As the cropping season commences with the coming of the rains in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the world with the continent unfortunately not being left out - raises questions about food security for African countries.
While the food and agricultural sector should ordinarily be less affected than other sectors (since food is a basic need, with more or less inelastic demand), labour shortages due to viral infection, transport interruptions, quarantine measures limiting access to markets and supply chain disruptions resulting in food losses and wastage could affect supply.
African Farmers face a difficult year ahead as unprecedented quarantine measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus threaten to disrupt the food supply chains of most countries, leaving the farmers in limbo. Most countries have already initiated travel bans, to limit the number of people coming in from other regions in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, but in addition to these measures, many countries are beginning to impose strict restrictions on the movement of people within the country; and farmers, are among the many groups adversely affected by these restrictions.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
SafalFasal unlocks financial access for 75,000 Indian farmers, aims to repair Coronavirus-hit supply chain
Global digital payment solutions leader BPC and its SME Marketplace, SafalFasal, have supported more than 75,000Covid-hit farmers across India by offering technological and financial solutions to help the farm sector keep food and supply chain rolling, during and after the lockdown phase. The company has successfully extended formal financing to the farming industry by creating an easy credit line via NBFCs.
SECURING FARMERS WITH TECHNOLOGY: HOW AGRITECH CAN BE A SOLUTION TO FARMERS' PRODUCE-RELATED WOES
Contributing about 15 percent to India’s GDP, the agricultural sector sustains almost half the population of the country.
ISSUES AND PRIORITIES FOR INDIAN AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy as 60 percent of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture.
THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR OF INDIA
As the world comes to a standstill and public life shuts down across the globe, all have their eyes on the healthcare systems which are buckled under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.
INDUSTRY 4.0 IN AGRICULTURE
At present, the world population is around 7.8 billion and expected to grow up to 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.9 billion by 2100.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE G-20 AGRICULTURE MINISTERS' MEETING
The international system works in a collective mechanism on certain issues wherein countries form groups to tackle an emergency or crisis.
Climate Change And Its Impact On Indian Agriculture
Climate change is caused by a change in the total amount of energy that is kept within the Earth’s atmosphere.
Internet Of Things Based Smart Farming: A Revolution On Its Way
In this technological era of smart cities and digitalisation of livelihoods, the primitive method of farming is slowly fading away.
Covid-19 Impact On The Livelihood Of Small And Marginal Farmers
In India, small and marginal farmers account for 86.2 percent of all farmers (Agriculture census 2015 – 2016) and produce about 60 percent of farm goods.
Covid-19 Implications For Farmers, African Agriculture And Food Security
How will Africa ensure food security for its millions of poor citizens and smallholder farmers?
Uncommon Dinosaurs
Southern Continents Reveal Uncommon Giants
ZOISITE
A Massive Mineral Marked by Christmas- Like Color and Appeal
Pittsburgh's August Wilson African American Cultural Center
LOCATED IN THE HEART of downtown Pittsburgh, on Liberty Avenue close to Union Station and the David Lawrence Convention Center, the sleek and elegant but unpretentious August Wilson African American Cultural Center (awaacc) cannot fail to capture the eye and the imagination of anybody who is visiting Pittsburgh or, for that matter, of anybody who lives in the city.
AFRICA
Bishop Stephen Masilela is the general presbyter for the COGOP in Africa. He is also a counselor and registered marriage officer and currently serves as president for Evangelical and Pentecostal churches in Africa. He holds a diploma in Personnel Management and Training (IPM) from Bible Training Institute and is enrolled with the Gordon Conwell/COGOP Leader of Leaders Master’s Degree program and the Extension School of Ministry of Swaziland College of Theology for a theology degree. He is married to Sibongile and they are blessed with three children.
NICOLE PATTON-TERRY READING RESEARCHER
Nicole Patton-Terry loves helping kids learn to read. She is associate director of the Florida Center for Reading Research at the Florida State University. Patton-Terry works on teams with researchers, students, teachers, designers, parents, and community members. Together they study reading and develop tools that help children read.
‘THE 24TH' IS A SOBERING HISTORY LESSON FOR TODAY
On Aug. 23, 1917, four months after the U.S. had entered World War I, the all-Black 3rd battalion of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment mutinied in Houston.
BEYONCÉ'S ‘BLACK IS KING' IS SUPREME BLACK ART
King Beyoncé’s new film takes you on a journey of Black art, music, history and fashion as the superstar transports you to Africa to tell the story of a young man in search of his crown, matched to epic songs she created while inspired by “The Lion King.”
BY THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS
My Africa Twin Adventure Sports was buried belly pan-deep in mud.
Giant Loop Round the World Panniers and Pannier Mounts
PRODUCT REVIEW
Walk on The Wildside
Most visitors to Africa experience its wildlife from the safety of a Land Rover. But on a walking safari, things get real fast.