Angry French farmers are calling for more protests over the government-backed slaughter of cattle herds affected by so-called Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). On Thursday there were clashes between riot police and demonstrators in the southern Ariège department, after vets were called in to destroy potentially contaminated cattle at a farm. Elsewhere in the south, farmers…
Corn and soybean farmer Don Swanson prepares to harvest his corn crop as he and other Iowa farmers struggle with the effects of weather and ongoing tariffs resulting from the trade war between the U.S. and China that continue to affect agricultural business, in Eldon, Iowa, on Oct. 4, 2019. Kia Johnson | Reuters President…
Genebanks and global cooperation deliver versatile, climate-resilient solutions for farmers Lima, Peru (06 November 2025) – The same disease that caused the Irish Potato Famine nearly two centuries ago still devastates potato crops worldwide, inflicting up to USD 10 billion in annual losses. Now, climate change is driving the disease higher into the Andes and…
Nairobi — Low insurance penetration and high premiums are leaving millions of Kenyan and other African farmers exposed to climate shocks, industry players have warned, highlighting a growing disconnect between agriculture’s contribution to GDP and its insurance coverage across the continent. Speaking during the Africa Reinsurance Climate and Insurance Workshop, Phocas Nyandwi, Regional Director at…
Cannabis is booming as an ingredient in everything from supplementary oils, inflammation-reducing skin creams, lip balms to health drinks and gummy sweets that promise to reduce anxiety and pain and promote relaxation. The global legal cannabis market is today worth about US$69.78 billion, and this will skyrocket to US$216.76 billion by 2033. Read more: More…
In Ghana, farmers can generally get hold of just a few varieties of Bambara groundnut to plant. But this is beginning to change, thanks to a new way of connecting farmers with seeds from the national genebank. This is giving farmers a chance to grow varieties that may be more suited to their needs and…
In the quiet, sunbaked landscape of Mtakuja Village in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, farming has always posed significant challenges. The heat is often extreme, the soil dry, and the rains delayed for months. Yet, amid these challenges, a spirit of resilience is flourishing. At the heart of this transformation are women such as Margaret, a…
In Tanzania, unpredictable weather is putting smallholder farmers at risk. Traditional methods of reading the land are no longer reliable, and crop losses are on the rise. Farmers are experimenting with AI-powered tools that provide hyperlocal weather forecasts and agricultural guidance. Eric Mwandu, Rada360 agronomist, and William Karatibu conducting soil nutritional analysis to optimise agricultural…
In Ntungamo District, anticipation is brewing as the Inspire Africa Coffee Park in Rwashamire nears completion. Construction now stands at 85 percent, with equipment already tested, and the facility is expected to open its doors to farmers within a week. Over 7,000 farmers have registered, ready to supply coffee directly to the park, which has…
Over the past decade, African farmers and workers have done what many thought impossible – reshaping the continent’s trade into a force for good. By leading from the front, they have built resilient systems that have accorded them fairer prices, built stronger communities, and advanced inclusive practices; all emerging from their urgency and knowledge of…
