AGP Executive Report

Agrifood & Inputs: Morocco’s OCP will help Malawi set up a local fertilizer facility by 2028, aiming to cut Malawi’s dependence on imported nutrients and support smallholder soil fertility. Livestock & Disease: South Africa is stepping up biosecurity as farmers can now apply to self-vaccinate livestock in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease, while livestock disease control remains a key focus across the region. Climate & Food Security: A new study warns that the dried Aral Sea has been releasing massive carbon dioxide since 1960, underlining how water loss can worsen climate and food-system risks. Farm Resilience: After floods devastated vineyards in South Africa’s Hex River Valley, farmers report major damage to infrastructure and vineyards—highlighting the long road to recovery. Policy & Investment: The AfDB says South Africa must mobilise more domestic capital and push structural reforms to strengthen growth and reduce reliance on external financing. Agriculture Markets: Arabica coffee prices jumped on ICE as certified stocks fell to the lowest level in nearly 2½ years, with cocoa also firming on improved West Africa crop outlook. Nigeria Agribusiness: The National Cashew Association of Nigeria targets raising raw cashew output from 300,000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes in a decade, with 50% processed locally to boost jobs and exports.

Water Security & Infrastructure: A new UN-backed report argues the world has moved from “water crisis” to “water bankruptcy,” warning that long-term overuse is now outpacing renewable supplies—an issue already visible in Africa’s utility data. South Africa Food Manufacturing: Tiger Brands is bringing Mrs Ball’s Chutney production in-house at its Paarl Culinary mega-site, adding dedicated lines to improve quality control and supply security. Ghana Post-Harvest Losses: Ghanaian smallholders say insecticides fail and sun-drying remains their only option, as WFP estimates the country loses about $1.9bn annually to post-harvest losses. South Africa Energy for Industry: SolarAfrica and MPower plan a 184MW solar-plus-300MWh storage project in Mpumalanga to boost reliable, wheeled renewable power. Livestock Health & FMD: South Africa is stepping up foot-and-mouth disease self-vaccination and farmers’ pushback is growing, with unions seeking stronger defences. Kenya Agrifood Innovation: Seed Systems Group is training agro-input dealers to improve access to improved pearl millet and cowpea varieties in northern Ghana. Kenya Coffee Market: Kenya’s licensed coffee brokers handled 633,615 bags worth KSh 36.8bn in 2025, showing strong auction-market momentum. Policy & Trade Pressure: US agricultural import tariffs are drawing mixed reactions, with some exporters praising exemptions while others warn of higher costs and disrupted trade.

Post-harvest Innovation in Kenya: A new solar-powered hybrid food dryer is helping Kenyan farmers cut losses after produce like pumpkins and cassava spoil on farms, with Kenya losing 30–40% of output after harvest. Honey Integrity in Kenya: Beekeepers say fake honey is eroding trust and prices; experts push for geographical indication to protect authenticity and boost returns. Skills for Africa’s Future: Tanzania’s education minister argues Africa’s demographic boom will only pay off if education, science and technology drive productivity and jobs. South Africa Sugar Protection: SA Canegrowers warns cheap imports are crushing local growers and urges faster tariff updates to shield livelihoods. Agriculture, Climate and Food Security: The AfDB warns a “super” El Niño could cost Africa up to $20bn, hit GDP growth, and trigger mass displacement—pressuring food and water systems. Agri-Science Funding Push: Nigeria’s Tinubu calls for sustained investment in research, science and innovation as Africa’s food import bill exposes weak transformation. Livestock Disease and Accountability: A father and son in Taiwan were sentenced over fraud linked to an African swine fever outbreak, including failure to report pig deaths. Regional Water Planning: ECOWAS says Côte d’Ivoire will host the first West Africa Regional Water Forum to shape a cross-border roadmap for water management that supports agriculture. South Africa Food Manufacturing: Tiger Brands is investing R200m in a Paarl culinary megasite to modernise production and improve competitiveness. Migration Pressure on Food Systems: Ramaphosa urges African cooperation to tackle South Africa’s migration crisis amid anti-migrant violence, warning it threatens regional stability.

