This project aims to improve electricity supply for farmers.

Sugarcane farmers in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe, are set to benefit from a major power upgrade

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA, is building a new 330 kilovolt (kV) power line from Mutare to Chiredzi. This project aims to improve electricity supply for farmers who have long suffered from power shortages due to old and broken infrastructure.

 Abel Gurupira, acting managing director for ZETDC told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce that the new line will connect Orange Grove in Mutare to Triangle in the Lowveld. This will help bring power from Mozambique, through Mutare, to sugar-producing areas. He said,“This will boost power capacity in farming areas where farmers urgently need electricity."

To support agricultural production, ZETDC is also working closely with wheat, tobacco, and sugarcane farmers. Gurupira stated that the company ensures no load-shedding during critical farming seasons, particularly for organised clusters that rely on irrigation.

 John Chikeya, ZETDC’s commercial services manager, highlighted ongoing problems such as infrastructure vandalism. However, he noted that the company is working hard to restore damaged infrastructure to improve power reliability.

He added that smart technology is being introduced to support this goal. “We are rolling out a smart grid project with smart water reclosers and smart metres,” said Chikeya. These tools will allow ZETDC to manage power supply more efficiently, ensuring that sugar millers and irrigators receive power even during shortages. Smart metres and motorised circuit breakers (MCCBs) will also allow for selective power distribution.

Chiredzi is also part of a plan to support solar energy projects, with the private sector encouraged to build solar plants for commercial and industrial use. Farmers with good credit ratings are expected to benefit the most from these solar initiatives.

Other upgrades include improving old power infrastructure, increasing substation capacity in Chiredzi Town, and restoring capacitor banks and local substations. These efforts aim to support the entire sugarcane value chain and improve the area’s energy reliability.

John Chikeya concluded, “This power upgrade is not just about supply — it’s about securing the future of sugar farming in Chiredzi by building strong, reliable infrastructure.”

AGRA has launched the Africa Digital Crop Variety Catalogue.

AGRA has launched the Africa Digital Crop Variety Catalogue – the first digital platform of its kind on the continent

Developed in partnership with Ministries of Agriculture, National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), and national regulatory bodies, the platform currently covers six countries: Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The new digital catalogue is an interactive, searchable database of officially released crop varieties. It aims to solve long-standing challenges in Africa’s seed systems, including outdated records, lack of access to reliable data, and fragmented variety lists. Despite hundreds of improved crop varieties being developed in Africa, there was no central platform where stakeholders could easily access updated information—until now.

For over 20 years, AGRA has been a leader in strengthening seed systems. The organisation has helped release 688 improved crop varieties, supported 114 African seed companies, and empowered 38,000 agro-dealers. These efforts have improved seed access for 33 million smallholder farmers.

The launch of the digital catalogue is led by CESSA – the Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa – a platform by AGRA that offers training, tools, data, and digital solutions to improve seed access across the continent.

The Africa Digital Crop Variety Catalogue is based on AGRA’s research and tools such as SeedSAT and the Seed System Performance Index (SSPI), which is now used as a standard by the African Union. It supports the Seed Investment Plan—a blueprint for stronger seed systems in Africa.

This platform will help regulators, researchers, seed companies, NGOs, and farmers make better decisions about seed selection, production, and marketing. It also helps reduce compliance and certification issues, which have previously slowed seed adoption. Importantly, the platform helps improve access to information for women and young people who often face barriers in the agricultural sector.

With its simple and accessible interface, the platform improves transparency, supports smarter investment, and encourages innovation in Africa’s seed systems.

Jane Ininda, interim director at CESSA, said,“This catalogue is more than a digital tool—it’s a turning point for Africa’s seed systems. By bringing together reliable crop data, it supports better research, stronger policies, and fairer opportunities for farmers. It helps us build a more resilient and inclusive agricultural future.”

Threshing machines developed by Bishoftu Polytechnic.

Bishoftu Polytechnic College in Ethiopia is making significant contributions to the country's agricultural modernisation by developing locally made threshing machines

These machines aim to boost post-harvest productivity and reduce farmers' reliance on expensive imported equipment.

