Food price plan unveiled

Food price plan unveiled
iAfrica.com - Cape Town,South Africa
Maseko noted rising food prices "also present a window for the development of a vibrant and sustainable agricultural programme to meet the country's food ...

The African Union summit is meeting at a time when Africa faces great challenges from the possible impact of current developments on the international

Minister of Agriculture (Jamaica), Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that a restructured Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), would better serve farmers in the country.

Addressing a Farmers' Forum at the Gray's Inn Sports Club in Annotto Bay, St. Mary on June 25, Dr. Tufton said the new RADA structure would have 200 additional staff, including marketing and livestock officers to ensure that proper marketing arrangements are made for farmers and appropriate guidance is provided in respect of animal husbandry.

Collective action on Africa needed

The African Union summit is meeting at a time when Africa faces great challenges from the possible impact of current developments on the international economic scene.

Indeed, the recent encouraging economic performance of Africa is being threatened by global economic emergencies in the food and energy markets and the prospect of stagflation in key industrial economies.

These developments are closely linked with the negative effects of climate change and can undermine political stability and the scaling-up of efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Since the causes and consequences of these problems are global, the key issue is to use common solutions and benefits of regional and international cooperation to guide and drive national actions.

OAU and FAO collaborated with ECA in preparing the framework for developing a common African agricultural programme within the context of the African

OAU and FAO collaborated with ECA in preparing the framework for developing a common African agricultural programme within the context of the African ...

Senator warns of $13 billion inflow - May 28th 2008

He said Government should expedite the distribution of the Caroni 1975 Ltd lands, should consider using the underemployed in an agricultural programme-Farmpep (as opposed to CEPEP)-to stimulate agriculture and should maintain the gas subsidy to cushion inflation.

Disqualified NPP candidate goes solo

Mr. Asafu-Adjei who is also Director, Youth and Agricultural programme under the Ministry of Agriculture, made these remarks when he addressed more than 3,000 people at a rally at Atonsu near Nsuta, the district capital of the newly created Sekyere Central Assembly in the Ashanti Region.

As The Man Says - Forty years on

Omagh,Northern Ireland,UK
A recent RTÉ agricultural programme made much mention of heifers. For a while, I though they were quoting Brian Cowen. Charlie McCreevy, asked what would ...

Senegal to grow more crops to fight food squeeze

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeReuters South Africa - Johannesburg, South Africa
Wade said the cost of the agricultural programme still had to be established, and while Senegal would not seek money from its international partners, ...

Farming project in Andros was successful

Image via WikipediaThe Freeport News - Bahamas
There was widespread agreement with my suggestion that the establishment of a proficient agricultural programme on the island would make it an attractive ...

There’s No Problem Between VP and I – Sylva

Image via WikipediaApapa, Lagos, Nigeria
I just told you one of the programmes, the agricultural programme, the fisheries programme are actually for youth empowerment. When we came in, ...

Govt Plans Mass Production of Rice

Image via WikipediaApapa,Lagos,Nigeria
... production of snails, rabbits, pigs and all sorts of domestic agriculture, which would form the next step of the state’s aggressive agricultural programme.

Agriculture records boom in Abia

Image via WikipediaThe Tide - Port Harcourt, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Agriculture in Abia has moved from subsistence to business, Dr. Awosile Otisi, the Programmes Manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), has said. ...

Sugar land claims are ‘too slow’

Image via WikipediaSowetan - Soweto, South Africa
The initiative of the South African sugar industry to transfer at least 30percent of sugar-cane land into black hands by 2015 is steadily gaining momentum. ...

Nigeria: Coalitions Emerging to Tackle Food Crisis

Image via Wikipedia

An alarm was sounded at the Pan African Parliament (PAP) over the global food crisis last week when a member asked the regional assembly to find lasting solutions to the challenge of food poverty in the continent.

Hon. Athumani Janguo, while making a presentation at PAP, which is holding its Ninth Ordinary Session May 5-16 at Midrand, South Africa said that the Parliament should persuade Heads of State, governments, regional economic communities, non-governmental organisations and the international community to get to the root causes of the problem and address them.

