Crops

The new guidelines seek to reflect the realities of African food systems to improve the ways in which African governments engage with the informal sector in their efforts to improve the safety of foods. (Image source: flickr)

The African Union (AU) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have entered into partnership to produce the first framework to improve food safety in the informal food sector

Africa's informal food markets comprising street vendors, kiosks, and traditional market sellers, among others are critical for food security, employment and livelihoods, particularly for the continent's urban poor, with around 70% of Africa's urban households buying food from these markets. However, neglect and mismanagement of food safety in these domestic markets has resulted in around 90 million Africans falling sick from foodborne illness every year. This has in turn cost an estimated US$16bn in productivity losses, thus prompting the development of these new guidelines. 

The new guidelines seek to reflect the realities of African food systems to improve the ways in which African governments engage with the informal sector in their efforts to improve the safety of foods. Embracing and engaging with the informal food sector as a cornerstone of food systems transformation is likely to play a key role in the post-Malabo agenda. Published in 2021, the AU’s continental-wide Food Safety Strategy for Africa is the base upon which the new draft guidelines have been developed. 

While compliance with food safety standards has improved in Africa’s exported goods, progress has been limited when it comes to the domestic informal sector, which is typically fragmented and under-resourced. The guidelines are informed by ILRI’s research and interventions for improved food safety across Africa. This has included a 'push-pull' approach in Burkina Faso, which involved both food hygiene training for chicken grillers as well as awareness campaigns for consumers, and inclusive professionalisation of the informal milk sector in Kenya through training and marketing.

By consulting with informal sector actors and partners, the AU and ILRI are helping to refine the guidelines from 10 June. The consultation process with member states will continue throughout 2024 and 2025 before the framework is scheduled to be presented to the AU policy bodies for approval in 2025.

“Western approaches to improving food safety, which include compliance with strict requirements and involve complex documentation processes, are really only suited to the formal sector, which is regularised and has sufficient financial resources,” said Silvia Alonso, senior scientist epidemiologist at ILRI. “The reality is most African consumers buy food from the informal sector, which requires different approaches for food safety management. With the right support, governments can unlock the informal food sector as a vehicle for healthy and safe foods for all, and a source of decent and dignified employment for men and women, especially youth, in Africa.”

In addition, food safety officer at the African Union International Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), John Oppong-Otoo believes that these new guidelines will provide realistic and practical guidance to help governments work with the informal sector and gradually transform it to safely and sustainably sustain the population.

ZALUX’s products will be on display at GreenTech Amsterdam, which is scheduled to take place from 11-13 June this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Drawing on its global proficiency in horticultural science and technology, ZALUX, a member of the German group Trilux (Market Leading Company for Professional Lighting), is delivering a groundbreaking line of LED luminaires that profoundly amplify the growth of crops and plants in horticultural settings

ZALUX develops biologically efficient lighting solutions tailored to flowers’ and fruits’ vegetative and generative growth cycles. 

The harmonious integration of greenhouse design, plant biology, and specialised lighting systems holds the promise of unparalleled crop yields and sustainable agricultural practices. By meticulously considering these factors, ZALUX can tailor a lighting system that meets any grower’s unique needs, ultimately fostering optimal plant growth and unlocking maximum yield potential.

“ZALUX lighting solutions are designed to combine the expertise of our European specialists in protected lighting for demanding and aggressive environments, and the advice of horticultural experts,” said head of farming at ZALUX, Patrick Rüschenbaum. “Compared to conventional lighting technology, you can save up to 60% energy with LED luminaires. 

ZALUX’s products will be on display at GreenTech Amsterdam, which is scheduled to take place from 11-13 June this year.

For more information, visit: www.zalux.com

Assessment meetings on progress of agricultural activities in Eritrea. (Image source: Ministry of Information, Eritrea)

Focusing on the first quarter’s progress and the five-year strategic plan, the Ministry of Agriculture conducted an activity assessment meeting on 30 May in the port city of Assab

Reports presented during the meeting highlighted the key elements of the five-year strategic plan, including land development, natural resource management, crop and livestock development, integrated and sustainable agro-business, and human resources development.

Omar Mahmud, acting Director General of Agriculture and Land, shed light on the utilisation of both rainfall and irrigation farming methods to conduct various agricultural activities in the region. He also noted the completion of micro-dams in Afambo and Debaisima, with another in Romoda, South Dankalia being currently under construction.

Extensive discussions then ensued among participants, who adopted several recommendations that included providing support to irrigation farmers, strengthening forestry safety and developing sweet potato farming, among others.

Speaking at the event, Minister Arefaine Berhe highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural production. He also called for reinforced efforts in developing household poultry farms, cultivating sweet potatoes, bee farming, and expanding date and other fruit farming, laying specific emphasis on the importance of strengthening participation among relevant institutions, agricultural experts, administrators, and the public. Moreover, the need to strengthen the information and data systems was also discussed by Ambassador Mohammed-Seid Mantai. 

Cristiano Lorenzini of OP Lorenzini Naturamica of Mantua, confirmed that the solutions provided by Arrigoni were indeed effective. (Image Source: Arrigoni)

New field tests conducted on the land of Italian industry leaders OP Lorenzini Naturamica of Mantua and Azienda Agricola Malavasi provided abundant confirmation of the efficacy of use of Arrigoni Lirsa brand agrofilms in controlling temperature, increasing plants’ yields, reducing water use and ensuring earlier ripening of the crop

Arrigoni, a constant investor in research and development, will be presenting this and other innovative solutions for protecting melons and all greenhouse fruit and vegetable crops at the upcoming GreenTech in Amsterdam, the key international show for the entire production chain, to be held from 11-13 June 2024. 

Examples of two agrofilms include Lirsalux and TraTec, that come with very high thermal insulation properties, mainly used to deliver earlier cropping and mitigate low winter temperatures, reducing frost damage. These products are particularly effective for the cold-weather protection of crops like melon and watermelon. Other products particularly well suited to crops like melon include Prisma and Robuxta. 

For late summer crops, the use of Sanalux low tunnel film is ideal, because it cuts off NIR (Near InfraRed) radiation, keeping the temperature in the tunnel significantly lower. This characteristic helps to create a healthier environment where plants can grow and prosper in June and July, the hottest months.

Last but not least, Arrigoni has a rich assortment of mulching films, also under the Lirsa brand, such as the Thermoplast range films developed for greenhouse or orchard applications and have significant effects on plant growth, increasing crop size and quality.

Cristiano Lorenzini of OP Lorenzini Naturamica of Mantua, in its specific case used the Lirsalux, Sanalux and TraTec films. He confirmed that the solutions provided by Arrigoni were indeed effective. 

“Melon growers like us can face two conflicting needs: plants transplanted early can require more heat to protect them from possible late frosts and bring production forward significantly. At the same time, plants transplanted late can still need a good level of heat but it’s also important to prevent scorching on the hottest days,” said  Lorenzini. “By using Arrigoni Lirsa brand agrofilms, we were able to achieve these aims easily, hugely reducing plant stress levels. We found plants’ output was much more uniform, with higher product degrees Brix and an overall improvement in fruit quality over a very long crop cycle,” he concluded.  

To meet Arrigoni at GreenTech, visit: stand 345 in hall 01. 

For more information, visit: http://www.arrigoni.it/