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.

Local Cream, promises to significantly reduce pesticide use, lower production costs, and contribute to the island's food security.

Nuclear science has paved the way for a breakthrough in Mauritius' agricultural sector with the development of a new cauliflower variety that is resistant to the destructive Black Rot disease

This advancement is the result of a decade-long collaboration between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Mauritian agricultural experts. The newly developed variety, named Local Cream, promises to significantly reduce pesticide use, lower production costs, and contribute to the island's food security.

Black Rot has been a persistent issue for Mauritian cauliflower farmers, causing severe damage to crops and forcing many to rely on costly pesticides. The disease often renders the cauliflower unfit for consumption or export. However, Local Cream has been bred using radiation-induced mutation techniques that have enhanced its tolerance to Black Rot, a bacterial disease known for its devastating effects on crops. The variety’s compact, cream-coloured head makes it ideal for local markets and export, while maintaining the nutritional qualities of the traditional local variety.

Over the years, IAEA’s technical cooperation programme has played a crucial role in supporting Mauritian scientists at the Food and Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (FAREI). The collaboration involved hands-on training, expert guidance, and access to advanced nuclear technologies, culminating in the successful development of Local Cream by 2025. The variety was officially launched at a high-profile ceremony attended by Arvin Kumar Boolell, Mauritius’ Minister of Agro-industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries.

The Local Cream cauliflower variety is particularly significant for Mauritius, where cauliflower is a staple crop that plays a key role in food security and the export economy. By making this disease-resistant variety available to local farmers, the initiative is expected to boost domestic production, improve the quality of the produce, and help smallholder farmers reduce dependency on expensive, imported seeds and pesticides.

The development process involved exposing local cauliflower varieties to gamma rays, a technique used to induce mutations that enhance traits like disease resistance and yield. After years of rigorous research, the best-performing lines were selected for field trials, ensuring that the new variety met both disease resistance and high production standards. Today, Local Cream is ready for harvest in just 60 to 65 days, providing farmers with a faster, more reliable crop cycle.

Feedback from farmers has been overwhelmingly positive, with early trials showing high disease tolerance and impressive product quality. Gashaw Wolde, IAEA’s Director for Africa, emphasised the benefits of this variety, which allows farmers to save on pesticide costs while offering consumers safer, healthier produce. Moreover, as an open-pollinated variety, Local Cream empowers farmers to save and exchange seeds, further promoting sustainability and self-reliance in the agricultural sector.

This successful collaboration marks a milestone in the development of resilient, sustainable crops for Mauritius, and IAEA’s technical cooperation programme will continue to support future efforts in enhancing the island's agricultural resilience.

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.