In The Spotlight
PRISMA project outcomes in relation to agricultural priorities across West Africa and the Sahel.
Nigeria is grappling with a severe livestock feed crisis, with more than 50 million cattle inadequately nourished, according to Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development.
Describing the situation as a critical threat to rural livelihoods and national stability, the minister called for urgent action at both national and regional levels.
Maiha delivered the warning during the opening of a two-day Policy Dialogue Workshop convened to assess PRISMA project outcomes in relation to agricultural priorities across West Africa and the Sahel. Organised by the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food under ECOWAS, the event gathered policymakers, technical experts and development partners working to strengthen agricultural systems in the region.
Peter Alike, Director of the Technical Office of the Permanent Secretary, said, “In Nigeria, we have over 50mn cattle in the hands of rural dwellers, and these are animals that must be fed. So, for us, feeding and indeed, food is a national imperative that we cannot even leave for tomorrow. He further emphasised the wider implications of feed shortages, noting that inadequate nutrition for animals threatens incomes, food security and community stability.
Maiha reinforced the urgency, stating: “It is an emergency because the tangential effect of not being able to provide the necessary feed for our animals has a direct effect on our very existence, rural livelihood and human peace.”
During the workshop, Alike outlined the ministry’s long-term strategy for the livestock sector, referencing a 2025–2030 plan aimed at boosting productivity and resilience. He noted that livestock currently contributes around US$32bn to Nigeria’s GDP, but with effective development, the sector could generate more than US$94bn within the next decade.
Maiha also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, stressing its importance for regional cooperation. He remarked: “If you have a project of this magnitude and you exclude Nigeria, then you are not likely to succeed because I don’t know of any other country in West Africa and the Sahel that has a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development.” His comments underscored Nigeria’s pivotal role in advancing livestock initiatives across ECOWAS and the Sahel.
The workshop, part of PRISMA’s efforts to link research and innovation to regional needs, is focused on improving feed quality, enhancing productivity and building resilience in agro-pastoral systems. Maiha’s intervention made clear that securing adequate livestock feed must become a top policy priority, backed by coordinated national planning and strengthened regional collaboration.
Understanding the impact of US tariff retreat on South African Farmers.
The recent decision by the United States to scale back some of its steep Liberation Day tariffs has offered a modest but welcome reprieve to a portion of South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Yet despite this development, many producers remain exposed to tariff pressures that continue to threaten market access and competitiveness in one of South Africa’s most important export destinations.
As Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa and senior fellow in Stellenbosch University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, has observed, the latest move does little to address the broader vulnerability of the sector. “However, concern remains, since the recent modification only benefits a few agricultural industries and does not address the overall exposure of the sector to the US.”
Higher tariffs are effectively a tax on consumers in the importing country, and American households have been feeling the consequences through increased food prices since the tariffs were introduced earlier this year. Responding to these pressures, Washington has revised its policy by exempting a range of food items an acknowledgement that the original measures have had unintended and inflationary effects.
Among the products now exempt are coffee, tea, fruit juices, cocoa, spices, and a wide selection of fruit including avocados, bananas, coconuts, guavas, limes, oranges, mangoes, plantains, pineapples, tomatoes, various peppers, as well as beef and additional fertiliser products. For South Africa, this adjustment will particularly benefit exporters of oranges, macadamia nuts and fruit juice.
However, other key exports such as table grapes, wine, ostrich products and ice cream are excluded from the tariff relief and must still contend with elevated duties. This remains a concern for producers in regions such as the Western Cape, which depend heavily on the US market despite the relatively modest national share of agricultural exports heading to America. In 2024, the US accounted for around 4% of South Africa’s agricultural exports, valued at US$13.7bn.
South African exporters took advantage of a temporary pause in tariff increases in the second quarter of 2025, accelerating shipments and achieving a 26% year-on-year rise in agricultural exports to the US, reaching $161-million. But uncertainties remain as the country enters the table grape export season, where South Africa already faces a 30% import tariff significantly higher than the rates paid by competitors such as Chile and Peru, who face duties of roughly 10%.
