Al Zain Poultry is a key customer in Oman, demonstrating impressive year-on- year improvements in broiler performance. (Image credit: Aviagen)

Al Zain Poultry, a Ross 308 customer from Oman, has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence by earning additional awards from the prestigious Ross Broiler Executive Club in recognition of outstanding broiler performance

Since its establishment in 2013, Al Zain Poultry has become a leading name in Oman’s food industry, championing national food security with a premium range of fresh eggs, liquid eggs, and fresh and frozen chicken.

Broiler flock performance remains consistently strong, thanks to the genetic progress of the Ross 308 and the expertise and dedication of Ross customers across the region. The Ross Broiler Executive Club honours producers who reach a European Product Efficiency Factor (EPEF) of 400 or higher with their broiler flocks. Al Zain Poultry was recently recognised with certificates for two of its broiler flocks. The first achieved an average EPEF of 407, with a top-performing flock reaching 428, securing Silver membership in the Ross Broiler Executive Club. The second flock recorded an impressive average EPEF of 422, with its best flock attaining 471.5, earning Gold membership in the Club.

“Al Zain Poultry is deeply honoured to be recognised as an exclusive member of the Ross Broiler Executive Club. This achievement highlights the strength of our relationship with Aviagen- whose genetics, quality, and service consistently deliver exceptional results-as well as the dedication and professionalism of our team. Earning the Gold Award is a true reflection of our commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and best practices across every aspect of our business. We extend our sincere gratitude to our production team for their relentless efforts and to the Ross MEA team for their invaluable guidance and support in reaching this milestone,” said Murtuza Boriyawala, CEO, Al Zain PoultryFarm.

Zohir Hadj-Zoubir, International Commercial Manager, MENA, added: “Al Zain Poultry is a key customer in Oman, demonstrating impressive year-on-year improvements in broiler performance. Their success reflects a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and best practices. We commend the Al Zain production team for their dedication, hard work, and relentless efforts, and we look forward to their continued growth and achievements.”

The project puts a strong emphasis on training and building capacity among farmers.

Rwandan farmers and the private sector collaborated to improve the maize and soybean value chains for over 4,000 smallholder farmers

This partnership seeks to overcome key challenges such as low yields, limited access to quality seeds, and a lack of market opportunities, which are common among smallholder farmers in rural Rwanda.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to combat food insecurity and enhance the livelihoods of farmers across the country. By working together, farmers and private sector organisations aim to create a more efficient and sustainable agricultural value chain. The project addresses multiple aspects of the farming process, from better input supplies to improving market access. A key focus is providing farmers with high-quality seeds, offering extension services, and supporting better post-harvest handling practices.

Private sector partners, including seed companies, agribusinesses, and processors, play a pivotal role in this initiative. They are helping smallholders gain access to certified seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming practices. Furthermore, the project aims to enhance storage facilities and processing units, which are crucial for reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring that harvested crops are efficiently stored and processed.

The project also puts a strong emphasis on training and building capacity among farmers. Field agents and extension workers are being deployed to offer support on the latest agricultural practices, pest management techniques, and sustainable farming methods. This guidance is intended to help farmers increase their yields and improve the quality of their crops, making them more competitive in the market.

One of the most significant aspects of the partnership is improving market access for smallholder farmers. By connecting farmers with local and regional markets, the initiative ensures fair pricing for their produce, while also providing agribusinesses with a steady supply of quality maize and soybeans. This greater market access helps farmers bypass middlemen and capture a larger share of the profits.

Ultimately, this collaboration between farmers and the private sector offers a comprehensive approach to improving Rwanda's agricultural value chains. The combined efforts are set to enhance food security, increase incomes for smallholder farmers, and promote more sustainable farming practices. The long-term impact of this initiative is expected to play a crucial role in Rwanda’s agricultural growth and broader economic development.

The Forum’s theme focuses on agrifood systems.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted a key event during the 2025 Standing Committee on Finance Forum, marking the start of the action phase for the US$282mn Food Systems Integrated Programme (FSIP)

Held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, this event comes at a critical moment ahead of COP 30 in November, where countries aim to raise US$1.3 trillion in climate finance.

