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    Mr. Moris Okulo, an ecologist who works as a guide at Dunga Beach in Kisumu holds tilapia fish.


    The ban on plastic bags manufacturing and use has been seen as an answer to the dwindling fish stocks in Lake Victoria by scientists and the fishermen themselves.


    Plastic ban took effect in the country on 28 August, 2017.


    “Plastic pollutants in the lake have been having damaging effects on aquatic life as well as on fishing and tourism activities,” said Dr. Paul Orina, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute assistant director Freshwater Aquaculture.


    Dr. Orina added that the lake has been heavily affected by several pollutants including plastics which have curtailed the movement of fish in the lake.


    “Plastics block water ways and also interferes with the circulation of oxygen in the lake. Fish can easily be chocked as a result of interference in air supply and free movement of water,” said Orina.


    As a result, he said, the breeding characteristics of some fish species have been affected negatively by pollution especially the tilapia.

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    Fishermen and experts in Lake Victoria have recently expressed concerns over a possible extinction of the Tilapia Species due to high levels of pollution in the lake.


    “In most cases a lot of physical waste including plastics and polythene papers are normally caught up in their fishing nets,” said Charles Ominde, fisherman at Dunga Beach.


    Because of this many fishermen are being forced out of the trade because of the dwindling fish population.


    "Most of our ventures have been futile because the lake is polluted and Tilapia prefers clean water," said Moris Okulo, an ecologist who works as a guide at Dunga Beach in Kisumu


    As the big fish like tilapia disappear from the lake, fisherman can also be forced to trawl for smaller fish. But by wiping out the smaller fish, who have not had time to reproduce, fisherman are threatening the species’ very survival according to the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO).


    Reports by LVFO states that Lake Victoria is believed to be the most productive freshwater fishery in Africa. Each year it yields more than 800,000 metric tons of fish.

     

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    hilda gacheri banana bag.jpg

    Hilda Gacheri with her traditional banana fibre bag 

    One innovative form 3 student at Materi Girls high school in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya has made an eco-friendly bag from banana barks and leaves as the ban on plastic bags takes effect.

    Hilda Gacheri a student from a humble background realized she had no enough money to purchase a bag to carry her items to school. She thus resorted to making the environmentally friendly bag as a cheaper alternative to buying a modern shopping bag which would have cost her at least 200 shillings, an amount she could not afford.

    READ ALSO: Low cost innovation hands Homa Bay farmers disease free yams

    Back at her home in Meru County, the traditional bag is nothing new as they always make such bags to carry farm produce after harvesting them from the farm. She thus saw no harm in utilizing the same for her shopping as schools re-opened.  

    The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has recognized her efforts and named her the brand ambassador of alternative carrier bags. She would use the opportunity to mentor other students and Kenyans as a whole on the importance of living in a clean, safe, secure environment.

    READ ALSO: Farmers tame post harvest losses with homemade innovations

    In Kenya, a large number livestock have died after consuming plastic bags as they roam from one region to another in search of pasture. A study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNDP) released three weeks ago found that 15 per cent of all cows slaughtered in the capital Nairobi were full of plastics in their stomachs.

    READ ALSO: Companies step up war on horticultural pests with new innovation

    The bags once consumed by animals over time end up in human bodies after people eat meat, with some researches indicating the plastics lead to cancers, birth defects, developmental problems in children and immune system suppression.

     

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    AFRICA FOOD PRIZE.jpg

    Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 6 September 2017 - Two women, working at both ends of the agriculture supply chain in Africa, have each been awarded the 2017 Africa Food Prize. Hon. Prof. Ruth Oniang'o, a professor and advocate of nutrition from Kenya, and Mme Maïmouna Sidibe Coulibaly an entrepreneur and agro industrialist, from Mali were awarded for their exemplary efforts in driving Africa's agriculture transformation.

    The Africa Food Prize began as the Yara Prize, and was established in 2005 by Yara International ASA in Norway to honor achievements in African agriculture. Moving the Yara Prize to Africa in 2016 and rechristening it the Africa Food Prize gave the award a distinctive African home, African identity and African ownership.

    The Africa Food Prize honours outstanding contributions within every aspect of agriculture and food production that is clearly related to combating hunger and reducing poverty in Africa.

