In The Spotlight

1 of 4

Egypt is actively working to boost its position in the international agriculture market. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Agriculture

Egypt makes record agricultural export

Citrus fruits and potatoes led Egypt’s export crops as the country recorded 5.2 million tonnes in agriculture exports during the first half of the year

Alaa Farouk, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, noted that their distinguished quality drove the export of approximately 1.8 million tonnes of citrus fruits, followed by potatoes at 1.2 million tonnes.

Other major exports included 168,000 tonnes of fresh onions, 136,000 tonnes of fresh and dry beans, and 103,000 tonnes of sweet potatoes, which ranked fifth. More items in the export list included grapes, strawberries, garlic, tomatoes, guavas and pomegranates.

Egypt is actively working to boost its position in the international agriculture market, and is fostering collaboration between farmers, producers, and exporters to make it effective. The Ministry is focusing on achieveing the highest standards of quality and food safety to unlock new markets at a global scale.

A workshop was organised to align national fisheries and aquaculture strategies and agricultural investment plans with the PFRS. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Event News

Zambia aims to boost annual fish output

The African Union's Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa aims to advance the continent’s blue economy

The initiative is a coherent continental roadmap for policy reform and investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. It has been instrumental in guiding AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and Fisheries Bodies to strengthen governance, institutional frameworks, and climate resilience in aquatic food systems.

A Stakeholder Consultation and Validation Workshop was hosted recently in Lusaka, Zambia, by AU-IBAR in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of the Republic of Zambia. The workshop seeks to align national fisheries and aquaculture strategies and agricultural investment plans with the PFRS, while integrating relevant global and regional instruments and addressing climate change adaptation.

"We aim to grow our annual fish output to 225,000 metric tonnes by 2026 by scaling up fingerling production and enhancing monitoring and surveillance systems," said Fred Mwila, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Representing the AU-IBAR Director, Patricia Lumba, said, “The PFRS and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy are not just policy tools—they are instruments of transformation for communities, economies, and ecosystems across Africa.”
Over the four-day workshop, stakeholders—including government officials, regional bodies, researchers, and consultants—are reviewing findings from national consultations on policy coherence with the PFRS. They are also making specific recommendations for the domestication of global instruments, such as those related to biodiversity, food safety, and small-scale fisheries. Discussions are being held in breakout sessions and plenary formats, focusing on improving national agricultural investment plans (NAIPs), ensuring climate-smart approaches, and identifying legal and institutional reforms needed to implement the PFRS effectively.

South Africa is keen to diversify export markets

Agriculture

South Africa business confidence dip underlines need to diversify export markets

The tense geopolitical situation in parts of the world has unsettled confidence across the industry in South Africa and underlined the need to diversify markets, according to the latest Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI)

After a notable uptick in Q1 2025, the ACI fell by 5 points in Q2 2025 to 65.

Most respondents pointed to the uncertain global trade environment, lingering geopolitical tensions and the domestic animal disease challenge as some of the key factors constraining the sector.

"The dominance of geopolitical concerns amongst respondents’ views illustrates South Africa’s agricultural sector’s strong dependence on export markets and the need to work to diversify markets,” said Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz).

“China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are among the key markets we should expand into,” Sihlobo added.

“Still, as we drive the diversification, we must work vigorously to retain the access we have in various markets in the EU, UK, Africa, Asia, Middle East and Americas, amongst others."

Despite the slight decline, the current level of the ACI implies that South African agribusinesses still remain optimistic about business conditions in the country.

The better summer rains and improvements at the ports which have enabled exports with minimal interruptions, are some of the positives.

The latest survey was conducted in the second week of June, covering various agribusinesses operating in all agricultural sub-sectors across South Africa.

In essence, Sihlobo noted, the ACI results for Q2 2025 illustrate that the mood in the sector remains upbeat about the recovery this year, though this will likely be uneven as some key sub-sectors struggle with animal disease.

As well as expanding and diversifying export markets, Sihlobo also said there was more work to be done in terms of collaboration between industry participants, including businesses and the government.

"Also important is the collaborative efforts between business and government on addressing the biosecurity issues in South Africa's agriculture, along with pushing for more efficient network industries, better management of the municipalities, and the implementation of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, which is key for the long term growth of the sector.”

