Latest news with #FoodandAgricultureOrganisation
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Nigeria imports Danish cows in bid to slash $1.5bn milk import bill
Nigeria is importing dairy cattle from Denmark as it aims to double its milk output within five years, part of a plan to cut dairy imports that cost the country $1.5bn (R26.78bn) a year, livestock minister Idi Maiha said on Monday. Despite boasting one of Africa's largest cattle populations, Nigeria's milk output of 700,000 tonnes a year lags its annual consumption of 1.6-million tonnes. This shortfall means the country imports about 60% of its milk. 'Our goal is ambitious but achievable; to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4-million tonnes annually in the next five years,' he said. Maiha said Nigeria's cattle population, exceeding 20-million, consists largely of low-yield pastoralist breeds. A Nigerian farm has already imported more than 200 heifers from Denmark, building its herd through intensive breeding, Maiha said. So far, eight new pasture species have been registered, the first in 48 years, and a national strategy for animal genetic resources with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation has been launched, he said. 'With more than 20.9-million cattle, 60-million sheep, and 1.4-million goats already, we are not starting from zero, we are building from strength,' Maiha said.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Science
- Express Tribune
Training programme launched to address climate challenges
Listen to article In a major step towards climate-resilient agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, in collaboration with the Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam, has launched a comprehensive training programme for agricultural experts of the varsity and provincial and federal agricultural research institutions. The initiative aims to equip professionals with the skills required to utilise climate data and modern technology in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. As part of the programme, Dr Michiaki Sugita, Meritorious Professor University of Tsukuba, Japan and an evapotranspiration expert with the FAO, visited the SAU. Sugita inspected the advanced Flux Tower installed at the university's Latif Experimental Farm. The tower captures detailed atmospheric and environmental data, playing a critical role in supporting climate-resilient agricultural research. Sugita was briefed on the tower's data acquisition capabilities, storage systems and ongoing applications in research. He also met with SAU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Altaf Ali Siyal to discuss the importance of utilising real-time environmental data for academic research, student training and knowledge transfer to farmers. Siyal noted that Sindh was among the regions most vulnerable to climate change globally and stressed the urgency of adopting science-based agricultural strategies.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Celebrating World Milk Day
Milk continues to prove the vital part it plays in the health of New Zealanders and of billions of people around the world, says the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ). Today is World Milk Day, which is celebrated around the world to mark the contribution of dairy to the global food system. DCANZ Executive Director Kimberly Crewther says milk's contribution to health is well worth celebrating. "As a nutrient-dense food it's an important part of a healthy, balanced diet, not just for Kiwis of all ages, but also for people globally, including those in the more than 120 countries New Zealand exports dairy products to." Milk is a nutritional powerhouse with over 10 essential nutrients. Just one glass of milk delivers 35% of daily calcium, 40% of vitamin B2, and 37% of vitamin B12 requirements, along with high-quality protein. Together, these nutrients support healthy bones, teeth, muscle function, skin, eyes, nervous system, and overall healthy growth and aging. "That's a massive amount of goodness in such a small - and tasty - serve. "New Zealand's most recent nutritional survey showed that in Kiwi diets, milk is the No 1 contributor of calcium, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12, and is the No 2 source of protein. "Globally, milk contributes 49% of dietary calcium supply, 24% of vitamin B2, and 12% of protein, and is overall a top 5 source for 23 nutrients. This nutrient density means milk and dairy products have an important role to play in the global fight against malnutrition." "Despite the impacts of strong global demand on dairy prices, at current prices, Kiwis can consume a serving of milk, cheese, and yoghurt for as little as $2 a day and in doing so receive more than a third of the recommended protein and more than three-quarters of recommended calcium needs. "That works out at an impressive nutritional outcome for the investment of just 15% of the average weekly food bill of $475 for a family of 5, as reported in the latest [2023] Household Expenditure Statistics survey" Also, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), dairy consumption reduces the risk of all-cause mortality, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, obesity, and osteoporosis in adults. A 2018 study of children aged 1-12 years across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam also found the prevalence of stunting is significantly less in those who consume dairy every day compared to those who do not consume it at all. Recognition of dairy's nutritional goodness is fuelling demand growth globally and adding significantly to the industry's economic contribution to New Zealand. "The value of dairy exports increased by $3.5 billion in the year to April 2025, to $26.8 billion. That equalled one-in-every-three dollars New Zealand earnt from all goods trade, with the economic benefits flowing through the economy as farmers and dairy companies purchase goods and services from thousands of other companies. "DCANZ thanks the thousands of people throughout New Zealand who support and contribute to this positive contribution."
