, South Africa’s FMD outbreak underscores the urgent need for stronger government action, rapid vaccination, and strategic support for the agricultural sector to safeguard food security.

Farmers across South Africa are warning that foot and mouth disease (FMD) is spiralling out of control, with the outbreak now affecting seven provinces and leaving the agricultural sector in crisis.

The disease has spread to KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, and the Western Cape, causing severe disruptions to livestock farming, export markets, and food prices.

The outbreak, which began in early 2025 after infected cattle from KwaZulu-Natal were sold at auction, has forced the government into the spotlight. Farmers report that delays in response and vaccine shortages have allowed FMD to spread rapidly, while regulations prevent them from vaccinating their herds independently. Even when livestock show signs of illness or die, farmers must wait for official intervention.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen initially downplayed the scale of the crisis but later admitted the situation was serious, stating, “This is a battle we are not winning.” He has promised a national vaccination programme starting February 2026. However, experts and farmers say this initiative comes too late. So far, just over 931,000 cattle have been vaccinated, a fraction of the national herd, with estimated costs to vaccinate all cattle exceeding R5.4 billion.

Testing facilities are also under pressure, leading to long delays for lab results and enabling further spread of the disease. Freedom Front Plus MP Dr Wynand Boshoff criticised weak leadership, noting that “testing delays mean animals recover while others become infected.”

The Southern Africa Agri Initiative has called for the outbreak to be declared a national disaster. Chief executive Francois Rossouw highlighted that such a declaration would enable faster funding, more staff, stricter movement controls, and improved communication. “It would allow vaccines, roadblocks, disinfectants and lab support to be rolled out quickly,” he said, emphasising that family farmers are bearing the brunt of the crisis and are largely left to cope on their own.

With rising meat and dairy prices, export bans, and the livelihoods of countless farmers at risk, South Africa’s FMD outbreak underscores the urgent need for stronger government action, rapid vaccination, and strategic support for the agricultural sector to safeguard food security.

Tanzania is enhancing Lake Victoria’s ecosystem. (Image credit: Presswire)

Tanzania has taken decisive steps to limit industrial participation in fishing on Lake Victoria, signalling growing regional urgency over the sustainability of Africa’s largest freshwater lake and the millions of livelihoods tied to its survival.

The move reflects mounting concern that large-scale commercial operations are accelerating environmental degradation while marginalising small-scale fishing communities.

The Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, announced that industries will no longer be permitted to engage directly in fishing activities on the lake. He warned that unchecked commercial practices are rapidly depleting fish stocks and threatening the long-term viability of artisanal fisheries.

Speaking during a working visit to the Kagera Region, where he inspected a Nile perch processing facility in Muleba District, Kakurwa emphasised the need for immediate and coordinated intervention to protect Lake Victoria’s fragile ecosystem.

“Encroachment on the 200-metre buffer zone by industries and farmers, together with the use of illegal fishing nets that capture juvenile fish, continues to degrade Lake Victoria’s resources,” he said.

Lake Victoria is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake and a cornerstone of East Africa’s blue economy. It supports the livelihoods of more than 47 million people across Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, providing food security, employment, transport routes, water supply and energy. The lake also plays a critical role in climate regulation and biodiversity conservation across the region.

The fishery is among the most productive freshwater systems globally, generating more than 1.5 million tonnes of fish annually with an estimated market value of $1.1 billion, according to regional figures. Beyond fisheries, Lake Victoria supplies water for domestic use, irrigation and industrial production, making it central to economic growth in East Africa.

Yet environmental experts caution that the lake is under escalating pressure. Wetland loss, deforestation in the catchment area, pollution from untreated urban and industrial wastewater, agricultural runoff and overfishing have steadily weakened the lake’s ecological resilience. Rapid population growth, urban expansion and rising economic activity are further intensifying demand for water and fish resources.

Kakurwa said Tanzania would tighten enforcement of existing fisheries regulations, including safeguarding shoreline buffer zones and cracking down on destructive fishing gear. He added that collaboration with neighbouring countries would be strengthened to ensure the lake is managed as a shared regional asset.

In 2025, East African Community (EAC) member states reaffirmed their commitment to the Protocol for Sustainable Development, pledging stronger cooperation on climate action and increased investment in conservation efforts across the Lake Victoria basin.

Officials say enhanced regional coordination will be essential to balancing economic development with environmental protection, ensuring Lake Victoria remains productive and resilient for future generations.

