Agriculture

New varietal development is a further area where growers are looking to gain an edge. (Image source: South African Stone Fruit)

The South African stone fruit industry led by Hortgro, is accelerating the adoption of new technologies and innovative growing practices to take production to the next level

The industry is driving forward a wide range of research projects designed to make production more efficient, address the challenges of climate change, and boost output of high-quality fruit. The extent of the industry’s efforts to take production to the next level are underlined by the fact that Hortgro has a dedicated division that is focused on identifying key research areas, funding projects and seeking collaborative opportunities with both local and international research groups. It supports programmes across a range of areas from production through to crop protection and post-harvest technology, and produces reports, training videos, seminars and webinars to help growers with continual improvement.

Recent initiatives have included putting up netting on farms to increase yields and improve fruit quality, installing solar panels to tackle energy shortages, adopting new technologies for quality management in the packhouse, using drones for precision farming, and investing in water-saving and irrigation-management measures such as low flow drip irrigation, mulching, water probesand new pumping systems. 

Collaboration with growers is at the heart of Hortgro’s approach to research and development. “Our job is to create an enabling environment,” said Jacques du Preez, general manager of trade and markets. “We do that through research into innovation and technology, as well as assisting growers in obtaining market access and creating trade opportunities for them.”

Among the various initiatives, an ongoing project called The Orchard of the Future is aimed at enabling greater operational efficiency, improving fruit production, reducing wastage, and showcasing potential new strategies and technologies that can reduce risk.

Hortgro also plays its part in the Post-Harvest Innovation (PHI) Programme, which is a public-private partnership between the Department of Science and Innovation andvarious fruit industries through the Fresh Produce Exporter’s Forum. The programme aims to create a culture of innovation by providing funding opportunities to projects filling technology gaps in the horticultural export value chain. 

Currently in its fifth phase – which runs until June 2026 – four research projects are being carried out to find solutions to industry challenges, with an emphasis on participation from historically disadvantaged individuals. Current research projects include ultra-low oxygen and nitric oxide treatment for pests in pome and stone fruit, and the commercial potential of ethyl formate fumigation, which is regarded as a promising post-harvest treatment for external pests. Recently completed projects, meanwhile, have sought scientific solutions to broken stones in plums and moisture loss in nectarines, among other things. 

New varietal development is a further area where growers are looking to gain an edge. Pierre Rossouw, technical manager at leading supplier Stems, said the company has access to as many as 13 different breeding programmes from around the world to ensure it has the best varieties for each particular product throughout the season. 

“As we have such a diverse climate, you need certain genetics that will be adaptable to each specific region,” he added. “If you plant the right variety on the right rootstock in the right area, you can grow a very good product. That’s the whole aim, and how we want to distinguish ourselves from the competition and supply our customers with the best possible product in a specific window.”

The ACIAR delegates with IITA staff after the partnership deliberation meeting. (Image source: IITA)

The partnership between IITA and Australia holds immense potential for shaping the future of climate-smart agriculture in Africa

In line with the African-Australian partnership that was announced in October 2024, delegates from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) visited the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on 21 January

The delegates toured IITA to observe ongoing research, scaling efforts, partnerships, and the delivery of innovative food solutions to African communities. Their primary objective was to gather insights and experiences to inform the development of a framework for delivering climate-smart and sustainable food systems in North and West Africa.

The delegation was keen to understand how IITA collaborates with national partners and agricultural research institutions to deliver impactful solutions to farmers and end-users. IITA’s deputy director general for Partnerships and Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, highlighted the Australian Government’s contributions to IITA’s work and emphasised the importance of strengthening collaborations to drive research and agricultural development across Africa. 

“Our partnership with Australia has been vital in addressing agricultural challenges across the continent. However, there is a need to deepen intellectual, research, and scaling partnerships to achieve greater impact," remarked Dashiell.

During discussions, IITA proposed technical assistance to support youth agenda and agribusiness initiatives. The delegation learned about the Youth in Agribusiness (IYA) initiative, which focuses on engaging young people in agriculture by equipping them with technologies developed by IITA and other CGIAR centers. This initiative aims to empower youth to take an active role in transforming agriculture across Africa.

