The funding highlights India’s growing contributions to the global South on efforts towards strengthening resilience to climate change. (Image source: Adobe stock)

The government of India has contributed almost US$1mn to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Zimbabwe to help affected populations tackle climate shocks

The contribution, provided through the India-UN development partnership fund, will be used to assist more than 5200 smallholder farmers in Chiredzi and Mangwe districts. Working alongside partners, WFP Zimbabwe will provide expertise through its Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS) programme, to strengthen the resilience and capacity of selected smallholder farmers. The project will promote the cultivation of drought-tolerant small grains and legumes – reducing the negative effects of recurring droughts in Zimbabwe.

India played a key role in promoting the adoption of 2023 as the year of millet by the United Nations. This funding highlights India’s growing contributions to the Global South on efforts towards strengthening resilience to climate change.

Adel Abdellatif, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, said the contribution will ensure the social protection and resilience of smallholder farmers.

“This project is focused on increasing small grains production and market access. It will provide a good opportunity for successful Southern practices to be tested and scaled, improving the lives of rural Zimbabweans,” added Abdellatif.

This is a sound investment in Zimbabwe which relies heavily on agriculture – accounting for approximately 70% of the populations’ livelihood activity. It is also critical timing for the country, struggling with consecutive years of drought, cyclones, and unpredictable weather patterns.

WFP will build on existing collaboration with partners to combine relevant expertise, alongside the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, and the Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex).

Francesca Erdelmann, country director and representative, WFP Zimbabwe, said, “This contribution will help WFP and partners on the ground to plan more effectively. Farmers will be trained on the advantages of growing drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum or millet, including techniques on how to reduce post-harvest losses. This contribution will go a long way in empowering farmers with the skills needed for sustainable climate-smart agriculture.” 

The meeting between the two ministers was aimed at discussing the status of South Africa’s relations with Bangladesh. (Image source: Adobe stock)

Thoko Didiza, South African minister and member of parliament, met Dr Abdul Momen, minister of foreign affairs in Bangladesh, to discuss agricultural cooperation between the two countries

Cereals, vegetable oils and dairy drive FAO Food Price Index lower for second month in a row. (Image source: Adobe stock)

Global food commodity prices fell in July for the second consecutive month, according to a United Nations report

The FAO food price index averaged 123.0 points in July 2021, 1.2% lower than the previous month although still 31.0% higher than its level in the same period of 2020. The index tracks changes in the international prices of the most globally traded food commodities. The July drop reflected declines in the quotations for most cereals and vegetable oils as well as dairy products.

The FAO cereal price index was 3.0% lower in July than in June, pushed down by a 6.0% month-on-month drop in international maize prices associated with better-than-earlier projected yields in Argentina and improved production prospects in the United States of America, even as crop conditions in Brazil remained a concern. Prices of other coarse grains such as barley and sorghum also dropped significantly, reflecting weaker import demand.

The FAO dairy price index declined 2.8% from June, impacted by slower market activity in the Northern hemisphere due to ongoing summer holidays, with skim milk powder registering the largest drop, followed by butter, whole milk powder and cheese.

The FAO vegetable oil price index reached a five-month low, declining 1.4% from June, as lower prices for soy, rape and sunflower seed oils more than offset rising palm oil values. A lower biodiesel blending mandate in Argentina pressured soyoil prices lower, while those for rape and sunflower oils were influenced by prospective record supplies for the 2021/22 season.

The FAO sugar price index increased by 1.7% in July, its fourth monthly increase. The rise was mostly related to firmer crude oil prices as well as uncertainties over the impact of recent frosts on yields in Brazil, the worlds largest sugar exporter, while good production prospects in India prevented a larger jump.

The FAO meat price index rose marginally from June, with quotations for poultry meat rising the most due to increased imports by East Asia and limited production expansions in some regions. Bovine meat prices also strengthened, buoyed by high imports from China and lower supplies from major producing regions. Meanwhile, pig meat prices fell, following a decline in imports by China.

The competition aims to foster innovation that can be helpful for the smallholder farmers. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Pinduoduo, China Agricultural University and Zhejiang University have announced the launch of the 2021 Smart Agriculture Competition, an agricultural technology competition with the aim of fostering innovation and promoting agricultural modernisation