If the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is not renewed, South Africa’s tariff burden could grow further, climbing to around 33% when taking into account the Most Favoured Nation tariff levels that applied before the Liberation Day duties were imposed.
Negotiations with the US continue, but progress is slow. Other major economies, including EU member states and Japan, are still subject to tariff rates of between 15% and 20% even after recent agreements, highlighting the global difficulty of securing meaningful tariff concessions. Complicating matters further are strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US, particularly as Washington continues to “spread misinformation about the lies of genocide in South Africa”.
For now, the tariff adjustments introduce only limited relief. Many agricultural industries remain exposed, but the sector continues to diversify exports elsewhere around the world. Improved access to the US market would complement South Africa’s broader ambition to expand global export opportunities and sustain agricultural growth.
Bananas remain central to the Roselands community, forming both a cultural identity and a core source of income.
Banana growers along KwaZulu-Natal’s coast are facing a devastating crisis as Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) tears through plantations, wiping out crops and threatening the livelihoods of rural communities.
The KwaNyuswa Agricultural Farm in Ramsgate has been hit especially hard, losing 3,000 banana plants since February 2025. The farm, which is community-owned, estimates its financial losses at around R500,000 – a blow that places 103 indirect beneficiaries at risk.
KwaZulu-Natal has long been fondly regarded as “kwelikabhanana”, a reflection of the province’s long-standing relationship with banana production. Bananas remain central to the Roselands community, forming both a cultural identity and a core source of income. At KwaNyuswa Agricultural Farm, a 25-hectare operation reclaimed in 2008, bananas have consistently been the flagship crop and the main revenue driver for the Roselands community trust.
That success, however, is now under severe threat. The highly destructive BBTV, which affects both banana and plantain plants, has rapidly spread across the region. The virus causes stunting and a characteristic “bunched” arrangement of newer leaves, which appear narrower and more upright than normal. Infected plants seldom produce fruit, making the disease catastrophic for farmers. Spread by the banana aphid or contaminated planting material, BBTV demands intensive labour for scouting and control—driving production costs sharply upward.
The severity of the outbreak prompted the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Nokuzola Capa, to meet banana growers from the Ugu District Municipality on 26 September 2025. On 12 November, she delivered agrochemicals to commercial, smallholder, and subsistence farmers battling the virus. Capa stressed that “the threat of BBTV in the Ugu District Municipality of KZN has been a persistent issue since 2015” and noted that the department had invested substantial resources in chemical support, adviser training, and community awareness.
These interventions have been welcomed by growers, but many say chemicals alone will not be enough. Sphephelo Ngubane, KwaNyuswa’s manager of farm operations and technical support, told Daily Maverick that replanting is essential for recovery. “We need items that are essential for the recovery of lost yields. This includes banana seedlings, MAP planting fertiliser, top dressing fertiliser, and irrigation input… [and a] packhouse revamp,” he said.
Ngubane emphasised that while the chemicals will help control aphids especially for small-scale farmers ongoing training, scouting, and record-keeping remain critical. “We continuously scout for new or primary symptoms… The most essential thing is to ensure field monitoring through scouting and record keeping… and to follow treatment protocols and recommendations by the research institutions such as ARC,” he said.
He added that more research is desperately needed, noting a lack of accessible information for farmers facing economically damaging diseases. Support from regional organisations such as the South Natal Banana Association has been invaluable, he said.
Ngubane concluded with a reminder of what is at stake for the South Coast: “Bananas are our community’s backbone. If we control BBTV now, we not only save a crop, but a whole rural community.”
Beekeeping protecting food security in South Africa.
South Africa is stepping up efforts to strengthen its beekeeping sector, with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen reaffirming government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s honeybee populations and the livelihoods that depend on them.
