In The Spotlight
MATI and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a five-year agreement to study the potential of crushed basalt in African farming systems. (Image source: CGIAR)
African farmers face mounting pressure from declining soil fertility, rising input costs and more challenging growing conditions
Improving soil health while managing input costs is an important part of building more resilient farming systems. Enhanced rock weathering is attracting attention as a potential option, involving the application of crushed rock to agricultural land to improve soil conditions and potentially remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
MATI and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a five-year agreement to study the potential of crushed basalt in African farming systems. Signed at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, on 11 November, the partnership will support field trials in Kenya and Nigeria to assess its effects on soil health, crop performance and fertiliser use.
How crushed basalt could benefit agricultural soils
Basalt contains minerals that can be released into the soil as the rock gradually weathers. Applying crushed basalt to farmland could help address soil acidity and supply nutrients, potentially improving conditions for crop growth. The weathering process can also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through natural chemical reactions.
However, the agricultural value of the approach will depend on how it performs across different soil types, crops and growing conditions. The IITA trials will assess changes in soil health and crop productivity, including how rock dust performs alongside reduced applications of synthetic fertiliser.
The research will help establish which soil types and farming systems are best suited to the approach, alongside the application rates needed to achieve measurable results. The findings could provide a basis for recommendations tailored to local agricultural conditions.
Research findings could inform farmer advisory services
The partnership will connect the trials with two CGIAR Science Programs. The Sustainable Farming Program, which works with national partners in more than 20 countries, will help link the findings with agricultural advisory services and soil health solutions for smallholder farmers.
The Climate Action Program will connect the research with efforts to help farming systems adapt to heat and drought, reduce emissions and inform climate-related policy and financing decisions.
John Choptiany, IITA's Resilience and Climate Adaptation Program Lead, said the trials would help determine whether rock dust could enable farmers to get more value from fertiliser and maintain harvests under difficult weather conditions.
The agreement also includes capacity building with national research institutions, data sharing, scientific publications and joint fundraising. Involving local research partners will be important in assessing how the results apply to different farming systems.
Indian results provide a starting point, not an African benchmark
MATI reports that it is working with over 35,000 farmers and has facilitated the application of over 350,000 tonnes of rock dust across seven countries.
In a 2025 comparison involving 235 farmer fields across four Indian states, MATI reported a median grain yield increase of 25% in rice fields treated with rock dust compared with untreated plots. The result offers a basis for further investigation, but it does not establish the likely performance of the material in Africa. Soil composition, crop varieties, climate and application methods can all influence outcomes.
MATI began work in Zambia in 2023. The partnership with IITA is intended to build on its regional experience through structured trials under African agricultural conditions.
Field evidence will determine the way forward
For enhanced rock weathering to become a practical option for African farmers, researchers will need to establish whether its benefits are consistent and economically viable. The availability and cost of crushed basalt, transport requirements and application methods will also influence its adoption.
MATI won the $50 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal Grand Prize in 2025, recognising its work in carbon removal. Its collaboration with IITA will now investigate whether the approach can deliver measurable agricultural benefits under African conditions.
The findings could help determine where crushed basalt is suitable for agricultural use, how it should be applied and whether its benefits justify the cost of adoption. Locally validated evidence will be essential before rock dust can be considered a practical addition to existing soil-management strategies.
Ekiti State is looking to scale up its poultry industry, with plans to raise one million birds annually
Ekiti State is looking to scale up its poultry industry, with plans to raise one million birds annually through expanded farm infrastructure and the integration of existing broiler producers
The initiative is part of the state's efforts to increase livestock production, improve domestic food supplies and attract investment into poultry farming. A key part of the plan is the Poultry Hub in Emure-Ekiti, which is expected to provide additional capacity for commercial production.
The state's Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, outlined the production ambition during an inspection of the facility in Emure Local Government Area. He said the hub would contribute to the government's wider livestock development programme.
Emure poultry hub provides capacity for expansion
The facility has space for 30,000 birds, with five poultry units designed to accommodate 6,000 birds each. While its capacity represents only part of the state's one-million-bird ambition, the hub is expected to serve as an important production centre within a wider network of poultry farms.
