BALANCED AND AUTHORITATIVE ISSUE 20 | APR-JUNE 2025 KES.

350 |3USD

SPECIAL REPORT

Exit Malabo,
enter Kampala

Hits and misses as Q&A: AGRA’s Director for Closing the cold storage gap
Africa adopts a new Policy and State Capability, Prof Jane Ambuko–Lukhachi
10-year agriculture Boaz Blackie Keizire, on champions low-cost
transformation plan whyKampala Declaration innovations for smallholders
brings new hope
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22 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
Editor’s Note

Lessons from Malabo: Africa must innovate

and build resilience in its food systems
The African Union (AU) member states on January 13 this But the same report also noted significant progress, with
year adopted the Kampala Declaration, a strategy and 26 countries having seen their scores improve since the
action plan that seeks to transform the continent’s food previous cycle.
systems and ensure food security in the next 10 years.
And, of course, a fair assessment of the performance on
The document discussed and endorsed at a heads of state the Malabo Declaration goals cannot be complete without
summit in Uganda’s capital, Kampala replaces the 2014 considering the impact of the unforeseen shocks such as
Malabo Declaration, which has guided the continent’s the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
agriculture and food security agenda over the past decade.
A major lesson from the past decade for AU member states,
It seeks to, among others, increase the agrifood input by 45 as they embark on implementing the Kampala Declaration
percent, reduce postharvest loss by 50 percent, triple intra- commitments, is that they need to take the calls to innovate,
African trade in agrifood products and inputs, and raise build resilience in their agri-food systems and conduct
the share of locally processed food to 35 percent of agrifood regular implementation reviews seriously.
GDP by 2035.
In this edition, we have put together a Special Report
Given that some of these targets are similar to those set focusing on the hits and misses in the implementation of
under the outgoing strategy, the obvious question many the Malabo commitments and the various innovations it
people will be asking is: Will Kampala succeed where has inspired on the continent.
Malabo failed?
We bring you, among others, the stories of a public-private
The answer to this question might come down to whether partnership initiative that is turning Tanzania into an
you look at the glass as half-empty or half-full. African rice production giant, a Kenyan horticulture
professor promoting low-cost cold storage solutions to
We at PanAfrican Agriculture magazine are leaning cut postharvest losses among smallholders and a group of
towards the latter. farmers making use of forestry and agricultural waste to
grow mushrooms in Cameroon.
Granted, the report of the fourth biennial review of
the implementation of the agriculture transformation Enjoy!
agenda indicates that no country was on track to meet all Dr Kawira Mutegi
the seven Malabo commitments by 2025.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 3

 CONTENTS PROFILE

12. Early alerts empower Uganda’s 22. Hits and Misses: Kenya’s Performance on
farmers against drought Malabo Goals
In Uganda’s Karamoja region, On January 12, 2025, AU member states
traditionally known for pastoralism, adopted the Kampala Declaration
transformative initiatives have to enhance the Malabo Declaration
encouraged crop farming since through the CAADP Strategy (2026–2035),
2012. Projects led by the Food and aligning with Agenda 2063 to tackle
Agriculture Organization (FAO) climate change, empower smallholder
introduced early warning systems, farmers, and promote food security.
combining modern technology, such as From 2014–2025, Kenya achieved a score
radio programs and SMS alerts, with of 6.28 against the benchmark of 9.29,
traditional knowledge to help farmers steadily improving but not on track to
plan planting seasons and manage meet targets. While excelling in two
fields effectively. These efforts have commitments, the country lagged in five.
empowered communities to grow Dr Timothy Njagi writes about lessons
vegetables and cereals like sorghum, drawn from the Biennial Review Report
increasing yields and embracing that will shape the next phase of CAADP 18. Closing the cold storage
nutritious crops. On the ground, both implementation for better progress in
farmers and experts share insights agricultural transformation.
gap in horticulture
on how these initiatives are driving Prof. Jane Ambuko, a
change. 32. A Grain of Hope: Tanzania’s agricultural trailblazer in postharvest
transformation through rice management, is seeking to
14. Kenyan dairy project seeks to deliver Tanzania is leveraging its fertile soil
and favorable climate to revolutionize
revolutionize agricultural
safe milk
Kenya’s informal dairy sector handles agriculture, with rice emerging as a practices in Kenya and beyond
55–70% of domestically marketed milk, symbol of prosperity. Achieving 128% food with innovations in cold
driven by vendors selling affordable security and becoming a net exporter, the storage.
milk to communities. However, poor country is set to increase rice production
handling practices and quality control to 8.8 million metric tons by 2030 under Her work seeks to reduce food
remain major challenges. To tackle the National Rice Development Strategy
loss & waste, enhances market
these issues, the Kenya Dairy Board (NRDS-II). Public-private partnerships
(KDB) and the International Livestock like SAGCOT drive innovation, market access, and ensures produce
Research Institute (ILRI) launched access, and farmer empowerment, quality. From affordable
the More Milk: More Milk for Lives positioning Tanzania as Africa’s rising rice Coolbot Cold Rooms to off-
and Livelihoods in Kenya project. hub.
grid evaporative cooling
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation and the UK Foreign, 38. Kampala Declaration: Africa charts a solutions, her research
Commonwealth and Development new food security roadmap offers smallholder farmers
Office, this four-year initiative In January 2025, the African Union sustainable options to
enhances milk safety, regulatory adopted the Kampala Declaration, a
10-year strategy (2026–2035) to transform
extend shelf life and combat
compliance, and market access
for small-scale dairy businesses in agriculture and achieve food security. postharvest losses.
Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Uasin Gishu Building on the Malabo Declaration, it
counties. aims to increase Africa’s agri-food output
by 45% by 2035 through sustainable
Malabo commitments, including policy
16. Leading the movement for clean, fair production, agro-industrialisation, and
reforms, seed system enhancements,
food trade. Addressing challenges of rapid
and market access initiatives.
From Punishment to Passion: Once population growth and climate change,
seeing agriculture as punishment, this ambitious initiative aligns with AU
48. How DRC conflict threatens regional
Ugandan agronomist Edward Mukiibi Agenda 2063 to boost food security and
food security
now leads a global movement drive economic development.
Conflicts, like the ongoing fighting
for sustainable food systems. As in eastern DRC, disrupt agriculture,
President of Slow Food, he champions 40. Q&A: A new dawn for Africa’s food
displace farmers, and destroy
agroecology, advocating for food systems
infrastructure, undermining food
sovereignty to address hunger, Panagrimedia speaks with Boaz Blackie
systems in the region. Violence in Goma
inequality, and climate change. Keizire, AGRA’s Director for Policy and
and Bukavu has reduced crop yields
Under his leadership, the Slow Food State Capability, on the African Union’s
and hampered food transportation,
movement unites farmers, chefs, and Kampala Declaration, a strategy to make
impacting both the DRC and Rwanda.
consumers worldwide to transform Africa food-secure by 2035. Building on
According to FAO, Africa lost over $120
food systems into models of fairness, the Malabo Declaration, which introduced
billion in agricultural production due to
health, and environmental harmony. mutual accountability and peer review
conflicts in the late 20th century. Ethnic
This feature by Busani Bafana dives mechanisms, the Kampala Declaration
tensions, resource competition, and
into Mukiibi’s journey and mission, aims to tackle challenges such as climate
environmental challenges exacerbate
accompanied by vivid photos of shocks and supply chain disruptions
these crises, highlighting the urgent
agroecology in action. while strengthening food systems.
need for stability and sustainable
AGRA played a vital role in delivering
solutions.

