29 May 2017, Niger - Niger plans to modernize its livestock farming in the image of the Tunisian model. To achieve this, Mr Albadé Abouba, Minister of State, of Agriculture and Livestock, thanks to the support of FAO Niger, headed a strong delegation of experts and producers that travelled to Tunisia from 16 to 20 May 2017, where the producers, experts and researchers of the visited country were asked to back Niger in transposing its successful experiences. Exchanges with Tunisian officials, experts, researchers and producers enabled the Nigerian delegation to obtain as much information as possible on livestock research, livestock feed production,...

26 May 2017, Republic of Guinea: An FAO delegation, accompanied by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, undertook a supervisory mission to the Republic of Guinea from 22 to 26 May 2017, to ensure the technical follow-up of the activities carried out in the framework of the Regional Partnership for Sustainable Rice Development in Sub-Saharan Africa project (GCP/RAF/489/VEN), funded by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The project, which targets 10 African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda), aims to promote efficient and more productive rice systems for the enhancement of...

16 May 2017, Vientiane (Lao PDR) – Contract farming can be an attractive option to farmers who want to assure market access and support production. The agroindustry and buyers can guarantee supply through contracts under specific conditions that suit them. CF often also leads to economies of scale, which can be of potential benefit for national economies. For this reason, 25 provincial and district agricultural officers and farmers, from four target provinces of Lao PDR, received training this week on CF practices from Dr Carlos A. da Silva,...

8 May 2017, Korea - Experts from FAO and South Korea gathered to share knowledge and experiences between international specialists and stakeholders in the rice value chain, on issues related to the sustainable management of post-harvest aspects. During a working session at the FAO Representation in Côte d'Ivoire, administrative and technical structures’ representatives, as well as the stakeholders of the sector, exchanged views on the development model of the rice sector in Korea, in trying to provide answers to the development expectations of the Ivorian model. This workshop is part of a South-South Cooperation (SSC) Project (GCP/RAF/497/ROK) developed between the Republic of...

Mindelo. – The Conference Dialogue on Blue Growth and Economy began today in Mindelo, on the island of Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde, with over 150 participants from 30 delegations primarily from African coastal nations, Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and international organizations, including ministerial delegations from six of the participating countries.  The Minister of Economy and Employment of Cabo Verde, Mr. José da Silva Gonçalves, highlighted during the opening ceremony that the...