In The Spotlight

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth in the state.
Fintiri's vision: transforming agriculture for food security
In a bold move to strengthen agricultural productivity and ensure food security, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the administration of Governor has unveiled a major support package for farmers in Adamawa State ahead of the dry season
The state government has procured 22 Massey Ferguson tractors and earmarked US1.9bn for the purchase and distribution of fertilisers, aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and modernising agricultural practices.
This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth in the state. By investing in mechanisation and timely farm inputs, the Fintiri-led government seeks to reduce reliance on rain-fed farming, increase crop yields, and lower production costs for rural farmers.
Fintiri reaffirmed that agriculture remains at the heart of his administration’s development agenda. “We are committed to unlocking the full potential of agriculture through mechanised farming and improved access to essential inputs. This is about empowering our farmers and making Adamawa a beacon of sustainable food production,” he stated.
The newly acquired tractors will significantly ease land preparation and cultivation efforts, while the fertiliser support will ensure that farmers can optimise their productivity during the dry season. The combined intervention is expected to boost yields, improve household incomes, and support long-term food sufficiency in the region.
Farmers across Adamawa have warmly welcomed the development, expressing confidence that the government’s intervention will bring down operational costs, enhance access to agricultural resources, and improve their livelihoods.
This latest move adds to a growing list of agricultural reforms under the Fintiri administration, showcasing its commitment to building a resilient, self-sustaining agricultural sector capable of meeting the state’s food needs and beyond.

Local Cream, promises to significantly reduce pesticide use, lower production costs, and contribute to the island's food security.
Farmers benefit from the new cauliflower variety
Nuclear science has paved the way for a breakthrough in Mauritius' agricultural sector with the development of a new cauliflower variety that is resistant to the destructive Black Rot disease
This advancement is the result of a decade-long collaboration between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Mauritian agricultural experts. The newly developed variety, named Local Cream, promises to significantly reduce pesticide use, lower production costs, and contribute to the island's food security.
Black Rot has been a persistent issue for Mauritian cauliflower farmers, causing severe damage to crops and forcing many to rely on costly pesticides. The disease often renders the cauliflower unfit for consumption or export. However, Local Cream has been bred using radiation-induced mutation techniques that have enhanced its tolerance to Black Rot, a bacterial disease known for its devastating effects on crops. The variety’s compact, cream-coloured head makes it ideal for local markets and export, while maintaining the nutritional qualities of the traditional local variety.
Over the years, IAEA’s technical cooperation programme has played a crucial role in supporting Mauritian scientists at the Food and Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (FAREI). The collaboration involved hands-on training, expert guidance, and access to advanced nuclear technologies, culminating in the successful development of Local Cream by 2025. The variety was officially launched at a high-profile ceremony attended by Arvin Kumar Boolell, Mauritius’ Minister of Agro-industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries.
The Local Cream cauliflower variety is particularly significant for Mauritius, where cauliflower is a staple crop that plays a key role in food security and the export economy. By making this disease-resistant variety available to local farmers, the initiative is expected to boost domestic production, improve the quality of the produce, and help smallholder farmers reduce dependency on expensive, imported seeds and pesticides.
The development process involved exposing local cauliflower varieties to gamma rays, a technique used to induce mutations that enhance traits like disease resistance and yield. After years of rigorous research, the best-performing lines were selected for field trials, ensuring that the new variety met both disease resistance and high production standards. Today, Local Cream is ready for harvest in just 60 to 65 days, providing farmers with a faster, more reliable crop cycle.
Feedback from farmers has been overwhelmingly positive, with early trials showing high disease tolerance and impressive product quality. Gashaw Wolde, IAEA’s Director for Africa, emphasised the benefits of this variety, which allows farmers to save on pesticide costs while offering consumers safer, healthier produce. Moreover, as an open-pollinated variety, Local Cream empowers farmers to save and exchange seeds, further promoting sustainability and self-reliance in the agricultural sector.
This successful collaboration marks a milestone in the development of resilient, sustainable crops for Mauritius, and IAEA’s technical cooperation programme will continue to support future efforts in enhancing the island's agricultural resilience.
FAO rallies global action for safer, smarter animal feed systems
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.
Manila, Philippines
The 7th International Agrofood Ghana 2025
Agrofood Ghana is set to host its 7th International Trade Show in Accra from 28‑30 October 2025 at the AICC – Grand Arena
It is a major event in Ghana and West Africa’s agro‑food sector, bringing together exhibitors, buyers, trade visitors, and institutional partners to explore business, innovation, and investment opportunities. The theme centres on boosting trade within Ghana and the broader West African region.
The event covers the full food/agriculture value chain—from “field to fork.” Exhibitors are displaying everything: agricultural machinery, tractors, harvesting and feeding equipment, grain storage, irrigation, livestock and poultry breeding, milk processing, milling, food & beverage processing, packaging, refrigeration, waste & water treatment, food safety tech, and more. Technologies for snacks, dairy, and bakery are also included.
Support for Agrofood Ghana comes from both national and international bodies. Locally, government ministries such as the Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Trade & Industry, Environment, Science & Innovation, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Food & Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), and others are involved. International partners and delegates include European associations, foreign embassies, trade agencies, and business councils.
The trade show also features a conference programme, roundtables, special themes, and the Africa Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards. These sessions aim to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and highlight innovations and trends in the agro‑food sector.
Agrofood Ghana also offers serious networking opportunities. Attendees will meet buyers from across Ghana and West Africa, explore new products, discover technologies, and form partnerships that can boost trade and investment in agriculture and food technology.
South Africa’s poultry master plan needs urgent action
In 2019, South Africa’s Poultry Sector Master Plan (PSMP) was launched with bold ambitions: to protect the industry from dumped imports, boost local production, grow exports, create jobs, and expand black ownership.
Six years later, while the vision still resonates, the momentum behind it is fading.
The PSMP was designed as a joint public–private effort to rebuild the country’s broiler value chain, which had suffered years of damage from unfair trade. It focused on five key pillars: enforcing trade remedies, stimulating local demand and production, expanding exports, supporting transformation, and improving governance through a dedicated oversight council.
In its early phase, the plan showed real promise. The poultry industry responded quickly, committing over R2.2 billion in new investments — surpassing the initial R1.5 billion target. Trade measures, supported by bird flu outbreaks abroad, began to reduce dumped imports, offering local producers some relief.
Major producers expanded operations, onboarded contract growers, and created jobs. Emerging farmers were integrated into formal value chains through offtake agreements, marking visible progress in transformation. These developments proved that when government and industry worked in sync, results followed.
But since the last election, progress has stalled. Responsibility for the PSMP was shifted to deputy ministers, and political attention drifted. While government leaders, including Gauteng MEC Ramokgopa and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, have reaffirmed their commitment — citing new financial packages, bird flu vaccination plans, and improved cold chains — much of it remains on paper.
Exports, a cornerstone of the plan, are still blocked by red tape. Negotiations with key markets like the EU, UAE, and Saudi Arabia have made little headway. Veterinary labs remain underfunded and understaffed, delaying health certification. As one insider put it, “Exports die in the lab. Producers are ready, but the paperwork isn’t.”
The plan also promised blended finance to help small and black-owned producers scale up. Yet funding access remains limited, and government-imposed conditions on vaccine rollouts have made key health programmes unaffordable and impractical for producers.
Ultimately, the Master Plan was never meant to be carried by the private sector alone. It’s a shared compact — one that depends on both sides delivering. The poultry industry has largely honoured its commitments. Now, government must match that effort with urgent, transparent and time-bound action.
South Africa’s poultry sector still holds massive potential — for rural jobs, food security, black empowerment and export growth. But unless government moves beyond promises to delivery, the PSMP risks becoming a cautionary tale of plans made, but not kept.