44 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025

 Cold Solution AD FA.pdf 1 26/03/2022 12:40

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PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 5

 RESEARCH

Participants at the launch of the regional scaling hub in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo Credit: ILRI

CGIAR targets last mile with

new regional hub in Kenya
By Murimi Gitari

T
HE Consultative Group on “We want to push the science ety organisations, youth agricultural influencers,
International Agricultural frontier in advancing ‘science for the and the private sector.
Research (CGIAR) has un- last mile’ – how to get innovations
veiled its new Regional East taken up and scaled in cheaper, better, The Hub is part of CGIAR’s Scaling for
and Southern African Scal- faster, more inclusive, and sustainable Impact Program, which aims to leverage sys-
ing Hub in Kenya, marking a signifi- ways. The Hub will therefore provide tems and financing to support over 62 million
cant step in ensuring that agricultural an environment of innovative and people, including 30 percent women, youth,
solutions reach and benefit farmers synergistic thinking, vibrant interac- marginalised, and underrepresented groups,
and other stakeholders throughout tions, creativity, and collaborative by 2030. It is anticipated to create or enhance
the continent. problem-solving,” Dr Inga said. 250,000 jobs and provide healthier diets for
480,000 people, half of whom will be women.
Speaking during its launch at the The facility is expected to enhance
International Livestock Research In- collaboration, knowledge exchange, and Appolinaire Djikeng, the ILRI director-
stitute (ILRI) Nairobi Campus, Dr Inga innovation scaling through robust multi- general, highlighted the importance of the
Jacobs-Mata, the director for water, stakeholder partnerships. It will connect hub, saying: “For CGIAR, it is imperative that
growth and inclusion at the Interna- diverse actors, including farmers, farmer we ensure that our solutions for small-scale
tional Water Management Institute cooperatives and associations, govern- farmers are appropriate and can be used by
(IWMI)/CGIAR, said the hub provides a ments, international financial institu- different partners to go to scale. This new
physical space for CGIAR and partners tions (IFIs), national agricultural research scaling hub will allow these innovations to
to work together and develop effective and extension systems (NARES), national be deployed at scale by bringing partners
scientific solutions for Africa by Africa. and international universities, civil soci- into a dynamic co-design process.”

66 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025

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PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 7
 FISHERIES

A vendor carefully packages fresh fish products.Photo Credit: Busani Bafana

Aquaculture, a promising
economic catch for Africa
By Busani Bafana

A
QUACULTURE and The sector provides almost 20 Africa has the highest aquaculture
fisheries have the percent of Africa’s animal protein. growth rate globally, with a five-
potential to drive fold increase and capture fisheries
economic development in “Fish and other aquatic foods play expanding by 52 percent since 2022.
Africa while supporting an increasingly important role
food and income security for many in African diets and economic It contributed 6.0 percent to global
people on the continent who depend development, “ said Prof. Joachim capture fisheries and aquaculture
on them, according to a new report. von Braun, Co-Chair of the Malabo production in 2022, up from 5.4
Montpellier Panel, during the launch percent in 2000.
The report by 17 leading experts in of the report titled, Fish-friendly:
agriculture, engineering, ecology, Policy Innovations for Sustainable Besides, Africa has 13 million km²
nutrition, and food security under Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa. of ocean territory and over 1.5
the Malabo Montpellier Panel shows “To benefit more from this growing million km² in Exclusive Economic
there is rising demand for fish due to sector, governments and the private Zones (EEZ), which could boost fish
population growth, urbanisation, and sector need to facilitate innovation production and trade.
increasing income on the continent. and address limiting factors like feed
supplies in aquaculture and illegal To counter a projected fish deficit
Besides, the sector has vast coastal fishing.” of 11 million MT annually by 2030,
opportunities for job creation across policies and investments are
the fisheries and aquaculture value The report recommends the needed to meet future demand
chains with a potential to improve implementation of effective policies and avoid potential shortages,
food security, nutrition and economic to enhance the sustainability of the authors of the report argue. Africa’s
development. continent’s fisheries and aquaculture supplies of aquatic foods needs
sector.

88 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025

to increase by 74 percent by 2050 smallholder fish farmers, developing aligns its ambitions with these
to maintain current per capita fish national and regional policies to frameworks to redefine its role in
consumption levels. improve market linkages and access global aquatic food systems.
to inputs as well as offering training
However, despite the prospects, Africa’s and skills development programmes Dr Badiane said that successful
aquaculture sector faces a number of for smallholders. aquaculture interventions
challenges. Unsustainable practices, highlighted in the report, provide
overfishing, and Illegal, unreported, With approximately 6.1 million workable avenues to accelerating
and unregulated (IUU) fishing have Africans employed in the sector, the progress toward a productive and
combined to aggravate annual fish importance of ensuring long-term sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
losses estimated at USD 11.2 billion. sustainability has never been more sector on the continent.
Besides, habitat degradation, pollution, evident, the report notes.
and climate change impacts have also He said these policy interventions are
worsened the performance of the The recently adopted African Union paying off in countries like Ghana,
sector. CAADP Strategy and Action Plan where the government has invested
(2026-2035) and the Africa Blue heavily in infrastructure, aquaculture
Fish farmers are also grappling with Economy Strategy underscore production facilities, and supply
limited access to inputs, technologies, the vital role of the fisheries and chain of millions of fingerlings.
finance, and markets, while post- aquaculture sector in transforming
harvest losses and inadequate Africa’s agrifood systems, ensuring “By encouraging governments,
infrastructure add to the toll. Limited food security and improving fishing communities, and the private
data and weak governance frameworks nutrition. sector to adopt fish-friendly policies
in monitoring the fisheries sector have and practices, the Malabo Montpellier
also been flagged by the report as a key Dr Ousmane Badiane, the executive Panel has demonstrated viable
challenge. chairperson of AKADEMIYA2063 and pathways to ensure that Africa’s
co-chair of the Malabo Montpellier aquatic resources are managed
In addition, Africa needs to strengthen Panel, said the timing of this report responsibly and sustainably,” said Dr
support for aquaculture by providing was particularly opportune as Africa Badiane.
financial products tailored to

