Crops

The MSULi programme has been designed to generate maximum value.

Regenerative and climate-smart farming practices are empowering coffee and tea farmers in Kirinyaga and Embu counties to grow climate resilient with improved yields, giving way to livelihoods security

Part of the Mt Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods (MSULi) programme for spreading awareness on sustainable production and creating employment opportunities, this six-year initiative is implemented by Rainforest Alliance with support from the IKEA Foundation. When initiated in 2020, the campaign included more than 55,000 farmers from the Mt Kenya area, who are now well versed in sustainable farming practices, landscape restoration and climate adaptivity. 

"Farmers have reported that they have been able to replace their old varieties with improved tea clones and coffee seedlings, and are now witnessing increased yields and better quality produce," said Rainforest Alliance Country director, Marion Nyaga.

The Rainforest Alliance 2025 Annual Report and Impact Data in Kagio, Kirinyaga county, has drawn positive response from private sector partners who brought affordable financing to farmers and agribusinesses. Coffee and tea production besides, farmers also learnt about natural resources conservation and enterprises diversification by growing avocado and macadamia as well.

The campaign saw farmers using environmentally friendly methods to restore biodiversity and boost soil health. The result reflected in the buzz of the bees and the croaking of frogs and toads driving pollination across Mt Kenya, which had till now suffered years of degradation due to unsustainable farming practices. The farmers were trained in compost-making to replace chemical fertilisers and pesticides, resulting in restored soil fertility and much less production costs. With enhanced moisture retention capacity, the soils are now capable of supporting dry spells that may run longer than usual.

The MSULi programme has been designed to generate maximum value even when it is not operational. It has a fully registered Landscape Management Board, a multi-stakeholders platform, to coordinate conservation and sustainable agricultural activities beyond the project's lifespan. "Regenerative agriculture is what our grandfathers and grandmothers used to practice. They planted different crops together, used manure and maintained healthy soils. We are simply bringing back those practices using modern knowledge," said Landscape Management Board trustee, Karugu Macharia. 

Around 220 hectares of degraded forest that has been restored and more than 500 hectares of degraded farmland that has been rehabilitated in Mt Kenya landscape as part of the project is going to serve generations to come.

"We have created green enterprises and worked with financial institutions so farmers can access affordable loans to invest in climate-smart agriculture," said manager, Dida Wario. 

Sorghum and cowpeas flour.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently held a Diversity Seed Fair in Chikwawa, a district in southern Malawi

This comes as part of FAO’s initiative to revive lost crops. Such types are often nutrients-rich indigenous and drought-resistant varieties that can naturally survive dry environments but lack the reach to be picked up for research or investments.

Around 75 farmers joined the seed fair, exhibiting biscuits made of sorghum and cowpeas to more than 200 visitors, including government researchers, private sector representatives and community leaders. These are indigenous kinds of flour that can be traced back to generations of Malawian farmers. While its produce in Malawi peaked through the 1950s and 1960s, soon these became overshadowed as global staples, such as maize, wheat took the market by storm.

Now Malawi farmers are facing drought challenges, and FAO together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development of Malawi, is supporting communities in coping with water scarcity by exploring sustainable indigenous alternatives.

"In the past we used to plant many maize seeds in one planting station but now we have been trained in conservation agriculture," says Elda Saliva, a farmer from Thimba village in Makanda. "With these new methods, our yields have increased, allowing us not only to feed our families, but also to earn income from the surplus." 

Running a pilot in Malawi, this initiative,

FAO began the Addressing Water Scarcity in Agriculture and the Environment (AWSAMe) initiative with a pilot in Malawi that involved skills sharing on data analysis and drought screening. Around 20 government researchers and extension officers were selected for capacity development training in collecting and analysing high-quality agricultural data alongside field water management techniques for drought screening.

Government experts evaluated 24 cowpea varieties and 30 sorghum varieties across irrigated as well as dry situations. The seeds were sourced from rural communities and the national gene bank, and data generated from them regarding which perform best under drought.

Ghana Opens Timbuktoo AgriTech Hub to Power Digital Agriculture.

Ghana has taken a bold step towards reshaping its agricultural future with the official launch of the Timbuktoo AgriTech Hub, a purpose-built initiative designed to bring digital innovation to the heart of the country's farming sector.

The hub arrives at a time when Africa's agricultural landscape is crying out for practical, technology-driven solutions, and Ghana is positioning itself as a serious contender in leading that charge.

The launch ceremony in Accra drew considerable attention, with the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), lending his presence and voice to the occasion. His message to African entrepreneurs was unambiguous: technology holds the key to transforming agriculture and building stronger, more resilient food systems across the continent.

The hub is not operating in isolation. It brings together a compelling mix of innovators, investors, incubators, and ecosystem leaders from across Africa, with partnerships already in place with the United Nations Development Programme, 500 Global, and Seedstars. That kind of backing signals serious intent and gives the initiative a solid foundation from which to grow.

The problems the hub is set up to tackle are well known to anyone familiar with African agriculture. Climate pressures, fragmented supply chains, poor market connectivity, and restricted access to financing continue to hold farmers and agribusinesses back. The Timbuktoo AgriTech Hub aims to chip away at these barriers through data-driven tools, mobile platforms, artificial intelligence, and improved digital infrastructure, all geared towards boosting productivity and expanding market reach.

Beyond supporting startups directly, the hub will run a capacity-building bootcamp for incubator managers, investing in the institutions that nurture early-stage businesses. Access to both catalytic and commercial capital will be made available to participating startups, addressing one of the most persistent obstacles to scaling agricultural innovations across the continent.

The minister rounded off proceedings with a call to action, urging governments, investors, and innovators to work more closely together and turn promising ideas into tangible, lasting development outcomes. It was a fitting note on which to close a launch that felt less like a ceremony and more like the beginning of something genuinely significant.

Uganda’s coffee steps into the global spotlight.(Image credit: The Independent)

Uganda’s presence at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo has moved beyond simple visibility.

What once drew curiosity is now drawing scrutiny, as international buyers begin to assess whether the country is ready for premium markets. Uganda’s coffee is no longer just being tasted, it is being judged on its ability to meet higher expectations.

Australia stands as one of the most disciplined coffee markets in the world, where quality is carefully measured and consistency is expected every time. For years, Uganda’s coffee has quietly played a role here, mainly through blends where its Robusta adds body and balance. Yet this contribution has often gone unnoticed.

That is beginning to change. Feedback from cupping sessions at the expo points to a shift in how Uganda’s coffee is perceived. Buyers are recognising its depth and improving quality, while showing growing interest in traceable sourcing, distinct origins, and reliable espresso performance. Uganda appears well placed to respond, but simply being ready is no longer enough. It must now prove it can deliver.

High Commissioner to Australia, Dorothy Hyuha Samali, has made it clear that Uganda is stepping forward not only to be recognised, but to be trusted. This signals a deeper level of commitment, where honesty and consistency will define long term success in a market that values credibility above all else.

A key moment came through the presentation by Gordon Katwirenabo, which helped shape a clearer understanding of Uganda’s progress. It highlighted improvements in quality control, post harvest handling, and value addition, while also acknowledging areas that still need attention.

Compared with giants like Brazil and Vietnam, Uganda offers a different story. It combines strong production with a value chain that is still developing. This creates opportunity, but also pressure to build systems quickly and effectively.

Uganda now stands at a turning point. Interest is growing and perceptions are improving, but the real test lies in execution. In global coffee markets, attention may open doors, but only consistent delivery will keep them open.