ASF Update (Zimbabwe): ARDA says it has delivered about 120,000MT of summer cereals to Zimbabwe’s grain reserves, with sorghum deliveries rising as farmers finish harvesting—timed to boost readiness for possible El Niño drought. FMD & Biosecurity (South Africa): Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp outlines new foot-and-mouth disease containment steps, including an online authorisation system for farmers to vaccinate, alongside wider biosecurity reforms. ASF Spread (Namibia): Zunheboto reports African swine fever spreading across the district, urging strict farm biosecurity and warning against consuming infected pork. El Niño Food Prices (South Africa): The AfDB warns “super” El Niño could hit Africa hard, and South Africans are bracing for possible grocery price pressure if harvests weaken. Livestock Protection (Ghana/Regional): Namibia backs Meatco’s recovery—highlighting improved procurement and beef export progress—while Galicia (Spain) expands native cattle grazing to cut wildfire risk. Policy & Trade (SADC): SADC leaders push industrialisation and value addition, urging the region to stop exporting raw materials. Security Shock (Nigeria): Gunmen kill at least 30 in Kaduna, a reminder of how instability can disrupt farming livelihoods. Farming Safety (South Africa): A Stellenbosch farm attack leaves a couple seriously injured, with officials calling for swift arrests.

Food Security Watch: Africa’s hunger improved slightly for the first time in a decade, but the UN warns the next fight is making nutritious diets affordable, not just cutting hunger numbers. Climate Shock: The AfDB flags a “super” El Niño risk of $10bn–$20bn losses and possible migration spikes, with knock-on effects for farm output and food prices. Nigeria Food Supply: OTACCWA warns rice, tomato and staples could tighten within three months, with rice output and planted area projected to fall and transport costs rising. Zimbabwe Poultry Safety: Zimbabwean broiler farmers are reportedly mixing antiretroviral drugs into chicken feed to boost growth—illegal and raising concerns for human health and drug resistance. Zimbabwe Farm Finance: POSB unveils a US$22.5m mechanisation fund for farmers, offering long-term equipment loans at about 7% interest. Trade & Tariffs: South Africa faces new US tariffs, while Nigeria’s export diversification push grows after a 12.5% US tariff—CPPE says impacts may be limited but urges faster value addition. Border Bottlenecks: South Africa’s Beitbridge delays are blamed on Zimbabwe-side parking limits and slower clearing-agent processing. DR Congo Pollution: Human Rights Watch warns Perenco’s operations are linked to serious air, soil and water risks near communities. AI & Data Infrastructure: A report warns Africa risks staying a consumer of AI unless it invests in digital infrastructure like data centres.

Wildfire & cold snap: Extreme heat and strong winds are driving major wildfires across North Africa, with Tunisia calling in international aircraft as fires threaten forests, farmland and communities. Weather risk for farmers: South Africa’s forecast warns of frosty mornings and fine, cool conditions, plus very cold, wet weather with snowfall expected in parts of the Eastern Cape and Drakensberg—farmers are urged to prepare. Climate shock to food systems: The AfDB warns a “super” El Niño could hit African economies by $10bn–$20bn and worsen food and water security, with knock-on effects for migration. Fertiliser push in Nigeria: Kaduna Governor Uba Sani flags off 500 trucks of free fertiliser and tractors to 150,000 smallholders for a third straight year, aiming to protect yields and curb food insecurity. Post-harvest losses & price pressure: Nigeria’s cold-chain chief says the country loses 30–40m tonnes of food yearly due to poor storage, while experts warn rice and tomato shortages could drive fresh price hikes within three months. Irrigation for climate-smart farming: Vihiga County is expanding farmer-led irrigation projects under NAVCDP, helping households shift from rain-fed maize to more resilient crops like African leafy vegetables. Trade & logistics for agriculture: Kisumu Port’s revival is boosting lake-region trade, with cargo volumes rising sharply over recent years—good news for farmers and traders moving produce. Livestock & veterinary economy: Kenya’s bid to host the 2028 World Veterinary Congress could strengthen animal health and food safety, supporting the livestock sector. Labour crunch in South Africa: South Africa’s migrant exodus is leaving farms and processors short-handed, threatening harvests and supply.

