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In The Spotlight

Papaya is one of Kenya’s most important fruit crops.

Agriculture

Papaya farmers in Kenya are seeing a revival in their harvests, thanks to a tiny parasitic wasp known as Acerophagus papayae

This natural predator is proving to be a game-changer in controlling the papaya mealybug - a destructive pest that has caused widespread damage since it was first detected in the country in 2016.

Papaya is one of Kenya’s most important fruit crops, ranking fourth nationally, and is a vital source of both income and nutrition for rural families. However, the papaya mealybug infestation devastated leaves, stems, and fruits, forcing many farmers to abandon their orchards due to severe crop losses.

In response, scientists from the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) adopted a biological control approach inspired by successful efforts in Ghana. According to  Selpha Miller, an invasive species expert at CABI, “We learned how to produce and distribute the wasps while they are still in their ‘mummy’ stage. That allowed us to produce more and reach about 995 farms so far.”

The wasps are bred in laboratories on potato sprouts. Once matured, the “mummies” are attached to small cards, which are then placed beneath papaya leaves. Upon hatching, the wasps begin to parasitise and reduce the mealybug population without any need for chemical pesticides.

Farmers have welcomed the intervention. One farmer shared, “We were struggling to control the pest because nothing worked at that time... When I heard about biological control using natural enemies, I was excited. It’s good news for us farmers.”

Mary, another farmer who grows papaya alongside citrus and bananas, added, “The mealybugs destroyed about half of what I was supposed to harvest... Since using this biological control, I’m now saving a lot. Buyers come to my farm to buy fruits directly.”

Miller noted, “Unlike pesticides that give instant results, this method takes about six months for the wasps to build up and control the pest population.”

The initiative, supported by organisations like KALRO, KEPHIS, and various county governments, is also expanding into neighbouring countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi.

This eco-friendly solution is helping Kenyan farmers regain control of their papaya fields, reduce costs, and restore livelihoods naturally and sustainably.

The Propcom+ approach is helping to build a more food-secure future.

Agriculture

As part of efforts to tackle hunger and improve farming resilience, the UK Aid-funded Propcom+ project is strengthening its support for climate-smart and nutrition-rich agriculture in Nigeria

The announcement was made during the Nutritious Food Fair held in Kano, commemorating World Food Day 2025.

Adiya Ode, Country Representative and Political Director for Propcom+, explained that the project is focused on bringing long-term transformation to Nigeria’s farming sector, especially in regions affected by climate change and conflict.“We are driving transformation through market-driven and climate-smart solutions that empower smallholder farmers while promoting sustainability,” she said.

A key focus of Propcom+ is encouraging farmers to grow nutrient-rich crops such as Vitamin A maize, Iron Pearl Millet, Cowpea, Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato, and Groundnuts. These crops are not only resilient to climate pressures, but also essential in providing vital nutrients that help address hidden hunger - a condition caused by micronutrient deficiencies.

Dr. Ode also pointed out that partnerships with the Kano State Government and HarvestPlus have made a significant difference. From quality seeds to local markets, the entire farming value chain is being strengthened to ensure farmers earn better incomes and consumers gain access to affordable, healthy food.

Yusuf Dollah Fuad, Country Manager for HarvestPlus, said, “Most rural communities consume what they produce on their farms. By cultivating nutrient-enriched staple crops, farmers can directly provide essential vitamins and micronutrients to their families.”

This shift highlights a growing recognition of the link between agriculture and nutrition, showing that farming can be both profitable and health-focused. It also underlines the need to empower rural farmers with the right seeds, knowledge, and support.

The Propcom+ approach is helping to build a more food-secure future, where farmers are not only feeding their families but also helping tackle malnutrition across the country.

With continued support and focus on climate-resilient farming, Nigeria is taking bold steps to secure its food systems and uplift rural communities.

Katsina State is prioritising agriculture and rural development.

Agriculture

Katsina State is preparing to roll out a major agricultural initiative as part of a broader development agenda, with the launch of a dedicated radio station for farmers taking centre stage

This key project was unveiled during the official visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday.

The new radio station, tailored specifically for farmers, is aimed at providing vital agricultural information and real-time support to help improve productivity and decision-making on the farm.