For the first time since its creation at COP 17 in 2011, the Forum’s theme focuses on agrifood systems, with the goal of accelerating climate action and enhancing resilience through sustainable food systems and agriculture finance. This event included high-level discussions and special events aimed at exploring the potential of agrifood systems to provide climate solutions.

The official opening of the first global meeting of the FSIP was marked by a ministerial event, “Unlocking Sustainable Food Systems for Climate, Nature, and Livelihoods.” The FSIP, a flagship initiative led by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to channel US$282mn in GEF grants to transform agrifood systems in 32 countries. These transformations will focus on making systems more sustainable, regenerative, nature-positive, resilient, and pollution-reduced.

The Programme’s ambitious objectives include restoring over 870,000 hectares of degraded land, improving agricultural practices across 13.8 million hectares of landscapes, reducing 174 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and improving the livelihoods of 3.4 million people.

QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General stressed the urgency of addressing the climate crisis through more efficient, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems. He also emphasized that climate finance must be directed to farmers, particularly smallholders, to ensure that the transformation is both equitable and sustainable. “To beat the climate crisis, we need agrifood systems to move faster towards efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability,” Qu said.

The event gathered ministers, government representatives, and international partners to discuss how climate finance can unlock opportunities for sustainable agrifood systems. The conversations highlighted the need for integrated solutions that address climate action, biodiversity, food security, and resilient livelihoods.

“This week marks the first time we’ve gathered with participating countries and global partners to share the ambitions of the FSIP,” noted Qu, referring to the programme’s potential to scale its impact both nationally and globally.

In addition to the FSIP meeting, the week also featured other special events, including a gathering of the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Partnership. This partnership was established during COP 27 in 2022 as a platform for dialogue on climate, agriculture, and finance. A digital exhibit at FAO headquarters highlighted real-world examples of FAO’s work in accelerating climate action through agrifood solutions.FAO will also co-host a side event with Brazil, this year’s COP Presidency, to present the COP30 RAIZ initiative. This initiative aims to boost investment in large-scale agricultural land restoration to support food security, fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and combat desertification.

Finger Millet Improve Food Security in Kenya.

Kenya has selected finger millet and amaranth as strategic crops to enhance food diversity and nutrition across the country

This decision is part of a larger initiative aimed at tackling food insecurity and malnutrition while promoting sustainable farming practices. Both crops are known for their nutritional value, resilience, and ability to thrive in Kenya’s diverse and often challenging climates.

Finger millet is a drought-resistant cereal that proves especially valuable in areas with limited rainfall, where many other crops struggle to grow. Rich in essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and fibre, finger millet contributes significantly to the health of local populations, particularly in rural communities. However, despite its health benefits, finger millet has not been widely cultivated in Kenya for many years, primarily due to the dominance of maize and other more conventional crops.

Amaranth, a fast-growing and hardy plant, is another key crop being promoted. Known for its high protein content, amaranth also provides a wealth of vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc. These nutrients are especially beneficial for the growth and development of children and women. Amaranth can be grown in various soil types and is resilient in dry conditions, making it an excellent crop for Kenya’s varied agricultural zones.

The Kenyan government has recognised the importance of diversifying the country's food production. By encouraging the cultivation of finger millet and amaranth, the government hopes to reduce dependency on a limited range of crops, particularly maize, which is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This shift will help address the widespread issue of malnutrition in many parts of the country by providing more nutrient-dense and diverse food options for local populations.

In addition to their nutritional benefits, finger millet and amaranth hold significant economic potential. Both crops are commercially viable, and their increased cultivation could provide farmers with better income opportunities. Moreover, these crops could stimulate the local agricultural economy by creating markets for value-added products, such as flour, snacks, and other processed goods, which could be sold both domestically and internationally.

Kenya’s focus on finger millet and amaranth represents a comprehensive approach to strengthening food security, promoting healthier diets, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Through this strategy, the country is working towards a more resilient and diverse food system, ensuring better nutrition and long-term agricultural stability for the future.