Diaspora-to-farm push in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe is courting its diaspora as tourism investors, pitching hotels, safari lodges and community tourism as a new growth engine after tourism hit 10% of GDP in Q1 2026. Zimbabwe horticulture boost: Ethiopia says horticulture exports earned $490m in 2025/26, with flowers leading ($412m), and targets $575m in 2026/27. South Africa farm competitiveness under pressure: An editorial warns that driving out migrant farm workers will raise costs and cut export volumes, threatening labour-intensive crops. FMD fight in South Africa: Coverage highlights the stakes of strict foot-and-mouth vaccination controls to protect export status, alongside moves to let farmers self-vaccinate livestock. Market watch: Tomato prices in South Africa fell 23% to R13.26/kg while onions rose 24% to R102.85 per 10kg. Agro-industrial jobs model for Nigeria: Six governors plan to replicate Benin’s Glo-Djigbé agro-processing approach after studying Ethiopia and Benin value-chain ecosystems. Food security risk: Zelensky warns Russia’s strikes and grain-export disruption could trigger another global food crisis.

Livelihoods & Food Security: Sierra Leone’s “Farming on Crutches” trains people with limb loss to grow food, start small farms and rebuild community resilience, with beekeeping and food processing planned after 100 participants completed the programme. Animal Health: South Africa rolled out an online self-vaccination authorisation system for foot-and-mouth disease, letting approved livestock owners vaccinate while meeting reporting and biosecurity rules. Pigs & Disease Control: In Bacolod, African swine fever was confirmed in two hog raisers, triggering disinfection and tighter biosecurity in affected barangays. Budget Accountability: ActionAid Nigeria warns that weak agricultural capital spending could derail CAADP strategy delivery, citing low state allocations to agriculture between 2023 and 2025. Agro-Industrial Jobs: Nigeria’s governors pledged to learn from Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone model to link farmers to processors and revive textile and manufacturing jobs. Trade Disruption Watch: ECOWAS resolved a Ghana-Gambia onion-truck dispute, allowing detained consignments to offload and easing pressure on regional food trade. Climate Risk: El Niño is strengthening and could raise the odds of extreme heat, drought and heavy rainfall across the coming months, with Africa among regions closely watching impacts.

AI for Agriculture: Namibia is investing N$39.5m in an AI-driven agricultural monitoring system, but public trust hinges on transparent procurement and clear accountability around the US firm selected. University Pay Scandal: Nigeria’s MOUAU says 127 staff were sacked after five months without pay, following a recruitment and payroll capture mismatch on GIFMIS—raising fresh questions on hiring controls. Industrialisation & Agro-Value Chains: Nigeria’s VP Kashim Shettima toured Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone and pledged to replicate the model, arguing Africa must capture more value from cotton and other raw materials. Climate & Food Security: Kenya’s Deputy President Kindiki says El Niño-enhanced rains may run until January, shifting planning for both depressed harvests and extended wet-season impacts. Regional Trade & Cocoa: Morocco and Mali plan to relaunch their business council with agrifood partnerships, while cocoa markets react to supply and demand signals. Finance for Growth: Afreximbank appointed Peter Olowononi as Southern Africa regional director, with agriculture among priority sectors. Food Systems in Action: Rwanda’s Solid’Africa marked 15 years of “food as medicine,” now serving millions of meals to patients and schoolchildren.

