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In The Spotlight

Structuralising capital for rural lending is the need of the hour.

Agriculture

Kenya's smallholder agriculture industry will be supported with private-sector local currency securitisation led by anchor investor, IDH Farmfit Fund, with the transaction structured by Kaleidofin in partnership with agri-finance company Apollo Agriculture

Structuralising capital for rural lending is the need of the hour, and the currecy securitisation move will generate smallholder finance with the development of institutional credit markets. Approximately US$2.1mn has been mobilised through Apollo Agriculture to secure smallholder farmer credit in Kenya for agricultural inputs. About 51% of the 23,839 smallholder farmers covered by the portfolio are women, while 22% are first-time borrowers. 

“This transaction demonstrates how innovative financial structures can unlock capital for smallholder farmers at scale,” said Roel Messie, CEO of IDH Investment Management, which manages the IDH Farmfit Fund. “Building investable opportunities in agriculture requires both capital and enabling infrastructure, and this partnership brings those elements together.” 

Kaleidofin’s ki platform that caters to underserved segments by converting granular agricultural loans into investable securities in local currency, materialised the securitisation.

Apollo Agriculture leverages ki's AI-driven risk intelligence system in assessing creditworthiness. Apollo focuses on supporting farmers who does not have a background in credit.

“This is a meaningful step in building efficient, scalable funding for smallholder agriculture and validates our tech-enabled business model,” said Eli Pollak, CEO of Apollo Agriculture. “By converting receivables into working capital, we are able to lower our cost of funds and expand access to affordable, local currency financing for farmers.”

Women, youth and farmers will be espcially supported by the project.

Agriculture

Gode in Somali region has been selected by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for a solar-powered irrigation scheme to sustain year-round food production and empower drought-prone communities to weather climate shocks

Defined as 'Climate proofing food security in Ethiopia’s drought prone lowland areas' or IFTIIN, the project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank. 

IFTIIN, which signifies 'light' or 'hope' in the Somali language, has been designed to support 17,000 pastoral and agro-pastoral families spanning several woredas in the Somali region. Women, youth and farmers will be espcially supported by the project in line with national priorities. Beneficiaries will get increased water access and support for crop and livestock production. Multiple income streams will open up for families and local institutions will be empowered to support communities in managing climate shocks.

“WFP’s vision in Ethiopia is to support the Government’s shift toward resilient, self-reliant food systems,” said Zlatan Milisic, WFP representative and country director in Ethiopia. “By working closely with government institutions, we are strengthening national systems and embedding resilience approaches that are community-led and locally owned. Through IFTIIN, we are investing in irrigation, markets and livelihoods so communities can absorb climate shocks and reduce long-term reliance on humanitarian assistance. Today’s inauguration is that strategic vision in action.”

Ecovado's plant will be driven by the Alfa Laval processing line.

Agriculture

A South Africa-based agroprocessing company called Ecovado has launched an avocado oil processing plant in Vhembe, Limpopo, in collaboration with global heat exchanger manufacturer, Alfa Laval Middle East, South and East Africa (MESEA)

This move follows Ecovado identifying Vhembe's largely unexplored market potential in avocados, which the region is naturally blessed with -- enough to sustain its wider economic progress. Boosting local avocado production will secure long-term supply and open up income opportunities for households. The success of this project will fulfil Ecovado's fruitforcash vision as part of its local development cause for employment generation and agricultural sustainability. 

Ecovado's plant will be driven by the Alfa Laval processing line, giving the South African company an instant edge in the export markets with its quality products matching global standards. The project is being funded by Alfa Laval through Swedish export credit agency, EKN. Alfa Laval has also extended its funds beyond Vhembe to cover the costs of avocado seedlings for small scale farmers from the adjacent regions.

Local residents are running the day-to-day operations at the Ecovado plant, with fruits sourced directly from small scale growers. The company is now focusing to scale up production before it can grow its network of community suppliers, and in turn, expand export reach.

“This project represents exactly what sustainable industrial development should look like: world class technology enabling local entrepreneurship, job creation and long-term community development,” said Alfa Laval South and East Africa general manager, Bongani Twala.

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. 

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Event News

VIV Europe 2026 will mark the key factors redefining global food production.

Event News

Exploring what drives today's global feed-to-food chain, the VIV Europe 2026 returns this year with the theme, 'Showroom of the World' from 2-4 June at Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, The Netherland

Recognised widely by suppliers and producers as the World Expo from Feed to Food, the event's 25th edition will mark the key factors redefining global food production. The protein transition and sustainable protein sources; digitalisation, artificial intelligence and robotics in farm operations; animal health and welfare, and climate-smart agriculture remain the four driving factors in this year's edition. 

As the event moves to a biennial cycle henceforth, Natalie Taylor, project manager, VIV Europe, said, "Twenty-five editions only happen because of the people who show up. VIV Europe is where the industry comes to see what's next: new technologies, new solutions, new connections. The energy and ambition this year have never been greater."

This year, the presence and opening speech of Bourbon de Parme's HRH Prince Carlos will enhance the event's global reach and significance in addressing sustainable food production, innovation, and resilience.

Participants can choose across more than 70 conference sessions in this year's VIV Europe, with topics ranging from AI-driven farm management and smart feedmill automation to antimicrobial resistance, and international trade dynamics. Knowledge partners include Wageningen University & Research, Rabobank, the World Poultry Science Association (WPSA), the World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA), and the Netherlands African Business Council (NABC), among others.

