South African News
South African Grasslands Achieve World First in Community-Led Carbon Credits
South Africa has issued the world’s first Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB)-labelled carbon credits under Verra’s updated VM0042 methodology, marking a major milestone for community-led carbon markets. Developed by TASC, the GRASS project generated 266,255 credits from restored grasslands, supporting climate mitigation alongside social and ecological benefits. The initiative trains communal farmers in regenerative grazing, improves market access, and reinvests carbon revenues through community trusts. Now spanning 950,000 hectares, the project has created jobs, boosted rural incomes and demonstrated how high-integrity carbon markets can deliver tangible benefits for people, biodiversity and the climate.
Read full story: Farming Online
Date published: January 21, 2026
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak Raises Alarm Over South Africa’s Food Security
South Africa is facing growing food security risks as Foot-and-Mouth Disease spreads, severely affecting cattle, dairy and meat production. Farmers and industry groups warn that delays in vaccine availability, poor communication and unclear regulations are worsening the crisis. While milk supplies remain stable for now, production losses, rising costs and animal deaths are mounting, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. Farmers report severe financial and emotional strain, with some losing millions of rand. The government has announced plans to procure and locally produce vaccines, but industry bodies argue the response lacks urgency and detail, leaving farmers uncertain about when relief will arrive.
Read full story: IOL
Date published: January 21, 2026
African News
Nigeria Rolls Out Market-Focused Training to Strengthen Agribusiness Sector
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched a capacity-building programme to promote market-oriented farming and accelerate agribusiness growth. Through a four-day training in Abuja, officials are being equipped with the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, which encourages farmers to move from subsistence to commercial production. The model, credited with doubling smallholder incomes in countries such as Kenya, emphasises market research, gender inclusion and business linkages. The initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to improve food security, reduce poverty and create jobs in a sector that contributes over a quarter of Nigeria’s GDP.
Read full story: Business Day
Date published: January 20, 2026
Global News
Canada and Ontario Commit $20m to Help Farmers Expand Global Markets
The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $20 million to support farmers, food processors and agribusinesses in expanding sales of Ontario-grown products at home and abroad. Delivered through the new Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative, the funding will help businesses develop new markets, introduce new products, and invest in equipment and technology to meet international requirements. The programme forms part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, aiming to strengthen competitiveness, protect jobs and improve resilience against trade uncertainty and tariffs, while supporting long-term growth in the agri-food sector.
Read full story: Ontario News Release
Date published: January 20, 2026
Proposed Eco-Scheme Changes Spark Fears of Increased Regulation for Farmers
Irish farmers may face additional regulatory burdens under proposed changes to the Eco-Scheme’s “Space for Nature” option from 2026, according to industry representatives. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine plans to remove eligibility for certain landscape features, such as hedgerows and stonewalls, if they are adjacent to man-made structures. Features previously counted towards biodiversity targets would receive no credit on official maps. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association has strongly criticised the proposals, calling them illogical and contrary to EU simplification goals, and has urged ministerial intervention to prevent further pressure on farmers.
Read full story: Agriland
Date published: January 20, 2026
Mexican Grain Farmers Warn of Fresh Protests as Marketing Crisis Deepens
Mexico’s grain producers say a worsening marketing crisis is forcing them into debt and could trigger renewed protests. Farmers in the Bajío region report being unable to sell around 1.5 million tonnes of maize due to saturated storage facilities and a lack of purchase offers, while cheap imports undercut domestic prices. In Zacatecas, bean producers warn that most of their harvest will be sold to middlemen at heavily reduced prices, as government purchases cover only a fraction of output. Despite talks with authorities, farmers say no solutions have emerged and are threatening demonstrations and road blockades.
Read full story: Mexico Solidarity Media
Date published: January 20, 2026
Indonesia Targets Garlic Self-Sufficiency by 2029 to Cut Import Reliance
Indonesia has set a goal to become self-sufficient in garlic by 2029, aiming to reduce its heavy dependence on imports, which currently supply about 95% of domestic demand. The government has begun distributing high-quality seeds in North Sumatra, Central Java and West Nusa Tenggara to expand cultivation. The plan builds on recent success in achieving rice self-sufficiency, with officials expressing confidence that garlic and other staples will follow. The initiative forms part of a wider push to strengthen national food security across key commodities, reduce imports and stabilise long-term supplies.
Read full story: The Star
Date published: January 21, 2026