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth in the state.
Fintiri's vision: transforming agriculture for food security
In a bold move to strengthen agricultural productivity and ensure food security, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the administration of Governor has unveiled a major support package for farmers in Adamawa State ahead of the dry season
The state government has procured 22 Massey Ferguson tractors and earmarked US1.9bn for the purchase and distribution of fertilisers, aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and modernising agricultural practices.
This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth in the state. By investing in mechanisation and timely farm inputs, the Fintiri-led government seeks to reduce reliance on rain-fed farming, increase crop yields, and lower production costs for rural farmers.
Fintiri reaffirmed that agriculture remains at the heart of his administration’s development agenda. “We are committed to unlocking the full potential of agriculture through mechanised farming and improved access to essential inputs. This is about empowering our farmers and making Adamawa a beacon of sustainable food production,” he stated.
The newly acquired tractors will significantly ease land preparation and cultivation efforts, while the fertiliser support will ensure that farmers can optimise their productivity during the dry season. The combined intervention is expected to boost yields, improve household incomes, and support long-term food sufficiency in the region.
Farmers across Adamawa have warmly welcomed the development, expressing confidence that the government’s intervention will bring down operational costs, enhance access to agricultural resources, and improve their livelihoods.
This latest move adds to a growing list of agricultural reforms under the Fintiri administration, showcasing its commitment to building a resilient, self-sustaining agricultural sector capable of meeting the state’s food needs and beyond.

Condor, Tornado, and Dragon sprayers offer tailored solutions for farms of all sizes, backed by cutting-edge technology and smart usability.(Image credit: Agrifac)
The latest sprayers transforming African crop protection
AgriFac has pulled the wraps off three brand-new sprayers that promise to change the way African farmers protect and feed their crops
Designed with precision, sustainability, and scale in mind, the Condor, Tornado, and Dragon sprayers offer tailored solutions for farms of all sizes, backed by cutting-edge technology and smart usability.
The launch marks a bold step forward in crop protection and fertilisation across Africa, where efficiency, resource management, and environmental care are increasingly critical to farm profitability. AgriFac’s focus is clear: help farmers do more with less—less waste, less cost, and less environmental impact.
At the top of the range, the Condor is built for large-scale operations. It’s robust, capable, and engineered to deliver maximum performance even under tough climate conditions. Its wide coverage and tech-driven controls make it ideal for commercial farms looking to scale up without compromising accuracy.
Next is the Tornado- a versatile, mid-sized sprayer that balances power and precision. Compact yet tough, it’s designed for farms that need flexibility, particularly where terrain or field layout demand nimble, accurate spraying.
For smallholders, AgriFac introduces the Dragon - a user-friendly, low-maintenance sprayer that doesn’t skimp on performance. It’s light, affordable, and built to last, giving smaller farms access to the same innovations transforming larger operations.
What truly sets these machines apart is their smart tech integration. Each model can sync with a mobile app, giving farmers real-time feedback on spray coverage, application rates, and performance data. This enables smarter decision-making and helps reduce over-application and input waste.
Environmentally, AgriFac’s new line leads the way. With low-pressure nozzles and adjustable booms, the sprayers deliver targeted application with minimal drift protecting neighbouring crops, water sources, and biodiversity.
In a farming landscape where every drop and decision counts, AgriFac’s latest sprayers deliver a timely boost. For African growers facing rising input costs and climate pressures, these machines offer a practical, forward-thinking solution to modern farming challenges.