Agro sector gets $18m boost
THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa have launched a multi-partner initiative to promote agriculture markets at a cost of about US$18 million.
The Strengthen the Agricultural Input and Output Markets in Africa (SAIOMA) project, which will be implemented in six districts of Eastern and Central provinces, will benefit about 35,000 smallholder farmers.
According to information posted on the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock website, the initiative will improve access to markets, increase income and improve livelihoods for smallholders.
The project will be done through building capacities of about 468 rural agro-dealers, who will provide quality seeds to the farming community.
USAID Zambia economic growth team leader Anna Toness said the initiative is aimed at addressing challenges in the agriculture value chain.
South Africa welcomes growth on U.S. citrus market
As the South African citrus industry approaches its 15th season on the U.S. market, exporters could be in store for a number of trade and protocol developments.oranges_68643514
Industry representatives, including the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) met with U.S. importers and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the Western Cape Citrus Producers’ Forum, where attendees praised the growing opportunities for citrus traders.
U.S. consul general to Cape Town, Erica Barks-Ruggles, described the considerable growth experienced by citrus since the signing of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2000.
Read more: South Africa welcomes growth on U.S. citrus market
South Africa: Agriculture Sector Grows Employment By 65 000
The agricultural sector grew employment by 65 000 from December 2009 to December last year, says Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel.
"Employment in agriculture grew by around 65 000 from December 2009 to December 2013, reversing a trend of job losses stretching back to the 1970s.
"In an effort to improve the rural economy, household income and access to nutrition, a total of 1 740 555 hectares of land were acquired, redistributed and restituted or restored from 2009 up to September 2013," Minister Patel said on Tuesday.
Minister Patel was speaking at a post State of the Nation Address Economic Sectors and Employment and Infrastructure Development cluster media briefing in Cape Town.
Read more: South Africa: Agriculture Sector Grows Employment By 65 000
Kenya: Government launches a programme to distribute banana suckers
The Kisii government has launched a programme to distribute banana suckers to farmers at a cost of Sh10 million. Speaking during the launch at Etago in South Mugirango on Sunday, Agriculture executive Vincent Sagwe said farmers will get 50,000 suckers of the early maturing and disease resistant banana variety.
We are committed to ensuring farmers get quality planting material even as we address the marketing challenges. Tissue culture banana variety is high yielding, disease resistant, matures and ripens faster,” he said. Tissue culture banana suckers are small in size unlike the traditional varieties making them convenient to carry and plant.
Read more: Kenya: Government launches a programme to distribute banana suckers