    Hon. Prof Ruth Oniang'o is recognized as the leading voice of nutrition in Africa and for her relentless advocacy for the availability and affordability of diverse and nutritious crops for millions across the continent. She pioneered nutrition leadership in academia, research, and policy to improve food security and nutrition. Her groundbreaking work, with farmers' groups and rural communities connects agriculture and nutrition both in research and practice providing a natural link between agriculture and nutrition.   

    READ ALSO: Multi-million dollar Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa launched

    Mme Maïmouna Sidibe Coulibaly, on the other hand has been feted for her mission to produce and supply improved and high-yielding seed that have led to improved incomes and nutrition for millions in Mali and other West African countries. Through sheer hard work and consistency, she has overcome multiple hurdles to build a leading seed company that is fast becoming a model for Africa's agri-businesses.  Her company, Faso Kaba, specializes in the production and sale of a wide range of improved seeds, including cereals, oil seeds, market gardening, fodder and tuber seeds that can improve agricultural yields by up to 40 per cent.

    The Prize recognizes and puts a spotlight on shining examples of agricultural projects that are transforming lives and economies. The 2017 Prize winners come from both the public and private sector representing how both groups are working together to transform agriculture into a high value industry sector. The 2017 AFP awards had over 600 nominees establishing it as the most prestigious prize for African agricultural development.

    READ ALSO: Africa’s Growth lies with Smallholder Farmers

    The Chairperson of the Prize Committee, H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, commended Hon. Prof Oniang'o and Mme Coulibaly on behalf of the Committee for their trailblazing efforts that are improving the socio-economic wellbeing of millions in Africa.

    "It gives me immense pride that this year's winners are both women. This is a clear demonstration that women in Africa are at the forefront in terms of connecting the rising food needs and the continent's vision for prosperity that is driven by agriculture and agri-business. The fact that the winners work at either end of the agriculture value chain, represent both private and public sector and are from different parts of Africa reflects the wide impact agriculture has in transforming economies and reducing poverty, way beyond the fields," he said.

    As a member of Kenya's Parliament (2003-2007), Hon. Prof Oniang'o dedicated her efforts to alleviating poverty and hunger, with special focus on science and technology, agricultural research and productivity, food security, nutrition, bio-safety legislation, use of fertilizer and other inputs, HIV/AIDS and gender issues.

     A strong believer in farming being the bridge between humankind and nature, Prof. Ruth Oniang'o spends most of her time with smallholder farmers and women in rural areas helping them to transform their household's ability to produce, purchase and consume foods in higher quality and quantities. She reckons that smallholder farmers are the most valuable part of the market and the entrepreneurial value chain.

    READ ALSO: Pan-African organizations Partner for Nature and Agriculture

    "I believe we are what we eat. I realized early on in my life, when I dreamt of being a doctor, that food is the first medicine," said Prof. Oniang'o as she received her Prize. "I am humbled to receive this Prize and believe it highlights the work we have done and more importantly, it will contribute towards shaping our continent's food future. I am a strong believer that Africa shall, one day, feed the world." said Hon. Prof Oniang'o.

    For her part, Mme. Coulibaly observed that the opportunities for Africa agribusinesses are endless. She however, decried the enormous challenges African entrepreneurs especially start-ups face as they try to set up businesses.

    "I am honored and humbled to receive this Prize. It is, in part, a validation of the hard work that I have put into building Faso Kaba with the support of my family and staff. I would like to say that it has been easy.  There are many times when I almost gave up as I struggled to raise to finance the business. I am glad I stayed true to my vision, attended much training and worked with partners that believed in my vision," “she said.  Today, we have become a model that many people that are starting businesses come to. I no longer book appointments with the banks. They call me with financing proposal. I look forward to a time when businesses will not struggle to start like I did," she added.

    The 2016 winner of Africa Food Prize is Dr Kanayo Nwanze, the former President of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). Dr. Nwanze was awarded for his visionary leadership and passionate advocacy to place African smallholder farmers at the centre of the global agricultural agenda, and for his demonstrated success in advancing policies, programs and resources that have improved the lives of millions across the continent.

     

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