Time Out
6 days ago
- Time Out
The major Indian city named the best in Asia for green space and access to nature
Talk about a city of contrasts. Mumbai is the richest city in India but also home to the country's biggest slum. And while it's packed with soaring skyscrapers, malls, and residential blocks, you'll find that the city is more beautiful and green than you'd expect. Take it from the locals: 79 percent of them rated Mumbai's green spaces and access to nature as 'good' or 'amazing' as part of a Time Out survey of 18,500 city-dwellers worldwide. That put the Indian city 16th on a ranked list of 20 cities in the world for the best and most accessible green spaces. Objectively speaking, Mumbai is far from the greenest city in India – urban centres like Chandigarh and Mysore easily surpass it if we're strictly talking about green cover. Nevertheless, it holds it own – it was named a 'Tree City of the World' by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and Arbor Day Foundation in 2021 for its efforts in preserving urban forests. The city is also dotted with over 200 lovely parks and gardens and has undertaken efforts to transform its wastelands into palm gardens. If you're keen to see where locals are taking a breather, check out spots like the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It's three times the size of New York City's Central Park and home to more than 35 species of mammals, 274 species of birds, and 170 species of butterflies – a great spot for wildlife lovers. If immaculately manicured gardens are your thing, then you'll love the Hanging Gardens with its colourful flowers and animal-shaped hedges. Here's our pick of the 12 best parks in Mumbai. Mumbai is also blessed with gorgeous beaches, the most iconic being Juhu Beach, where you can snack on street food and enjoy a spectacular sunset. The city bustle getting too much? Escape to quieter stretches like Versova Beach or Aksa Beach. The only other Asian city to rank on the Time Out list is China's capital Beijing at No. 17. 78 percent of locals gave its green spaces and access to nature a positive rating – a good sign that the 'Beijing Garden City Plan' is going well. Announced in 2024, it outlines the city's plan to add more leisure parks, urban forest, pocket parks, and small nature spots where residents can relax and unwind. Here's how Mumbai and Beijing stacked up against other cities worldwide. Top 20 cities in the world for green space and access to nature: 1. Medellín, Colombia, 92 percent 2. Boston, US, 88 percent 3. Sydney, Australia, 87 percent = London, UK, 87 percent 5. Austin, US, 86 percent = Edinburgh, UK, 86 percent = Melbourne, Australia, 86 percent 8. Denver, US, 84 percent 9. Abu Dhabi, UAE, 83 percent = Cape Town, South Africa, 83 percent = Chicago, US, 83 percent 12. San Francisco, US, 82 percent = Stockholm, Sweden, 82 percent 14. Montreal, Canada, 81 percent = Munich, Germany, 81 percent 16. Mumbai, India, 79 percent 17. Beijing, China, 78 percent 18. Zurich, Switzerland, 77 percent = Ottawa, Canada, 77 percent 20. Brisbane, Australia, 76 percent
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hunger Free World: Malabar Gold & Diamonds' fight against urban hunger
. Hunger is a deeply rooted global crisis that continues to haunt humanity despite centuries of agricultural advancement and economic development. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, over 29.5 crore people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger in 2024—an increase of almost 14 million compared to 2023. This situation is not caused by food scarcity but by food insecurity. According to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) , conflict, economic crises, climate extremes, and forced displacement continue to drive food insecurity. Against this stark backdrop, the Hunger Free World initiative by Malabar Gold & Diamonds emerges as a powerful and practical response to the invisible hunger haunting India's streets. Launched in 2022 as a grassroots intervention to address post-pandemic food insecurity, the project has since evolved into one of India's largest and most systematically executed corporate efforts to fight hunger. It targets the most neglected populations—those living in the open, in slums, and in unregistered settlements—who often fall through the cracks of government schemes and civil society outreach. Hunger is a deeply rooted global crisis that continues to haunt humanity despite centuries of agricultural advancement and economic development. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, over 29.5 crore people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger in 2024—an increase of almost 14 million compared to 2023. This situation is not caused by food scarcity but by food insecurity. According to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) , conflict, economic crises, climate extremes, and forced displacement continue to drive food insecurity. Against this stark backdrop, the Hunger Free World initiative by Malabar Gold & Diamonds emerges as a powerful and practical response to the invisible hunger haunting India's streets. Launched in 2022 as a grassroots intervention to address post-pandemic food insecurity, the project has since evolved into one of India's largest and most systematically executed corporate efforts to fight hunger. It targets the most neglected populations—those living in the open, in slums, and in unregistered settlements—who often fall through the cracks of government schemes and civil society outreach. The core mission of Hunger Free World is simple but profound: to ensure that no individual has to sleep hungry, especially in urban and peri-urban zones where vulnerability is compounded by invisibility. The project is designed to go beyond emergency relief; it aims to create sustained, structured, and scalable systems for food access in marginaliszed communities. To date, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has distributed 2.5 crore meals across the country and beyond. On average, 70,000 hot and nutritious meals are served daily to people living in conditions of extreme deprivation. Of these, 10,000 packets are distributed in three schools in Zambia. The meals are prepared with strict attention to hygiene and nutrition standards and are delivered through a network of partner NGOs and local volunteers. Each location is monitored to ensure quality, consistency, and traceability—key features that set the program apart from sporadic charity drives. The project began during the pandemic, but its roots can be traced back tolie in Malabar's long-standing commitment to social equity. As the crisis unfolded, field workers began noticing a disturbing pattern: individuals waiting for food who had gone unnoticed by both government and non-governmental support systems. Entire families were living on sidewalks, under flyovers, or behind construction sites. These were people without documentation, without shelter, and without even the means to access ration cards or food subsidies. It was in response to this reality that Hunger Free World was conceptualiszed—not just as a feeding program, but as a long-term intervention to map urban hunger, identify its patterns, and design responses tailored to local needs. . In just three years, the scale of the initiative has grown exponentially. In 2022, it operated in 16 cities and served 17.55 lakh meals. By 2023, it had expanded to 34 cities, distributing 72.35 lakh meals. In 2024, it reached 80 cities with 1.13 crore meals served. Currently, meals are being distributed in 167 centeres across 20 states, with new urban locations being added each month. The initiative is executed in collaboration with carefully vetted partner NGOs, local bodies, and volunteers who help identify true beneficiaries. These include the homeless, migrant workers, elderly people without support, and children living without parental care. The distribution system is decentraliszed to ensure adaptability, and teams on the ground conduct periodic needs assessments to realign priorities and reduce duplication of services. This approach has enabled the program to become both responsive and resilient in the face of evolving challenges. As part of the Hunger Free World programme, Malabar Gold and Diamonds has launched a new initiative called Micro Learning Centres (MLCs). The aim is to support impoverished children who are either not enrolled in school or have dropped out due to extreme poverty. We identify these children, bring them to the MLCs, and provide them with basic education, nutritious food, and essential medical care, —with the ultimate goal of reintegrating them into the formal schooling system. They We have opened 716 MLCs across different states, serving over 32,000 children. So far, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has successfully re-enrolled 9,000 students in schools through this initiative. Importantly, Hunger Free World does not approach hunger as an isolated issue. Instead, it treats food insecurity as part of a broader ecosystem of deprivation. In many locations, meal distribution is accompanied by basic medical checkups, counselling, and access to clean drinking water. Beneficiaries are guided on how to access government services and documentation. This integrated approach ensures that hunger is not only alleviated in the immediate term but also addressed through systemic inclusion. A powerful aspect of the campaign is its emphasis on dignity. Meals are served with respect, and the language of charity is consciously avoided. In several cities, distribution points have become informal community spaces—where those living on the margins can gather without judgment, receive a warm meal, and experience human connection. The campaign also prioritiszes accountability and transparency. With ₹53 crore allocated to the project so far, every rupee is accounted for through rigorous auditing and monitoring processes. Daily reports, quality checks, and beneficiary tracking mechanisms are integral to its operation, allowing for constant refinement and credible impact measurement. The growing success of Hunger Free World has also encouraged expansion into international territories. In 2024, the initiative launched its first international chapter in Zambia, aiming to serve 3.6 million school meals annually. This marks a significant step in taking the model global, demonstrating that corporate-led humanitarian efforts can adapt to diverse geographies and socio-economic contexts. At the heart of Hunger Free World is a deeply human philosophy. As M.P. Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, notes: . 'We want to send a strong message to society: hunger can be eradicated if people work in unison. We are doing our utmost in this regard. We believe that revolutionary changes are possible if corporations and institutions join hands to fight hunger. Of course, the distribution of food packets offers immediate relief, but it does not eradicate the root cause of the problem. What is truly important is achieving sustainable economic growth by increasing production and creating more jobs. That is the long-term solution. However, with 29.5 crore people facing hunger, we cannot wait for economic growth to reach everyone. Hence, we launched the Hunger Free World programme.' The story of Hunger Free World is one of empathy turned into action—of corporate resources channelled into meaningful transformation. It demonstrates that when business meets conscience, real change becomes possible. In a world where millions still go to bed hungry, Malabar's initiative is not just feeding bodies—it is restoring hope. The article has been produced on behalf of Malabar Gold & Diamonds by the Times Internet's Spotlight team Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