Freshly caught fish on display. Photo Credit: Busani Bafana

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 9

 FISHERIES

Packaged fish products. Photo Credit: Busani Bafana

Countries in a big catch business management, finance, and improving fish management plans, and
entrepreneurship to 1,046 farmers, 60 fighting IUU fishing, have contributed to
The report reviews the policy and percent of whom were women. The annual per capita consumption of fish and
programmatic interventions of Ghana, project set up local entrepreneurs, fishery products by more than 10 percent.
Malawi, Morocco, and Mozambique – with a focus on seed or fingerling
countries that have shown considerable production and fish feed. The fisheries and aquaculture sector
success and progress in growing their is vital to Mozambique’s economic
fisheries and aquaculture sector. Morocco has demonstrated a strong development, significantly contributing to
Ghana’s Aquaculture for Food and commitment to advancing its fisheries food security, job creation, and livelihoods,
Jobs (AFJ) programme was launched and aquaculture sector over the years particularly for coastal communities.
to boost fish production and create through various institutional, policy, The government has embarked on
employment for youth. Through AFJ, and programmatic innovation. comprehensive reforms, focusing on
the government plans to train 10,000 policy innovations and institutional
youth in small-scale fish farming, Morocco’s Halieutis Strategy, a restructuring to promote sustainable
creating around 50,000 additional jobs comprehensive fisheries and fishing practices, expand aquaculture,
along fisheries and aquaculture value aquaculture plan launched in 2009, and enhance the resilience of coastal
chains. has positioned the country as a top communities.
fish exporter to the European Union
In Malawi, the Aquaculture Value (EU). The Small-Scale Fisheries Project Mozambique’s MaisPeixe Sustentável (More
Chain Project (AVCP) established the constructed and equipped landing sites Sustainable Fish) programme provides
Aquaculture Business School, providing and port facilities and was involved matching grants to artisanal fishers and
training in organisational, processing, in the establishment of three marine small enterprises to improve their fishing
and technical skills to 4,500 small- protected areas, each extending over techniques, reduce vulnerability to the
scale producers and 144 fish farmer 40 km of coastline. It established five impacts of climate change, and boost food
groups nationwide. Similarly, the wholesale fish markets, provided security. The programme has significantly
Inclusive Business and Entrepreneurial certificate training, and equipped impacted livelihoods in seven provinces by
Models (IBEMs) for small-scale fish nearly 1,000 mobile fish vendors and providing financing to over 1,000 artisanal
farmers project provided innovative 20,000 artisan fishers. These efforts, fishing households.
training on aquaculture practices, along with promoting research,

10
10 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
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Triple Line Consulting, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Partner
 WEATHER

Armed with early warning system,

Uganda agro-pastoralists tackle drought
By Lominda Afedraru
Under the project, a group of people have been trained on how to

K
collect data from selected homesteads about the weather patterns
ARAMOJA, a semi-arid area in Northern and disseminate the information within their communities.
Uganda, is inhabited mainly by agro-
pastoralist and pastoralist communities. The project team leader Thomas Oyugi said that the data collectors
who are mainly church parish officials are given questionnaires to
It experiences frequent droughts and gather the information both manually and electronically on mobile
unpredictable weather, which hinders crop and phones.
production.
This information is then sent to the district contact person who
People living in the areas of the cattle corridor, including liaises with the meteorological department in Kampala for analysis.
Nakasongola and parts of Teso, have been hit hardest due
to lack of water and pasture for their livestock. The weather forecast is communicated back to farmers using
community radios, drama actors and posters that are designed in
To address the problem, FAO has been implementing the local language.
a project on early warning system to enable farmers
and pastoralists to predict the weather patterns using Since Karamoja has one planting season, farmers begin tilling their
indigenous knowledge and modern technologies. land around March and plant between May and June with the
onset of the rainy season.

Richard Ayella, one of the data collectors in Katanga village

Niatakwae parish in Moroti District noted that his team was tasked
with giving weather information to the farming communities using
simple phones.

Women in the Karamoja region store produce in a granary for use during periods of food scarcity.
Photo Credit: Lominda Afedraru

12
12 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 Children grazing goats in the Karamoja region. Photo Credit: Lominda Afedraru
The meteorological department in
Kampala sends the weather forecast The data is analysed by the meteorology Such special cultural expertise is only
information to the phones of data team in Kampala and the information passed down the generations in particular
collectors who in turn alert farmers is sent back to the district, which is then families or clans.
through messages to parish officials. translated into the local language for the
communities. The district and the development partners
The weather information is also are trying to harmonise the traditional
disseminated through radio programmes The pastoral and agro-pastoral methods of forecasting weather with the
produced by community radio stations in Karamojong communities also have modern ones.
the region. their traditional methods of forecasting
weather. Ms Gloria Ato, a beneficiary of the project,
The programmes also advise farmers on said that use of the weather forecast
the crop varieties to plant in a particular They rely on various indicators such as information has enabled her to increase
season, the best agronomy practices to plant phenology (how plants change yields of sorghum and cow pea on her farm.
adopt, grazing and pasture management, seasonally), animal behaviour, the
and market prices for farm produce and position and movement of stars, the Previously she would harvest two bags of
animals. position of the sun and wind direction to sorghum grain from one acre but now her
predict weather. yield has increased to eight bags.
Youth in the Kobebe drama group, which
is supported by the project, move around For instance, they can forecast a bumper Dr Scovia Adikini, the head of cereals at the
the region staging plays that educate harvest by studying the behaviour of the National Agricultural Semi-Arid Resources
communities on weather, food security, fig tree. Research Institute (NaSARRI), said that her
drought, the right season to plant crops, team has organised farmers in the region in
and the need to avoid selling food and In addition, persons believed to have groups and provided them with drought-
wasting the money on alcohol. supernatural powers can foretell the tolerant crop varieties.
future from dreams, while others can They include Narobean1 and 6, drought
read the intestines of animals and shoes tolerant high yielding finger millet
Moroto district records officer Joseph and speak to the gourd to tell future Nraomil2 and 5 Sorghum Narosorg1, 2,
Onyang, who is the focal person climatic conditions or other misfortunes Seso3 and green gram Narogram2.
of the project, said the role of the or fortunes.
administrative unit is to engage the The distribution of these seeds resulted
department of meteorology in Kampala They also predict conflicts, pest and in good harvests especially in districts of
by providing them with data collected. disease, and insecurity leading to cattle Abim, Kotido, Kabong and Napak.
raids, among others.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 13

 LIVESTOCK

Kevin Kebit, a shop owner, uses a lactometer to test the density of freshly delivered milk.
Photo Credit: ILRI

Kenyan dairy project seeks to

deliver safe milk to consumers
By Murimi Gitari

K
ENYA’S informal dairy sector Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) “Building on the success of the original
plays a significant role in the recently launched a four-year project MoreMilk project, and continuing to be
dairy value chain, handling aimed at enhancing milk safety, grounded on sound research, this initiative
between 55 and 70 percent of regulatory compliance, and market aims to create a sustainable model that not
the domestic marketed milk. access for small-scale dairy businesses only supports small businesses but also
The sector is largely driven by milk vendors in Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Uasin Gishu protects the health and well-being of Kenyan
or retailers who sell an average of 50 to 100 counties families,” said Silvia Alonso, Principal Scientist/
litres a day, often at about half the price of Project Lead, ILRI.
processed milk. The initiative, dubbed More Milk:
More Milk for Lives and Livelihoods in KDB, the dairy sector regulator, in 2021
Despite their important role in milk Kenya, is funded by the Bill & Melinda revised its regulations, simplifying
in food, health and nutrition in their Gates Foundation and the UK Foreign, and automating permit processes and
communities, they face many challenges, Commonwealth and Development Office. replacing the KDB licence with a cost-
including poor milk handling practices, free, compliance-based permit for small
and difficulties checking and maintaining The scheme will also support the and medium dairy business operators.
product quality and safety. gradual transition of informal dairy These changes have significantly
businesses into certified enterprises that reduced barriers for small businesses to
To address these problems, the Kenya offer safe and quality dairy products participate in the formal economy, paving
Dairy Board (KDB) and the International while empowering vendors to thrive, the way for more inclusive and safer
and win consumer trust. dairy markets.

