The association is working to acquire skills in fodder production. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

The Nata-Gweta Block Beef Producers Association (NGBBPA) Farmer Field Day in Zoroga Village saw Carla Mucavi, FAO representative in Botswana, speak about the significance of generating awareness among local farmers regarding compliance to regional as well as international standards so that they can utilise the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

“The beef industry is not just about commerce; it is a symbol of national pride and rural resilience,” said Mucavi.

She commended the NGBBPA for uniting communal and ranch-based farmers into a strategic alliance that advocates for improved market access, enhanced animal health services, sustainable rangeland management, and the revitalization of Botswana’s cattle industry.

“Farmers must not be viewed merely as victims of climate change, but as proactive agents of transformation,” she said. “FAO remains steadfast in supporting Botswana’s transition to climate-smart agriculture, strengthening early warning systems, and promoting sustainable land and water management.”

Highlighting agriculture as an engine of youth empowerment and women’s inclusion, Mucavi said, “Agriculture must be repositioned as a pathway to entrepreneurship and wealth creation, not a sector of last resort.”

The association has recently secured an 18-hectare farm to establish a livestock feed production and packaging facility, which is anticipated to reduce dependency on external feed sources and enhance local production capacity.

The association is working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) to acquire skills in fodder production and innovative agricultural techniques. “We are also building strong networks with crop producers in the region and commercial farmers in Pandamatenga to source raw materials,” said NGBBPA Chairperson Gosata Mosweu. “We welcome FAO’s continued support as we strive to build resilience and sustainability within our block.”

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi. (Image source: Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya)

Ahead of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation's (FOCAC) summit following the 2024 edition, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, is in China, attending the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of Follow-Up Actions of the summit

Attended by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives from all 54 African member states of FOCAC, the high level engagement is evaluating the progress since FOCAC 2024.

Mudavadi visited the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center at the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HUNAAS) in Mapoling, Changsha. Founded in 1984 by globally renowned Academician Yuan Longping—celebrated as the “Father of Hybrid Rice”—the center has made significant advancements in rice production through innovative research and technology. The hybrid varieties developed at HUNAAS can yield over 18 tonnes per hectare, marking a transformational leap in food production.

The visit presents an opportunity for Kenya to explore enhanced collaboration in agricultural innovation, aimed at strengthening national food security and sustainable agricultural development.

The event saw the unveiling of the EUACC Financing Agribusiness in Africa Programme. (Image source: EUACC)

The European-Union -Africa Chamber of Commerce (EUACC) hosted the first edition of the Financing Agribusiness in Africa Forum at the Parc des Expositions in Abidjan

The Forum saw the presence of the Consul General of Cote d'Ivoire in New York and General Delegate of the Economic Promotion Service of Cote d'Ivoire in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Inza Camara, among other prominent stakeholders.

Peter Boamah Otukonor, Director of the Presidential Initiative in Agriculture and Agribusiness of Ghana, led a delegation of project owners.

The event saw the unveiling of the EUACC Financing Agribusiness in Africa Programme and the issuing of a Call to Action, a landmark framework outlining 10 pillars to catalyse investment, scale agribusiness, and accelerate inclusive growth across the continent. The Call to Action will be officially presented at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, in November 2025. 

"Financing agribusiness is not just an economic opportunity—it’s a strategic pathway to Africa’s resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Our role at the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce is to connect them with the right finance, at the right time, for the right impact. This forum is another step of the EUACC’s long-term commitment to unlock capital where it matters most," said Sonia Toro, Executive Director, EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce.

The MoU will extend support to smallholder farmers. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Biodigestion technology provider, Sistema.bio, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with food and beverage company, Danone, during the 17th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM) 

“Danone is committed to supporting smallholder dairy farmers to enhance their farm resilience. We see this partnership with Sistema.bio to implement biodigesters for driving manure transformation as a key enabler to achieving this goal, whilst improving local food sovereignty, environmental impact and economic return," said Olivier Verdelet, Global SVP of Agriculture & Sustainability, Danone.

The MoU will extend support to smallholder farmers by introducing biodigesters - a proven manure management solution to mitigate methane emissions, while providing access to renewable energy on-farm. The partnership aims to deploy 6,500 biodigesters by 2030 for smallholder dairy farmers across various geographies, starting with Mexico, Morocco and India.

“We are honoured to collaborate with Danone to adopt a new regenerative agriculture model for milk production,” said Alexander Eaton, CEO and co-founder of Sistema.bio. “Thanks to Danone’s vision of a supply chain driven by clean energy and circular principles, we will help thousands of farmers in multiple geographies to turn organic waste into clean energy and natural fertilizer—boosting farm productivity while accelerating the transition to clean energy.”

“We are especially proud to see Morocco playing a leading role in this global agricultural ambition driven by Danone. This partnership with Sistema.bio reflects our commitment to taking concrete action toward a more sustainable and resilient agriculture. By deploying accessible solutions like biodigesters, we are helping our farmers transition toward a more circular, self-sufficient, and environmentally respectful model,” said Herve Orama Barrere, CEO of Centrale Danone-Morocco.