Africa’s most populous country is launching a long-overdue national program for its millions of small-scale family farmers: a soil test kit linked to the digital cloud. The program by the government of Nigeria follows decades of declining soil health and mounting malnutrition. Known as “Soil Doctor”, the test will enable farmers to quickly analyze the …
Around the globe, 2016 has been a dusty year. Just this month, massive dust storms enveloped Guazhou County in China, engulfing five-story buildings. Dust storms in Kuwait suspended oil exports, while another storm engulfed the Texas Panhandle. In January, red clouds of dust swept across Free State, South Africa, while scientists warned that the erosion of nutrient-rich …
Don't hit your sister! Veggies are good for you. No, we can't watch Frozen every night. No matter where you live around the globe, moms pretty much teach their children the same lessons. But in honor of Mother's Day, we wanted to track down a few of the world's more distinctive rules and customs. We asked four Aspen …
Growing up in a rural farm in the Kenyan Coast, I would run barefoot to the riverbank to watch my green cabbage grow. Back then, the rains were predictable, the heat was mild, and the soil was healthy. With each day, I grew more excited about farming and agriculture. I looked forward to a future …
imate change has condensed the cycles of devastating drought, and agriculture across Africa and the world is feeling the heat. Lack of rain in southern Africa delayed this year’s planting season by up to two months. Planted areas have shrunk, crops have wilted and food production in South Africa is already down 25%. Meanwhile, far to the …