The acting chairperson of PAP's Permanent Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economy, Natural Resources and Environment, said Africa was most at risk in the worsening global food situation. The crisis is likely to worsen malnutrition and HIV/AIDS as well as increase crime and violence in Africa, he noted.

Rioting over rising food prices have already been reported in a number of countries in the region. And last week, troops fired at similarly protesting crowds in the capital, Mogadishu, killing two, according to agency reports. World Food Programme executive director, Josette Sheeran, has called the worsening food situation a 'silent tsunami'.

The famine has been on in the continent for five years, Janguo added. Around 30 million citizens, most of them women and children have suffered hunger, starvation, and even death. The Horn of Africa and some Southern African countries, including Zambia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, are the hardest hit.

Former UN scribe, Mr. Koffi Annan used the platform of the three-day conference to call for 'bold pro-poor policies' to address the global food crisis and a uniquely African Green Revolution for the continent.

"To address poverty at its core, particularly in light of the growing threat of climate change, we need a uniquely African green revolution," Annan said. "Our farmers need better seeds, soils, and prices for what they sell. They need access to water, markets and credit. They need policies that accelerate rural economic growth, investment and job creation".

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, which the former UN Secretary General chairs was established last year by Rockefeller and Gates Foundations.

The African Union seeks to achieve a 6 per cent annual growth in food production by 2015. This will however only be possible if African countries place agriculture at the centre of their development agenda. The World Development Report 2008, published by the World Bank, says Sub-Saharan Africa relies heavily on agriculture for overall growth.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - Budget built on sand?

Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston,Jamaica
... at a Rural Economic Agricultural Programme project at the St Dorothy's Anglican Church hall in Church Pen, Old Harbour, St Catherine, last month. ...

President pays tribute to Britain and calls for 'brotherhood'

Guardian - UK
He also promised France was ready for reform of the Common Agricultural Programme, the EU farm subsidies which Britain has long wanted overhauled. ...

President Ernest Koroma Speaks on Secret of Success in Sierra Leone

Awareness Times - Freetown, Sierra Leone
The President launched a twin agricultural programme. First, at Rolakoh in the Makarie Gbanti Chiefdom, Bombali District, the President was joined by Vice ...

Progress report on the Common African Agricultural Programme

Progress report on the Common African Agricultural Programme (CAAP) (English) FAO Regional Conference for Africa, 21, Yaounde (Cameroon),21-25 Feb 2000 . ...

Viable agricultural policy: Educate politicians on the Chinthanaya

Daily Mirror - Colombo,Western,Sri Lanka
... electorates and formulate schemes to provide for a viable agricultural programme which can help people to find substitutes for essential food items. ...

Vacancy: Agricultural Extensionest, Takhar, Afghanistan

Together with the local community leaders, monitor the impact of agricultural programme activities on village life against specified goals and objectives. .

Jamaica seeking new investors

Caribbean360.com - Belleville,Barbados
... he said that county has plans to build 20000 hotel rooms in Jamaica and had been contributing to the island's agricultural programme by investing JA$3 ...

Jamaica looking at expanding missions to encourage investment

Caribbean Net News - Georgetown,Cayman Islands
He said that country has plans to build some 20000 hotel rooms in Jamaica and had been contributing to Jamaica's agricultural programme by investing some $3 ...

CJP Announces 2nd Global Jatropha Hi-Tech Agricultural Training ...

Emediawire (press release) - Ferndale,WA,USA
Centre for Jatropha Promotion & Biodiesel (CJP) is happy to announce the 2nd Global Jatropha Hi-Tech Agricultural Training Programme (JTP) in India from ...

Gobay's rebirth

Jamaica Observer - Kingston,Jamaica
To prevent crime from festering in the area again, Mair plans on implementing an agricultural programme to provide work for many unemployed young people and ...

CARICOM hails contribution of late Antigua-Barbuda minister

Caribbean Net News - Georgetown,Cayman Islands
... manner which contributed in no small degree to the development of the agricultural programme in Antigua and Barbuda and in the Region as a whole. ...

Southern Africa: Food Price Rises Spell Economic and Political ...

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
But Jacques Diouf, the director general of the UN's Food and Agricultural Programme, says that after two to three years prices will really take off. ...

