#farmers

Armed bandits attacked local communities in Kaduna, resulting in the deaths of at least nine farmers and the abduction of an unspecified number of individuals, according to Premium Times.

Residents of Akum Ward in Nasarawa State have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene after the alleged killing of a young farmer by suspected armed herders. Community member Yahaya Kana Ismaila reported that the victim was attacked while returning from his farm on July 4, an incident that has increased tensions in the area.

A new fertiliser plant by TFC in Dar es Salaam aims to address the challenges faced by Tanzanian farmers, including declining soil fertility and rising fertiliser costs. Experts have noted that using the appropriate type of fertiliser is crucial for enhancing productivity and managing production expenses. This development is seen as a potential boost for the agricultural sector in Tanzania.

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has proposed the establishment of a unified African cocoa producers' bloc and a minimum floor price of $6,000 per metric tonne. This initiative aims to enhance production coordination and strengthen the bargaining power of farmers across Africa, addressing concerns over foreign control in the industry.

Many farmers in Nigeria have urged the Federal Government to decentralize agricultural financial interventions to enhance access for those in rural areas. A coalition of various agricultural stakeholders, including smallholder farmers and cooperative societies, has expressed the need for improved support programs to better serve the farming community across the country.

The National Government has provided five solar-powered milk coolers valued at Sh 30 million to dairy farmers in Cherangany Constituency, Trans Nzoia County. This initiative aims to minimize post-harvest losses and enhance the income of milk producers. The handover event took place at Biribiriet primary school grounds, where Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, spoke about the benefits of the coolers.

Coffee farmers in Tooro, Uganda, have established the Tooro Coffee Cooperative Union to enhance their bargaining power, improve market access, and increase their incomes from coffee farming. This decision was made during a meeting at Kalya Courts Hotel in Fort Portal City, which included various coffee farmers.

President William Ruto has announced a government initiative to increase coffee farmers' earnings from Sh158 per kilogramme to between Sh250 and Sh300 in the coming years. This plan is part of a broader strategy to revitalize Kenya's coffee sector. During the launch of a coffee revival program in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga County, Ruto noted that while progress has been made in improving farmers' returns, additional measures are necessary to ensure profitability in coffee farming.