In The Spotlight
The global conversation around food security, sustainability, and agriculture just got sharper and it starts with what we’re feeding our animals
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has kicked off its 2025 Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators, placing safe, sustainable feed production at the heart of agricultural transformation.
In a sector worth over US$400bn annually, producing 1 billion tonnes of feed and employing more than 250,000 professionals worldwide, the stakes have never been higher. The message from FAO Director-General QU Dongyu was clear: “This is where the role of feed regulators is crucial and is why FAO has convened this Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators.”
Held at FAO headquarters in Rome as part of Livestock Week, the two-day forum brought together policymakers, scientists, producers, and industry experts to address a critical but often overlooked pillar of food production animal feed. The Director-General called for stronger cooperation to boost feed availability, manage grasslands wisely, and reduce the environmental footprint of livestock systems, which are essential to both rural livelihoods and planetary health.
At the heart of the discussions: safety, traceability, and sustainability. Contaminants like mycotoxins, microplastics, and chemical residues don’t just harm animals - they threaten human health, disrupt international trade, and undermine consumer trust. Poorly managed feed chains contribute to deforestation, emissions, and biodiversity loss. And in many regions, feed legislation still lags behind international standards such as the Codex Alimentarius.
“There’s a need for science-based policies and regulations to manage feed systems wisely – protecting health, supporting trade, boosting productivity, and building resilience,” QU Dongyu stated. He also emphasised the importance of inclusivity, ensuring small and medium-sized farmers gain access to safe, affordable feed and services.
This year’s forum builds on momentum from 2023, offering a platform for real-world solutions. Key themes include increasing feed availability through locally-sourced ingredients, such as pasture, grains, and circular economy inputs, and scaling up innovative feed technologies that enhance productivity while lowering environmental costs.
One of the key outcomes? The identification of FAO Reference Centres for Animal Feed – collaborative hubs linking regulators, laboratories, researchers, and private stakeholders to fast-track innovation and global best practices in feed safety.
With plans to host the forum every two years, FAO is setting a rhythm for global collaboration and accountability in the feed sector. For farmers, feed manufacturers, and regulators alike, this marks a vital step toward a more secure, equitable, and climate-smart agricultural future.
In the world of African agriculture, few things are as vital and as overlooked as water
Not just for drinking, but for growing, irrigating, and sustaining life from soil to supper. In Sierra Leone, where farming still feeds most households, one partnership is quietly rewriting that story, drop by drop.
Enter So Pure, a local enterprise with a bold ambition: deliver clean, affordable drinking water across the country, while laying the groundwork for better agricultural resilience. But this isn’t just about hydration this is about farming futures. And now, with the support of capital lender Zvilo, So Pure is scaling its operations in ways that directly impact the agricultural landscape.
So Pure operates a fully integrated water value chain - purifying, packaging, and distributing safe drinking water through sachets and 20-litre bottles to over 500,000 Sierra Leoneans. While that may sound like a public health story, farmers know better: water security underpins crop planning, livestock health, and rural labour productivity.
Since 2019, So Pure has also been running a waste recovery facility collecting and recycling plastic sachets and packaging. This creates a circular economy that benefits not only the environment but also supports rural livelihoods. And with Zvilo stepping in to provide working capital, So Pure can now localise its packaging production, reduce reliance on imports, and stabilise supply chains—an urgent win for agricultural communities constantly disrupted by external shocks.
Scaling up to 10–12 million litres per month isn’t just a business milestone—it’s a watershed moment for farmers who rely on predictable water access, even if indirectly. And this impact grows with So Pure’s network of over 500 vendors and agents, many of whom are located in farming communities.
The initiative also aligns with Sierra Leone’s national 10-year WASH programme, “Securing Water, Enabling Dignity, and Advancing Development,” which targets 90% coverage by 2035. Farmers are at the heart of this goal because without clean water, there is no food security.
Support from development finance institutions like British International Investment, FMO, and Proparco, along with Ecobank’s risk-sharing facility, underscores how strategic finance can nurture grassroots change. As part of BII’s CARE for Water initiative, the project also ties into broader climate adaptation goals vital for African farms facing erratic weather and drought.