Speaking at the Beekeeping Awareness Field Day at Oude Raapkraal in Westlake, Cape Town, he described honeybees as “the farmers of the sky,” emphasising their essential yet often overlooked contribution to food security, biodiversity, and rural economies.
Addressing attendees, Steenhuisen highlighted that bees play a far greater role than simply producing honey. “They do not use tractors or ploughs, yet their work ensures that nearly 75% of our food crops bear fruit. In South Africa, bee pollination contributes more than R10 billion every year to agriculture,” he said. This pollination service directly supports the country’s food production system and indirectly fuels job creation across numerous agricultural industries.
Beekeeping, recognised under the Animal Improvement Act (Act No. 62 of 1998) as part of agricultural activity, is closely aligned with several national priorities. These include increased agricultural output, improved food and nutrition security, strengthened biosecurity measures, and improved market access for local producers. However, Steenhuisen warned that multiple threats including habitat loss, prolonged drought, and irresponsible pesticide use are putting bee populations at risk. “When the land stops flowering, bees go hungry, colonies weaken, and honey yields decline,” he cautioned.
He encouraged citizens and farmers to play a role in restoring bee forage. “Imagine if every farm, school, and roadside in South Africa became a bee garden – filled with indigenous plants, fruit trees, and wildflowers,” Steenhuisen said. He also stressed the importance of responsible pesticide management, warning that “spraying at the wrong time, during bloom, can kill thousands of bees overnight.” To mitigate this, the department is promoting integrated pest management and improved communication between farmers and beekeepers.
Beyond pollination, the Minister drew attention to the honey value chain, which holds significant economic potential. South Africa produces up to 2,500 tons of honey per year but consumes nearly twice that amount. As a result, domestic markets rely heavily on imports, with a large portion sourced from China. “We rely heavily on the imports of natural honey, with more than 80% of our imported honey coming from China… Since there is such a high demand for this product, we have seen an increase of very poor quality and sometimes adulterated honey,” Steenhuisen said.
To protect consumers and support local producers, the Department of Agriculture’s Inspection Services will conduct an operation in December to remove mislabelled or counterfeit honey products from shop shelves. Steenhuisen said these efforts form part of a broader initiative to build a trustworthy, competitive, and locally driven honey sector.
Progress is also being made in research and biosecurity. Key priorities include the development of a National Beekeeping/Apiculture Strategy, an American foulbrood (AFB) Management and Response Strategy, a national Bee Forage Strategy, and the finalisation of the Residue Monitoring Plan required for honey exports to the EU. The department has also revived the Honey Value Chain Round-Table Forum and re-established cooperation with the South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO). In addition, the Agricultural Research Council has been commissioned to conduct a national survey on AFB as part of its mandate to protect beekeeping and pollination services.
“Our task is clear - to protect these pollinators, nurture our beekeepers, and grow South Africa's honey industry into a model of sustainability and pride. Together, we can make sure that the hum of the honeybee continues to be the sound of life, abundance, and hope for generations to come.”
A Hub for global collaboration. (Image credit: VIV MEA)
VIV MEA 2025 is set to return to Abu Dhabi from 25–27 November, bringing together an impressive showcase of international agricultural innovation.
Held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this year’s event will feature dedicated pavilions from the United States, France, and Korea—each presenting technologies designed to strengthen the Middle East’s food security, boost sustainability, and improve efficiency across the animal protein supply chain.
American Pavilion: Advancing Regional Food Security
With the support of the U.S. Commercial Service, the American Pavilion will unite 20 leading suppliers offering solutions across the full animal production spectrum. Exhibitors will present innovations in feed ingredients, livestock genetics, poultry production technology, feed processing systems, grain storage, and more.
Madison Martin, VIV North American Representative at IMEX Management, emphasises that the USA Pavilion highlights technologies that enhance sustainability, productivity, and biosecurity. Both long-standing suppliers and first-time participants will introduce advancements in animal health, feed efficiency, and production technology responding directly to the region’s rising need for reliable and efficient food production systems.
