Zambia agrees export of 300,000 T maize to Zimbabwe

Zambia agrees export of 300,000 T maize to Zimbabwe http://af.reuters.com/ Sat May 5, 2012 11:10am GMT * Carry-over surplus cut to 330,436 tonnes * To cut surplus to 46,495 tonnes by June LUSAKA May 5 (Reuters) – Zambia signed a contract to export of 300,000 tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe from its huge surplus of carry-over …

Green fuels: National interest must prevail

Green fuels: National interest must prevail http://www.theindependent.co.zw/ Friday, 04 May 2012 10:17 THE unfolding saga over Green Fuel’s Chisumbanje ethanol fuel project makes for some sad reading indeed, giving the impression that the country is jinxed when it comes to investment,sorting out its fuel security. Green Fuel, a 70-30 joint venture between private investors led by Billy Rautenbach …

Aid to Zimbabwe must take account of resettled farmers on contested land

Aid to Zimbabwe must take account of resettled farmers on contested land   http://www.guardian.co.uk/ The UK’s decision not to help Zimbabweans who were resettled on land owned by white farmers fails to alleviate hardship Fanuel Mtongozi, the 46-year-old headteacher of Village Nine school, says it has 450 pupils and 12 teachers up to grade seven. …

GMB set for restructuring

GMB set for restructuring http://www.theindependent.co.zw/ Thursday, 03 May 2012 14:51 Gamma Mudarikiri THE Grain Marketing  Board (GMB)  is this year set to restructure operations  which  will  see  the  separation of the  Strategic  Grain Reserve  (SGR) function  from  commercial  activities   and  staff retrenchment   to  a maximum  of  1 300 workers.GMB  chairman  Charles  Chikaura  said the  separation  would  see  the establishment  …

Point-of-output subsidy will boost farming

Point-of-output subsidy will boost farming http://www.theindependent.co.zw/ Thursday, 03 May 2012 16:15 Taurai Chinyamakobvu AS Zimbabwe faces hunger and possible starvation due to massive grain shortages this farming season, there is need to reflect and change the present agricultural subsidy model to boost production and food security. For as long as I can remember, the Zimbabwean government has …

Drought: Zimbabwe needs new agro model

Drought: Zimbabwe needs new agro model http://www.newzimbabwe.com 02/05/2012 00:00:00 by Tafirenyika Makunike I HAVE the privilege of writing from Zimbabwe where I am spending a couple of days. Once you have survived the Animal Farm chaos of entering the country through BeitBridge, you can really have an exciting and memorable visit. If half our politicians just experienced a …

African farmers grow trees as a natural crop fertilizer

African farmers grow trees as a natural crop fertilizer   http://www.csmonitor.com In Africa, planting trees along with corn in soil that is low in nitrogen can substantially increase corn production without expensive fertilizers. In a decade, the number of small farmers using Fertilizer Tree Systems has ballooned from a few hundred to more than 250,000. …

Ethanol plant to sack 4,500 workers

Ethanol plant to sack 4,500 workers http://www.newzimbabwe.com 01/05/2012 00:00:00 by Staff Reporter UP to 4,500 workers at the US$600 million ethanol plant in Chisumbanje could lose their jobs as Energy Minister Elton Mangoma continues to resist pressure to introduce compulsory blending of petrol. Green Fuel has already ceased ethanol production after exhausting storage capacity at the Chisumbanje plant …

Dying rivers dry up livelihoods

Dying rivers dry up livelihoods http://www.irinnews.org MUREWA, 25 April 2012 (IRIN) – Thousands of poor Zimbabweans have turned to illegal panning for precious minerals, but environmental and water experts say their activities are contributing to the drying up of rivers which many communities rely on for their livelihoods. “Siltation of rivers is becoming endemic in the country, particularly …

Indigenous trees under siege from farmers

Indigenous trees under siege from farmers http://www.africanews.com/ Posted on Wednesday 25 April 2012 – 07:38 Problem Masau, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe Scores of stumps could be seen in a once densely populated area along Tengwe River in this area and the situation promise to be worsening as the tobacco is ready for reaping and curing. Most …