The government also plans to bring existing producers under the Ekiti Broiler Production Scheme (EBOPs) into the initiative. According to Boluwade, the Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project will facilitate the integration through cooperative arrangements.
The proposed model will allow participating poultry clusters to operate within a more coordinated framework. Bringing established producers into the programme also gives the state a way to build on existing farming activity alongside the capacity provided by the Emure facility.
Poultry growth could benefit farmers and supporting businesses
Expanding broiler production has implications beyond the number of birds raised. Increased farm activity can generate demand for poultry feed, veterinary services, equipment, transportation, processing and distribution.
Olayinka Adedipe, State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, said the Emure hub could stimulate investment and employment while creating opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and other businesses connected to the livestock sector.
For poultry farmers, participation in the expanding programme could provide opportunities to increase production and engage with a broader commercial network. Businesses supplying essential inputs and services may also benefit from greater activity across the sector.
The state expects higher output to improve the availability of poultry products for domestic consumption. Greater private-sector participation is another objective, as investment will be important in supporting the expansion of production beyond the capacity of government-backed facilities.
Emure community anticipates local economic benefits
The project is also expected to contribute to economic activity in its host community. The Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba James Ajiboye, welcomed the development, noting its potential to create employment and improve residents' livelihoods.
The monarch also highlighted the facility's contribution to agricultural development in the area, where increased commercial activity could provide opportunities for local residents.
Implementation will determine the scale of growth
Ekiti's one-million-bird ambition will depend on how effectively the state integrates existing poultry clusters with the Emure hub. The availability of suitable production infrastructure, participation from farmers and investment in supporting services will all influence the pace of expansion.
The initiative places broiler farming at the centre of the state's livestock development plans, with the intended benefits extending from poultry production to employment and local business activity. Its progress will provide a clearer indication of how far the cooperative approach can help Ekiti expand its poultry industry.
The potential of waste valorisation came into focus at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy.
Agricultural and food-processing residues are increasingly being recognised as resources for producing biofertilisers and soil improvers
Agri-food waste valorisation offers a way to recover nutrients and organic matter from production residues, creating alternative agricultural inputs while reducing disposal. Converting residual biomass into commercially viable products, however, requires suitable processing technologies, effective supply chains and collaboration across the food and agricultural sectors.
The potential of waste valorisation came into focus at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy, where a workshop under the European DeliSoil project examined ways to convert agri-food by-products into useful agricultural products.
Held on 12 November, the third day of the agricultural machinery exhibition, the session titled ‘Biofertilisers from Residual Biomass’ brought together researchers, businesses and industry stakeholders to examine technological developments and practical approaches to resource recovery.
The event took place as part of DeliSoil, with the Italian Biomass Association (ITABIA), the Italian National Interuniversity Consortium for Environmental Sciences (CINSA) and the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) among the organisations involved.
Turning agri-food by-products into soil resources
The workshop covered different stages of the by-product value chain, from residue collection and processing to the production of soil improvers, biofertilisers and other agricultural products.
Discussions also addressed circular business models involving farms, food-processing companies and businesses in the bioeconomy sector. Stronger links between residue producers and processing businesses can help establish reliable supply chains and create routes for recovered materials to enter agricultural markets.
Recovering nutrients from food-processing residues also offers a way to diversify the sources of agricultural inputs while making better use of organic resources already available within food production systems.
DeliSoil advances circular approaches to soil improvement
The workshop provided an opportunity to share progress from DeliSoil, a Horizon Europe project running from June 2023 to May 2027. The initiative aims to develop safe, sustainable and tailored soil improvers by recovering and processing residues from food production. DeliSoil follows a multi-actor approach, bringing together stakeholders across five regional Living Labs to develop and test soil improvers made from food-processing by-products.
One area highlighted at EIMA was the conversion of residual biomass into biochar. Used as a soil amendment, biochar can improve soil properties and contribute to carbon storage, providing an additional application for organic materials that might otherwise be discarded.
Companies and start-ups also presented waste valorisation and nutrient recovery solutions, illustrating how research and technological innovation can translate into commercial applications.
Commercial cooperation remains essential for wider adoption
The workshop's closing roundtable focused on the economic and organisational challenges involved in bringing circular practices into wider use.
