Ghana's cocoa crisis is a strain on farmers economy.

The Centre for Democratic Movement, a civil society organisation in Ghana, has strongly criticised the government’s decision to reduce the cocoa producer price to GH¢2,587 per 64 kilogram bag.

The group believes the move will cause serious hardship for cocoa farmers and weaken rural communities that depend heavily on the crop for survival.

In a statement released on 12 February 2026, the CDM described the reduction as a “heartless assault on rural survival”. According to the group, the new price fails to reflect the realities farmers face, including rising production costs, inflation and the general economic strain across the country. Many growers are already struggling to stay afloat, and the CDM argues that this decision only deepens their burden.

The organisation further labelled the policy shift a “monumental betrayal” of public trust. It pointed to promises made during the 2024 election campaign, when government figures including President John Dramani Mahama and Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson assured farmers of better returns. The CDM recalled commitments that producers would receive at least GH¢6,000 per bag under the current administration. Instead, farmers have been confronted with a significant reduction, a development that has left many shocked and disappointed.

Beyond the financial impact, the CDM warned of possible social and environmental consequences. It suggested that if cocoa farming becomes less rewarding, some farmers may abandon their farms in search of other sources of income. In particular, it raised concerns about galamsey, or illegal mining, which has been linked to deforestation, soil damage and polluted water bodies.

The criticism from the CDM reflects broader unease across the country. The Minority in Parliament has also spoken against the price cut, describing it as damaging and without precedent. While some argue that falling global cocoa prices influenced the adjustment, others insist that farmers, many of whom are still waiting for payments for previous deliveries, should not bear the cost of wider market challenges.

FAO experts warn food waste could fuel the spread of antimicrobial resistance.(Image credit: FAO)

Food loss and waste may be playing a larger role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance than previously recognised, according to experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Specialists at the agency say discarded food can act as a breeding ground for resistant microbes and genes, and should be included in national and global strategies that monitor and manage antimicrobial resistance.

Their findings are outlined in a new scientific review titled “Risk of antimicrobial resistance spreading via food loss and waste,” published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty. The study was led by four FAO experts, including Junxia Song, a senior animal health officer who now serves as Chief of the One Health and Disease Control Branch at FAO.

“Linking food loss and waste to AMR is both timely and strategic, as it creates an opportunity for coordinated action that reduces waste while strengthening global efforts to contain AMR,” said Junxia.

Antimicrobial resistance is already a growing global threat. The agricultural sector plays a significant part, with animal production responsible for nearly three quarters of antibiotic sales worldwide. Traces of drug residues and resistant genes have been detected in food sold at retail level and during consumption, particularly in meat, but also in vegetables such as carrots, lettuce and tomatoes. As resistance grows, medicines become less effective, contributing to millions of deaths each year.

The review highlights that food waste offers ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive. Research on kitchen waste and refuse from schools and hospitals has revealed high levels of genes resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, sometimes including newer treatments. In some cases, food waste has shown even greater concentrations of resistant genes than sewage sludge or swine manure, both long known to drive the environmental spread of resistance.

Animal based food waste appears to pose the greatest concern, especially fish waste. The authors stress the importance of prompt collection and proper control of discarded food. While composting can be beneficial, it may sometimes increase resistant genes unless carefully managed with full cycle processes and high temperatures. Anaerobic digestion, widely used to produce biogas, may help reduce antimicrobial resistance if the right techniques are applied.

Landfills remain a major destination for food waste. These sites can intensify risks, particularly when mixed with industrial, agricultural and medical waste, or when exposed to animals and water sources.

Thanawat Tiensin,FAO Assistant Director General and Chief Veterinarian, said,“Food is everyone’s business, and safeguarding its safety is a shared responsibility. Reducing the spread of AMR through food loss and waste demands coordinated action across every sector.”

