Pheromones Are Making Inroads in Africa, Albeit Slowly

When US-based agritech startup Provivi began conducting efficacy trials of its pheromone-based pest control solution Pherogen SPOFR, one thing was clear. Not only in Kenya, but throughout Africa the level of knowledge and use of pheromones was relatively low. It’s not hard to see why. Across Africa, the use of conventional pesticides has been a … Read more

Genetic breakthrough may control Africa’s East Coast fever,

An unexpected discovery has led researchers from Kenya’s International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute in Scotland to identify a genetic marker that accurately predicts whether an individual cow will survive infection with East Coast fever. Making breeding programs possible that can improve the livelihoods of millions of small farmers. … Read more

BAFS, Sierra Leone to publish crop suitability soil report

The Agricultural Promotion for Food Security (BAFS) in Sierra Leone will soon release a crop report to reduce the heavy workload of farmers who come to the Ministry of Agriculture to ask which region is suitable for growing certain crops across the country. . BAFS Project Manager, Isaac M. Bangura. He said that after making … Read more

Insect invasion adds to strains on Africa’s food crisis

In addition to the climate change-related drought that has left millions of Africans on the brink of starvation, the invasion of the fall armyworm further threatens the continent’s food security, incomes and livelihoods. The disease, first reported in Africa in 2016, is estimated to cause yield losses of $9.4 billion in Africa, according to the … Read more

This tiny beetle is eating its way through tree-rich towns in South Africa – and is set to cost the economy R275 billion

The economic impact of the polyphagous shoot drill in South Africa is enormous R275 billion over the next ten yearsand municipalities will bear the brunt of this cost if nothing is done to stem the tide, say Stellenbosch University (SU) researchers. The shoot borer was first detected in South Africa in 2012 and has since … Read more

FAO employs innovative plant pest control solutions in Eastern Africa

FAO and partners launch a biological pest control program to manage the mango weevil in Burundi The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa and the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock have successfully released biological control agents for the Mango Mealybug in Burundi. The release of biological … Read more

Giant Snails Carrying Meningitis Are Causing Concern in Florida

A giant snail species prone to carrying a meningitis-causing parasite has been found in an area of ​​Florida that is under quarantine as experts work to eradicate the invasive creatures. The giant African land snails were found in the city of New Port Richey, Pasco County, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) … Read more

The Koala in The Coal Mine

Who: Euan Ritchie, Deakin University of Melbourne With climate change scrutiny, the collapse of Australia’s ecosystems has received scant attention. But it is entirely possible to save them. Australia’s iconic koala, which is threatened with extinction in the Australian regions of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory by 2022, is sadly far … Read more