French Pavilion: Leading Innovation Across the Value Chain
The French Pavilion will host 28 companies, including five exhibitors making their debut at VIV MEA. Covering farm equipment, breeding, feed solutions, processing technology, and veterinary care, the pavilion underscores France’s strong reputation in high-quality agricultural systems.
Anne-Marie Brault, Operational Activities Project Manager at Business France, notes that French exhibitors offer solutions rooted in quality, durability, and innovation. A key trend this year is the use of plant-based and natural products, including probiotics and phytotherapy, to enhance animal health.
Highlights include Agri Réseaux International’s ARIonline market intelligence platform; Difagri’s DIFATOX, which blends yeast and plants to combat mycotoxins; Laboratoires ACI’s AGRICHOC TOTAL; SIPENA’s protected potassium carbonate for supporting cows under heat stress; STI Biotechnologies’ METALAC Postbiotic; and Technivet Equine’s phytogenic and bioresonance-based animal health products.
Korean Pavilion: Advanced Veterinary and Diagnostic Solutions
Organised by the Korea Animal Health Products Association (KAHPA), the Korean Pavilion will feature 11 companies specialising in vaccines, diagnostics, and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Gee-Myung Kim, Team Leader of KAHPA’s Planning Department, explains that Korean exhibitors aim to deepen partnerships in the Middle East and Africa by offering “proven quality veterinary medicine.” Korean companies will present poultry vaccines including those targeting Newcastle Disease—advanced diagnostic systems, and functional formulations that strengthen immunity and energy metabolism to boost livestock productivity.
Recognising the region’s diverse species, Korean exhibitors will also showcase specialised products for camels, racehorses, and companion animals.
A Hub for Global Collaboration
Together, the American, French, and Korean pavilions will provide a comprehensive platform for industry professionals to explore new technologies, connect with global manufacturers, and build long-term partnerships that support the region’s agricultural advancement.
Uganda’s identity will feature prominently in Cotti Coffee advertising across major Asian cities.
Uganda’s coffee sector has recorded a significant milestone after local exporters clinched trade deals worth US$3mn during the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
The event, held from 5–10 November, saw Uganda’s coffee take centre stage as four prominent exporters — Meg Rae Coffee, Kwezi Coffee, Inspire Africa, and Elgon Coffee — showcased both green and roasted varieties. Their participation was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), which coordinated the national pavilion under the theme “Agriculture–Tourism–Prosperity.”
Uganda’s stand quickly became one of the busiest in the agricultural hall, drawing interest from commercial buyers, roasters, retailers, and global logistics companies. Officials from MAAIF also held strategic engagements with Chinese traders and took part in discussions on digital innovation in the coffee value chain and import policies for developing economies.
A key highlight from the Expo was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Cotti Coffee, currently the world’s fastest-growing coffee retail chain with more than 7,500 shops across 28 countries. This partnership marks a transformative step for Uganda as it opens a direct link between Ugandan coffee farmers and one of Asia’s most dynamic consumer markets.
The MoU, signed between MAAIF and Cotti Supply Chain (Anhui) Ltd, focuses on promoting Uganda’s coffee brand throughout China and internationally. It includes provisions for joint marketing campaigns, farmer training initiatives, technology transfer, and investment in value addition particularly in post-harvest handling and agro-processing to enhance quality.
In a statement, MAAIF emphasised that the partnership aims to “redefine how the world experiences Ugandan coffee,” ensuring farmers benefit from better market access and global visibility. Cotti Coffee executives praised Uganda as a reliable partner renowned for quality beans, ethical sourcing, and ideal growing conditions.
Uganda’s coffee exports to China have already surged by 190% in 2025, with beverages made from Ugandan beans trending across Chinese cafés and social media platforms. As China’s coffee market is expected to exceed US$45bn by 2030, this collaboration offers Uganda a powerful gateway into one of the world’s fastest-growing coffee economies.
