THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the technical advisor in the National Basic Commodities Supply Enhancement Programme, will soon engage local producers, including small businesses, to undertake toll manufacturing of basic commodities, as the initiative gathers momentum.

Senate Ad-hoc Committee probing food crisis in the country yesterday revealed how state governments, some northern emirs, federal legislators and other prominent Nigerians shared the 65.755 metric tonnes of grains in the strategic reserve for the year 2008.

Business has never been this bad, said Nomathemba Nkomo.

When one imagines an African landscape, wherever it may be, images of rice paddies are not normally the typical scenery one conjures up. But understanding the role of rice in the recent displays of public unrest in some of the continent's poorest countries is key to developing a sustainable, long-term solution to the crisis of high food prices on a global scale.

Trade unions are to protest outside company gates as part of their campaign against soaring food and petrol prices and Eskom's electricity hikes.

POLICE in Masvingo have arrested 69 illegal foreign currency and basic commodity dealers in an ongoing crackdown aimed at restoring sanity in the country's oldest town.

The Liberian government has vowed to institute stern action against anyone caught hiking the prices of rice, gasoline and other commodities on the Liberian market above government's stipulated prices.

Mozambican farmers produce more than enough cassava than is required for domestic consumption, but the surplus is not used due to poor quality and lack of adequate processing capacity.

Despite high global food prices, conflict in the north and the onset of the lean season which lasts from July to September, the food security situation in the north and elsewhere, looks positive this year in Mali.

RISING demand and soaring fuel prices have kept food prices up despite commencement of the harvesting season.

FAO has just approved a series of projects in 48 countries (see list below) for a total value of US$ 21 million to help small farmers and vulnerable households mitigate the negative effects of rising food and input prices.

IS it possible that Zambia can take advantage of the current global food price rise and use it to reduce poverty and accelerate national development?

Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) has ended its national congress in Gbarnga, Bong County. The congress, which brought together rubber planters from the 15 sub-political divisions of the country, is the third of its kind in the history of the organization.

1. We are deeply concerned that the steep rise in global food prices coupled with availability problems in a number of developing countries is threatening global food security. The negative impacts of this recent trend could push millions more back into poverty, rolling back progress made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We have taken additional steps to assist those suffering ...

Rarely has World Food Day assumed greater meaning than at the present time, as rapidly rising food prices risk increasing the number of hungry people, notes FAO's Chief of World Food Day events, Sidaty Aidara.

President Ernest Bai Koroma Monday said in the current era of rising commodity prices especially for fuel and rice, the need to restructure the minerals sector is urgent.

WE commend the Government for the decision to approve an additional 75,000 tonnes of farming inputs for viable but vulnerable farmers under the food security pack (FSP).

The Cocoa Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has released funds totalling GH¢16,035,161.35 to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for payment of the second tranche of bonuses to cocoa farmers in July, 2008.

The N70 billion textile development fund approved by the federal government would soon be made available to operators of textile industries as loans, Managing Director/Chief Executive Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) Alhaji B.Y. Ahmed has said.

More than 100 Narok wheat farmers took to the street Sunday, protesting against the low cost of the crop.

Prices of food in Kenya, which have already risen by 50 percent since the start of 2008, could increase further following a new government regulation, a consumer watch group has warned.

The number of hungry people increased by about 50 million in 2007 as a result of high food prices, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said today addressing a conference at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) says its attention has been drawn to the July 3, 2008 front-page publication of The News Newspaper, captioned: "FINANCE WARNS FDA AGAINST INDEBTED LOGGING COMPANIES.

It is very common to find roadside breakfast spots in some of our big towns. Some business persons even go around in a trolley from place to place. Some move around with their flask and sell in disposable cups. Usually it used to be coffee, tea, milk, among others.

THE widespread shortage of sugar that battered the country recently may be over in many areas, but the underlying factors that gave birth to the shortage are still begging for answers.