Israel is an arid nation faced with land and water constraints. Many farmers in Israel farm under difficult conditions on an average farm size of 2ha, and yet meet 70% of the country's food needs, and produce goods for export worth 2 billion US dollars annually. Can the African governments, agricultural sectors, and smallholder farmers with similar land size holdings, and better climatic conditions learn from Israel's success?
Israel's agriculture is characterised by intensive production supported by a close collaboration and interaction between scientists, extension advisors, farmers and agro-industries. This results in mordern agriculture in a "desert country". Agricultural success in Israel rests in government investment in the sector and a two-way information flow from farmers and researchers.
A lot of Israel's agriculture is based on cooperative societies. Members of a cooperative may produce collectively, or may own individual farms but purchase inputs and market their products collectively.
In Israel, farmers strive to maximise production on a limited space of land. One of such ways is through close-spacing. Yield per hectare can be increased simply by increasing the seed sown by decreasing the space between plants.
In addition farmers focus on growing short-term vegetables which ensure income every three months, rather than planting long-term crops.
Israel is one of the world's most advanced agriculture users with half its arable land under irrigation. Over the past 25 years, agriculture output has increased sevenfold with hardly any increase in water used. This has been attributed to advanced water saving and irrigation technologies, notably the drip system which directs water flow straight to the root zone of the plants.
Africa, which is blessed with good climate and soils is many places should learn fron Israel that is limited by land and water. Africa should learn to maximize her resources sustainably to feed her people and the rest of the world. All it take is committment from the governments, researchers, and farmers. A lot of agricultural research is on going in many Universities and agricultural colleges. The next step is to convert the research output and information into action.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Why did the chicken cross the road?
We all know that the chicken crossed the road to get to the other side. But what did the chicken want to do on the other side? I think he had the following issues on his mind:
· It wanted to speed up the peace process in “the most dangerous place in the world”- Somalia. Somalia has for decades failed to reach a peace agreement. This has badly affected the food security and poverty in that East African nation. One in six children in Somalia is malnourished
· Support Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe’s new finance ministers revive “the world’s worst economy”. Zimbabwe may soon become part of the South African Rand monetary Union.
· Release more aid to compensate victims of human rights violations such as amputees, rape victims, war widows of Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war.
· To help stop the spread of cholera in Zimbabwe
· Provide humanitarian and government relief to the people in Karamoja, N.E Uganda. This semi-arid area is plagued with border conflicts, armed cattle raids, among other things and has experienced 14 droughts in 25 years.
· To speed up the clean-up process of the oil spill that occurred in Ongoniland in Nigeria.
· To reach out to the farmers in Guinea that have lost crops and livestock on which thousands depend for food and cash as a result of extreme cold conditions.
· To join the Ghanaian farmers in their demonstrations against cheap rice imports that are destroying their livelihoods.
· And many other issues.
· It wanted to speed up the peace process in “the most dangerous place in the world”- Somalia. Somalia has for decades failed to reach a peace agreement. This has badly affected the food security and poverty in that East African nation. One in six children in Somalia is malnourished
· Support Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe’s new finance ministers revive “the world’s worst economy”. Zimbabwe may soon become part of the South African Rand monetary Union.
· Release more aid to compensate victims of human rights violations such as amputees, rape victims, war widows of Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war.
· To help stop the spread of cholera in Zimbabwe
· Provide humanitarian and government relief to the people in Karamoja, N.E Uganda. This semi-arid area is plagued with border conflicts, armed cattle raids, among other things and has experienced 14 droughts in 25 years.
· To speed up the clean-up process of the oil spill that occurred in Ongoniland in Nigeria.
· To reach out to the farmers in Guinea that have lost crops and livestock on which thousands depend for food and cash as a result of extreme cold conditions.
· To join the Ghanaian farmers in their demonstrations against cheap rice imports that are destroying their livelihoods.
· And many other issues.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Opportunity Cost in Agriculture Strategies
Opportunity cost is the cost of the next best alternative foregone when making a decision. Decision making in any sphere often posses an opportunity cost. In agriculture for example, a decision to plant coffee or cotton (cash crops) on a field means that maize or potatoes (food crops) cannot be grown. Farmers constantly face such enterprise choice decisions. However, farmers make decisions based on factors within their control, taking into account the factors out of their control. For example, enterprise choice may be based on soil type, input and labour availability, market accessibility, availability of credit, infrastructure, etc. These are further influenced by the wider macro environment including but not limited to legislation, taxes, tariffs, and polices.
