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UNDP Seeks Communication Officer for Kenya's Solar Cooling Project to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses

UNDP Seeks Communication Officer for Kenya's Solar Cooling Project to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kenya is actively seeking a Communication Officer to lead communication, visibility, knowledge management, and learning efforts for its Solar Cooling Project. This initiative aims to significantly reduce post-harvest losses in Kenya, which currently exceed 40% due to inadequate cold storage, poor handling, limited awareness, workforce gaps, and weak financing. The project directly supports Kenya's updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy. Implemented through UNDP and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the project plans to expand market-led solar-powered cold storage by financing 1,000 facilities. The Communication Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing a communication and knowledge management workplan, creating content such as news articles, case studies, and social media posts, and translating technical project information into accessible messages for various stakeholde...
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West African Power Pool Secretary General Discusses Regional Electricity Market with Benin Officials

West African Power Pool Secretary General Discusses Regional Electricity Market with Benin Officials

The Secretary General of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), Mr. Abdoulaye DIA, recently met with Benin's Minister Delegate for External Resource Mobilization and Debt to discuss the upcoming Phase 2 of the West African Regional Electricity Market, specifically the Day-Ahead Market (DAM). This meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between WAPP and Beninese authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the regional market. Discussions also covered the potential economic benefits for Benin, including financial flows and foreign-currency transactions, and sought the Minister's support in facilitating international foreign-currency transactions for the market's smooth operation. Additionally, Mr. DIA visited the Beninese Power Production Company (SBPE) to offer support for its digitalization process and prepare it for more structured participation in the regional electricity market. The visit focused on synchronizing the regional power system, payment mechanisms, data reliability, and capacity build...
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DT Global Asia Pacific Seeks GEDSI Lead to Advance Inclusivity in Southeast Asia Programs

DT Global Asia Pacific Seeks GEDSI Lead to Advance Inclusivity in Southeast Asia Programs

DT Global Asia Pacific is actively recruiting a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Lead for its Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program (SEAG2G). This role is central to implementing SEAG2G's GEDSI Strategy and integrating these principles across all program activities, agency agreements, and work plans. The GEDSI Lead will provide technical support and capacity advice to agencies and SEAG2G teams, while also supporting evidence-based monitoring, learning, and reporting to enhance GEDSI outcomes. The SEAG2G program, led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Office of Southeast Asia with DT Global as the managing contractor, aims to foster deeper relationships between Australian and Southeast Asian government institutions. Its thematic priorities include climate change and energy transition, education and skills, sustainable agriculture and food security, and effective and inclusive public institutions. The program seeks to improve polic...
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Wisconsin Kernza Field Day to Demonstrate Perennial Grain Harvesting and Processing

Wisconsin Kernza Field Day to Demonstrate Perennial Grain Harvesting and Processing

A field day in East Troy, Wisconsin, organized in partnership with the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, aims to educate farmers on the benefits and best management practices for Kernza, a promising perennial grain. Kernza, a variety of wheatgrass, is the first commercially available perennial grain that can be planted once and harvested for three to four years, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional annual grain crops. Matt Leavitt, an agronomist at the University of Minnesota, highlighted that Kernza not only provides a new diversification option for farmers but also contributes to improved soil and water health. As Kernza products become more accessible in retail and online markets, its potential uses are expanding, including its application as forage for livestock. The field day seeks to address practical questions farmers have regarding the harvesting and utilization of this crop, providing hands-on demonstrations and expert guidance.
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Food Foundation Report Highlights UK's Vulnerability to Climate-Driven Food Price Shocks

Food Foundation Report Highlights UK's Vulnerability to Climate-Driven Food Price Shocks

A new report from the Food Foundation charity indicates that the United Kingdom is highly susceptible to food price increases due to its significant reliance on imported fruits and vegetables from countries severely impacted by climate change. The UK imports approximately 40% of its total food, including 80% of its fruit and 47% of its vegetables, making it one of the highest rates of import dependency in Europe. While the UK generally produces enough grains, meat, milk, and eggs for its needs, its overall food self-sufficiency ratio is among the lowest in large Western European nations. The report identifies a critical 'mismatch between UK domestic food production and dietary goals,' revealing that 90% of the top 20 countries supplying the UK with healthy staple foods are moderately to severely vulnerable to climate breakdown. This vulnerability is exacerbated by extreme weather events, such as the five heatwaves, drought, and wildfires experienced in the UK this year, which have already damaged domestic ...
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Cal Poly Considers Developing Prime Farmland for Hotel and Housing, Sparking Student Opposition

