South African News
Agda Marks Five Years of Driving Inclusive Growth in South African Agriculture
The Agricultural Development Agency (Agda) celebrated its fifth anniversary, marking significant progress in uniting government, agribusiness, financiers, and farmers to transform South Africa’s agricultural landscape. Board chairman Dr Matthews Phosa praised Agda’s convening power, while CEO Leona Archary showcased initiatives like the Blouberg Agri-Services Hub, which has boosted potato and vegetable farming in Limpopo. Gauteng MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa urged greater collaboration to combat food insecurity and promote inclusive growth. With a network spanning 45,000 farmers and one million hectares, Agda continues to position itself as a key catalyst for sustainable agricultural development.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: October 15, 2025
Smart Farming Success Demands Engineering, Patience, and Partnerships
Reinier Donkersloot, Business Development Manager at Airlux Technologies, told delegates at the Vertical Farming World Congress 2025 that vertical farming is far from a plug-and-play venture. Drawing on more than a decade in the sector, he emphasised that progress depends on technical rigour, collaboration, and long-term co-creation between technology providers and growers. Airlux’s integrated lighting and climate platform exemplifies this approach, offering modular, farm-specific solutions to boost efficiency and cut costs. Donkersloot urged the industry to focus on cost parity with conventional produce through smarter design, reverse engineering, and operational adaptability.
Read full story: FreshPlaza
Date Published: October 14, 2025
African News
TELA Maize Boosts Yields and Resilience for Nigerian Farmers
A new drought- and pest-resistant maize variety, TELA Maize, is transforming farming across Nigeria by helping smallholders withstand climate shocks and pest infestations. Developed by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) with local partners, TELA Maize delivers up to 54% higher yields than traditional varieties. Farmers like Tamiru Danbaba in Niger State have seen their harvests double while cutting pesticide use and labour costs. Certified through the National Agricultural Seed Council’s SEEDCODEX system, the four hybrids are now available nationwide. Experts say TELA Maize is bolstering food security, reducing environmental impact, and restoring farmers’ confidence in uncertain conditions.
Read full story: Science Nigeria
Date Published: October 14, 2025
Global News
FAO Launches Regional Roadmap to Empower Rural Women in Latin America and the Caribbean
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in partnership with governments, civil society, and development institutions, has adopted a regional roadmap to advance the economic, social, and political empowerment of rural women across Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030. Agreed during a three-day forum in Panama City marking International Rural Women’s Day, the plan aims to accelerate gender equality and transform agri-food systems. The roadmap builds on initiatives such as the Tlatelolco Commitment on a Care Society and aligns with key milestones including COP30 and the International Year of the Female Farmer 2026.
Read full story: Mexico Business News
Date Published: October 14, 2025
Chile’s 4th Agroecology Congress Calls for a Human-Centred, Biodiversity-Driven Farming Future
Chile’s Fourth Agroecology Congress, organised by the Chilean Scientific Society of Agroecology (Socla) and the Universidad Católica del Maule (UCM), is championing a farming model rooted in biodiversity, community, and cultural sustainability. Held at UCM’s San Isidro Labrador campus in Curicó, the event gathers national and international experts to explore themes such as ecological restoration, sustainable rural development, and alternative food systems. With keynote lectures by global leaders like Dr Clara Nicholls Estrada and Dr María Teresa Muñoz, the congress seeks to position agroecology as both a scientific discipline and a social movement redefining Chile’s agricultural future.
Read full story: The Citizen
Date Published: October 14, 2025
Tradition Meets Innovation: India’s Basmati Rice Balances Heritage with Modernisation
India’s Basmati rice sector stands at a pivotal moment, blending centuries-old tradition with cutting-edge innovation to sustain global leadership. In 2024–25, exports exceeded 60 lakh metric tonnes worth nearly $6 billion across 154 countries, highlighting the crop’s enduring appeal. Yet challenges persist — from strict EU residue standards to new US tariffs — demanding agility and reform. Farmers and exporters are responding with improved pest management, digital tracking, and eco-friendly practices, supported by government initiatives. As global demand rises, experts foresee India reaching 80 lakh tonnes and a $12 billion market by 2030 through diversification and science-led sustainability.
Read full story: Global Agriculture
Date Published: October 15, 2025
Japan’s Yoichi Winegrowers Face New Climate Challenges After Years of Pinot Noir Success
The Hokkaido town of Yoichi, once celebrated for its perfect cool climate for pinot noir, now faces growing uncertainty as climate change accelerates. Warmer summers and heavier rainfall are threatening grape quality, with some vineyards reporting rain damage and faster ripening that reduces acidity. Once likened to Alsace, Yoichi’s climate now mirrors France’s Loire or even Bordeaux regions. Vineyard owners like Takahiko Soga and Yuichi Hirotsu are adapting through improved storage, new grape trials, and knowledge exchanges with Burgundy’s Gevrey-Chambertin commune. Once blessed by warming trends, Yoichi’s winemakers now worry that rising temperatures could upend their success.
Read full story: The Japan Times
Date Published: October 15, 2025