As So Pure and Zvilo push the boundaries of what clean water access can mean, they’re not just serving consumers - they’re fuelling the continent’s oldest profession with its most essential resource.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a pivotal US$22.8mn grant to elevate rice production in Mozambique, reinforcing the country’s agricultural resilience against climate change
This funding is central to the Mozambique Rice and Climate Resilience Development Project, an initiative aimed at tackling critical issues within Mozambique’s rice farming sector while ensuring sustainable food security.
Rice holds a vital place in Mozambique’s agricultural landscape, yet challenges such as low productivity, insufficient irrigation infrastructure, and heightened climate vulnerability remain significant obstacles. The AfDB grant will directly address these concerns by funding essential irrigation development, distributing climate-resilient rice varieties, and promoting sustainable farming methods. A key focus will also be on empowering farmers through training programmes, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices that will drive long-term growth and sustainability.
The impact of this project will be most felt in the key rice-producing regions of Zambézia and Nampula, where enhanced rice yields will not only meet local demand but also stimulate rural economies. In a country where agriculture is a lifeline for many, the project’s success will be crucial in boosting food availability and improving income generation for thousands of farmers.
Given Mozambique's vulnerability to climate change, the project’s focus on climate resilience is timely. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events threaten agricultural productivity and food security. By developing rice farming that can withstand these challenges, the project will reduce Mozambique’s dependence on rice imports, which currently account for a significant portion of national consumption.
This initiative aligns with Mozambique’s broader goals of economic diversification, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. As the project unfolds, it is poised to serve as a model for other African nations grappling with similar agricultural and climate issues, delivering lasting benefits for both the economy and the resilience of Mozambique’s farming communities.
Agrofood Ghana is set to host its 7th International Trade Show in Accra from 28‑30 October 2025 at the AICC – Grand Arena
It is a major event in Ghana and West Africa’s agro‑food sector, bringing together exhibitors, buyers, trade visitors, and institutional partners to explore business, innovation, and investment opportunities. The theme centres on boosting trade within Ghana and the broader West African region.
The event covers the full food/agriculture value chain—from “field to fork.” Exhibitors are displaying everything: agricultural machinery, tractors, harvesting and feeding equipment, grain storage, irrigation, livestock and poultry breeding, milk processing, milling, food & beverage processing, packaging, refrigeration, waste & water treatment, food safety tech, and more. Technologies for snacks, dairy, and bakery are also included.
Support for Agrofood Ghana comes from both national and international bodies. Locally, government ministries such as the Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Trade & Industry, Environment, Science & Innovation, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Food & Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), and others are involved. International partners and delegates include European associations, foreign embassies, trade agencies, and business councils.
The trade show also features a conference programme, roundtables, special themes, and the Africa Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards. These sessions aim to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and highlight innovations and trends in the agro‑food sector.
Agrofood Ghana also offers serious networking opportunities. Attendees will meet buyers from across Ghana and West Africa, explore new products, discover technologies, and form partnerships that can boost trade and investment in agriculture and food technology.
In 2019, South Africa’s Poultry Sector Master Plan (PSMP) was launched with bold ambitions: to protect the industry from dumped imports, boost local production, grow exports, create jobs, and expand black ownership.
Six years later, while the vision still resonates, the momentum behind it is fading.
The PSMP was designed as a joint public–private effort to rebuild the country’s broiler value chain, which had suffered years of damage from unfair trade. It focused on five key pillars: enforcing trade remedies, stimulating local demand and production, expanding exports, supporting transformation, and improving governance through a dedicated oversight council.
In its early phase, the plan showed real promise. The poultry industry responded quickly, committing over R2.2 billion in new investments — surpassing the initial R1.5 billion target. Trade measures, supported by bird flu outbreaks abroad, began to reduce dumped imports, offering local producers some relief.
Major producers expanded operations, onboarded contract growers, and created jobs. Emerging farmers were integrated into formal value chains through offtake agreements, marking visible progress in transformation. These developments proved that when government and industry worked in sync, results followed.
But since the last election, progress has stalled. Responsibility for the PSMP was shifted to deputy ministers, and political attention drifted. While government leaders, including Gauteng MEC Ramokgopa and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, have reaffirmed their commitment — citing new financial packages, bird flu vaccination plans, and improved cold chains — much of it remains on paper.