Cal Poly Considers Developing Prime Farmland for Hotel and Housing, Sparking Student Opposition

Cal Poly is evaluating a proposal to convert approximately 50 acres of prime farmland on its campus into a mixed-use development. This development could include a hotel, senior housing, and an events center. The land in question is currently used for orchards and crop fields and is classified as "class one soil" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, indicating the highest quality agricultural land. Cal Poly agriculture students, such as Carson Sanzone, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that this land is invaluable for education and cannot be easily replaced. While a university official stated that protecting and strengthening the educational experience of agriculture students is a guiding principle and that there would be no net loss of agricultural land for student learning, critics are concerned that any replacement land would be less convenient and of lower quality.
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Pro Farmer Crop Tour Begins, Set to Influence Corn and Soybean Prices Amidst Varied Weather Conditions

Pro Farmer Crop Tour Begins, Set to Influence Corn and Soybean Prices Amidst Varied Weather Conditions

Pro Farmer Crop Tour Begins, Set to Influence Corn and Soybean Prices Amidst Varied Weather Conditions
The Commercial Appeal The Commercial Appeal
What's the cell phone policy in Memphis-Shelby County Schools classes?

What's the cell phone policy in Memphis-Shelby County Schools classes?

The district allows security officials to search any cell phone brought onto school property, which includes the parking lot.
AP News AP News
Jackson State University pursues top research status

Jackson State University pursues top research status

Professor Kamal Ali and his team at Jackson State University are developing sensors to study oysters' responses to environmental changes
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Biotechnology Company PBL Introduces Biological Crop Protection Products to Enhance Agricultural Sustainability

Biotechnology Company PBL Introduces Biological Crop Protection Products to Enhance Agricultural Sustainability

Plant Biodefenders Limited (PBL), a Tanzanian biotechnology company, has developed and introduced a range of biological crop protection products, including Vuruga Biocide, NEMO Biocide, VB Liquid, and Plantlishe Biofertiliser. These products are designed to address various agricultural challenges such as pest control, soil fertility, and plant health. The initiative aims to provide alternatives to conventional synthetic agricultural chemicals, which often constitute a significant portion of farmers' seasonal income, ranging from 35-45 percent. PBL reports that pests like fall armyworm and false codling moth can destroy substantial portions of maize and avocado crops, respectively. The new biological inputs are intended to reduce crop losses, improve yields, and lessen reliance on costly imported chemicals, thereby enhancing food security and export potential. The development of these products was supported by various sponsors, including UNDP’s Funguo Innovation programme.
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dsm-firmenich Scales Protopia Yeast Protein Production, Targeting Fishmeal and Whey Markets

dsm-firmenich Scales Protopia Yeast Protein Production, Targeting Fishmeal and Whey Markets

dsm-firmenich Scales Protopia Yeast Protein Production, Targeting Fishmeal and Whey Markets
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Indigenous Communities and NGOs Protest Massive Deforestation for Agribusiness in New Guinea

Indigenous Communities and NGOs Protest Massive Deforestation for Agribusiness in New Guinea

Indigenous communities, supported by numerous non-governmental organizations and the United Nations, are protesting a large-scale deforestation project in the Indonesian part of New Guinea. This project involves the construction of a 135-kilometer road and the clearing of 2.7 million hectares of rainforest and other ecosystems. The cleared land is intended for the establishment of sugar cane, rice, and oil palm plantations, with the goal of producing palm oil and ethanol for Indonesia's ambitious biofuel program, as well as extensive mechanized rice fields. The Indonesian Minister of Defense has justified the road construction as "infrastructure against the global food crisis," citing Indonesia's food production shortages and the need to feed its overpopulated nation. Heavy equipment, including hundreds of excavators and bulldozers, has been accumulating since 2024, with soldiers deployed to secure what is described as the largest state-led deforestation operation in Indonesia's last extensive rainforest. ...