In The Spotlight

Cotton farmers are seeing their livelihoods transformed through the adoption of climate-smart farming techniques.
In rural Zambia, cotton farmers are seeing their livelihoods transformed through the adoption of climate-smart farming techniques.
Thanks to a partnership involving the European Union, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, and the International Trade Centre (ITC), farming communities in Magoye and Ngwezi have more than doubled their cotton yields and significantly improved their quality of life.
Prior to 2021, smallholder cotton farmers in these regions faced increasingly poor harvests, depleted soils, and little access to sustainable agricultural practices. Today, through the ITC-led EU/ACP-funded project, those same farmers are thriving. Many have reported increased cotton yields, from as few as six bales per season to as many as 30. This jump in productivity has enabled them to reinvest in livestock, education, and their future resilience.
At the heart of this transformation are two natural and environmentally sound soil enhancement methods: Biochar and Bokashi. These techniques have played a major role in regenerating soil fertility and improving crop health. Biochar enhances the soil’s ability to retain water and store carbon, while Bokashi allows farmers to convert organic waste into a nutrient-rich compost that feeds crops and reduces reliance on chemical inputs. Both approaches are sustainable, cost-effective, and well-suited to the local environment.
The project, running from 2021 to 2025, has so far trained over 130,000 farmers across three regions in Zambia. In the pilot plots, there has been 100% adoption of Biochar, Bokashi, and other climate-resilient methods. The results have been striking-not only in terms of agricultural yield but also in wider social and economic impact. Families are now investing in cows, goats, and plough animals. Household incomes have grown, and many families are now able to afford school fees and improve access to education for their children.
By adopting these climate-smart techniques, farmers have been able to secure their livelihoods and build long-term resilience in the face of climate change. The success of the project highlights the power of combining traditional knowledge with innovative, sustainable farming practices. It also underscores the importance of collaboration between international organisations and local communities.
This shift is more than just agricultural-it’s about empowerment, economic independence, and environmental responsibility. Through tools like Biochar and Bokashi, Zambian cotton farmers are not only rebuilding their soils but also their futures.

The FAO Food Price Index, a key benchmark that monitors monthly changes in globally traded food commodity prices,.
Global food commodity prices edged higher in July 2025, according to the latest FAO Food Price Index, which averaged 130.1 points—an increase of 1.6 percent from June.
This rise was mainly fuelled by higher international prices for meat and vegetable oils. Despite the month-on-month gain, the index remains significantly lower than its all-time peak in March 2022, down 18.8 percent, though it stands 7.6 percent above levels recorded in July 2024.
The FAO Food Price Index, a key benchmark that monitors monthly changes in globally traded food commodity prices, showed mixed movements across its sub-indices. While meat and vegetable oils posted noticeable gains, cereals, dairy and sugar recorded modest declines.
The FAO Cereal Price Index dipped to 106.5 points in July, a decrease of 0.8 percent from June. Falling prices for wheat and sorghum led the decline, outweighing slight increases in maize and barley. Wheat prices softened due to the arrival of new seasonal harvests across the northern hemisphere, although weather-related concerns in North America provided some underlying support. Meanwhile, the FAO All Rice Price Index fell by 1.8 percent, with the drop attributed to robust export availability and tepid global demand.
Vegetable oils saw the sharpest rise among the food groups, with the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index climbing 7.1 percent to 166.8 points—the highest level in three years. Palm oil led the increase, driven by solid global demand and competitive pricing. Soy oil prices strengthened on expectations of continued biofuel demand in the Americas, while sunflower oil rose due to limited export supplies from the Black Sea region. Rapeseed oil, however, declined as new crops entered the European market.
The FAO Meat Price Index reached an all-time high of 127.3 points, rising 1.2 percent from the previous month. Strong demand from China and the United States pushed up prices for bovine and ovine meat. Poultry prices also saw a slight boost after Brazil regained its avian influenza-free status, encouraging trade. On the other hand, pig meat prices dropped, reflecting ample supply and reduced demand, particularly within the EU.
Dairy prices edged down slightly, with the FAO Dairy Price Index registering a 0.1 percent decline to 155.3 points. Prices for butter and milk powders fell due to healthy export volumes and lacklustre demand, especially in Asia. Cheese, however, bucked the trend, supported by firm demand from Asian and Near East markets and tighter EU export availability.
The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 103.3 points in July, down 0.2 percent. This marks the fifth month of decline, as expectations of a production rebound in key producers—Brazil, India, and Thailand—weighed on prices. However, signs of recovering global sugar imports helped ease the fall.
The Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) is set to take over the management of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI-NPK) Limited, as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) prepares to exit its co-management role by November.
The handover is part of a transition strategy aimed at ensuring continuity and greater efficiency in Nigeria’s fertiliser value chain.
A stakeholders' meeting held in Abuja brought together Armstrong Takang, MOFI CEO, and Aminu Umar-Sadiq, NSIA CEO, alongside officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, FEPSAN (Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria), and other private sector players. The gathering focused on how to maintain momentum and build on the initiative's successes.
