Crops

Technology deployment can help smallholder farmers.

Modern technology integration into farming operations can boost income for smallholder farmers

Ahead of the Africa International Agricultural Expo 2026, agriculture secretary, James Wanjohi, said that small-scale growers should build communities like cooperatives and producer associations to pool resources for shared expenses. This will split the costs of heavy purchases like equipment while optimising its use for everyone.

According to Wanjohi, technical support, dedicated extension services and reliable market access are required to make technology deployment a success.

“Technology that is being pushed must also come with some earning. That value must give an extra earning to the farmers,” he said.

The upcoming event will showcase innovations tailored to several vital steps in the agricultural process, including harvesting, processing, irrigation, and post-harvest management. Attendees will also have opportunities to review funding packages provided by financial organisations such as the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).

Furthermore, Wanjohi noted that the exhibition aligns with ongoing state initiatives to encourage value addition, packaging, and branding—empowering farmers to transition away from selling unrefined farm goods and meet international trade standards.

“There is a huge push by government not just to sell raw materials,” he said.

Flacko Wang, Director of Market Development at Hunan Hongxing International Exhibition Limited, said, “AI can solve some basic questions and daily questions. Farmers can get information from AI without having to ask around.” 

The previous edition of the expo featured roughly 10,000 pieces of farm machinery and tech solutions.

Agroecology can be the solution to food security.

Agroecology is driving the African Union Commission's food security policies as it calls for increased investments in the sector so that it generates employment opportunities for a growing youth population

Announced during the recently held Africa Regional Youth Summit on Agroecology and the Future of Africa's Food Systems in Kampala, this move will address the continent's food systems to reduce import dependency.

Haile Abebe of the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) who spoke during the summit highlighted the commercial significance of agriculture and how it can be more that just a tool for subsistence.

“Agriculture is no longer simply about producing food. It is about science, technology, entrepreneurship, finance, digital innovation, logistics, processing, manufacturing, trade, climate resilience and value addition,” Abebe said. 

With the right skills and technology, alongside financial means and market access, Africa's predominantly youth population can be channelised towards the region's wider agrifood sector. Prioritising the transformation of agrifood systems requires advancing agroecology.

“Agroecology can be part of this solution. It opens opportunities for young people across the agrifood system - from soil health, seeds and bio-inputs to irrigation, digital agriculture, processing, packaging, logistics, green energy and market development,” said Abebe.

Other opportunities include organic and bio-fertiliser production, ecological seed systems, agroforestry, water conservation, food processing, packaging and marketing.

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

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.

The delegation examined intelligent seedling equipment.

As part of China-Africa cooperation programme, more than 10 experts and scholars from South Africa visited Jinhua in East China's Zhejiang province to explore the city's development and achievements, with their itinerary also comprising Wuzhou Ancient City and the China-Africa (Jinhua) Agricultural Science and Innovation Park

The delegation examined intelligent seedling equipment and took a tour of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Exchange Center. They got to see firsthand Jinhua's agricultural innovation capabilities.

At the China-Africa (Jinhua) Agricultural Science and Innovation Park in Changshan township, Wucheng district, the delegation sampled specialty agricultural products such as lotus seeds and sweet potatoes cultivated by the Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences. These were meant for consumption like fruits, and were highly appreciated. China-Africa agricultural cooperation were explored through insightful exchanges on modern agricultural technologies.

This visit is part of the lead-up to the 2026 China-South Africa Seminar on Human Rights in Hangzhou. Before the seminar, participants have conducted field visits in Jinhua and Hangzhou to deepen their understanding of local advancements and collaborative efforts in agriculture.