Processing & Storage

Tanzania has taken a significant step towards strengthening its agricultural sector with the launch of a new large scale rice mill in Kahama district

The facility, developed by local company KOM Food Products Ltd, represents an investment of more than 100 billion Tanzanian shillings, equivalent to around US$39.56million. Construction of the plant was completed on a 54 hectare site and operations officially began in late January, according to the Tanzania Investment and Export Zones Authority.

The project is being described as one of the most important agro industrial developments in the country. While details of its processing capacity have not been made public, the mill is expected to play a central role in supporting local rice farmers. Most of the paddy processed at the facility will be sourced from producers in the Shinyanga region, helping to create a more reliable market for smallholder farmers.

“Beyond industrial output, the project is expected to strengthen agricultural value chains in Shinyanga Region by providing a stable market for paddy rice produced by smallholder farmers,” the press statement said. “The investment supports Tanzania’s broader strategy to expand domestic agro processing, enhance food security, and retain more value within the country by shifting more of the rice value chain — from farming to milling and packaging — into local production.”

Tanzania has been self sufficient in rice for several years, producing more than it consumes and supplying neighbouring countries with surplus grain. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture show that rice production averaged 2.43 million tonnes per year between the 2019 2020 and 2023 2024 seasons, while domestic demand stood at about 1.2 million tonnes annually. The new mill is expected to increase local processing capacity and make it easier to channel surplus rice into export markets.

According to TISEZA, KOM Food Products plans to expand production gradually in response to growing demand. “KOM Food Products said it plans to scale up production in phases to meet rising domestic demand and explore regional market opportunities in East and Southern Africa,” the authority highlighted.

Rice exports from Tanzania have fluctuated in recent years. Between 2020 and 2024, the country exported an average of nearly 387,066 tonnes of milled rice each year, with exports peaking at 622,422 tonnes in 2022. Export revenues during this period averaged close to $191 million annually, with key markets including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

With East African Community countries importing large volumes of cereals each year, the Kahama rice mill could help Tanzania strengthen its position as a regional supplier while supporting farmers, creating jobs and adding more value within the country.

Image credit: Ethiopian news Agency

Ethiopia has renewed its call for greater recognition of coffee as more than a global export, framing it as a cultural treasure, a social bond and a vital economic pillar for both the country and the wider African continent

The message was delivered at a high level policy forum held on Tuesday during the 3rd African Coffee Week in Addis Ababa, where leaders and development partners gathered to discuss the future of Africa’s coffee industry.

Meles Mekonnen, State Minister of Agriculture said, “Coffee is far more than a tradable commodity. It is and will remain one of Africa’s most powerful symbols and strategic assets,” Meles said.

He warned that climate change is placing increasing pressure on the sector, with erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and growing pest threats already affecting production. According to Meles, smallholder farmers are bearing the brunt of these changes, making climate resilience and sustainable transformation urgent priorities.

As Africa’s largest coffee producer, Ethiopia has positioned coffee at the core of its national development strategy. Meles said the government is expanding climate smart farming practices, strengthening quality control systems and improving market transparency, while ensuring women and young people benefit from sector reforms.

He also urged African countries to rethink their role in the global coffee value chain by moving beyond raw bean exports and investing in value addition, branding and finished products. He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major opportunity to build regional value chains and create decent jobs.

“Investments in climate smart production systems and sustainable land management are not optional; they are economically prudent,” he said. “Together, we can cultivate a coffee industry that is economically vibrant and deeply rooted in Africa’s rich heritage.”

AU Commission Chief of Staff Mohamed El Amine Souef echoed the call for stronger cooperation, noting that new harmonised African coffee standards aim to boost competitiveness.
“Coffee brings people from diverse cultures together for mutual benefit,” Souef said.

UNIDO Representative Stephen Kargbo highlighted coffee’s role in Ethiopia’s export earnings while warning of climate risks and price volatility. “No single institution or government can address these issues alone,” he said.

Italian Ambassador Sem Fabrizi praised coffee’s cultural roots and confirmed Italy’s continued support through development cooperation and increased financing via the Italian Climate Fund.

The MiniQube combines form and function. (Image source: Minitube)

The minimalist digital microscope called MiniQube that has been developed by Minitube and QubeDot has won the international Red Dot Design Award 2026 in the Product Design category

Build upon exemplary innovation, the MiniQube combines form and function that deliver highly reproducable results in a clean, modern aesthetic. Bereft of complications such as screws or knobs, the fully integrated digital microscope is a significant advancement in standardised computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). 

The award highlights the product’s clean, minimalist design as well as its successful integration of functionality, user-friendliness, and technological precision. Its autofocus, a motorised and heated stage, digital light control and well-synced optics optimise variability and considerably simplifies analyses delivery. 

The MiniQube enhances hygienic laboratory environments with its exceptional usability, ergonomics and durability.

The Red Dot Design Award acknowledges MiniQube's outstanding standards for laboratory equipment in industry and research, which are driven by cutting-edge technology and a user-centered design approach. 

While Minitube comprises an expert team on semen and embryo processing and preservation, its advancement requires relevant technical support as well. The MiniQube is thus an example of the team's equal expertise in related fields such as basic and applied research, product development and quality assurance.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food are not harmful if safety standards are met.

This assurance comes as public debates continue over the safety of GMOs in Nigeria. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General said, “GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us. They are not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether the safety considerations have been taken.”

Adeyeye emphasized the importance of proper labelling so that consumers can make informed decisions. “I’m a food freak. I want to know what I’m eating is going to give me a good health outcome. I look at the label. I want to be sure that NAFDAC’s label is on it… It’s supposed to have ‘genetically modified food’ written on it,” she said.

She also explained that NAFDAC works closely with the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), which is responsible for the safety oversight of GMOs in Nigeria. “We work in collaboration with the Biosafety Management Agency. We have an MoU with them. They are mandated to ensure that the foods that have GMOs are of quality, they are safe, and they are efficacious,” Adeyeye noted.

According to her, transparent labelling, similar to the way organic foods are marked, gives people the freedom to choose. “When you look at the food on the table in the market—especially grocery stores—you will see foods labeled organic. You put labels [on foods] that are not organic, and people have the choice to buy which one they want,” she said.

She added that NAFDAC can only approve GMO products after the NBMA has certified their safety. “That is the reason why the collaboration between us and the NBMA is very solid. Without them certifying that they have done their due diligence in their laboratory for desk review or whatever, we cannot approve.”

This statement comes after the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) recently emphasized the role of GMOs in fighting hunger and improving agriculture. Abdullahi Mustapha, the NBRDA Director-General, warned against misinformation: “False claims about GMOs have contributed to public skepticism and slowed down the adoption of technologies that can transform lives.”