The African continent has a great competitive advantage in agricultural organic products and must position itself to fetch more foreign exchange earnings for the continent according to a leading organic specialist. Stein told the 300 agricultural experts from the COMESA region that environmental authenticity is a number one rule in the organic industry. These include rotation of crops to improve soil health, integrated pest management systems to curb pests, water conservation and...

After four consecutive years of plummeting prices on the world market, the industry that provides the backbone to West African economies is now on the brink of collapse. The cotton market, which provides nearly 70 per cent of impoverished Burkina Fasos cash exports and income for more than a quarter of its 13 million people, has been brought to breaking point by factors known locally as the monster with three heads: a weak dollar, low world prices and US cotton subsidies. His workers...

Arizona is the fifth-largest specialty crop grower in the nation, growing everything from lettuce, spinach and broccoli to cantaloupe, grapes and gourds. Lesquerella, a small plant with yellow flowers, yields a powerful oil that can be used for cooking and in pharmaceuticals. The 2,100-acre University of Arizona facility focuses on native desert plants that can be turned into profitable specialty crops, a segment that state officials say accounts for 35 percent to 40 percent of Arizona's...

When the need for the gins is gone because the crop is gone one cannot help but see a crop acreage that will cause the gins to be abandoned and or moved. However it is difficult to set aside the last six years of which five were droughts and agriculture does not prosper in dry growing seasons. Your hair does not have to be either white or gone to remember our agriculture emphasis changing. Should this be practiced then the handling of the crops would be more balanced. Working with various...

The one concern that I have noticed coming at the end of last week is the possible tensions for both cotton as a raw material in the United States and cotton finished products, or more appropriately, textiles. Lucas Ames submits: I ve been trying to do some research on the changes in the commodities outlook for the rest of 2007, due to the booming demand for ethanol and other biofuels. The Chinese government is beginning to take on its growing trade surplus by decreasing many of its...

The California Rice Commission on Wednesday called for a moratorium on experimental plantings of genetically modified rice in the state, saying federal controls meant to keep such varieties from contaminating commercial rice are inadequate. The decision by the 40-member group meeting in Colusa was driven largely by concerns that the contamination of the state's rice supplies with even a tiny amount of genetically engineered material could devastate sales to touchy export markets such as...

If north Alabama farmers regroup and replant, they can still be a part of what is a national corn rush, with growers around the country saying they'll put in 90. Depending on rainfall and yields, Alabama is on track to significantly increase corn production and therefore have to import less of it from other states. Last year, Alabama farmers produced about 12 million bushels but imported about 200 million to meet the feed demands of the catfish and poultry industries. Sanderson went to the...

HILLSBORO Area farmers are hoping for federal disaster relief and quick insurance decisions after last week's freeze destroyed nearly all their wheat crops and damaged corn crops. Farmers were already apprehensive because of the record-breaking drought, but the below-freezing temperatures of April 6-8 have left many wondering if they'll be able to produce yields that can recoup their investments. Corn crops planted in late March and early April fared better and have an opportunity to...

We have seen these markets turn higher recently and we expect more upside in the longer term but near term these markets could continue to correct a bit more before turning back up. For the time being day trading this market is the only way as it allows us to be flexible from day to day. Cocoa continues to drift sideways but as time goes on, we get closer to this market continuing its rally Look for a move above 1950 before going long. Stocks: The stock market continues to be strong and...