In The Spotlight

The new system aims to connect Kenyan coffee farmers directly with buyers both locally and internationally.
In a decisive move to reform its coffee sector, Kenya is preparing to roll out its first digital platform for trading agricultural produce
The new system, designed as an online auction, aims to connect Kenyan coffee farmers directly with buyers both locally and internationally eliminating the need for middlemen and breaking the grip of cartels that have historically dominated the market.
Mutahi Kagwe, agriculture and livestock development cabinet secretary, made it clear that the government is determined to end long-standing market manipulation. He stated, “Marketing cannot be done the same way year after year and expect different results it’s madness.” Kagwe added that transitioning the auction process online will give global buyers direct access, increasing transparency and reducing the influence of intermediaries.
The pilot phase of the initiative will be launched through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, a key player in the country’s coffee trade. The shift to digital trading is intended to open up Kenya’s coffee market to broader global competition and restore trust among international buyers. Kagwe highlighted that this modernisation could reinvigorate a sector whose earnings have dropped sharply from a peak of US$100bn to just US$40bn last year. He cited low yields, poor management, and exploitative intermediaries as major factors behind the decline.
To tackle these challenges, the government is rolling out a robust revival programme that includes increasing coffee acreage, improving productivity, and deploying agricultural extension officers. The goal is to increase per-tree yields from 3 kg to 30 kg, drastically enhancing output at the farm level.
Wycliffe Oparanya, cabinet secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs, revealed plans to triple Kenya’s coffee production from 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes within three years. Already, 22 counties are participating in the programme, and 1,176 cooperative factories are being upgraded to process coffee more efficiently.
Ensuring that farmers benefit directly from their labour is also a priority. Through the new Direct Settlement System (DSS), operated by Cooperative Bank, 80% of coffee sales revenue now goes straight to farmers. Over 200 cooperatives have already been enrolled in the scheme.
At the international level, Kagwe announced that Kenya will present proposals at the World Food Forum in Rome, calling for more autonomy and fairer trade terms for African coffee producers. With its digital auction platform and sector-wide reforms, Kenya is aiming to build a transparent, farmer-first coffee industry that rewards productivity and integrity.

This initiative targets the sorghum value chain, a vital component of climate-resilient agriculture in the country.
In a strategic move to strengthen Zimbabwe’s food systems and improve smallholder livelihoods, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), alongside the Government of Zimbabwe and private sector collaborators, has launched the pilot phase of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Pillar 3 (FARM P3)
This initiative targets the sorghum value chain, a vital component of climate-resilient agriculture in the country.
Sorghum is one of Zimbabwe’s most dependable crops in drought-prone regions. However, many small-scale farmers struggle to maximise its potential due to labour-intensive processing methods, post-harvest losses of up to 30%, and limited access to consistent markets. These barriers often result in reduced profitability and poor-quality outputs that don’t meet buyer requirements.
“Sorghum could be central to building Zimbabwe’s climate resilience, but it remains underutilised. By engaging private-sector partners from the start, the FARM P3 pilot opens a pathway to overcome these challenges and spread benefits across the country, supporting small-scale farmers to become more productive and more prosperous,” said Alex Nyakatsapa, the senior value chain and agribusiness advisor of SACP.
The FARM P3 pilot introduces mobile threshing and other smart mechanisation tools to smallholder farming communities. These innovations aim to cut losses, improve harvest efficiency, and connect farmers with formal markets and processors. The approach also includes the promotion of youth-led service enterprises and robust public-private partnerships to deliver sustainable results.
Over the course of 12 months, the project is expected to work with around 6,000 smallholder farmers across key sorghum-growing areas and support 50 service providers, including young entrepreneurs and progressive farmers. These providers will receive mentorship to develop business models, access funding, and become part of structured value chains. Importantly, the pilot does not deliver the services directly, but instead creates the necessary environment for these services to flourish independently.
“Through FARM P3 we not only test equipment that raises smallholder incomes in Zimbabwe, but also work with buyers, financial institutions, youth entrepreneurs and farmers to build business models that create jobs and make mechanization affordable, profitable, and sustainable,” said Francesco Rispoli, IFAD country director.
With climate change placing increasing pressure on African agriculture, initiatives like FARM P3 offer a timely, scalable solution to both food insecurity and rural poverty.

Modern greenhouses will allow the continuous cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables throughout the year.