Takang highlighted the progress the PFI has made in transforming Nigeria’s fertiliser ecosystem. “Over the years, the PFI-NPK programme has played a role in transforming Nigeria's fertiliser ecosystem, from expanding domestic blending capacity to enhancing farmers' access to quality fertilisers and advancing national food security objectives.”
He stressed the importance of continuous stakeholder collaboration, added, “The 2025 PFI-NPK Stakeholders' Roundtable, themed: 'PFI: A journey of Reform, Partnership and Transition', was carefully chosen to appreciate stakeholders for their long-standing commitment to the PFI, and to also serve as a reminder to all parties that the journey ahead requires even greater effort if more remarkable successes are to be recorded.”
Takang also addressed concerns over fertiliser adulteration and raw material diversion. He said, “We will put in a place a traceability mechanism through which we will be able to trace the raw materials that are imported to the point of production of the fertilisers and we will follow the fertilisers from the plants to the farmers who are the end-users.”
He called on fertiliser blenders to take part in self-regulation, added, “Adulteration affects their businesses, so they have a responsibility to self-regulate and see to it that no one is allowed to do anything that compromises the quality of fertilisers.”
MOFI is committed to supporting PFI-NPK Limited through its management company, ensuring continued growth and sustainability.
Aminu Umar-Sadiq, NSIA CEO, noted the PFI’s achievements since its 2016 launch, especially the increase in fertiliser blending plants from four to 92 nationwide. He said,“The PFI is a model of what collaboration between public institutions, and the private sector can achieve. We remain committed to strategic partnerships that enhance positive socio-economic outcomes for Nigerians.”
Originally established to stimulate local fertiliser production, ensure affordability for farmers, and boost food security, the PFI is now entering a new phase aimed at deeper reform and expansion under MOFI’s full leadership.
Visitor registration is now open for VIV MEA 2025, the region’s leading trade exhibition for the animal husbandry and agribusiness sector
Taking place from 25-27 November 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event will bring together global industry professionals from across the animal protein supply chain.
Firmly established as the go-to platform for the Middle East and Africa’s animal farming sector, VIV MEA covers every link from feed to food.
This upcoming edition will feature more than 500 exhibitors and welcome over 10,000 visitors for three days of business networking, product launches, and expert-led discussions on topics including animal health, sustainable farming, biosecurity, and production efficiency.
VIV MEA 2025 will showcase a comprehensive range of animal sectors including poultry, dairy, cattle, fish, goats, camels, eggs, and calves. New for this edition is the Aquatic Pavilion, a dedicated space highlighting solutions for aquaculture.
Key sessions include the Aquatic Conference (taking place the day before the show), AgriBITs (focusing on agri-tech innovation), and the 4th Poultry Marketing Roundtable (PMRT) on 26 November.
A press statement from the organisers said that with its world-class infrastructure, Abu Dhabi serves as the ideal host city, offering a strategic gateway to regional markets and a vibrant destination for international visitors.
Early registration allows attendees to skip queues, access updates, and start connecting with exhibitors and speakers ahead of time. "With its strong regional focus and international reach, the show serves as a vital meeting point to forge partnerships, discover innovations, and shape the future of food production in the Middle East and Africa," the statement added.
Last year, VIV Africa featured 40 specialised sessions, practical workshops and networking opportunities. The event underscored its growing significance as a key platform for advancing the future of African animal protein production, and brought together industry professionals, thought leaders, local youth and innovators to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and showcase the latest trends and developments in animal husbandry and agricultural scene. VIV Africa was hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre from 2-3 October.
As poultry farming continues to transition toward antibiotic-free systems, maintaining gut health has become a growing challenge.
The removal of antibiotics has led to increased issues such as dysbiosis, leaky gut, and enteric diseases, particularly during the early days of a chick’s life—a critical window for gut development and immune system establishment.
Several factors contribute to poor gut health in modern poultry systems. Feed ingredients contaminated with mycotoxins or anti-nutritional compounds can damage the intestinal lining and trigger chronic inflammation. Infections such as Clostridium perfringens and the growing resistance to anticoccidial drugs further aggravate the situation by compromising gut tissue and encouraging pathogenic growth. Environmental stressors like heat, overcrowding, transport, and feed transitions weaken the birds' natural defenses. In addition, rapid flock turnover creates instability, reducing the time for recovery and adaptation, which leaves birds more vulnerable to gut-related illnesses.
To address these challenges, nutritionists and poultry health experts are increasingly turning to biotic-based strategies. Among them, postbiotics, and in particular tributyrin, have emerged as a powerful tool for supporting gut health without the need for antibiotics. Tributyrin is a stable form of butyric acid that delivers direct benefits to the intestinal tract. It reaches the lower gut, where it plays a crucial role in strengthening the gut wall, reducing inflammation, and suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria by lowering intestinal pH. Unlike raw butyric acid, tributyrin has no offensive odor and is more effective thanks to its targeted delivery and greater stability during feed processing.
Tributyrin also enhances nutrient absorption and feed efficiency, supporting better weight gain and overall bird performance. Its unique ability to provide energy to intestinal cells while modulating the immune response makes it a valuable component in antibiotic-free poultry systems. When used alongside other biotics—such as prebiotics that feed beneficial bacteria and probiotics that introduce competitive microbes-tributyrin helps restore microbial balance and repair gut integrity from multiple angles.
