IFAD and Digital Green deploy smart digital tools to Close Nigeria’s agricultural gap.

Digital Green Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to tackle the Nigeria’s long-standing agricultural extension service challenges through innovative digital solutions.

David Edimu, Country Lead for Digital Green Nigeria, highlighted the urgent need for technology-driven interventions to bridge the widening gap between farmers and extension services. He described Nigeria’s current extension agent-to-farmer ratio of one agent to 8,000 farmers as “grossly inadequate”, noting that it falls significantly below the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s recommended benchmark of one agent to no more than 600 farmers.

Edimu said,“We want extension services in the hands of every farmer, so they no longer wait five to seven days without seeing an extension agent.Our intention is to ensure farmers get the right information at the right time through a digital app."

Edimu explained that the partnership with IFAD remains central to Digital Green’s mission of enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Nigeria. By leveraging digital agriculture, artificial intelligence and mobile technology, the initiative aims to close productivity gaps and modernise extension delivery systems.

“With timely access to information, farmers can improve productivity and close existing gaps. We speak local languages to bridge literacy gaps. Not speaking English should not stop anyone from using the app,” he added.

He further stressed the importance of moving away from conventional extension models and embracing innovative, scalable approaches that reflect the realities of today’s farming communities. A key feature of Digital Green’s solution is its AI-powered, multilingual interface, which ensures inclusivity by overcoming literacy and language barriers.

In one pilot example, an extension agent responsible for 400 farmers installed the application for 100 farmers with Android smartphones, significantly easing his workload. He added that shared phone usage at household level further amplifies the reach of the digital platform, positioning technology as a powerful catalyst for nationwide agricultural development.

Tatu Coffee wins top honours at Kenya’s Taste of Harvest Awards. (Image credit: Tatu coffee)

Tatu Coffee Estates Limited has once again proven its standing among Kenya’s elite coffee producers after securing both first and third place in the fiercely contested Washed Arabica category at the National Taste of Harvest Kenya 2025–2026 Awards.

The prestigious accolades further reinforce Kenya’s reputation as a global powerhouse in premium specialty coffee and spotlight Tatu Coffee’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

Widely regarded as the ultimate benchmark for coffee quality in the country, the National Taste of Harvest Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in washed Arabica – the backbone of Kenya’s international coffee success. Tatu Coffee’s winning entries stood out not as experimental micro-lots, but as coffees drawn from its mainstream production, highlighting an exceptional ability to deliver consistent quality at scale.

An international panel of expert judges commended the coffees for their refined sensory profile, noting elegant aromas of orange blossom, layered flavours of red berries, marmalade and jam, and a distinctive balance of bright acidity and natural sweetness. These attributes exemplify the flavour complexity that continues to make Kenyan washed Arabica highly sought after in global specialty coffee markets.

John Sathya, Chief Executive Officer of Tatu Coffee Estates, said,"Winning first and third place confirms that our approach delivers consistent, world-class results while supporting jobs and communitie."

Tatu Coffee manages more than 6,500 acres of coffee estates in Kiambu County and is owned by Rendeavour, the master developer behind Tatu City. Through long-term investment, the company has embraced modern agricultural techniques, advanced processing infrastructure and sustainable farming practices. Its premium washed Arabica is supplied to specialty buyers across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.

Beyond cup quality, the awards underscore Tatu Coffee’s broader economic and social impact. At a time when national coffee production has faced decline, the estates continue to provide thousands of permanent and seasonal jobs, supporting livelihoods across coffee-growing communities.

All Tatu Coffee estates are Rainforest Alliance certified, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability. Initiatives include water recycling, reforestation, ecosystem conservation and responsible waste management. The company also prioritises worker welfare through fair wages, quality housing, access to education and a long-standing school meals programme for children from estate communities.

The initiative targets Ghana’s long-standing challenge of tomato scarcity and price volatility.

