Developments

Can Kenya's horticulture sector bounce back after the country's recent political crisis?

Wood and charcoal remain the primary source of fuel in Africa, but initiatives to establish woodlots and build conservation stoves are providing villages in Uganda with sustainable alternatives.

Plant tissue cultures are proving popular in Kenya. The technique allows farmers to select and plant crops with desirable characteristics and helps minimise the risk of disease. Ann Muli of Mimea International talks about the growth of her own tissue culture business.

Aerobic rice could help protect farmers against the devastating affects of droughts. The breeds require much less water than lowland, or 'flood-irrigated' rice, offering a grain of hope for water-scarce China.