Category: Africa

Africa, Global Health

UK aid cuts will result in destruction of millions of drugs

UK aid cuts will result in destruction of millions of drugs Almost 200 million doses of medicine for the treatment of neglected diseases in Africa are at risk of expiring because of foreign aid budget cuts. Many of the drugs that will be destroyed would have been used to help children fight conditions such as intestinal worms which stunt their development and disrupt their education. … Continue reading UK aid cuts will result in destruction of millions of drugs

adminLeave a comment
Africa, Insects as food & feed

Africa is abuzz with insect protein

Africa is abuzz with insect protein. Insects are a traditional fare in much of Africa but growing realisation of their nutritional value and sustainability credentials is turning a very traditional fare into a 21st century commodity. Several companies now commercially rear insects that were once a seasonal treat. But the largest market is in animal feed: feed manufacturers are keen to move away from soy … Continue reading Africa is abuzz with insect protein

adminLeave a comment
Africa, Insects as food & feed, Madagascar

Bugs bite in Madagascar

Bug bites in Madagascar In the last two years, two insect farming projects have taken off in Madagascar as a way to provide precious protein while alleviating pressure on lemurs and other wild animals hunted for bushmeat. One programme, which promotes itself with a deck of playing cards, encourages rainforest residents in the northeast to farm a bacon-flavoured native planthopper called sakondry. The other focuses … Continue reading Bugs bite in Madagascar

admin
Africa, Water

Testing for Covid-19 in sewage

A breakthrough in Covid-19 wastewater checks could speed up tests for informal settlements. Since the beginning of the pandemic, dozens of countries around the world have been monitoring their sewer systems for the Covid-19 virus. This is all well and good in countries where virtually all the population is connected to the sewer network. But for sub-Saharan Africa, where less than 10% of the population … Continue reading Testing for Covid-19 in sewage

admin
Africa, Insects as food & feed, Radio

A Biscuit With Extra (Insect) Crunch

A Biscuit with Extra (Insect) Crunch Insects are traditional food in many African countries but young people and urban dwellers aren’t so keen on this traditional fare so the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) is trying to give it a modern twist. Listen to the story here. Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 From Our Own Correspondent on 20 June 2020. Photo ©Emilie … Continue reading A Biscuit With Extra (Insect) Crunch

admin
Africa, Insects as food & feed

Move over fishmeal, here come the insects

Move over fishmeal, here come the insects Fishmeal and fish oil, widely used in animal feed, deplete fish stocks for human consumptions and marine predators. Animal feed manufacturers around the world are therefore looking for alternative sources of protein; insects and bacteria are amongst the most promising and production is starting to take off. Read the story here. Published in Mongabay on 24 April 2020. … Continue reading Move over fishmeal, here come the insects

admin
Africa, Climate change, Madagascar

Climate adaptation proves the bees’ knees for fishermen in Madagascar

In Kivalo, where cyclones, overfishing and rising seas threaten livelihoods, beekeeping offers an unlikely alternative to fishing. Read the full story here. Published in The Observer and Guardian Global Development, December 2018.   Photo ©Emilie Filou, mangrove reforestation in Kivalo. Continue reading Climate adaptation proves the bees’ knees for fishermen in Madagascar

admin
Africa, Madagascar

Madagascar: many candidates, little real choice

If the health of a democracy were measured only by the number of candidates contesting a presidential election, Madagascar’s would be flourishing: a total of 36 were on the island state’s ballot on November 7th. Yet politics in Madagascar, beset by corruption, is far from healthy. Voters hoping for a change from the old elite may be sorely disappointed by the outcome of a race … Continue reading Madagascar: many candidates, little real choice

admin