Participants considered barriers to adoption and the need for closer coordination between research institutions, businesses and public authorities. Beyond processing technology, wider implementation depends on commercially viable models, consistent access to residual materials and clear routes to market for the resulting products.
For farmers and food-processing businesses, investment decisions will also depend on the practical and economic performance of recovered soil inputs compared with existing alternatives.
Circular resource management can support healthier soils
The developments presented at EIMA 2026 highlighted the potential to connect food-industry waste recovery with agricultural soil management.
For projects such as DeliSoil, the wider opportunity lies in recovering nutrients and organic matter that can contribute to soil improvement while diversifying the range of agricultural inputs. Results from the project's five Living Labs will help assess the agronomic performance, environmental suitability and practical application of recycled soil improvers as the initiative moves towards completion in 2027.
Fliegl has expanded its portfolio with the TMK 200. (Image source: Fliegl)
Efficient material handling is essential to agricultural operations, where transport equipment must withstand demanding workloads while keeping operating costs manageable.
German agricultural machinery manufacturer Fliegl has expanded its portfolio with the TMK 200, a new tandem dump trailer that combines robust construction, practical functionality and an affordable price point.
Part of the company's new Fliegl ONE series, the TMK 200 made its public debut at EuroTier 2026, held from 10 to 13 November in Hanover, Germany. The launch marks an addition to Fliegl's range of cost-effective machinery for everyday agricultural applications.
TMK 200 combines durability with economical operation
The TMK 200 has a tapered, all-steel body and a hydraulic high-capacity tailgate for faster unloading. Its construction is intended to withstand the demands of regular agricultural transport, while the chassis and axle configuration contribute to stability and ride comfort.
Key specifications include:
-
Galvanised Profi chassis with parabolic suspension.
-
Jumbo Titan tandem axle assembly.
-
Hydraulic high-capacity tailgate.
-
40 km/h version.
-
Durable all-steel body.
Positioned as an entry-level model in the ONE series, the TMK 200 offers farmers a practical transport option. Fliegl also used the EuroTier launch to provide an initial look at the wider series, with further details unveiled at the exhibition.
Lightweight slurry tanker aims to minimise soil compaction
Fliegl's slurry technology line-up included the PFW POLY Line 9000 fitted with the SKATEMASTER 120 trailing shoe applicator.
With an unladen weight of approximately 4,700 kg, including the applicator depending on the equipment configuration, the machine ranks among the lightest in its class, according to the manufacturer. Its polyethylene tank, German-made, is paired with a high-performance Vogelsang pump and a compact chassis that improves manoeuvrability in the field.
The SKATEMASTER 120 incorporates foreign object separation, alongside a low oil requirement and reduced wear. Its accessible design also simplifies maintenance and servicing. For operations involving fibre-rich slurry, an optional 115 mm auger in the distributor increases cutting performance, helping achieve more effective material distribution.
Manure spreaders offer wider application capabilities
For solid organic fertiliser management, Fliegl's range includes the ASW 271 Taurus Fox push-off trailer fitted with the Profi Muck Control wide spreading unit. The attachment converts the trailer into a high-capacity manure spreader with a working width of up to 26 metres.
The KDS 255 Muck Control, a medium-sized chain manure spreader, offers another option for handling organic fertilisers. Its durable V2 chain and twin-disc spreading unit accommodate a variety of spreading materials, with the configuration intended to ensure uniform and precise application.
Accurate distribution is an important consideration in nutrient management, helping farmers make more effective use of organic fertilisers across their fields.
Forage harvesting and biogas equipment round out the portfolio
Fliegl Grünlandtechnik introduced a special Black Edition of its CARGOS forage wagon, distinguished by an exclusive black finish. The edition made its public debut at EuroTier and is available to order during a promotional period running from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027.
The company's wider line-up also includes the PolyPro biogas feeder with the MultiMix attachment for reliable feeding of biogas plants.
Meanwhile, the Fliegl Agro-Center showcased an updated 2527 yard loader, now available with a fully enclosed cab. Its compact design combines high lifting capacity and a low centre of gravity with versatile applications. The enclosed cab adds another level of comfort for operators during everyday use.
