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The 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria will take place in March 2026. (Image credit: Agrofood Nigeria)

Event News

Agrofood Nigeria 2026: a landmark event

The 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria 2026 will be held from 24th to 26th March at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.

This major event highlights the growing momentum of Nigeria's agrofood sector, offering a unique platform for industry leaders, suppliers, and professionals across the entire value chain to come together.

Organised by Fairtrade Messe in collaboration with Modion Communications, Agrofood Nigeria 2026 is set to be a key event, drawing thousands of participants from across Nigeria and West Africa. It will showcase innovation and provide opportunities for networking, business development, and knowledge sharing. This year’s event features focused partial fairs, offering specialised experiences in agriculture, food + bev tech, food ingredients, packaging, and food + hospitality. This allows professionals to explore specific sectors in depth.

A highlight of the 2026 edition is the Netherlands as the guest of honour, marking the strong partnership between Nigeria and the Netherlands in the agrofood sector. This special designation will promote Dutch expertise and create valuable opportunities for collaboration between the two nations' agricultural stakeholders.

Key features of Agrofood Nigeria 2026 include:
- Increased regional reach with attendees from across West and Central Africa.

- Government participation, including ministries from both federal and Lagos State governments, demonstrating strong support for the event.

- National pavilions from countries such as China, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and South Africa, highlighting international collaboration.

- Over 100 global exhibitors showcasing tailored products and solutions for the Nigerian market.

- Insightful conference sessions, building on the success of 2025 with more speakers and networking opportunities.

- Co-location with WACCSE, promoting advancements in West Africa’s cold chain sector, enhancing technology and cooperation.

With support from over 20 respected organisations, including government agencies, international chambers, and trade bodies, Agrofood Nigeria 2026 cements its position as West Africa’s leading platform for innovation in the agrofood and packaging sectors.

Nigeria’s growing agrofood sector is reflected in its significant investments in food and packaging technology, making it one of Africa’s largest importers in this field. The Nigerian food market is projected to reach US$233.53bn by end of 2025, with a steady annual growth rate of over 10%, further boosting the importance of this key event.

Tanzania can take control of its waters.

Aquaculture

Tanzania’s fishing sector under threat from foreign fleets

Tanzania’s fishing industry has long supported families, kept children in school, and sustained coastal communities

But behind the scenes, the sector is under serious threat. The problem isn’t natural disasters or predators, but something worse—illegal foreign fishing fleets quietly stealing Tanzania’s marine resources.

According to the Tanzania Relief Initiative (TRI), many of these foreign vessels disguise themselves under local names and operate in Tanzania’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Despite clear territorial boundaries, these fleets continue fishing without proper permits or accountability. The Global IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) Fishing Index has ranked Tanzania poorly, placing it among the worst-performing countries in recent years.

 Edwin Mugambila, TRI CEO has called for urgent action. “Foreigners must pay taxes so the country benefits. Locals should be the ones earning a living from our waters,” he said at a recent press conference. He urged the government to introduce strict laws, involve local fishing associations in licensing, and implement modern tracking systems.

One major concern is the depletion of key fish species. Once abundant and valuable fish like Robusta are now nearly extinct in Tanzanian waters. Mugambila also raised alarm over the capture of banned species, including whales and sharks, with foreign crews taking only the fins and discarding the rest. Many foreign operators reportedly use Tanzanian proxies to appear legitimate while keeping full control.

Despite having over 1,400 km of coastline and more than 61,000 square kilometres of inland water, marine fishing contributes just 1.7 to 1.8 per cent to Tanzania’s GDP. Most fishing is done by small-scale operators using outdated tools. Deep-sea fishing, where the real value lies, is dominated by foreigners. Meanwhile, aquaculture remains underdeveloped, contributing only about 1 per cent to the economy.

Local fishers and entrepreneurs are also struggling to compete. Sarah Mwambu from the Tanzania Association of Marine Entrepreneurs (TAOME) said foreign buyers pay much higher prices for fish, leaving locals unable to match them. “We used to buy at 15,000/- per kilo. Now they offer 40,000/-. We can’t keep up,” she said.