Invasive Species Management: Iraq says the African catfish is now firmly established in multiple rivers and marshes, making eradication “impossible,” and is mapping its spread for a national control programme. Climate & Livestock Stress: Extreme heat is pushing even camels beyond their limits, raising fears for desert livelihoods as dehydration and illness risks grow. Water Security for Food Systems: South Africa’s “water bankruptcy” debate is getting louder after a Food Indaba warned that water stress shows up first on the dinner plate through higher food prices and deeper boreholes. Aquaculture on Lake Victoria: Chinese aquaculture tech is helping Kenya’s Lake Victoria fish-cage operators boost production and create jobs, including for women, while tackling harmful “sex-for-fish” dynamics. Animal Health Threats: FAO highlights the resurging New World Screwworm as a serious transboundary risk to livestock and trade, with humans also vulnerable. Agrifood Policy Moves: Ghana plans a new COCOBOD Bill to reform cocoa governance and guarantee farmers at least 70% of FOB value. Farmgate Court Halt (South Africa): A court temporarily blocks Ramaphosa’s impeachment inquiry over the Phala Phala cash scandal, pending further legal review. Tea Fertiliser Supply (Kenya): KTDA will import 1.98M bags of NPK fertiliser for over 750,000 tea farmers ahead of the 2026/27 season. Food Security Trend (Africa): FAO reports hunger in Africa fell for the first time in a decade, but warns nutritious diets remain unaffordable.

Climate Risk: A “super El Niño” is forecast to strengthen through late 2026, raising odds of drought across southern Africa and flooding in the Horn, with FAO/WFP warning of a major hunger spike unless support scales fast. Food Prices & Inputs: Nigeria’s agrifood growth faces pressure from subsidised imports and global trade distortions, while fertiliser and energy costs tied to conflict keep pushing staples higher. Seed & Farm Support: Kenya’s Coffee Revitalisation Programme targets a jump in output from 50,000 tonnes to 150,000 by 2029/30, and a Bauchi smallholder initiative trained 28 seed producers while distributing 1,000+ agro-inputs. Regional Trade Tensions: West Africa’s onion trade is under strain as Nigerian trucks detained in Ghana risk spoilage; ORO is urging immediate release via ECOWAS channels. Fisheries & Blue Economy: Angola says it’s building blue-economy investment in artisanal fishing and aquaculture, while the WTO Fish Fund approved $2.2m grants to help countries implement fisheries subsidy rules. Ag Tech: Malawi’s MUST launched an AI-powered fertigation system to automate irrigation and fertiliser use for climate-smart crop production.

Livestock Biosecurity: Uganda’s Acholi farmers are being urged to delay second-season planting after a dry spell threatens germination and early growth, following widespread first-season crop failure. Food Safety: South Africa’s consumer watchdog is investigating a suspected spaza-shop drink-related poisoning after six children were rushed to hospital, with the product sent for lab testing. Trade & Market Access: Ghana and the Netherlands signed an MoU to boost Ghana’s non-traditional exports to the EU, with horticulture and EU compliance, food safety and cold-chain logistics in focus. Agribusiness Skills: Ghana’s Biofortified maize value chain training backed by CSIR-SARI and AATF is equipping 60 SMEs with business planning, costing, aggregation and buyer negotiation skills to unlock credit. Crop Innovation: Kenya has registered Solynta’s SOLHY023 hybrid potato seed, targeting late blight resistance and reducing seed and logistics needs. Port & Logistics: South Africa’s Port of Cape Town reported 6.5% container growth and improved efficiency as Transnet pushes private-sector participation in terminals. Policy on Tea: Kenya’s tea levy defenders say uptake hit 93% and that the levy is paid by buyers, funding research and export marketing.

Food Crisis & Prices: Nigeria’s jollof rice affordability keeps worsening, with the SBM Jollof Index Q2 2026 reporting the average cost of a pot rising to N29,578—up 624% over 10 years—as climate shocks, insecurity and transport costs bite. Fertiliser Support: Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture says the federal government has distributed 10 million fertiliser bags to 2 million farmers under the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme. Hunger Outlook: UN-linked reporting warns conflicts, energy and fertiliser shocks could push millions more into hunger, as Africa overtakes Asia in the number of people facing hunger. Blue Economy Policy: UNDP urges Angola and other African governments to build dedicated institutions and coordination mechanisms to unlock blue-economy investment and integration. Trade & Exports: Italy’s trade agency ICE plans to train more Angolan firms for exports to Europe, including agri-food and precision agricultural machinery makers. Agri-Industry Logistics: South Africa’s fruit exporters warn Cape Town port delays are damaging shipments and threatening premium overseas markets. Climate Pressure on Livelihoods: Heat extremes are stressing agriculture and livestock across regions, with reports of severe impacts on animals and farming systems.