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has commenced the construction of 50 advanced greenhouse facilities in Abuja, as part of a national strategy to revolutionise vegetable farming, increase food supply, and empower youth and women through president Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Speaking during an inspection of the site at the University of Abuja’s Faculty of Agriculture, Cornelius Adebayo, NALDA’s executive secretary, explained that the Abuja greenhouse cluster follows the model already implemented in Sagamu, Ogun State. This initiative is aimed at driving sustainable food production through climate-resilient agriculture and offering job opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Adebayo highlighted that these modern greenhouses will allow the continuous cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables throughout the year. Operating in a fully controlled environment, these facilities are designed to ensure consistent supply, improved quality, and lower prices for consumers.
“This greenhouse is more than just a structure; it’s a sanctuary for plants, where environmental conditions are meticulously controlled to optimise growth year-round,” he said. “Within its transparent walls, a diverse range of crops will flourish, shielded from harsh weather and pests.”
As part of the programme’s long-term impact, NALDA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Abuja to involve students and agricultural graduates in the management and operation of the facility. They will undergo specialised training to equip them with hands-on experience in smart farming techniques and modern greenhouse management.
Each greenhouse site includes key infrastructure such as a cold room, packing house, and a solar-powered borehole to support efficient irrigation and post-harvest handling. These elements are intended to minimise losses and ensure high-quality produce reaches local markets.
The Abuja cluster is expected to meet the vegetable demands of the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding areas, while the Sagamu facility will serve Lagos and the South-West region. Additionally, NALDA has announced plans to cultivate at least 10 hectares of open-field vegetables in every federal constituency nationwide.
Describing the project as a game-changer for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, Adebayo emphasised NALDA’s commitment to making the country self-reliant in vegetable production, while providing sustainable livelihoods for thousands of young farmers and women involved in agriculture.
Following the success of its 2025 edition, HortiFlora is transitioning from a biennial to an annual event
The decision reflects the growing international interest and expanding role of Ethiopia in the global horticultural industry. According to Dick Van Raamsdonk of HPP Worldwide, “Given the increasing international interest and significance of the event, HortiFlora will now have a transition from a biennial trade show to an annual one.”
This year’s trade show, held in Addis Ababa from April 1st to 3rd, saw a record turnout and a noticeable international presence, especially from the Middle East. Van Raamsdonk expressed his satisfaction, saying, “It was a highly successful event, featuring a record-breaking 140 exhibitors, stunning stands, and a consistent flow of visitors, including a strong international presence, particularly from the Middle East.”
For the first time, the event showcased not just flowers but also fruits and vegetables, which marked a significant development for the show. “The inclusion of fruit and vegetable growers alongside the traditional floral exhibitors significantly expanded the event’s scope.” This broader focus reflects the growing importance of Ethiopia’s horticultural sector, which now includes a wide variety of fresh produce.
The move to an annual schedule is expected to benefit the industry in several ways. As Van Raamsdonk said, “With Ethiopia’s rising production of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables, an annual event will further strengthen the country’s export potential, stimulate its economy, and foster continued growth in the horticultural sector’s employment.”
Organised in close cooperation with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA), HortiFlora has seen steady growth over the past 20 years. The next edition is already set for March 24-26, 2026, again in Addis Ababa, and is expected to attract even more participants as the show continues to gain traction globally.
By becoming an annual event, HortiFlora is positioning itself as a key platform for international trade, innovation, and collaboration in one of Africa’s fastest-growing agricultural sectors.
In 2019, South Africa’s Poultry Sector Master Plan (PSMP) was launched with bold ambitions: to protect the industry from dumped imports, boost local production, grow exports, create jobs, and expand black ownership.
Six years later, while the vision still resonates, the momentum behind it is fading.
The PSMP was designed as a joint public–private effort to rebuild the country’s broiler value chain, which had suffered years of damage from unfair trade. It focused on five key pillars: enforcing trade remedies, stimulating local demand and production, expanding exports, supporting transformation, and improving governance through a dedicated oversight council.
In its early phase, the plan showed real promise. The poultry industry responded quickly, committing over R2.2 billion in new investments — surpassing the initial R1.5 billion target. Trade measures, supported by bird flu outbreaks abroad, began to reduce dumped imports, offering local producers some relief.
Major producers expanded operations, onboarded contract growers, and created jobs. Emerging farmers were integrated into formal value chains through offtake agreements, marking visible progress in transformation. These developments proved that when government and industry worked in sync, results followed.
