Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the presentations and adopted various recommendations. (Image source: Ministry of Information Eritrea)

A meeting by the National Agricultural Research Institutions was held on 21 January at the Halhale Agricultural Research Centre to review the activities of 2024 and action plan for 2025

During the meeting, detailed briefings were provided on natural and transformative resources, crop improvement, livestock resources, agricultural engineering, food and biotechnology, ongoing research activities, and the challenges encountered.

Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the presentations and adopted various recommendations. These included publishing and distributing research outcomes, strengthening research on vegetables and fruits, reviving the research centre in Sheib, and reinforcing research on food technology.

Minister of Agriculture, Arefaine Berhe called for intensified research activities and urged a revision of policies to improve and renovate certain crops. He further emphasised the importance of engaging the public and local administrations in efforts to identify and hybridise animal types, recruiting young agricultural researchers, and reviving research activities in the eastern plains.

Strict regulations such as the HACCP, ISO 2200 AND nsf have been implemented to ensure product quality and reduce significant risk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The food industry has strict hygiene and product quality requirements which it expects food manufacturers to follow through the use of reliable and accurate technologies   

Leading global provider of weighing and inspection technologies, Minebea Intec offers customised solutions designed to meet food production challenges. According to reports by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the EU RAPEX database, foreign bodies in food account for up to 23% of all recalls in industrialised countries, depending on the region. 

Strict regulations such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), international standard (ISO) 22000 and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) have been implemented to ensure product quality and reduce significant risk, thereby preventing contamination along the entire production chain.

HACCP system

The HACCP system, which is used in the food industry worldwide, is a preventive management system for ensuring food safety and is considered a mandatory requirement for food production in the European Union (EU) and other countries around the world. Minebea Intec technologies, such as the Mitus metal detector, are ideally suited for monitoring and controlling such critical points. In addition to metal contaminant detection, Minebea Intec offers solutions with its X-ray inspection systems that detect not only metallic foreign bodies but also glass, stones, some plastics and bones. 

ISO 22000

The international standard ISO 22000 defines uniform requirements worldwide for management systems for food safety, covering all stages of food production from production to delivery. The precise and reliable weighing and inspection systems of Minebea Intec help food producers to meet the requirements of ISO 22000. These include dynamic checkweighers, which monitor product weight in real time during the production process. 

NSF certification

The NSF certification is an internationally recognised seal that ensures that production systems, such as weighing and inspection technologies, meet the highest hygiene and safety standards. This certification plays a particularly crucial role in the food industry, where strict regulations apply to avoid contamination and ensure compliance with hygiene requirements. The Weighing Platform MiNexx 3000 of Minebea Intec is NSF certified, which makes it particularly ideal for the food industry. Thanks to its hygienic design, it is easy to clean and thus minimises the risk of cross-contamination. 

In addition to installation, Minebea Intec experts ensure to provide comprehensive service and support to enable smooth and efficient production. This helps food producers to shift their focus from crisis management to boosting sales. 

AGRA announced a three-year investment of up to US$3mn in Seeds2B Africa. (Image source: USAID)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announced the contribution of US$9.95mn aimed at strengthening the Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) to support the building of functional seed systems on the content

With a focus on forming strategic partnerships, CESSA serves as a one-stop centre to address challenges in African seed systems and accelerate the building of functional seed systems required for a food secure continent. The funding plays a key role in advancing the African Union's Seed Sector Action Plan (2020–2030).  

“Strengthening Africa’s seed systems is a fundamental component of the continental agenda in the newly endorsed Kampala Declaration and a priority for food security, resilience, and inclusive economic growth in African countries," said AGRA president, Dr Agnes Kalibata. "AGRA is pleased to deepen collaboration with USAID and other partners through CESSA, drawing on collective strengths, expertise, and portfolios to support this country-led agenda and develop the sector together.

AGRA announced a three-year investment of up to US$3mn in the Kenya-based enterprise Seeds2B Africa that will work to increase smallholder farmers’ resilience, incomes, food security, nutrition and ultimately improve their livelihoods in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. 

Tony Gathungu, global head of Seeds2B and CEO of Seeds2B Africa Social Enterprise emphasised the vital role of resilient seed systems in improving agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa. “Seeds2B Africa will drive the commercialisation of stress-tolerant, nutrient-dense, and market-preferred seeds while building the capacity of seed companies to generate demand and expand access," said Gathungu. "By equipping farmers with high-quality seeds and innovative tools, this initiative will enhance resilience, boost productivity, and improve livelihoods across the region.”

NaFarm Foods wins 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize for innovative food preservation solutions in Nigeria. (Image source: AETOSWire)

NaFarm Foods, an innovative agricultural solutions provider based in Kaduna, Nigeria, has been awarded the 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Food category

This prestigious award recognises the company’s exceptional efforts in combating post-harvest losses, improving food security, and advancing sustainable farming practices throughout Nigeria.

NaFarm Foods’ flagship innovation, the Hybrid Solar Food Dryer, addresses the critical issue of food spoilage by harnessing both solar heat and electricity generated from solar panels to ensure efficient drying, even in challenging weather conditions such as rain or clouds. With a drying capacity of 500kg per unit, the dryer retains the nutritional quality of food while minimising energy costs. The technology has already benefitted over 80 communities across six Nigerian states, significantly reducing post-harvest losses for more than 65,000 farmers and contributing to food security and rural economic empowerment.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, praised NaFarm Foods for its impactful solution, commented, “NaFarm Foods’ innovative approach to sustainable food preservation not only improves food security but also empowers rural communities, particularly women and youth, by creating income-generating opportunities. This aligns with the Prize’s mission to drive progress and improve livelihoods.”

Fatima Jimoh, CEO of NaFarm Foods, expressed, “We are deeply honoured to be recognised as a winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. It signifies global recognition of our efforts to tackle food insecurity and promote equitable and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria and beyond. This opportunity inspires us to continue pushing boundaries, knowing that our work is not only transforming lives locally but also contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world. For us, this is more than an achievement, it’s a call to action to drive greater impact.”

The Hybrid Solar Food Dryer offers a solution to food preservation challenges by reducing spoilage rates, cutting greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing food, and lowering dependence on fossil fuels. With a whole-of-life cost of less than 1 cent per 100 litres, the dryers are affordable and viable for smallholder farmers and food processors. By 2030, NaFarm Foods aims to empower two million farmers and cut carbon emissions by 50,000 metric tonnes annually.

The US$1mn prize will enable NaFarm Foods to scale operations, producing and distributing 100,000 dryers across Nigeria and West Africa. The company also plans to expand training programmes to empower 25,000 women and youth, fostering entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable economic growth. NaFarm Foods intends to establish distribution hubs and implement advanced cluster mapping systems to ensure broader access to its technology and enhance the marketability of agricultural produce.