14
14 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 A farmhand pours freshly harvested milk into a metal container at a farm in Eldoret, Kenya.
Photo Credit: ILRI

“Through capacity building, “Our long-term vision is to have According to the Kenya Dairy Master
incentives for change, and fostering a formalised dairy sector in Plan (DMP), the total domestic
an enabling environment, we are Kenya that provides safe milk demand for milk is expected to
committed to supporting small and contributes to nutrition increase 2.83 times, from 4.5 billion
and medium dairy enterprises. We security, health, and economic litres to 12.67 billion litres. Kenyan
believe that providing the necessary growth. This initiative is consumers show a strong preference
training, technology, and access to an essential step towards for fresh liquid milk.
resources can uplift the entire dairy achieving this vision,” said Dr
sector, ensuring healthier and safer Joshua Chepchieng, Secretary ILRI Director-General Appolinaire
milk for all Kenyans,” said Margaret Administration at the State Djikeng said the partnership with
Kibogy, the KDB managing director. Department of Livestock KDB is pivotal in transforming Kenya’s
Development. informal dairy sector.
The initiative aligns with
Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic The project will also empower “By combining research and
Transformation Agenda, which consumers by increasing regulatory expertise, we are improving
identifies dairy as a priority value demand for safer, high- milk safety, enhancing livelihoods,
chain for development and seeks quality milk and strengthen and driving national food security
to increase milk sales through gender equity by fostering and public health progress. Together,
regulated markets from less than 20 collaboration between men and we are building a professionalised,
percent to 50 percent. women in the informal sector. sustainable industry that benefits
millions,” he said.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 15

AGROECOLOGY

Edward Mukiibi, Photo Credit: Busani Bafana.

Leading the movement

for, good,clean, fair food
By Busani Bafana

A
S a student, Edward the system that we at Slow Food are current system is producing food in a
Mukiibi saw agriculture as working with, a people centred food way that is making climate change even
punishment. system built on biological, social and worse. We need to change this system.
Today, the Ugandan farmer economic diversity, of the people on We are working with thousands of
and agronomist is leading a the planet.” farmers, cooks, producers, restaurant
movement to change the way we grow owners and university students and
and eat food. The Slow Food movement is a global scholars toward ecological transition
good food network of farmers, of the food system. Many policies are
As President of Slow Food, Mukiibi producers, consumers, and chefs coming up now to support agroecology,”
champions agroecology, an approach to that advocates a transformation he said.
farming touted as an alternative to high- of food systems, shifting from
input industrial agriculture. high-input industrial agriculture to Slow Food has launched Slow Food
affordable, environment-friendly and Farms which Mukiibi says put farmers
“Agroecology is the solution, not just for biodiversity supportive approaches at the centre of food production and
a more sustainable food system, but for that focus on growing more and will help educate global members about
addressing inequality, social injustice, healthy food while saving the the power of agroecology in sustainably
and the global environmental crisis,” environment, fostering peace, and feeding the world.
said Mukiibi, the president of Slow combating climate change.
Food. “The agroecology system not only “The Slow Food Farms focus on how
respects nature but also restores the “The current food system is working farmers produce the food and promote
dignity of indigenous peoples and this is to destroy nature and our soils the voice of the farmers not only in our
and pollutes our environment. The movement but also in international

16
16 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
forums. We need more discussion shops, where one kilo can cost up sustainable food gardens in schools,
about the reality of the food system, to Ksh1,000, compared to Ksh100 for villages, and urban areas to ensure
something big Ag is trying to prevent,” indigenous seeds. access to healthy, local food. The
Mukibi said. project, supported by the Slow Food
“Agroecology works because it takes Foundation for Biodiversity, empowers
Julius Mangi is a farmer from care of the environment while communities to establish and manage
Machakos County, a semi-arid region in allowing farmers to grow more their own gardens. The school garden
Kenya where agriculture is the primary healthy crops. Many farmers growing serves as an open-air classroom which
source of livelihood and income. For the hybrids now rely on us for food and gives children the tools for improving
past 25 years, he has been cultivating a seeds,” said Mangi. the quality of life of their families.
variety of indigenous crops—such as According to Slow Food, traditional
maize, pigeon peas, and cowpeas—using While climate change has reduced knowledge is an important source of
agroecological principles. crop yields, the impact is less severe wisdom and the basis of technical and
for those growing indigenous crops scientific knowledge.
Mangi has observed that farmers compared to hybrids, Mangi said.
growing indigenous crops have food Mukiibi’s vision is a world where
continuously even during lean spells Mangi is part of the 10,000 Gardens food is produced in harmony with
but those growing hybrid crops in Africa project, an initiative by Slow nature, where smallholder farmers are
constantly have to buy seeds from seed Food launched in 2011 to establish respected, and where everyone has
access to good, clean, and fair food.

Julius Manthi, a farmer, displays the traditional maize variety, Kinyalili. Photo Credit: Busani Bafana

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 17

 PROFILE

Prof Jane Ambuko inside the Fresh Produce Distrubution Hub at the University of
Nairobi’s Kabete Campus. Photo Credit: Prof Ambuko. Photo Credit: Prof Ambuko

Closing the cold storage gap in horticulture

By Murimi Gitari maintaining optimal temperatures during the Kenyan context thereby offering a suitable
handling of perishable produce from harvest

P
alternative to conventional cold rooms.
ROF Jane Ambuko–Lukhachi to the end user, is essential for preserving Although it requires reliable electricity,
is a distinguished scientist, quality. Poor cold chain management is a which can be a challenge in rural areas, it is
researcher and a trailblazer major driver of postharvest losses in fruits significantly cheaper than conventional cold
in the field of horticulture, and vegetables, with deterioration rates rooms.
whose work in postharvest increasing 2 to 3 times for every 10°C rise
management seeks to transform above optimal temperatures. Effective cold To address the issue of unreliable
agricultural practices in Kenya and beyond. storage and complementary practices can electricity, her team has also developed
She works in a multi-disciplinary team of slow down deterioration, extending shelf life or adapted several off-grid evaporative
horticulturists, agronomists, food scientists, and marketing periods,” notes Prof Ambuko, cooling solutions, including the improved
animal scientists, nutritionists, bio-systems a professor of horticulture and postharvest evaporative charcoal cooler, the reinforced
engineers and agricultural economists specialist at the University of Nairobi’s zero-energy brick cooler, and the resized
drawn from the Faculty of Agriculture and Department of Plant Science and Crop zero-energy brick cooler. These technologies
other Faculties of the University of Nairobi. Protection. have been tested and validated through
The diverse expertise of each member on-station and on-farm studies, and they are
contributes to effectively tackling complex Recognizing that smallholder farmers now ready for scale-up.
agri-food sector challenges through a find conventional cold storage solutions
holistic approach. economically unviable, Prof Ambuko’s Adoption of these innovative cold storage
multidisciplinary research team at the solutions could have profound impact on
Her adaptive research initiatives whose University of Nairobi has developed and reducing food loss and waste and enhancing
main focus is low-cost cold storage promoted various low-cost cold storage market access for farmers. By maintaining
solutions is playing a pivotal role in the technologies. the quality of produce, farmers can receive
efforts to reduce food loss and waste, fairer prices at the farm gate, as traders
improve market access for farmers, and One such low-cost cold storage solution is and brokers no longer factor in anticipated
ensure the availability of high-quality the Coolbot Cold Room. The Coolbot™ is postharvest losses. This has potential for
produce and products for consumers. an innovation from the USA which Prof
“Cold chain management, which involves Ambuko and her team have adapted for the

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18 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
better profit distribution along the supply The technologies for cold storage and room, charcoal cooler and zero energy
chain, benefiting farmers and ensuring small-scale processing and products brick cooler) and small-scale processing
a reliable supply of high-quality produce are showcased at the cold storage technologies. The latter includes a juice
for consumers. As a result, farmers can technologies hub and the food processing processing line and two tunnel dryers,”
sustain their livelihoods, and consumers hub at the University of Nairobi campus. Prof Ambuko says.
have access to fresh, nutritious products. Prof Ambuko and her team work The team is currently working on
with various development partners to initiatives to enhance market access
Apart from the cold storage, the team conduct tailored training for various which remains a significant challenge
encourages farmers to transform the stakeholders at the hubs to strengthen for farmers, contributing to food loss and
perishable produce into shelf-stable capacity in postharvest management and waste and affecting farming profitability.
products. This is especially important showcase applicable solutions. At the food The newly established fresh produce
during the peak season where there is processing hub, trainees receive hands- aggregation and distribution hub which
an oversupply that results in extensive on training on processing high-quality was built through an academia-industry
postharvest losses. To support this cause, products from fruits and vegetables. partnership between the University of
the team works closely with processing At the cold storage technologies Nairobi and the Mabati Rolling Mills is
technology developers to promote demonstration hub, trainees are trained set to showcase best practices for market
available technologies for adoption by on postharvest handling practices and access for smallholder farmers and traders.
small-scale processors. “We have also technologies for preservation of quality The Hub will link smallholder farmers in
partnered with Dehytech International, of fresh produce. The training sessions rural areas to diverse market outlets in
the developers of the Dehytray® to help to bridge the gap between theoretical Nairobi and beyond.
promote wide-scale adoption for drying. knowledge and real-world applications,
We also closely with DK Engineering, positively impacting end-users. Prof. Ambuko holds a Bachelor of Science
a local company that specializes in degree in Agriculture and a Master of
the fabrication of fruit and vegetable “We have adopted the hub and spoke Science degree in Horticulture from
processing equipment,” says Prof Ambuko. model to scale up technologies and the University of Nairobi and a PhD
products from our research group. In this in Agricultural Sciences, specialising in
The team has also conducted adaptive model, the Hub is tasked with adaptive Pomology and Postharvest Major, from
research on various drying technologies research to address challenges facing the Tsukuba University in Japan.
such as the tunnel solar dryer, which spokes – practitioners in the agri-food
they continue to promote for adoption by sectors including farmers, processors, Her quest for knowledge and excellence
farmer groups. traders and others. We have several spokes led to additional training from the
Apart from the technologies, the team has whose establishment has been supported Postharvest Education Foundation in
developed protocols and optimised wet by our research and development the USA and the Horticulture Innovation
and dry processing parameters for various partners. Our first and oldest spoke is Lab at the University of California, Davis,
fruit and vegetable products. These Karurumo Self-help Horticultural Farmers USA. These professional courses provided
include ready-to-drink juice, jam, fruit- in Embu County. With support from her with practical skills in postharvest
enriched yoghurt, chutney, wine, chips, the Rockefeller Foundation’s Yieldwise science, greatly contributing to her career
flakes, and dried vegetables. Initiative the group benefitted from growth and solidifying her expertise in
cold storage technologies (Coolbot cold postharvest management.

Improved Zero Energy Brick Cooler. Photo Credit: Prof Ambuko. Photo Credit: Prof Ambuko.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 19

 Solar Tunnel Dryer in Karurumo . Photo Credit: Prof Ambuko

She spent her early childhood in Nairobi, scientist with a goal to contribute to the Addressing food loss and waste through
where her father worked for Kenya transformation of agricultural sector in postharvest management, she says, has
Railways. Later, she moved with her Kenya and beyond. To this end, she has far-reaching benefits beyond just combating
late mother to their village, starting her made significant contributions in the hunger. She points out that it positively
primary education at Mulwakhi Primary quest to transform the agricultural sector. impacts several key commitments under
School. Demonstrating academic prowess the Malabo Declaration and the Sustainable
early on, she topped her class in the Apart from adaptive research and Development Goals. Effective postharvest
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education championing low-cost cold storage management plays a crucial role not
(KCPE) exam and joined Bunyore Girls solutions, Prof Ambuko is well-known only in the commitment to end hunger,
High School. Having aspired to become for spearheading food loss and waste reduce poverty, boost intra-African trade in
a doctor or teacher, when she was reduction initiatives at the national and agricultural commodities and services, and
admitted to study BSc Agriculture she continental levels. She led the team that enhance resilience to climate variability.
was disappointed and considered a conceptualized the All-Africa Postharvest
course transfer. However, Prof Daniel Congress and Exhibition (AAPHCE), a Prof Ambuko’s path to success has
Mukunya, the then Dean of the Faculty of biennial event that showcases innovative significantly been influenced by role models
Agriculture at the time, convinced her to solutions for food loss and waste and mentors who guided and inspired
stay and work hard to be a professor like reduction in the African context. She her. Balancing work and family remains
him. is also known for spearheading Kenya’s a challenge for her, as it does for many
national observance of the United Nations’ women. Her husband, also an academic and
“From the onset, I was not attracted to International Day of Awareness of Food researcher, provides tremendous support,
agriculture because of the perception I Loss and Waste which is marked every allowing them to collaborate on various
had – that it entailed menial work and year on 29th September. projects. She acknowledges that finding the
picturisation of the typical smallholder With the global food loss and waste right balance between career growth and
farmer in the village did not make things estimated to be 30 percent, Prof. family life is crucial, and she continues to
better. However, after being convinced to emphasizes the need to secure the harvest strive towards it.
stay, I decided to make the best out of it. through good postharvest management to
As I advanced in my studies and started ensure that food produced using limited She emphasizes the importance of resilience
building a career in the agricultural resources gets to the end user. and staying true to oneself and believes in the
sciences, I came to the realisation that vast opportunities for women in agriculture,
there is a misconception about the course. “In the Malabo 2014 commitments, noting their critical role in food and nutrition
There is need for more efforts to debunk the African Union Heads of State security. She also stresses the need to
the myths and misconceptions about acknowledged the importance and attract young people to the agricultural
agriculture – it is not all about farming!” contribution of postharvest food loss sector by providing role models, integrating
says Prof Ambuko. reduction in food systems transformation agriculture into school curricula, and creating
Prof. Ambuko is a beneficiary of the towards sustainability and to the awareness about agribusiness opportunities.
African Women in Agricultural Research realization of the goal of shared prosperity Effective implementation of supportive
and Development (AWARD) fellowship and improved livelihoods,” Prof Ambuko policies for youth and women is essential for
where structured mentorship helped her says. transforming the agriculture sector.
to chart her career path as an agricultural

