FAO seeks to ensure that farming remains part of the global solution to both climate change and food insecurity. (Image credit: FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has raised concerns that the global shortfall in climate finance is undermining efforts to transform agrifood systems, a sector with the potential to cut global emissions by up to one-third.

Speaking at the Belém Climate Summit ahead of COP30, the FAO emphasised that the gap in funding represents “a lost opportunity” to drive sustainable change.

Convened by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazilian President the Summit gathered global leaders, ministers, and international agencies to explore climate solutions that prioritise fair energy transitions, biodiversity protection, and forest conservation. The discussions set the stage for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled for 10–21 November 2025 in Belém.

At COP30, FAO will underscore the importance of science-based agrifood solutions in reducing emissions, enhancing carbon capture, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening resilience, while safeguarding food security for the 1.2bn people who depend on these systems.

“From restoration of degraded agricultural lands to resilient crops and sustainable aquaculture and livestock, we have the solutions that deliver across sectors,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in a speech delivered at the General Plenary Leaders Dialogue.

Examples from Brazil’s Amazon region highlight this potential: agroforestry projects are reviving degraded lands, supporting rural livelihoods, and providing “a triple win for biodiversity and food diversity, for food security, and for the climate.”

However, FAO warned that progress is constrained by limited investment. Despite contributions from the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, forestry, livestock, fisheries, and crop production received only 4 percent of climate-related development finance in 2023.

“For a sector that can deliver a third of global emission reductions, this gap is not only unequal – it is a lost opportunity. By overlooking agrifood systems, we are leaving one of the most effective pathways to low-emission growth untapped,” Qu said.

The FAO also launched a Call to Action on Integrated Fire Management and Wildfire Resilience, endorsed by 50 countries and major organisations, including ITTO and UNEP. The initiative promotes proactive fire prevention strategies through scientific and traditional knowledge and modern technologies.

FAO views COP30 as a pivotal moment to reinforce food security and climate resilience through investment, innovation, and policy. It continues to collaborate with countries and partners under initiatives such as the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Partnership and the RAIZ Accelerator, both aimed at restoring degraded agricultural land and scaling sustainable food systems.

By keeping agriculture at the centre of climate action, FAO seeks to ensure that farming remains part of the global solution to both climate change and food insecurity.

KTDA is reaffirming its commitment to empowering tea farmers and securing the sustainability of Kenya’s most valuable agricultural export.

The Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings (KTDA(H) Limited) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to turn its ‘Farmers First’ philosophy into practical, results-driven systems aimed at improving farmers’ livelihoods and maximising returns from their tea production.

According to KTDA Group Chief Executive Officer, Wilson Muthaura, the organisation is executing a far-reaching transformation agenda built on sustainability, innovation, and farmer-focused governance. He emphasised that the core objective is to create more value for tea farmers while establishing KTDA as a world-class, future-ready enterprise.

Muthaura revealed that the agency has initiated a significant internal restructuring process to align operations with its transformation goals. As part of this effort, the KTDA board has set up ten cross-functional management committees tasked with enhancing efficiency, cutting costs, and promoting value addition across the value chain.

“The GCEO said the committees would also identify business opportunities along the entire value chain from farm to factory and all the way to the market.”

He further explained that these committees are actively contributing to KTDA’s newly developed Group Strategic Plan, designed to “future-proof” operations and ensure the agency remains resilient in a changing global tea market.

Muthaura noted that this transformation is not a top-down initiative but a collective effort inspired by a historic meeting—the first since the Tea Act reforms of 2020—convened by the KTDA chairman.

"All the 71 factory unit managers and KTDA's senior leadership came together to co-develop a roadmap that ensures every decision made benefited the farmer," he said.

At the heart of KTDA’s mission is ensuring farmers receive not only fair prices but also better quality services. "The services range from enhancing fertiliser distribution and leaf collection logistics to upgrading factory efficiency and introducing traceability tools," he said.

To achieve these goals, KTDA has begun implementing the Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) enterprise platform, which is already optimising operations and enabling smarter, data-driven decisions. The agency has also strengthened its digital infrastructure to build more agile processes and eliminate inefficiencies. "The agency is doubling down on communication and farmer engagement to ensure that growers are not just recipients of services, but co-owners of the solutions because they are shareholders, stakeholders, and strategic partners," he said.

Through these forward-looking initiatives, KTDA is reaffirming its commitment to empowering tea farmers and securing the sustainability of Kenya’s most valuable agricultural export.

Nestlé empowers Nigerian farmers.

