Cockroach milk as a future protein supplement.

Scientists trial of cockroach milk as a future protein supplement. Scientists have discovered cockroach milk is four times more nutritious than cow's milk with a protein that releases energy slowly over a long period of time. Continue

Patagonia and Chris Malloy Made a Film About Agriculture .

Although climate change is a natural occurrence, the cause for alarm isn’t the fact that it’s changing, it’s the speed at which it’s doing so. Humans have created a life so full of comfort that it’s destroying the place we all call home, and the way we eat isn’t helping. Our farming habits are turning the fragile ecological balance upside down, and it’s all coming to a head. Patagonia, Chris Malloy, and Farm League got together to make a film about it. It’s called Unbroken Ground. The film “explains the critical role food will play in the next frontier of our efforts to solve the environmental crisis… [and] explores four areas of agriculture that aim to change our relationship to the land and oceans. Most of our food is produced using methods that reduce biodiversity, decimate soil and contribute to climate change. We believe our food can and should be a part of the solution to the environmental crisis – grown, harvested and produced in ways that restore our land, water and wildlife. The film tells the story of four groups that are pioneers in the fields of regenerative agriculture, regenerative grazing, diversified crop development and restorative fishing.” The film is part of Patagonia’s Provisions project, which, the words of founder Yvon Chouinard does a few things: “It only makes sense that we’d want to share some of our favorite food with our customers,” he wrote. “But that’s just the beginning; we also believe there is great opportunity—and an urgent need—for positive change in the food industry. With Patagonia Provisions, our goals are the same as with everything we do: We aim to make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and perhaps most important, inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.” continue

Sokoto State Set For Partnership with Morocco On Power and Agriculture.

The Sokoto State Government has said that it has conclude plans to partner with the Kingdom of Morocco in the areas of solar energy and agriculture. Gov. Aminu Tambuwal stated this on Monday after a meeting with the Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mosidfa Bouh, in Abuja In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said Morocco is has been at the fore-front of technology on the continent with giant strides in some critical sectors. “Morocco has distinguished itself in some critical sectors, as such relationship between the two states will be of utmost importance to the two parties. He added that, “We sought a closer working relationship between our two states, especially in areas like solar energy and leather works. “Other areas are agriculture, especially irrigation, educational and cultural integration, as well as fertilizer management. “In terms of fertilizer, we informed the Ambassador that Sokoto has a large deposit of primary natural substances needed for making fertilizer,” the governor said. read

Nigerian farmers embrace biotechnology.

The National Vice President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Chris Onwuka , has condemned those campaigning against biotechnology in the country as he asked them to come up with scientific evidence to back their stance. Speaking at a Stakeholders meeting in Abuja recently, he said “a group came and were telling us recently that biotechnology is not good. I asked them to show us scientific evidence but they could not,” he told other stakeholders. The truth is that without biotechnology we cannot feed ourselves. What we farmers need is more yield. We already have a regulatory agency just as there is NAFDAC. It is their job to tell us what is good and what is not good. They are capable,” he added. Also at the meeting were representatives of the academia from all geopolitical zones of the country, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Consumer Protection Council, Genetics Society of Nigeria and the Nigeria Agricultural Society among others. Onwuka said the unequal distribution of technology between the developed world and developing countries like Nigeria consistently make it unnecessary to compare their priorities with ours. By 2030, Nigeria’s population will be 250 million and without a technological intervention, and with continuous decrease in arable land due to urbanization, desertification and erosion, farmers’ yield are definitely going to decrease. continue

Man Cuts Off Wife's Hands For Not Getting Pregnant After Seven Years Of Marriage .

A 34-year-old Kenyan man allegedly chopped off the hands of his wife of seven years with a large knife because she cannot have children, in what is said to be the most atrocious cases of domestic violence. 28-year-old Jackline Mwende from Kathama Village, Masii in Machakos County, had her hands chopped off at the wrist by her husband, Stephen Ngila Thenge (right) on July 24. She is also nursing injuries on her head and neck from the gruesome attack. Relatives say the couple had been having issues and Ms Mwende wanted to leave her husband but was advised against it by "their pastor." Ms Mwende, who spoke at her father's Kathama home, where she now stays after her discharge from the hospital on Friday, July 29, said that before the attack, they had separated for about three months over failure to have children. "I could not understand why he was blaming me yet we had gone to hospital last year and the doctors had said he was the one with issues, which could be corrected," she said. She said her husband, a tailor at Masii town, refused to follow up on treatment. continue

Beenie Man ‘falls victim to Zika virus’.

Dancehall reggae artist Beenie Man, one of the headline acts at the Cup Match Summer Splash, has reportedly fallen ill with the Zika virus.bThe diagnosis was reported in Rolling Stone, which added that the Jamaican artist had called off a concert set for Saturday after being denied a Canadian visa. There were local reports that Beenie Man had appeared unwell at his show in Bermuda on Wednesday night. The spread of the mosquito-borne virus, which can cause mild fever and a rash, has been an international concern because it can damage babies in the womb, causing microcephaly. It comes as the Bermuda Government beefed up efforts to keep the virus out of the island, including the deployment of mosquito traps by the Department of Health’s vector control team. The health ministry said: “The Ministry of Health and Seniors is aware that the performer, Beenie Man, visited Bermuda to perform at a concert on July 27.More

Sack farming for profit.

Sack farming is a form of urban farming where vegetables are grown in sacks usually referred to as multi-story planting or vertical farming. The seeds are planted /layered in the sack and by the sides to make maximum use of sack and space. Small stones are put in the middle of the sack for easy watering of your garden, aeration of the root area of the plant and providing an anchor for the roots. Sack farming is lucrative and its cheap to operate and maintain.The advantage of this type of farming is that it can be practiced any where and space is not a constraint.The technology is relatively easy to adapt and practice easily,the only word of caution is to ensure that the seeds are good and the soil is not contaminated or infested with ants. Sack farming is practiced using 1) sacks 2)soil 3)stones 4)plastic bowl with no tops or bottom 5)fertilizer 6)seeds 7)wooden stakes 8)water 9) Method 1)Identify and prepare site to place the garden making sure it is flat. 2) Thoroughly mix the soil, manure and the pesticide. 3)Tear the bottom of the bowl such that it is open on both ends 4)Use the 4 stakes to ensure that the sack stands upright. 5)Place the bottomless bowl in the middle of the sack and fill with stones. 6)Fill the area around the can with the soil, manure 7)Pull the can up and refill it with stones and fill the area around with the soil mixture 8) add Water to the soil mixture till it is well saturated and this after every layer of soil mixture. 9)repeat 7 and 8 until the sack is full. Drill holes in the sack beginning from 1 foot from the ground and insert a stick in each hole to form planting hole .The spacing between the holes across the sack should be one inch apart. Plant your seedlings in the planting holes on the side of the sack using a blunt stick.more