Kenya implements to safeguard farmers amid drought condition.

Kenya’s response to the deepening drought has moved into urgent action, with the Government expanding food relief efforts while preparing farmers for the coming long rains season.

As dry conditions tighten their grip across several counties, authorities say both immediate survival and future food security are now the priority.

Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President, said, “The government is intensifying distribution of food to millions of Kenyans severely affected by the ongoing drought. I assure the people of Kenya that the government will not spare any resources to make sure we don’t lose human life and mitigate the effects of the drought on livestock and wildlife.”

Speaking after chairing a high level coordination meeting at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, which brought together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and agency heads, Kindiki said the focus is on fast and efficient delivery of relief to the most affected communities.

“Many counties are in need of food for the people and livestock feed. We are tirelessly working on effective last mile delivery of food so it does not take long to reach the people. We are also trucking water to the people and livestock,” he said.

Government figures show that at least 3.3 million people have been affected since January 2026, with counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, Turkana, Kwale, Meru North, Samburu and Isiolo facing crisis conditions.

At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched the 2026 Long Rains National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme. Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kiprono Rono confirmed that fertiliser is being delivered to National Cereals and Produce Board depots using the Standard Gauge Railway to ensure timely and affordable access for farmers.

“We need food to reach our schools so that learners are not disrupted by the ongoing drought situation. We have reviewed and resolved to upscale the ongoing interventions. We have also resolved to diversify the provision of food to take care of special members of society, including children, women and vulnerable members of society,” he stated.

Officials say the combined strategy of emergency relief and farm input support is aimed at stabilising families today while safeguarding the next harvest, as Kenya confronts increasingly uncertain climate patterns.

Ethiopia is reshaping its wheat farming landscape.

The African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, has applauded Ethiopia’s rise as a wheat exporter, describing it as a defining achievement not only for the country but for Africa as a whole.

Moses Vilakati, said, “We have realized where Ethiopia started and where they are right now — up to an extent where they are now exporting wheat. That’s a milestone, and we are very, very grateful.”

His remarks highlight how far Ethiopia has come in reshaping its agricultural landscape. Once heavily dependent on wheat imports, the country has invested in expanding domestic production, improving farming practices and embracing modern systems that support higher yields and greater resilience.

Vilakati also praised Ethiopia’s wider development agenda, pointing to its commitment to agricultural modernisation and digital transformation. He noted that the country’s progress shows what can be achieved when innovation aligns with clear policy direction and strong political will. For many African nations facing similar food security challenges, Ethiopia’s example offers a practical and encouraging model.

Vilakati stressed that digital tools are changing the way farming works across the continent. Farmers are gaining better access to timely information, improved climate data and smarter decision making systems that help them respond to changing conditions.

The AU Digital Agriculture Strategy 2024–2030 provides the continental roadmap for expanding such tools across agricultural value chains. Digital advisory platforms, climate information services and online marketplaces are already opening new opportunities, particularly for young people seeking to build careers in agriculture.

Following the inaugural AU Digital Agriculture Conference, the African Union Commission renewed its commitment to embedding digital innovation within Africa’s farming systems. As preparations begin for the 2027 review cycle, Vilakati urged member states to turn strategy into action and follow Ethiopia’s lead in pursuing food self sufficiency.

Cocoa buyers warn of mounting debt as funding delays bite (Image credit: Ghanaian Times)

The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana has issued a strong warning over growing financial pressures in the cocoa sector, urging the government to urgently secure a funding facility to support the purchase of about 300,000 metric tonnes of cocoa between now and September.

The association said delays in financing are placing licensed buying companies under severe strain and could eventually lead to the collapse of the cocoa buying system if no immediate action is taken. It stressed that any funds raised must be strictly reserved for cocoa purchases, noting that the primary responsibility of the Ghana Cocoa Board is to buy cocoa beans produced by farmers.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, the Executive Secretary of LICOBAG, Victus Dzah, said uncertainty around the current farmgate price of cocoa was worsening anxiety across the entire value chain.

“The government must urgently make a determination on the current farmgate price of cocoa to allay the apprehension of all value chain actors,” he said.