Cotton Industrialisation Push (Senegal): A Kaolack spinning mill, Domitexka Saloum, is proving Africa can spin its own cotton—but the bigger bottleneck is financing, with Senegal processing only about 5% of its cotton at home. Sugar Supply Recovery (Tanzania): Local sugar producers have restarted after months of rain delays and technical issues, easing shortages that had driven imports and pushed retail prices up sharply. Coffee Output Drive (Kenya): Kenya launched a Coffee Revitalization Programme in North Rift counties, aiming to lift production from 50,000 tonnes to 150,000 by 2028/29 through stronger cooperatives and governance reforms. Livestock Market Support (Namibia): Namibia is preparing a US$5.5m livestock price equalisation fund for northern communal farmers to narrow the price gap created by the veterinary redline. Cold Chain Upgrade (Uganda): Uganda plans new cold storage hubs and border export facilities to cut reliance on Kenya’s logistics for perishable exports. Food Security Policy (Zambia): Zambia rolled out a National Food and Nutrition Security Policy, an implementation plan and a stunting reduction strategy to strengthen multi-sector action. Tomato Import Substitution (Ghana): Ghana allocated 500 hectares for tomatoes under irrigation schemes, using contract farming to link growers with off-takers and reduce import dependence. Disease & Trade Risk (Croatia): Croatia confirmed new African swine fever outbreaks, stepping up surveillance and wild boar culling to protect pig farming. Hunger Context (Global): UN reporting says global hunger is easing but remains fragile, with conflicts and shocks still threatening progress.

Hunger Watch: A new UN report says global hunger fell for a third straight year, but progress is fragile as climate shocks and trade disruptions loom; Africa is now the biggest hunger hotspot, with 309 million people undernourished in 2025. Middle East Shock to Food Prices: IFAD warns conflicts and energy disruptions could push millions more into hunger by raising fuel and fertilizer costs, with the Strait of Hormuz risk highlighted. Nigeria Child Labour Data Push: Nigeria and the ILO plan data-driven interventions after validating the 2024 National Child Labour Survey, targeting agriculture and other high-risk sectors. Youth Agribusiness Finance: Nigeria’s Equipment Leasing Registration Authority and Heifer back wider equipment leasing so young agripreneurs can access tractors, irrigation and processing gear without huge upfront costs. Tunisia Fertilizer Pollution: A phosphate plant in Gabès is linked to severe air and water pollution harming children, raising pressure on fertilizer supply chains. Cocoa Value Addition: Four major African cocoa producers in Abuja agree to end raw bean exports and boost local processing to capture more value. Lake Chad Revival Debate: The shrinking lake’s future is back in focus as the Transaqua canal idea returns amid concerns over feasibility and environmental impact.

Global Hunger Watch: The UN’s SOFI 2026 report says hunger fell for a third straight year in 2025, but progress is fragile: 645 million people faced hunger (7.8% of the world), while Africa now has the highest number of hungry people at about 309 million. Food Prices & Diet Costs: The report also flags that a healthy diet is still out of reach for many, with the global cost rising to 4.28 PPP dollars per person per day in 2025. El Niño Risk for Southern Africa: A South Africa-focused podcast warns a severe El Niño could bring drought that hits the 2026/27 summer crop season, with knock-on effects for food prices. Togo Inflation & Farm Prices: Togo’s annual inflation held at 0.1% in June, but monthly prices rose 1.2%, driven by seasonal jumps in staples like yams, tomatoes, peppers and onions. Market Rules in SA Soybeans: Grain SA says the JSE’s plan to return to a single reference point for soybeans could distort transport assumptions and hurt producers in certain regions. Coffee Revival in Kenya: Kenya’s coffee sector revival is gaining momentum as counties in western Kenya coordinate to boost production and farmer incomes. Shea Tree Conservation (Ghana): Shea Day in Buipe highlights urgent action as West Africa loses an estimated 8 million shea trees annually. Nigeria Boat Disaster: Another deadly canoe capsizing in Jigawa state underscores ongoing rural transport safety risks.