The programme has the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs in each of the pioneering states. (Image source: AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the State government of Kaduna are kickstarting the construction of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme

The groundbreaking ceremony began on 8 April in Kaduna, where the chief guest, AfDB Group president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, will join Nigeria’s vice president, Kashim Shettima, and the State Governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani. From Kaduna, Dr Adesina will head to Cross River State, where, together with the Federal Government and the State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, a second groundbreaking ceremony will take place.  

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme will boost Nigeria’s food production and reduction importation, generate jobs for youth, safeguard the country’s foreign exchange, and transform rural areas from areas of misery into zones of prosperity. The initiative will increase agricultural productivity by over 60%, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen value chains from farm to market. The cities of Kaduna and Cross River will host the Agro-Industrial Hubs, Agricultural Transformation Centers, and Aggregation Centers in the production zones, which are the foundational building blocks of the SAPZ programme. 

The programme has the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs in each of the pioneering states.  The sites were strategically selected for their agricultural potential, infrastructure readiness, and prime geographical location, ensuring they drive Nigeria’s agro-industrial growth. 

The Synergen Guard range was in focus at CAC 2025, along with its new Dispersogen TP 100 T and the Sapogenat T range. (Image source: Clariant)

During the China International Agrochemical and Crop Protection Exhibition (CAC) that took place in Shangai from 17-19 March this year, Clariant unveiled next-gen solutions for biologicals and innovative approaches to sustaining plant health by optimising soil water management

With a growing global population and the challenges that climate change is posing to agriculture and food security, biologicals have emerged as a more sustainable alternative to conventional pesticides to enhance yields while using fewer resources. Clariant's Synergen Soil optimises water-use efficiency connected with sustainable agricultural practices and improves vertical and lateral water movement, thereby ensuring a consistent distribution of moisture. This not only promotes optimal growing conditions, but also supports healthy roots and maximises plants' potential for robust growth.

Also in focus at CAC 2025 was the Synergen Guard range, including Synergen Guard 100, a performance booster and rainfastness agent for biologicals. This innovative nano-emulsion-based tank-mix adjuvant contains renewable wax and is produced by a unique proprietary highly efficient emulsification technology. It is biocompatible with a broad range of microorganisms, giving a powerful boost in coverage, efficacy, and rain protection to the biocontrol agent. This innovative nano-emulsion-based tank-mix adjuvant contains renewable wax and is produced by a unique proprietary highly efficient emulsification technology. It is biocompatible with a broad range of microorganisms, giving a powerful boost in coverage, efficacy, and rain protection to the biocontrol agent.

Visitors were also able to find Clariant’s new Dispersogen TP 100 T and the Sapogenat T range display at CAC 2025. 

Dispersogen TP 100 T

This is a high-performance anionic dispersing agent for application in suspension concentrate (SC). As a universal SC dispersing agent, it can be used alone in conventional SC formulations with high cost-effectiveness, under a recommended dosage of around 3-5%. It can be used to solve common SC problems such as poor wetting, rapid growth of particle size, viscosity build-up, bad flowability, and even pseudoplastic and creaming issues.

Sapogenat T range

Designed as a replacement for nonylphenol ethoxolates (NPE), the Sapogenat T range functions as a functions as a non-ionic emulsifier based on tri-sec-butylphenol with various ethoxylation degrees. Considered the best-performing NPE alternative, it offers excellent emulsification power, making it a good wetter capable of increasing pesticide efficacy in foliar application.  

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Initiatives are being undertaken to combat the challenges faced by rural women that are deeply rooted in structural inequalities

Although women dominate informal cross-border trade in Africa, making up 70% of informal traders in some regions, they face bureaucratic hurdles, high tariffs, corruption at border posts, and a lack of awareness regarding trade policies. Many high-value markets require certifications, packaging, and logistics—all of which require financial investment that rural women often lack. Without capital, they remain restricted to local markets where competition is high and profits are lower. 