Practical machinery remains central to farm productivity
From agricultural transport and slurry application to forage harvesting and biogas feeding, Fliegl's latest developments address several requirements across modern farming operations.
The TMK 200's arrival in the ONE series strengthens the company's offering in agricultural transport, while its other machinery highlights the importance of efficient fertiliser handling, field application and material management. Together, these developments reflect Fliegl's continued focus on practical equipment that balances performance, operating costs and the demands of everyday farm work.
EuroTier 2026 will be focusing on intelligence in Animal Farming. (Image source: DLG)
Digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are gradually becoming common tools in the livestock industry to address challenges such as rising costs, labour shortages or animal welfare
As digital tools are optimising operations and resources while also monitoring animal health, EuroTier 2026 will be capturing this reality, demonstrating how intelligent and interconnected solutions can bring productivity, animal welfare and profitability together.
To drive an economically successful livestock operation, animals must be healthy and high-performing. This will ensure lower losses and disease incidents so that treatment is not needed as frequently, and production levels remain consistent.
This can be attained by increasing concentrate feeding levels, ensuring ruminant-appropriate nutrition, consistent feeding practices using high-quality feed components and a homogeneous ration.
In pig production, for example, early disease detection, continuous monitoring and proper herd management can reduce losses while cutting production costs and stabilising biological performance.
These activities are becoming easier than ever with the digitisation of processes. Farmers and producers don't have to worry about 24/7 monitoring as sensors, cameras and digital herd management systems have got them covered. And when these systems are deployed in an interconnected manner, they generate real-time data for prompt decision making. This eliminates the need for retrospective analysis as decisions can be made on the basis of the data at hand.
Automated systems for health, activity and behavioral monitoring can identify changes that may otherwise remain unnoticed until a later stage.
EuroTier 2026 will be focusing on intelligence in Animal Farming, presenting modern technologies that are revolutionising livestock production.
The Galion bale trailer has been designed as a low-loader. (Image source: Joskin)
A Joskin brand called Leboulch has expanded its machines range with the launch of the Galion bale trailer
The new model has been designed as a low-loader, keeping in mind user demand. It is equipped to meet diverse needs in both trailed and semi-mounted situations, with a width ranging from 6 to 11.7 m.
Manufactured at Leboulch's Normandy base, the new bale trailer comes with a first-of-its-kind lowered floor of just 110 cm height. The front and rear ladders with multiple positions make for a smooth transport, be the bales round or square.
If rounded, the ladders are 990 mm high, compared to 1,750 mm in the upright position. The Galion can also be equipped, as an option, with retractable side ladders with optional self-deploying extensions to cover a height of up to 367 cm.
The trailer is painted in Leboulch's signature colours. First, it receives a coat of 2K primer immediately after shot blasting, followed by a finish coat of 2K paint with a hammered effect. The turntable and ladders, meanwhile, are galvanised to ensure long-lasting protection against rust.
The Galion can be equipped with dual-line air or hydraulic brakes, which provide greater safety by locking the wheels when the user unhitches the trailer from the tractor. The braking system also allows to manually adjust the load to one of 3 settings: empty, half-loaded or fully loaded.
An automatic corrector, which calculates the vehicle's load, is also available to adjust the braking force according to the machine's inertia.
The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show will take place on 11 November.
As inhouse farming in aquatic systems becomes a practical business choice for fish farmers in these challenging times of climate change, DLG's Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show 2026 will feature sessions and presentations on salmon farming or shrimp production, among others
Fish farming systems will take centre stage, with the demonstration of a closed indoor salmon farm. Fish welfare and indoor seafood production topics will be discussed alongside an extensive report on saltwater recirculating systems for shrimp and giant grouper production.
“The key challenge for industrial-scale production is to be economically viable and competitive with imported products. We are very excited to follow the development of salmon production in the Allgäu region,” said Birgit Schmidt-Puckhaber, DLG project manager for Aquaculture.
Taking place on 11 November, the event will bring together operators and technology providers at the Inhouse Farming Expert Stage, exploring aquaculture from the perspectives of practice, research, technology and financing.
