Agriculture & Food

Malawi bans maize exportation to improve food security

The Malawian government has banned maize exports to improve food security in the country, which is currently in an acute food shortage.

Hunger monitor confirms famine in Darfur's Al Fasher and one other city

A global hunger monitor has confirmed famine conditions in Al Fasher, the Sudanese city taken by the paramilitary RSF after a lengthy siege, as well as Kadugli, another besieged city in Sudan's south.

Kenya to set up sovereign wealth, infrastructure funds

The infrastructure fund will be used to boost farming - the biggest economic sector in Kenya - especially to improve production of crops, President William Ruto said.

Ethiopia launches major gas plant, begins construction of oil refinery, fertilizer facility

Ogaden Liquified Natural Gas Project in Calub is expected to produce 111 million litres of gas and 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

The Gambia beats Nigeria, Ghana to become jollof rice champion

The Gambian jollof rice victory happened at West Africa’s biggest annual culinary festival: WAFFEST 2025, in Ghana’s capital, Accra.

China sentences former agriculture minister to death for taking $38m bribe

China has sentenced former Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Tang Renjian to death with a two-year reprieve for taking nearly $38 million in bribes, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Black pod disease devastates cocoa farms in southwest Cameroon

Black pod disease is ravaging cocoa plantations in Cameroon's Southwest region, one of the country's top cocoa belts, driven by weeks of heavy rains, an official said.

Biotech push: Nigeria sows the seeds of a GMO gamble

Nigeria is preparing the template for Africa's agricultural future, using scientific logic and community assurance to persuade farmers to adopt genetically modified crops that promise enhanced yields, drought resistance

Nigerian chef completes World Record attempt for largest jollof pot of rice

It’s Hilda Baci's latest world record bid after successfully going to record books in 2023 for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

Nigeria's Egusi cuisine set for space as seeds launched into orbit

The egusi seeds were transported to the International Space Station by a capsule that launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as part of a project to study how they react to conditions in space.

Nigerian billionaire Dangote signs deal with Ethiopia to build $2.5bn fertiliser plant

The plant, which will be launched on site soon, has the capacity to produce up to three million metric tonnes of fertiliser annually, the Ethiopian prime minister said.

Zimbabwe reintroduces maize import ban after bumper harvest

Zimbabwe has brought back a ban on maize imports to boost local farmers, and has grown enough of its own this year to supply its millers, a senior agriculture ministry official said on Monday.

UN-backed global hunger monitor officially declares famine in Gaza for the first time

IPC confirms Gaza City is gripped by famine and warns it will spread southward by the end of September, with 132,000 children under five facing life-threatening malnutrition.

Sudan paramilitary RSF kills dozens in attack on famine-hit Darfur camp

RSF attack Abu Shouk last week and killed more than 40 people, as the paramilitaries have tried to seize Al Fasher, the military’s last stronghold in Darfur.

Malnutrition in Sudan's El-Fasher kills 63 in a week: health official

Malnutrition has claimed the lives of at least 63 people, mostly women and children, in one week in Sudan's besieged city of El-Fasher, a health official said on Sunday.

Somali Deputy PM Jama decries Gaza starvation, urges Africa food security

At least 147 people have died of starvation since October 2023, including 88 children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

AfDB offers Morocco $116m loan to support sustainable agriculture

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a loan worth $116.4 million to support sustainable farming, led by women and young people in Morocco.

Ghana's cocoa regulator warns of production drop amid heavy rains

Ghana's cocoa regulator has said that increased disease incidence caused by prolonged rainfall and not enough sunlight could lead to moderate production decline.

Paint and Coffee Night: Somali youth celebrate art, culture and unity in style

The Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu supported the groundbreaking event, highlighting a commitment to Somalia's development and cultural engagement.

Nigeria imports dairy cattle from Denmark to address milk shortage

Nigeria is importing dairy cattle from Denmark as it aims to double its milk output within five years.

More rains in Côte d'Ivoire boost cocoa outlook

Farmers nationwide expressed confidence as favourable weather conditions improve cocoa pods ahead of August.

Senegal's fishing communities threatened by British, US giants' gas project

Fishing is central to life in coastal Senegal, employing over 600,000 people.

How coffee is brewing a culture of Somali renaissance

As Somalia’s coffee culture reclaims its place in society after losing decades to conflict, cafés have become the meeting grounds where a nation on the mend finds its voice and the stimulus to forge ahead.

Namibia president appoints new agriculture minister

Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani as the new minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform.