International Coffee Day 2020: How CABI supports smallholder coffee farmers
Coffee - the valued crop and source of livelihood for millions - is celebrated annually to promote the efforts of all involved in its production. From farmer to manufacturer, barista and consumer. Now in its sixth year, International Coffee Day 2020 comes at a time in history when the Covid-19 pandemic presents a unique challenge to the world including the global coffee industry. With that in mind, this year’s focus is on supporting the next generation of coffee producers – young people, entrepreneurs - people who the future of coffee depends on.
Boosting banana productivity in Tanzania: Farmer reaps rewards with up to three-fold increase
In Tanzania, where demand for bananas is high, banana farmers face the challenge of low productivity caused by pests and diseases and limited basic knowledge on banana management practices. The ‘Improving banana agronomy practices for small scale farmers in highland banana cropping systems East Africa’ project set a goal to raise banana productivity in Tanzania from 10mt/ha/yr to 25 mt/ha/year. The banana agronomy project which is led by National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is implemented in partnership with Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Bioversity International, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CABI is also operated in Uganda.
Mr Nutri Bean: Educating children to increase consumption of iron and zinc rich beans
The higher iron and zinc rich beans called NAROBEAN 1, 2, 3, 4C and 5C can significantly improve nutrition and are particularly beneficial for children and expectant mothers.
‘Banana and I’: Sharing the ‘appeal’ of better banana management in Uganda through drama
CABI has worked with farmers to develop a video drama on the subject with five episodes translated into two languages. Created for small scale banana farmers in Uganda with contributions from farmers, the dramas are also performed by farmers themselves to increase their local appeal, encourage more efficient farming practices and ultimately increase productivity for banana growers.
International Tea Day 2020: celebrating tea’s importance to our planet
International Tea Day aims to increase public awareness of sustainable production and consumption of tea; its importance in fighting hunger and poverty as well as improve the tea value chain. On this inaugural International Tea Day, CABI is honoured to celebrate the smallholder farmers we work with through countries with the systems and economies that rely on the production and commercialisation of tea to thrive.
Is chocolate under threat?
Otherwise known as ‘the food of the gods’ Theobroma Cacao is cocoa - the key ingredient from which chocolate is produced. The various species of cocoa such as Criollo and Forastero mainly originate from the Amazon jungle and are planted and produced in Colombia, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Indonesia, Ghana, Ecuador and Nigeria
CABI Impact Brief showcases successes in capacity building for Better Cotton Initiative
A CABI Study Brief, entitled ‘Improving the safety and quality of cotton production in Pakistan’ shares findings on the impact of a CABI capacity building programme for farmers and farm workers involved in the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) in two Pakistan districts.
Raising awareness on Parthenium at Pakistan Horti Expo 2020
As part of the ‘Establishment of Model Farms’ project initiated by the Government of Punjab’s Agricultural Department, a two-day Pakistan Horti Expo held at the Expo Centre, Lahore, from 22-23 January 2020. The event urged key ‘players’ in agricultural value chains including smallholder farmers, processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and exporters to help boost the country’s fruit and vegetable exports.
“It’s science that solves problems”
I love science because it allows me explore my dreams. Agricultural science is about finding solutions for farmers, helping them reduce diseases in their fields and increase their yields so that they lose less and gain more.
Investigating a way to reduce the cost of poultry feed in Ghana
Ghana imports poultry meat to the tune of about US $374 million every year. This is because local production of poultry is hampered by the high cost of protein feed for chickens- representing 70% of total production cost.