It’s a step toward dignity, security, and a stronger future for her entire village

In Kartoua, a quiet village in Cameroon’s Far North region, a group of determined women is leading a powerful shift—from grain scarcity to food security

Faced with seasonal floods and recurring hunger, they formed a cereal bank not just to store millet and rice, but to offer their community a lifeline during the lean season.

The initiative began when twelve women established the Soubota Common Initiative Group (GIC). Their goal was to buy staple grains at low prices after harvest and store them for resale at affordable rates when supplies typically run low. This simple but effective model has helped vulnerable families access food without the inflated costs that often accompany shortages.

“When we started, many didn't believe in us, especially the men,” said Ahmadou Sergeline, president of the cereal bank and a mother of nine. “But over time, as they saw how we were helping the village, everything changed. Even my husband now supports and advises me.”

When flooding hit and millet became scarce, the women had already stored 20 sacks—support provided by the Cameroon Red Cross, along with training in stock management and basic accounting. This preparation made a critical difference.

“Before, we didn't keep proper records. Now we have ledgers for everything—what comes in, what goes out, and what belongs to whom,” Sergeline explained. Community members also entrust their personal cereal bags to the bank for safekeeping, paying a small fee.

With fairness at its heart, the initiative prioritises support for the most vulnerable. The group set rules to prevent hoarding, limiting purchases to four measures per household and ensuring that grain went to those truly in need. Widows, elderly residents, and female-headed homes have especially benefited.

Profits from the initial sales were reinvested in buying more stock—this time, 45 sacks of rice. While typically, revenue is split among committees managing operations, hygiene, and restocking, the group chose instead to reinvest everything. They saw the growing need and responded as a united front.

The Red Cross’s Programmatic Partnership with the European Union, implemented in 24 countries, supports initiatives like these. In Kartoua, the French Red Cross and Cameroon Red Cross collaborate closely with the women, offering long-term, strategic support beyond emergency response.

“They didn’t just bring us grain. They brought us respect. They saw us not as beneficiaries, but as partners,” said Sergeline.

The cereal bank has also become a place for education and empowerment. “When we meet, we don’t just talk about millet. We talk about running our households, educating our daughters, strengthening our marriages. I have seven girls. I want them to see that women can lead too.”

For Sergeline, a sack of millet is more than food—it’s a step toward dignity, security, and a stronger future for her entire village. 

Kenya’s tea sector is one of the largest foreign exchange earners.

Kenya and Iran have agreed to form a joint committee that will work to eliminate trade barriers and clear the way for the lifting of a ban on Kenyan tea exports to Iran within 60 days.

This decision was made during the 7th Session of the Kenya-Iran Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) held in Nairobi, co-chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Iran’s Minister of Agricultural Jihad, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezalcheh.

The move follows a trade scandal involving a Kenyan firm, Cup of Joe Limited, which led to the diplomatic fallout and subsequent ban. The company was found guilty of importing low-quality tea, blending it, and re-exporting the product to Iran as premium Kenyan tea. This fraudulent act not only violated trade ethics but also compromised the credibility of Kenya’s globally respected tea brand. As a result, the Tea Board of Kenya has deregistered the company, and it now faces prosecution.

Senator Mutahi Kagwe, agriculture and livestock development cabinet secretary, emphasised that new regulatory measures will be introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future. “Kenya’s tea sector is one of our largest foreign exchange earners, and we must protect it from unscrupulous traders who damage our reputation,” said the CS.

Iran ranks among the top ten importers of Kenyan tea. In 2024, it imported approximately 13 million kilogrammes, valued at KSh 4.26 billion, according to data from the Tea Board of Kenya. Pakistan remained the top importer, accounting for 34.7% of Kenya’s tea export volume, translating to over KSh 70 billion in revenue. Overall, Kenyan tea reached 96 international markets in 2024, up from 92 in the previous year. However, the ban by Iran has led to significant financial losses for Kenyan farmers and exporters, prompting urgent diplomatic action.

Other major export destinations for Kenyan tea include Egypt (86.9 million kg worth KSh 23.96 billion), the UK (57.44 million kg at KSh 16.99 billion), UAE (30.5 million kg valued at KSh 10.27 billion), Russia (28.46 million kg worth KSh 7.43 billion), and India (17.13 million kg valued at KSh 3.94 billion). Saudi Arabia and Yemen also continue to be significant markets.

The newly formed joint committee will develop a framework aimed at restoring trust and ensuring strict adherence to quality standards. Both nations are hopeful that this effort will lead to a full resumption of tea exports before the end of the 60-day timeline.

This move aims to support registered tea growers amidst falling tea prices and seasonal production challenges.

