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In The Spotlight

Africa’s future lies not in isolated interventions but in a cohesive, interlinked agricultural framework. (Image credit: AAII)

Agriculture

The African Agri Investment Indaba, held last week, shifted the continent’s agricultural conversation from individual innovations to a far more ambitious and unified vision.

Rather than celebrating isolated breakthroughs, the event framed African food security as dependent on an integrated technological ecosystem one where drones, circular bio-economies and intelligent infrastructure operate as interconnected components of a resilient agricultural system.

The dialogue quickly moved beyond the familiar question of what each technology could achieve. Instead, speakers explored the transformative potential unlocked when these tools work in concert. Gerrit van Rensburg of SkyFarmers opened the discussion by demonstrating how modern agricultural drones had evolved far beyond aerial spraying. These machines now collect granular, real-time data that identifies precisely where interventions are needed. He argued that such information forms the essential “foundational layer” of every smart and responsive farm.

Building on this, Gerald Nel of Grüner and FARA presented how that data could power the Integrated Bio-Circular Networks Africa (IBNA). Within this model, predicted crop residues and agricultural waste cease to be by-products. Instead, they become vital resources converted into renewable energy and organic fertiliser that feed back into farms and processing centres. This closed-loop system illustrated how data-driven production and circular resource use reinforce one another.

The system’s environmental benefits were then linked directly to financial opportunity. Sabrina Basson of EmitiQ explained how regenerative practices, supported by precision insights and circular processes, contribute to measurable carbon sequestration. She showed that these gains allow farmers to access carbon markets, effectively turning improved soil health into a new revenue stream. This, she noted, creates a powerful economic rationale for adopting sustainable farming practices.

Yet improved production meant little without safeguarding harvests. Bühler’s Marco Sutter highlighted the next critical step: smart storage solutions capable of drastically reducing post-harvest losses. With nearly 30% of Africa’s grain historically wasted after harvest, his presentation underscored how intelligent silos able to detect spoilage, pests and mycotoxins protect the value created throughout the farming cycle.

Finally, Roble Sabrie of the FAO brought the conversation full circle by linking technological progress to trade and food access. He emphasised that even the most advanced farming systems depend on reliable transport routes. Efficient pathways such as the Lobito Corridor, he explained, are essential: “Corridors are the circulatory system,” he said, “moving healthy produce from robust agricultural hearts to hungry markets.” Cutting logistics costs by nearly half, these corridors ensure that the gains made on farms reach regional consumers and global markets.

By the close of the Indaba, one message was unmistakable: Africa’s future lies not in isolated interventions but in a cohesive, interlinked agricultural framework. This vision where precision data enables circular economies, environmental gains are monetised, production is protected by intelligent storage, and goods travel efficiently to market offers investors a compelling, systemic opportunity. It promises an agricultural transformation that is resilient, competitive and genuinely future-ready.

Must-see highlights at DLG Feldtage 2026. (Image credit: DLG)

Event News

From 16 to 18 June 2026, Bernburg in Saxony-Anhalt will once again become the central hub for modern crop production as the DLG Feldtage returns to the fields of the International DLG Crop Production Centre.

Set on DLG’s expansive 600-hectare trial farm near Leipzig, the open-air event is gearing up to showcase practical farming innovations under the inspiring theme “Crop Production out of the Box”. With more than 150 exhibitors already registered, the organisers are still welcoming further participants via dlg-feldtage.de.

Recognised as the leading international field exhibition for crop professionals, DLG Feldtage brings together farmers, agronomists, machinery experts and researchers seeking hands-on insights into the future of crop production. This year’s programme spans everything from plant breeding and crop protection to fertilisation strategies and cutting-edge agricultural machinery. Visitors can look forward to a rich mix of demonstrations, expert knowledge and real-world trial plots, supported by popular formats including DLG Spotlights, Expert Stages and Pop-up Talks.

The thematic DLG Spotlights are set to be a major draw. The “Planting Green” Spotlight will delve into direct drilling into living cover crops, with live plots demonstrating soil-friendly techniques, nutrient efficiency and modern weed management approaches. Equally compelling is the “Value Chain for Quality Wheat” Spotlight, which traces how premium wheat quality is upheld from field to processing, illustrating the collaboration required across agriculture, trade and milling. Meanwhile, the “Organic Farming” Spotlight will highlight diverse rotations, robust crop choices and practical advice for organic growers looking to refine both production and marketing.