But since the last election, progress has stalled. Responsibility for the PSMP was shifted to deputy ministers, and political attention drifted. While government leaders, including Gauteng MEC Ramokgopa and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, have reaffirmed their commitment — citing new financial packages, bird flu vaccination plans, and improved cold chains — much of it remains on paper.
Exports, a cornerstone of the plan, are still blocked by red tape. Negotiations with key markets like the EU, UAE, and Saudi Arabia have made little headway. Veterinary labs remain underfunded and understaffed, delaying health certification. As one insider put it, “Exports die in the lab. Producers are ready, but the paperwork isn’t.”
The plan also promised blended finance to help small and black-owned producers scale up. Yet funding access remains limited, and government-imposed conditions on vaccine rollouts have made key health programmes unaffordable and impractical for producers.
Ultimately, the Master Plan was never meant to be carried by the private sector alone. It’s a shared compact — one that depends on both sides delivering. The poultry industry has largely honoured its commitments. Now, government must match that effort with urgent, transparent and time-bound action.
South Africa’s poultry sector still holds massive potential — for rural jobs, food security, black empowerment and export growth. But unless government moves beyond promises to delivery, the PSMP risks becoming a cautionary tale of plans made, but not kept.
Katsina State is preparing to roll out a major agricultural initiative as part of a broader development agenda, with the launch of a dedicated radio station for farmers taking centre stage
This key project was unveiled during the official visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday.
The new radio station, tailored specifically for farmers, is aimed at providing vital agricultural information and real-time support to help improve productivity and decision-making on the farm.
Ahmed Bakori, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Livestock, speaking on the development said, “The radio platform will allow farmers to communicate freely and receive expert guidance, complementing the services of extension workers and the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA).”
The initiative is part of the state’s wider efforts to modernise agriculture by enhancing access to farming inputs, equipment, and specialised training. The radio station will serve as a reliable channel for advice on pest control, crop management, livestock care, market access, and government farming programmes especially for smallholder farmers in rural areas who rely heavily on radio for information.
This move reflects Katsina’s strong focus on improving agricultural extension services and ensuring farmers receive up-to-date, localised support without the need to travel or wait for in-person visits.
In addition to the agricultural initiative, the Vice President will also commission a range of infrastructure projects during his visit. This includes a newly completed 3.3-kilometre road within Katsina metropolis, linking the Central Mosque to the WTC roundabout, built at a cost of US1.9bn. Alhaji Sani Magaji-Ingawa, Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transportation, confirmed the project’s completion ahead of the visit.
Also on the agenda is the formal opening of the 9th Expanded National MSMEs Clinic. Aisha Aminu, Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA), revealed that this initiative highlights the government’s ongoing push to support small businesses and promote economic inclusion.
With these developments, Katsina State is clearly prioritising agriculture and rural development, providing farmers with tools, training, and a voice to drive sustainable growth in the sector.
The TopCut system by Züern Harvesting is an innovative solution designed to improve the efficiency and precision of harvesting tall, deep-rooted crops such as cereal grains and grass-based crops
Aimed at conventional farming, this system uses advanced cutting technology to streamline the harvesting process, benefiting both farmers and the environment.
A standout feature of the TopCut system is its cutting mechanism, which harvests crops at an optimal height, generally above the root zone. This method reduces soil disturbance, preventing unnecessary damage to plants and improving the overall quality of the harvested crop. By cutting at this higher level, it also protects the root system, especially in crops that grow in deeper soils, ensuring minimal disruption and stress to the plant.
The TopCut system is designed to be compatible with a variety of harvester types, making it easy for farmers to integrate with their existing machinery. This versatility is particularly valuable for large-scale, high-output farming operations, where efficiency is key. Additionally, the system includes a cleaning mechanism that removes contaminants from the crops during harvest, reducing the need for extensive post-harvest processing.
From an environmental perspective, the TopCut system plays a role in promoting sustainability. By cutting crops at the right height, it helps minimise the need for excessive tillage, which in turn reduces soil erosion and preserves the soil’s natural structure. Maintaining the integrity of the root zone also supports healthier crop growth in the following seasons, contributing to a more sustainable farming cycle.
In essence, the TopCut system offers a forward-thinking approach to crop harvesting, balancing efficiency, quality, and environmental sustainability. Its precision cutting technology, ease of integration with existing equipment, and focus on long-term agricultural productivity make it a valuable tool for modern farming.