The programme offers interest-free loans to organised fishing groups.(Image credit: Presswire)

Fish cage farming on Lake Victoria is gaining momentum as a powerful driver of income growth, sustainable aquaculture and environmental recovery in Tanzania’s Lake Zone.

Farmers involved in a government-supported programme say the floating cages are not only improving household earnings but also unintentionally restoring natural fish breeding grounds that were severely degraded by decades of illegal and unregulated fishing.

According to local fish farmers, the cages function as protected aquatic sanctuaries. Fishing activities are restricted around the installations, allowing wild fish species to gather, shelter and reproduce undisturbed. The structures attract fish seeking safety and food, creating ideal conditions for spawning and fingerling development.

“The cages automatically create natural hatchery grounds,” said Mselikale Mkiju, secretary of the Chembaya Fish Farm Group in Nyakaliro ward, Buchosa district. “Wild fish come to hide under the cages because they are protected, and they benefit from the feed that sinks from above.”

Mkiju explained that leftover feed beneath the cages provides a steady food source, while the cage mesh allows naturally bred fingerlings to enter and grow safely alongside farmed fish.

“They are very small, about 0.1 grams, compared with around 0.3 grams for the farmed fish, so they easily penetrate the cages,” he said.

The Chembaya group is among beneficiaries of a national fish cage farming initiative launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and implemented by the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) in partnership with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. The programme offers interest-free loans to organised fishing groups, aiming to modernise the fisheries sector, formalise jobs and expand opportunities for young people and women.

Beyond environmental benefits, farmers say naturally occurring fingerlings have become an unexpected commercial advantage. The wild fish grow faster due to abundant feed, increasing harvest volumes and overall profitability. Some farmers believe the colourful fingerlings could even support eco-tourism around Lake Victoria.

However, challenges remain. Farmers are calling for stronger security around cage sites, improved supply chains for feed and fingerlings, better insurance coverage and greater involvement of local fisheries extension officers. Delays in input delivery and uncompensated losses have strained some groups.

Despite these obstacles, demand for farmed fish continues to surge, with standing orders from neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Rwanda far exceeding current production. As cage farming expands, stakeholders say the key will be balancing rapid growth with efficient management while safeguarding what many now see as an unexpected but vital boost to Lake Victoria’s natural ecology.

Sardines play a critical role in Morocco’s food system.

Morocco, recognised globally as one of the leading producers and exporters of sardines, has announced a major policy shift that will reshape its fisheries and seafood trade landscape.

From 1 February 2026, the country will ban the export of frozen sardines, a move aimed at safeguarding domestic supply, easing pressure on household food budgets, and restoring balance in national fish markets. The decision was confirmed by Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, who described the measure as necessary to address growing supply constraints.

The policy change comes amid a marked decline in sardine landings in recent years. Data from the National Fisheries Office (ONP) shows that catches fell by almost 46 per cent between 2022 and 2024, dropping from roughly 965,000 tonnes to about 525,000 tonnes. This contraction has intensified competition for available fish, pushing up prices and reducing availability across several regions during 2025. As a result, authorities have been under mounting pressure to intervene.

Sardines play a critical role in Morocco’s food system, serving as a low-cost, nutrient-rich protein source for millions of people, particularly those in low- and middle-income households. They account for an estimated 80 per cent of the country’s small pelagic fish stocks, making them central to both food security and the wider fisheries economy. However, rising domestic demand, coupled with climate variability, environmental stress and prolonged overfishing, has placed these resources under significant strain. The export ban is therefore intended to rebalance supply and demand while ensuring consistent access for local consumers.

Another key objective of the export suspension is to limit price volatility, especially during periods of peak consumption such as Ramadan, when demand for sardines traditionally increases. While Moroccan authorities have reiterated that fish prices are influenced by market forces, they have also stepped up efforts to tackle speculation, illegal fishing, and unfair trading practices that contribute to inflated retail prices.

Although no fixed end date has been announced, the policy has sparked debate within the seafood industry about the trade-off between domestic food security and export-driven revenue growth. Despite the freeze on frozen sardine exports, Morocco remains a major global seafood exporter, supplying markets across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Alongside the ban, the government is advancing wider reforms focused on sustainable fisheries management, including stronger monitoring systems, improved coastal planning, and tougher action against illegal fishing. Together, these measures signal a long-term strategy to protect marine ecosystems while reinforcing national food security.