Uganda was represented at CIIE by 28 exporters from the coffee and wider agricultural sectors. The government continues to invest heavily in coffee production through seedling distribution, farmer training programmes, irrigation expansion, research, and global branding.
Under the new partnership, Uganda’s identity will feature prominently in Cotti Coffee advertising across major Asian cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Singapore. This visibility is expected to drive export earnings, create new employment opportunities, and strengthen ties between Uganda’s rural farming communities and millions of coffee lovers across Asia.
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)
GEA has introduced an innovative water-saving solution for its DairyRotor T8600 and T8900 milking systems, designed to reduce freshwater consumption by up to 30% while maintaining high standards of cleaning performance and hygiene.
This new feature is part of GEA’s commitment to sustainability and can be applied to both new installations and retrofitted to existing systems, helping farms of all sizes improve their resource efficiency.
Efficient Water Use with Recycled Post-Rinse Water
The core of this advanced water-saving solution lies in the reuse of post-rinse water for the subsequent pre-rinsing process. By integrating this function, GEA has developed a system that not only cuts down on freshwater use but also ensures that the milking equipment continues to be thoroughly cleaned. The system includes the installation of an additional collection tank that stores the post-rinse water, which can then be fed back into the pre-rinsing cycle.
GEA offers two versions of this solution to suit different farm setups:
Pump Solution: A pump actively transfers water into the rinse tank, ensuring efficient circulation of reused water.
Gravity Solution: A space-saving, passive system that uses an elevated container to collect and reuse water, without the need for moving components.
Both solutions are supported by advanced valve and pipe technologies, ensuring that water is directed into the reuse cycle safely and effectively. It’s important to note that only fresh water, free from cleaning agents or disinfectants, is suitable for reuse.
Sustainable Milking with TÜV Validation
As part of GEA's "Add Better" portfolio, this new feature is TÜV Rheinland-validated, ensuring it meets high standards of sustainability and resource conservation. TÜV is a leading global provider of independent testing and certification, adding credibility to the water-saving benefits of this system.
Ideal for a Wide Range of Farms
This water-saving solution is suitable for farms of all sizes, particularly those in areas where water is either scarce or expensive, or where stringent legal requirements for resource conservation are in place. Farms facing economic pressures can also benefit from the reduced operating costs, all without compromising cleaning quality.
Additionally, GEA offers the flexibility of retrofitting the system to existing group parlours and DairyRotors, such as the washer Sinetherm, Compass Plus, and RCU-Washer of the DairyRotor T8900 with Dematron control. For both new and existing systems, an optional heating element is available to provide an energy-efficient pre-rinse cycle with preheated water, further enhancing resource efficiency.
Integration with GEA DigiTron for Seamless Farm Management
The new water-saving solution is fully compatible with the GEA DigiTron control unit, introduced earlier this year with the DairyRotor T8600. DigiTron offers precise control over the milking process at the animal level, providing easy operation, robust hardware, and straightforward maintenance. When connected to GEA's central DairyNet software platform, the system allows for comprehensive analysis of milking, cleaning, and maintenance processes across the farm. DigiTron is highly scalable, making it suitable for a wide range of farm sizes and automation levels.
GEA’s new water-saving solution is a game-changer for dairy farmers looking to reduce their environmental footprint and operational costs. By making the most of available resources and ensuring effective, consistent cleaning, it offers a sustainable and efficient way to improve dairy operations.
Manila, Philippines
The New Africa: Education, Training, and Education for Agricultural and Agro-Mechanical Technicians. (Image credit: Agrilevante)
As Africa braces for a population boom set to reach 2.5bn by 2050, the continent faces a dual challenge: ensuring food security while preparing a skilled workforce to drive agricultural transformation.