The report calls for more research, especially in low and middle income countries where antimicrobial use is rising. It also highlights FAO initiatives such as InFARM and RENOFARM, which support countries in strengthening surveillance and reducing reliance on antimicrobials through a One Health approach.

Ethiopia strengthens farmers with cold storage facility in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia has taken another step in strengthening its trade and logistics systems with the opening of a large fruit, vegetable and animal products cold storage facility in Addis Ababa.

The new development reflects the country’s wider push to modernise its trade environment while improving the movement and preservation of agricultural goods.

The facility, developed by the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation, is located in the Akaki Qaliti Sub City of Addis Ababa. It was officially inaugurated in the presence of Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, and Adanech Abiebie, Mayor of Addis Ababa, along with other senior government officials.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Kassahun said the project forms part of broader reforms aimed at modernising Ethiopia’s trade sector and enhancing supply chain performance. He explained that the government is working to improve storage, distribution and logistics systems to ensure goods move more efficiently from producers to markets.

The cold storage complex has the capacity to handle more than 20,000 quintals of fruit and vegetables at a time, in addition to storing up to 10,000 quintals of animal products. By providing controlled temperature storage, the facility is expected to significantly reduce post harvest losses and maintain consistent product quality. This is particularly important for farmers and traders who depend on stable market conditions.

Built at a cost of around 1.7 billion birr, approximately US$30mn, the project covers over 11,400 square metres. Alongside the storage units, the site includes a ten storey multipurpose building designed to support integrated trade and logistics services.

Minister Kassahun noted that Ethiopia is actively pursuing reforms to strengthen its position in regional and global markets. Current priorities include improving access to essential goods at fair prices, reinforcing market connections, expanding modern logistics infrastructure and promoting a transparent and competitive trade system.

He also highlighted the role of the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation in supporting exports and contributing to national economic goals. According to the Minister, the corporation will continue aligning its activities with the country’s wider trade reform agenda.

The new facility represents part of Ethiopia’s broader investment in cold chain and logistics capacity, aimed at improving how agricultural produce is handled, stored and delivered to both domestic and international markets.

Tanzania and Al Dahra signed a major agricultural investment partnership. (Image credit: Al Dahra)

The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding with Al Dahra Group, a global agribusiness firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement sets the stage for exploring large scale agricultural investments in the United Republic of Tanzania, with a strong focus on modern and sustainable farming.

The partnership aims to unlock Tanzania’s vast agricultural potential through commercial farming driven by irrigation. Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate to identify and assess suitable farmland for major projects designed to strengthen the country’s agricultural capacity, stimulate economic growth and enhance national food security.

Al Dahra will bring its international experience in high yield and sustainable crop production. TISEZA will support the process by facilitating land access, providing regulatory guidance and coordinating investment incentives. Together, they intend to build a strong foundation for long term agricultural development.

The initiative also aligns with Al Dahra’s 2030 Vision, which centres on expanding irrigated farming and promoting sustainable crop innovation across its global operations. The company plans to invest up to US$100mn in Tanzania. Initial operations are expected to cover at least 10,000 hectares of farmland, with the possibility of expanding by a further 10,000 hectares as the project grows.

Gilead Teri, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority, said, “This MoU underscores Tanzania’s commitment to welcoming investment and providing the necessary enablers for foreign direct investments. This collaboration aligns with Tanzania’s agricultural transformation under the leadership of H.E. Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, which aims to achieve a 10% GDP growth rate in the crop subsector by 2030. This kind of investment creates assured market for millions of smallholder farmers in Tanzania and the region.”

Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO at Al Dahra, said, “Tanzania offers exceptional agricultural potential, and together with TISEZA, we aim to introduce advanced, sustainable and resilient farming models that support the development of modern farming infrastructure, acquisition of state of the art agricultural technologies, and implementation of smart agritech systems in Tanzania. Our commitment is to invest responsibly, collaborate closely with national institutions, and contribute to Tanzania’s vision for a modern, diversified agricultural sector.”