Cameroon expands cocoa and coffee subsidies.

Cameroon is stepping up its commitment to the cocoa and coffee sectors as the Cocoa and Coffee Development Fund announced plans to roll out CFA 4 billion (approx US$7.2 million) in farmer subsidies in 2026.

The announcement was made during the official launch of the 2025 2026 coffee season in Baditoum, located in the country’s East region, underscoring the government’s focus on revitalising two of its most important export commodities.

The funding will be delivered through the “Producer Window,” a subsidy mechanism introduced in 2021 to give farmers direct access to financial support regardless of their production zone. To participate, producers are required to register with Fodecc and contribute 60 % of their investment cost through an approved financial institution. In return, eligible farmers receive a subsidy covering 30 % to 40 % of that investment in the form of purchase vouchers. These vouchers allow farmers to obtain essential inputs including seedlings, fertilisers, crop protection products, equipment, machinery, and infrastructure, helping to modernise on farm operations and improve yields.

Fodecc administrator Samuel Donatien Nengue explained that the 2026 subsidy package is designed to address pressing challenges such as pest pressures and shortages of planting materials, which frequently disrupt production at the start of the season. He also confirmed that the balance of the 2025 subsidies will be disbursed soon, with new payments expected to commence around April 2026.

So far, nearly 60,000 producers have benefited from the scheme out of 360,000 registered farmers. Authorities aim to increase participation to 500,000 by the end of 2026, building on recent gains in marketed coffee production and improved farm gate prices for both arabica and robusta coffee.

The Producer Window forms part of a wider strategy to inject CFA 50 billion into the cocoa and coffee sectors over five years, with the goal to double production by 2030 and strengthen Cameroon’s position in global agricultural markets.

Tanzania powers tea sector with clean energy.

Tanzania is taking decisive steps to strengthen its tea industry as the Tea Board of Tanzania recently brought together leading stakeholders for a high level strategic engagement.

The meeting united tea factory processors and large scale producers with a shared goal of driving higher production levels, enhancing global competitiveness and improving livelihoods for farmers across the country.

One of the most pressing issues raised during the discussions was the rising cost and unreliable supply of electricity affecting tea processing facilities. These energy challenges continue to undermine operational efficiency and reduce profit margins. Stakeholders strongly advocated for promoting the use of clean and alternative energy sources, including renewable technologies, as a practical solution. Clean energy adoption was presented as a pathway to lowering production costs, reducing environmental pressure and building a more sustainable and resilient tea value chain.

Beyond energy concerns, participants examined current pricing frameworks and identified the need to reinforce the Green Leaf Pricing system. A more responsive pricing structure that reflects regional production conditions, infrastructure availability and real operational costs was seen as essential for ensuring fair compensation for growers. Collaboration with the government to improve the investment environment and expand access to affordable financing was also highlighted as critical for sector wide growth.

Addressing the gathering, Beatrice Banzi encouraged industry players to continue investing in tea quality while tapping into emerging export markets and stimulating domestic consumption. She noted that strengthening the tea industry would generate employment, increase incomes for both smallholder and commercial farmers and contribute meaningfully to national economic development.

These efforts align closely with the National Development Vision 2050, positioning tea as a strategic agricultural commodity capable of supporting Tanzania’s long term economic resilience, sustainability and inclusive growth.

IFAD and Digital Green deploy smart digital tools to Close Nigeria’s agricultural gap.

Digital Green Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to tackle the Nigeria’s long-standing agricultural extension service challenges through innovative digital solutions.

David Edimu, Country Lead for Digital Green Nigeria, highlighted the urgent need for technology-driven interventions to bridge the widening gap between farmers and extension services. He described Nigeria’s current extension agent-to-farmer ratio of one agent to 8,000 farmers as “grossly inadequate”, noting that it falls significantly below the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s recommended benchmark of one agent to no more than 600 farmers.

Edimu said,“We want extension services in the hands of every farmer, so they no longer wait five to seven days without seeing an extension agent.Our intention is to ensure farmers get the right information at the right time through a digital app."

Edimu explained that the partnership with IFAD remains central to Digital Green’s mission of enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Nigeria. By leveraging digital agriculture, artificial intelligence and mobile technology, the initiative aims to close productivity gaps and modernise extension delivery systems.

“With timely access to information, farmers can improve productivity and close existing gaps. We speak local languages to bridge literacy gaps. Not speaking English should not stop anyone from using the app,” he added.

He further stressed the importance of moving away from conventional extension models and embracing innovative, scalable approaches that reflect the realities of today’s farming communities. A key feature of Digital Green’s solution is its AI-powered, multilingual interface, which ensures inclusivity by overcoming literacy and language barriers.

In one pilot example, an extension agent responsible for 400 farmers installed the application for 100 farmers with Android smartphones, significantly easing his workload. He added that shared phone usage at household level further amplifies the reach of the digital platform, positioning technology as a powerful catalyst for nationwide agricultural development.

Tatu Coffee wins top honours at Kenya’s Taste of Harvest Awards. (Image credit: Tatu coffee)

Tatu Coffee Estates Limited has once again proven its standing among Kenya’s elite coffee producers after securing both first and third place in the fiercely contested Washed Arabica category at the National Taste of Harvest Kenya 2025–2026 Awards.

The prestigious accolades further reinforce Kenya’s reputation as a global powerhouse in premium specialty coffee and spotlight Tatu Coffee’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

Widely regarded as the ultimate benchmark for coffee quality in the country, the National Taste of Harvest Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in washed Arabica – the backbone of Kenya’s international coffee success. Tatu Coffee’s winning entries stood out not as experimental micro-lots, but as coffees drawn from its mainstream production, highlighting an exceptional ability to deliver consistent quality at scale.

An international panel of expert judges commended the coffees for their refined sensory profile, noting elegant aromas of orange blossom, layered flavours of red berries, marmalade and jam, and a distinctive balance of bright acidity and natural sweetness. These attributes exemplify the flavour complexity that continues to make Kenyan washed Arabica highly sought after in global specialty coffee markets.

John Sathya, Chief Executive Officer of Tatu Coffee Estates, said,"Winning first and third place confirms that our approach delivers consistent, world-class results while supporting jobs and communitie."

Tatu Coffee manages more than 6,500 acres of coffee estates in Kiambu County and is owned by Rendeavour, the master developer behind Tatu City. Through long-term investment, the company has embraced modern agricultural techniques, advanced processing infrastructure and sustainable farming practices. Its premium washed Arabica is supplied to specialty buyers across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.

Beyond cup quality, the awards underscore Tatu Coffee’s broader economic and social impact. At a time when national coffee production has faced decline, the estates continue to provide thousands of permanent and seasonal jobs, supporting livelihoods across coffee-growing communities.

All Tatu Coffee estates are Rainforest Alliance certified, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability. Initiatives include water recycling, reforestation, ecosystem conservation and responsible waste management. The company also prioritises worker welfare through fair wages, quality housing, access to education and a long-standing school meals programme for children from estate communities.