Across the site, visitors will find dedicated meeting zones for discussions on oil and protein crops, resilient cropping concepts and strategies for navigating weather-related risks. As always, machinery demonstrations are a core attraction. Across six themed areas from direct seeding and deep tillage to mechanical weed control 66 machine combinations will take to the field, each accompanied by expert commentary and presented once per day.

Following its successful debut in 2024, FarmRobotix returns with the latest robotics, automation tools and AI-driven innovations for crop production. A special demonstration area will spotlight autonomous field systems, offering a glimpse of how technology may redefine farming in the years ahead.

Beyond the plots and machines, the DLG Plaza will serve as the social and professional heart of the event, hosting expert talks, panel sessions, regional food and relaxed networking. Short and sharp Pop-up Talks will take place at exhibitor stands and Spotlight areas, covering timely topics such as fertilisation and crop protection. The popular DLG CropNight will also make its return, inviting attendees to unwind with live music, food and summer drinks. Camping facilities will be available for visitors wishing to stay on site.

For more information please visit www.dlg-feldtage.de

Senegal boosts plant protection with new drone technology.

Machinery & Equipment

Senegal is taking a major leap in modernising its agricultural pest-control systems.

The Direction de la Protection des Végétaux (DPV) has introduced six “new-generation” drones to strengthen surveillance and phytosanitary operations across the country. This initiative marks the first time drones are being deployed in Senegal’s plant-protection efforts and underscores the nation’s growing commitment to leveraging technology in agriculture.

According to a communication from the Ministry of Agriculture, the drones are capable of covering 25 hectares of farmland per hour, enabling the DPV which has overseen crop monitoring and phytosanitary control since 1974  to carry out its operations with far greater efficiency and precision.

Beyond increasing productivity, the drones are designed to make fieldwork safer for staff. The DPV emphasised that the technology will “reduce staff exposure to chemical treatments, improve response times, and elevate the overall quality of interventions.” This innovation not only accelerates pest control measures but also ensures that interventions are more targeted and environmentally responsible.

The successful integration of drones into Senegal’s agricultural system is credited to a strategic partnership with the country’s Air Force. Under the leadership of Colonel Ousmane Ngom, a dedicated team of remote pilots and technicians has been trained to operate these advanced machines, ensuring that the technology is used effectively and safely.

The introduction of drones is particularly timely given the ongoing pest challenges facing Senegalese agriculture. In its 2023 report, the DPV highlighted the spread of the Fall Armyworm, which was first detected in Senegal in 2018 and continues to migrate between departments, posing a significant threat to maize crops. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this pest alone accounts for losses of approximately 18 million tonnes of maize annually across Africa.

In addition to the Fall Armyworm, the DPV continues to monitor other damaging pests, including locusts, blister beetles, and fruit flies  the latter of which is especially destructive for mango production.

For Senegal, the adoption of drone technology represents a clear shift towards precision agriculture and modern farming practices. The country aims to enhance food security, improve agricultural resilience, and deliver faster, safer, and more effective pest control measures. As the DPV deploys these aerial tools for the first time, Senegal is positioning itself at the forefront of agricultural innovation in West Africa.

African Farming

Biome Makers announces commitment to soil health with Mission Soil Manifesto endorsement

Biome Makers, a leading agtech company in soil health analysis and microbiome technology, announced its commitment to safeguarding and revitalising soil health through concrete actions

On 20 April 2023, the company became a signatory of the Mission Soil Manifesto, underscoring its dedication to promoting sustainable soil management practices. 

The Mission Soil Deal for Europe, spearheaded by an alliance of regional and local policy-makers, stakeholders, and citizens, aims to establish a thriving community that prioritises the preservation of soil health. By endorsing the Mission Soil Manifesto, Biome Makers aligns with organisations recognising the urgent need for soil protection. Through this commitment, Biome Makers engages in knowledge-sharing activities and events, facilitating the exchange of best practices with like-minded organisations dedicated to preserving soil health.

