Africa Urged to Safeguard Crop Diversity as Food Security Faces Growing Threats. (Image credit: CIFOR)

Africa is steadily losing the plant diversity that supports its food systems, livelihoods and resilience to climate change, according to the Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The report, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, was presented during its Africa regional launch in Nairobi on 12 to 13 February 2026. The event was co hosted by FAO and the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry.

The findings paint a worrying picture. Crop varieties, their wild relatives and many wild plants gathered for food are disappearing more quickly than they are being conserved. These resources are vital for helping food systems cope with rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and extreme weather.

Chikelu Mba, Deputy Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division at the FAO, said, “This report shows clearly that Africa is losing plant genetic diversity at a pace that threatens food security, nutrition and the overall resilience of agrifood systems.”

“Crop diversity — including farmers’ varieties or landraces, wild food plants and the genetic relatives of major crops — is essential for developing progressively improved crop varieties needed to climate-proof the continent’s agrifood systems. Yet many of these resources are disappearing faster than they are being protected, meaning their inherent potential may never be fully realised — not for the current generation, and certainly not for those who come after us,” he added.

Across the continent, traditional crop varieties developed and maintained by farmers over generations are fading from fields. Sorghum, millet, yam, rice and traditional cotton are among those at risk. In Sub Saharan Africa, around 16 percent of more than 12,000 locally adapted varieties recorded in 19 countries are now considered threatened.

Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer of CIFOR ICRAF, warned of the wider consequences, and said, “Africa’s food security and nutrition depend on the widest possible diversity of crops, trees and wild plants that farmers and communities have relied on for generations. As climate change accelerates, losing this diversity means losing the very options that allow agriculture to adapt.”

The report also highlights the decline of wild food plants such as baobab, shea and marula, as well as indigenous leafy vegetables widely consumed across Africa. More than 70 percent of assessed wild food plant diversity on the continent is under threat, largely due to habitat loss and climate stress.

Seed collections face risks too. Although about 220,000 samples are stored in 56 African genebanks, only a small share is securely duplicated. “Plant genetic resources are the foundation of sustainable agrifood systems. Without stronger policies, investment and coordination, Africa risks losing irreplaceable plant diversity that supports livelihoods, food security and nutrition, and the ability of farming systems to withstand climate shocks,” Mba said.

“It is the responsibility of governments to establish genebanks and the infrastructure needed to store plant genetic resources. We also encourage farmers to develop seed systems or community seed banks where they can store varieties that are critical to them and adapted to different ecological zones,” said Theophilus Muturi, Managing Director of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.

“Conserving and using Africa’s plant genetic resources is not a luxury,” Ubalijoro added. “It is a necessity for resilient agrifood systems in a changing climate.”

Abla Dzifa Gomashie promotes Ghanaian Chocolate. (Image credit: Ghanaian Times)

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, on February 14 drew attention to the economic and cultural importance of Made in Ghana chocolate as the country marked Ghana Chocolate Day.

Addressing questions on her sector on the floor of Parliament of Ghana in Accra, the Minister used the moment to celebrate Ghana’s thriving cocoa and chocolate industry. She shared locally produced chocolate with Members of Parliament, the Speaker and parliamentary clerks, turning the session into a reminder of the value of supporting home grown products.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event, she encouraged Ghanaians to make a deliberate choice to consume chocolate produced within the country. She described Ghanaian chocolate as more than a sweet treat, calling it “a brand, an identity, and an expression of love for our own products.”

The Minister explained that the local chocolate industry continues to create employment opportunities, particularly for young entrepreneurs and women working across production, packaging and distribution. From cocoa farmers to small scale processors and retailers, many families depend on the sector for their income.

According to her, the steady growth of the chocolate industry has helped households earn stable incomes, pay school fees and take an active role in national development. She stressed that supporting local businesses strengthens communities and builds economic resilience.

She further urged citizens to prioritise goods made in Ghana, noting that spending on imported products drains resources from the local economy. “Anytime you buy something produced outside Ghana, you are sending the money out of Ghana,” she stated, adding that she remains committed to strongly promoting Ghanaian products at every opportunity.

