FAO’s Post

African Cashew: The Premium Choice for Export Markets! 🌰 In 2022, Africa accounted for 58% of global cashew production, with West African countries contributing 44%! Discover why African cashew nuts are gaining recognition as a top choice for global export. From superior quality to sustainable farming practices, learn how Africa is shaping the future of the cashew industry. Dive into the details and see the potential for growth in this thriving market! #CashewIndustry #SustainableAgriculture #ExportMarkets #Africa

🌾 🌾 Did you know that barley is the world’s oldest known cultivated crop, with a history dating back over 10,000 years? Ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and Egyptians recognized its value, cultivating barley not just for sustenance but also for brewing beer—a tradition that has endured through the centuries. In Nigeria, barley is grown on a smaller scale, primarily in the Northern regions like Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States, where the cooler climate is favorable. It serves as an essential raw material for brewing industries and livestock feed. As global demand for barley-based products rises, Nigeria’s barley sector presents untapped potential that could contribute to diversifying the nation’s agricultural output and boosting the local economy. #FarmCIFridayFact #AgricultureHistory #AncientCrops #Barley #SustainableFarming #NigeriaAgriculture #AgriInnovation #FarmCI

Agro-packaging is essential to reducing post-harvest losses in Nigeria! Key needs include: 1️⃣ Cold chain packaging to preserve freshness. 2️⃣ Airtight packaging for grains like rice and beans. 3️⃣ Moisture-resistant packaging for fruits and vegetables. 4️⃣ Pest-resistant packaging to protect stored produce. 5️⃣ Transportation-friendly packaging to prevent damage. 6️⃣ Market appeal packaging to attract buyers. Addressing these needs boosts farmers' income, ensures food safety, and promotes sustainable agriculture. 🌽🍎 Follow for more agriculture updates, #AgroPackaging #SustainableAgriculture #Nigeria

In much of the Southern African region, maize could be considered a "political crop" because of its importance as a staple food and the vast extent of farmers' involvement in its production. When there are droughts, we see the pain through reduced supplies, increased consumer prices, and distressed farming villages. The one country that tends to be a slight exception is South Africa. Indeed, maize is amongst the most critical commodities in production values, but the country produces many other vital commodities, which balances the conversation. Moreover, South Africa, because of its advancement in seed breeding, tends to see milder crop losses than much of the Southern Africa region, which still lags behind South Africa in seed breeding techniques or adoption. The 2023-24 summer season was another drought period in Southern Africa. Countries in the region lost a notable share of their staple maize crop. However, the proportion of maize crop losses is different. Zimbabwe and Zambia, for example, lost half of their maize crop. Meanwhile, South Africa remains in a better position than some of the countries in the region. For this reason, I found media articles that warn about "Fears of maize shortage in South Africa" rather unhelpful. The news started when the South African agricultural authorities cleared the path for imports of yellow maize from Brazil in the country. They cleared them, not because we had tariffs blocking Brazil but because they were more of a different seed culture than we plant in South Africa. This effort was to ensure that the coastal regions of South Africa if they desired to import, could proceed without many challenges. From May to July 2024, South Africa had already imported around 130k tonnes of yellow maize from Argentina for animal feed purposes. Therefore, Brazil will add to the diversity of maize supply sources when needs arise. The imports for the year (2024-25 marketing year) could rise to 350k tonnes. But there is a fundamental issue here. South Africa is not opening the markets because we fear possible shortages; we are opening up markets to provide flexibility of supplies for yellow maize users in the animal feed industry. South Africa is not in a maize supply crisis. Our maize production for the 2023-24 production season is 13,34 million tonnes, down 19% from the previous season because of the mid-summer drought. This volume comprises both white and yellow maize. White maize is about 6,35 million tonnes (down 26% year-on-year), and yellow maize is at 6,99 million tonnes (down 12% year-on-year). The disparity in the crop decline is due to regions where each crop variety is planted, with white maize predominantly in the western areas of South Africa while yellow maize is in the east. Moreover, yellow maize is typically planted a month earlier than white maize. READ MORE HERE: https://lnkd.in/d4Y5d4VG

#DidYouKnow that potatoes are a staple food and a major source of income for farmers in Uganda? Thanks to advanced #seed potato technologies, yields in the Great Lakes Region have increased by 30% according to the SDGP Report! That is why Dieleman Potatoes is committed to providing certified seed potatoes regionally, contributing to #sustainableagriculture and fostering prosperity for farmers. #Highyields #GreatLakesregion #Potatofarming

Here is an insightful Free report on Nigeria Paddy ongoing season. Early insights on yield, crop health, weather anomaly and more.

The Unique Cashew Tree: A Success Story in Côte d'Ivoire The cashew tree is more than just a crop. It's a symbol of success and hope for West African countries. Originally from Brazil, the cashew tree was brought to West Africa in the early 1960s to create protected forest areas and combat desertification and soil erosion. The success of this initiative is evident today, as African countries now account for most of the world's cashew production. But what makes the cashew tree so special? Its ability to thrive in challenging conditions like sandy soil, prevent soil erosion with its deep roots, and provide habitats for wildlife with its tall height (up to 12 meters) are just a few of its remarkable qualities. Not only is it a valuable crop, but it's also highly recommended by environmentalists for regeneration programs and sustainable farming practices. So, if you've ever encountered a cashew tree, you know how magnificent they are. #cashews #cashewtree #nuts #westafrica #ivorycoast

Kenya’s sugar factories are at risk of long closures due to cane shortages. A recent meeting in Kakamega highlighted poaching and immature cane harvesting, with concerns raised over practices by Mumias Sugar. Nzoia Sugar reports losses of 40,000 tonnes, stressing the urgent need for fair regulation to stabilize the industry. Learn more in our Weekly Africa Reports! #SugarIndustry #KenyaAgriculture #CaneShortage #FairTrade #SustainableFarming #CropManagement #EastAfrica #FarmersSupport

🌱 Green Facts Friday: Climate-Resilient Crops in Ghana 🌱 Did you know that some crops can thrive even under extreme weather conditions? In Ghana, farmers rely on resilient crops like millet, cassava, and sorghum to ensure food security despite the challenges of drought, poor soils, and high temperatures. These amazing crops not only survive but also provide vital nutrition and economic stability. Millet - Thrives with minimal water in arid regions. Cassava - Grows in nutrient-depleted soils, ensuring reliable yields. Sorghum - Withstands extreme heat and drought, accessing deep soil moisture. Together, these crops help build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future for Ghana. #GreenFactsFriday #ClimateResilience #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #GhanaFarming #Millet #Cassava #Sorghum