Biome Makers actively supports soil health restoration through its ongoing global initiative, Fields4Ever. Dedicated to conserving and monitoring soil health, Fields4Ever currently backs 218 soil health restoration projects in 45 countries. With its BeCrop technology, utilised by more than 2,000 customers worldwide, Biome Makers empowers stakeholders with functional soil assessment tools, education, and training. 

"We are thrilled to be part of the Mission Soil community and to endorse the principles outlined in the Manifesto," stated Alberto Acedo, cofounder and chief scientific officer at Biome Makers. "Soil health is fundamental to the sustainability of our planet, and as leaders in soil analysis and microbiome technology, we are committed to driving positive change. By joining forces with other signatories, we can collectively foster innovative solutions and ensure a prosperous future for our soils." 

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Event News

Visitors will explore how horticulture can embed sustainable business practices. (Image credit: IPM ESSEN)

Event News

From 27 to 30 January 2026, Messe Essen will once again become the beating heart of the global green industry as it hosts IPM ESSEN 2026.

The world-leading trade fair will bring together the entire horticultural value chain, offering a comprehensive look at plants, technology, floristry, garden features and the emerging trends shaping the horticultural future. This upcoming edition places strong emphasis not only on new products, but on the strategic transformation of the industry itself.

Visitors will explore how horticulture can embed sustainable business practices, harness the growing influence of artificial intelligence, captivate modern consumers and attract the skilled professionals and young talent the sector urgently needs. As Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen, explains, “IPM ESSEN is the place where the green sector collectively tackles global challenges – in a practical, international and inspiring way. Our visitors experience not only trends but also viable solutions – from climate-resilient plants and new training concepts to sustainable technology.”

With around 1,400 exhibitors from 45 countries expected, the fair will serve as a major platform for ordering, networking and knowledge-sharing. Familiar industry leaders such as Florensis, Scheurich, Soendgen Keramik and Koopman International will return, showcasing the innovative products and services that continue to shape international horticulture. As in previous years, the exhibition grounds will be fully occupied and clearly organised by theme, ensuring smooth navigation for professional visitors.

The plant halls will display the sector in all its diversity—from perennials and young plants to herbs, balcony plants and cut flowers. A core focus will be plants that can withstand the realities of climate change, including drought-tolerant and heat-resistant species. Hall 2 will welcome the Gardener Forum, offering expert lectures on production, marketing and technology. A new highlight, the Wood Arena in Hall 7, will explore future-proof tree assortments for cities, forests and private gardens, alongside biodiversity-enhancing hedges. Messe Essen will also host the Green Cities Europe Award for the second year, celebrating impactful urban greening projects. Additionally, the Landgard Order Days | Spring Edition return in Hall 1A, providing a compact, inspiration-filled ordering platform.

Technology remains central to the future of horticulture, and IPM ESSEN 2026 will showcase cutting-edge solutions in automation, digitalisation and resource efficiency. The Horticultural Technology Innovation Center in Hall 4 will present forward-looking approaches to energy saving, water optimisation and logistics. The Cannabis.NET special area, led by the University of Hohenheim, will give insight into scientific developments in cannabis research. Hall 4 will also host the Horticultural Information Center, featuring practical demonstrations on peat-free substrates, biostimulants and novel cultivation techniques, and will present the IPM Novelties Showcase, awarding the top plant innovations on the first day.

Country pavilions from across Europe, Asia and the Americas will highlight global expertise and trade opportunities, with participation from Turkey, France, Denmark, Italy, the UK, Poland, Portugal and Israel. A stronger focus on the next generation will be seen through Training Day, the Careers + Future Forum, and the debut Young Entrepreneurs Day, featuring a keynote by musician and entrepreneur Joey Kelly.

Alongside the fair, the Congress Center Essen will host the BdB seminar and the “GaLaBau Outlook” congress, offering professional insight into urban greening and landscape architecture.

The 2026 edition will take place from 24–26 March 2026. (Image credit: Hortiflora)

Must-see highlights at DLG Feldtage 2026. (Image credit: DLG)

Livestock

An AGRA-led matchmaking platform designed to connect agribusinesses with investors and financiers. (Image credit: AGRA)

Poultry

The Poultry Futures Forum 2025 has officially opened in Lusaka, marking a pivotal moment for Southern Africa’s ambition to build stronger, more resilient poultry value chains.