Exports, a cornerstone of the plan, are still blocked by red tape. Negotiations with key markets like the EU, UAE, and Saudi Arabia have made little headway. Veterinary labs remain underfunded and understaffed, delaying health certification. As one insider put it, “Exports die in the lab. Producers are ready, but the paperwork isn’t.”
The plan also promised blended finance to help small and black-owned producers scale up. Yet funding access remains limited, and government-imposed conditions on vaccine rollouts have made key health programmes unaffordable and impractical for producers.
Ultimately, the Master Plan was never meant to be carried by the private sector alone. It’s a shared compact — one that depends on both sides delivering. The poultry industry has largely honoured its commitments. Now, government must match that effort with urgent, transparent and time-bound action.
South Africa’s poultry sector still holds massive potential — for rural jobs, food security, black empowerment and export growth. But unless government moves beyond promises to delivery, the PSMP risks becoming a cautionary tale of plans made, but not kept.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a pivotal US$22.8mn grant to elevate rice production in Mozambique, reinforcing the country’s agricultural resilience against climate change
This funding is central to the Mozambique Rice and Climate Resilience Development Project, an initiative aimed at tackling critical issues within Mozambique’s rice farming sector while ensuring sustainable food security.
Rice holds a vital place in Mozambique’s agricultural landscape, yet challenges such as low productivity, insufficient irrigation infrastructure, and heightened climate vulnerability remain significant obstacles. The AfDB grant will directly address these concerns by funding essential irrigation development, distributing climate-resilient rice varieties, and promoting sustainable farming methods. A key focus will also be on empowering farmers through training programmes, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices that will drive long-term growth and sustainability.
The impact of this project will be most felt in the key rice-producing regions of Zambézia and Nampula, where enhanced rice yields will not only meet local demand but also stimulate rural economies. In a country where agriculture is a lifeline for many, the project’s success will be crucial in boosting food availability and improving income generation for thousands of farmers.
Given Mozambique's vulnerability to climate change, the project’s focus on climate resilience is timely. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events threaten agricultural productivity and food security. By developing rice farming that can withstand these challenges, the project will reduce Mozambique’s dependence on rice imports, which currently account for a significant portion of national consumption.
This initiative aligns with Mozambique’s broader goals of economic diversification, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. As the project unfolds, it is poised to serve as a model for other African nations grappling with similar agricultural and climate issues, delivering lasting benefits for both the economy and the resilience of Mozambique’s farming communities.

Condor, Tornado, and Dragon sprayers offer tailored solutions for farms of all sizes, backed by cutting-edge technology and smart usability.(Image credit: Agrifac)
AgriFac has pulled the wraps off three brand-new sprayers that promise to change the way African farmers protect and feed their crops
Designed with precision, sustainability, and scale in mind, the Condor, Tornado, and Dragon sprayers offer tailored solutions for farms of all sizes, backed by cutting-edge technology and smart usability.
The launch marks a bold step forward in crop protection and fertilisation across Africa, where efficiency, resource management, and environmental care are increasingly critical to farm profitability. AgriFac’s focus is clear: help farmers do more with less—less waste, less cost, and less environmental impact.
At the top of the range, the Condor is built for large-scale operations. It’s robust, capable, and engineered to deliver maximum performance even under tough climate conditions. Its wide coverage and tech-driven controls make it ideal for commercial farms looking to scale up without compromising accuracy.
Next is the Tornado- a versatile, mid-sized sprayer that balances power and precision. Compact yet tough, it’s designed for farms that need flexibility, particularly where terrain or field layout demand nimble, accurate spraying.
For smallholders, AgriFac introduces the Dragon - a user-friendly, low-maintenance sprayer that doesn’t skimp on performance. It’s light, affordable, and built to last, giving smaller farms access to the same innovations transforming larger operations.
What truly sets these machines apart is their smart tech integration. Each model can sync with a mobile app, giving farmers real-time feedback on spray coverage, application rates, and performance data. This enables smarter decision-making and helps reduce over-application and input waste.
Environmentally, AgriFac’s new line leads the way. With low-pressure nozzles and adjustable booms, the sprayers deliver targeted application with minimal drift protecting neighbouring crops, water sources, and biodiversity.
In a farming landscape where every drop and decision counts, AgriFac’s latest sprayers deliver a timely boost. For African growers facing rising input costs and climate pressures, these machines offer a practical, forward-thinking solution to modern farming challenges.