India needs second 'green revolution', top farm scientist says

AFP -
Gandhi gave Swaminathan free rein to implement a new agricultural programme, believing it vital for India to be able to feed itself. ...

Wade Launches New Programme to Tackle Food Crisis

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
President Abdoulaye Wade has launched a new agricultural programme called GOANA to achieve self-sufficiency in his country, and to tackle the crisis ...

Grow your food: backyard gardening to counter shortage

By willem van cotthem
Howard Tate, a small farmer in Lakes Pen, St Catherine, tends to tomatoes grown from seeds he received from Food For the Poor’s Rural Economic Agricultural Programme (REAP). REAP has assisted 45000 farmers and their dependents to ...

AfDB and Ghana Sign US$ 63.81 Million Loan Agreement

rganisation de la Presse Africaine (Communiqués de presse) - Lausanne,Canton de Vaud,Switzerland
The Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Group and Ghanaian government on Tuesday in Tunis signed a loan agreement of UA 40 million, equivalent to US$ 63.81 ...
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Hence, the voluntary and professional support of a TOKTEN Volunteer in advisory support to the ministry on agricultural programme planning and managem

Hence, the voluntary and professional support of a TOKTEN Volunteer in advisory support to the ministry on agricultural programme planning and management ...

Workshop aims at increasing islands' export earnings

Matangi Tonga - Nuku'alofa,Tonga
A consultative workshop on agricultural commodities will be held in Samoa at Hotel Kitano Tusitala, 27–29 February, 2008. The planned technical consultation ...
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Institutional Support to the Judiciary of Southern Sudan (JOSS ...

Hence, the voluntary and professional support of a TOKTEN Volunteer in advisory support to the ministry on agricultural programme planning and management ...

UN food aid scheme endangered by high agricultural costs

Earthtimes - London,UK
London - The United Nation's agency responsible for relieving hunger in the world is drawing up plans to ration food aid in response to the spiralling cost ...
See all stories on this topic

BAIC to get 502 acres for farming

The Freeport News - Bahamas
He praised the agricultural programme at the North Andros High School, under the direction of tutor Rai Budhu. "I was very impressed as I drove through the ...
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Zimbabwe: RBZ to Review Agric Facility Beneficiaries Achievement

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will review production achieved by beneficiaries of support received under the Agricultural Sector Productivity Enhancement ...
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Managing equity and gender in an agricultural programme in Malawi

Managing equity and gender in an agricultural programme in. Malawi. DAVID. HIRSCHMANN. The American University, Washington DC. SUMMARY ...

Farm debt suspension needs restructuring

Bangkok Post - Thailand
The new farm debt suspension programme must be restructured to consider the opinions of taxpayers who will have to bear the costs of the policy, ...
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Taking FCT youths back to farms

The Tide - Port Harcourt,Niger Delta,Nigeria
The programmes include, School to Farm, the agricultural programme of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Integrated Agricultural ...
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Pacific Islands: Secretariat for the Pacific Community's ...

This is why the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme has been set up, to look agricultural practices in the region.

FADAMA III: 20 Rivers LGs to get grants

The Tide - Port Harcourt,Niger Delta,Nigeria
He pointed out that the project is a World Bank assisted agricultural programme aimed at improving the overall welfare of the rural farmers and their ...
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Reaping from agricultural sector

Sun St.Kitts/Nevis - St. Kitts and NevisAfter some stops and starts, it would appear that the agricultural programme is gathering momentum and more and more people are buying into the programme as ...See all stories on this topic

Sponsors Donate $150000 to Youth in Agriculture Programme

Government of Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service - Jamaica
The NYA/SAP was launched in 1998 as a merger between the National Youth in Agriculture Committee and the School's Agricultural Programme operated by RADA, ...
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Transparency again and again

Brussels,Belgium
During my visit to Bulgaria he and I examined the agricultural programme of GERB, the programme concerning the food industry, the one concerning forestry. ...
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Platform: We must take steps to ensure whole world has enough to eat

Scotsman - United Kingdom
By Sylvia Lee THE 2007 Global Risks report did not feature "food insecurity" as a pressing issue – but in the past year or so, food reserves have been hit ...
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Common African Agricultural Programme: June 2007

(a) OAU and FAO collaborated with ECA in preparing the framework for developing a common African agricultural programme within the context of the African . ...