As Nigeria faces rising food insecurity, degrading soils, and the growing threat of climate change, a fresh wave of sustainable agriculture is offering new hope for farmers.

Nestlé Nigeria, through its MAGGI brand, is leading this transformation with its Regenerative Agriculture (RegenAg) initiative—an ambitious project designed to boost crop yields, restore soil fertility, and build resilience among local farmers.

Launched in 2023, the RegenAg program brings together public and private partners including TechnoServe, IDH, and Ghana’s Centre for No-Till Agriculture. The pilot phase supported over 1,000 smallholder soybean farmers, providing them with training, improved seeds, and access to sustainable farming tools. Backed by an investment of more than ₦100 million, the initiative introduced eco-friendly techniques such as cover cropping, minimal tillage, crop rotation, and hedgerow planting—all proven methods to preserve soil nutrients, prevent erosion, and enhance long-term productivity.

According to Funmi Osineye, Category Manager for Culinary at Nestlé Nigeria, the initiative goes beyond sourcing ingredients for MAGGI. “Soybean is central to our product, but this project is really about creating a resilient food system. By training farmers especially women and youth—we’re ensuring better harvests today and healthier soils for the future,” she explained.

During a ceremony celebrating the pilot’s success, over 150 stakeholders from agriculture, business, and development sectors gathered to recognize farmers who excelled in adopting regenerative practices. One participant, Engineer Lawan Abdul, shared how his yields doubled after embracing the new methods. “Since I started applying the techniques from this project, my harvests have increased by 100%. It’s been life-changing,” he said.

Following these promising results, the program has expanded into a multi-partner initiative supported by AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) and Nestlé. The next phase targets 25,000 farmers nationwide, aiming to produce 80,000 metric tonnes of soybeans and other grains annually through regenerative farming.

Alidu Amadu, Head of Agriculture Services for Nestlé Central and West Africa, emphasized that the project shows the power of collaboration. “When farmers, businesses, and partners work together, we can restore the land, strengthen food systems, and create lasting prosperity,” he noted.

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s national drive for food security and Nestlé’s global goal to source 20% of key ingredients through regenerative methods by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Experts believe such programs could transform Nigeria’s agriculture, helping smallholders adapt to climate change while ensuring a sustainable food future.

Thousands of smallholder tea farmers across Kenya are set to benefit from the government’s latest move to deliver nearly 100,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser, a partnership effort between the Government of Kenya and the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).

A vessel carrying the first batch of 30,000 metric tonnes docked at the Port of Mombasa over the weekend, marking the start of nationwide distribution. The fertiliser, identified as NPK 26:5:5, is a balanced formulation designed to boost soil fertility, improve tea bush health, and ultimately increase yields for farmers.

According to KTDA Chairman Geoffrey Kirundi, the fertiliser will be distributed to all tea farmers managed under KTDA across Kenya’s major tea-growing regions. “This consignment marks the beginning of a series of deliveries that will ensure our farmers receive fertiliser in good time,” he said.

Kirundi confirmed that additional shipments are already on their way, with 33,000 metric tonnes having left China and another 36,000 metric tonnes expected to depart within the next week. He added that KTDA is collaborating with port and logistics authorities to ensure swift movement of the fertiliser to various factories and farmers, despite minor logistical challenges caused by the ongoing short rains.

KTDA Board Member Gathuka Kagombe, who also attended the offloading ceremony, noted that the delay in the fertiliser’s arrival was due to prolonged legal cases over the tendering process. “The legal dispute dragged on for about ten months, eating into valuable logistical time that could have ensured earlier delivery to our farmers,” he explained.

Kagombe revealed that this was the third time in four years that court disputes had delayed fertiliser procurement. He said KTDA is working on long-term solutions to prevent such disruptions in future, as they have proven costly and inconvenient for farmers.

“Farmers will access the fertiliser at a subsidised price of Sh2,500 per 50-kg bag, following the Government's continued support to lower input costs and boost tea production,” Kagombe added.

KTDA Group Chief Executive Officer Wilson Muthaura reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers through affordable input distribution. “By ensuring access to quality inputs, we are empowering farmers to produce the finest tea while safeguarding their livelihoods,” he said.

Muthaura noted that the arrival of the fertiliser reinforces KTDA’s promise to improve productivity, reduce production costs, and strengthen Kenya’s global position as one of the world’s leading tea producers.

For tea farmers, the timely access to affordable fertiliser comes as a welcome relief — one that is expected to rejuvenate plantations, enhance yields, and improve household incomes across the country’s key tea-growing regions.