Under the agreement, both institutions will work closely to improve co financing mechanisms for sovereign agricultural projects included in IFAD’s portfolio.(Image credit: IFAD)

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the International Fund for Agricultural Development have entered into a new partnership aimed at strengthening sustainable agriculture and improving the long term impact of rural development projects across the world.

The agreement reflects the United Arab Emirates’ continued commitment to global cooperation in food security, climate resilience and inclusive economic growth.

The partnership was signed during the World Government Summit by Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD, in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations. IFAD is the only international financial institution fully dedicated to transforming rural economies and supporting small scale farmers.

Under the agreement, both institutions will work closely to improve co financing mechanisms for sovereign agricultural projects included in IFAD’s portfolio. The framework sets clear foundations for collaboration in project selection, financing and evaluation, while respecting the regulatory and operational policies of each party. By aligning procedures and coordinating approval processes, the partnership aims to make better use of available resources and increase the overall development impact of funded projects.

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said, “This agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development reflects our ambitious vision to build strong partnerships with leading international financial institutions, based on the integration of efforts and coordination of implementation and evaluation processes. It supports the development of sustainable agricultural projects that focus on strengthening agricultural value chains, improving quality of life in rural areas, and enhancing communities’ ability to adapt to various climatic and economic changes.”

Alvaro Lario said, “Our strategic partnership with ADFD creates an advanced model for coordinated investment, maximizing our impact on rural economies. Through this institutional framework, we will mobilize resources and expertise to drive economic growth, enhance food security, and build climate resilience in rural communities.”

The collaboration marks an important step forward in the relationship between ADFD and IFAD. It opens the door to deeper cooperation, knowledge sharing and capacity building, while reinforcing a shared commitment to supporting rural communities. Through joint action and coordinated investment, the partnership aims to help communities strengthen their resilience, expand economic opportunities and build a more sustainable future.

Kakuzi launches premium black tea for the Kenyan market.(Image credit: Capital business)

Kakuzi has taken a new step in its diversification journey with the launch of Kakuzi Pure Black Tea, marking the company’s first move into selling branded tea directly to the local market.

The loose leaf tea is available in 250 gramme and 500 gramme packs and is aimed at Kenyan consumers seeking high quality tea traditionally reserved for export markets.

The launch reflects a broader shift in strategy as the agribusiness looks to add value closer to home and reduce its dependence on exports. Managing Director Chris Flowers said the move aligns with Kakuzi’s long term growth plans and its focus on building more resilient revenue streams.

“This is the first time in our history that we are offering a quality tea brand to the local market,” Flowers said. “Kenyans will enjoy export-grade tea leaves packaged in convenient sizes.”

By targeting domestic consumers, Kakuzi hopes to cushion itself against volatility in international markets. Global tea prices have remained subdued in recent years, making export focused models increasingly exposed to external shocks. The company believes that strengthening its presence at home will help balance these risks while responding to growing demand for premium, locally produced food products.

The tea launch builds on Kakuzi’s expanding portfolio of value added goods sold within Kenya. These include ready to eat macadamia nuts, cold pressed macadamia oil and fresh blueberries, all of which have helped the company move beyond raw commodity exports. The products are currently available at selected retail outlets, the Kakuzi Farmers’ Market along the Nairobi Nyeri Highway and through the company’s online store.

Alongside product diversification, Kakuzi continues to invest heavily in processing capacity. The company operates a major macadamia processing facility in Makuyu, Murang’a County, with the ability to produce up to 2,000 tonnes of saleable kernel each year, making it one of the largest operations of its kind in the country. Its macadamia oil plant can process up to 1,000 litres per day using cold press technology, supporting both domestic sales and export demand.

Looking ahead, Kakuzi has set out ambitious growth targets across its agricultural operations. Over the next decade, the firm plans to almost double avocado production and exports, increasing volumes from 3 million to 5 million cartons. It is also aiming to raise macadamia kernel output from 900 tonnes to 1,500 tonnes, reinforcing its position as a leading player in Kenya’s high value crop sector.

