One of the trainers, Dermas Siltan, noted that this training would greatly enhance soil fertility and agricultural productivity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

A training programme on the production of organic fertilisers and pesticides was held for members of the national service training centre from 27 April to 3 May in Sawa

The theoretical and practical sessions were organised by the Ministry of Agriculture under the theme 'Our Waste is Our Resource.' 

One of the trainers, Dermas Siltan, said the training focused on the production of solid and liquid fertilisers, natural pesticides, and livestock treatment methods, while also addressing the impacts of chemical pesticides. He noted that this training would greatly enhance soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

Andebrhan Tedros, chairman of the committee overseeing the programme, stressed the importance of utilising locally available materials for producing organic fertilisers and pesticides. Trainees called for similar training programmes to be extended nationwide, for greater control over the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and for the provision of organic alternatives to farmers at fair prices.

Partners acknowledged the value of the commodity approach in advancing the transformation agenda and supporting the producers' progress towards commercialisation. (Image source: Adobe Stock))

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) recently had a meeting with commodity partners to renew their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for another five years

This allows commodity organisations to continue to support new farmers with advice, mentorship, training, inputs, market access, and mutual in-kind contributions. Agreements were signed with a number of organisations such as the National Wool Growers Association (NWGA), Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust (DFPT), Potatoes SA, and Raisins SA, among others. Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, commented on these agreements and emphasised their crucial role in addressing the agricultural sector's complex challenges. 

According to Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, head of the WCDoA, the partnership with commodity organisations aims to promote capacity-building, mentorship, market access and resource mobilisation to support the commercialisation of new farmers in the Western Cape. Partners acknowledged the value of the commodity approach in advancing the transformation agenda and supporting the producers' progress towards commercialisation.

One such partner, Mariette Kotzé, Group Operations manager at Hortgro spoke out about the immeasurable impact the partnership had had and the difference it has brought about since its commencement in 2009. Moreover, has created an enabling environment for growers.  

"The MoUs solidify our joint commitment to transform the agricultural sector, grow the economy and create jobs", concluded Minister Meyer.  

AFSA general coordinator, Dr Million Belay called the campaign a 'call to action.' (Image source: AFSA)

The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) ran a three-day social media launch from 24-26 April under the banner 'Seed Is Life'

With current seed laws being repressive and corporate-driven, the campaign themed 'Our Seeds, Our Life, Our Future: Promoting FMSS and Resisting Repressive Seed Laws in Africa,' focused on Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS), thereby sparking a full-fledged movement across the continent.

The campaign allowed AFSA to reaffirm its commitment to seed sovereignty, stand for farmers' rights and ensure that Africa's rich agricultural heritage remains untouched by corporate capture. AFSA also took to social media to emphasise the role that farmers play in providing seeds that feed Africa and help sustain agricultural biodiversity. Moreover, the campaign promoted FMSS as the foundation of food sovereignty and sustainable food systems.  

Throughout the campaign, AFSA delivered four key messages:

- FMSS is being targeted despite providing 80-90% of seed for food crops in Africa.

- Seeds represent culture, resilience and sovereignty, with planting, saving and exchanging them seen as acts of survival, tradition and innovation. 

- UPOV-aligned seed laws and PVP regimes that seek to outlaw farmers’ seeds and criminalise seed sharing must be resisted. 

- FMSS must be legally recognised and supported since it encourages seed soverignty. This means that farmers define, manage and govern their own seed systems. 

"Seeds are not merely commodities to be privatised; they are living heritage," said AFSA seed working group chair and advocacy coordinator of SKI, Frances Davies. "Farmers Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) are complex ecological and socio-economic systems. They form the foundation of our entire food system, and are vital for preserving genetic diversity, adapting to climate change, and securing the future of life," Davies added. "We need dedicated policies to recognise and support these systems, rather than criminalising them to protect the market interests of corporate agribusiness”

AFSA general coordinator, Dr Million Belay called the campaign a 'call to action,' highlighting that safeguarding the seeds of the past and present forms the backbone of Africa's future. 

Given its vast and largely untapped economic potential, Nigeria’s cocoa value chain could act as a core pillar of Nigeria’s non-oil exports. (Image source: Cultivate Africa)

As Nigeria’s economy faces rising inflation, agro-investor and managing director of Cultivate Africa, Dr Dominic Joshua, has issued a call to action aimed at leveraging the cocoa value chain to revive the region’s economy 

According to Dr Joshua, Nigeria continues to export raw cocoa beans while forfeiting billions in potential revenue that could be gained from local processing and finished goods export. He envisions a transformation where at least 50% of cocoa production is processed locally, creating thousands of jobs, generating stable forex, and revitalising rural economies.

Given its vast and largely untapped economic potential, Nigeria’s cocoa value chain could act as a core pillar of Nigeria’s non-oil exports. Dr Joshua emphasised that developing agro-industrial clusters and ensuring access to credit for smallholder farmers would make this possible. 

Moreover, youth entrepreneurs have expressed a growing interest in agribusiness. However, access to mentorship, funding, and infrastructure remains limited. To address this, Dr Joshua has advocated for a public-private partnership model, wherein the government provides infrastructure and enabling environments, while private investors focus on innovation, scale, and export competitiveness. 

In a recent thought leadership piece, Dr Joshua outlined the following four policy actions that could unlock this transformation:

• Streamlining export regulations to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies.
• Creating agribusiness-specific funds offering low-interest loans.
• Providing technical training across the cocoa value chain.
• Launching awareness campaigns to promote agribusiness among youth.

“Agribusiness is not a fallback. It is Nigeria’s future,” Dr Joshua stated. “If the nation invests in what it grows and processes what it produces, it can transform cocoa from a forgotten commodity into a currency of sustainable prosperity.”