Whether or not the Strait of Hormuz reopens for shipping at pre-war levels following a ceasefire that has repeatedly frayed since June, the damage is already done for millions of African farmers. The blockade, which cut off around a third of the world’s fertilizer exports, set off a severe ripple effect across the continent. Fertilizer,…
The path to transforming agriculture is clear; the challenge is getting leaders to appreciate the value of agri-prosperity. The Iran War is the latest in a series of setbacks in Africa’s quest to gear up development and achieve prosperity, peace and security. Increased conflict, limited prospects for economic growth, multilateralism under attack, and the United…
Globally, agriculture faces mounting pressures. These are driven by climate change, land degradation, labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and the demand for food from a growing population. At the same time, productivity is uneven. For example, maize yields in the US often exceed 10 tons per hectare. These high yields are driven by mechanisation, improved…
Dar es Salaam — The East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with AGRA, has officially launched a high-level regional validation meeting for the Draft Regional Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan (RASIP 2026-2035) in Dar es Salaam, marking a significant step toward transforming agriculture and food systems across East Africa. The three-day meeting, running from April 21…
Addis Ababa — Ethiopia has emerged as Africa’s leading wheat producer and the largest coffee producer and exporter, according to Agriculture State Minister Professor Eyasu Elias. The state minister made the remark at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) meeting held as part of its 20 years establishment anniversary in Addis Ababa…
The African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, has praised Ethiopia’s agricultural progress, describing its emergence as a wheat exporter as a major milestone for the continent. Reflecting on Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation, Vilakati noted the remarkable journey the country has taken in strengthening its food production systems. “We…
Addis Ababa — The ministry of Innovation and Technology emphasized that Africa’s challenges are not limitations, but rather catalysts for innovation. At the closing session of the inaugural African Union (AU) Conference on Digital Agriculture, Bayissa Badada, State Minister of Innovation and Technology, said the three-day conference reaffirmed the potential of Africa when technical excellence…
Addis Ababa — Digital agriculture is no longer optional but essential for Africa’s survival and prosperity, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi said. Speaking at the inaugural Africa Digital Agriculture Conference, which is taking place in Addis Ababa at the headquarters of the African Union, Haddadi underscored the continent’s…
Addis Ababa — The regional Land, Soil and Crop Information Services project has concluded with promising results for climate-smart agriculture in Eastern Africa. At the event held today in Addis Ababa, key results and lessons learned from four years of project implementation in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda were discussed. It was learnt that Land Soil…
South African Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and the Brazilian Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Luiz De Alcantara Rua, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Intent (MoI), marking a new era for closer cooperation in the agricultural sector. The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the G20 Agriculture…