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."

Event News

A workshop was organised to align national fisheries and aquaculture strategies and agricultural investment plans with the PFRS. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Event News

Zambia aims to boost annual fish output

The African Union's Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa aims to advance the continent’s blue economy

Ethiopex and ALEC back with new editions for 2025. (Image source; Ethiopex)

Ethiopex and ALEC back with new editions for 2025

The association is working to acquire skills in fodder production. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

NGBBPA initiates awareness drive for farmers

Livestock

ZIVO Bioscience and top animal health firm launch studies on poultry immune-boosting compounds

Poultry

Zivo's revolutionary strategy to poultry disease control

ZIVO Bioscience, Inc., a biotech and agtech research company developing immune-boosting compounds from proprietary algal cultures, has announced a new partnership with one of the world’s leading animal health companies

The collaboration focuses on advancing ZIVO’s novel biologics for use in the poultry industry and may expand to other livestock and companion animals in the future.

The companies have signed two agreements to conduct independent studies that will explore the potential of ZIVO’s compounds to support poultry health. The goal is to enhance existing vaccination strategies and help address diseases that continue to affect poultry production.

Expanding poultry protection

The first agreement involves a 42-day challenge study focused on coccidiosis, a common and damaging parasitic disease in poultry. This study aims to confirm earlier positive results from ZIVO’s compound, now used alongside the partner’s vaccine. It will also collect samples to evaluate new performance measures. Findings will support ZIVO’s regulatory process with the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics and help establish a strong business case for commercial use.

The second agreement outlines a study of ZIVO’s compounds using a model for a viral poultry disease that causes high mortality and has no available cure. The virus was chosen for its well-known in vivo model, clear clinical results and short testing timeline. The goal is to confirm the antiviral effects ZIVO has already observed in earlier trials, including reduced severity and spread of low-pathogenic avian influenza. Positive outcomes could lead to broader studies covering more viral diseases.

The collaborating animal health company will fully fund both studies. Researchers will assess how ZIVO’s compounds can shorten the time between vaccination and immunity, protect birds in vulnerable periods, enhance immune response and reduce the impact of diseases that suppress the immune system.

“This collaboration supports our strategy to partner with a major animal health company that brings scientific expertise and R&D infrastructure to advance our innovations to global markets efficiently and at scale,” said John Payne, chairman and CEO of ZIVO Bioscience. “We are aligned with this company on the broad applicability of our immune-modulating technology and its potential to create a disruptive, non-antibiotic therapeutic platform.”

New livestock feed initiative for Libya

TIKA launches fresh feed project in Libya

Nigeria's annual milk production is 700,000 tonnes. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nigeria imports dairy cattle from Denmark

Crops

Uganda hopes to massively grow exports

Crops

Uganda ready to boost coffee exports

Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, has underlined the nation’s commitment to massively boost exports on the back of its coffee and agricultural sector

“Uganda reaffirms its ambitious commitment to transform its export trajectory — from US$50bn to US$500bn — through strategic value addition,” the Minister noted at an industry event.

African growers, including Uganda, are taking part in the Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee, Europe’s largest coffee trade show, taking place this year in Geneva.

“Coffee will be one of the primary drivers for achieving this target, reinforcing not only our economic competitiveness but also our national transformation agenda,” said Kyakulaga.

There are also confirmed plans to add greater value to coffee exports in order to further generate income for growers and the nation.

“Additionally, the Government of Uganda has set aside US$100mn to support investment in the gradual transition of the coffee sector from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports in a bid to generate more revenue and income for the farmers and the country as a whole,” the Minister noted.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is also showcasing its longstanding leadership in sustainable coffee development at the Geneva trade show with a focus on investing in value addition, technical capacity building and regional trade.

For over two decades, it has worked with the International Coffee Organisation and regional institutions to support coffee value chains and SMEs across Africa and elsewhere.

In separate meetings, Ugandan officials explored the possibility of a partnership with ITC focusing on value addition through science and technology transfer for sustainably increased coffee processing production.