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20 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 AATF is about farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and providing them
with practical technology solutions capable of addressing their farm
productivity constraints and improving their livelihoods

through agricultural technology, AATF believes that the agricultural

sector is a key foundational pillar as Africa consolidates its economic
growth and carves out its new position as a major global economic
powerhouse and the next growth market in the world.

We believe that access to agricultural technologies will boost the

productivity of smallholder farmer. We support farmers in Africa
and especially smallholder farmers in their quest for access to the
best agricultural technology. By uniting key stakeholders, we have

progress

WWW.AATF-AFRICA.ORG @AATFAFRICA

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 21

SPECIAL REPORT

Hits and misses: How Kenya

performed on Malabo goals

By Dr Timothy Njagi

O
economic growth, food security, commitments made for 2014-2025 is
N January 12, 2025, the crucial. The Malabo commitments
and livelihoods while tackling
African Union (AU) contained seven commitments
climate change issues and fostering
member states adopted implemented through the CAADP
smallholder farmers’ empowerment
the Kampala Declaration strategy.
and aligns with the African Union’s
to enhance the Malabo
Agenda 2063, promoting food security,
Declaration on Agricultural Growth, Overall, Kenya attained a score of
agricultural transformation, and
the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture 6.28 against the benchmark score of
reduced food imports.
Development Programme (CAADP) 9.29. The overall progress was rated as
As the next phase of implementing
Strategy, set for 2026-2035 during the progressing well but was not on track
CAADP commences, taking stock of
Extraordinary Summit in Kampala, to reach the target for the Malabo
the accomplishments of the Malabo
Uganda. The strategy aims to boost

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22 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 A farmer tending her thriving sukuma wiki (collard greens) crop. Photo Credit:iStock

commitments. Despite not being country has implemented CAADP the share of expenditures invested
on track, Kenya was one of the 12 processes coordinated by the in the sector shrank. Furthermore,
countries that steadily improved their Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock private sector investments were low.
performance in the current phase of Development. However, the country The indicator for this commitment
CAADP implementation. did not perform well on the other where the country performed well
Evaluating how the country performed indicators for this commitment, that is, was access to financial services, which
in each of the seven commitments, cooperation, partnerships and alliance, has been made possible due to mobile
lessons are drawn to inform this next and policy and institutional review. phone penetration and service offering
phase of implementing CAADP. For through mobile phones.
each commitment, a grade of hit or The performance was influenced
miss is allocated depending on whether by changes in the governance The country can improve investments
the country attained the benchmark structure at the onset of this phase in the sector by attracting private sector
target or missed the target using the of CAADP implementation. However, investments. This can be accomplished
data reported in the final biennial institutionalisation has been slower by utilising public resources to increase
review report published in 2024. than anticipated. The country can supply of agricultural public goods
The country did well on two improve its performance by enhancing such as research, extension, and
commitments and lagged on five. coordination with county governments, agricultural infrastructure such as
Overall, the country can make cascading sector coordination, irrigation and storage infrastructure.
improvements and enhance monitoring and evaluation frameworks Furthermore, the government should
performance in the next phase and building the capacity of the pursue policy coherence and divest
of CAADP implementation. The devolved system to undertake these from private sector-oriented functions
performance for each commitment is functions. to incentivise private investments.
explained below.
Source: 4th CAADP BR Report, 2024 Commitment 2: Investment Commitment 3: Ending hunger
finance in Agriculture (Miss) (Miss)
Commitment 1: Commitment to
the CAADP process (Miss) The country missed the target of Under this commitment, the country
enhancing investment finance in the was on track with the indicator of
Although this commitment is sector. Public spending for the sector sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
categorised as a miss, Kenya made remained relatively constant even as It made considerable improvements
progress in specific areas. The the total expenditure grew, meaning in social protection due to the

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 23

 A farmer waters his sukuma wiki (collard greens) crop. Photo Credit:iStock

various cash transfer programmes and nutrition security, which is directly Ag GDP growth was adversely affected
targeting the vulnerable -- orphans affected by production shocks. The by shocks such as droughts in 2017 and
and vulnerable children, communities country can also enhance the supply 2022, the COVID pandemic, and supply
affected by adverse weather and other of quality agriculture inputs to meet chain shocks such as fertiliser price shock
shocks and old persons. However, the the total requirements by incentivising in 2022 and animal feed price shock from
country was not on track for indicators private investments in the sector. 2021. The country must build the resilience
of access to agriculture inputs and of agricultural producers, reduce their
technologies, agricultural productivity, Commitment 4: Eradicating vulnerability to shocks, and improve the
post-harvest losses and food security poverty through agriculture agricultural value added per arable land
and nutrition. (Hit) and per worker to make progress on this
indicator.
The country can improve this The performance for this commitment
commitment by pursuing Inclusive is categorised as a hit, although it was Commitment 5: Intra-African trade
Agricultural Transformation (IAT). This scored as progressive well during the in agricultural commodities and
would involve prioritising value chains biennial review. The commitment had services (Miss)
that attract investments in different four indicators, of which the country
regions, benefiting from comparative attained the benchmark score for The country was not on track for the
advantages in these regions’ ecological the indicators. These indicators were indicators of intra-African trade on
and socio-economic factors to attract inclusive public private partnerships agricultural commodities or intra-African
private investments and stimulate (PPPs) for commodity value chains, trade policies and institutional conditions.
markets. The inclusive nature of youth jobs in agriculture, and women’s This indicator measures progress in
IAT would also ensure gains in jobs, participation in agribusiness. The implementing the African Continental Free
value-added, and poverty reduction for country was not on track for the Trade Area (AfCTA). Besides the AfCTA,
different population categories, such indicator of Agricultural Gross implementing regional trade policies
as women and youth. Moreover, the Domestic Product (Ag GDP) growth such as EAC and COMESA enhances the
country needs to pay attention to food and poverty reduction. performance of this indicator.

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24 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
The country needs to improve Building resilience for smallholders has Sector Reviews have seldom been
data collection to track the been prioritised in the sector strategy, undertaken. The reviews are essential
implementation of trade in the Agriculture Sector Transformation for reflecting on progress, challenges,
agriculture commodities, especially and Growth Strategy 2019-2029, and the and lessons during implementation
with regional neighbours where a country needs to track the progress and taking corrective action to
lot of informal cross-border trade made towards achieving this target. improve results. There is also a need
happens but remains unreported. to ensure that these mechanisms are
Commitment 7: Mutual actively implemented at the devolved
Commitment 6: Resilience to accountability for action and level in line with the structure of the
climate variability (Miss) results (Hit) sector.