Led by AGRA under the Southern Africa Poultry Initiative (SAPI), the Forum calls for a decisive shift from fragmented national interventions to a unified regional strategy. AGRA stressed that coordinated action is essential to boost production, reduce feed costs, enhance climate resilience and unlock deeper private sector investment while championing innovation and the leadership of young entrepreneurs.

The event has drawn an influential mix of stakeholders, including SADC government representatives, commercial poultry businesses, grain processors, researchers, financiers and agri-preneurs. Their shared goal is to accelerate practical, cross-country collaboration to resolve the structural challenges that continue to hold back the growth of the poultry industry.

This year’s Forum builds on the outcomes of the inaugural meeting held in Dar es Salaam in 2024, where delegates agreed on the need for a shared regional roadmap. Over the past year, several countries have made meaningful progress by aligning national action plans with the overarching regional poultry agenda, showing growing commitment to collective development.

In his opening message, AGRA Board Chair, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, highlighted the momentum already taking shape, stating: “Over the past year, we have seen encouraging momentum. Several countries have developed national poultry action plans. Youth entrepreneurs are bringing new digital solutions to production and marketing. Most notably, we have launched the Poultry Feed Accelerator Grand Challenge – a direct response to the number one constraint identified by producers across our region: the high and volatile cost of feed. This initiative invites innovators, researchers and investors to present breakthrough ideas that can lower feed costs while improving quality and sustainability.”

True to its mission of inclusive growth, the Forum places young people and women at the centre of its agenda. A dedicated Youth Poultry Forum and Innovation Pitch provides a platform to showcase emerging entrepreneurs whose innovations are addressing key industry challenges from feed technology and disease control to climate resilience and market access. AGRA aims to spotlight these rising leaders who are shaping a more dynamic and competitive poultry sector across the continent.

Peter Kapala, Zambia’s Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, said, “The government of Zambia has prioritized poultry development under the eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP), in alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Zambia takes pride in its position as a regional leader, particularly in the export of day-old chicks and specialty birds such as quails. The government is committed to creating an enabling environment to strengthen the domestic and regional poultry market, safeguard local producers, and promote value addition. This commitment includes: inclusive policies that empower smallholder farmers, women, and youth, improved access to quality feed, veterinary services, and climate-smart practices, promotion of affordable technology and digital advisory services.”

Throughout the Forum, discussions will explore opportunities for greater private sector collaboration, particularly in expanding regional feed manufacturing capacity and reinforcing input supply chains. Delegates will also examine how climate-resilient production systems and improved disease management strategies can support long-term sector sustainability. These include new genetics and animal health solutions designed to strengthen productivity even under climate stress.

SAPI Technical Lead Alexander Stewart, said, “The Poultry Futures Forum high-level discussions and working sessions are focused on aligning policy and regulatory frameworks to improve cross-border trade and market integration across SADC. Through this coordination, the partners aim to help countries draft and refine national poultry action plans that align with regional goals for food security and economic growth.”

A major highlight of the event is the Deal Rooms, an AGRA-led matchmaking platform designed to connect agribusinesses with investors and financiers. These sessions aim to accelerate enterprise growth across the value chain from feed production and processing to cold chain logistics and packaging ultimately supporting a more competitive and sustainable poultry sector for the region.

Fisheries Development Surges Under PROFISHBLUE.

SwiftVEE specialises in digital livestock auctions, connecting buyers and sellers of cattle, sheep, goats, and game through online and live-streamed events.

Crops

Africa’s future lies not in isolated interventions but in a cohesive, interlinked agricultural framework. (Image credit: AAII)

Agriculture

The African Agri Investment Indaba, held last week, shifted the continent’s agricultural conversation from individual innovations to a far more ambitious and unified vision.

Rather than celebrating isolated breakthroughs, the event framed African food security as dependent on an integrated technological ecosystem one where drones, circular bio-economies and intelligent infrastructure operate as interconnected components of a resilient agricultural system.

The dialogue quickly moved beyond the familiar question of what each technology could achieve. Instead, speakers explored the transformative potential unlocked when these tools work in concert. Gerrit van Rensburg of SkyFarmers opened the discussion by demonstrating how modern agricultural drones had evolved far beyond aerial spraying. These machines now collect granular, real-time data that identifies precisely where interventions are needed. He argued that such information forms the essential “foundational layer” of every smart and responsive farm.

