ZIMBABWE - Seed Co Zimbabwe, the country’s largest supplier of certified crops has introduced new climate smart maize seed variety called SC 649, meant to address challenges in climate change experienced by many farmers. The new variety meets breeding objectives which came at a time when Southern Africa has had adverse climate effects, including prolonged…
KENYA - The Kenyan government is seeking to enact a regulation that will require millers to include other local, under-consumed grains such as cassava, millet, and sorghum in flour blends to ensure sufficient production of food. The government is making commitment to enhance food security by including the subsistence-produced crops into the national food chain,…
KENYA - The Ministry of trade has made a deal with Uganda to supply 6.6 million bags of maize flour as the country records a food deficit amid efforts to reverse the situation. Kenya will pay US$20 for each bag of maize flour to the Grain Council of Uganda, set to deliver the cargo at…
KENYA - Listed miller Unga Group has posted an after-tax profit of Sh511.1 million for the six months to December, a near four-fold increase in earnings which resulted from higher sales. The firm, which is the buyout target of American multinational Seaboard Corporation, saw its turnover improve 8.1 % to close the period at US$109.15 million.…
SOUTH AFRICA - Farmers are likely to harvest a smaller maize crop in 2018, thanks to lower grain prices that came as a result of a bumper harvest in 2017. In its first production estimate report for 2018, the crop estimates committee said on Tuesday that producers would harvest about 12.2-million tonnes of maize in…
KENYA - In a bid to boost the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) developed a type of fortified porridge flour that can protect children from the adverse effects of intestinal worms. The flour (known as UjiPlus) is fortified with pawpaw extracts and is thus able to…
ZIMBABWE - Crops that were planted between October and November last year were the worst affected by the mid-season dry spell in Manicaland, Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union provincial manager Mr Daniel Mungazi has said. Mr Mungazi told The Herald that crops planted between December and January had a better chance of reaching maturity, boosting farmers’ chances…
ZIMBABWE - A fall armyworm outbreak has left a trail of destruction in Zaka, amid growing fears that the pest has affected over 20% of the district’s maize crop. The outbreak has dampened morale among farmers in the drought-prone district, who were hoping to capitalise on recent rains to salvage something from a season that…
KENYA - The price of wheat flour has dropped for the second time in two weeks falling below that of maize flour, which is a relief to many households. The cost of most brands has reduced by between US$0.049 and US$0.0491 to retail at less than US$1.08 which is the same as the average price…
KENYA - Cross-border imports from Uganda and Tanzania have helped keep the price of maize flour relatively low despite forecast increase to US$1.18 for a two kilo-packet after lapse of government subsidy on December 31. Most brands are now selling at less than US$1.08 for the two-kilo packet with an exception of Jogoo brand that…
