South African News
Communal Grazing Fuels Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis in Free State
The Free State has become the epicentre of South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, with 17 confirmed cases across three municipalities. Officials warn that communal grazing practices are undermining containment efforts, as shared land and weak fencing make animal movement difficult to control. Vaccination campaigns are under way, but authorities stress that full cooperation from farmers, local leaders, and veterinary services is vital. Quarantines have been imposed within a 10-kilometre radius of infected farms, with illegal animal movement flagged as a major risk. The outbreak poses significant economic threats to farmers and the wider province.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: September 9, 2025
KZN Farmers Suffer R65 Million Loss as Disasters Ravage Agriculture
KwaZulu-Natal’s farming sector has been left counting R65 million in damages after floods, storms and climate-related disasters destroyed crops, grazing land, livestock and infrastructure over the past financial year. Farmers are yet to receive government compensation, worsening debt burdens in rural communities. Provincial legislators and the Democratic Alliance have urged swift payment and the creation of a dedicated agricultural disaster relief fund to ensure fair and transparent support. Experts warn the crisis threatens food security, with higher food prices likely as farmers struggle to recover amid rising risks such as veld fires.
Read full story: IOL
Date published: September 8, 2025
African News
AgDevCo Commits $7m to Boost Sustainable Palm Oil Production in Sierra Leone
AgDevCo has invested $7 million in Planting Naturals, a Sierra Leone-based organic palm oil producer working with 8,000 smallholder farmers. The funding will expand fruit production, milling capacity and logistics while enhancing farmer training and certification in sustainable practices such as RSPO and EUDR compliance. Planting Naturals employs over 1,500 people and aims to strengthen livelihoods and rural economies through inclusive growth. AgDevCo, which manages $340m in agricultural investments, says the deal reflects its commitment to building sustainable supply chains that connect African farmers to global markets while protecting the environment.
Read full story: Impact Investor
Date published: September 8, 2025
Global News
EU Co-Funds World’s First Cultivated Meat Farm in the Netherlands
The EU has awarded €2 million to the Craft Consortium to develop the world’s first cultivated meat farm in the Netherlands, aiming to integrate lab-grown meat into traditional farming systems. Led by RespectFarms alongside partners including Wageningen University, Mosa Meat and Aleph Farms, the project will help farmers retrofit existing facilities for sustainable meat production. It promises major environmental gains, including reduced land, water and emissions use, while offering farmers new income streams. By decentralising production and embedding it locally, the initiative seeks to balance food security, climate goals and rural livelihoods.
Read full story: Green Queen
Date published: September 9, 2025
Iowa Governor Returns to India to Deepen Agricultural and Trade Links
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has embarked on an eight-day trade mission to India, aiming to strengthen partnerships in agriculture, food processing and biotechnology. Accompanied by state officials and business leaders, Reynolds will meet government representatives, trade associations and private-sector stakeholders in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai. The trip includes a keynote at DialogueNEXT on global food security, a partner state agreement with Maharashtra, and an MoU between Iowa and Indian biotech associations. Building on her 2024 visit, Reynolds says Iowa’s agricultural innovation, combined with India’s market potential, can create lasting trade and food security opportunities.
Read full story: The Gazette
Date published: September 8, 2025
Philippines Secures $70m World Bank Loan to Shield Farmers from Climate Risks
The World Bank has approved a $70 million loan to the Philippines to establish a co-insurance pool protecting small farmers and fisherfolk from climate-related disasters. Set to launch in 2026, the five-year programme is expected to benefit around 750,000 individuals, including agri-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative aims to mobilise an additional $300–500 million in climate protection, leveraging the expertise of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and the National Reinsurance Corporation. Managed by the Department of Finance with the Department of Agriculture as implementer, the scheme seeks to strengthen resilience against worsening climate threats.
Read full story: Asia Insurance Review
Date published: September 9, 2025
Nepal Boosts Potato Farming in Baglung to Strengthen Farmer Incomes
Potato cultivation is rapidly expanding in Nepal’s Baglung district as local authorities promote the crop as a dependable source of income. The Agricultural Knowledge Center Baglung has invested over Rs 47 million (US$358,000) in recent years to extend farming across all 10 local levels, with high-altitude areas such as Dhorpatan and Galkot proving especially productive. Currently, 3,700 hectares are under cultivation, yielding more than 56,000 metric tons last year. Farmers benefit from new technologies, improved irrigation and high-yield seed varieties. Supplies now reach major cities including Pokhara and Chitwan, reducing the need for imports.
Read full story: Fresh Plaza
Date published: September 8, 2025