Building on this, Gerald Nel of Grüner and FARA presented how that data could power the Integrated Bio-Circular Networks Africa (IBNA). Within this model, predicted crop residues and agricultural waste cease to be by-products. Instead, they become vital resources converted into renewable energy and organic fertiliser that feed back into farms and processing centres. This closed-loop system illustrated how data-driven production and circular resource use reinforce one another.

The system’s environmental benefits were then linked directly to financial opportunity. Sabrina Basson of EmitiQ explained how regenerative practices, supported by precision insights and circular processes, contribute to measurable carbon sequestration. She showed that these gains allow farmers to access carbon markets, effectively turning improved soil health into a new revenue stream. This, she noted, creates a powerful economic rationale for adopting sustainable farming practices.

Yet improved production meant little without safeguarding harvests. Bühler’s Marco Sutter highlighted the next critical step: smart storage solutions capable of drastically reducing post-harvest losses. With nearly 30% of Africa’s grain historically wasted after harvest, his presentation underscored how intelligent silos able to detect spoilage, pests and mycotoxins protect the value created throughout the farming cycle.

Finally, Roble Sabrie of the FAO brought the conversation full circle by linking technological progress to trade and food access. He emphasised that even the most advanced farming systems depend on reliable transport routes. Efficient pathways such as the Lobito Corridor, he explained, are essential: “Corridors are the circulatory system,” he said, “moving healthy produce from robust agricultural hearts to hungry markets.” Cutting logistics costs by nearly half, these corridors ensure that the gains made on farms reach regional consumers and global markets.

By the close of the Indaba, one message was unmistakable: Africa’s future lies not in isolated interventions but in a cohesive, interlinked agricultural framework. This vision where precision data enables circular economies, environmental gains are monetised, production is protected by intelligent storage, and goods travel efficiently to market offers investors a compelling, systemic opportunity. It promises an agricultural transformation that is resilient, competitive and genuinely future-ready.

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Technology

South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and the DRC, the platform continues to expand opportunities for women shaping Africa’s digital future.(Image credit: Naspers and Prosus)

Infrastructure

Five pioneering African female founders have been awarded more than US$100,000 in equity-free funding after emerging as winners of the Naspers–Prosus Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, a competition created to spotlight women who are building technology solutions for real market needs across the continent.

The final event, held on 19 November 2025 in Johannesburg, brought together ten exceptional women founders representing a range of dynamic sectors including agritech, healthtech, climate technology, fintech, AI, and sustainable manufacturing. The timing of the finale aligned intentionally with Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, South Africa’s G20 Presidency, and the B20 Summit, amplifying the significance of the announcement on a global stage.

Interest in the Challenge was substantial, with 1,163 applications received from tech entrepreneurs across Africa during the one-month application window. This overwhelming response reflects not only the depth of innovation on the continent but also the growing momentum of Africa’s digital economy, projected to reach US$180bn by 2025. Despite this growth, women remain significantly underfunded, with female founders facing a US$42bn financing gap, a barrier the Challenge aims to help narrow.

Celebrating this year’s winners, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO and Executive Director of Naspers and Prosus, highlighted the exceptional calibre of talent on display. “I’m immensely proud of our overall winner, Esther Kimani, who brings agricultural innovation through AI-powered pest detection solutions, as well as all the finalists who demonstrated their phenomenal tech solutions today - congratulations!” she said. “The winners represent the next generation of technology leaders building viable businesses that solve real problems across Africa and I can’t wait to witness their growth going-forward.”

Her comments were echoed by Prajna Khanna, Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President at Prosus and Naspers, who emphasised the potential of women entrepreneurs on the continent. “We received 1,163 applications from across the African continent, and the depth of talent was remarkable,” she said. “These founders are building real businesses with proven models that address significant market opportunities.”

The Challenge, developed with Lionesses of Africa, a community of 1.8 million women entrepreneurs, provides not only financial support but mentorship from seasoned investors, access to institutional networks, and guidance on scaling businesses across African markets. With finalists from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and the DRC, the platform continues to expand opportunities for women shaping Africa’s digital future.

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