KOMSILGA — In a recent panel discussion on agroecology held in Komsilga, Burkina Faso, local farmer and breeder Saïdou Ouédraogo voiced strong opposition to the reliance on corn for achieving food sovereignty in the region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, sorghum and millet are more suitable crops for Burkina Faso’s agricultural future due to their lower water and input requirements. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the International Agricultural and Livestock Show (SIAEL), in partnership with the Network of Peasant Organizations and West African Agricultural Producers (ROPPA).
Ouédraogo expressed concern that the promotion of corn as a staple for food sovereignty has led to the neglect of traditional grains like sorghum and millet. He highlighted that Western countries are now turning to sorghum to address climate change challenges, underscoring its suitability for less resource-intensive farming. “Sorghum requires less water and fewer inputs,” Ouédraogo stated, advocating for a return to more sustainable agricultural practices.
The panel also featured insights from Clémence Samba Lankoandé, a sustainable development economist, who praised agroecology as the “golden method” for nourishing populations healthily. She emphasized the benefits of using natural fertilizers and combating pests without relying on harmful pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which can lead to soil degradation and food poisoning.
However, Lankoandé cautioned that transitioning to agroecology could initially result in reduced crop yields, urging support for farmers during this period through financing and other means to mitigate temporary production declines. This transition phase, she argued, is crucial for long-term soil health and sustainability.
Malian rice producer Farilou Boly also contributed to the discussion, advocating for a balanced approach to chemical input use. While acknowledging the detrimental effects of these substances on soil quality and public health, Boly argued for their careful management rather than outright elimination. This approach, he suggested, would ensure the sustainability of agricultural lands for future generations.
The sentiments expressed during the panel reflect a growing consensus among farmers and experts in the region regarding the importance of sustainable farming practices. By focusing on crops like sorghum and millet and adopting agroecological methods, Burkina Faso can work towards achieving food sovereignty in a manner that is both environmentally responsible and conducive to public health.
ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia is making significant strides in enhancing its connectivity infrastructure, as highlighted by Anne-Rachel Inne, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Director for Africa, in an exclusive interview with ENA.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia stands out in Africa for its efforts to open up its telecommunications market, now boasting two main operators, Ethio telecom and Safaricom, which marks a significant step forward in the country’s connectivity landscape.
The ITU, a United Nations agency, plays a crucial role in supporting its member countries, including Ethiopia, by advising on regulatory and policy frameworks conducive to fostering a competitive and efficient telecommunications sector. Inne praised Ethiopia’s proactive approach to improving connectivity, noting the country’s daily advancements in this area. “Ethiopia is doing quite a lot in terms of connectivity and improving practically daily. This is wonderful,” she stated, underscoring the ITU’s commitment to backing Ethiopia’s efforts for the benefit of its population.
Inne also detailed the ITU’s broader initiatives aimed at bolstering telecommunications and infrastructure for connectivity across the continent, with specific reference to Ethiopia. One such initiative involves mapping schools to assess their connectivity needs, which could lead to infrastructure enhancements like fiber optics and satellite services. Furthermore, the ITU is exploring training opportunities for teachers in collaboration with organizations such as UNESCO to facilitate digital education.
The ultimate goal of these efforts, Inne emphasized, is not merely to achieve connectivity for its own sake but to ensure that it serves the educational and developmental needs of all citizens, including young people, adults, and individuals with disabilities. “We are connecting schools; we are also hoping that we will augment the infrastructure for connectivity on the African continent,” Inne explained, highlighting the importance of inclusive access to education and lifelong learning opportunities.
In 2022, the ITU launched Digital Transformation Centers (DTC) in Addis Ababa, aiming to improve the digital skills of Ethiopian citizens. This initiative is expected to enhance the application of digital technologies in various domains, including education, administration, and research, further contributing to Ethiopia’s connectivity and digital transformation goals.
KISUMU, Kenya — Western Kenya is facing a critical blood shortage that is jeopardizing emergency care and routine medical procedures, experts warn. The situation has become particularly dire in Kisumu, where the demand for blood has outstripped supply, affecting the region’s health facilities and threatening lives.
According to Kenya News Agency, a Regional Blood Transfusion Center Recruiter, all blood types are urgently needed, with O positive and A positive being the most critical. “The shortage is severely impacting our ability to provide adequate care in emergencies and surgeries, leading to potential fatalities due to the insufficient blood supply,” Juma said during an interview with KNA on Friday. He highlighted the grave risk this poses to pregnant mothers, individuals with ruptured uteruses, and children requiring transfusions, emphasizing that Kisumu, as a cosmopolitan hub receiving referrals from multiple counties, is particularly affected.
Juma also addressed the challenges in maintaining a safe blood supply, noting that contamination issues often lead to the destruction of collected blood, further exacerbating the shortage. The decline in voluntary blood donors has been significant, with awareness campaigns and incentives dwindling due to funding constraints, particularly following the departure of the CDC, which has left the county’s blood stocks critically low.
The recruiter stressed the importance of community involvement in overcoming the crisis, pointing to institutions like schools, universities, and colleges as key to bridging the demand-supply gap. However, he noted that misconceptions about blood donation have hindered voluntary contributions.
Operational challenges, including machine malfunctions and staff shortages, have further hampered the blood transfusion centers’ efforts to collect sufficient blood. “The machine must work, and qualified staff are essential. Currently, we face resource constraints, affecting our ability to reach out to potential donors,” Juma explained.
He concluded by emphasizing the urgent need for adequate funding to address the blood shortage, which continues to put lives at risk in Western Kenya. “People queue and wait, sometimes until the next day, highlighting the gravity of the issue. Immediate action is needed to support the blood transfusion centers in overcoming these challenges.”
MURANG’A — Residents of Chuui and Mbari ya Kio in Mathioya, Murang’a County, have welcomed the commencement of construction works to improve rural roads that have long been difficult to navigate, particularly during the rainy season.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) in partnership with the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), these efforts are aimed at upgrading the roads from their previously deplorable condition to murram, a move that is expected to significantly benefit the predominantly agricultural community.
During the flagging-off ceremony held on February 23, area Member of Parliament (MP) Edwin Mugo announced the allocation of 250 million Kenyan shillings towards the rural road upgrades within the constituency. The initiative will begin with a seven-kilometer stretch between Mugumoini-Chuui and Kanjahi and will extend to cover an additional 30 kilometers across the Gitugi area and other regions including Mbari ya Kio, Gachuuha, Koora, and Gatitu. Mugo emphasized that the upgrade to murram roads is intended to facilitate the easier transport of farm produce to markets, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of local residents.
Cecilia Wambui, a local resident, expressed the community’s longstanding struggles with transportation, noting the absence of public transport vehicles and the dangers faced by motorcycle users due to the poor road conditions. The road upgrades have been seen as a critical development that would reduce accidents and prevent the substantial losses farmers have faced when unable to transport their goods to market.
Farmer Johnson Maina shared the optimism of the community, highlighting previous disappointments with contractors who failed to deliver on road improvements. With the new initiative underway, there is renewed hope that the upgraded roads will enhance access to markets, especially during adverse weather conditions.
Kagumoini Chief, Joseph Macharia, pointed out the significant agricultural potential of the area, which produces avocados, coffee, pumpkins, bananas, and supports dairy farming. The improved road network is expected to reduce transportation times to markets and encourage farmers to increase and diversify their agricultural output.
MP Mugo called on the contractors to prioritize local labor for the construction work, emphasizing the importance of providing employment opportunities to the youth in the area. He also warned against the construction of substandard roads, underscoring the need for quality infrastructure that will stand the test of time and continue to serve the community effectively.