- The Chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has advised Kenyan farmers to embrace green revolution to counter challenges posed by the soaring food prices and post-electoral violence.
"As Kenya rebuilds following a tumultuous period, there are still many challenges ahead," said Kofi Annan.
"There are lots of internally displaced persons. Many have lost their lands and ability to produce food. Vast areas of the country now experience challenges of getting access to affordable seeds and fertilizers. Unless urgent measures are taken, food insecurity will deepen."
A major partnership agreement, aimed at reviving and developing farming through credit and subside facility of US $50 million, has been signed by the Kenyan government and development partners. AGRA supports the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Kenya’s Equity Bank Limited to change the face of Kenya's agricultural sector.
Kenyan small farmers produce 75% of the nation's food supplies, yet only 30% have access to credit.
But the new programme offers farmers loans of up to Sh100,000 shillings to buy seeds, fertilizers and farming equipment with a 10% interest rate per annum. Rural input shops, fertilizers and seed wholesalers and importers will be among the beneficiaries of the loans.
Many farmers have been frustrated by the high cost of seeds, which was why Kenyan's Ministry of Agriculture has agreed to provide subsidies to the more financially vulnerable farmers to buy seeds and fertilizers.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki was worried about the negative impact of the post-electoral violence on agriculture. He said apart from the destruction of three and half million sacks of maize, thousands of farmers have been forced to abandon their land.
President Kibaki announced an increase in state funds for the development of sugarcane from Sh3.2 billion shillings to Sh4 billion. Coffee subsidies will rise from Sh750 million shillings to Sh2 billion.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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