Ahmed Bakori, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Livestock, speaking on the development said, “The radio platform will allow farmers to communicate freely and receive expert guidance, complementing the services of extension workers and the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA).”

The initiative is part of the state’s wider efforts to modernise agriculture by enhancing access to farming inputs, equipment, and specialised training. The radio station will serve as a reliable channel for advice on pest control, crop management, livestock care, market access, and government farming programmes especially for smallholder farmers in rural areas who rely heavily on radio for information.

This move reflects Katsina’s strong focus on improving agricultural extension services and ensuring farmers receive up-to-date, localised support without the need to travel or wait for in-person visits.

In addition to the agricultural initiative, the Vice President will also commission a range of infrastructure projects during his visit. This includes a newly completed 3.3-kilometre road within Katsina metropolis, linking the Central Mosque to the WTC roundabout, built at a cost of US1.9bn. Alhaji Sani Magaji-Ingawa, Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transportation, confirmed the project’s completion ahead of the visit.

Also on the agenda is the formal opening of the 9th Expanded National MSMEs Clinic. Aisha Aminu, Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA), revealed that this initiative highlights the government’s ongoing push to support small businesses and promote economic inclusion.

With these developments, Katsina State is clearly prioritising agriculture and rural development, providing farmers with tools, training, and a voice to drive sustainable growth in the sector.

African Farming

Tractor of the Year awards ceremony at EIMA 2021

The 44th edition of EIMA International 2021 will host the Tractor of the Year awards ceremony, and feature a parade of the fourteen finalist models

The Bologna-based event focuses on new products and offers a wide-ranging showcase for Tractor of the Year, the competition promoted by Trattori magazine, that selects the best models among those produced during the year, and awards prizes to the winners from different categories.

During the exhibition, the awards ceremony will be held for four models - Tractor of the Year, Best Utility, Best of Specialised and Sustainable TOTY - that have been selected on the basis of votes cast by an international jury of 26 journalists from trade publications.

The Tractor of the Year event will be a major attraction throughout the five days of the event. It is expected to be one of the most interesting new features of this year's EIMA International.

The open-air arena within the exhibition complex, between halls 37 and 35, has been chosen to display the finalist tractors. The audience can expect to see the fourteen models that competed for the "Tractor of the Year" on display in the open-air arena, while a speaker will introduce the technical features of each of the models. 

TOTY is an important promotional and marketing platform for the manufacturers of the tractor sector, which is able to develop substantial technological innovations every year, improve vehicle performance, and capture new user segments.

Top Stories

Grid List

Event News

HortiFlora is transitioning from a biennial to an annual event. (Image credit: HotiFlora)

Event News

Following the success of its 2025 edition, HortiFlora is transitioning from a biennial to an annual event

The decision reflects the growing international interest and expanding role of Ethiopia in the global horticultural industry. According to Dick Van Raamsdonk of HPP Worldwide, “Given the increasing international interest and significance of the event, HortiFlora will now have a transition from a biennial trade show to an annual one.”

This year’s trade show, held in Addis Ababa from April 1st to 3rd, saw a record turnout and a noticeable international presence, especially from the Middle East. Van Raamsdonk expressed his satisfaction, saying, “It was a highly successful event, featuring a record-breaking 140 exhibitors, stunning stands, and a consistent flow of visitors, including a strong international presence, particularly from the Middle East.”

For the first time, the event showcased not just flowers but also fruits and vegetables, which marked a significant development for the show. “The inclusion of fruit and vegetable growers alongside the traditional floral exhibitors significantly expanded the event’s scope.” This broader focus reflects the growing importance of Ethiopia’s horticultural sector, which now includes a wide variety of fresh produce.

The move to an annual schedule is expected to benefit the industry in several ways. As Van Raamsdonk said, “With Ethiopia’s rising production of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables, an annual event will further strengthen the country’s export potential, stimulate its economy, and foster continued growth in the horticultural sector’s employment.”

Organised in close cooperation with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA), HortiFlora has seen steady growth over the past 20 years. The next edition is already set for March 24-26, 2026, again in Addis Ababa, and is expected to attract even more participants as the show continues to gain traction globally.

By becoming an annual event, HortiFlora is positioning itself as a key platform for international trade, innovation, and collaboration in one of Africa’s fastest-growing agricultural sectors.