Mr Dzah explained that since the 2023 to 2024 cocoa season, the industry has struggled with serious funding gaps following COCOBOD’s failure to secure its usual syndicated loan facility.

“Instead of the usual annual syndication of US$1.3bn or more, COCOBOD was able to raise only $500 million, which was secured six months after the opening of the season on September 8, 2023. As a result, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) were compelled to pre-finance cocoa purchases through facilities raised from various banks at very high interest rates, with the Ghana Reference Rate standing at 29.8 per cent at the time,” he explained.

According to him, part of the current crisis stems from the COCOBOD and Cocoa Marketing Company off taker shipment arrangement, which he said failed to respond effectively to prevailing market conditions.

“Why should we move from a period of rollovers in the previous season because COCOBOD could not deliver on their contracts, and this season we cannot buy cocoa produced by farmers because our pricing mechanism is not competitive enough?” he asked.

Dzah said traders failed to enter the market early and take advantage of high global prices, worsening the situation. He revealed that COCOBOD only made its first payment for cocoa delivered to the port on January 26, 2024, six months after delivery, despite farmers having already been paid in full by LBCs.

“This unfortunate development pushed all LBCs into huge debts, leading to the total collapse of many companies,” he remarked.

He added that the debt burden continues to grow as COCOBOD has not compensated LBCs for the high interest costs incurred during pre financing, despite earlier assurances.

Calling for reforms, Dzah urged COCOBOD, CMC and traders to adopt more proactive sales strategies, strengthen oversight of trading operations and build professional capacity within the system. He also appealed for an end to what he described as “rhetorics and theatrics”, urging COCOBOD to focus on its core mandate and divest from non essential businesses.

Mozambique and UAE move to strengthen ties in agriculture and food security. (Image credit: AIM)

Mozambique and the United Arab Emirates have signalled a renewed commitment to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, food security and environmental protection, as both countries seek closer strategic partnerships.

The announcement was made by Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, Roberto Mito Albino, during meetings held in Dubai on the margins of the World Governments Summit. The discussions took place alongside a session on the future of energy and industries, where Mozambique is participating as part of its broader international engagement.

According to Minister Albino, cooperation between the two countries is being reshaped to reflect growing bilateral relations and shared priorities. He said talks with the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Amna Al Dahak, resulted in an agreement to establish a joint technical team tasked with putting into action commitments outlined in an existing Memorandum of Understanding on environment and biodiversity.

The team will focus on translating policy agreements into concrete programmes that support sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and inclusive economic growth.

Minister Albino stressed the importance of ensuring that small scale farmers benefit from agricultural development. “Small-scale producers should be integrated to increase their income and contribute to the overall growth of the country. We also reject the idea that the industrialization of agriculture represents a threat to the environment. Today, to increase overall production, we focus on expanding areas, which leads to deforestation, because yields per hectare are low. Industrialization allows for greater production in a smaller area and with less environmental impact”, he said.

He pointed to the Mapai dam project in Gaza province as a clear example of how modern infrastructure can support both productivity and environmental protection. The dam is expected to support intensive agricultural activity within a limited area, reducing pressure on forests and fragile ecosystems.

“With 200,000 hectares of irrigable land, we can obtain the yield that is currently achieved on about one million hectares with low productivity levels. The dam will also allow for flood control, energy production, and environmental protection in the Limpopo basin”, he said.

On innovation, Minister Albino highlighted the need to embrace modern technologies that support sustainable farming. He said agricultural industrialisation can be achieved without harming the environment by applying conservation practices, responsible use of inputs and cleaner energy solutions.

“It is possible to industrialize agriculture in an environmentally friendly way. It must include conservation practices, rational use of inputs, and technologies that eliminate the need for fossil fuels harmful to the environment.”

He also underlined the importance of digital transformation, adding: “Mozambique cannot remain on the sidelines of global trends linked to new technologies and artificial intelligence. The world is becoming digital and Mozambique must be digital.”

The renewed partnership with the UAE is expected to support Mozambique’s efforts to modernise its agricultural sector while protecting natural resources and improving food security.