South African News
Vaccine rollout offers hope as foot-and-mouth outbreak hits farmers
The severe foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa is causing major financial and emotional strain across the livestock sector, with falling slaughter rates, reduced exports and movement restrictions affecting farmers and agribusinesses. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced the imminent arrival of one million vaccine doses from Biogénesis Bagó as part of a broader strategy to vaccinate more than 14 million cattle. While provinces pursue vaccination drives, shortages remain in high-risk areas. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the outbreak a national disaster to accelerate coordinated containment and protect livelihoods.
Read full story: Daily Maverick
Date published: February 18, 2026
Experts highlight small-scale farming as key to tackling hunger and poverty
Experts argue that strengthening small-scale farming could help address food insecurity and unemployment in South Africa, where surveys show widespread difficulty accessing healthy diets. During a webinar hosted by the Human Sciences Research Council, researchers said the country’s food system remains shaped by historic inequalities and dominated by corporate supply chains that exclude small producers. Academics from University of Pretoria and University of KwaZulu-Natal emphasised that informal traders and small farmers already feed millions but face restrictive municipal by-laws and limited infrastructure. Policy reforms, investment and regulatory adjustments were recommended to support inclusive, locally embedded food systems.
Read full story: IOL
Date published: February 19, 2026
African News
FAO warns rapid loss of plant diversity threatens Africa’s food security
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has warned that Africa is losing plant genetic diversity at an alarming rate, jeopardising food security and climate resilience. A new report finds more than 70% of assessed wild food plants face extinction, while locally adapted crop varieties are disappearing as farmers shift to commercial seeds. Limited conservation capacity compounds the threat, with gene banks preserving only a small share of crop wild relatives and fewer than 10% of seed collections safely duplicated. The agency urges governments to strengthen conservation policies, invest in seed systems and research, and support farming communities safeguarding traditional plant varieties.
Read full story: EcoFin Agency
Date published: February 19, 2026
Global News
Cheap Brazilian farmland reshapes global agriculture and pressures US farmers
Lower land prices and vast expansion potential in Brazil are accelerating a shift in global agricultural production, challenging the dominance of United States farmers. Developed Brazilian farmland can cost half that of Iowa, while undeveloped areas are far cheaper, encouraging investment and boosting soybean output. Meanwhile, US farmland is shrinking due to urban growth and technology-driven developments such as data centres and solar projects. Economists warn that Brazil’s expanding capacity and competitive costs are strengthening its export position, particularly with major buyers like China, although the US retains advantages in infrastructure, logistics and insurance systems.
Read full story: Farm Progress
Date published: February 19, 2026
Cooperative farming boosts incomes and resilience for small farmers
Cooperative farming is emerging as a lifeline for smallholders in India, where fragmented landholdings, debt and climate pressures have long strained the agricultural sector. The success of Sahyadri Farms in Maharashtra highlights this shift, enabling thousands of growers to reduce costs, adopt climate-resilient crops and access export markets. Founded in 2011 by 110 farmers, the cooperative now counts 30,000 members and processes large volumes of produce, including grapes and tomatoes. Experts say collaboration helps small farmers compete internationally, improve profitability and strengthen adaptation to changing weather, offering a model for addressing rural poverty and agricultural instability.
Read full story: IOL
Date published: February 18, 2026
Indonesia targets palm oil pricing power through biofuel expansion
Indonesia is expanding biofuel production and downstream processing to strengthen its influence over global palm oil prices, despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said pricing benchmarks remain dominated by trading hubs in Malaysia and Rotterdam. The government plans to divert up to five million tonnes of crude palm oil into biodiesel production, aiming to reduce diesel imports and tighten export supply. Officials expect value-added products such as margarine and cooking oil to boost revenues, while broader processing initiatives are intended to support economic growth and job creation.
Read full story: Ukr Agro Consult
Date published: February 18, 2026
Indian seed aid drives Fiji cowpea export breakthrough
Agricultural cooperation between India and Fiji has delivered rapid results, with Fijian farmers exporting cowpeas less than a year after receiving seed support. The five-tonne shipment, provided under India’s Act East Policy in 2025, aimed to strengthen food security and climate resilience. Harvests were processed and shipped through private exporter New Valley, supported by a new cold-chain facility that ensures international quality standards. Officials say the initiative demonstrates the value of coordinated government, private-sector and development partnerships, boosting farmer incomes while advancing diversification and sustainable agriculture in a climate-vulnerable region.
Read full story: The Australia Today
Date published: February 19, 2026
