The initiative targets Ghana’s long-standing challenge of tomato scarcity and price volatility.

More than 240 tonnes of freshly harvested tomatoes from Ghana’s Upper East Region have been supplied to major markets and commercial outlets in Accra under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), offering timely relief from seasonal shortages and rising prices.

The initiative targets Ghana’s long-standing challenge of tomato scarcity and price volatility, particularly during the dry season, by promoting local, dry-season cultivation. Beneficiary locations include Agbogbloshie Market, CMB Railway Market, Palace Mall and Accra City Hotel, all within the Greater Accra Region.

Implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and funded by the Government of Norway, the programme is coordinated by the World Bank and delivered in partnership with agribusiness firm FarmMate Ltd. Its broader goal is to revitalise Ghana’s domestic tomato value chain, reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national food security through sustainable agriculture practices.

Speaking in Accra, Opoku Agyeman Clinton, Sustainable and Compliance Officer at Accra City Hotel, said the hotel’s decision to procure tomatoes from the FSRP–FarmMate initiative was driven by food safety priorities. He explained that the facility operates under ISO 22000 certification, which incorporates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). According to him, supplier audits confirmed that FarmMate’s production systems met international food safety standards, with tomatoes arriving firm, unbruised and of consistent quality, enhancing both menu reliability and customer satisfaction.

At Palace Mall, Head of Fresh Purchasing Bassam Taleb noted that the freshness and hygienic quality of the tomatoes had boosted customer demand. He added that FarmMate complied with strict procurement standards, including the use of quality seeds, chemical-free production methods and approved water sources, while urging greater government investment to expand access to clean, locally grown produce.

Traders in Accra’s open markets have also welcomed the development. At the CMB Railway Market, bulk trader Naomi Atuahene observed that the tomatoes lasted up to five days without refrigeration, outperforming imported alternatives. Meanwhile, Hannah Owusu, a trader at Agbogbloshie Market, highlighted lower prices, improved hygiene and increased buyer demand.

FSRP–FarmMate has reaffirmed its commitment to supplying locally produced, chemical-free tomatoes, helping to stabilise markets and strengthen Ghana’s agri-food resilience during the dry season.

Improved farm-to-market connectivity is expected to reduce transportation costs.

Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture has officially launched a major farm-to-market road rehabilitation initiative in Bong County, marking a significant step towards strengthening agricultural value chains and improving rural livelihoods.

Implemented through the Tree Crops Extension Project Phase II (TCEP-II), the project will see the construction and rehabilitation of 59 kilometres of critical feeder roads designed to improve market access for farmers across the county.

The road works have been divided into seven lots covering key farming communities and some of Bong County’s most productive agricultural zones. Once completed, the improved road network will provide farmers with more reliable links to markets, processing centres, and storage facilities, helping to unlock the county’s full agricultural potential.

Improved farm-to-market connectivity is expected to reduce transportation costs, cut post-harvest losses, and boost incomes for farmers, traders, and agribusiness operators. The initiative also supports broader national goals around food security, rural development, and sustainable agricultural growth.

The project was officially launched by Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah, who described the road works as a direct investment in food production and community resilience. “We are fixing these roads because of agriculture. I therefore urge the people of Bong County to redouble their efforts in producing their own food so they can improve their livelihoods,” Nuetah said.

The Minister also issued a strong warning to contractors, stressing that all work must be delivered within the agreed timelines, with no extensions permitted. He further highlighted the importance of local job creation, urging contractors to prioritise employment opportunities for communities along the road corridors.

Beyond the 59 kilometres already launched, an additional 28 kilometres of farm-to-market roads in Bong County are currently under procurement, further expanding access for rural farming communities. Combined with ongoing works in Lofa County, the total length of feeder roads being rehabilitated under TCEP-II now stands at 340 kilometres.

Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the road works are expected to be completed within ten months. Once finished, the upgraded infrastructure will provide all-weather access to farms, helping to transform Bong and Lofa counties into resilient agricultural production hubs and reinforcing Liberia’s long-term food systems.

Several machinery segments recorded impressive gains.

The Italian agricultural machinery market is showing clear signs of recovery in 2025, driven by rising tractor registrations, renewed farmer confidence and strong public incentives supporting farm mechanisation and innovation.

After several years of contraction, the latest figures suggest the sector is regaining momentum.

Data compiled by FederUnacoma using Ministry of Transport statistics show that tractor registrations climbed to 17,573 units in 2025, marking a 13.7% increase compared with the previous year. This rebound follows a difficult 2024, when registrations fell to a historic low of 15,450 units after three consecutive years of decline.