The TRI and local groups are calling for tighter enforcement, better infrastructure, and greater support for Tanzanian fishers. With bold leadership and proper investment, Tanzania can take control of its waters and ensure the ocean’s wealth benefits its people first.

e-Kilimo system will improve the transparency and efficiency of agricultural services.

Agriculture

Tanzania launches e-Kilimo digital system to improve agricultural services

Hussein Bashe, Tanzania's minister of agriculture has launched a new digital agricultural extension system called e-Kilimo (Digital Extension) to enhance services for farmers and ensure better accountability among agricultural extension officers nationwide.

The system was officially introduced on July 16, 2025, at the Mtanana Crop Innovation Center in Kongwa District.

 Bashe explained that the e-Kilimo system will allow farmers to easily access information about the number of extension officers in their area, their locations, and contact details. This will help farmers connect with the right people for support and advice.

In addition, the system requires every extension officer to complete a service performance form. This will be used to evaluate their effectiveness at the end of each year, helping to identify officers who are doing their jobs well and take corrective action against those who fail to meet their responsibilities. 

Bashe also emphasized that the system aims to encourage accountability among extension officers and improve the security of agricultural input distribution. The ministry of agriculture plans to register input sellers to ensure that if counterfeit inputs are sold to farmers, it will be easier to trace the responsible parties and take necessary actions.

Overall, the e-Kilimo system is expected to improve the transparency and efficiency of agricultural services in Tanzania, making it easier for farmers to get the help they need and ensuring that extension services are delivered effectively.

Revolutionise your sowing with the new LEMKEN Solitair PT! ((Image credit: LEMKEN)

Machinery & Equipment

LEMKEN Solitair PT: precision sowing redefined

The new LEMKEN Solitair PT is a high-performance drill combination with a power harrow, designed for professionals who demand efficiency and precision in a variety of soil conditions

Perfect for farmers and contractors, this machine sets new standards in sowing with its exceptional seedbed preparation, ease of use, and versatility.

Optimised seedbed preparation with power harrow

A good seedbed is essential for even crop emergence, and the Solitair PT excels here. It comes with the Zirkon power harrow, featuring four tine carriers per metre of working width. The harrow's unique tine layout, combined with hydraulic depth adjustment as standard, ensures consistent soil crumbling and flow in all conditions. The working depth, rotor speed, and forward speed can all be individually adjusted, enabling the machine to work both quickly and shallow or deeply and thoroughly, depending on soil type and tillage needs. The levelling bar can be adjusted either hydraulically or mechanically for consistent, high-quality results.

Tank options to suit every need

To boost efficiency, the Solitair PT is equipped with large-capacity metal tanks. You can choose between a single tank with 4,400-litre capacity or a double tank with 5,100 litres (40:60 split). Built with corrosion-resistant parts and an integrated agitator shaft, the modular metering system ensures reliable operation, even with different seeds or fertilisers.

Precision sowing with OptiDisc coulter bar

The Solitair PT features a high-quality coulter bar with parallelogram-guided double disc coulters, available in OptiDisc M (up to 45 kg coulter pressure) or OptiDisc H (up to 70 kg coulter pressure). The coulter pressure can be adjusted either mechanically or hydraulically, independent of seed depth, making it ideal for varying soil conditions and high-speed operations. To improve seed placement, the machine also includes a pre-running trapeze packer roller that ensures optimal seed-to-soil contact, promoting fast and uniform crop emergence.

Designed for practicality and flexibility

The Solitair PT is designed for ease of use in everyday farming tasks. Its long drawbar allows tight turns, even with large tractors. Additional tools like leading tyre packers, wheel mark eradicator discs, and tractor wheel mark eradicators provide further adaptability for any situation.

The LEMKEN Solitair PT is a future-oriented, reliable seed drill that offers precision, flexibility, and top-quality results. It is an excellent choice for arable farmers and contractors who demand the best performance in their sowing operations.

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