Empower farmers in Mozambique's rice sector.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a pivotal US$22.8mn grant to elevate rice production in Mozambique, reinforcing the country’s agricultural resilience against climate change

This funding is central to the Mozambique Rice and Climate Resilience Development Project, an initiative aimed at tackling critical issues within Mozambique’s rice farming sector while ensuring sustainable food security.

Rice holds a vital place in Mozambique’s agricultural landscape, yet challenges such as low productivity, insufficient irrigation infrastructure, and heightened climate vulnerability remain significant obstacles. The AfDB grant will directly address these concerns by funding essential irrigation development, distributing climate-resilient rice varieties, and promoting sustainable farming methods. A key focus will also be on empowering farmers through training programmes, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices that will drive long-term growth and sustainability.

The impact of this project will be most felt in the key rice-producing regions of Zambézia and Nampula, where enhanced rice yields will not only meet local demand but also stimulate rural economies. In a country where agriculture is a lifeline for many, the project’s success will be crucial in boosting food availability and improving income generation for thousands of farmers.

Given Mozambique's vulnerability to climate change, the project’s focus on climate resilience is timely. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events threaten agricultural productivity and food security. By developing rice farming that can withstand these challenges, the project will reduce Mozambique’s dependence on rice imports, which currently account for a significant portion of national consumption.

This initiative aligns with Mozambique’s broader goals of economic diversification, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. As the project unfolds, it is poised to serve as a model for other African nations grappling with similar agricultural and climate issues, delivering lasting benefits for both the economy and the resilience of Mozambique’s farming communities.

Farmers across Nigeria are raising alarms over the government’s newly introduced Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI).

Farmers across Nigeria are raising alarms over the government’s newly introduced Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), warning that it could drive up the already escalating cost of fertilizers, further intensifying the struggles of smallholder and youth farmers

The Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN) and Himma Youth Farmers Association of Nigeria (HYFAN) have expressed concerns that this initiative, amidst growing input costs and distribution challenges, could undo the progress made in recent years and worsen the nation's ongoing food crisis.

Abubakar Bamai, National President of COFAN, noted that the current price of fertilizer- at US$58,000 per 100 kilograms - has already forced many farmers to sell off their lands just to afford essential farm inputs. The rising costs have caused a significant number of farmers to abandon their crops, unable to cope with the financial burden. According to Bamai, "COFAN and HYFAN commend President Bola Tinubu for his bold agricultural reforms and programs aimed at repositioning Nigeria's food systems. These reforms show strong commitment to farmer empowerment, youth inclusion, and national food security. However, as the Federal Government undertakes the ongoing deliberation and restructuring of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), we express deep concern about the immediate effects on Nigerian farmers, particularly smallholder and youth farmers."

Bamai further stressed that "rising input costs, distribution gaps, and uncertainty in fertilizer supply threaten to undermine the gains made over the past eight years," highlighting the fragile state of the agricultural sector.

As part of their demands, the coalition urged the government to ensure the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) continues to manage the importation of raw fertilizer materials. This, they argue, would ensure a steady, transparent supply of fertilizers until local production can reliably meet national demand.

In the face of rising challenges, the farmers have called for a balanced approach: one that provides immediate relief to farmers while building a more resilient and self-sufficient agricultural sector for the future.

Producing top-quality bale silage requires attention to a few essential steps.

Bale silage is gaining ground among livestock farmers in warm regions as a reliable, high-quality feed option that’s easy to store, transport, and use

In hot and humid climates where feed spoilage is a major concern, this method preserves nutrition by preventing fermentation and overheating after baling two common challenges in tropical environments.

One of the biggest advantages of bale silage is its convenience. Each bale functions as a self-contained, ready-to-feed unit, making handling much simpler. It removes the need for large silage pits or extensive infrastructure. For farms that rely on Total Mixed Ration (TMR), the uniformity and ease of mixing bale silage into daily rations make it an appealing option.

Producing top-quality bale silage requires attention to a few essential steps. Chief among them is compressing the forage tightly to remove air and wrapping it immediately to maintain an airtight seal. Clean handling is also critical feed must be kept free from dirt, soil, and other contaminants to avoid compromising quality.

Modern baler-wrapper machinery plays a central role in this process. Equipment that can adjust to different bale sizes and handle various chopped materials from maize and alfalfa to sugar beet by-products and wood chips helps ensure that forage is efficiently compacted and securely wrapped.

Using bale silage can significantly reduce feed losses, particularly in areas where pests, moisture, and high temperatures threaten traditional storage methods. It also supports better nutrient retention, offering a more consistent and reliable feed supply throughout the year.

For livestock farmers aiming to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and boost animal health, bale silage presents a practical, cost-effective solution. When done correctly with proper compression, cleanliness, and airtight wrapping this method delivers a powerful combination of convenience, quality, and long-term feed security.

In Kenya’s sun-drenched fields, a fresh model of agricultural finance is taking root.

In Kenya’s sun-drenched fields, a fresh model of agricultural finance is taking root.

SunCulture and Bridgin have unveiled a US$15mn financing structure to help smallholder farmers access solar irrigation that’s capital unlocked for climate-smart agriculture at scale.

Under this plan, Bridgin finances portfolios of SunCulture’s farmer receivables essentially acquiring or backing the payments owed by farmers for solar irrigation kits. That trick frees SunCulture’s capital, enabling it to extend credit to new customers while shifting the financial risk into a ring‑fenced special purpose vehicle (SPV) separate from the balance sheet. The structure also includes credit enhancements and is designed to absorb blended finance sources, making it more attractive to institutional capital.

Risk management is handled smartly: Bridgin’s platform monitors payments in real time, using analytics to flag potential default risk before it becomes a problem. According to Martin Andersen, SunCulture’s Finance Strategy lead, “the facility aligns repayments with customer payments, simplifying capital flows and enabling scale.” Manon Dubois, Bridgin’s Fintech Business Lead, emphasizes that “this structure is more than a financial instrument: it’s a blueprint for scaling rural innovation.”

SunCulture is no newcomer to impact. Its solar irrigation systems have enabled thousands of farmers to lift yields, conserve water, and raise incomes. To date, they’ve sold more than 50,000 systems, provided over US$35mn in credit, and documented yield hikes of up to 300% along with 80% water reductions.

This innovative financing tackles three chronic roadblocks in agritech: small deal sizes, risk perception, and murky data. By combining transparency with scale, the structure invites institutional investors into an arena often considered too small or too opaque.

For Kenya’s farmers, this could mark a turning point. Instead of being priced out of irrigation by high diesel or utility costs, they can tap solar-power and pay over time. For investors, it’s a rare chance to back agriculture and climate resilience in one shot. The SunCulture–Bridgin model may well become a replicable template for directing capital deep into rural regions that need it most.