At Agrilevante 2025 in Bari, Italy, this challenge was met head-on with the unveiling of a new international initiative focused on vocational education and technical training for African agricultural and agro-mechanical professionals.
The conference, titled “The New Africa: Education, Training, and Education for Agricultural and Agro-Mechanical Technicians,” marked the start of a collaborative programme driven by FederUnacoma, the Italian Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, and Internationalia Publishing House. The programme aims to assess and address skill gaps across the African agri-sector, starting with Tanzania, Tunisia, and Ghana - three pilot countries prioritised in Italy’s Mattei Plan for African development partnerships.
A key takeaway from the event was the potential of education as a catalyst for agricultural innovation. As highlighted in the conference, Africa holds over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, and according to the African Development Bank, the continent’s agri-food market is expected to triple in value over the next five years from US$280bn to US$1tn.
“In a context like Africa’s, where education systems are characterised by numerous problematic elements and a sizeable school dropout rate,” said Gianfranco Belgrano, Director of Africa Affari and Internationalia, “training plays an essential role in meeting the demand for new skills in a constantly evolving market, especially in the agricultural and agro-mechanical sectors.”
The programme aims to go beyond traditional university-level exchanges and address the technical education gap, particularly in agricultural mechanics-a key area often overlooked in previous initiatives. The project will focus on technical and agricultural schools, helping to build a pipeline of trained technicians able to support the modernisation of local farming systems.
“There are great prospects for cooperation between Italian industries and African countries,” added Mariateresa Maschio, President of FederUnacoma. “From the design of technologically advanced agricultural machinery to the creation of high-precision irrigation systems, from supply chain implementation to capacity building, our companies possess excellent know-how that can meet the training needs of African agricultural economies.”
Belgrano reinforced the project’s initial focus: “We decided to launch the project with Tanzania, Tunisia, and Ghana because these are countries with a lot of agricultural area, which have structured school systems and can therefore already begin collaboration programmes with Italian companies.”
As Agrilevante showcases innovation in Mediterranean agri-tech, this new training initiative plants the seeds of long-term partnership, equipping Africa’s future farmers and technicians with the tools they need to succeed.
A Hub for global collaboration. (Image credit: VIV MEA)
AAE 2026 will serve as a hub for innovation. (Image credit: Africa Agri Expo)
Its goal is to create bacteriocin-rich extracts from specially engineered lactic acid bacteria.
Nigeria is stepping up its fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with an innovative agricultural research project aimed at finding safer, home-grown replacements for antibiotics commonly used in livestock and fish farming
A team of scientists from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Spain are joining forces at the University of Ilorin to develop a locally produced and affordable solution that supports farmers while protecting animal health.
The project, named BAC4RumA, is funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF). Its goal is to create bacteriocin-rich extracts from specially engineered lactic acid bacteria - natural substances that can effectively replace antibiotics in treating diseases in cattle and fish.
Project leader in Nigeria, Dr. Ismail Odetokun, explained that early laboratory results are encouraging. The new extracts have shown stronger results than traditional antibiotics in tackling infections such as mastitis in cattle and bacterial diseases in fish. According to him, the research team is now preparing for field trials, with many farmers already showing interest in adopting these safer and more sustainable solutions.
Highlighting the growing danger of AMR, Najete Safini of IDRC described it as a “silent pandemic” that threatens both food production and public health. She emphasised the need to build Nigeria’s own capacity to respond, saying that home-grown solutions would offer stronger, long-term protection for the nation’s food systems.
Mahmoud Eltholth of Royal Holloway University of London added that the partnership focuses on sustainability by empowering Nigerian scientists and research institutions to develop animal health innovations locally, reducing dependence on imported drugs.
With livestock and aquaculture contributing over US$33 trillion to Nigeria’s economy annually, experts believe this research could transform the agricultural sector. By providing farmers with safer alternatives to antibiotics, the project has the potential to boost productivity, protect animal welfare, and safeguard millions of livelihoods.