The country was not on track The country met the benchmark In summary, the country made
with this commitment although it target set for this commitment, notable progress in implementing
made progress on the indicator on making progress on capacity building the CAADP strategy. However, the
investments in resilience building. for evidence-based planning, country will not meet the targets
The country has suffered significant implementation and M&E, set under the Malabo commitments.
weather events during the CAADP disseminating BR report findings and Learning from this phase of
implementation period, with the utilising the results. However, the implementation is vital to build
drought in 2017 and 2022, flooding country could improve peer review and momentum for the next phase of
in 2014, 2018 and 2024, and weather- accountability and institutionalise the CAADP implementation.
related pest outbreaks in 2020. BR process at the county level.
These shocks exposed the country’s The recommendations provided
vulnerability to weather shocks and It made progress in generating and here aim to ensure that the country
underlined the need to prioritise utilising the agricultural statistical builds on this progress and enhances
building the resilience of agricultural database. However, peer review performance in the forthcoming
producers. mechanisms such as the Joint phase of CAADP implementation

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 25

SPECIAL REPORT

An official conducts a training session on biological seed coating in Gambour, Cameroon.

Photo Credit: Colette Maba/CIFOR-ICRAF

Cameroon’s climate-smart
villages combat desertification
crop cultivation such as vegetables, agriculture,” says Emmanual
By Ngalame Elias
Djilla, one of the nurseries

D
groundnuts and improve access to
more efficient energy resources needed coordinators in Gambour, where
ESERTIFICATION in
for the improvement of livelihoods for the project is already bearing
the northern region
rural households. fruit.
of Cameroon has
historically made
Central to the project are the In the past, parched land was a
it difficult for local
community nurseries established in common feature in Gabour and
communities to cultivate crops.
pilot sites, known as climate-smart Nguni River, which cuts through
villages: Tollore, Pintchoumba, Bamé villages, dried up.
Rivers are dry most of the time with
the local water catchment depleted and Bang in the North region, and
Gambour in the Far North. These "Now with trees we have been
while soil degradation is widespread.
nurseries focus on agroforestry and planting we have improved the
the sustainable management of wood environmental condition and
To combat the effects of
energy resources. the agricultural fortunes of the
desertification, the Adaptation
community," Abdalah Rosina, a
to Climate Change (INNOVACC)
“Community nurseries and tree local farmer.
project was started in 2022 to
enhance the communities’ resilience planting play a key role in combating
desertification, serving as tangible "The rains have become plentiful
to climate change. The project
resilience measures for drought and the water volume in the
promotes sustainable practices to
mitigation and land restoration for Nguni River, a lifeline in the
restore degraded landscapes for
village, has increased."

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26 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 A woman from the village of Gambour holding a young plant.
Photo Credit: Colette Maba /CIFOR-ICRAF

Cameroon launched its national tree "We are now emphasised on the “They are also using the freshly
planting drive in 2020 with the aim growing trees as opposed to just planted areas to farm among
of having 20 percent of the country’s planting them," the minister said. the growing trees which serves
Northern desert prone region Scientists say protecting forests is as shade for young crops from
covered b forest by the end of 2025. one of the most effective ways to intense sunlight and help
curb climate change because trees the soil hold moisture,” says
Government and non-governmental suck the carbon dioxide, the main Onana Gregoire, the head of
organisations (NGOs) worked hand in gas heating up the planet, from the communication unit in the
gloves on the tree planting drive. atmosphere. Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife.
"We needed to move quickly and The project involves planting a Making other non-state organisations
develop a strategy and guidelines variety of trees, including cedar, responsible for specific forest areas
for engaging partners that ensure cypress and olive tree, and training means progress can be monitored,
trees don't die after planting them," community groups on how to care audited and managed over time, which
Cameroon’s Minister of Forestry and for them. is not always possible with more
Wildlife, Jules Doret Ndongo, said. traditional planting projects, he added.
The government pays for the
The initiative got the local seedlings and their care, including Onana encouraged greater
communities, especially women and raising saplings on their nurseries, commitment and participation to
youths, directly involved in not only and erecting electric fences provide resources for growing trees in
planting but also taking care of the to protect young trees from the long term.
trees. disappearing.
“That is the only way tree planting
The government committed to Community members make will help Cameroon curb its
paying for the care of the trees for additional income selling seedlings greenhouse gas emissions, while
at least three years, by which point to other organisations involved in also expanding scarce income
they are considered strong enough to the project. opportunities for women and young
withstand droughts, floods and other people,” he said.
climate-linked stresses.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 27

SPECIAL REPORT

David Matata, a farmer, inspecting his crop. Photo Credt: Biovision Africa Trust

Regenerative agriculture changing

lives in Kenya’s Makueni
By Zablon Oyugi

M
AKUENI County in Farmers are largely dependent on “Through this programme, farmers here are
Kenya’s semi-arid middlemen who offer low prices, finding new hope for resilient and productive
Lower Eastern region limiting their earnings. farming systems,” said Christine Mutisya, the
experiences minimal
Programme Manager, Enviu Agrifood.
rainfall and widespread However, regenerative agriculture
soil degradation, making it difficult for (RA) is gradually taking root, How it started
farming households to produce enough shifting smallholder farmers’
food, let alone generating surplus for the mindset away from conventional The programme started in 2022, inspired by
market. practices toward safer, more the success of the award-winning ventures
sustainable crop production. such as SokoFresh, which provides farm-
Conventional farming practices,
level cold storage and market linkages, and
including monocropping and excessive The transformative farming system Shambani Pro, a microfactory model that
pesticide use, have proved unsustainable is being promoted by a programme enables farmers to process their produce
as they deplete soil nutrients, reduce backed by Enviu Agrifood, a global at farm gate, adding value and reducing
biodiversity and lower resilience to venture-building studio. waste.
climate change.

