This year, the rains were late in Zimbabwe. Because of El Niño, many maize farmers were left without the water they needed during the crucial growing season in February. The next rainy season, from October to December, is also likely to be drier than usual. With crop failures anticipated across the country, about 6 million people are expected to be food insecure. This is not the first time El Niño has brought food
For a few months now, Esther Munani Kyalo’s routine has changed. A mother of three living in the Miambani ward in Kitui county, Kenya, she has followed a new ritual every Tuesday since the Kavakaky Farmer Field School was launched. Together with around 35 other women from her area, she walks to a nearby house where the group meets and breeds chicks in the small but brand-new poultry house. Sitting
On 21 November 2024, World Fisheries Day is celebrated worldwide to highlight the vital role of fisheries in providing food, supporting livelihoods, and conserving biodiversity. This day emphasizes the importance of sustainable fishing and the responsible management of aquatic resources to ensure food security and socio-economic growth for future generations. Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached an all-time high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022, with 185.4 million tonnes coming
Emerging evidence shows how agroecology, as a holistic approach, can improve the resilience of food systems and strengthen communities’ livelihoods towards food security. To what extent can this compelling approach offer responses before, during and after multiple types of crises? This online event is addressed towards humanitarian and development actors aiming to explore opportunities and limitations of inspiring agroecological best practice cases in fragile contexts. Date: 12 JUNE Time: 11:00
The International Day of the Potato 2024, May 30, is celebrated under the theme “Harvesting diversity, feeding hope,” bringing together innovation, resilience, and hope across Africa. YenKasa Africa celebrates this day by showcasing various potato stories, highlighting the continent’s diverse efforts to improve agriculture and food security. Potatoes are a key crop across diverse farming systems globally. As the third most consumed food crop globally, they contribute to the food
World Bee Day 2024 celebrates the vital role of youth in beekeeping and pollinator conservation under the theme “Bee Engaged with Youth.” This year’s theme underscores the importance of global cooperation to safeguard food security and sovereignty, preserve rural and urban livelihoods, combat biodiversity loss, and foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility in our global community. Uniting young individuals worldwide to protect these essential species is crucial to
The “Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa” is a remarkable publication which has emerged to shed light on a treasure trove of forgotten foods scattered across the African continent. This publication serves as a beacon of hope, offering a roadmap for integrating these neglected gems into the culinary landscape for improved nutrition and sustainable development. This Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this compendium is a testament to
Forests cover over 30% of the Earth’s land surface and act as our planet’s lungs. They absorb harmful greenhouse gases, regulate climate, and provide vital resources for millions of people. On March 21st, we celebrate the International Day of Forests, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. This year’s theme, “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” underscores the urgent need for creative solutions to
Background Agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) consist of all the different activities that provide the information and services needed and demanded by farmers and other value chain actors in rural settings to assist them in developing their own technical, organizational and management skills and practices to improve their livelihoods, as well as promote a more sustainable agriculture. The Public EAS systems are commonly facing challenges in terms of accessibility,
In the heart of Africa, where agriculture forms the lifeblood of communities and the backbone of economies, there exists a paradox. While the continent has vast agricultural potential and is home to diverse ecosystems and abundant natural resources, it faces a staggering challenge: food loss and waste. As we mark Food Loss and Waste Day 2023 with the theme “Reducing food loss and waste: Taking Action to Transform Food Systems“,