The benefits of tributyrin are significantly enhanced when paired with Gastrointestinal Environment Harmonization (GEH) technology. GEH ensures controlled release and targeted action within specific regions of the gut, increasing the effectiveness of tributyrin while also protecting other biotic components through feed processing and digestion.
As the poultry industry continues to pursue sustainable and profitable production, tributyrin represents a critical advancement in gut health management. Its ability to reinforce the gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve performance-all without antibiotics-makes it an essential solution for modern poultry nutrition strategies focused on bird welfare, productivity, and long-term viability.
Kenya and Iran have agreed to form a joint committee that will work to eliminate trade barriers and clear the way for the lifting of a ban on Kenyan tea exports to Iran within 60 days.
This decision was made during the 7th Session of the Kenya-Iran Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) held in Nairobi, co-chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Iran’s Minister of Agricultural Jihad, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezalcheh.
The move follows a trade scandal involving a Kenyan firm, Cup of Joe Limited, which led to the diplomatic fallout and subsequent ban. The company was found guilty of importing low-quality tea, blending it, and re-exporting the product to Iran as premium Kenyan tea. This fraudulent act not only violated trade ethics but also compromised the credibility of Kenya’s globally respected tea brand. As a result, the Tea Board of Kenya has deregistered the company, and it now faces prosecution.
Senator Mutahi Kagwe, agriculture and livestock development cabinet secretary, emphasised that new regulatory measures will be introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future. “Kenya’s tea sector is one of our largest foreign exchange earners, and we must protect it from unscrupulous traders who damage our reputation,” said the CS.
Iran ranks among the top ten importers of Kenyan tea. In 2024, it imported approximately 13 million kilogrammes, valued at KSh 4.26 billion, according to data from the Tea Board of Kenya. Pakistan remained the top importer, accounting for 34.7% of Kenya’s tea export volume, translating to over KSh 70 billion in revenue. Overall, Kenyan tea reached 96 international markets in 2024, up from 92 in the previous year. However, the ban by Iran has led to significant financial losses for Kenyan farmers and exporters, prompting urgent diplomatic action.
Other major export destinations for Kenyan tea include Egypt (86.9 million kg worth KSh 23.96 billion), the UK (57.44 million kg at KSh 16.99 billion), UAE (30.5 million kg valued at KSh 10.27 billion), Russia (28.46 million kg worth KSh 7.43 billion), and India (17.13 million kg valued at KSh 3.94 billion). Saudi Arabia and Yemen also continue to be significant markets.
The newly formed joint committee will develop a framework aimed at restoring trust and ensuring strict adherence to quality standards. Both nations are hopeful that this effort will lead to a full resumption of tea exports before the end of the 60-day timeline.
As Namibia gears up for the rollout of its Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), digital transformation stands out as one of the country’s most ambitious goals.
Although much of the public focus has been on food security, agriculture, and manufacturing, NDP6 quietly lays out a detailed strategy aimed at turning Namibia into a digital economy by 2030.
This transformation will touch all sectors—from classrooms and government departments to rural communities. The plan, which spans from 2025/26 to 2029/30, recognises digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and inclusive education as vital foundations for sustainable national development.
According to the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (IMEP), internet penetration is set to rise dramatically—from 53% today to 90% by 2030. The goal is to create a digitally connected society where improved access to technology, currently at 28%, will jump to 70%.
“By 2030, Namibia will be a player in the global digital economy,” the NDP6 IMEP states.
One of the centrepieces of this shift is the establishment of a National Data Centre, which will securely manage and store government information. The plan describes it as a core piece of national infrastructure, “supporting government operations, public services and private sector innovation.” It’s also a step toward securing data sovereignty, as it ensures sensitive national data remains within Namibian borders.
Cybersecurity is another critical area of focus. Namibia currently scores just 37 in cybersecurity readiness, but NDP6 is aiming to raise that to 65 by 2030. “To achieve this, Namibia will enact national cybersecurity legislation and strengthen the capacity of the Namibia Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (Nam-CSIRT),” the document states. Nam-CSIRT will be responsible for detecting and managing cyber threats across both public and private sectors.
Another major step is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity education in schools and universities. “The programme aims to support the development of AI and cybersecurity curriculum for basic and higher education institutions,” the plan outlines. This includes digital literacy training to help students understand emerging technologies and navigate digital risks.
The government also plans to close the digital gap between urban and rural communities. Underserved areas will receive upgraded broadband infrastructure, ICT-ready schools, and community internet hubs. “Namibia’s digital transformation cannot succeed if it excludes rural communities,” the strategy notes. “Affordable access, local content and digital inclusion will be the foundation of an equitable digital economy.”
Currently, just 13 public institutions offer digital services. NDP6 aims for 100% digitalisation of government services by 2029/30, enabling citizens to access essential public functions online. The implementation of the Access to Information Act will further support this goal, promoting transparent, efficient and responsive governance.