This approach enables households to grow nutritious food, enhance soil health, and adapt more effectively to climate shocks.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, working closely with the Government of Zimbabwe and with financial backing from the French Government, has rolled out an innovative Agricultural Voucher System under the Nourish and Thrive: Inclusive and Sustainable Nutrition and Livelihoods Initiative.

The programme is designed to boost food security, improve nutrition, and build long-term community resilience in some of Zimbabwe’s most climate-vulnerable regions. It specifically addresses the pressing challenges faced by communities in the Masvingo and Mwenezi districts, which have been severely affected by climate variability, including El Niño-induced drought conditions that continue to disrupt agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

At the heart of the initiative is a voucher-based approach that provides subsidised agricultural input packages to vulnerable rural households. Through this system, farmers are able to access high-quality, drought-tolerant seeds and essential farming resources from local suppliers. By empowering beneficiaries to select and redeem inputs within their communities, the programme supports timely crop production while strengthening local markets. This approach enables households to grow nutritious food, enhance soil health, and adapt more effectively to climate shocks. Overall, the initiative reached approximately 4,000 households across targeted wards, encouraging collaboration between local leaders, agro-dealers, and farming communities to drive inclusive agrifood systems transformation.

A key strength of the programme lies in its strong focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). Acknowledging the risks that can arise during humanitarian interventions, FAO prioritised awareness and education for both beneficiaries and partners. Training sessions focused on prevention, reporting mechanisms, and accountability, reinforcing dignity and safety at the community level. As Ruramai Sibiya from World Vision Zimbabwe noted, proactive sharing of information is crucial for cultivating a culture of protection and dignity in programme implementation.

To enhance transparency and efficiency, FAO trained Voucher Redeeming Suppliers (VRS) on the Identification, Delivery and Empowerment Application (IDEA) platform. This digital solution supports beneficiary management, improves accountability, and streamlines voucher redemption. Combined with local leadership engagement and on-site monitoring, the system has strengthened trust and operational effectiveness.

Community feedback reflects improved access to critical farming inputs alongside greater awareness of safeguarding measures. Collectively, the initiative demonstrates how integrated, rights-based interventions can promote sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security, while ensuring safer and more informed communities across rural Zimbabwe.

Ottevanger Services provides comprehensive support to feed producers. (Image credit: Ottevanger)

Triott Group has announced a major strategic step by bringing all its feed-related businesses together under a single, globally recognised name: Ottevanger.

With immediate effect, Ottevanger, Almex, Inteqnion, IVS Dosing Technology and Pelleting Technology Netherlands (PTN) will operate as one unified brand, reinforcing Ottevanger’s position as a leading global partner to the feed industry.

Based in Moerkapelle, the Netherlands, this consolidation represents a new chapter in Ottevanger’s long-term vision to provide complete, future-ready solutions for feed mills worldwide. By integrating these specialist companies under one name, customers benefit from a single point of contact, enhanced transparency and a more streamlined approach to project delivery and long-term collaboration.

The move also strengthens internal cooperation across disciplines, enabling Ottevanger to design and deliver tailored solutions that respond to the rapidly evolving demands of the global feed sector, including automation, digitalisation and sustainability.

Following the consolidation, Ottevanger now operates through four fully integrated business units, each designed to address both current operational challenges and future industry needs. Ottevanger Milling Engineers focuses on the design and construction of fully automated, turnkey feed mills, including both conventional and modular concepts. Ottevanger Process Solutions delivers high-quality equipment and advanced processes, supporting data-driven, fully automated milling from raw material intake through to packaging.

Meanwhile, Ottevanger Services provides comprehensive support to feed producers, including reliable on-site and remote maintenance, troubleshooting and spare parts supply. Completing the structure, the Ottevanger Development Centre looks to the future by optimising feed mill performance through practical research and development, testing and the creation of sustainable, next-generation solutions.

Commenting on the milestone, Director Ernst Jan Ottevanger said: “For more than a century, Ottevanger has been a family business, built on the finest Dutch quality and craftsmanship. Now we are formally extending our family to welcome these four trusted partners that have already contributed so much to our collective success based on the same shared values.” He added: “This is a significant moment for our company, but more importantly, for our customers worldwide. We are now far better placed to deliver the innovation and lifetime value they need to compete more effectively.”