Small tea planters in Mauritius are set to benefit from an increased rate of income support, as announced by the Arvin Boolell, minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries.

Speaking at a ceremony in Rose Belle, the minister confirmed that support will rise from Rs 4.50 to Rs 6.00 per kilogramme of green tea leaves, marking a 34% increase. This move aims to support registered tea growers amidst falling tea prices and seasonal production challenges.

The event also included the distribution of Winter Allowance cheques to around 500 planters and the awarding of certificates to 80 participants who completed training on the MoBeez Mobile App and other digital farming tools. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernise agriculture through technology, ensure financial stability for farmers, and encourage younger generations to engage in tea production.

Dr Boolell pointed out that around 1,000 small planters are active in the tea sector. He highlighted that government support has been a longstanding feature of the industry and will remain crucial, especially during the difficult winter months. “Income support for small registered tea planters will be raised from Rs 4.50 per kilogramme to Rs 6 per kilogramme of green tea leaves,” he said, reinforcing the importance of this increase in driving interest and maintaining enthusiasm among planters.

He added that technical and financial assistance would continue to be provided, helping farmers overcome ongoing challenges such as an ageing workforce. The Minister noted that mechanisation is breathing new life into the sector, attracting younger farmers and supporting sustainable growth. With better land preparation, upgraded equipment, and targeted support, the industry is expected to maintain momentum and improve efficiency.

Junior Minister Gilles Fabrice David underlined the government’s efforts to support planters with the Winter Allowance and through digital transformation. He noted the integration of the MoBeez app into farming practices, allowing users to access vital information, make requests, and handle administrative tasks online. Farmers are also being trained to use Artificial Intelligence, such as ChatGPT, to prepare documents and proposals.

He expressed optimism that more tea growers would adopt digital solutions to enhance productivity. “We hope more planters use technology to improve production,” he said, reaffirming government backing for the agricultural sector.

Chairman of the Small Farmers Welfare Fund, Mr Mahendrah Goonniah, added that the Tea Sector Support Scheme includes free fertiliser distribution and grants covering 50% of the cost for Mini Tea Harvesters. These tools make harvesting more efficient and less labour-intensive, key for sustaining productivity during the winter period.

The FAO Food Price Index, a key benchmark that monitors monthly changes in globally traded food commodity prices,.

Global food commodity prices edged higher in July 2025, according to the latest FAO Food Price Index, which averaged 130.1 points—an increase of 1.6 percent from June.

This rise was mainly fuelled by higher international prices for meat and vegetable oils. Despite the month-on-month gain, the index remains significantly lower than its all-time peak in March 2022, down 18.8 percent, though it stands 7.6 percent above levels recorded in July 2024.

The FAO Food Price Index, a key benchmark that monitors monthly changes in globally traded food commodity prices, showed mixed movements across its sub-indices. While meat and vegetable oils posted noticeable gains, cereals, dairy and sugar recorded modest declines.

The FAO Cereal Price Index dipped to 106.5 points in July, a decrease of 0.8 percent from June. Falling prices for wheat and sorghum led the decline, outweighing slight increases in maize and barley. Wheat prices softened due to the arrival of new seasonal harvests across the northern hemisphere, although weather-related concerns in North America provided some underlying support. Meanwhile, the FAO All Rice Price Index fell by 1.8 percent, with the drop attributed to robust export availability and tepid global demand.

Vegetable oils saw the sharpest rise among the food groups, with the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index climbing 7.1 percent to 166.8 points—the highest level in three years. Palm oil led the increase, driven by solid global demand and competitive pricing. Soy oil prices strengthened on expectations of continued biofuel demand in the Americas, while sunflower oil rose due to limited export supplies from the Black Sea region. Rapeseed oil, however, declined as new crops entered the European market.

The FAO Meat Price Index reached an all-time high of 127.3 points, rising 1.2 percent from the previous month. Strong demand from China and the United States pushed up prices for bovine and ovine meat. Poultry prices also saw a slight boost after Brazil regained its avian influenza-free status, encouraging trade. On the other hand, pig meat prices dropped, reflecting ample supply and reduced demand, particularly within the EU.

Dairy prices edged down slightly, with the FAO Dairy Price Index registering a 0.1 percent decline to 155.3 points. Prices for butter and milk powders fell due to healthy export volumes and lacklustre demand, especially in Asia. Cheese, however, bucked the trend, supported by firm demand from Asian and Near East markets and tighter EU export availability.

The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 103.3 points in July, down 0.2 percent. This marks the fifth month of decline, as expectations of a production rebound in key producers—Brazil, India, and Thailand—weighed on prices. However, signs of recovering global sugar imports helped ease the fall.