Note: Please refer to the list of countries to read about the latest news in those countries.
1. Mr. Gary Stubley, Managing Director of Bear Machines West Africa Ltd. and Mr. Amason Kingi, the Governor of Kilifi County, Kenya, Sign an MOU to Start Commercial 100% Organic Cocoa Farming. On 20th March 2019 Mr. Gary Stubley, Managing Director of Bear Machines West Africa Ltd. and Mr. Amason Kingi, the Governor of Kilifi County signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop cocoa farming in Kilifi County. Governor Amason Kingi said the the 100% organic cocoa farming project using Bio-Plant and Pro-Plant, 100% organic, liquid bio-fertilisers would transform the livelihoods of local farmers. The project is dubbed “Cocoa for New and Sustainable Livelihoods (Consul)”. Click here for further information.
2. Mr. Gary Stubley, Managing Director of Bear Machines East Africa Ltd. and Mr. Sospeter Ojaamong , the Governor of Busia County, Kenya, Sign an MOU to Start Commercial 100% Organic Cocoa Farming. Busia County is among the first cocoa regions in the world to grow exclusively 100% organic cocoa. Cocoa is the main exchange earner for Ghana and Ivory Coast. The Kilimo Sasa Fund (KSF) was on Thursday given green light to re-generate (climate smart) sustainable agriculture and organic cocoa farming in the County under the project name: Cocoa for New and Sustainable Livelihoods (CONSUL). Busia joins Kilifi County, the only other region in the country, where the Fund has been undertaken but on a pilot basis. Busia Governor Mr. Sospeter Ojaamong signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Fund to introduce the crop and bio-organic farming in the county. KSF’s Board of Trustees chairman Mr. Gary Roy Stubley signed on behalf of the Fund. He was witnessed by Director Levi Byamukama while the Chief Officer for Agriculture Ruth Mukhongo was the Governor’s witness. Governor Ojaamong said the importation of chemical fertilizers has striped soils of nutrients thus leading to low yields in counties like Busia where agriculture is the mainstay. “Bio-organic fertilizer is the way to go; I welcome the promotion of organic fertilizer in the county since it minimizes desertification and global change,” he said. Mr Byamukama said Busia was picked for the pilot project because of its perfect climatic conditions required to grow cocoa. “There is also need for an alternative cash crop to enhance the livelihoods of the people of Busia County,” he said. Busia County covers slightly over 400,000 acres; Byamukama said they are targeting 25 per cent of the County to ensure not less than 50,000 tonnes of cocoa beans per crop. That is a whooping US$110 Million (Ksh.11 Billion) going into the farmers’ pockets in one crop. Currently the world market cocoa beans price is US$2,200 / Tonne (Ksh 220 / kilogram). The average yield of cocoa bushes is approximately 500 kgs. of beans per acre per year.
Busia Governor, Mr. Sospeter Ojaamong, exchanges MOUs with Kilimo Sasa Fund Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr. Gary Stubley, on Thursday, 28th March 2019. Looking on is KSF Director, Mr. Levi Byamukama
3. 100% Organic Farming Rice Field Test in Borkono, Kujama, Kaduna State, Nigeria Increases the Yield Several Times. Manir Jada of Salad Greenhouse Worldwide Ltd. carried out a 100% organic farming field test on rice for farmers in Borkono, Kujama, Kaduna State from June to October 2018. on one acre of land. The farmers produced 3.2 tonnes, which compares to their normal yield of between half a tonne and a tonne, if they were lucky.
4. 100% Organic Farming Rice Field Test in Danhono II, Unguwan Rimi Axis via River Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria Increases the Yield Several Times. Manir Jada of Salad Greenhouse Worldwide Ltd. carried out a 100% organic farming field test on rice for farmers in Danhono II, Unguwan Rimi Axis via river Kaduna, Kaduna State from June to October 2018. on one acre of land. The farmers produced 3.5 tonnes, which compares to their normal yield of between half a tonne and a tonne in a good year.
5. 100% Organic Farming with Bio-Plant and Pro-Plant, Cucumber Field Test in Akwai, Ibom State, Nigeria: The farmers said that the cucumbers were much larger than when they grew cucumbers with chemicals; they tasted better; they looked fresher; and the quality was better.
6. Bio-chemical Farming Maize Field Test in Karfe Town, Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria: The farmers almost doubled their yield after just one crop. Normally, they only produced an average of 35 bags of maize per hectare, but this test produced 60 bags per hectare. Also, the farmers had no problems with insect pests unlike when they used chemicals.
7. 100% Organic Farming Rice Field Test in Taraba State – Pro-Plant Used Only: The farmers said that their crop yield was more than they ever got with Urea and NPK. Also, their costs were very much lower because they only needed one litre of Pro-Plant per hectare.