Ethiopia puts coffee at heart of culture climate and growth. (Image credit: Ethiopian News Agency)

Ethiopia has renewed its call for greater recognition of coffee as more than a global export, framing it as a cultural treasure, a social bond and a vital economic pillar for both the country and the wider African continent.

The message was delivered at a high level policy forum held on Tuesday during the 3rd African Coffee Week in Addis Ababa, where leaders and development partners gathered to discuss the future of Africa’s coffee industry.

Meles Mekonnen, State Minister of Agriculture said, “Coffee is far more than a tradable commodity. It is and will remain one of Africa’s most powerful symbols and strategic assets,” Meles said.

He warned that climate change is placing increasing pressure on the sector, with erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and growing pest threats already affecting production. According to Meles, smallholder farmers are bearing the brunt of these changes, making climate resilience and sustainable transformation urgent priorities.

As Africa’s largest coffee producer, Ethiopia has positioned coffee at the core of its national development strategy. Meles said the government is expanding climate smart farming practices, strengthening quality control systems and improving market transparency, while ensuring women and young people benefit from sector reforms.

He also urged African countries to rethink their role in the global coffee value chain by moving beyond raw bean exports and investing in value addition, branding and finished products. He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major opportunity to build regional value chains and create decent jobs.

“Investments in climate smart production systems and sustainable land management are not optional; they are economically prudent,” he said. “Together, we can cultivate a coffee industry that is economically vibrant and deeply rooted in Africa’s rich heritage.”

AU Commission Chief of Staff Mohamed El Amine Souef echoed the call for stronger cooperation, noting that new harmonised African coffee standards aim to boost competitiveness.
“Coffee brings people from diverse cultures together for mutual benefit,” Souef said.

UNIDO Representative Stephen Kargbo highlighted coffee’s role in Ethiopia’s export earnings while warning of climate risks and price volatility. “No single institution or government can address these issues alone,” he said.

Italian Ambassador Sem Fabrizi praised coffee’s cultural roots and confirmed Italy’s continued support through development cooperation and increased financing via the Italian Climate Fund.

Africa’s role in feeding a changing world

The impact of climate change is no longer a distant warning.

It is part of daily life, shaping the weather we experience, the cost of energy and the food that ends up on our plates. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, climate breakdown added US$490 to the average UK household’s annual food bill. At the same time, the UK imports around US$4bn worth of food from countries already facing severe climate related displacement. Together, these figures point to a clear and uncomfortable reality. Climate change is driving food prices higher while putting global food security under growing strain.

One powerful way to respond lies beyond Europe’s borders. Strengthening agricultural systems in vulnerable regions, particularly across Africa, could play a decisive role in easing pressure on global food markets. Doing so requires tackling long standing structural challenges while speeding up access to modern, transformative technologies. If approached seriously, these efforts could help stabilise food prices, reduce supply chain disruptions and build long term resilience into the global food system.

Across Africa, smallholder farmers sit at the heart of agricultural production. They supply most of the staple crops that feed both rural and urban populations and support millions of livelihoods. Yet despite Sub Saharan Africa holding roughly a quarter of the world’s arable land, the region accounts for only about 10 percent of global agricultural output. This imbalance is not due to a lack of land or effort. The problem lies in productivity.

Historical data paints a stark picture. Between 1961 and 2022, cereal yields in Africa barely doubled, while yields in other regions rose far more sharply. By 2022, the global average cereal yield had reached 4.2 tonnes per hectare, compared with just 1.7 tonnes per hectare across most African countries. Further research shows that between 2008 and 2019, smallholder productivity declined by an average of 3.5 percent per year. These trends reflect a complex mix of pressures that continue to hold farmers back.

Environmental stress is one of the most immediate challenges. Droughts are becoming more frequent and more intense, soils are increasingly degraded and nutrient poor, and moisture shortages limit crop growth. These abiotic stresses are compounded by pests and diseases that steadily erode harvests. In many areas, insecure land tenure discourages farmers from investing in long term soil health or sustainable practices, further weakening resilience.