“Coffee is more than a commodity,” said ITC executive director Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

“For the many small businesses we support in countries across the world, the ability to improve the quality of their beans, process at origin and meet sustainability requirements in the face of rising climate concerns means they’re able to adapt to changes to tap into new markets and compete at the global level."

Crop farmers use Atlas Copco’s U190 PACE portable air compressors. (Image credit)

Atlas Copco enhances farming efficiency with portable air compressors

Egypt is actively working to boost its position in the international agriculture market. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Egypt makes record agricultural export

Technology

Zoomlion showcases tailored solutions for Africa’s growth at China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. (Image source: Zoomlion)

Technology

Empowering Africa through smart machinery and infrastructure

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. took centre stage at the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, China, from 12 to 15 June, showcasing its latest agricultural and engineering machinery solutions tailored specifically for the African market

Since making its entry into Africa in 2007, Zoomlion has played an integral role in infrastructure development and agricultural modernisation across the continent. The company has also been committed to nurturing local talent, evident in its ongoing technical training programs, such as those provided to Ugandan farmers to enhance agricultural skill sets.

At the trade expo, Zoomlion displayed a comprehensive line-up of machinery, ranging from construction cranes and earthmoving equipment to aerial work platforms and advanced agricultural machinery. These products are engineered to withstand and perform efficiently in Africa’s diverse and often demanding working conditions.

Zoomlion’s footprint in Africa has expanded significantly over the past 18 years. The company has delivered more than 10,000 units of equipment to markets across the continent, establishing itself as one of Africa’s leading machinery suppliers. In addition to setting up subsidiaries in key markets like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, Zoomlion has developed a robust after-sales infrastructure. This includes spare parts centres in Algeria and South Africa, a joint-venture manufacturing plant in Algeria, and an expanding network of dealers and service providers across the region.

The company has also been instrumental in supporting critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa. These include Egypt’s New Administrative Capital—home to Africa’s tallest skyscraper at 385.8 metres—the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in Tanzania, which boosts the country’s energy capacity nearly fourfold, and the N'Djamena Stadium in Chad, designed to host international sports and cultural events. Another notable contribution is the Rosso Bridge, linking Senegal and Mauritania, which will enhance regional trade and connectivity.

Zoomlion’s growth trajectory in Africa continues to accelerate. Sales in the first quarter of 2025 alone accounted for 60% of the total recorded in 2024, underlining rising demand for its solutions. As of May 2025, the company’s Africa team comprised over 300 employees, with more than 90% of them being locally hired—demonstrating Zoomlion’s commitment to job creation and skills development in the region.

The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco. (Image source: Alamco)

Alamco tool optimises harvest process

image_shows_the_entomatic_automated_dispenser_designed_to_control_spider_mites

Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. (Image source: Biobest)

Entomatic emerges as a game-changer for spider mite control

Most read
Latest news

Ghana battles infectious bronchitis virus in poultry

Fully automated cherry truss tomato harvesting robot 'Artemy.' (Image source: DENSO)

DENSO and Certhon launch fully automated tomato harvesting robot

On the show floor, New Holland will have more than 15 pieces of equipment, from combines to high-horsepower tractors to round balers. (Image source: CNH)

New Holland to display new products at 2024 Farm Progress Show in Iowa

Marel’s WingMaster is a flexible module, providing a precise anatomic wing cut with perfect skin coverage for mid-wing as well as drumette. (Image source: Marel))

Cutting up chicken wings for fast food

The new FeedMixer App makes feed mixing easier by calculating whether the feed mixtures farmers use contain the right balance of key nutrients, by age, type of chickens, and available ingredients. (Image source: World Poultry Foundation)

Getting feed mixes right

The initiative aims to promote sustainable development and governance in Africa's fisheries and aquaculture sector. (Image source: AU-IBAR)

Burkina Faso hosts workshop to align aquaculture strategies with PFRS

The project aims to make Somalia self-sufficient in broiler production and contribute to the development of the livestock sector. (Image source: TİKA)

TİKA launches new broiler production project in Somalia

Feed the Future Innovation Lab team members currently or formerly associated with Iowa State's Department of Animal Science. (Image source: Iowa State University)