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In The Spotlight

The project aims to digitally map shea trees across parklands, linking tree tenure data to women who harvest them.

Agriculture

Farmerline, in partnership with the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) and New Markets Lab (NML), has launched the Shea Tree Mapping Project to enhance land and tree rights for women in West Africa.

This initiative, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) through the Land Facility programme, will run from September 2025 to March 2026, covering Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

The project aims to digitally map shea trees across parklands, linking tree tenure data to women who harvest them. It will also conduct a legal and regulatory gap analysis, proposing frameworks that better recognise women’s land and tree rights. In addition, national workshops and a regional roundtable with ECOWAS will be held to align strategies for widespread implementation.

One of the project’s key outcomes will be the creation of an open-access Shea Tree Tenure Dashboard. This tool will provide policymakers, supply chain actors, and advocates with data-driven insights to strengthen decision-making and foster sustainable trade.

With shea supporting the livelihoods of 16 million women in 21 West African countries, securing their land and tree rights is vital for both economic resilience and climate adaptation. Aaron Adu, Managing Director of GSA, highlights that securing women's tenure rights is essential for the longevity of the shea industry, ensuring that women can continue to thrive in this critical sector.

Jeremy Swainson, Project Director at Tetra Tech, adds that this initiative will also contribute to climate-smart trade, creating a pathway for greater climate resilience in West Africa.

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

Agriculture

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.

Agriculture

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.

African Farming

Without food safety, there is no food security

AF FEAGAccording to EatSafe research, pandemic safety measures has been widely adopted in traditional food markets in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria

In 2015, the WHO reported that more than 400,000 people died annually from food borne diseases. In 2018, the World Bank estimated that food safety costs US$110bn a year in lost productivity through illness and health costs, with sub-Sahara Africa affected the most. But more reliable and current data is required to understand consumer values and perceptions as well as the impact of poor food safety.

The Interview Cruncher was hosted by EatSafe, the five-year research and learning programme sponsored by USAID and led by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). It was moderated by Bonnie McClafferty, director, Food Safety and EatSafe at GAIN.

The panel was made up of Mohamed Nasser, regional advisor Food Safety and Quality Assurance, World Food Programme, Dakar/Senegal; Prof Olugbenga Ben Ogunmoyela, executive director, Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI); and Priya Prakash, founder and CEO of HealthSetGo and Youth Champion for Act4Food Act4Change.

Bonnie McClafferty, director, EatSafe, said, “The human and financial costs of poor food safety are appalling yet it is being widely ignored. That has to change and we need to take action now to achieve better health outcomes for the 600 million people who each year get sick from unsafe food.”

“We know the pandemic has promoted new food hygiene practices that can have a positive impact on food safety in traditional markets. EatSafe’s research shows that there is a lot more to do. We’re calling on governments and donor groups to provide resources and further research so that evidence-based decisions about food safety measures can be taken to strengthen traditional markets, to ensure safer foods,” continued McClafferty.

Traditional food market vendors apply COVID-19 measures

In parallel to EatSafe’s core mission of engaging consumers to demand food safety, the programme recently expanded efforts to include gathering key data from traditional markets to understand how they have been impacted by COVID-19 through GAIN’s Keeping Food Markets Working programme. EatSafe is interested in what is needed to ensure the availability of affordable, safe, nutritious food during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected from traditional food markets in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Bangladesh bi-weekly during the last quarter 2020. Interviews and focus groups are continuing throughout 2021 to learn how consumer behaviour has changed and how resilient the traditional market supply chains are.

“We can build on the fact that safety measures are now a reality in people’s lives. With better surveillance and education regarding food safety measures, consumers getting their foods from traditional markets can help create an enabling environment to start closing the system's gaps and upgrading markets to support the safety of foods,” concluded McClafferty. 

Top Stories

Grid List

Event News

AAE 2026 will serve as a hub for innovation. (Image credit: Africa Agri Expo)

Event News

The Africa Agri Expo (AAE) 2026 marks the ninth edition of one of the continent’s most significant agricultural gatherings, proudly hosted in Kenya

More than just an exhibition, this event acts as a bridge connecting Africa’s thriving agribusiness sector with the global market. It brings together the best of agritech, innovation, and sustainable farming solutions, at a time when Africa’s agriculture industry is projected to grow to an impressive US$1 trillion by 2030.

Organised under the endorsement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya, AAE has become a trusted platform for farmers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The event fosters collaboration and learning, encouraging meaningful dialogue that drives innovation, trade, and growth across the African agricultural value chain.

What makes AAE 2026 stand out from other agritech expos is its strong focus on practical partnerships and real business growth. It’s not just a showcase - it’s a movement pushing the continent toward a smarter, more sustainable agricultural future. Visitors will explore a wide range of innovations, from intelligent irrigation systems and modern machinery to precision farming technologies designed for African soils and climates.

The upcoming expo will feature an impressive mix of exhibitions, strategic conferences, networking lounges, and panel discussions, all aimed at empowering stakeholders with new knowledge and market opportunities. Attendees can expect to see the latest breakthroughs including AI-driven predictive analytics for crop management, drones capable of early pest and disease detection, and blockchain systems ensuring transparency from farm to fork.

