IITA

Adding value - banana flour

In Uganda, the government has launched an initiative to support banana processing. Farmers are being taught how to dry their fruit, so that they can be made into flour, and this is now beginning to replace wheat flour in local diets. Pius Sawa talks to the director of the initiative, to a food processor, a chef, and to people on the street in Kampala, about this exciting development for banana growers, and tries some matooke-flour soup.

published: January 2009

FAO/Jon Spaull

Investment Opportunity - smallholder farming

In times of food crisis, people may be forced to ask for handouts. But begging for food damages our self-respect - it is not what anyone wants. The Africa Invest project has a different approach: it arranges finance for smallscale commercial farming as a profitable investment for lenders. The project is currently working with farmers in Malawi, who are now growing a number of high value crops, such as herbs and spices, and the benefits to the farming communities have been very impressive. In Investment opportunity - smallholder farming, Jon Maguire, who founded the project, and Jones Kampezeni who manages the Malawi outgrowers, explain why this new approach has been so successful.

published: November 2008

FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Senegal's award-winning agribusiness

Agriculture and agro-industry form the backbone of the African economy in terms of GDP, employment, food security and trade. And, as African business conditions become more favourable, producers, processors and traders are increasingly making an impact in exporting to Europe. At the Agribusiness Forum 2008, Mamadou Djite received the EMRC Agribusiness Award for his success in exporting fresh fruit and vegetables from Senegal to Europe. In Senegal's award-winning agribusiness Mamadou talks about the secrets of his export success, and Idit Miller, Vice President of the European Marketing Research Centre, explains why he was given the award.

published: September 2008

FAO

Potato chips - feeding an infant industry

Potato chips are an increasingly popular food in Africa. Many of these chips are imported, cut and frozen, from European manufacturers. But why can't Africa produce its own packaged chips? One reason is the poor availability of the right varieties of potato. There are also very few processing units in Africa that can make chips. But, according to Dr Berga Lemaga potato chips represent a real income-generating opportunity for African farmers and processors, especially now that organisations such as his own are working to increase the availability of clean potato seed of the right varieties.

published: July 2008

SODP

African Green Revolution: supporting the private sector

Private sector entrepreneurs are essential to translate new technologies into profitable businesses, says Josephine Okot, founder and chief executive officer of Victoria Seeds in Uganda. Small companies are also well placed to respond to the market demands and opportunities, compared to large multinationals. But, she argues, they need better support. Banking arrangements, for example, should be more supportive of businesses that are working on behalf of the poor. They also need to recognise how adverse weather, such as drought or floods, can impact on yields and profits. And research must also be more market driven.

published: July 2008

FAO/Giulio Napolitano

A vegetable-growing cooperative

Starting a new farm business, such as vegetable growing, is never easy. Being successful demands hard work and good organisation, as well as knowledge and skills in cultivation and marketing. But new commercial farmers don't have to take on all these challenges alone. Forming or joining a team of farmers with a shared enterprise can reduce risks and bring many other advantages, including better access to markets. Malawian farmer Edwin Ngwale explains to Excello Zidana how his cooperative works, and the benefits it gives him.

published: May 2008

FAO/Simon Maina

Being efficient on a small plot

It is often thought that yield depends on the size of your plot. But, when Excello Zidana put this to Vincent Wandale at the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi, he was told that there are other things to consider. It's not just the size of your plot that matters - but what you plan to do with it that counts. So, when you are considering what to plant, think of the ways you can maximise your land. Use high yielding varieties of maize for example. Check what inputs you can afford throughout the year - will you have enough money to invest in your crop, and if not, what steps can you take to ensure that you do? Listen to 'Being efficient on a small plot' to find out more.

published: March 2008

WRENmedia

Is Kenya's flower industry wilting?

The violence that has recently broken out in Kenya has dominated headlines worldwide. But civil discontent has not only affected the country's booming tourist industry. It has also had a negative impact on the blooming flower industry too. In 'Is Kenya's flower industry wilting?' Winnie Onyimbo spoke to Jane Ngigi at the Kenya Flower Council, to find out how the industry is coping with the current situation. It seems that there is hope after all, and despite set-backs, preparations are underway for meeting European demand for flowers on Mother's day- a traditional time for giving flowers.

published: March 2008

USDA/Peggy Greb

Thinking about the potential

The idea of creating fuel from plant and animal matter may be a good one. But can it be a practical option on the ground? In this interview, Busani Bafana in Zimbabwe speaks to Dr Eil Mtetwa to ask him whether biofuels can offer a viable solution to fuel shortages in the future. Concentrating on oil producing crops, Dr Mtetwa explains that the potential for biofuels to succeed rests upon whether finances are properly invested to ensure that the whole chain - from cultivation to processing - is done efficiently.

published: February 2008

FAO/Guiseppe Bizzarri

Do you get out what you put in?

Some critics argue that the process of making biofuels actually emits more carbon and harmful gasses than the process of exploiting natural oil and gas reserves. Speaking to Steven Minja, the chairman of Jatropha Products Tanzania, Lazarus Laiser asks the question - are any biofuels efficient? He discovered that different biofuels are cultivated and processed in different ways - and this can make a difference.

published: February 2008