If successful, the BAC4RumA initiative could position Nigeria as a leading example for other African countries seeking to reduce antibiotic use in agriculture while strengthening their food security and export potential.
PRISMA project outcomes in relation to agricultural priorities across West Africa and the Sahel.
The partnership was announced during the Saudi AgriFood Tech Alliance (SAFTA) Forum on November 4, 2025.
Beekeeping protecting food security in South Africa.
South Africa is stepping up efforts to strengthen its beekeeping sector, with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen reaffirming government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s honeybee populations and the livelihoods that depend on them.
Speaking at the Beekeeping Awareness Field Day at Oude Raapkraal in Westlake, Cape Town, he described honeybees as “the farmers of the sky,” emphasising their essential yet often overlooked contribution to food security, biodiversity, and rural economies.
Addressing attendees, Steenhuisen highlighted that bees play a far greater role than simply producing honey. “They do not use tractors or ploughs, yet their work ensures that nearly 75% of our food crops bear fruit. In South Africa, bee pollination contributes more than R10 billion every year to agriculture,” he said. This pollination service directly supports the country’s food production system and indirectly fuels job creation across numerous agricultural industries.
Beekeeping, recognised under the Animal Improvement Act (Act No. 62 of 1998) as part of agricultural activity, is closely aligned with several national priorities. These include increased agricultural output, improved food and nutrition security, strengthened biosecurity measures, and improved market access for local producers. However, Steenhuisen warned that multiple threats including habitat loss, prolonged drought, and irresponsible pesticide use are putting bee populations at risk. “When the land stops flowering, bees go hungry, colonies weaken, and honey yields decline,” he cautioned.
He encouraged citizens and farmers to play a role in restoring bee forage. “Imagine if every farm, school, and roadside in South Africa became a bee garden – filled with indigenous plants, fruit trees, and wildflowers,” Steenhuisen said. He also stressed the importance of responsible pesticide management, warning that “spraying at the wrong time, during bloom, can kill thousands of bees overnight.” To mitigate this, the department is promoting integrated pest management and improved communication between farmers and beekeepers.
Beyond pollination, the Minister drew attention to the honey value chain, which holds significant economic potential. South Africa produces up to 2,500 tons of honey per year but consumes nearly twice that amount. As a result, domestic markets rely heavily on imports, with a large portion sourced from China. “We rely heavily on the imports of natural honey, with more than 80% of our imported honey coming from China… Since there is such a high demand for this product, we have seen an increase of very poor quality and sometimes adulterated honey,” Steenhuisen said.
To protect consumers and support local producers, the Department of Agriculture’s Inspection Services will conduct an operation in December to remove mislabelled or counterfeit honey products from shop shelves. Steenhuisen said these efforts form part of a broader initiative to build a trustworthy, competitive, and locally driven honey sector.
Progress is also being made in research and biosecurity. Key priorities include the development of a National Beekeeping/Apiculture Strategy, an American foulbrood (AFB) Management and Response Strategy, a national Bee Forage Strategy, and the finalisation of the Residue Monitoring Plan required for honey exports to the EU. The department has also revived the Honey Value Chain Round-Table Forum and re-established cooperation with the South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO). In addition, the Agricultural Research Council has been commissioned to conduct a national survey on AFB as part of its mandate to protect beekeeping and pollination services.
“Our task is clear - to protect these pollinators, nurture our beekeepers, and grow South Africa's honey industry into a model of sustainability and pride. Together, we can make sure that the hum of the honeybee continues to be the sound of life, abundance, and hope for generations to come.”
Understanding the impact of US tariff retreat on South African Farmers.
Bananas remain central to the Roselands community, forming both a cultural identity and a core source of income.
Angonabeiro continues to support national farmers while promoting innovation, quality, and sustainability in the country’s coffee sector.