Ghana Chocolate Day is observed each year to encourage the consumption of locally manufactured chocolate, add value to the country’s cocoa and deepen national pride in one of Ghana’s most treasured natural resources.

Bayer East Africa Warns Farmers Against Counterfeit Seeds Ahead of Planting Season

Bayer East Africa has called on farmers across the country to be cautious when buying seeds, warning that counterfeit products continue to harm harvests and livelihoods.

The company says uncertified seeds are undermining food security and placing thousands of smallholder farmers at risk.

Speaking during a pick up promotion campaign in Kisii, Managing Director John Kanyingi expressed concern over the growing circulation of fake seeds in local markets. According to him, many farmers have suffered disappointing yields and financial losses after unknowingly planting poor quality seed.

He emphasized that the campaign aims to protect farmers, improve yields, and stabilize food supply.

“We are telling our farmers to purchase seeds only from licensed agro-dealers and verify packaging details, including KEPHIS certification labels,” Kanyinke said. Certified seeds, he added, significantly boost productivity in maize, beans, and horticultural crops—key staples in Kenya’s food basket.

The initiative supports wider government efforts to strengthen national food systems, reduce reliance on imports, and shield households from rising food prices. At the same time, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service has stepped up market surveillance and enforcement measures ahead of the planting season. The agency is also increasing awareness campaigns to help farmers identify genuine agricultural inputs.

For many farmers, the message hits close to home. Catherine Kemunto from Bobasi shared how switching to certified DK maize varieties changed her fortunes. What was once a harvest of barely ten bags has grown to as many as forty sacks. The improvement has supported her family income and allowed her to pay school fees. She now encourages fellow farmers to use quality seed and adopt better farming practices.

Peter Nyabuto, also from Bobasi, recalled the disappointment of buying seed from an unverified dealer. The result was uneven germination and a poor harvest.

Kanyinke reiterated that access to certified seeds is critical to Kenya’s food security goals and urged farmers to remain vigilant against counterfeit agricultural inputs.

Africa is home to one of the largest livestock populations in the world, yet the sector remains fragmented and underfunded. (Image credit: AU-IBAR)

“Africa’s livestock sector already contributes over USD 210 billion annually, yet we continue to import products we could produce ourselves. The question is whether we will seize the billion-dollar opportunity before us.” This message from Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, framed the urgency of transforming Africa’s livestock systems during the panel discussion on “Resilience in the Animal Industry” at the ICC Kenya Business Summit 2026 in Nairobi.

Her remarks brought into focus a striking reality. Africa is home to one of the largest livestock populations in the world, yet the sector remains fragmented and underfunded. Much of its potential is untapped, and many systems are not fully connected to competitive regional and global markets. While livestock already plays a significant economic role, it has not yet reached the level of organisation and investment needed to drive broader transformation.

The livestock discussion formed part of a wider summit programme that examined what Africa must do to reshape its economic future. Conversations covered sustainable agriculture, precision farming, digital trade, sustainable finance and green infrastructure. Across these themes, one message stood out. Production alone is not enough. Africa must build integrated systems that connect farmers to markets, finance, technology and infrastructure.

Speakers stressed the need to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve access to finance and attract greater private sector participation. Digital tools were identified as essential in simplifying trade processes, increasing transparency and widening market access. At the same time, sustainable finance was seen as critical in unlocking long term investment through stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions and investors.

Within this broader context, Salih emphasised that livestock must move beyond subsistence activity and be recognised as a structured and investable sector. She called for stronger animal health systems, better feed and genetics, improved processing capacity and deeper integration of production, processing and trade.

Through its continental mandate, the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources supports Member States in modernising livestock systems. This includes strengthening veterinary services, improving disease control and facilitating safe regional trade. Such efforts protect livelihoods while opening doors to larger markets and increased private investment.

Salih also highlighted the importance of climate smart livestock systems that boost productivity while reducing environmental pressure. With rising demand for animal protein and vast livestock resources, Africa holds a strong foundation for growth.

The summit made it clear that livestock can be a powerful driver of food security, employment and trade competitiveness. The opportunity is evident. Turning that opportunity into tangible results will depend on coordinated action, sustained investment and a shared commitment to building resilient and competitive systems across the continent.