There will also be demonstrations of autonomous robots for weeding and harvesting, advancements in gene-edited seeds, and integrated farm management software that uses IoT data to guide farmers’ decisions in real-time. AAE 2026 will serve as a hub for innovation, where technology meets tradition to create a resilient and profitable farming future.
For more information visit: https://africa-agriexpo.com/

 

A Hub for global collaboration. (Image credit: VIV MEA)

NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. (Image credit: ABC Africa Group)

Livestock

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

Cattle

The Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Board (RAB) has imposed an immediate suspension on the movement of livestock in Kanama, Nyakiliba, and Kanzenze sectors of Rubavu District after a confirmed outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

The precautionary move aims to protect farmers’ livelihoods and prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading to other regions.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, 21 October, all movement and trade involving cows, goats, sheep, and pigs are temporarily banned. The restrictions also extend to the sale and transportation of animal products such as meat, milk, and skins. These measures are part of a nationwide effort to safeguard Rwanda’s livestock sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s food security and rural economy.

"Farmers with sick animals, suspected or developing symptoms of the illness are requested to be separated from other herds and report to the veterinary officer at the sector level,” the statement reads in part.

To strengthen control efforts, RAB has ordered that all cattle aged six months and above across Rubavu District be vaccinated every six months. Animals suspected of coming into contact with infected livestock will also be separated and quarantined to curb transmission.

The institution further cautioned that anyone ignoring these prevention measures will face penalties as outlined in Rwanda’s law governing the control of contagious animal diseases.

Local authorities have been called upon to play an active role in enforcing these guidelines. They are urged to conduct regular disinfection campaigns and closely monitor farmers to ensure that no contact occurs between healthy and infected animals.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a serious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals and can lead to significant production losses through reduced milk yield, weight loss, and restricted trade opportunities. By acting quickly, the Rwandan government aims to minimise economic losses and maintain the health of livestock, which remains a backbone of many rural households.

RAB’s swift intervention highlights the importance of cooperation between farmers, veterinarians, and local leaders in protecting the nation’s agricultural sector.

The partnership was announced during the Saudi AgriFood Tech Alliance (SAFTA) Forum on November 4, 2025.

Its goal is to create bacteriocin-rich extracts from specially engineered lactic acid bacteria.

Crops

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

Agriculture

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.

Uganda’s identity will feature prominently in Cotti Coffee advertising across major Asian cities.

The project aims to digitally map shea trees across parklands, linking tree tenure data to women who harvest them.

Technology

LEMKEN’s precision seeding portfolio and extend its presence in key agricultural markets worldwide. (Image credit: LEMKEN)

Machinery & Equipment

In a move that underlines its commitment to innovation in agricultural technology, LEMKEN, a global leader in professional crop production equipment, has announced the acquisition of South African seeding technology manufacturer Equalizer

The partnership is set to boost LEMKEN’s precision seeding portfolio and extend its presence in key agricultural markets worldwide.

Founded in 2000 and based in Cape Town, Equalizerhas built a strong reputation for designing and producing high-capacity seed drills and precision planters tailored for large-scale and conservation farming systems. The company’s solutions ranging from planters with up to 36 rows to seed drills with working widths of up to 24 metres are engineered for no-till and minimal soil disturbance systems, reflecting the growing global demand for sustainable farming technologies.

By bringing Equalizer into its fold, LEMKEN aims to bridge technological and market gaps within its existing product lineup. While LEMKEN has gained recognition for its DeltaRow precision seeding system, Equalizer’s single-row planting technology complements and expands LEMKEN’s capabilities, offering farmers more options to improve planting accuracy, soil health, and operational efficiency.

According to Anthony van der Ley, CEO of LEMKEN, the acquisition “perfectly complements our seeding technology range and helps us serve markets we couldn’t reach before.” He added that the move reflects LEMKEN’s broader strategy to promote sustainable and efficient farming through advanced machinery and data-driven innovation.

LEMKEN has confirmed plans to invest in Equalizer’s operations in South Africa, with an immediate focus on enhancing spare parts logistics and maintaining local expertise. The Equalizer brand and management team will continue to operate independently, ensuring continuity for existing customers while gaining access to LEMKEN’s research, production, and global distribution network.

Equalizer’s founder and managing director, Gideon Schreuder, expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that combining the two companies’ expertise will accelerate product development and deliver greater value to farmers worldwide.

The acquisition marks another step in LEMKEN’s mission to lead the digital transformation of agriculture. By integrating complementary technologies and expanding into emerging markets, the company reinforces its position as a pioneer in precision agriculture, no-till seeding, and sustainable crop production systems.

GEA’s new water-saving solution is a game-changer for dairy farmers looking to reduce their environmental footprint and operational costs.(Image credit: GEA)

Angonabeiro continues to support national farmers while promoting innovation, quality, and sustainability in the country’s coffee sector.

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