South African News
KwaZulu-Natal expands support for women farmers in 2026
KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is intensifying efforts to empower women farmers as 2026 marks the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer. New initiatives include an Indigenous Goat Programme in the Harry Gwala District, where 96 goats have been distributed to female farmers to improve breeding and income opportunities. A further R16.5 million has been allocated to support women-, youth-, and disability-focused agricultural projects. The province has also launched the inaugural Phezukomkhono Female Entrepreneur Awards, recognising women’s contributions to food security, job creation, and economic growth, while continuing to address long-standing inequalities in land access and rural development.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: April 19, 2026
Canola cultivation gains momentum in South Africa’s northern regions
Interest in canola production is steadily increasing across South Africa’s summer rainfall regions, as new cultivars and successful field trials highlight the crop’s potential beyond its traditional Western Cape base. Trials in Mpumalanga, as well as in the Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and Limpopo, have delivered encouraging results, with yields surpassing expectations despite less-than-ideal planting conditions. Farmers, particularly those using irrigation, are showing growing interest due to canola’s lower water requirements and shorter growing season compared with wheat. Industry experts advise a gradual expansion of plantings as northern farmers refine production practices and optimise yields.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: April 17, 2026
African News
Guinea launches five-year poultry strategy to reduce import dependence
Guinea is preparing a national poultry development strategy for 2026–2030 aimed at reducing reliance on imported chicken and improving self-sufficiency in egg production. Built around seven reform pillars, the plan focuses on feed development, stronger biosecurity, improved financing, and better organisation of the poultry value chain. The move follows a sharp 63.25% rise in chicken meat imports since 2020, while domestic production has remained largely stagnant. Officials hope the strategy will strengthen food security and stimulate local investment, with private sector interest already growing, including a recently financed $20 million integrated poultry project spanning feed production, farming, processing, and distribution.
Read full story: EcoFin Agency
Date published: April 20, 2026
Global News
Hormuz disruption raises serious food security concerns for South-East Asia
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is placing significant pressure on South-East Asia’s food security by disrupting vital energy and fertiliser supply chains. Countries heavily reliant on imported nitrogen fertilisers, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines, are facing rising input costs and potential shortages. While the immediate impact on the current rice season may be limited, higher fuel and fertiliser prices are expected to affect future planting decisions, reduce crop yields, and drive food inflation across the region. Researchers warn that vegetable, oil palm, cocoa and coffee production could be particularly exposed, with reduced exports and increased import dependence likely in the coming seasons.
Read full story: The Malaysian Reserve
Date published: April 20, 2026
Philippine maize farmers oppose proposed tariff cuts on imports
Philippine maize farmers are pushing back against government plans to lower import tariffs under the proposed MAV Plus scheme, warning that the move could drive down farmgate prices and weaken domestic food security. While the Department of Agriculture argues that reduced tariffs may help ease rising feed and transport costs, producer groups fear increased imports will undermine local production and rural livelihoods. The Philippine Maize Federation has called instead for a higher import quota that supplements rather than replaces domestic supply. Farmers and livestock industry representatives are urging the government to focus on logistics support, targeted subsidies, and stronger domestic production policies to protect the sector.
Read full story: nutriNews Asia
Date published: April 20, 2026
Ontario greenhouse growers position domestic produce as Canada’s new gold standard
Ontario’s greenhouse sector is increasingly being viewed as a strategic pillar of Canada’s food security, with domestic produce now seen as a preferred choice rather than a fallback option. Growers report stronger consumer demand for locally grown, year-round fruit, vegetables and herbs, driven by concerns around freshness, reliability and supporting Canadian businesses. The sector is also expanding into higher-value crops such as strawberries, blueberries and fresh herbs, traditionally supplied by imports. Advances in AI, climate control and sustainable water and energy systems are helping growers improve yields and efficiency, while supporting national expansion beyond Ontario into other provinces.
Read full story: The Packer
Date published: April 19, 2026
Australian dairy farmers seek stronger support amid rising cost pressures
Australian dairy farmers are calling for greater industry and government support as rising input costs continue to threaten farm viability and milk production stability. Increasing expenses for feed, fuel, fertiliser, energy and labour are placing significant strain on profitability, while ongoing market volatility is making long-term planning and investment more difficult. Industry stakeholders warn that without targeted support measures, some farms may struggle to remain operational, with wider consequences for milk supply, regional economies and supply chain resilience. Farmers and industry leaders are urging coordinated action from government, processors and retailers to improve farmgate returns, ease cost burdens and safeguard the sector’s future competitiveness.
Read full story: eDairy News
Date published: April 19, 2026
