Latest news with #sustainableagriculture
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: $389,626 programme to raise quality, output of Jabal Akhdar roses
Jabal Akhdar – In a move aimed at consolidating the rose farming sector and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in the sultanate, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources launched a value-added programme for rose cultivation in Jabal Akhdar on Tuesday. Funded by Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, the programme called Enhancing the Added Value of the Omani Rose Crop is designed to empower rose farmers, improve product quality and boost the sector's contribution to the national economy. The programme will run over two years at a cost of RO150,000, directly benefitting more than 350 rose farmers in the wilayat, which is home to over 6,300 rose shrubs spread across ten acres. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
President Museveni Meets Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Director General
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today met and held fruitful discussions with the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, H.E Qu Dongyu at State House, Entebbe. Welcoming the Director-General, President Museveni underscored the critical role of the FAO in supporting the transformation of agri-food systems, reiterating that agricultural development remains a top priority for Uganda. President Museveni assured H.E Dongyu of his unwavering support to facilitate smooth collaboration with the FAO. The two leaders further discussed how they could enhance collaboration in key areas such as sustainable agriculture, and food security that are vital for Uganda's agricultural transformation. A significant emphasis was also placed on the need for income security, nutrition and hygiene to provide a stable foundation for well-being and development of individuals. H.E Dongyu expressed gratitude for Uganda's ongoing commitment to the FAO and affirmed the organization's readiness to provide strong support to Uganda's investment plans. 'Uganda has significant potential for rapid growth and development.' The FAO delegation included; Mr. Maximo Torero, Chief Economist; Mr. Abebe Haile Gabriel, Assistant D.G and Rep. for Africa; Ms. Lineo Molise, Regional Coordinator for Africa; and Mr. Shen Hong, Assistant to the Director General. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.
Zawya
18-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) strengthens the resilience of farming and pastoral communities through mechanical restoration of degraded land
In Niger, farmers and herders lose nearly 100,000 hectares of land every year due to degradation. This situation reduces available space for productive activities and undermines their hopes of achieving food and nutrition sovereignty. Ongoing land degradation is a major contributor to the country's recurring cereal and fodder shortages, exposing farming and pastoral households to repeated food crises. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting Niger in its efforts to build more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems to improve production, nutrition, the environment, and livelihoods, leaving no one behind. Through the Action Against Desertification programme, FAO is working to restore degraded land for agricultural and pastoral use in support of the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative. This support focuses on land restoration activities, reseeding, plant care, establishing community management committees, training members in association life, management and marketing, benefit-sharing from restored sites, and networking. In total, FAO has helped restore and utilize over 20,000 hectares of land across 55 sites in the regions of Tillabéri, Dosso, and Tahoua. The mechanical land preparation is carried out using a Delfino plough, which can cover more than 15 hectares per day. The machine carves half-moon shapes that enhance rainwater infiltration and retention, up to 1,000 litres per basin, giving trees, shrubs, and forage the best chance of growing and surviving in the early months after planting. The Delfino tractor-plough unit has become a central tool in the collaboration between FAO and the National Agency of the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), enabling large areas to be treated and significantly reducing the need for manual labour. Half-moons are better than those we dig by hand At the Awanchalla site in Bagaroua, Tahoua region, communities expressed their amazement at the Delfino plough, which restored 100 hectares in a very short time in an area where labour has become increasingly scarce. 'Our dream has come true, to see this land recovered by the machine. We had abandoned it for decades because it was unfit for farming or livestock. The work of the Delfino is impressive, fast, and saves us time. The half-moons it creates are better than those we dig by hand,' said Bizo Abarchi, a community member and representative of the village chief. For fellow community member Issa Matto, the restored site offers new opportunities: 'Now that the land is recovered, I no longer need to migrate. I can stay in the village. With FAO's support, we'll grow forage for sale, a highly profitable activity in our pastoral zone. We'll also receive plant seedlings based on our selections, tend to them, and eventually sell the fruits. These activities expand our farming space and give me hope that my life will improve,' he said. To ensure the site is well-managed and sustainable, 'we're determined to give our best,' said Abdoul Moumouni Djimraou, another local. 'We've already set up a management committee. We've thought through the mechanisms for successful land use, marketing, benefit-sharing, working with local authorities, and managing potential conflicts between users and surrounding communities.' Partners with the European Union By promoting the mechanical use of the Delfino plough to restore degraded land at scale, thanks to the European Union funded project 'Knowledge for Action in Implementing the Great Green Wall' (K4GGWA), FAO, together with the EU, national authorities and local communities, is helping to create the conditions for advancing the Great Green Wall in Niger and strengthening the resilience of farming and pastoral communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A New Way To Experience Flavors From Around The World In Houston
