Qu emphasised that food system changes must be fair, transparent, and inclusive.

At the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4) Stocktaking Moment in Addis Ababa, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, urged global leaders to speed up the transformation of agrifood systems through bold action, increased investment, and stronger partnerships.

Speaking to ministers, leaders, and delegates, Qu stressed that agrifood systems play a key role in tackling global issues such as food insecurity, climate change, and inequality. “Transformation is not a distant ambition. It is already happening,” he said. “But the pace, scale, and coordination of our collective action will determine whether we succeed. The challenge now is not only action, but acceleration.”

Qu reflected on progress since the first UN Food Systems Summit in 2021. He noted that many countries have moved from promises to action, using policy changes, investments, and planning. Ethiopia was highlighted as a successful example, with FAO support helping cut post-harvest grain losses by up to 40% in some areas.

The Director-General identified three main areas to focus on for transformation:

1. Youth empowerment:
Qu stressed the need to support young people, especially young women, in agrifood systems. He cited FAO’s assessment on Youth in Agrifood Systems, noting that bridging gaps in education, jobs, and leadership could add up to US$1.5tn to global GDP—almost half coming from agrifood systems.

2. Innovation and technology:
Qu highlighted tools like the FAO-led Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) and the World Food Forum’s focus on investment, science, and youth empowerment. He also mentioned the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which uses data to target funding where it is most needed, growing from us$1.5bn in 2022 to US$4.5bn in 2024.

3. The Right to Food:
Qu emphasised that food system changes must be fair, transparent, and inclusive. He pointed to FAO’s support for the Global Alliance Against Poverty and Hunger, launched under Brazil’s G20 Presidency.

“We are making systems transformation the new normal — hand in hand with governments, investors, academia, civil society, and the private sector,” Qu added.

Ethiopia’s coffee sector is showing strong growth.

Ethiopia’s coffee sector is showing strong growth thanks to focused national efforts to boost production and productivity, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The announcement was made during a key forum held at the UNFSS+4 “Day of Action” summit, which featured visits to several food system transformation projects and a main event at the Science Museum on the future of Africa’s coffee industry.

Girma Amente, Ethiopia’s minister of agriculture, speaking at the forum, highlighted the central role coffee plays in the country and across Africa. He described coffee as much more than a crop—calling it a “strategic product intrinsically linked to history, identity, and economic development.”

The event focused on ways to transform Africa’s coffee value chain, with a strong call for more sustainable finance, better technology, and wider trade opportunities to help improve coffee production, processing, and value addition across the continent.

The high-level gathering included key global figures such as Amina J. Mohammed-UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jessica Alupo-Ugandan Vice President, Qu Dongyu-FAO Director-General , and Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Researchers, policymakers, and private sector representatives also took part.

Girma spoke of Ethiopia’s success in increasing coffee production by using climate-smart farming methods. He also pointed out the growing international demand for Ethiopian coffee and its importance for foreign exchange and national pride.

Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General added, “Coffee is the primary livelihood for millions, especially smallholder farmers.” She stressed the importance of investing in production, value addition, technology, and market expansion to improve lives and transform the sector.

Jessica Alupo, Ugandan Vice President noted coffee’s importance to African economies and identity. She outlined Uganda’s efforts to grow the sector sustainably and inclusively, and said research and innovation are needed to tackle climate change and improve quality.

Italy’s Stefano Gatti confirmed continued support for coffee programmes in Ethiopia and Uganda. He called for more international cooperation to address challenges and fully unlock the sector’s potential.

Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General said over 80% of smallholder farmers globally rely on coffee. He warned of the growing threats from climate change and price instability, and called for urgent global action to ensure farmers can benefit fairly from the coffee trade.

The forum, titled "Enhancing the Transformation of the Coffee Value Chain," was organised by the governments of Ethiopia and Italy, along with UNIDO, and the International and African Coffee Organizations.

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 in Nigeria 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.