Food For Thought: Tea Is A Satisfying Part Of A Healthy Diet (NC)-Tea news continues to stir the pot in Canada. Records show we drink as many as 7 billion cups of tea each year – and those who study it as a dietary factor are now telling us not to put on the brakes. Both black tea and green tea contain ... Kid Party Food Ideas - Without the Stress! Another kid party coming up? You've probably planned and organized everything from party games to favors to who you'll invite. but what about the kid party food? Birthday party food doesn't have to take hours to prepare or completely blow your budget. ... Sharin' Food With Women Most of you who read my columns know that I love women. Absolutely love them. To me, women are God's finest creation, and then some. The most pleasurable and meaningful things I've ever done in my life involve women, and I'm more than proud to admit it. ...
Kenya Inches Close to Food Sustainability
Kenya has begun a countdown to commercializing genetically modified maize(corn). Scientists at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) have already developed a new maize seed, resistant to the stem borer. Stem borer destroys 400,000 tonnes of Maize in Kenya, alone. In Sub-Saharan Africa, chronic cases of stem borer infestation account for 10-70 per cent of yield losses. This has had devastating effects on Africa's efforts to feed its ever soaring population. Maize is the primary staple food and an occasional cash crop in many parts of Africa.
The first case of stem borer was discovered in Malawi in 1932. Since then, a raft of methods, pointedly, biological control, habitat management and use of natural pesticides, have been used to deal with the stem borer menace. Unfortunately, very little has been achieved. Bounty yields, a common occurrence in countries such as US, Canada, Argentina, India and China, which have embraced biotechnology, have not been forthcoming. For instance, Niger, one of the poorest countries in Africa is currently facing acute food shortage due to crop failure and drought. About 3.6 million people are on the verge of death due to hunger. Horrifying is news that 800,000 children are chronically malnourished.
Niger is a semi-desert country where lack of rain can result to massive crop failures. This situation and others in Africa can be avoided. Dishing emergency food aid, as is happening at the moment, will help in the short run. But long-term measures need to be explored.
The development of seeds with tolerance to drought and low soil fertility through modern biotechnology could benefit Niger and other countries in similar situations.
Maize varieties with improved nutritional content will be a boon to malnourished children who strand the African continent.
It is worth noting that the development of maize seed resistant to pests such as stem borer not only heralds a new chapter in Kenya but Africa as a whole. Other African countries should now borrow a leaf from these two countries. They should swim by the waves rest they continue to be perpetual beneficiaries of relief food.
Kenyan scientists have demonstrated determination to seek homegrown solutions to Africa's food problems. It would be interesting to hear the views of critics of modern biotechnology about this latest development.In the past, they have accused rich countries of foisting novel technologies such as biotechnology on "hapless" Africa, in total disregard of their environmental impact or health complications associated with consumption of genetically modified food.
The jury is now out. To quote Dr Stephen Mugo, a plant breeder with CIMMYT, "The converted seeds have been studied, multiplied and tested in laboratories and greenhouse conditions."
About the author:
James Wachai is a communication specialist who uses his expertise to increase public understanding of science and technology, specifically biotechnology. Read more from James at http://www.gmoafrica.org.
Food News
Drug from genetically engineered goats a first - Charleston Gazette In what would be a scientific first, an anti-clotting drug made from the milk of genetically engineered goats moved closer to government approval Wednesday after experts at the Food and Drug Administration reported that the medication works and its ...
Sarkozy sparks confusion on Gaza truce plan - International Herald Tribune PARIS : French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday Israel had accepted an Egyptian truce plan for Gaza, but his office later said he was simply welcoming Israel's previously announced reaction to the proposal. Egypt said on Tuesday it was ...
Food and Drug Law Institute Sponsors Major Conference on ... - Newsblaze.com Top Government Officials Will Explain Regulatory Plans for Cutting-Edge Technology at National Meeting Feb. 18-19 in Washington , DC . WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nanotechnology was incorporated into more than $60 billion in ...
Food and Leisure - Philippine Star Online Over the years, Cebuano friends and most out-of-towners agree there is no better place in Cebu to welcome the New Year with great expectation and renewed resolution that one hopes to fulfill, other than at the Casino Español de Cebu
SWAZILAND: Girls trading sex for food rescued - Reuters AlertNet Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone. MBABANE, 7 January 2009 ( IRIN ) - The discovery of two brothels where underage girls worked for ...
Canada's biggest food retailer, Loblaw Companies Limited announces ... - CNW Group -- For entire month of January, customers can take advantage of tens of thousands of locked prices in every aisle of more than 1000 stores across Canada -- >> BRAMPTON, ON, Jan. 7 /CNW/ - As another year begins, many Canadians commit to ever-familiar ...
M&S to cut 25 Simply Food stores and 1,230 jobs - Times Online Marks & Spencer (M&S) today confirmed it will cut 1,230 jobs and close 27 stores after reporting one of its worst Christmas trading performances on record. The retailer said it will shut 25 of its 355 Simply Food stores and two of its smaller M&S ...
Bristol Race Tickets On Sale At Food City - Greeneville Sun BRISTOL -- For the first time in a dozen years, race fans have the opportunity to walk up and buy a Food City 500 ticket for the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Because of the downturn in the economy, many season ticket holders at Bristol did ...
M&S to close Huntingdon food store - Hunts Post Seen your photo in the paper or on this website? Now you can order your own copy via our new photo ordering site, myphotos24. You can order your photo as a digital image, as a reprint or on a variety of novelty gifts such as mugs, t-shirts, mousemats ...