The New Africa: Education, Training, and Education for Agricultural and Agro-Mechanical Technicians. (Image credit: Agrilevante)

9th edition of the GGAA is co-hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Livestock

FAO is setting a rhythm for global collaboration and accountability in the feed sector.

Cattle

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.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a serious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals.

Aquatic foods play a vital role in providing high-quality protein and essential nutrients needed to combat malnutrition.

Crops

Papaya is one of Kenya’s most important fruit crops.

Agriculture

Papaya farmers in Kenya are seeing a revival in their harvests, thanks to a tiny parasitic wasp known as Acerophagus papayae

This natural predator is proving to be a game-changer in controlling the papaya mealybug - a destructive pest that has caused widespread damage since it was first detected in the country in 2016.

Papaya is one of Kenya’s most important fruit crops, ranking fourth nationally, and is a vital source of both income and nutrition for rural families. However, the papaya mealybug infestation devastated leaves, stems, and fruits, forcing many farmers to abandon their orchards due to severe crop losses.

In response, scientists from the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) adopted a biological control approach inspired by successful efforts in Ghana. According to  Selpha Miller, an invasive species expert at CABI, “We learned how to produce and distribute the wasps while they are still in their ‘mummy’ stage. That allowed us to produce more and reach about 995 farms so far.”

The wasps are bred in laboratories on potato sprouts. Once matured, the “mummies” are attached to small cards, which are then placed beneath papaya leaves. Upon hatching, the wasps begin to parasitise and reduce the mealybug population without any need for chemical pesticides.

Farmers have welcomed the intervention. One farmer shared, “We were struggling to control the pest because nothing worked at that time... When I heard about biological control using natural enemies, I was excited. It’s good news for us farmers.”

Mary, another farmer who grows papaya alongside citrus and bananas, added, “The mealybugs destroyed about half of what I was supposed to harvest... Since using this biological control, I’m now saving a lot. Buyers come to my farm to buy fruits directly.”

Miller noted, “Unlike pesticides that give instant results, this method takes about six months for the wasps to build up and control the pest population.”

The initiative, supported by organisations like KALRO, KEPHIS, and various county governments, is also expanding into neighbouring countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi.

This eco-friendly solution is helping Kenyan farmers regain control of their papaya fields, reduce costs, and restore livelihoods naturally and sustainably.

The cannabis market evolving in South Africa.

For farmers across Africa, this development could mean more predictable prices.

Technology

TopCut system is designed to be compatible with a variety of harvester types.(Image credit: Züern)

Machinery & Equipment

The TopCut system by Züern Harvesting is an innovative solution designed to improve the efficiency and precision of harvesting tall, deep-rooted crops such as cereal grains and grass-based crops

Aimed at conventional farming, this system uses advanced cutting technology to streamline the harvesting process, benefiting both farmers and the environment.

A standout feature of the TopCut system is its cutting mechanism, which harvests crops at an optimal height, generally above the root zone. This method reduces soil disturbance, preventing unnecessary damage to plants and improving the overall quality of the harvested crop. By cutting at this higher level, it also protects the root system, especially in crops that grow in deeper soils, ensuring minimal disruption and stress to the plant.

The TopCut system is designed to be compatible with a variety of harvester types, making it easy for farmers to integrate with their existing machinery. This versatility is particularly valuable for large-scale, high-output farming operations, where efficiency is key. Additionally, the system includes a cleaning mechanism that removes contaminants from the crops during harvest, reducing the need for extensive post-harvest processing.

From an environmental perspective, the TopCut system plays a role in promoting sustainability. By cutting crops at the right height, it helps minimise the need for excessive tillage, which in turn reduces soil erosion and preserves the soil’s natural structure. Maintaining the integrity of the root zone also supports healthier crop growth in the following seasons, contributing to a more sustainable farming cycle.

In essence, the TopCut system offers a forward-thinking approach to crop harvesting, balancing efficiency, quality, and environmental sustainability. Its precision cutting technology, ease of integration with existing equipment, and focus on long-term agricultural productivity make it a valuable tool for modern farming.

Modern greenhouses will allow the continuous cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables throughout the year.

LaserFly – For a Healthy Future.(Image credit: Pantec Biosolutions AG)

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