The regulations also define what product names can be used.

South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has officially published new regulations for meat analogue products.

These rules, released in Government Gazette Notice R. 6436 on 18 July 2025, aim to bring clarity and consistency to the sale, labelling, and marketing of plant-based and other non-meat alternatives across the country.

The regulations are the result of thorough consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including those in the red meat industry. They set clear minimum standards for meat analogues, covering how products should be labelled and what they must contain to meet requirements.

According to the department, any product that uses terms such as “meat replacer,” “meat substitute,” “meat alternative,” or “plant-based protein” on the main label must contain at least 9% protein.

“The meat analogue products, also known as meat substitutes, mock meat, faux meat, or imitation meat, were initially defined in the Processed Meat Regulations as a product that approximates the aesthetic qualities (primary texture, flavour and appearance) and/or chemical characteristics of a specific type of meat,” the department said in a statement.

“These products are derived from non-meat ingredients, sometimes without dairy products and are available in different forms (coarse ground meat analogues, emulsified meat analogues and loose fill, etc.).”

The regulations also define what product names can be used. Names such as hot dogs, burgers, patties, sausages, schnitzels, and mince will be allowed for meat analogues, as long as the labelling clearly identifies the product as non-meat and helps consumers understand its true nature. Descriptive terms like frikkadel, nuggets, rounds, wheels, and sizzlers are also permitted.

However, the use of names or references that suggest a specific animal, such as “chicken-style,” “beef-style,” “chick’n,” or “b*con,” is not allowed under the Agricultural Product Standards Act of 1990.

Enforcement of the new rules will be managed by departmental inspectors, as no specific assignee has been appointed yet. The Food Safety Agency will oversee labelling compliance, and the Border Management Authority will ensure imported products follow the same regulations.

The department said the new rules should be welcomed by all industry players and consumers alike. “Consumers will enjoy the protection from the sale of misleading products. Furthermore, the publication of the Meat Analogue Products Regulations will foster confidence in the sale of meat analogues and meat products in South Africa.”

A market survey at Bauchi Central and Muda Lawal markets shows that fertiliser prices have risen.

Farmers in Bauchi State have expressed serious concerns about the sharp increase in fertiliser prices during this year’s planting season

Many say they have been forced to stop cultivating rice and maize due to the high cost and are now turning to crops that need little or no fertiliser.

Several farmers in Bauchi spoke out, warning that if urgent steps are not taken, the country could face a serious food crisis. A market survey at Bauchi Central and Muda Lawal markets shows that fertiliser prices have risen by roughly 15% since the season began.

Currently, a 50kg bag of NPK fertiliser is selling between N30,000 and N60,000, compared to N23,000 to N50,000 at the beginning of the season. The price of urea has also jumped from N35,000 to between N47,000 and N50,000, depending on the quality.

Mr. Audu Simon, a maize farmer, said that the increased costs have made it unprofitable to grow fertiliser-intensive crops like rice and maize. As a result, many are switching to millet, sorghum, soybeans, groundnuts, and beans. "We sold our produce at a loss last season, and we can’t afford fertiliser prices now," he said. 

Marka Abass, the spokesperson for the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, stated that many women farmers are abandoning rice and maize in favour of growing vegetables, which are less dependent on fertiliser. She believes the price hike is due to low supply despite government intervention efforts."The trend had forced most women farmers to abandon maize and rice cultivation and embrace vegetable production," said Abass. 

Usman Umar, a representative of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, urged both the state and federal governments to take immediate action to stabilise fertiliser prices. He warned that if left unchecked, the high prices could severely affect national food security. "We need urgent intervention. If this continues, its implications on national food security will be severe," said  Umar.

Meanwhile, Aliyu Gital, Bauchi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, said the Bauchi Fertiliser Blending Company has scaled up its production to meet the rising demand and help improve farmers’ access to fertiliser.

The initiative will focus on building climate resilience and food security.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved US$30.25mn in funding for a major new project aimed at protecting Benin’s agriculture sector from the effects of climate change

The initiative will focus on building climate resilience and food security, especially for farmers in the country’s northern regions.

The project is set to benefit 150,000 smallholder farmers, most of whom are in the departments of Alibori and Atakora. These areas are particularly vulnerable to climate shocks such as droughts and floods, and suffer higher levels of food insecurity than the national average. In addition to climate threats, these regions are affected by instability in the Sahel, with issues such as forced displacement and border closures with Niger adding to the pressure.

With climate models predicting a 22% drop in cotton production and a 6.3% decrease in maize yields, economic losses could reach up to 201 billion CFA francs. This programme aims to prevent such losses by introducing a range of innovative solutions.

A key part of the project is the introduction of climate risk insurance. This includes sovereign insurance through the African Risk Capacity and micro-insurance for small farmers. These tools will help improve access to credit by making farmers more attractive to financial institutions.

The initiative will also support the government of Benin’s ongoing efforts to roll out agricultural insurance, currently in the pilot phase through the National Fund for Agricultural Development (FNDA). Additionally, the project will boost early warning systems, strengthen disaster management at the local level, and promote climate-smart farming practices.

The programme ensures inclusive participation, aiming for at least 30% involvement from women and 30% from young people. It also includes social cohesion activities to help host communities integrate displaced populations peacefully.

The funding comes from several sources: US$20mn from the Transition Support Facility, $5 million from the African Development Fund, US$3mn from the ADRiFi multi-donor trust fund, and US$2.44mn from Benin’s own contribution towards insurance premiums.

The project is aligned with Benin’s National Development Plan (2018–2025) and its National Adaptation Plan (2022–2027). It is supported by global partners including the World Food Programme, the World Bank, and bilateral donors such as Switzerland and Luxembourg.

 Robert Masumbuko, African Development Bank Country Representative in Benin said, "This investment represents our commitment to strengthening climate resilience in Benin's agricultural sector while responding to the urgent needs of vulnerable farming communities. By introducing innovative risk management tools and strengthening local capacities, we are helping farmers adapt to climate change while preventing conflicts and promoting social cohesion in fragile border areas."

e-Kilimo system will improve the transparency and efficiency of agricultural services.

Hussein Bashe, Tanzania's minister of agriculture has launched a new digital agricultural extension system called e-Kilimo (Digital Extension) to enhance services for farmers and ensure better accountability among agricultural extension officers nationwide.

The system was officially introduced on July 16, 2025, at the Mtanana Crop Innovation Center in Kongwa District.

 Bashe explained that the e-Kilimo system will allow farmers to easily access information about the number of extension officers in their area, their locations, and contact details. This will help farmers connect with the right people for support and advice.

In addition, the system requires every extension officer to complete a service performance form. This will be used to evaluate their effectiveness at the end of each year, helping to identify officers who are doing their jobs well and take corrective action against those who fail to meet their responsibilities. 

Bashe also emphasized that the system aims to encourage accountability among extension officers and improve the security of agricultural input distribution. The ministry of agriculture plans to register input sellers to ensure that if counterfeit inputs are sold to farmers, it will be easier to trace the responsible parties and take necessary actions.

Overall, the e-Kilimo system is expected to improve the transparency and efficiency of agricultural services in Tanzania, making it easier for farmers to get the help they need and ensuring that extension services are delivered effectively.