According to the Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, recent sales trends have been largely negative, with the notable exception of 2021, when post-pandemic recovery pushed registrations to a peak of 24,387 units. Forecasts for 2025 initially appeared uncertain, as the first half of the year lagged behind previous performance. However, demand strengthened significantly in the second half, particularly in the final quarter, allowing the market to close the year with positive growth.

Several machinery segments recorded impressive gains. Tractors with loading platforms, commonly known as transporters, posted the strongest performance, rising by 45.7% to 771 units. Telehandlers also saw robust growth, increasing by 18.2% to 1,216 units. Trailer registrations grew more modestly, up just over 4% to 7,812 units.

The only segment still under pressure was combine harvesters. Despite some recovery towards the end of the year, registrations fell by 12%, with just 234 units recorded, reflecting ongoing challenges in high-capital investment machinery.

“Our sector has been impacted in recent years by economic uncertainty, rising list prices caused by rising production costs, and the investment capacity of farms, which have long been experiencing declining profitability,” comments FederUnacoma President Mariateresa Maschio. “But significant support has come from government incentives, including the Innovation Fund entrusted to ISMEA, the ISI INAIL call for high-safety machinery, the 4.0 tax credit and the 5.0 incentives, as well as the PSR (Rural Development Plans), the rural development plans co-financed by the European Union and the Regions. These represent a multi-year instrument and therefore a constant reference in the process of farm innovation”.

Looking ahead, industry leaders remain cautiously optimistic. “The refinancing of incentives for 2026 announced by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida in mid-December,” added Simona Rapastella, Director General of FederUnacoma, “could be crucial to supporting the market's recovery. We will assess this throughout the year, not only with regard to registered vehicles but also to construction machinery, equipment, and components”.

“In November we will have the major EIMA International exhibition,” concludes Simona Rapastella, “which represents a formidable opportunity to monitor the market and understand the demand for new technologies”.

Kenya’s floriculture industry remains a vital pillar of the national economy, generating more than KES 150 billion each year and supporting over 500,000 jobs across the value chain. (Image credit: Corteva Agriscience)

Corteva Agriscience Kenya has marked a significant breakthrough in crop protection with the launch of Verpixo 100 SC, an advanced fungicide powered by Adavelt technology.

Officially registered for use on roses, one of Kenya’s most valuable export crops, the product brings cutting-edge agricultural innovation directly to farmers, enabling them to protect yields, improve flower quality, and meet increasingly strict international market standards.

Kenya’s floriculture industry remains a vital pillar of the national economy, generating more than KES 150 billion each year and supporting over 500,000 jobs across the value chain. As global competition intensifies and buyers demand consistently high-quality produce, innovations such as Verpixo 100 SC are strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional leader in sustainable horticulture and reinforcing its reputation in premium export markets.

At the core of Verpixo 100 SC is Florylpicoxamid, a next-generation active ingredient classified under FRAC Group 21. Its unique mode of action offers reliable protection against two of the most destructive fungal diseases affecting roses: powdery mildew and botrytis. With no known cross-resistance to existing fungicide groups, this technology provides growers with a robust solution for long-term, sustainable disease management, reducing the risk of resistance development and safeguarding future productivity.

For rose farmers, the benefits are immediate and practical. By preventing crop losses caused by fungal infections, Verpixo 100 SC supports the production of high-quality, export-ready flowers that meet stringent global requirements. This not only improves farm profitability but also gives growers greater confidence to plan ahead, reinvest, and expand operations. The product’s sustainability focus further contributes to healthier growing environments and resilient farming systems.

Industry leaders have highlighted the broader significance of the launch. According to Charles Mutema, Business Lead at Corteva Agriscience, its introduction “represents more than a product introduction  it’s a testament to Corteva’s long-term investment in local innovation, farmer resilience, and the future of sustainable agriculture in Africa.”

Echoing this sentiment, Marketing Campaign Manager Innocent Oeri stated that “Verpixo 100 SC is more than a fungicide it’s a promise to Kenyan farmers that Corteva is committed to helping them compete globally,” combining advanced science with local expertise to consistently deliver world-class roses.

As climate change, disease pressure, and export challenges continue to shape the sector, innovations like Verpixo 100 SC are helping Kenyan farmers protect livelihoods, enhance global competitiveness, and cement the country’s status as a world-class floriculture powerhouse.