South African News
SAS uses AI to boost South African micro-farming and food security
SAS is helping South African micro-farmers improve crop planning and increase income through its Data for Good initiative. Working with dataDecisions.ai and The Dream, the project analysed four seasons of crop performance, growth cycles and market pricing data to identify the best crops to grow, the ideal planting times and optimal quantities. Designed for farmers with limited access to technology and finance, the initiative provides practical recommendations without requiring expensive digital infrastructure. By reducing uncertainty, improving resource use and supporting more profitable farming, the programme aims to strengthen food security, local economies and the role of micro-farmers in South Africa's agricultural sector.
Read full story:Africa Business Communities
Date published: July 2, 2026
Water security reshapes South African farmland values amid climate uncertainty
Water security is becoming one of the biggest influences on South African farmland values as climate volatility changes investment priorities. According to Land Bank chief agricultural economist Sakhumzi May, farmland with secure water rights, reliable irrigation and resilient infrastructure is attracting higher premiums because it offers more consistent production and income. Investors are increasingly favouring established, income-generating farms over higher-risk developments, while factors such as crime, infrastructure reliability and local conditions are also shaping property values. The analysis highlights that resilience, sustainability and operational efficiency are now key drivers of long-term farmland value, with adaptable farms expected to retain and increase their worth.
Read full story:IOL
Date published: July 2, 2026
African News
Renewable energy helps Nigerian women farmers cut food losses and lower costs
Nigerian women farmers are increasingly adopting solar-powered technologies to reduce production costs, improve productivity and tackle the country's estimated $10 billion in annual food losses. Renewable energy is replacing costly diesel generators with solar pumps, cold storage, irrigation systems and processing equipment, enabling farmers to preserve produce, reduce post-harvest waste and increase profits. Cooperative financing and development programmes are helping women overcome barriers to accessing clean energy, while experts argue that affordable finance and supportive policies are essential for wider adoption. As the UN marks 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, renewable energy is being recognised as a vital tool for strengthening food security, rural livelihoods and agricultural resilience.
Read full story:The Punch
Date published: July 3, 2026
Global News
European heatwave highlights growing climate risks for the global poultry industry
Europe’s severe heatwave is exposing the vulnerability of the global poultry sector to climate extremes, with impacts extending beyond the continent through interconnected feed, energy and trade markets. High temperatures are reducing poultry productivity, increasing mortality risks and driving up costs for cooling, water and electricity, while threatening grain harvests that underpin global feed supplies. The article warns that climate resilience is becoming a business necessity, particularly for producers in South Asia, where extreme heat is already common. Investments in climate-smart housing, water management, heat-tolerant breeding and data-driven farm management will be essential to safeguard productivity, profitability and food security.
Read full story:aviNews
Date published: July 3, 2026
Indigenous women strengthen climate resilience through sustainable farming in Guatemala
Indigenous women in Guatemala's Lake Atitlán region are improving food security and family incomes by combining traditional Mayan farming knowledge with climate-smart agricultural practices. Supported by local non-profit Natün and the Adaptation Fund, the initiative promotes drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, organic pest management and family food gardens to address climate change, deforestation and declining soil fertility. The programme has established more than 300 gardens and 260 small poultry farms, helping thousands of people secure sustainable food supplies while creating additional income. By placing women at the centre of climate adaptation, the project offers a scalable model for strengthening resilience in Indigenous communities facing increasing environmental challenges.
Read full story:Climate Home News
Date published: July 2, 2026
FAO launches CropSuit app to improve crop selection and climate resilience
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched CropSuit, a free web-based application designed to help farmers identify the crops best suited to specific areas of land using soil, climate, topography and environmental data. Developed under the SoilFER programme, the tool supports better crop planning, higher yields, improved incomes and more efficient use of fertilisers while promoting sustainable land management. Already being used in Zambia, CropSuit has demonstrated how matching crops to local conditions can strengthen climate resilience and productivity. The platform also supports governments, researchers and extension services by providing improved soil information and practical decision-making tools.
Read full story:Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Date published: July 2, 2026
Think tank calls for farmer-led reforms in Pakistan’s new agriculture policy
Agriculture Republic has urged Pakistan’s government to ensure its proposed national agriculture policy is shaped by farmer-led, market-oriented reforms that improve resilience, productivity and global competitiveness. In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the think tank recommended modernising agricultural finance, digitising markets, strengthening climate-adaptive water management and expanding cold-chain and logistics infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses. It also proposed transforming traditional cooperatives into corporate agricultural enterprises, introducing electronic warehouse receipts and establishing an independent tribunal to protect farmers from poor-quality agricultural inputs. The recommendations aim to boost food security, increase exports, raise farm incomes and support long-term economic growth.
Read full story:Business Recorder
Date published: July 3, 2026