The delegation also gained insights into the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme. This cross-country, multi-commodity system deploys ready-to-scale technologies to farmers across the continent. TAAT has introduced over 150 technologies across 10 key commodities so far, supported by enabler compacts in policy, youth engagement, and capacity building. Through collaborations with African governments, regional bodies, private sectors, and research institutions, TAAT has created jobs, improved livelihoods, and promoted environmental sustainability.

As part of their visit, the delegation toured IITA’s cutting-edge facilities. These included the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) facility, where the Rapid Multiplication Technology for cassava seeds revolutionises seed production. They also visited the Germplasm Health Unit and Genetic Resources Centre, where IITA ensures the delivery of clean, healthy, and high-quality seeds to farmers.

At the Cassava Processing Unit, the visitors saw firsthand how value addition to cassava roots enhances income generation and improves food security. These innovations reflect IITA’s commitment to addressing Africa’s food challenges through science and technology.

“The next phase of African-Australian investment will mainly extend ACIAR’s decade-long expertise and work in East and Southern Africa to North and West Africa – particularly Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and Ghana,” said O’Brien. 

Bayer aims to support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs by 2030. (Image source: Bayer)

Bayer Foundation and the Pula Foundation announced at World Economic Forum that they are planning to provide insurance coverage for 10 million smallholder farmers by 2030

The collaboration aims to enhance climate resilience among smallholder farmers, protecting them against the growing impacts of droughts and floods, which threaten harvests, livelihoods, and global food security. It will help build private-public collaborations and shape the insurance market for agriculture in Africa and Asia.

The Pula Foundation has developed scalable and data-driven agricultural insurance solutions designed to safeguard smallholder farmers' investments in their farms. By mitigating risks associated with extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, the Pula Foundation ensures that farmers receive financial compensation for yield losses, enabling them to recover, reinvest, and build long-term resilience in the face of climate uncertainty. 

By 2030, Bayer Foundation’s grant for insurance premium support in the amount of 10 million euros – supported by a donation from Bayer’s Crop Science Division – will unlock a potential insurance coverage of 127 million US dollars for 10 million farmers working with national governments in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Mali. The grant originates from Bayer Foundation’s Social Innovation Ecosystem Fund which targets mature and high-impact solutions for underserved communities.

Bayer aims to support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs by 2030 by improving their access to agricultural products and services. This also includes collaborations with partners. To achieve this, Bayer strives to create market models that generate benefits and reduce business risks for all partners in the value chain, including smallholder farmers.

To boost local production, the HBP is rolling out pilot programmes to simplify access for market women to buy local crops. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Ghana is taking bold steps to improve food security and sustainability by bringing together agritech, agribusiness, and collaborative partnerships

With digital training and support from the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) Ghana Tech project, initiatives like the Horticulture Business Platform (HBP) and the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference are reshaping agriculture. 

The HBP gathers farmers, small businesses, input suppliers, and farmer-based groups, all working toward shared goals. By working with key organisations, HBP promotes sustainable growth in horticulture, offering its members opportunities to access local and global markets, benefit from training programmes, and engage in trade fairs. 

The NTF V support brings together agribusinesses, technology companies, investors, and government agencies to find sustainable solutions. One example is the Agricultural Innovation for Africa Conference (AIA), co-hosted by KIC. At the 2024 event, over 1,500 farmers, tech innovators, and policymakers explored opportunities to work together. Youth engagement and gender equality are central to Ghana’s agricultural transformation. Agritech startups in the NTF V cohort prioritise empowering women farmers.

Despite substantial achievements, Apom said many farmers still lack access to smartphones and the digital skills needed to use advanced tools. To boost local production, the HBP is rolling out pilot programmes to simplify access for market women to buy local crops. This not only helps reduce post-harvest losses but also strengthens local food systems. Ghana’s commitment to achieving food security and sustainability offers a blueprint for other nations grappling with similar challenges.