journey to Orthodoxy as the great grandson of a slave. What does Orthodox Christianity offer to the African American today? Learn more about Fr. Moses and a documentary film being produced called Hard Promise to Keep.




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African Elephants Face Severe Decline Over Past Half-Century

A groundbreaking study released today reveals the alarming state of African elephant populations over the last 50 years. Both forest and savanna elephant species have experienced widespread declines due to overexploitation and habitat loss, mirroring the global trend affecting large-bodied animals.




africa

Teaching Reading to African American Children: When Home and School Language Differ

Reading depends on spoken language. This is a simple statement with profound consequences for children whose spoken language differs from the language they are expected to read. For most children, the language skills they bring to school will support learning to read, which is mainly learning to understand their spoken language in a new form: print. However, some children’s language skills differ in important ways from the classroom language variety, and teachers rarely receive sound guidance on how to enhance their literacy instruction to meet these children’s needs.




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Protecting the women and girls of South Africa

HIV and AIDS can be prevented. It just takes you.




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The Link in South Africa

Five OM entities based in South Africa previously working in three separate offices throughout Pretoria have recently united under one roof.




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OM South Africa appoints new leader

On 23 January 2015, OM South Africa celebrated Pranesh Anandlal’s leadership as director since 2008 and welcomed his successor, Andrè van der Bergh.




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Loving youth through sports in South Africa

OMer Jan Willem Otten uses basketball as a way to keep kids off the streets and put them in touch with the gospel




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From Argentina to Africa

Belen, 20, discovers she doesn't need to wait to serve God in missions when He sends her to Africa for six weeks.




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North Africans prepare to go to Iraq

The OM Near East Field church planting school prepares students to cross cultural and religious boundaries.




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Anti-human trafficking training in South Africa

In the summer of 2013, a South African member of OM Czech Republic returned to her home country to lead anti-trafficking training and awareness seminars.




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India vs South Africa Live Streaming, 3rd T20I: When And Where To Watch

Here are the live streaming and live telecast details of India vs South Africa 3rd T20I -




africa

From KKR To India: Ramandeep Singh Debuts For National Team In South Africa

Before the toss ahead of the 3rd India vs South Africa T20I, Hardik Pandya handed the India cap to the debutant Ramandeep Singh




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Century At 22: Tilak Varma Sets 'Youngest' Feat With Great Show vs South Africa

India vs South Africa: Tilak Varma played an unbeaten 107-run knock from 56 balls at a strike rate of 191.07