The programme also features the official launch of the Poultry Forward Kazakhstan initiative by the Dutch Poultry Centre, a significant new Dutch-Kazakh industry collaboration, and a dedicated multi-day strand, Cities Leading Food Production, positioning urban communities as active drivers of food system change.

Visitors can register in advance at europe.viv.net/registration to secure their pass ahead of the show. 

The DLG Spotlight 'Organic Farming' will shed light on organic crop production. (Image source: DLG)

VIV Europe will unite the animal protein production and processing industry.

Livestock

Nigeria’s livestock plan set to drive growth

Livestock

Nigeria’s livestock sector is gaining fresh attention as a new development framework promises to open up opportunities across the industry.

The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Akajiugo Emeka Obegolu, has shared an optimistic outlook, stating that the initiative could create up to 350,000 jobs within its first two years.

According to Obegolu, the framework is designed to attract investment and support growth across the entire livestock value chain. Central to this effort is the planned Livestock Development Fund, which aims to make financing more accessible for farmers, processors, and other stakeholders. With better access to funding, businesses in the sector are expected to expand and improve their operations.

He also praised the current administration for establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a timely and strategic move. This step, he explained, gives the sector the focused attention it needs to reach its full potential. Rather than taking direct control, the government is encouraged to create supportive policies and regulations that allow private investors to play a leading role.

The scale of opportunity within the livestock industry is significant. Obegolu noted that the sector could be worth around 33 trillion naira, covering areas such as meat production, dairy, leather, and poultry. With proper planning and investment, these segments can contribute strongly to economic growth.

He highlighted the importance of improving key areas such as feed systems, animal breeding, and veterinary services. Advancing techniques like artificial insemination and better genetics can help increase productivity and efficiency across farms.

Another major focus is the need to modernise how meat is processed and transported. Moving away from the traditional practice of transporting live animals over long distances, he suggested a system that relies on processed meat and cold chain logistics. This approach would reduce losses, maintain quality, and improve overall efficiency.

With growing collaboration between the government and private sector, the livestock industry is steadily moving towards a more structured and sustainable future. The proposed framework is expected to support job creation, improve food supply, and strengthen Nigeria’s wider economy.

Murat Yakar, General Manager of Aviagen Arabia. (Image source: Aviagen)

Zimbabwe Agri venture targets rural growth (Image credit: African Agri Council)

Crops

Ecovado's plant will be driven by the Alfa Laval processing line.

Agriculture

A South Africa-based agroprocessing company called Ecovado has launched an avocado oil processing plant in Vhembe, Limpopo, in collaboration with global heat exchanger manufacturer, Alfa Laval Middle East, South and East Africa (MESEA)

This move follows Ecovado identifying Vhembe's largely unexplored market potential in avocados, which the region is naturally blessed with -- enough to sustain its wider economic progress. Boosting local avocado production will secure long-term supply and open up income opportunities for households. The success of this project will fulfil Ecovado's fruitforcash vision as part of its local development cause for employment generation and agricultural sustainability. 

Ecovado's plant will be driven by the Alfa Laval processing line, giving the South African company an instant edge in the export markets with its quality products matching global standards. The project is being funded by Alfa Laval through Swedish export credit agency, EKN. Alfa Laval has also extended its funds beyond Vhembe to cover the costs of avocado seedlings for small scale farmers from the adjacent regions.

Local residents are running the day-to-day operations at the Ecovado plant, with fruits sourced directly from small scale growers. The company is now focusing to scale up production before it can grow its network of community suppliers, and in turn, expand export reach.

“This project represents exactly what sustainable industrial development should look like: world class technology enabling local entrepreneurship, job creation and long-term community development,” said Alfa Laval South and East Africa general manager, Bongani Twala.

Structuralising capital for rural lending is the need of the hour.

Women, youth and farmers will be espcially supported by the project.

Technology

FederUnacoma has compiled a comprehensive data on new registrations of agricultural machinery.

Machinery & Equipment

Manufacturers’ association, FederUnacoma, has observed that public incentives and proactive support schemes are integral in the face of volatilities in the agricultural machinery market driven by geopolitical instability and economic uncertainties

After studying the latest figures provided by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Italy-based association with an ever-expanding presence in Africa and Southeast Asia has compiled a comprehensive data on new registrations of agricultural machinery. It has found that while the first quarter of 2025 recorded an upward trend the market remains vulnerable in the near future due to crisis in the Middle East.

A 11.8% decline has been seen in the transporter sector, including tractors and flatbed trailers, since the largely prospective 1Q 2025. However, there has been a growth of 2.7% in new registrations for tractors, with over 3,633 units sold (3,537 in the first quarter of 2025), and a 65% increase for combine harvesters, with 33 machines registered (20 in the same period of 2025). Telescopic handlers also performed well, recording a 46% increase with 343 units (235 sold in 2025), whilst trailers remained in line with last year’s figures (1,659 registrations, down 1.5%).

Variables linked to the conflict in the Middle East and uncertainties regarding certain incentive measures (the 5.0 credit, for example) risk negatively affecting companies’ willingness to invest and their planning, slowing down purchases of agricultural machinery. In this context, the Federation of Manufacturers believes it is more important than ever to bring measures such as hyper-amortisation and the Transition 4.0 credit into full effect. The system of public incentives – notes FederUnacoma – can play a decisive role in stabilising the domestic market during a critical economic phase such as the current one.

Africa gets its first IoT-native precision agriculture model. (Image source: MyBitSecure)

AEROSEM has multiple hopper systems. (Image source: Pottinger)

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