This initiative targets the sorghum value chain, a vital component of climate-resilient agriculture in the country.

In a strategic move to strengthen Zimbabwe’s food systems and improve smallholder livelihoods, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), alongside the Government of Zimbabwe and private sector collaborators, has launched the pilot phase of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Pillar 3 (FARM P3)

This initiative targets the sorghum value chain, a vital component of climate-resilient agriculture in the country.

Sorghum is one of Zimbabwe’s most dependable crops in drought-prone regions. However, many small-scale farmers struggle to maximise its potential due to labour-intensive processing methods, post-harvest losses of up to 30%, and limited access to consistent markets. These barriers often result in reduced profitability and poor-quality outputs that don’t meet buyer requirements.

“Sorghum could be central to building Zimbabwe’s climate resilience, but it remains underutilised. By engaging private-sector partners from the start, the FARM P3 pilot opens a pathway to overcome these challenges and spread benefits across the country, supporting small-scale farmers to become more productive and more prosperous,” said Alex Nyakatsapa, the senior value chain and agribusiness advisor of SACP.

The FARM P3 pilot introduces mobile threshing and other smart mechanisation tools to smallholder farming communities. These innovations aim to cut losses, improve harvest efficiency, and connect farmers with formal markets and processors. The approach also includes the promotion of youth-led service enterprises and robust public-private partnerships to deliver sustainable results.

Over the course of 12 months, the project is expected to work with around 6,000 smallholder farmers across key sorghum-growing areas and support 50 service providers, including young entrepreneurs and progressive farmers. These providers will receive mentorship to develop business models, access funding, and become part of structured value chains. Importantly, the pilot does not deliver the services directly, but instead creates the necessary environment for these services to flourish independently.

“Through FARM P3 we not only test equipment that raises smallholder incomes in Zimbabwe, but also work with buyers, financial institutions, youth entrepreneurs and farmers to build business models that create jobs and make mechanization affordable, profitable, and sustainable,” said Francesco Rispoli, IFAD country director.

With climate change placing increasing pressure on African agriculture, initiatives like FARM P3 offer a timely, scalable solution to both food insecurity and rural poverty.

The overall index stood at 127.7 points in September.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased to 18.02% in September 2025, signaling a continued cooling of price pressures across the nation, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

In its Consumer Price Index and Inflation Report published in Abuja, the agency stated that this figure marked a 2.1% point decrease from August’s 20.12% rate. Compared with September 2024, the current rate is 14.68%age points lower than the 32.70% recorded then, underlining a notable deceleration in inflation year‑on‑year.

The NBS credited the slowdown to milder increases in prices of essential goods and services. Among the primary drivers of inflation were Food and Non‑Alcoholic Beverages, contributing 7.21%; Restaurants and Accommodation Services at 2.33%; and Transport at 1.92%. On the other hand, sectors such as Recreation and Culture (0.06%), Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (0.07%), and Insurance and Financial Services (0.08%) exerted the least upward pressure on prices.

Food inflation, in particular, underwent a substantial moderation. It declined to 16.87% year‑on‑year, down sharply from 37.77% in September 2024—a drop of 20.9%age points. The NBS partly attributed this shift to the CPI rebasing exercise, as well as a fall in average prices of staples including maize, garri, beans, millet, potatoes, onions, eggs, tomatoes, and fresh pepper.

Core inflation excluding volatile agricultural produce and energy stood at 19.53%. Meanwhile, inflation in urban areas registered at 17.50%, with rural regions slightly higher at 18.26%.

State‑level figures reveal disparities. The highest rates of inflation were observed in Adamawa (23.69%), Katsina (23.53%), and Nasarawa (22.29%). Conversely, Anambra (9.28%), Niger (11.79%), and Bauchi (12.36%) experienced the slowest general inflation. In terms of food inflation, Ekiti (28.68%), Rivers (24.18%), and Nasarawa (22.74%) led the increases, while Bauchi (2.81%), Niger (8.38%), and Anambra (8.41%) recorded the slowest growth in food prices.

Following the recent CPI rebasing, the overall index stood at 127.7 points in September, up from 126.8 points in August 2025, reflecting the general movement in price levels nationwide.