More than 240 tonnes of freshly harvested tomatoes from Ghana’s Upper East Region have been supplied to major markets and commercial outlets in Accra under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), offering timely relief from seasonal shortages and rising prices.

The initiative targets Ghana’s long-standing challenge of tomato scarcity and price volatility, particularly during the dry season, by promoting local, dry-season cultivation. Beneficiary locations include Agbogbloshie Market, CMB Railway Market, Palace Mall and Accra City Hotel, all within the Greater Accra Region.

Implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and funded by the Government of Norway, the programme is coordinated by the World Bank and delivered in partnership with agribusiness firm FarmMate Ltd. Its broader goal is to revitalise Ghana’s domestic tomato value chain, reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national food security through sustainable agriculture practices.

Speaking in Accra, Opoku Agyeman Clinton, Sustainable and Compliance Officer at Accra City Hotel, said the hotel’s decision to procure tomatoes from the FSRP–FarmMate initiative was driven by food safety priorities. He explained that the facility operates under ISO 22000 certification, which incorporates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). According to him, supplier audits confirmed that FarmMate’s production systems met international food safety standards, with tomatoes arriving firm, unbruised and of consistent quality, enhancing both menu reliability and customer satisfaction.

At Palace Mall, Head of Fresh Purchasing Bassam Taleb noted that the freshness and hygienic quality of the tomatoes had boosted customer demand. He added that FarmMate complied with strict procurement standards, including the use of quality seeds, chemical-free production methods and approved water sources, while urging greater government investment to expand access to clean, locally grown produce.

Traders in Accra’s open markets have also welcomed the development. At the CMB Railway Market, bulk trader Naomi Atuahene observed that the tomatoes lasted up to five days without refrigeration, outperforming imported alternatives. Meanwhile, Hannah Owusu, a trader at Agbogbloshie Market, highlighted lower prices, improved hygiene and increased buyer demand.

FSRP–FarmMate has reaffirmed its commitment to supplying locally produced, chemical-free tomatoes, helping to stabilise markets and strengthen Ghana’s agri-food resilience during the dry season.

Improved farm-to-market connectivity is expected to reduce transportation costs.

Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture has officially launched a major farm-to-market road rehabilitation initiative in Bong County, marking a significant step towards strengthening agricultural value chains and improving rural livelihoods.

Implemented through the Tree Crops Extension Project Phase II (TCEP-II), the project will see the construction and rehabilitation of 59 kilometres of critical feeder roads designed to improve market access for farmers across the county.

The road works have been divided into seven lots covering key farming communities and some of Bong County’s most productive agricultural zones. Once completed, the improved road network will provide farmers with more reliable links to markets, processing centres, and storage facilities, helping to unlock the county’s full agricultural potential.

Improved farm-to-market connectivity is expected to reduce transportation costs, cut post-harvest losses, and boost incomes for farmers, traders, and agribusiness operators. The initiative also supports broader national goals around food security, rural development, and sustainable agricultural growth.

The project was officially launched by Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah, who described the road works as a direct investment in food production and community resilience. “We are fixing these roads because of agriculture. I therefore urge the people of Bong County to redouble their efforts in producing their own food so they can improve their livelihoods,” Nuetah said.

The Minister also issued a strong warning to contractors, stressing that all work must be delivered within the agreed timelines, with no extensions permitted. He further highlighted the importance of local job creation, urging contractors to prioritise employment opportunities for communities along the road corridors.

Beyond the 59 kilometres already launched, an additional 28 kilometres of farm-to-market roads in Bong County are currently under procurement, further expanding access for rural farming communities. Combined with ongoing works in Lofa County, the total length of feeder roads being rehabilitated under TCEP-II now stands at 340 kilometres.

Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the road works are expected to be completed within ten months. Once finished, the upgraded infrastructure will provide all-weather access to farms, helping to transform Bong and Lofa counties into resilient agricultural production hubs and reinforcing Liberia’s long-term food systems.