There will be a heightened focus on saltwater and freshwater aquaponics, including an indoor hydroponic system linked to seabream production and a vertical aquaponics system designed for urban environments.
The show comes at a time when global aquaculture production, including algae and aquatic plants, surpassed 100 million tonnes of aquatic organism. Commenting on these numbers from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Schmidt-Puckhaber said, “This is remarkable when compared with the decline in global capture fisheries.”
The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show takes place alongside EuroTier, also organised by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) in Hanover, Germany.
Innovations in feeding is a key area for improving economic efficiency.
Livestock industry platform, EuroTier 2026, will be organising the DLG Innovation Award EuroTier 2026, where an independent panel of experts will be evaluating industry relevant innovations based on practicality, animal welfare, labour efficiency, and environmental and energy efficiency
This year, the Innovation Award has been bestowed for solutions encompassing diverse industrial needs such as resource-efficient feeding and animal-monitoring sensors to automated barn control and climate adaptation, as well as new, integrated husbandry concepts. The common factor binding these innovative offerings is integration of animal welfare and health, reduced labour burdens, cost-effectiveness, and the efficient use of resources.
With 217 innovations submitted and 176 qualifying, as well as four gold and 27 silver medals, every technical developments honoured stands apart in practical application scopes. They reflect comprehensive development trends over individual product trends. The awards will be felicitating exhibitors from 10 different markets across three continents.
Innovations in feeding is a key area for improving economic efficiency and sustainability. As animal-related sensors are becoming integral to digital barns, a shift is visible from mere monitoring to preventative and automated control.
Future-oriented livestock management systems are integrated to include link sensors, control systems, actuators and workflows that operate independently of the manufacturer, optimising workload as well as resource utilisation.
Artificial intelligence, bots, imaging techniques and health monitoring are defining today's digital herd management systems. Modern sensors and cameras are gathering ever more information on behaviour, performance, health and animal welfare, enabling the early detection of diseases and abnormalities, as well as more targeted breeding and management decisions.
EuroTier will be on from 10–13 November in Hanover, Germany. (Image source: DLG)
Agritechnica 2027 is built to connect agricultural intelligence.
The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show will take place on 11 November.
As inhouse farming in aquatic systems becomes a practical business choice for fish farmers in these challenging times of climate change, DLG's Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show 2026 will feature sessions and presentations on salmon farming or shrimp production, among others
Fish farming systems will take centre stage, with the demonstration of a closed indoor salmon farm. Fish welfare and indoor seafood production topics will be discussed alongside an extensive report on saltwater recirculating systems for shrimp and giant grouper production.
“The key challenge for industrial-scale production is to be economically viable and competitive with imported products. We are very excited to follow the development of salmon production in the Allgäu region,” said Birgit Schmidt-Puckhaber, DLG project manager for Aquaculture.
Taking place on 11 November, the event will bring together operators and technology providers at the Inhouse Farming Expert Stage, exploring aquaculture from the perspectives of practice, research, technology and financing.
There will be a heightened focus on saltwater and freshwater aquaponics, including an indoor hydroponic system linked to seabream production and a vertical aquaponics system designed for urban environments.
The show comes at a time when global aquaculture production, including algae and aquatic plants, surpassed 100 million tonnes of aquatic organism. Commenting on these numbers from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Schmidt-Puckhaber said, “This is remarkable when compared with the decline in global capture fisheries.”
The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show takes place alongside EuroTier, also organised by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) in Hanover, Germany.
Ekiti State is looking to scale up its poultry industry, with plans to raise one million birds annually
EuroTier 2026 will be focusing on intelligence in Animal Farming. (Image source: DLG)
Bambara groundnuts, an underrated African crop, can potentially diversify crop production and significantly contribute to food security, as per scientists' studies conducted on indigenous crops
Simulate 49 growing seasons based on 50 years of climate and soil data, scientists have found October to be the ideal time for the highest yields as it marks the onset of monsoon in the region. Planting any later than that exposes the crop to frost, reducing growth potential.
As climate change and drought are increasingly affecting the growth of mainstream crops like maize, wheat and rice, indigenous crops are emerging as the best alternatives because of its high drought tolerance capacity.
