Key facts  There are about 2.1 million rural women, a quarter of the world’s population Women make up 43% of the world’s agricultural workforce, with 50% of them concentrated in Eastern and Southern African countries  Less than 15% of landholders worldwide are women Closing the

In the heart of Africa, a vibrant and dynamic force pulses – the youth. Known for their resilience to recurrent crises across the globe, Africa’s youth are emerging triumphant, driven by their zeal, entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approaches to finding solutions to some of the

A conversation with Dr. John M. Ulimwengu, a Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI) Development Strategies and Governance Unit.   Dr Ulimwengu is currently working on mapping food systems in selected African countries. His research interests include poverty dynamics, agricultural productivity,

The US-Kenya Business Roadshow is organised by the American government’s Prosper Africa initiative in collaboration with the US Embassy in Kenya. The event is centred around exploring business and investment opportunities within the apparel, agri-business, and technology sectors. This event spanned multiple cities: New York

African leaders have been urged to collaborate rather than compete with each other in order to realise food security in the continent.   Heads of State and governments have also been urged to align with the Malabo declaration which mandates African nations to allocate a minimum

In our rapidly evolving world, the blending of technology with traditional sectors is reshaping a new reality that was once unimaginable. Amid these remarkable advancements, an incredible synergy has emerged between artificial intelligence (AI) and agriculture. Contrary to initial concerns, AI has proven to be

About 35 years ago, the world witnessed pivotal events that propelled climate change to the forefront of the global agenda. Since then, there has been a gradual increase in interest and investments in initiatives aimed at limiting the rise in global temperatures to below 1.5°C

  The government is considering adding Macadamia as one of the key edible oils producing crops to boost local consumption and economic value to farmers, the State Department for Crop Production Principal Secretary Phillip Harsama has said.   The addition of Macadamia as an edible

Africa stands at a critical juncture in its history, with a rapidly growing youth population that presents both challenges and opportunities. As the continent grapples with pressing issues such as food security and economic development, it is crucial to harness the potential of this demographic

Ethical consumerism, a growing global movement, represents a deliberate effort by individuals to make purchasing decisions that prioritise social, environmental, and ethical concerns. It involves supporting products and services that align with personal values, such as fair trade, environmental sustainability, and respect for human rights.

Dr Agnes Kalibata, the President of AGRA, speaks on how the Ukraine conflict has been a big wake-up call for many African governments, the huge importance of investing in soils, and her frustration at the slow pace of climate mitigation.   As an agricultural scientist,

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently pulled out of a renewal agreement deal entered into on 22nd July 2022. The deal, witnessed by UN President António  Guterres, is between Russia, Ukraine and Turkey on the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). The deal enabled Ukraine to resume

Time to take stock of our food systems “Creativity and innovation are, in fact, key to sustainably transforming our food systems into ones capable of feeding the continent sustainably and creating decent job opportunities for our vibrant youth and women” 一 Amath Pathe Sene The

When President William Ruto assigned his deputy Rigathi Gachagua leadership over coffee sector reforms in a new Executive Order in January that replaced an initial one issued last year, he swore that the government would eliminate cartels in the coffee, tea, and milk sub-sectors.  Trade

According to the World Bank, to attain global development goals, it is essential to have nourishing, sustainable, and comprehensive food systems. Agriculture development is an influential means to eradicate poverty, enhance collective well-being and cater to a growing population. Growing the agricultural sector is very

The Kenyan economy in 2022 was marked by many negative shocks from the supply side. The persistent shocks, which are still there, created negative effects, impacting economic activity and raising the cost of living.  The latest data (Economic Survey 2023) from the Kenya National Bureau

By Chris Flowers Agriculture does indeed hold the key to economic transformation for Kenya and the East African region. The challenge, however, lies in practising agriculture sustainably in a manner that unlocks its true value from food production to agro-processing.   Ahead of the 27th United

Due to the impact of climate change, consecutive rain seasons have failed hence the drought in most parts of the country. This has seen many Kenyans especially in the ASAL (Arid and Semi Arid Lands) communities lack food and water. Videos of children and adults

There has been much debate about the Shamba System over the past few days following remarks made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regarding reintroducing the controversial system. What is a Shamba System? The word shamba in Kiswahili means a farm. As the name suggests, under

President Ruto in his maiden speech during his inauguration promised to lower the price of fertiliser from the current KSh 6,500 to KSh 3,500 for a 50kg bag. A week later, the government set aside KSh 3.5 billion to subsidise 71,000 tons of fertiliser to

By Chris Flowers  The avocado fruit has, over the last decade and more, swept the world’s imagination and attention to iconic superfood levels. Like never before, the world has embraced avocado consumption, significantly increasing new plantings. However, environmental challenges lie as some of these new

Agroecology is the application of ecological principles to agricultural systems. Studies reveal that agroecology offers solutions to the ongoing farming and food security challenges in Kenya such as drought, hunger, poverty, and inequality. Agroecology supports small scale farmers in diversity and ensures long-term balance between

Earlier this week, American food chain KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) came under fire after announcing that they had run out of fries due to a disruption in their supply for potatoes. The announcement elicited criticism and heavy debate as Kenyans sought to know why the

The story of sorghum based beer in Kenya illustrates the importance of government policy for the development of smallholder value chains. This has been evidenced by the changes in tax policy for sorghum based beer which in the recent past has been quite successful owing

The evolution of African policy and interests in legal cannabis production continues to gain traction. In October 2020, the Rwandan Cabinet approved regulatory guidelines for the production and processing of medicinal cannabis for export. Including Rwanda there are now ten countries in the region clearly