More research and policy guidance needed to improve value chain for non-wood forest products Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Honey, beeswax and shea butter are some of the non-wood forest products with a lot of potential of contributing to nutrition, food security, household incomes and forest conservation in the …
Read More »Desert Locust invasion
Why Uganda could incur over Shs 800bn in agricultural losses Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Uganda risks losing up to Shs 800bn (US$218.3 million) in export revenue if the desert locusts are not halted in the coming weeks, according to the agriculture ministry. East Africa’s third largest economy …
Read More »Norwegian refugee council worried desert locusts might worsen refugee crisis in East Africa
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), an independent humanitarian organization focused on helping refugees has said the invasion of desert locusts may worsen the refugee crisis in East Africa. Nigel Tricks, the NRC´s Regional Director for East Africa said in a press statement issued on Thursday …
Read More »Uganda seeks UGX 16 Bn to recoil hatching locusts eggs
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The government is seeking an additional 16 billion Shillings to deal with hatching eggs of deserts locusts that have infiltrated several parts of the country. Agriculture Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja told journalists in Kampala that a technical field expert team which was sent to neighbouring Kenya …
Read More »Locust swarms could cause food insecurity
On Feb.09, the much anticipated swarms of desert locusts invaded Uganda from neighbouring Kenya through the northeastern district of Amudat. The government and its development partners including the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have since been battling the destructive insects which are now moving southwards. Experts on the …
Read More »Gov’t mobilizes farmers to embrace Zimbabwe maize export deal
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The government has started mobilizing farmers and companies to supply maize grain to Zimbabwe, in response to a request by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The move is aimed at averting hunger due to drought and economic challenges in Zimbabwe, once a breadbasket for …
Read More »Dry season saved Karamoja from devastating impacts of locust invasion
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Karamoja would have suffered unprecedented crop losses if the desert locust’s invasion happened during the rainy season when the gardens were flourishing, officials have said. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation-FAO, desert locusts are potentially the most dangerous of the locust pests because …
Read More »Desert locust infestation linked to climate change -UN Chief
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The infestation of Desert Locusts across vast swatches of the East African Region is one of the devastating effects of climate change that Africa has to endure, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said. The migratory pests, which were first reported in parts …
Read More »Desert locusts spread to four districts in Karamoja
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Desert locusts have arrived in Nabilatuk through Nakapiripirit district. Another swarm has been sighted in Nakabaat, Moroto district. The locusts were seen approaching Kosike HC111, a few minutes to 3:00 pm on Sunday by residents. After about one hour, the first swarm was sighted …
Read More »Arua receives 30,000 doses of anthrax, black quarter vaccines
Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Arua district has received 30,000 dozes of Anthrax and Black Quarter vaccines to manage the threat of the diseases in refugee settlements in Odupi, Omugo, Uriama, parts of Rhino Camp and refugee hosting communities. The vaccines valued at Shillings 90 million were donated by Food …
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