Beyond environmental conditions, access to technology remains deeply unequal. Many farmers still struggle to obtain quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation systems and modern farming equipment. Without these inputs, even experienced farmers cannot fully realise the potential of their land. Institutional shortcomings add another layer of difficulty. Poor roads and limited storage facilities restrict access to markets and increase post harvest losses. Extension services, especially in rural areas, are often underfunded or overstretched, leaving farmers without reliable training or advice. At the same time, limited access to credit and low investment in agricultural research deprive farmers of the financial and scientific support they need to adapt.

Conservation agriculture highlights how these barriers intersect. This approach, which improves soil structure and moisture retention, could significantly boost sustainability and productivity. Yet in Sub Saharan Africa it is practised on only about 1.25 percent of cultivated land. A shortage of suitable tools, limited training, lack of crop residues for mulching and unsupportive socioeconomic conditions all contribute to its low uptake.

Unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential requires coordinated action across environmental, technological and institutional fronts. Without it, productivity will remain suppressed and the consequences will extend far beyond the continent.

Encouragingly, smart solutions are beginning to take hold. Digital tools and regenerative practices are increasingly recognised as essential to the future of African farming. At the second Roundtable of African Farmers in 2024, participants called on international policymakers to adopt outcome driven and evidence based policies that help farmers access modern technologies. When paired with training, these approaches can boost productivity while protecting natural resources.

Practical progress is already visible. Digital platforms such as PlantVillage and the Malawi Digital Plant Health Service enable early detection of pests and diseases, allowing farmers to respond more quickly. Artificial intelligence tools are also being used to monitor soils, plan irrigation and guide crop choices. Studies show that advisory systems like RiceAdvice and NextGen Agroadvisory have increased wheat and rice yields by up to 25 percent, improving incomes for smallholder farmers in countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria and Mali.

However, access remains uneven. Poor internet connectivity, limited digital skills and weak policy support continue to exclude many farmers. Without inclusive infrastructure and thoughtful regulation, innovation risks widening existing inequalities rather than reducing them. Technology alone is not enough. It must be embedded within broader systems that include reliable infrastructure, accessible education and transparent data governance.

Alongside digital innovation, biotechnology offers another powerful set of tools. Techniques such as marker assisted breeding, genetic modification and genome editing allow for faster and more precise responses to climate stress and pest pressure. South Africa has been a leader since the late 1990s, developing genetically modified cotton, maize and soybean. More recently, countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Malawi have approved the general release of genetically modified crops.

Globally, the evidence is compelling. The use of genetically modified technology has increased yields by 22 percent, reduced chemical pesticide use by 37 percent and raised farmer profits by 68 percent. Importantly, these gains are even greater in developing countries. Yet adoption remains uneven, held back by public mistrust, regulatory delays and limited biosafety capacity. These concerns, often fuelled by misinformation and insufficient public engagement, must be addressed openly and responsibly.

Building trust takes time, but delay carries its own risks. Governments and policymakers have a crucial role in creating conditions for safe and inclusive biotechnology use. This includes strong seed certification systems, well resourced extension services and financing models that allow smallholders to benefit from innovation.

Investing in African agriculture is no longer optional. As climate impacts intensify, global supply chains are becoming more fragile and food prices more volatile. Strengthening farming systems across Africa could help stabilise global markets by increasing reliable production of staple crops and reducing reliance on emergency imports. It would also help cushion the world against climate shocks that are already undermining food security in vulnerable regions.

Behind this growing body of research and insight are scientists working at the intersection of agriculture, climate and technology. One of them is Dr El Houssaine Bouras, an assistant professor specialising in crop modelling and remote sensing at the Center for Remote Sensing Applications and the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic. His work reflects a wider shift in agricultural thinking, one that recognises Africa not as a passive victim of climate change, but as a central player in feeding the future.