Workaferaw Shafi, a trainer at the college, told The Ethiopian Herald that this initiative is a direct response to the government's call for innovation-driven agricultural development. The college has designed and built a thresher capable of processing and cleaning 10 to 15 quintals of crops per hour. This locally fabricated machine provides an affordable and efficient alternative to the costly combine harvesters often used by farmers.

Workaferaw said, "This machine performs all the essential functions of a combine but at a fraction of the cost. It opens up enormous opportunities for small and medium-scale farmers to improve efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand their operations."

The rising costs of imported combines have become a heavy burden for many Ethiopian farmers. By producing agricultural machinery locally, Bishoftu Polytechnic is reducing these financial challenges and fostering a generation of homegrown innovators who can address the country's agricultural needs.

Workaferaw emphasised that the college's efforts align with Ethiopia’s national priorities of accelerating agricultural development and ensuring food security. "We are committed to empowering farmers with affordable and practical tools that meet their everyday needs. Our work goes hand in hand with the government's strategy to modernise agriculture and create self-reliant farming communities," he said.

In addition to machinery development, the college collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture to offer training in compost fertilizer application and entrepreneurial skills. These initiatives help farmers increase their productivity and adopt more sustainable farming practices. The college also invests in research and development, focusing on both pre-harvest and post-harvest technologies to address challenges in the agricultural sector.

Workaferaw also highlighted the importance of vocational education and training (TVET) in driving economic growth. "Participation in national skills competitions enables the institution to showcase its innovations while demonstrating that TVET can play a pivotal role in solving real-world problems and driving economic growth.We believe that every stakeholder has a responsibility to help transform Ethiopia's agricultural landscape.With the right investment in technical education and innovation, we can unlock the full potential of our agriculture and improve the livelihoods of countless farmers," Workaferaw added. 

Bishoftu Polytechnic College is emerging as a model institution, showing how technical education and innovation can contribute to Ethiopia’s development and rural prosperity.

Revolutionise your sowing with the new LEMKEN Solitair PT! ((Image credit: LEMKEN)

The new LEMKEN Solitair PT is a high-performance drill combination with a power harrow, designed for professionals who demand efficiency and precision in a variety of soil conditions

Perfect for farmers and contractors, this machine sets new standards in sowing with its exceptional seedbed preparation, ease of use, and versatility.

Optimised seedbed preparation with power harrow

A good seedbed is essential for even crop emergence, and the Solitair PT excels here. It comes with the Zirkon power harrow, featuring four tine carriers per metre of working width. The harrow's unique tine layout, combined with hydraulic depth adjustment as standard, ensures consistent soil crumbling and flow in all conditions. The working depth, rotor speed, and forward speed can all be individually adjusted, enabling the machine to work both quickly and shallow or deeply and thoroughly, depending on soil type and tillage needs. The levelling bar can be adjusted either hydraulically or mechanically for consistent, high-quality results.

Tank options to suit every need

To boost efficiency, the Solitair PT is equipped with large-capacity metal tanks. You can choose between a single tank with 4,400-litre capacity or a double tank with 5,100 litres (40:60 split). Built with corrosion-resistant parts and an integrated agitator shaft, the modular metering system ensures reliable operation, even with different seeds or fertilisers.

Precision sowing with OptiDisc coulter bar

The Solitair PT features a high-quality coulter bar with parallelogram-guided double disc coulters, available in OptiDisc M (up to 45 kg coulter pressure) or OptiDisc H (up to 70 kg coulter pressure). The coulter pressure can be adjusted either mechanically or hydraulically, independent of seed depth, making it ideal for varying soil conditions and high-speed operations. To improve seed placement, the machine also includes a pre-running trapeze packer roller that ensures optimal seed-to-soil contact, promoting fast and uniform crop emergence.

Designed for practicality and flexibility

The Solitair PT is designed for ease of use in everyday farming tasks. Its long drawbar allows tight turns, even with large tractors. Additional tools like leading tyre packers, wheel mark eradicator discs, and tractor wheel mark eradicators provide further adaptability for any situation.

The LEMKEN Solitair PT is a future-oriented, reliable seed drill that offers precision, flexibility, and top-quality results. It is an excellent choice for arable farmers and contractors who demand the best performance in their sowing operations.