Plant It Forward Urban Farms in Houston Texas Houston might be best known for oil, space exploration, and sprawling highways but tucked away among its urban landscape lies a quietly revolutionary idea: turning refugees into urban farmers. Plant It Forward (PIF), a Houston-based nonprofit, is not only changing lives for refugees but also creating experiences that curious travelers—and conscious consumers—are starting to seek out. Farming Roots PIF partners with resettled refugees from countries such as Congo, Liberia, Sudan, and Myanmar. The organization helps them transform underutilized urban land into half-acre farms bursting with crops like Thai basil, African eggplant, lemongrass, and jute leaves (known locally as molokhia or Egyptian spinach). Plant It Forward Houston African Eggplant from a PIF farmer These small farms are far from hobby gardens; they're entrepreneurial ventures. PIF provides agricultural training, business mentorship, and connections to lucrative markets like farmers' markets and CSA subscriptions to high-profile Houston restaurants. 'Our farmers focus on growing food that benefits health and well-being, but they're also enhancing the vibrant culture Houston is known for,' says Nirjhor Rahman, CEO of Plant It Forward. Plant It Forward From Farm to Michelin-Noticed Table For food-driven travelers, Houston's dynamic restaurant scene is reason enough to visit and PIF is quickly becoming part of the story. Some of Houston's popular restaurants source ingredients from PIF's farmers, bringing hyper-local, global flavors to the plate. Places like JŪN featuring new age American foods, Nancy's Hustle a modern bistro and cocktail bar, Craft Pita a Lebanese restaurant whose owner Rafael Nasr serves on the PIF board, and Local Foods that employs a local community based approach to their food. PIF and Craft Pita Event Mami Wishart Houston 'We love sourcing from Plant It Forward because they have a unique variety of offerings that other local farmers don't,' says Nasr. 'Supporting an organization that empowers refugees to be entrepreneurs is what being part of the local Houston community is all about.' This isn't just farm-to-table, it's farm-to-table with an inspiring narrative driven by the farmers. Diners might discover new ingredients like Laotian coriander or French sorrel while supporting sustainable, socially responsible agriculture. One of PIF Farmers with her produce at Craft Pita Mami Wishart Houston A New Kind of Travel Experience And for travelers looking to go beyond typical tourist trails, PIF offers unique experiences like guided farm tours led by refugee farmers, volunteer days where visitors help plant, harvest, or prepare produce, seasonal chef-led meals showcasing farm-fresh ingredients, and connections to top restaurants featuring their produce. Depending on the season, visitors might sample sunchokes in winter, French sorrel in spring, or molokhia (a type of leafy green vegetable) in summer. For many refugees, farming is also deeply personal—a way to heal from past traumas and build a new future. Volunteering or visiting isn't simply agritourism, it also facilitates cultural exchange and community connection. Beyond culinary appeal, PIF is tackling serious business and social challenges. Several of their farms operate in Houston's food deserts, bringing fresh produce to communities that need it most. Meanwhile, refugee farmers gain not just income, but confidence, community ties, and the chance to become entrepreneurs. One success story is that of Van Thawng, a PIF program graduate who has launched his own farm business and now offers catering services that combine fresh produce with the flavors of his native Myanmar. He grows classic Burmese vegetables like shikakai, green wax flower and a curry leaf that he uses to make a Burmese dish called Burmese Shwe Taung Noodle bowl. He also sells these vegetables to markets in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis for the local Burmese communities. Businesssolver 2-day event with PIF Plant It Forward Beyond the local consumer and traveler, the business world is also taking notice. Companies like Businessolver bring employees to volunteer on the farms as part of corporate social responsibility programs. 'Partnering with organizations like Plant It Forward brings our purpose to life,' says Jon Shanahan, President & CEO of Businessolver. 'It's a unique opportunity to build empathy and create meaningful community impact.' Why It Matters—for Houston and for Travelers For Houston, PIF is more than a nonprofit. It acts as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and pride in a city known for its ethnic diversity. And for travelers, it's a chance to explore a different side of the city through food, culture, and human connection. Rahman suggests contacting them directly through their website to plan your own experience. 'An urban farm might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a Houston trip but for those looking for meaningful and educational experiences, it is well worth the visit', he adds.
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
My FarmWell App enters next phase: University of Sharjah and IBM celebrate next-stage advancements
Sharjah, UAE: The University of Sharjah (UoS), in collaboration with IBM through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, is pleased to announce advancements to the My FarmWell mobile application - an innovative platform designed to support sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions. Built using IBM Environmental Intelligence and UoS Welly Chatbot, My FarmWell integrates IBM Cloud and region-specific water and climate data to provide farmers with timely, farm-level insights. From optimizing irrigation strategies to understanding local regulations, the app offers a comprehensive toolkit to support more sustainable and productive agricultural practices. The new version will introduce several powerful enhancements aimed at expanding the app's global relevance and improving user experience. The new release will feature: Interactive maps with well locations, helping farmers visualize their proximity to monitored groundwater sources. Improved imagery and educational content to promote sustainable groundwater use and conservation. Updated farming tips focused on climate resilience, delivered through push notifications for greater engagement. An improved login system that will support access via both email addresses and phone numbers, enhancing security and usability. Global groundwater well-level and quality data, enabling users outside the UAE to access essential environmental information. These enhancements reflect the project's ongoing commitment to scalable impact. Once deployed, the updates will enable broader usage of the app by farmers and water users across different regions who face similar water management and agricultural challenges. Dr. Adewale Olalekan Giwa, Assistant Professor at University of Sharjah, Principal Investigator of the UoS-IBM Collaboration Project, commented: 'The enhancements align with the mission of the University of Sharjah and IBM Sustainability Accelerator, which supports technology-driven projects that address pressing environmental issues through collaboration with academic and nonprofit organizations'. Currently available for both Android and iOS, the app provides farmers with: Historical groundwater trends and severity assessment Integrated Water Quality Index (IWQI) ratings Smart crop recommendations based on water conditions Location-based weather insights powered by IBM Environmental Intelligence A chatbot for on-the-spot guidance, powered by University of Sharjah A water consumption calculator for crops, trees, and livestock Agricultural regulations and food market price updates for farming guidance. The updated version will be rolled out as a free upgrade to the app users.
