South African News
Africa’s First Sustainable Hospitality Expo to Champion Green Tourism Growth
A new Sustainable Hospitality Expo is set to launch at the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa, running from 18–20 September 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The event aims to integrate sustainability into Africa’s hospitality sector by connecting businesses with eco-conscious solutions and small to medium-sized suppliers. Supported by the Gauteng Tourism Authority, the expo will spotlight innovations across renewable energy, waste management, water conservation, and ethical sourcing. With South Africa’s ecotourism market projected to reach R204 billion by 2030, the initiative responds to rising demand from environmentally aware travellers and promises economic upliftment through green practices.
Read full story: Organic and Natural
Date Published: July 11, 2025
Biotech Innovations Set to Revolutionise South African Crop Production
Biotechnology is poised to play a transformative role in South African agriculture over the next 20 years, according to Chantel Arendse, plant biotechnology lead at CropLife South Africa. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, she highlighted the potential of genome editing, drought-tolerant traits, and modern seed technologies to improve crop yields, enhance climate resilience, and support sustainable farming. With climate challenges intensifying, Arendse emphasised the need for robust regulatory frameworks and greater investment in research and development. She also stressed the importance of supporting smallholder farmers and fostering collaboration between government, research institutions, and the private sector to ensure equitable access to biotech advancements.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date Published: July 11, 2025
African News
Rwandan Coffee Farmers to Receive 50% Fertiliser Subsidy in Landmark Deal
Rwanda’s coffee farmers will now pay just half the market price for fertiliser under a new subsidy partnership involving the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), the Coffee Exporters and Processors Forum (CEPAR), and One Acre Fund–Tubura. Starting in September 2025, farmers will access NPK 22-6-12+3S fertiliser at 796 Rwandan Francs per kilogram—50% of the full price—with the remainder covered by NAEB and CEPAR. The scheme aims to boost yields, improve bean quality, and strengthen Rwanda’s coffee sector competitiveness. The initiative promotes early field preparation and close collaboration with washing stations and field agents for timely application.
Read full story: Farmer’s Review Africa
Date Published: July 10, 2025
Global News
EU Unveils Nature Credits Roadmap to Drive Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Protection
The European Commission has launched its "Roadmap towards Nature Credits," a strategic plan to develop a market that rewards farmers and foresters for biodiversity and ecosystem restoration efforts. Similar to carbon credits, nature credits will monetise nature-positive actions, such as restoring habitats and supporting pollinators. The initiative aims to address a €37 billion annual biodiversity funding gap in Europe by mobilising private investment and incentivising sustainable land management. A pilot project will run from 2025 to 2027, with standards and certification frameworks co-developed by experts and member states. The move seeks to strengthen food security and foster a resilient, green economy.
Read full story: Ukr Agro Consult
Date Published: July 11, 2025
Erratic Monsoon Disrupts Rice Planting and Alarms Farmers in Nepal’s Tarai Region
Nepal’s monsoon season has defied early forecasts of above-average rainfall, with meteorologists now expecting below-normal precipitation in key agricultural regions including Tarai. This shift has severely hindered rice planting, with only 24% of paddy fields planted in Sunsari district. Farmers, heavily reliant on monsoon rains, face growing concerns over food shortages and crop failure. The unpredictability stems from increasingly erratic weather patterns driven by climate change, marked by short, intense downpours and prolonged dry spells. Meteorologists warn that such irregularities are becoming the new norm, underscoring Nepal’s vulnerability to climate-induced extremes and the urgent need for adaptive strategies in agriculture.
Read full story: The Kathmandu Post
Date Published: July 11, 2025
India’s Rooftop Farms Offer Hope Against Urban Hunger but Face Equity Challenges
Urban rooftop farming is emerging as a sustainable solution to food insecurity in India’s growing cities, offering residents access to fresh produce and opportunities for income generation. In cities like Thiruvananthapuram, individuals are transforming rooftops into productive gardens. However, support for rooftop farming—such as access to seeds, training, and tools—remains uneven, often favouring more affluent households. Experts argue for a national policy to promote equity and inclusivity, suggesting that public buildings could be repurposed for communal cultivation. Expanding rooftop farming equitably could help reduce reliance on rural supply chains while addressing urban hunger and environmental sustainability.
Read full story: DW News https://www.dw.com/en/gardening-on-indias-rooftops-what-are-the-benefits/video-73204986
Date Published: July 10, 2025
U.S. Pressures Japan and South Korea to Open Agricultural Markets Amid Export Declines
Facing dwindling access to China and Latin America, the United States is ramping up pressure on allies Japan and South Korea to open their farm markets to American exports. Trade tensions with Beijing have led to a collapse in U.S. beef shipments to China, prompting Washington to target East Asia as an alternative. President Trump has criticised Japan’s rice import restrictions and urged expansion, while South Korea is seeing record U.S. beef imports but may soon face calls to liberalise its rice market. Analysts suggest these moves reflect a shift in U.S. trade policy priorities toward securing long-term agricultural access in Asia.
Read full story: The Chosun Daily
Date Published: July 11, 2025