Land ownership is another major hurdle. In many rural communities, land inheritance laws and cultural norms favor men, leaving women to farm on borrowed or leased land. This lack of ownership discourages long-term investments in soil improvement and productivity-enhancing innovations, keeping women in subsistence farming. Unstable markets further compound these issues. Without reliable price controls, rural women are often forced to sell their produce at low prices to avoid post-harvest losses. The absence of storage facilities and market linkages exacerbates this problem, with post-harvest losses estimated at 30-40% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, an African Union Special Envoy for Food Systems advises women farmers to form or join cooperatives, which can help them collectively bargain for better prices, access bulk purchasing discounts on inputs, and eliminate exploitative middlemen. Cooperatives should also develop digital marketplaces and mobile trading platforms where women can connect directly with buyers, ensuring fairer pricing. Governments, NGOs, and financial institutions must design gender-responsive credit facilities, including collateral-free loans and microfinance programmes tailored for women farmers. Expanding mobile banking and digital wallets to rural areas can facilitate transactions and savings. Additionally, financial literacy training should be introduced to help women under stand budgeting, credit management, and investment strategies.

Legal reforms that promote equal land ownership rights for women are crucial. Advocacy efforts should focus on ensuring that inheritance laws are equitable and that women farmers have secure land tenure, enabling them to make long-term investments in their farms. Governments and private sector players should invest in structured market systems, including farmer markets, digital trading platforms, and cold storage facilities. Participation in regional agricultural exhibitions and trade fairs should also be promoted to connect rural women with larger markets. Contract farming initiatives, where agribusiness firms engage directly with women farmers, can ensure fair pricing and market security. To enhance cross-border trade opportunities, trade regulations should be simplified, and training on trade policies and export procedures provided. Setting up cross-border trade facilitation desks can also offer guidance and protection against exploitation at borders. 

By empowering rural women farmers, implementing sustainable policies, strengthening access to credit, and ensuring better market integration, we can transform Africa’s agricultural landscape.

Empowering young people in agriculture, helps unlock their potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and build resilient food systems. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The African Agri Council's 40 Under 40 initiative highlights the critical role of youth who form a significant portion of Africa’s agricultural workforce

The programme is dedicated to celebrating the exceptional contributions of these young leaders who are driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within the agricultural sector. Youth engagement is vital for ensuring food security and creating sustainable livelihoods, since young people are more likely to embrace new technologies, adopt sustainable practices, and develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing agriculture.

Empowering young people in agriculture, helps unlock their potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and build resilient food systems. Their ability to quickly learn and adopt new methods, coupled with their inherent understanding of digital tools, makes them ideal candidates to lead the transformation of African agriculture.

This initiative recognises the contributions of young leaders throughout the entire agricultural value chain. This includes, but is not limited to, those involved in agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilisers, equipment), agricultural financing, primary producers (farmers, livestock herders), agro-processors, logistics and transportation, marketing and distribution, exporters, and those driving technology and innovation within the sector. Anyone under 40 who is making a significant impact on the African agricultural landscape is eligible for nomination.

The criteria to qualify include:

• Innovation: Highlighting breakthroughs in agricultural technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, funding, and transformative business models.
• Leadership: Demonstrating commitment to food security, sustainability, and equitable market access through exemplary leadership.
• Impact: Showcasing measurable contributions to productivity, job creation, environmental stewardship, and social empowerment.
• Advocacy: Influencing policies supporting farmers, food security, sustainability, and job creation through active advocacy.
• Education & Mentorship: Fostering agricultural leadership through mentorship, skill development, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Sustainability: Committing to environmentally friendly practices that enhance biodiversity and long-term agricultural productivity.
• Research & Development: Advancing agricultural science with innovative research improving yields and farming techniques.
• Media / Communications / PR: Shaping agricultural narratives through impactful journalism, PR, and advocacy-driven storytelling.