The higher-quality seeds have been collected marking a considerable increase from the previous year.

The agricultural sector is heading into the 2025–2026 cereal season with renewed momentum, thanks to a significant rise in the production of high-quality seeds.

According to the latest report, approximately 702,000 quintals of higher-quality seeds have been collected marking a considerable increase from the previous year.

This sharp rise is being hailed as a direct result of intensified national efforts to boost local seed production and strengthen food security through agri-tech and innovation. The net output of certified seeds now stands at 515,000 quintals, nearly double last year’s volume of 261,000 quintals, representing a 97.3% increase. The majority of this production is spread across 460,000 hectares of durum wheat, 45,000 hectares of soft wheat, and 10,000 hectares of barley.

At the same time, the estimated demand for certified seeds remains high, with projections standing at 573,000 quintals, alongside an expected 127,000 quintals for barley. With this in mind, national planning efforts have shifted gears to ensure farmers have timely access to the inputs they need especially as drought conditions continue to be a pressing concern.

In response to the challenging climate outlook, the government has implemented proactive measures to support producers. As part of the preparations for the upcoming season, the prices of basic chemical fertilisers have been frozen, following the decision made during the Restricted Ministerial Council on 20 May 2025. This move is designed to shield farmers from market volatility and reduce the cost burden on cereal growers.

The planned sowing area for the 2025–2026 cereal season is estimated at 1.145mn hectares, with 853,000 hectares allocated to the Northwestern regions and 291,000 hectares to the Central and Southern governorates. Irrigated land, however, is set to decrease slightly, with 77,000 hectares projected, down from 80,000 hectares the previous year.

To support this scale of cultivation, the fertiliser programme for the season will supply 289,000 tonnes of basic chemical fertilisers. The Tunisian Chemical Group has pledged to produce 150,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at the Gabes facility, with plans to import an additional 70,000 tonnes. By late September, 38,000 tonnes of superphosphate 45, 46,000 tonnes of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) and 37,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had already been distributed to agricultural companies.

“This season’s strong seed output is a testament to coordinated efforts across the agricultural value chain, ensuring farmers are better equipped to face future challenges,” the report concluded.

The government plans to increase irrigated land from aiming to build a resilient, tech-driven food system.

Rwanda is stepping into the future of farming with the integration of machine learning and satellite imagery to modernise its agriculture sector

The government’s latest push aims to increase efficiency, profitability, and sustainability, with a strong focus on attracting young people into agribusiness.

According to Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, this shift marks a significant departure from traditional, labour-intensive field sampling previously used for agricultural data collection. "Today, we are moving forward using machine learning, using satellite imaging, where we are able to estimate the crop area and the crop growth condition, and therefore to be able to estimate the yield using technology," he said.

This season, the approach will begin with maize, Irish potatoes, and rice, with plans to expand to crops like cassava. Challenges remain with crops such as beans, which are intercropped and harder to detect via satellite, but advancements are ongoing.

Bagabe described the transformation as a move from smallholder subsistence to high-tech commercial agriculture, making the sector more appealing to young Rwandans. “You cannot create profit, you cannot make it a business, unless you standardise... That’s precision, that’s standardisation,” he explained, citing automated irrigation as an example of this modern approach.

Precision agriculture, which uses GPS, sensors, drones, and satellite data, allows farmers to optimise water, fertiliser, and pesticide use while increasing yields and sustainability. Already in Rwanda, automated systems are helping regulate irrigation based on real-time crop needs, cutting labour costs and conserving water.

The government plans to increase irrigated land from 70,000 to 130,000 hectares by 2029, aiming to build a resilient, tech-driven food system.

Youth-led businesses are embracing drone technology for crop monitoring and exporting these services across borders. “Technology has come to make agriculture much easier for us,” Bagabe stressed.

Cynthia Umutoniwabo, CEO of Loopa, urged young agripreneurs to build businesses around solving real problems. “Build solutions that are addressing real challenges... then it’s not going to be a hustle,” she advised.

Farmers will benefit from subsidised inputs, with support ranging from US$300 to US$500 to improve soil fertility and productivity.

The Namibian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, has announced an investment of US$34mn to support the implementation of strategic rain-fed agronomic projects during the 2025/26 financial year

The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance national food security and build resilient agricultural value chains.

The funding will provide subsidised assistance to cereal farmers in the country’s ten crop-growing regions - Zambezi, Kunene, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana and Omusati. Support will include access to improved seeds, fertilisers, and mechanised tillage services.

The programmes will be delivered under existing initiatives such as the Dry Land Crop Production Programme (DCPP), the Cereal Value Chain Development Programme (CVCDP), and the Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme (CCAP). While the DCPP and CVCDP are active in the ten cropping regions, the CCAP is being rolled out in all 14 regions across the country.

Funding distribution will vary by region. More than US$3.8mn has been allocated to the Zambezi region, while Ohangwena, Omusati, and Oshikoto will each receive US$2.9mn. Kavango East, Kavango West, and Oshana are set to receive US$2.8mn each, with smaller amounts going to Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, and Kunene.

Farmers will benefit from subsidised inputs, with support ranging from US$300 to US$500 to improve soil fertility and productivity. A 50% subsidy will be available on pesticides and herbicides, and weeding services will be subsidised at US$400 per hectare, up to a maximum of five hectares per household.

Further support includes a maximum subsidy of US$10,000 for household grain storage, US$30,000 for a hammer mill, and US$30,000 for a thresher. Farmers are encouraged to register at their nearest Agriculture Development Centres to access these benefits.

As the Ministry said, “The overall objective of these programmes is to ensure and accelerate the provision of subsidised agricultural production inputs (improved seeds and fertilisers) and mechanised services (tillage and planting).”

By increasing crop yields and lowering input costs, the government hopes to improve food and nutrition security, create employment, and reduce poverty and income inequality.

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth in the state.

In a bold move to strengthen agricultural productivity and ensure food security, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the administration of Governor has unveiled a major support package for farmers in Adamawa State ahead of the dry season

The state government has procured 22 Massey Ferguson tractors and earmarked US1.9bn for the purchase and distribution of fertilisers, aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and modernising agricultural practices.

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth in the state. By investing in mechanisation and timely farm inputs, the Fintiri-led government seeks to reduce reliance on rain-fed farming, increase crop yields, and lower production costs for rural farmers.

Fintiri reaffirmed that agriculture remains at the heart of his administration’s development agenda. “We are committed to unlocking the full potential of agriculture through mechanised farming and improved access to essential inputs. This is about empowering our farmers and making Adamawa a beacon of sustainable food production,” he stated.

The newly acquired tractors will significantly ease land preparation and cultivation efforts, while the fertiliser support will ensure that farmers can optimise their productivity during the dry season. The combined intervention is expected to boost yields, improve household incomes, and support long-term food sufficiency in the region.

Farmers across Adamawa have warmly welcomed the development, expressing confidence that the government’s intervention will bring down operational costs, enhance access to agricultural resources, and improve their livelihoods.

This latest move adds to a growing list of agricultural reforms under the Fintiri administration, showcasing its commitment to building a resilient, self-sustaining agricultural sector capable of meeting the state’s food needs and beyond.