Developing a tomato breed for indoor farming.

Developing a tomato breed for indoor farming. Dutch startup Green4Health has been granted a subsidy to develop a new tomato variety, tailored for cultivation in a climate cell without daylight. The breeding company focuses on the development of new tomato varieties that have specific characteristics which contribute to healthy aging.Developing a tomato breed for indoor farming. The breeding company is now receiving a subsidy for the development of a ‘plug-and-play’ production method for tomatoes in growth cells. "Tomato cultivation in growth cells (indoor, vertical farming) takes place fully automated under LED lighting with optimal growth conditions. High insulation of the growth space leads to minimal energy consumption and the production potential near the consumer reduces transport mileage. Production with this technique is also possible in dry or urban areas and therefore of importance to world food issues," as is explained by the providers of the subsidy.Developing a tomato breed for indoor farming.

‘Growing population, climate change threats to food security’.

‘Growing population, climate change threats to food security’.Growing population, climate change, scarcity of water and changing lifestyles continue to pose challenges to world food security, said CropLife Asia Executive Director Dr Siang Hee Tan on Friday. Sharing his assessment of present regulatory environment in Pakistan with journalist, the executive director said, “We need to promote sustainable means to grow food and embrace technological innovations that enable the same.” He emphasized on the importance of an independent, science-based, transparent and predictable regulatory regime that would enable farmers to fully reap its benefits.

Unilever Joins Better Than Cash Alliance, Embraces Digital Finance Across Value Chain.

Unilever Joins Better Than Cash Alliance, Embraces Digital Finance Across Value Chain.In an effort to advance the goals outlined in its Sustainable Living Plan, in which it aims to positively impact the lives of 5.5 million people by 2020, consumer goods giant Unilever has announced a new partnership with the Better Than Cash Alliance. By teaming up with the UN-based organization, Unilever has committed to transition away from cash throughout its value chain and instead embrace digital finance. The move, which marks a significant step forward towards integrating social benefits into business strategy, will allow Unilever to advance transparency and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), increase income for farmers, retailers and workers across the value chain and generate new economic opportunities for women and smallholder farmers.

Lion Kills Curator in Nigerian Zoo.

Lion Kills Curator in Nigerian Zoo. The Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Agodi Zoo over the killing of an attendant by one of the lions in the zoo. A statement by Yinka Fatoki, Executive Secretary, Bureau of Investment Promotion, BIP, in Ibadan on Saturday said the decision was to safeguard the lives of patrons. Mr. Fatoki added that government had also taken the decision based on a report received from AM & C, the company managing the Zoo. He quoted the report as saying: "one of the lions at the Zoo had accidentally attacked one of the attendants, Mr Hamzat Oyekunle popularly known as Baba Olorunwa. Lion Kills Curator in Nigerian Zoo.

Nigeria Now Second World's Leading Producer of Sorghum.

Nigeria Now Second World's Leading Producer of Sorghum. Nigeria's agribusiness in the sorghum cultivation is now amongst world's leading position at number two after the United States of America, USA, which is the number one world's leading producer. A breakdown of the data, obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), showed that USA's output is projected at 8.4m metric tonnes while Nigeria is following with 6.4m metric tonnes and Mexico in the third position with 6.0m metric tonnes.

Chinese Firm to Invest U.S. $1 Billion in Cassava in Tanzania.

Chinese Firm to Invest U.S. $1 Billion in Cassava in Tanzania. The country has signed a partnership with a Chinese firm to commercialize cassava farming and processing, raising hopes for growers who have been grappling with the challenge of accessing reliable markets. Tanzania

AfDB, Brazil to Train African Youth in Cassava Processing.

AfDB, Brazil to Train African Youth in Cassava Processing. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Brazil-Africa Institute (BAI) have launched the Youth Technical Training Program (YTTP) - an initiative that aims to train young African professionals in research and technology transfer, contributing to local capacity development. The YTTP initiative is sponsored under the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund (SSCTF) and will consists of an array of professional development schemes to meet diverse needs of African countries by utilizing Brazil's technology, skills and knowledge. Focus areas include agriculture and rural development, health, education, information and communication, infrastructure, and the creative industry.