Egypt secures US$66M from EU, AFD to boost grain storage capacity

EGYPT – Egypt has received 60 million euros (US$66 million) from the European Union and French Development Agency to help in expanding its silo grain storage capacity by 420,000 tonnes.

The funding, envisions to add 12% of the current 3.6 MT capacity and is part of a previously announced 225-millioneuro ($240.71 million) food security support package to Middle Eastern and North African nations impacted by the war in Ukraine, of which Egypt stood to receive 100 million euro ($108 million).

Egypt, perennially the world’s largest wheat importer, has been working to increase its wheat reserves after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine adversely affected Egypt since 80% of the country’s imports came from the two nations.

As a result, the government came up with measures to raise local production in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s interest in expanding the cultivation of strategic crops, particularly wheat.

The funding comes after the Egyptian government reported that it has increased its wheat storage capacity to 3.6 million tons (MT) in 2023, compared to 1.2 MT in 2014, a 200% jump.

In March, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the EU signed an agreement for 40 million euros ($43.16 million) to be spent on projects to produce grains and seeds, set up silos, and control wheat transport within Egypt.

Nigerian government commissions an Integrated Rice Mill to boost local production

NIGERIA – President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated an Integrated Rice Mill in Sheda, Abuja, aimed at expanding domestic rice production as well as achieving self-sufficiency in the Country.

According to The Guardian, the Sheda Integrated Rice Mill is one of 10 mills initiated under the Buhari administration’s plan under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model based on the “build, operate and own”.

During the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar representing President Buhari, emphasized that for the past eight years, his regime had intensively promoted and supported Agricultural development in the country.

He added that the milestones were made possible through the Anchor Borrower’s Programme, the Grain Aggregation Centers amongst others.

According to Buhari, these programs demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructural projects and in keeping with the ideals of the Change Agenda which is geared toward economic diversification from the Oil and Gas to the Agricultural Sector.

Early this year, President Buhari commissioned an ultra-modern ImotaRice Mill complex in Lagos with a production capacity of 32 metric tonnes per hour, making it the largest in Africa and third globally.

Dr. Mohammad revealed that the country’s paddy yield per hectare has significantly increased to the extent of being adequate for raw material production.

Algerian Agro-food group Cevital opens a new cooking oil production plant in Béjaïa

ALGERIA – Cevital Food, a leading agro-industry company in Algeria, has launched its cooking oil production plant in the wilaya of Béjaïa in a bid to help reduce the country’s oilseed and cooking oil import bill.

In Algeria, cooking oil is the 4th most imported food product after cereals, dairy products, and sugar with local production covering less than 25% of demand.

Cevital officials, therefore, believe that the entry into production of the new plant should also help reduce the country’s oilseed and cooking oil import bill.

Once operational, the plant is envisaged to employ 300 people and is expected to increase this number to 500 over time as part of a socio-economic boost for Algerian citizens.

“The plant will enter production gradually from May 31 to reach its maximum level at the end of the current year,” said Lounès Ihaddaden, industrial director of Cevital.

According to Ecofin Agency, the new facility covers an area of more than 1.2 hectares with a daily crushing capacity of 22,000 tonnes of oilseeds (11,000 tonnes of soybeans, 6,000 tonnes of sunflower, and 5,000 tonnes of rapeseed).

It will produce more than 6,820 tonnes of cooking oil per day and 15,200 tonnes of oilcake for livestock feed, according to Cevital.

Zambia approves import of pet foods and snacks alleged to contain GMOs

ZAMBIA – Zambian National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has granted two companies permits to import pet foods and snacks alleged to contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for the next five years.

Speaking in an interview, NBA’s Authority Communications Officer Sandra Lombe said that the Scientific Advisory Committee recommended to the Board the issuance of permits after risk assessments were conducted and products were found to be safe for humans, animals, and the environment.

According to Lusaka Times, the permits are granted to Nelt Zambia Limited to bring in Pedigree dog food and Whiskas cat food while Zambian Brands Limited will import Willards Monster Munch, Willards Diddle Daddle snacks, and Bakers Street Jumpin Jack of three different flavors (White Cheddar, Butter, and Cheese & Green Onion).

This comes after the recent move by the government to grant 35 Transit Authorisations to various companies transiting mealie meal that may contain GMOs from South Africa to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).