South African News
Farmers encouraged to drive growth through agroprocessing
Agroprocessing is increasingly being positioned as a vital route for farmers to expand beyond primary production and build long-term economic value through ownership, branding, and market access. At the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba 2026, industry leaders highlighted opportunities across sectors including wine, indigenous foods, cannabis, and micro-livestock such as snails. Speakers stressed that success depends not only on production skills but also on business, legal, and policy knowledge. The discussion also underscored ongoing challenges around regulation, local food accessibility, and market linkages, while showcasing how innovative agripreneurs are turning to scalable, value-added products to reach both domestic and export markets.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: April 16, 2026
Farmers advised to hedge currency risk amid rising costs and weaker rand
South Africa’s agricultural sector is facing mounting economic pressure as conflict in the Middle East drives up fertiliser, fuel, and freight costs while weakening the rand. According to Absa’s AgriTrends 2026 Autumn Edition, producers are being urged to hedge foreign exchange risk to manage uncertainty as the currency is expected to weaken further through the year. Exporters, particularly in the fruit sector, face heightened logistical and market risks, although opportunities remain in EU and US markets for citrus. The report also warns that rising fuel and food prices will increasingly strain household budgets, with lower-income consumers likely to bear the greatest burden through higher living costs.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: April 16, 2026
African News
Morocco donates 2,000 tonnes of fertiliser to boost Ghana’s food security efforts
Ghana has received 2,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser from Morocco to strengthen agricultural productivity and support the government’s Feed Ghana initiative. The donation, the second in a series, comes at a crucial time as global fertiliser prices rise and supply chains remain under pressure. Officials from both countries described the contribution as a sign of deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in agriculture. Beyond the immediate donation, Ghana and Morocco are also working towards establishing a local fertiliser manufacturing plant to reduce import reliance. The fertiliser will be distributed directly to farmers nationwide to help improve yields and support long-term food security goals.
Read full story: MSN News
Date published: April 15, 2026
Global News
Natural farming transforms food production and livelihoods in southern India
Natural farming is helping to reshape agriculture in Andhra Pradesh by restoring soil health, protecting biodiversity, and improving farmers’ incomes. Developed from a state-led initiative and supported by UNEP and the Global Environment Facility, the approach replaces chemical fertilisers and pesticides with natural bio-stimulants made from organic materials such as cow dung and urine. This has helped reverse soil degradation caused by monocropping and intensive farming, while reducing production costs for small-scale farmers. The programme has already reached more than 3 million farmers, with reported gains of at least 30 per cent in productivity and income, demonstrating that sustainable food production can strengthen both livelihoods and ecosystems.
Read full story: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Date published: April 15, 2026
Farmer Card scheme offers hope, but success depends on transparent delivery
Bangladesh’s new Farmer Card initiative aims to improve direct access to subsidies, credit, agricultural inputs, and advisory services for millions of farming families, potentially easing long-standing challenges faced by smallholders. The scheme includes direct cash transfers through dedicated bank accounts and digital payment technology to reduce the role of intermediaries and corruption. While the programme could modernise support systems and improve access to finance, its effectiveness will depend on accurate identification of genuine farmers, strong monitoring, and transparent implementation. The article also stresses that fair pricing mechanisms, including a Minimum Support Price and improved storage infrastructure, are essential if the scheme is to meaningfully address farmers’ long-term economic struggles.
Read full story: The Financial Express
Date published: April 15, 2026
Supermarket milk prices expected to rise as dairy farmers face soaring costs
Milk prices in Australian supermarkets are expected to increase in the coming months as dairy farmers struggle with sharp rises in fuel, fertiliser, feed, freight and packaging costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Major buyers including Woolworths and Lactalis have already increased payments to farmers, while Norco is preparing to raise both farmgate and retail prices. Industry leaders say current milk prices are unsustainably low given rising production costs and warn that permanent increases may be necessary to protect supply. Packaging has also become significantly more expensive, adding further pressure across the dairy supply chain and increasing the likelihood of higher prices for consumers.
Read full story: ABC News
Date published: April 16, 2026
Mexican farmers warn against fracking expansion over crop and water fears
Farmers in Mexico’s Veracruz region are raising serious concerns over President Claudia Sheinbaum’s proposal to expand fracking, warning that the practice has already damaged crops, depleted water supplies and degraded soil fertility. Local growers say orange and lime trees have withered since hydraulic fracturing began near their land two decades ago, with some blaming it for making farmland infertile. While the government says any decision will be guided by scientific advice and newer, cleaner technology, critics remain sceptical about both the environmental and economic viability of the plan. The proposal forms part of Mexico’s wider push to reduce dependence on imported US natural gas.
Read full story: France 24
Date published: April 16, 2026
