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Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), funded by the UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme (IPP), is working on a Pest Risk Information Service (PRISE) to fight against crop-devastating pest outbreaks in Kenya.

The service was launched at a Plantwise plant clinic in Manyatta in Kenya’s Eastern Province.

Cambria Finegold, global director for knowledge management, said, “It is vital that we use the very latest in technology and work in partnership to bring the best insights on pest population behaviour right to the farmer’s door.”

PRISE builds upon the UK Department for International Development (DFID)-funded Plantwise programme which works globally to help farmers lose less of what they grow to plant health problems.

The project was launched in Zambia in December and will be launched in Ghana later this month.

Also See: Rabobank, FAO Renew Partnership To Help African Farmers

Ray Fielding, Head of the International Partnership Programme at the UK Space Agency, stated, “Innovation is essential to provide new solutions to the problem of pest outbreaks, and this project combines novel EO technology, satellite positioning, plant health modelling, and on-the-ground real-time observations to deliver a science-based service for sub-Saharan Africa.”

The project consortium includes UK partners from Assimila, Kings College London, Centre for Environmental Data Analysis. The technology being deployed better places CABI’s Plantwise plant clinics to give timely alerts and advice to farmers, in person and by tablet or smartphone so they can respond more efficiently to the risks posed to their crops.

Source: africanfarming.net

The post CABI Launches Space-Age Technology to Fight Crop-Devastating Pest Outbreaks in Kenya appeared first on MTFC | Meet The Farmers Conference - Nov 2019 - Dubai UAE.

Image Credit: arabianbusiness.com

Badia Farms, GCC’s first commercial vertical indoor farm, is now the first local brand to have its products distributed by Classic Fine Foods in the GCC region.

The farms which was officially launched in March by UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi grows an extensive range of post-organic micro-greens and baby leaf herb varieties in a controlled indoor environment, using hydroponic technology.

The partnership will extend the farm’s reach to restaurants and food industry trade across the UAE, a statement said.

As the farm’s distributor, Classic Fine Foods will be the logistical partner, delivering its products to chefs across the UAE, the statement added.

Omar Al Jundi, founder and CEO at Badia Farms said: “Classic Fine Foods is a company that shares our values for quality food, grown using the most sustainable and eco-friendly practices. We have received incredible feedback from chefs so far, who are extremely passionate about our products and our methods – that can’t be matched with imported produce.

“We have started a new wave of farming technology in the region, with a vision to shape the future of how we grow our food. We are delighted that through this partnership we are able to deliver our leafy greens to more chefs’ tables across the UAE.”

The farm began production in December with ambitious plans to pioneer the region’s “green revolution” with innovative agri-tech methods.

The farm produces pesticide-free leafy greens without the need for sunlight, soil or chemicals.

The eco-system created by Badia Farms uses 90 percent less water than open field farming and recycles the water it uses. The farm also combats the carbon footprint of food imports that typically travel an average of 3,000 miles to reach restaurants in Dubai.

The post Badia Farms Signs Agreement To Extend Its Food Industry Trade Across the UAE appeared first on MTFC | Meet The Farmers Conference - Nov 2019 - Dubai UAE.

Organized by Crenov8, the challenge is aimed at promoting innovative ideas for early stage Agric entrepreneurs from all sectors of the agriculture ecosystem who are applying creative and innovative methods to improve the agriculture value chain.

Interested entrepreneurs can apply via: http://mtf.crenov8.com/innov8agric.  The selection team made up of successful entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders will be selecting the best ideas based on innovativeness, originality and viability of the idea. Deadline for the application is 30th June, 2018.

The regional finale will hold during the Meet the Farmers Conference in 4 African cities – Accra Ghana on 4^th July, Nairobi Kenya on 2^nd August, Kigali Rwanda on 5^th September, Abuja Nigeria on 4^th October while the Grand Finale will hold on 4^th November 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Selected businesses will have the opportunity to exhibit and participate in the regional satellite conferences. Winners will emerge from each region and then go on an All-expense paid to Dubai to participate and exhibit in the MTFC grand finale and pitch for the top prize of 5000USD as well as follow-on funding and investment opportunities. They will also have access to a high worth pool of investors and potential customers at the conference.

Innov8 Agric Challenge is an initiative of the Agri Value Chain Development Conference, Meet The Farmers Conference (MTFC) which will hold across four African Countries and in Dubai, UAE with the focus on The Future of Agribusiness.

Register to participate in the conference via https://mtfc.crenov8.com

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