For agriculture stakeholders, the drop in inflation particularly in food staples offers some respite. Lower input and commodity price pressures may ease operations and improve margins for farmers and agribusinesses. As inflation slows further, the sector could see more predictable cost structures and better planning horizons for planting, harvesting, and supply chain logistics.

The NFSHS marks a significant move toward transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

In a bold step toward strengthening food security, the Federal Government has officially launched the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) - an initiative aimed at equipping farmers with vital knowledge and tools to better manage their soil for improved productivity and profitability.

The launch took place in Abuja on Tuesday, with Aliyu Abdullahi,Deputy Minister of Agriculture, highlighting the importance of soil management in line with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The scheme is positioned as a game-changer for agriculture in Nigeria, focusing on climate-smart practices, sustainable land use, and regenerative farming.

According to Abdullahi, the initiative is designed to deliver real-time insights into soil conditions, enabling farmers to boost yields, reduce input costs, and adopt smarter, more efficient farming methods. “The objectives include assessing soil health status, ensuring proper fertiliser use, promoting regenerative farming, enhancing food security, and enabling data-driven insights,” he said.

By offering tailored information about soil nutrients what’s present, what’s lacking, and how to amend it - the NFSHS promises not just better harvests, but also improved land stewardship for future generations. “The NFSHS provides information on what nutrients the soil has, what it lacks, and how to treat it right,” Abdullahi added.

But beyond the technical benefits, the programme is also about empowering farmers. “When a farmer understands their soil, they can plan better, harvest better, and pass on healthier land to their children. When we care for the soil, the soil cares for us. And when farmers are informed, they can thrive,” he emphasised.

The scheme is expected to help shape future agricultural policy by generating crucial data on soil conditions across the country. It will also promote efficient use of fertilisers and other inputs, helping to cut costs and reduce environmental impact.

Describing the launch as a turning point, Abdullahi said: “This is the beginning of a new season, one where every Nigerian farmer cultivates with knowledge, power, and peace of mind for a renewed hope.”

The NFSHS marks a significant move toward transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape - one that places soil health at the core of sustainable food production.

Nigeria risks losing its position as one of Africa's leading cashew exporters.

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has raised serious concerns regarding the disruptive activities of foreign middlemen within the country's cashew sector

Ademola Adesokan, NCAN's National President, criticised foreign traders for bypassing standard protocols and directly purchasing cashews from local farmers at inflated prices. These actions, Adesokan argues, are exploiting farmers and damaging the integrity of the industry.

Foreign buyers are taking advantage of local farmers by purchasing cashews at the farm gate without adhering to established international trade standards. Adesokan highlighted that these middlemen often export the produce without regard for proper regulatory oversight, further exacerbating the challenges facing Nigeria's cashew industry. “Our farmers are being exploited at the farm gate,” Adesokan said “The industry is in urgent need of structure to protect the integrity of the supply chain.”

The influx of unregulated foreign traders has led to severe economic hardship for farmers, many of whom are unable to secure fair prices for their crops. Adesokan emphasised that the absence of effective regulation is leaving farmers vulnerable and driving them into debt due to unstable market conditions.

Olarotimi Ayeka, NCAN’s National General Secretary, echoed these concerns, highlighting the significant financial losses suffered by the industry. Foreign traders, Ayeka explained, often bypass local processors and engage directly with farmers, disrupting the established cashew value chain. This practice not only damages local markets but also leads to the export of immature cashews, worsening the oversupply situation.

“These traders only operate during the peak season, buying massively in February and March, and then disappearing by April,” Ayeka explained. “When they leave, they often take the cashews with them, leaving local markets flooded with unsold stock.”

The crisis is compounded by internal divisions within NCAN itself, with some members reportedly colluding with foreign buyers for personal gain. This has hindered efforts to address the ongoing issues and stabilise the sector.

The disruption to the cashew industry has raised alarms about Nigeria’s future in the global market. Adesokan warned that if the government does not intervene soon, Nigeria risks losing its position as one of Africa's leading cashew exporters. “If the government does not take action to address these challenges, Nigeria risks losing its position as a leading cashew producer, and the entire industry will continue to suffer,” he concluded.