Empowering Zambia’s farmers through digital innovation. (Image credit: World Bank Group)

North of Lusaka, along the busy Great North Road, lies Kapiri Mposhi, a farming town blessed with good rainfall and fertile land. Here, maize, wheat, soya beans and tomatoes thrive.

In recent years, farmers in this region have embraced a new way of accessing support from the government through the Farmer Input Support Programme e voucher system.

For many, the change has been life changing. Headwoman Teupula remembers the long journeys she once made to collect farming inputs. Travelling meant extra costs for transport, food and sometimes accommodation. Today, she can buy fertiliser and seed from nearby agro dealers. With more options available, her yields have improved and farming has become less stressful.

For over a decade, Zambia supported farmers through a direct supply model. Under that system, farmers received fixed packs of fertiliser and seed, often unsuitable for their soil. The focus on maize limited choice and, over time, contributed to soil exhaustion. When the country faced a severe drought during the 2023 to 2024 season, many smallholders struggled to cope. The subsidy programme was also placing heavy pressure on public finances.

The e voucher system was first introduced in 17 districts in the 2023 to 2024 farming season, reaching 220,000 farmers. It expanded rapidly to 74 districts in 2024 to 2025, serving around 740,000 farmers. By the 2025 to 2026 season, it is expected to cover all districts and benefit more than one million farmers.

The process is simple. Farmers make a small deposit at a bank, receive confirmation by text message, and use a code to buy inputs from registered agro dealers. According to an independent survey by Kivu International, most farmers report better yields and appreciate the transparency of mobile money systems.

Zacchaeus Saleh Mwale shared his experience: “We are close to one hundred bags. We have food security, and we are able to support our grandchildren.”

Sergiy Zorya of the World Bank Group explained, “This new approach can create markets, generate jobs, diversify crops, and improve nutrition.”

By encouraging private sector participation and giving farmers real choice, Zambia is building a more resilient and productive agricultural future.

Lofa Farmers Call for US$100 Million Agriculture Budget to Revitalise Liberia’s Farming Sector.

Farmers in Lofa County, a northernmost, mountainous county in Liberia  are urging the Government of Liberia to significantly increase investment in agriculture, calling for the national budget allocation to the sector to be raised to US$100mn.

The appeal comes from the United Farmers Association of Zorzor and Salayea Districts, who argue that stronger financial commitment is essential to close infrastructure gaps and equip farmers with the tools they need to improve productivity.

J Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture, the association acknowledged ongoing support from government and development partners but stressed that current funding levels are not enough to transform the sector. “We are underserved and under-resourced, struggling to sustain production amid mounting economic and environmental challenges,” the farmers said.

Agriculture remains central to Liberia’s economy, yet many farmers continue to operate on the margins. Limited access to quality seeds, fertilisers, machinery and modern farming techniques has left producers dependent on labour intensive traditional practices. According to the petition, this has made farming less efficient and increasingly difficult to sustain, particularly in the face of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns that disrupt planting and harvesting cycles.

“We are not asking for a change in leadership,” the petition notes. “We are asking for the resources that will allow agriculture to thrive.”

At the heart of the appeal is the proposed US$100 million budget, which farmers believe would allow the Ministry of Agriculture to roll out meaningful reforms. Priorities include building storage facilities to cut post harvest losses, rehabilitating farm to market roads, developing irrigation systems for year round production, expanding rural markets, improving access to affordable credit, distributing quality inputs, and introducing mechanisation programmes.

The association commended Minister Nuetah for engaging directly with farmers despite financial constraints, noting that this approach has unsettled some who previously benefited from ministry contracts. “This is not about politics. This is about productivity,” the petition states.

Infrastructure remains a pressing concern. Poor road conditions in Tinsue Town and nearby communities are limiting access to a rice mill operated under the Liberia Feed Yourself Agriculture Initiative Inc. Although IFAD recently donated a tricycle to support the transport of paddy rice, damaged roads have rendered it largely ineffective. “With improved road access, we can purchase more paddy rice, increase production, and meet growing demand,” the petition stated.

Farmers also outlined wider reforms, including stronger extension services, youth and women participation, fair pricing systems, agricultural insurance, research support and sustainable practices.

