South African News
South Africa Faces Rising Water Stress as Ageing Infrastructure Threatens Agriculture
South Africa’s agriculture sector, which consumes 58% of national water withdrawals, faces mounting risks as water scarcity intensifies. The Absa AgriTrends Spring Edition 2025 highlights erratic rainfall, rising evapotranspiration, and projected rainfall declines of up to 20% by 2080 as key threats. Compounding these challenges are ageing water systems, with losses rising to 47% in 2023, well above global norms. Experts warn that limited dam construction since 1994 has reduced per capita storage capacity by 45%. Greater investment in dam infrastructure and precision irrigation technologies is deemed crucial for long-term food security.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date Published: September 19, 2025
South African Farmers Earn First Verified Carbon Credits Through UPL’s CarbonSmart Programme
South African farmers will soon receive their first 26,102 verified carbon credits under UPL Corporation’s CarbonSmart initiative, marking a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture. Certified by Verra and developed with Orizon Agriculture, the programme supports regenerative practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and biosolutions to boost soil health and carbon sequestration. The first credits, based on improvements across 2,884 hectares of maize cropland, provide farmers with new revenue streams while reducing emissions. CarbonSmart is among only three global projects approved under Verra’s VM0042 methodology and forms part of UPL’s ambition to remove one billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2040.
Read full story: AgroPages
Date Published: September 19, 2025
African News
Nigeria Launches $1 Billion Fund to Transform Smallholder Farming and Boost Food Security
Nigeria has secured a landmark $1 billion Agricultural Transformation Fund through the Bank of Agriculture and Afreximbank, aimed at empowering the country’s smallholder farmers, who produce over 90% of its food supply. Announced at the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair in Algiers, the fund will provide affordable credit, mechanisation, and market access while reducing risks through loan guarantees and currency swap mechanisms. Aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the initiative seeks to enhance food sovereignty, increase productivity, and generate jobs. It also prioritises climate resilience, gender inclusion, and youth engagement in agriculture.
Source: Serrari
Date Published: September 18, 2025
Global News
EU Thematic Group Calls for Fresh Narrative to Showcase Farmers’ Wider Role in Society
An EU CAP Network Thematic Group has urged a shift in how Europe perceives its farmers, emphasising their roles as community builders, environmental stewards, and educators beyond food production. Meeting twice in 2025, the group highlighted storytelling, education, and digital initiatives such as ‘farmfluencers’ to bridge the gap between farmers and the public. Proposals included an EU Farmers’ Day, a fictional TV series, and the ‘F.A.C.E.’ strategy to boost recognition, access, and education. By reshaping narratives, participants aim to make farming a more attractive career and ensure farmers’ contributions are properly valued across society.
Read full story: EU CAP Network
Date Published: September 18, 2025
Agricultural Drones Drive Sustainable Farming Boom Across Latin America
Agricultural drones are transforming Latin America’s farming sector, tackling labour shortages, difficult terrain, and sustainability challenges from Brazil’s soybean fields to Mexico’s agave farms. Global leaders such as DJI and XAG are expanding networks, training operators, and partnering with agricultural giants to scale adoption, while local firms like Brazil’s GTEEX innovate to compete with Chinese dominance. Brazil has seen a surge in drone registrations, from 355 in 2021 to nearly 8,000 in 2024, supported by favourable regulations and industry advocacy. Drones are boosting efficiency, cutting chemical use, conserving water, and helping smallholders modernise agriculture across the region.
Read full story: AgroPages
Date Published: September 19, 2025
Canada Trials Electric “Weed Zapper” as Chemical-Free Alternative for Farmers
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researchers are testing a high-voltage “Weed Zapper” on Prince Edward Island as a sustainable, non-chemical weed control option. The machine, which uses a tractor-mounted copper pipe to electrocute weeds, is being evaluated for effectiveness, safety, and cost benefits compared to herbicides. Led by biologist Nicolle MacDonald under the Pest Management Centre’s Pesticide Risk Reduction programme, the two-year study will focus on crops such as blueberries, potatoes, carrots and beans. Researchers aim to assess weed seed destruction, crop safety, and potential applications across horticulture, offering farmers a tool to tackle herbicide resistance.
Read full story: Potato News Today
Date Published: September 18, 2025
Cambodian Companies Target Malaysia’s Halal Market for Trade and Investment Growth
Cambodian firms are seeking fresh opportunities in Malaysia’s booming halal sector, using the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and International Sourcing Programme (INSP) 2025 as a springboard. Companies such as Thai Huot Trading and Barimex Express explored importing halal food products, while also promoting Cambodia’s agricultural exports including rice, cashew nuts and pepper. Some businesses are eyeing logistics partnerships and investment in agro-industrial ventures, reflecting a shift away from reliance on Thai imports. With bilateral trade between Cambodia and Malaysia up 14.5% in early 2025, the events highlighted Cambodia’s dual role as both buyer and supplier in ASEAN’s growing halal economy.
Read full story: Khmer Times
Date Published: September 19, 2025