At the national or policy making level, planning is about choices between focusing on large farms or small farms; investing in intensive or extensive agriculture; promoting food crops or cash crops; insisting on a free market or state intervention; creating self reliance or trade; e.t.c. Whatever strategy is chosen, there is a need for investment in stable markets, agricultural research, extension and credit services, and good infrastructure. Governments should create an enabling environment and increase its budget allocation to agriculture, given that agriculture is the backbone on many African countries.
At the national or policy making level, planning is about choices between focusing on large farms or small farms; investing in intensive or extensive agriculture; promoting food crops or cash crops; insisting on a free market or state intervention; creating self reliance or trade; e.t.c. Whatever strategy is chosen, there is a need for investment in stable markets, agricultural research, extension and credit services, and good infrastructure. Governments should create an enabling environment and increase its budget allocation to agriculture, given that agriculture is the backbone on many African countries.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Cow extraordinaire
It is one of the most unique livestock animals. No wonder these cows are a pride to the tribes that own them. Indigenous to the Great Lakes region of Africa, specifically parts of Rwanda and Uganda, the Ankole-Watusi cow is a magnificent traffic stopper simply because of its huge, huge horns. Formally regarded as sacred animals, these graceful cows are used more as symbol of status than for productivity.
These hardy animals are able to survive in the harsh African climate and can utilize poor quality feed and water. Their long horns regulate body temperature by moving blood through the horns in honeycombed vessels, which is cooled by moving air. An Ankole steer named Lurch was awarded a guiness world record for largest horn circumference on and animal which measured 95.25cm.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Effect of food price hikes on HIV
Whereas it is probably true that HIV occurs primarily among the poor, it is also possible that poverty plays a big role in the spread of the epidemic. Poor households affected by HIV are characterised by food insecurity and poor standards of living. Already faced with multiple social and economic shocks, the additional stress of high food prices renders it impossible for these households to cope with the threat of HIV.
A key explanation for the big impact of price hikes on HIV lies in the fundamental role that food plays in the survival of HIV patients. Nutrition is important because of the following reasons. Firstly, the infection-illness period, which on average is about eight years, can be extended by a good diet among other things. People infected by the virus require up to 50% more energy requirements (100% for children) than the uninfected. Secondly, good nutrition both in quality and quantity is actively vital in the prevention of opportunistic infections which occur because of reduced body immunity. A sound diet may therefore prolong life; more especially delay the progression of HIV to AIDS. Thirdly, adequate nutrition is of utmost importance to the patients on Anti Retroviral Therapy. Some drugs must be taken with food, and most are not effective if the patients are malnourished.
Given the dominant importance of nutrition in the life of HIV patients, high food prices constrain the ability of affected households to access good nutrition. This occurs largely because purchasing power as well as disposable income is reduced. The poor, in attempt to cope with the rising food prices reduce their dietary intake, both in quality and quantity-a hindrance to effective treatment of the disease, and prolongation of life.
Similarly, in response to the increased household expenses due to rising food prices, people tend to migrate in search of food and work. Migration is often from the rural to the urban areas. While in Urban areas, the immigrants may engage in commercial sex, or may have multiple sex partners thus increasing the risk of infection. In Africa, highest prevalence has been recorded at trading centers, border posts, and at major transport routes.
A number of households cope with food insecurity caused by rising food prices by withdrawing children from school either to reallocate resources away to food purchases or so that the children may work for food or cash. Out of school, Children are exposed to the risk of HIV infection and are denied the much needed education that would create awareness to prevent future infection.
The price hikes, and consequently food insecurity not only affect people’s standards of living but also expose them to higher risk of HIV infection and AIDS. A common trend among price hikes, food insecurity and HIV/AIDS is that they are all an echo of what has been and somewhat a prediction of what is to come. What is important now is to draw lessons from the past, and make decisions in the present that will influence a better future. A feasible all encompassing resolution, that is already active in many countries, is to create/strengthen synergies between the different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, health, education, social welfare, finance, gender, local governments, civil society, NGOs and communities that will improve support systems, promote education and HIV sensitization, build household resilience to shocks, promote livelihoods, and mitigate coping strategies that push HIV infection or deter HIV treatment.
Link to full article in the NEPAD newsletter
A key explanation for the big impact of price hikes on HIV lies in the fundamental role that food plays in the survival of HIV patients. Nutrition is important because of the following reasons. Firstly, the infection-illness period, which on average is about eight years, can be extended by a good diet among other things. People infected by the virus require up to 50% more energy requirements (100% for children) than the uninfected. Secondly, good nutrition both in quality and quantity is actively vital in the prevention of opportunistic infections which occur because of reduced body immunity. A sound diet may therefore prolong life; more especially delay the progression of HIV to AIDS. Thirdly, adequate nutrition is of utmost importance to the patients on Anti Retroviral Therapy. Some drugs must be taken with food, and most are not effective if the patients are malnourished.
Given the dominant importance of nutrition in the life of HIV patients, high food prices constrain the ability of affected households to access good nutrition. This occurs largely because purchasing power as well as disposable income is reduced. The poor, in attempt to cope with the rising food prices reduce their dietary intake, both in quality and quantity-a hindrance to effective treatment of the disease, and prolongation of life.
Similarly, in response to the increased household expenses due to rising food prices, people tend to migrate in search of food and work. Migration is often from the rural to the urban areas. While in Urban areas, the immigrants may engage in commercial sex, or may have multiple sex partners thus increasing the risk of infection. In Africa, highest prevalence has been recorded at trading centers, border posts, and at major transport routes.
A number of households cope with food insecurity caused by rising food prices by withdrawing children from school either to reallocate resources away to food purchases or so that the children may work for food or cash. Out of school, Children are exposed to the risk of HIV infection and are denied the much needed education that would create awareness to prevent future infection.
The price hikes, and consequently food insecurity not only affect people’s standards of living but also expose them to higher risk of HIV infection and AIDS. A common trend among price hikes, food insecurity and HIV/AIDS is that they are all an echo of what has been and somewhat a prediction of what is to come. What is important now is to draw lessons from the past, and make decisions in the present that will influence a better future. A feasible all encompassing resolution, that is already active in many countries, is to create/strengthen synergies between the different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, health, education, social welfare, finance, gender, local governments, civil society, NGOs and communities that will improve support systems, promote education and HIV sensitization, build household resilience to shocks, promote livelihoods, and mitigate coping strategies that push HIV infection or deter HIV treatment.
Link to full article in the NEPAD newsletter
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Neem "miracle" tree
The Neem tree is an interesting multipurpose plant that has various medicinal and agricultural benefits to humans as well as animals. Although it is native to India, it grows widely in many parts of Africa. Different parts of the Neem tree are used for different purposes in different regions of the world. The most commonly used plant parts are the fruit, seed oil, leaves, bark and roots.
The Neem tree has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory purposes among others. Neem bark, leaves, flowers and fruit pulp are used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions such as leprosy, diabetes, ulcers, constipation, various skin disorders such as scabies, ringworm, and acne. It can also be used to treat problem skins in animal. Extracts from the plant are used to prevent and heal gum disease, prevent cavities, and reduce plaque.
Naturally containing pesticide properties, the neem tree is used in agriculture as an insecticide and fungicide, which do not pose toxic threats to the environment. Such agricultural uses include: grain storage (an insecticide against worms and beetles, thus increasing shelf life), soil amendment (rich plant manure, anti-nemtode, increase nitrogen in soil), prevention of fungal diseases in plants such as powdery mildew.
Plant this evergreen miracle tree in your backyard and enjoy the benefits and blessings of nature.
Sources: Discover neem Planet Natural
The Neem tree has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory purposes among others. Neem bark, leaves, flowers and fruit pulp are used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions such as leprosy, diabetes, ulcers, constipation, various skin disorders such as scabies, ringworm, and acne. It can also be used to treat problem skins in animal. Extracts from the plant are used to prevent and heal gum disease, prevent cavities, and reduce plaque.
Naturally containing pesticide properties, the neem tree is used in agriculture as an insecticide and fungicide, which do not pose toxic threats to the environment. Such agricultural uses include: grain storage (an insecticide against worms and beetles, thus increasing shelf life), soil amendment (rich plant manure, anti-nemtode, increase nitrogen in soil), prevention of fungal diseases in plants such as powdery mildew.
Plant this evergreen miracle tree in your backyard and enjoy the benefits and blessings of nature.
Sources: Discover neem Planet Natural
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