Twelve Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) producers from Amboim, in Angola’s Cuanza-Sul Province, recently received a payment of US$23mn thanks to sales of their coffee and a partnership with Portuguese coffee company Angonabeiro
The ceremonial handover, held in Luanda, was attended by the Portuguese Ambassador Francisco Duarte, Angonabeiro executives João and Rui Nabeiro, and Lucinda Mário de Castro Cunha, coordinator of the Amboim Women Farmers' Association.
Of the total amount, US$15mn were delivered immediately, with the remainder set to follow in a phased support process until December. The funds are earmarked for purchasing equipment to enhance coffee production, boosting productivity, sustainability, and autonomy among local women farmers. This partnership is designed to strengthen the coffee supply chain in Amboim while promoting innovation and long-term growth.
Rui Nabeiro highlighted Angola’s growing role in the company’s international revenue, now accounting for 15% of total earnings, with projections showing a 12% increase this year. Delta, part of the Nabeiro Group, is Angola’s largest buyer, processor, and exporter of green coffee, handling 1,200 tons last year and estimating around 1,000 tons this year. This trade directly supports 20,000 to 40,000 producing families per harvest, reflecting the sector’s vital socio-economic impact.
The initiative also aims to revitalize Angola’s green coffee supply chain by providing technical training, improving farming conditions, and mitigating logistical challenges, ensuring farmers continue producing high-quality coffee and maintain ownership of their land.
Portuguese Ambassador Francisco Duarte praised the strong Angola-Portugal economic relations, noting that over 5,000 Portuguese companies export to Angola, with Portugal being the country’s second-largest supplier after China. Many of these companies employ local staff, contribute taxes, and build human capital, creating thousands of jobs.
Lucinda Cunha of the Amboim Women Farmers’ Association emphasized the significance of the Angonabeiro partnership. Despite challenges such as vandalism and illegal purchasing of coffee, farmers managed to harvest up to 800,000 kilos, and the financial support will help maintain and expand coffee production, from cleaning plantations to preparing new planting sites.
Operating in Angola for almost 27 years, Angonabeiro continues to support national farmers while promoting innovation, quality, and sustainability in the country’s coffee sector.
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)
NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. (Image credit: ABC Africa Group)
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Understanding the impact of US tariff retreat on South African Farmers.
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PRISMA project outcomes in relation to agricultural priorities across West Africa and the Sahel.
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Bananas remain central to the Roselands community, forming both a cultural identity and a core source of income.
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Beekeeping protecting food security in South Africa.
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Uganda’s identity will feature prominently in Cotti Coffee advertising across major Asian cities.
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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)
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NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. (Image credit: ABC Africa Group)
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The project aims to digitally map shea trees across parklands, linking tree tenure data to women who harvest them.
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FAO seeks to ensure that farming remains part of the global solution to both climate change and food insecurity. (Image credit: FAO)
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KTDA is reaffirming its commitment to empowering tea farmers and securing the sustainability of Kenya’s most valuable agricultural export.
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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)
NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. (Image credit: ABC Africa Group)
Angonabeiro continues to support national farmers while promoting innovation, quality, and sustainability in the country’s coffee sector.
LEMKEN’s precision seeding portfolio and extend its presence in key agricultural markets worldwide. (Image credit: LEMKEN)
Healthy soil is the starting point of every harvest. (Image credit: Husqvarna)
TThe liquid fertiliser system integrates seamlessly with most modern drills.(Image credit: Grange Machinery)
The new CCT is ideal for those looking to improve efficiency in the field.(Image credit: Grange Machinery)
Ascenso’s VF technology has been designed precisely with many challenges in mind.(Image credit: Ascenso Tyres)
The facility aims to transform locally produced red palm oil into refined vegetable oil.
Modern greenhouses will allow the continuous cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables throughout the year.
LaserFly – For a Healthy Future.(Image credit: Pantec Biosolutions AG)
TopCut system is designed to be compatible with a variety of harvester types.(Image credit: Züern)