Ottevanger will continue its close collaboration with Top Silo Constructions (TSC) to deliver advanced feed storage solutions, while TSC remains independent due to its diverse customer portfolio.

Nigeria is strengthening its domestic production base through land expansion and fresh investment under the second phase of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).

Nigeria is steadily expanding sugarcane cultivation as part of a broader strategy to reduce its heavy reliance on imported sugar, according to the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service.

The move comes at a time when global sugar production continues to rise, intensifying competition in international markets.

USDA projections estimate that global sugar output will reach about 189.32 million tonnes in the 2025–2026 season, up from 180.75 million tonnes in 2024–2025, representing an increase of nearly five per cent. Against this backdrop, Nigeria is strengthening its domestic production base through land expansion and fresh investment under the second phase of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).

NSDC data show that Nigeria’s harvested sugarcane area expanded from around 75,000 hectares in 2020 to approximately 100,000 hectares by 2025. Over the same period, raw cane output rose sharply from about 1.53 million tonnes to an estimated 3.33 million tonnes. This growth reflects renewed interest from both government and private investors, even as processing capacity remains a key constraint.

Officials at the council described the expansion as a structural shift in the geography of sugar production, driven largely by NSMP Phase Two. The programme targets domestic sugar output of two million tonnes annually by 2033 and is backed by projected investments of about 3.5 billion dollars across farms, mills and supporting infrastructure. Beyond sugar, the plan is designed to support ethanol production, electricity generation, job creation and long-term private sector participation.

At the launch of the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme, NSDC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive, Kamar Bakrin, said the initiative would be central to scaling up local cultivation, reducing import dependence and promoting inclusive growth by linking smallholder farmers to major processors. He emphasised the importance of rural participation in strengthening supply chains.

Further details from the Head of Outgrower Management, Mrs Lade Offurum, revealed that the programme will involve large-scale agribusiness operators, organised cooperatives and clusters of individual farmers. About 150,000 hectares nationwide have been identified for outgrower development to support sugar, ethanol, power and animal feed production.

Several states are emerging as hubs for sugar investment, including Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Taraba and Oyo. Despite rising cane output, industrial sugar production remains modest, with over 95 per cent of Nigeria’s sugar needs still met through imports. Analysts say the success of NSMP Phase Two will be critical to narrowing this gap and reducing exposure to global price volatility.

The development signals a major shift in the country’s agricultural trade policy.

Kenya has officially liberalised its sugar market following the expiry of the COMESA Sugar Safeguard on November 30, 2025, marking the end of 24 years of restricted imports and tariff protection for local sugar producers.

The development signals a major shift in the country’s agricultural trade policy and introduces a new era of regional competition within the sugar industry.

With the safeguard lifted, sugar imports from COMESA member states can now enter Kenya duty-free, exposing domestic millers to heightened competition at a time when the country continues to face a structural production shortfall. Kenya’s annual sugar consumption is estimated at approximately 1.1 million metric tonnes, while domestic production has increased to 815,454 metric tonnes. This leaves a persistent supply gap of close to 300,000 metric tonnes, which will continue to be filled through imports.

Recent industry data indicates notable progress in local production capacity. Sugarcane acreage has expanded by 19.4 per cent to 289,631 hectares, contributing to a 76 per cent increase in output since 2022. Despite these gains, several sugar mills are still undergoing rehabilitation and capacity upgrades following the leasing of previously state-owned factories to private investors, limiting short-term competitiveness.

The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) has confirmed that sugar imports will be sourced from both COMESA and non-COMESA markets to ensure price stability and adequate supply. The Board cited inconsistent surplus availability within the regional bloc as a key reason for maintaining diversified sourcing options.

Market analysts project that the end of the safeguard will exert downward pressure on domestic sugar prices, benefiting consumers but intensifying operational and pricing pressures on local millers who are yet to fully optimise efficiency and scale. The open market environment is expected to reward producers with lower production costs and stronger supply chains.

The sector also faces emerging climate-related risks. Forecast dry spells could negatively affect sugarcane yields in the short term, potentially widening the existing supply deficit and increasing reliance on imports.

Kenya initially sought the COMESA safeguard in 2001 under the COMESA Free Trade Area to allow time for critical sector reforms. The protection was extended eight times, with progress assessed against agreed performance benchmarks by the COMESA Council of Ministers. Regulators have assured stakeholders that import monitoring and market coordination will continue as the industry adapts to a fully liberalised regional sugar trade framework.