THREE BASSETERRE FARMERS BENEFIT FROM TAIWANESE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMME

St Kitts' Minister of Agriculture, Cedric Liburd, revealed that the government of Taiwan will provide assistance to enable three local farmers to upgrade their output. Luther Clarke, Keithley Armstrong and Joseph Huggins who work in ...

It is not just Darfur where there is need

London,UK
We visited an agricultural programme where people who were once cattle farmers are now being trained in self-sustainable crop growing. ...
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Investec Botswana Buys 10% Stake in African Diamonds

Sierra Eye is an online aggregator of news and fact regarding Sierra Leone....

Cabinet goes on 5-day retreat

New Vision - Kampala,Uganda
By Milton Olupot THE Cabinet goes on retreat from today to Friday January 25 to discuss strategies to implement the government’s Prosperity-for-all (Bona ...
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More than 1000 Jamaicans to be Recruited for Jobs in Canada

Government of Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service - Jamaica
... and New Brunswick on the agricultural programme, this is the first time that workers are being requested for the hospitality and construction sectors. ...
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SKUAST extends ATMA project to all districts in JK

GreaterKashmir.com (press release) - Srinigar,India
... and Department of Agriculture & allied department personnel gave rise to a project submitted under national innovative agricultural programme. ...
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WISARD Project Server - project# 2988

Development of the agricultural programme at the University of Asmara (CAAS-UoA). Funding, -, ALTERRA ( WUR: DLO: Alterra - Research Institute for the Green ...

WISARD Project Server - project# 2988

Development of the agricultural programme at the University of Asmara (CAAS-UoA). Funding, -, ALTERRA ( WUR: DLO: Alterra - Research Institute for the Green ...

Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme

Problem overview:

Awareness and visions: Countries that receive major income from agricultural need efficient agricultural practicing techniques otherwise problems of low productivity might occur from deteriorating environmental condition, such as poor soil quality. This is why the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme has been set up, to look agricultural practices in the region.

Training and educational initiatives: Training programmes have been successful in other countries in increasing productivity of the agricultural industry. The Pacific island region is also trying to improve its productivity and in the same time promote sustainable agricultural practices through the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme.

Background:

In terms of employment, agriculture is the major economic activity in all the Pacific islands. At present, increasing populations and inefficient subsistence garden techniques have lead to constant encroachment of farms onto marginal land areas unsuited to agriculture but essential for the protection of watersheds and biodiversity. There is an urgent need throughout the region to improve subsistence gardening techniques to increase productivity and reduce soil erosion and infertility.

The Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme is the region's premier technical support, co-ordination and networking body. Headquartered in Suva, Fiji, the project has 18 professional officers and 13 support staff. There are subsidiary offices in Phonpei, FSM, Honiara, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Samoa.

The major programmes include coconut and banana production and diversification, animal health and animal production, plant protection (primarily Integrated Pest Management, Biological Pest Control, and Quarantine procedures). The SPC maintains an active agriculture library, produces training manuals, and publishes a number of agricultural documents including the SPC Agricultural News, Agricultural Literature Alert, and Agriculture Alerts (on pest outbreaks). It maintains an agricultural database called PROCITE with 12,774 entries, and databases on sustainable development experts and information services. The SPC Information Service responds to requests by fax, telephone, correspondence, or email.

Government initiatives to increase local food production include integrated cultivation of fruit, vegetables and legumes with traditional mixed root crop farming systems and agroforestry. However, past training in intensive monoculture techniques, and the ready availability of pesticides and tractors, has subverted many of these attempts. The SPC and Pacific Sustainable Development Network Project actively promoted biological controls, preventative quarantine measures and integrated pest control.

The SPC also has a Community Education Training Centre (CETC), based in Suva, Fiji, that trains women community workers in sustainable development activities, including agriculture, food and nutrition, and media communication skills. CETC trainees participate in planning and implementing change in villages.

However, most farmers have serious debts and food prices have escalated rapidly in the past decade. Island farmers are more interested in paying off their loans as quickly as possible than improving local food supplies. Some farmers believe the new government attempts to promote sustainable agriculture is a ploy to let other farmers capture lucrative foreign market opportunities.