Crops like bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea) are nutrient-rich, carrying vital minerals, including fiber, protein and zinc, iron and calcium.
Researcher Richard Kunz stressed on the urgency of educating farmers about different kinds of indigenous crops to build climate resilience.
Using the Food and Agriculture Organization AquaCrop model, the scientists simulated growing conditions across 5,838 altitude zones in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, accounting for daily rainfall, air temperature, water retention, planting dates and plant density. The model analyzed growing seasons from 1950 to 1999.
“Our research stops smallholders from gambling their livelihoods on land suitability maps based on long-term climate averages, giving them and extension officers practical advice to ensure reliable crop production,” Kunz said.
MATI and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a five-year agreement to study the potential of crushed basalt in African farming systems. (Image source: CGIAR)
The potential of waste valorisation came into focus at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy.
Rice has become one of Africa’s most important and rapidly evolving food and economic commodities. (Image source:
At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali in September, more than 5,000 delegates representing over 50 countries considered a fundamental question: what tangible difference does investment make?
The discussion highlighted that Africa already has evidence of effective solutions. By Sofia Tesfazion, IRRI regional director for Africa
The challenge now is to establish the conditions needed to finance, implement and expand these initiatives by linking proven approaches with supportive policies, institutions, funding and markets to deliver lasting results. As CGIAR noted in Kigali, impact depends on science, evidence, policy, delivery systems and finance working together to move innovations beyond pilot projects and towards wider adoption.
Rice is central to this wider discussion.
Rice has become one of Africa’s most important and rapidly evolving food and economic commodities. Across sub-Saharan Africa, demand is rising faster than for any other staple, and the region accounts for approximately one-third of global rice imports. Africa’s annual rice import bill, estimated at more than US$6bn, illustrates both the size of the market and the opportunity for local farmers and businesses to capture greater value through stronger domestic and regional rice value chains.
It is encouraging that discussions about rice are increasingly moving beyond production volumes to consider the broader systems required to connect more than 35 million African smallholder rice farmers with markets. These include access to reliable seed, irrigation and water management, mechanisation, finance, processing, quality standards, logistics, market information, employment and trade.
These priorities align with the African Union’s CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035 and the CAADP Kampala Declaration. The framework aims to increase agrifood output by 45%, reduce post-harvest losses by half, triple intra-African agrifood trade and mobilise US$100bn in investment. It also highlights the need to ensure that investment benefits farmers and businesses while helping keep food affordable for consumers.
Agricultural transformation requires commercially sustainable and resilient value chains that create value for everyone involved. Farmers, businesses, financial institutions and markets need to operate as connected parts of the same system. Examples of this approach are already emerging.
During the Kigali forum, six countries, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, launched the US$500mn West Africa Rice Investment Facility. The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development committed US$100mn. The initiative aims to combine public and private investment to support financing, agricultural inputs, processing capacity and private-sector partnerships throughout the rice value chain. It also builds on the ECOWAS Regional Rice Roadmap 2025–2035, demonstrating how West African countries are working collectively to shape their regional rice agenda.
However, Africa’s rice sector cannot be developed through a single model. Countries have distinct production systems, market conditions, constraints and objectives, and several are already demonstrating the results of targeted national strategies.
Tanzania has progressed beyond rice self-sufficiency, recording a self-sufficiency ratio of 112% in 2023/24 and supplying neighbouring countries. Ethiopia has designated rice a National Flagship Program. According to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, smallholder rice cultivation expanded from 60,000 to 1.7 million hectares over five years, while imports declined by two-thirds.
Kenya is pursuing an irrigation-led strategy. Through its Rice Intensification Project, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) aims to address the national rice deficit by increasing annual paddy production from approximately 300,000 tonnes to one million tonnes. It is expanding and rehabilitating irrigation schemes in coastal and western Kenya to bring more land into rice production.
The rehabilitation of schemes including Mwea, Ahero, Lower Kuja and South West Kano helped raise paddy production from approximately 192,000 tonnes in 2022 to around 305,000 tonnes in 2025. Farmers, millers and seed producers have also adopted Komboka, a high-yielding variety developed in collaboration with IRRI and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), following their involvement in its selection.
