Rice production in Tanzania sees a jump
Rice is grown in all 64 districts of Tanzania by small growers who directly supply rice manufacturers, with the aid and assistance of government. Data from the Tanzanian agriculture department alludes that rice have increased throughout 2021, with the recent weekly rice increases about an average of 1.2%.
Prices in October 2021 increased by 10.1 per cent when compared to the same month the previous year and decreased by 6.2 per cent when compared to the five-year September average. This is good news for the country, as there has been reported decline over rice production in the last five years. Rice is the third mist stable crop in the country.
In other news from Tanzania, the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) has released two wine grapes for production namely, Makutupora red and Chenin white. Other three table grapes (Black rose. Alphonce lavalee and Queen of vineyard), wine grape (Syrah) and raisin grape (Ruby seedless) are currently under DUS evaluation.
Nigeria’s reduces rice imports from Thailand
President Muhammadu Buhari’s drive to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on rice importation is gaining traction. One of the largest rice producing states in Nigeria, Kano, has in 2021 seen the largest rice production. “Nigeria at the end of 2021 imported only 2,169 MT of rice from Thailand which is valued at $907,166.6 (N376,283,640) as compared to 2014, where Nigeria imported 1,239,810MT of rice worth N213.98bn from Thailand alone,” reported the WhistleBlower.
Nigeria’s Rice Revolution is moving forward with great speed as the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) together with Abuja Chamber of Commerce (ACCI) were building rice pyramids to increase rice production in the country.
Malawi farmers redeem 2.8 million bags of fertilizers
The Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), which endeavours to increase food security and improve the quality of life of Malawi farmers, has helped over 1.4 million farming households with two fertilizer bags as from 26 December 2021. “So far 4,619 goats have been sold out of the expected 60,000 goats. This represents 7.7 per cent redemption rate,” said the Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe.
SA Fruits expecting a good harvest
The outpouring of rain during the season provided relief for fruit farmers. According to Hortgro, the young orchards, where contribution to the increase in the export crop estimates. “Apple volumes are expected to increase with 6% and pears with 8%. Apple cultivars such as Cripps Pink/Pink Lady and Cripps Red/Joya is expected to increase significantly; +9% and +20% respectively.”
The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has also released its first crop estimate for the 2021/22 season. According to the association it estimated volumes to be in line with the previous financial year and expects “an intake volume range of 70.6 – 77.7 million cartons (4.5 kg equivalent), with the mid-point at 74.2 million cartons.”
While this paves good prospects for the fruit sector, in the northern hemisphere, the United States Government received a complaint from a Californian citrus juice producer Ventura Coastal of alleged dumping activities by two South African fruit producers. It is unclear how the US Government will treat the complaint but the South African Fruit Juice Association said it was following the developments.