In a direct appeal to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, they concluded, “Mr. President, your legacy will depend on the impact you make in the lives of farmers. We are ready to work with you to transform agriculture.”

newgold seed was built for growers who don’t settle for incremental gains.

Bayer has unveiled newgold seed, its first multi crop seed brand created specifically for low carbon intensity crops.

The initiative is designed to give farmers a direct pathway into the expanding biofuels market while supporting farm profitability and practical field performance.

Global demand for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel is rising quickly. As the energy transition gathers pace, the challenge lies in scaling low carbon fuels without disrupting food production or adding unnecessary pressure to farm operations. Bayer sees agriculture as central to meeting that challenge in a balanced and commercially viable way.

Chad Bilby , Biofuel Crops Innovation and Commercial Lead, said, “Innovation alone won’t make the energy transition real. Scale, execution, and market confidence matter. With newgold seed, we are connecting seed innovation, agronomic performance, and market access into one clear opportunity for farmers.”

Developed under the company’s Biofuel Crops platform, newgold seed reflects a shift in thinking. Rather than viewing biofuels solely as an end market, Bayer is building an integrated system that links growers, fuel producers and supply chains from the outset.

The focus is on oilseed crops such as camelina and winter canola. These crops are suited to fitting between main growing seasons, within existing rotations or on underused land. This approach opens the door to additional revenue streams without replacing core food crops.

At its core, newgold seed is built around field level economics. The aim is to create crops that function as a profit multiplier. Farmers can use them as a double crop between seasons, as part of a rotation that supports sound agronomy, or on marginal land to bring new value to underperforming acres. The flexibility allows growers to decide how the crops fit within their own systems while retaining control over financial and agronomic choices.

By connecting seed development with secure market access, Bayer aims to reduce uncertainty and help farmers participate confidently in the low carbon fuel economy.

Maersk Strengthens Cold Chain Support for Kenya’s Avocado Peak Season. (Image credit: Maersk)

Kenyan avocado exporters are preparing for a busy peak season with renewed confidence as Maersk rolls out a series of measures to strengthen cold chain logistics across the country.

Announced in Nairobi, the initiative reflects Maersk’s continued commitment to supporting Kenya’s fast growing avocado sector and the thousands of growers and businesses who rely on dependable export routes to reach global markets.

Avocados have become one of Kenya’s most valuable horticultural exports, generating vital foreign exchange and supporting livelihoods across farming communities, packhouses and logistics networks. With international demand rising steadily, maintaining fruit quality from farm to destination remains essential. Maersk’s preparations are aimed at ensuring that exporters can move produce efficiently while preserving the freshness that overseas buyers expect.

The company’s approach combines practical support on the ground with digital engagement. Technical teams are visiting packhouses across key avocado growing regions to conduct focused training sessions. These cover proper handling of refrigerated containers and best practice in cold chain management. By strengthening technical know how at source, exporters are better equipped to maintain correct temperature control throughout transit.

Alongside these visits, Maersk is offering online training and refresher sessions. These programmes guide exporters through customs procedures, documentation requirements and shipping timelines. Updated information on routing options and transit schedules to major markets is also shared, enabling businesses to plan shipments with greater clarity and confidence.

Operational readiness forms another key part of the strategy. Empty refrigerated containers are being positioned in major export zones to ensure availability when volumes surge. Vessel capacity on the Kenya Europe trade route is being prioritised, with additional containers allocated to handle increased demand. Maintaining schedule reliability remains central to the service, helping time sensitive cargo arrive in optimal condition.

Tito Okuku, Managing Director of Maersk East Africa, said, “At Maersk, we recognise that our customers' success is our success. The avocado season is a critical time for Kenyan exporters, and we are committed to providing not just transportation services, but comprehensive support that empowers our customers to meet the world's growing demand for premium Kenyan avocados. Our customer-centric approach means being present, prepared, and proactive, and ensuring that every shipment receives the attention it deserves.”

As Kenya strengthens its standing as a leading supplier of quality avocados, Maersk continues to position itself as a reliable partner through innovation, preparation and close collaboration with the industry.