Recognising these national differences is essential to building partnerships around priorities identified by individual countries. Continental cooperation can help connect national experiences and strategies, while the African Union’s Agenda 2063 provides a long-term framework for transformation through sustainable development, regional integration, trade, science and technology, and private-sector growth.
Against this backdrop, the Global Rice Policy Dialogue, scheduled for 15–16 October in Addis Ababa, will bring together African and Asian perspectives. The event is co-hosted by the African Union’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in partnership with AfricaRice and the CGIAR Policy Innovations Science Program. It is co-organised with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).
The Dialogue will give policymakers and experts an opportunity to examine how national decisions on rice production, competitiveness, reserves and trade influence markets across borders. Discussions will also consider practical approaches to building more resilient and predictable rice markets.
Participants will explore how countries can strengthen their rice industries while balancing sustainable production, competitiveness, farmers’ livelihoods, consumer interests, reserves and trade amid growing market uncertainty. The Dialogue also aims to establish a shared platform for examining the cross-border effects of national policies, testing potential responses to market shocks and identifying practical measures for national implementation and voluntary regional coordination.
Kigali placed the spotlight on what investment can change. In Addis Ababa, the focus for rice will be on making that change sustainable. Progress will depend on science, effective policies, strong systems and cooperation working together, enabling African countries to strengthen the growth and competitiveness of their rice sectors and navigate an increasingly interconnected global rice market on their own terms.
Fliegl has expanded its portfolio with the TMK 200. (Image source: Fliegl)
The Galion bale trailer has been designed as a low-loader. (Image source: Joskin)
Most Read
-
The redesigned New Holland T7 Standard Wheelbase tractor, now available in the new Dynamic Blue colour. (Image credit: New Holland)
-
Hydraulic Sugar Cane Loaders Transform Modern Farming Efficiency (Image credit: BELL South Africa)
-
Rising costs put South African Grain farmers under pressure (Image credit: Scrolla.Africa)
-
Agroecology can be the solution to food security.
-
Africa is willing to coordinate policy and trade across borders.
-
Katsina launches fertiliser scheme to strengthen 2026 farming season
-
Tanzania champions AI powered agriculture to transform East Africa
-
Truck Mounted Forklifts transform delivery efficiency in modern agriculture logistics. (Image credit: Shamrock Forklifts)
-
Nigeria strengthens ties with Gates Foundation to boost agriculture (Image credit: Premium Times)
-
Zimbabwe Agri venture targets rural growth (Image credit: African Agri Council)
Latest News
-
MATI and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a five-year agreement to study the potential of crushed basalt in African farming systems. (Image source: CGIAR)
-
Ekiti State is looking to scale up its poultry industry, with plans to raise one million birds annually
-
The potential of waste valorisation came into focus at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy.
-
Fliegl has expanded its portfolio with the TMK 200. (Image source: Fliegl)
-
EuroTier 2026 will be focusing on intelligence in Animal Farming. (Image source: DLG)
-
The Galion bale trailer has been designed as a low-loader. (Image source: Joskin)
-
The two-day training workshop saw extensive knowledge-sharing. (Image source: Hubbard)
-
The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show will take place on 11 November.
-
JBT Marel's SensorX Xpress offers advanced inspection capacity. (Image source: JBT Marel)
More Articles
Fliegl has expanded its portfolio with the TMK 200. (Image source: Fliegl)
The Galion bale trailer has been designed as a low-loader. (Image source: Joskin)
Rice has become one of Africa’s most important and rapidly evolving food and economic commodities. (Image source:
The transition to solar-driven irrigation provides crucial relief for smallholders.
MTC's PE2 reinforced gloves can be a good fit for sugarcane farmers.
FederUnacoma offers tractors to levelling machines and weed-control robots. (Image source: FederUnacoma)
The training is part of Federal Government’s wider mechanisation programme.
Zoomlion's participation is part of a broader Hunan business delegation.
The plant in Congo assembles models of 75 and 130 horsepower.
The range is purpose-built for mixed farming operations. (Image source: New Holland)
Government is especially prioritising dairy sector to boost food security. (Image source: GAA)
The C1450T is built to increase capacity. (Image source: John Deere)