Much of northeastern Nigeria will remain in at least Crisis (IPC Phase 3) through September 2017 as conflict continues to severely restrict food availability and access for millions. Worst-affected accessible LGAs are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity with an increased risk of high levels of acute malnutrition and excess mortality, FEWSNET warns.
Author: WHES Team
Quinoa genome unveiled in search for hardy crop to feed world
Some strains can tolerate 38-degree days, salty soils and high altitudes, say researchers. The near-complete genome of quinoa was unveiled on Wednesday by scientists who say the grain cultivated centuries ago by Incas in the Andes could help feed a hungry world.
Kenyan closure of Dadaab refugee camp blocked by high court
The High Court in Kenya has blocked the government’s bid to close the largest refugee camp in the world. A directive to shut the Dadaab camp and forcibly repatriate about 260,000 Somali refugees living there was issued last year.
Fall Armyworm ‘Threatens African Farmers’ Livelihoods’
Scientists are calling for urgent action to halt the spread of a pest that is destroying maize crops and spreading rapidly across Africa. The Food and Agriculture Organization plans emergency talks on the issue.
A Bumblebee Gets New Protection on Obama’s Way Out
The Obama administration, rushing to secure its environmental legacy, increased protection for the rusty-patched bumblebee. Once common across the continental United States, has been designated an endangered species by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
A Food Secure Future: Warding Off Instability And Conflict
On February 1, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs launched a new blog series, A Food-Secure Future, to explore the challenges that threaten global food security and the opportunities that exist.
Starvation looms for six million children in Horn of Africa, charity says
Hunger, malnutrition and death threaten 6.5 million children in the impoverished drylands of Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya due to back-to-back droughts, according to a statement by the charity Save the Children. Spring rains are also predicted to be poor.
Early warning, early action: The innovations changing food crisis management
There are many challenges to ending hunger and famine, but food security practitioners are developing innovative solutions that enable earlier and more evidence-based responses to food crises, and help communities build resilience to climate change and disasters.
For Africa’s farmers it’s government, not big business, that is key
Africa’s agriculture sector is on the up, but African farmers still produce far less food per hectare than the world average. Panelists at a Guardian public debate agreed that government, not corporate, leadership is the critical input that agricultural sectors need to develop.
Video: Soybean Innovation Lab SMART Farm Improves Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Africa
Watch how the Soybean Innovation Lab’s SMART Farm is generating critical new data for increasing smallholder farmer yields.
