Food and Agriculture Africa

African nightshade lures spider mites to a dead-end – icipe study

A species of the African nightshade, an important indigenous vegetable in Africa, appears to have inherited from its ancestors a unique ability to defend itself against one of its major pests, the tomato red spider mite, according to a recent study by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe).

In a paper published in the current issue of the PLoS ONE journal, the icipe researchers report that a species of African nightshade has over time developed a sweet smelling mixture of compounds in its leaves that is capable of fooling spider mites by attracting them to the plant.

“We found that when the mites reach the leaf’s surface, the “small hairs” on the leaf, known scientifically as trichomes, trap the pests, hindering their further movement. Additionally, the disturbance caused by the mites on the leaf surface causes the glandular tips, or the “succulent lobes”, of these hairs, to crack. The cracked lobes then release secretions that contain foul smelling chemicals that prevent the pests from laying eggs, thereby breaking their reproduction cycle,” explains Dr Lucy Kananu, lead author of the study.

“This is a fascinating discovery, which advances knowledge on the evolutionary arms race between plants and pests. Past studies have demonstrated that while plants use various defense systems against pest attack, pests can overcome these defenses, for instance by avoiding or suppressing them. Our findings show a distinctive defense strategy in a plant that is based on opposing roles, with the leaf fragrance acting as an attractant, while the stinking odors from the cracked trichome lobes defend the plant against certain insect behaviours, such as egg laying of the attacking pests. In effect the pest is lured to a ‘dead-end’ in its life cycle,” she adds.

The findings by icipe are also particularly important given the growing attention on the vital role that indigenous vegetables can play in improving the nutritional security of many African households. African nightshade (Solanaceae) comprise closely related leafy species which are grouped together in a complex known as Solanum nigrum. Part of this group includes S. sarrachoides, S. scabrum and S. villosum, which are consumed widely in parts of eastern and southern Africa. In Kenya, African nightshades are known, in their respective local languages as mnavu (Kiswahili), managu (Kikuyu), namaska (Luhya), and osuga (Luo), and are an excellent source of protein, iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc.

Known scientifically as Tetranychus evansi, the tomato spider mite originates from Brazil and was accidentally introduced into Africa some 20 years ago. The pest causes serious damage, significantly hindering the production of African nightshade and other crops that are members of the Solanaceae family (tomato, potato, eggplant, to***co and wild plants and weeds like black nightshade, bitter apple and wild gooseberry).

“Our goal is to investigate the extent of the defense strategy in this specific African nightshade species and others closely related to it, and to establish its application in the management of spider mites,” concludes Prof. Baldwyn Torto who supervised the study.

Banana Conference to Build Effective Partnerships and Strategies for an improved Banana Sub-sector.
https://dub126.mail.live.com/default.aspx?id=64855 =1696324928&fid=1&mid=9b9f0cb5-3af2-11e3-92e6-00215ad7b02c&fv=1

PRESS RELEASE

Africa grain experts to explore the continent’s potential as the next frontier in global grain supply at 5th African Grain Summit



MOMBASA, Kenya, September 30, 2013/ -- Over 250 top leaders from Africa including business executives from the private sector, including farmers, traders and millers, non-governmental organizations, development partners, financial institutions, researcher government representatives, regional bilateral institutions, and policymakers will convene from the 1st - 3rd October 2013 to discuss key issues affecting the African grain sector. This will be at the 5th Africa Grain Trade Summit, hosted by the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) (http://www.eagc.org) at the Sarova-Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa, Kenya. The Summit’s theme is “Africa: The Emerging Frontier for Global Investments in Grain Trade.”



Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/eagc.jpg



The summit is timely as global focus shifts to Africa’s potential to feed itself and feed the world. Africa with an estimated population of 1 billion people and an area of 30.2 million km² is home to seven of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies with a projected economic growth rate of 6%. Additionally, the continent has a youthful population, a rich resource base, rising incomes and a steadily growing private sector: all these factors make for a healthy and attractive investment environment.



At this year’s summit, delegates will focus on advocating for a predictable agricultural trade policy and price environment which facilitates public private partnerships and stimulate increased investments along the grain value chain. Additionally, opportunities for innovation and technology adoption to address constraints and increase agricultural investments in Africa will be explored as will means of optimizing intra-Africa market access by dismantling barriers to trade. Delegates will also discuss how to scale up agribusiness financing for Africa’s grain trade through Structured Trading Systems.



“The summit will be setting the stage and opening doors through establishing essential linkages and new and increased investments in grain trade in Africa,” says the EAGC Executive Director, Mr. Gerald Masila.



“AGRA is happy to be associated with the Africa Grain Summit as it will help in charting the way forward on resolving the issue on postharvest grain losses which are currently at 40% in sub-Saharan Africa. By stemming these losses we can help to increase farmers’ incomes,” says Mrs Anne Mbaabu, Director of AGRA’s Market Access Program.



During the summit, the first ever Structured Trading Systems Handbook will be launched and is envisioned as being a game-changing tool in grain trade in Africa and beyond.



This year’s Summit has received support from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Agriculture (AGRA), the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), the Agribusiness Initiative Trust (ABI), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), The East Africa Trade Hub (formerly known as USAID COMPETE), CARANA Corporation, Seaboard Overseas and Trading Group, Tradiverse Kenya Limited, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Bunge East Africa Limited, Capital Reef Kenya Limited, the East Africa Breweries Limited, Cimbria East Africa, Intertek Commodities Ltd, Lesiolo Grain Handlers Limited, Cereal Growers Association, Mama Millers Ltd, Post-Harvest Services Limited, Farm Concern International, Uplands Rice Millers and the recently established East Africa Exchange (EAX) based in Kigali, Rwanda.



Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Alliance for the Eastern Africa Grain Council - EAGC.


For more information on the summit please contact;

Janet Ngombalu

Regional Manager, Marketing Information Systems and Communications

Eastern Africa Grain Council - EAGC

Tel: +254 712 733418 or +254 737 804104

Welcome to EAGC Online Eastern Africa Grain Council operates as a non-profit, non-political, non-denominational organization, which prepares, disseminates, and promotes the exchange of information on matters affecting the regional grain industry

LEI WAGENINGEN UR PUBLISHES REPORT ON POTATO CHAIN IN KENYA

The value chain for seed and ware potatoes in Kenya
Recently, the report ‘The Value Chain for Seed and Ware Potatoes in Kenya’ was published by LEI Wageningen UR. It presents a clear and detailed picture of the current position of the potato in Kenya, its value for food security and the opportunity to help the country to develop a profitable potato chain. The report is indispensable for project partners and stakeholders and is also considered as an ideal preparation for the trade mission from 8 until 13 December 2013.

The report is available (download) at:
PotatoPlatformKenya.com->archive->documents
Phase 2 of the project has kicked off. Maybe it is a good idea to go through the contents and goals of the Potato Platform Kenya once again. Or even better: show your relations, stakeholders and press contacts the way to all information on www.potatoplatformkenya.com.

Potato Platform Kenya

PRESS RELEASE

ZAMBIA GETS $38 MILLION AfDB GREENLIGHT TO INCREASE CLIMATE-RESILIENT GROWTH IN THE KAFUE SUB-BASIN

WASHINGTON, September 27, 2013/ -- With African Development Bank (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org) support, Zambia has received approval for a $38 million infusion of support from the Climate Investment Funds’ (CIF) Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) to undertake the Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Kafue Sub-Basin project. The project will have two components: strengthening the capacity of 800,000 rural communities who depend on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources to better respond to the consequences of climate change including floods and droughts; and strengthening the climate resilience of rural roads that link farmers to markets and to the Kafue National Park.



Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-development-bank-2.png

African Development Bank - Building today, a better Africa tomorrow The African Development Bank is a regional multilateral development bank, engaged in promoting the economic development and social progress of its Regional...

PRESS RELEASE



African Green Revolution Forum warns of severe finance gap in African agriculture



Green Revolution cannot materialise in Africa without a major concerted effort to secure financing for agricultural production



MAPUTO, Mozambique, September 9, 2013/ -- The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) (http://www.agrforum.com) has warned that a Green Revolution cannot materialise in Africa without a major concerted effort to secure financing for agricultural production.



Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/agrf-1.jpg



Photo AGRA President, Jane Karuku: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=197



The Forum, which ended on Friday, brought together over 200 delegates from across Africa and internationally, focused on the critical role to be played by public-private partnerships and inclusive business models in the development of Africa’s agriculture.



The Forum heard that the global gap in finance for agriculture stands at US$ 450 billion, an issue which is more acute in Africa than anywhere else. Evidence shows that only 10% of African smallholder African farmers have access to the financing they need to expand their production and raise their income.



Irungu Houghton, Convenor of the AGRF, said: “Throughout the African continent, we are witnessing successful partnerships between the private and public sectors and smallholder farmers. But these partnerships are still too rare. We will only be able to transform Africa’s agriculture, and alleviate food insecurity and poverty, if smallholders have the funds to boost their crop yields and expand their business.”



Dyborn Chibonga, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Smallholder Farmers of Malawi, said: “Some African governments have gone some way towards addressing affordability and accessibility of production inputs, but challenges still persist. Each and every year smallholder farmers are pulled into a downward spiral of taking out high-interest loans in order to buy farming inputs for the following season. Without access to credit, smallholders cannot raise productivity.”



The AGRF committed to focus over the next year on a number of priority actions, including:



• Ensuring that rising revenues from extractives industries are invested into the development of agriculture



• Reducing corruption in public-private partnerships and designing business ventures that are transparent, environmentally and socially responsible



• Building the capacity of famers’ associations, finance institutions and agribusiness agencies to work together



• Encouraging governments to offer tax incentives and make preferential procurement choices for companies that source from smallholder farmers



• Developing inclusive financial models that combine incentives, reduce debt risk and promote longer-term agribusiness models



• Combining incentives, reducing debt risk and promoting longer-term agribusiness models



The Honourable Antonio Limbau, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Mozambique, who formally closed the AGRF, said: “We are honoured and pleased to have hosted this important forum in Mozambique ten years after the Maputo Declaration. This forum was a valuable opportunity to discuss practical steps to strengthen capacity and extend the use of modern technology to increase productivity.”



Jane Karuku, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) – a partner in the AGRF – said: “2014 is a critical year for agriculture, when African governments will be setting investment targets and plans to develop agriculture over the coming decade. The African Union has recognised this crucial moment and designated 2014 as the Year for Food Security and Agriculture. We are delighted to announce that next year’s AGRF will be co-hosted with the African Union in Addis Ababa in September 2014.”



Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF).





Contacts:

For further information on AGRF 2013 and for opportunities for briefings and interviews with experts and spokespeople, please contact:



Caroline Boin

[email protected]

+44750 671 8047 (mobile)



Anne Wangalachi

[email protected]

+254 736 230 600 (mobile)



Further information:

Download the full AGRF communiqué here:http://www.agrforum.com/060913_AGRF%20Closing%20Statement%20and%20Call%20Action.pdf

The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) was founded in 2010 to create a platform for public and private sector institutions to discuss strategies for enhancing Africa’s food security and prosperity. The second AGRF was held in 2012. AGRF provides a critical and broad African platform to discuss po...