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28 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
“Our focus has always been on creating About four years down the line, multiple times during one growing season
sustainable food systems by developing over 1,000 farmers are currently besides reporting increased biodiversity,
business models that reduce post- implementing regenerative supported by soil tests that confirm
harvest losses and increase farmer agricultural practices in the county. improved soil health.
incomes,” said Ms Mutisya.
Ms Mutisya said that the RA Due to better-quality produce, the
She said that through these initiatives, programme has already made a growers can now access bulk buyers,
the company has impacted over 12,000 notable impact on farmers’ production ensuring a stable and reliable market
farmers, helping them access better and market access. offering higher prices for their produce.
markets and improve their livelihoods. “Through improved farm design
that enhances water retention and David Malita is one of the farmers in Wote
Systematic approach minimises the need for rainfall area in Makueni who has started reaping
or irrigation, farms are now more the benefits of regenerative agriculture.
Starting the RA project in Makueni productive throughout the season, The father of seven grows fruits such
was not a trial and error escapade but reducing reliance on weather as avocadoes, mangoes and bananas
a systematic approach that involved conditions,” she said. alongside other crops such as pumpkins,
analysing the challenges in the area to African indigenous vegetables, legumes
understand how different parts of the Also, practising intercropping, and herbs such as thyme.
RA system would interact, and identify diversifying value chains, including
business interventions that create herbs and spices, controlling pests and He says the only difficult stage in
sustainable, long-term impact. diseases have led to increased yields. embracing regenerative system is at the
beginning because it is labour-intensive
“We chose to start the programme in “Today, the farmers are shifting their and it may take a little bit long to start
Makueni based on a thorough issue mindset from subsistence farming to enjoying the full benefits.
analysis that guided our decision on commercial production, seeing their
where to implement. While this method farms as businesses,” said Ms Mutisya. “I have dug trenches to capture
is complex and time-intensive, it ensures rainwater runoff, which benefits the
lasting change,” said Ms Mutisya. Farmers are also able to harvest crops farm during the dry season. In addition,

An infographic showing how crop yields have improved in Sub-Saharan

Africa through regenerative agriculture. Source: Enviu

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 29

 Onions grown by one of the farmers in the Enviu project. Photo Credit: Zablon Oyugi

I use mulching and plant cover crops “Over the past months, we have been the programme by supporting policy
to minimise water loss through testing and refining our regenerative alignment and promotes sustainable
evaporation,” said Malita during a farm agriculture business concepts, agriculture at the devolved unit level.
tour. Despite the dry season affecting the ensuring they are viable, impactful,
area, his farm remained lush and green. and scalable. As we move forward, “As we move into the next phase,
we are focusing on solidifying these we are committed to strengthening
He recently harvested up to 100 models, expanding our reach to more these collaborations, expanding into
pumpkins that he sold at between farmers, and building commercially new regions, and scaling regenerative
Ksh100 and Ksh300 each, which together sustainable businesses that drive agriculture as a commercially viable
with sales from other produce has been long-term change,” said Ms Mutiso. and impactful solution for smallholder
helping him support the family. farmers,” said Christine.
In this, the programme has
Joseph Nduva, an agriculture extension incorporated a strong network of Funding
officer, says the growers are slowly partners who contribute to different
moving from the notion that profits are aspects of the process. Initially, the programme has been funded
separate from ecological and community These partners include Biovision by IKEA Foundation which provided
health. Africa Trust (BVAT) which helps with financial support during the early work—
the implementation of the RA system including issue analysis, validation, and
“These farmers have come to understand by providing the needed support the building phase.
that any farming system that neglects to farmers through trainings for “As the businesses are established and
environmental and consumer well-being knowledge transfer. begin scaling, we seek investment from
is unsustainable and bound to fail over other investors to drive further growth,”
time,” he says. Rainforest Alliance helps with said the programme manager.
providing expertise on sustainable
The programme targets smallholder agricultural practices and certification Future plans
farmers in arid or semi-arid areas who while Organic Agriculture Centre
are part of a local group or organisation. of Kenya (OACK) supports organic “We aim to scale regenerative agriculture
It offers a structured training approach, farming techniques and soil health by expanding to more farmers and
beginning with a two-day session improvement initiatives. regions through financially sustainable,
followed by continuous support to help locally driven businesses. Our focus is on
farmers adopt regenerative practices. Not forgetting farmer groups and restoring soil health, increasing yields,
input providers which help with and building climate resilience.”
Participants also receive access to scaling impact, peer learning,
essential farming inputs, with training and ensuring local ownership of In 2025, RA programme is set to onboard
delivered by a dedicated field team. regenerative practices while the more farmers, expand into new counties,
Enviu is leveraging on the power of later facilitate access to organic and and strengthen partnerships in addition
partnerships to ensure as many farmers regenerative-friendly farming inputs. to enhancing grassroots and government
as possible are onboarded and their advocacy to drive systemic change in the
livelihoods transformed. The County Government of Makueni food system.
has also been a key partner in

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30 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 AGRIFINANCING
Training Africa’s Agri-Financiers
Our goal is to contribute to a thriving and sustainable
agricultural sector in Africa equipped to meet the challenges
of the 21st century.

THE PROBLEM THE SOLUTION WHY US

The sub-Saharan We're training the What we teach is what we
Agri-Finance gap is huge next-generation of have done ourselves.
and becomes a threat to lenders who understand Hands-on support to help
food sustainability to the the needs of Agricultural grow Agricultural loan
world at large. value chains. portfolios.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 31

agrifinancing.com info@agrifinancing.com
SPECIAL REPORT

Rice is identified as a strategic commodity within the SAGCOT initiative, underscoring its critical role in Tanzania’s
agricultural strategy. Photo Credit: African Plant Initiative.

A grain of hope: How Tanzania is

cultivating a brighter future through rice
By Zuwena Shame

T
ANZANIA, a land blessed increase rice production to 8.8 million Rice is identified as a strategic
with golden sunshine and metric tons by 2030, up from 3.0 commodity within the SAGCOT
fertile soil, is on the brink million metric tons in 2021, under the initiative, underscoring its critical role in
of a significant agricultural National Rice Development Strategy Tanzania’s agricultural strategy. Through
transformation. Central to (NRDS-II). strategic partnerships, SAGCOT has
this change is rice—a grain that has facilitated access to modern farming
long been a staple food and is now “Through public-private partnerships, technologies, financing, and markets,
emerging as a symbol of prosperity. we are driving innovation and empowering farmers to transition from
investment in the rice value chain, subsistence to commercial agriculture.
Tanzania’s agriculture sector has ensuring sustainable growth and
achieved remarkable success, with food security,” says Kirenga. The initiative is aligned to the
the country reaching 128 percent food aspirations of the Malabo Declaration,
security and becoming a net exporter SAGCOT, a public-private which championed the development
of several crops, including rice. partnership initiative, has over the of Agricultural Growth Corridors as
According to Godfrey Kirenga, CEO of past decade spearheaded innovative a pathway to boosting productivity,
Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor programmes that have not only reducing poverty, and promote
of Tanzania (SAGCOT), the country boosted rice production but also sustainable development. SAGCOT,
is uniquely positioned to become opened new markets, empowered conceived in 2010, became a flagship
Africa’s rice hub. Leveraging its vast farmers, and positioned Tanzania example of this vision. By uniting
arable land, favourable climate, and as a rising star in East Africa’s rice governments, private investors,
strategic initiatives, Tanzania aims to trade. smallholder farmers, and development

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32 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
partners, SAGCOT set out to create The rice value chain also benefits agroforestry have improved yields while
a thriving agricultural ecosystem in from the cluster approach, which reducing the environmental footprint of
Tanzania’s fertile southern regions, organizes farmers, agribusinesses, rice farming.
stretching from Dar es Salaam to the and stakeholders into geographic
borders of Malawi, Mozambique, and clusters. This strategy has streamlined Inclusive Green Growth Tools (IGG-Tool):
Zambia. logistics, improved access to inputs, Tailored programs have empowered women,
and enabled economies of scale in youth, and marginalized communities to
In line with the Malabo Declaration and operational regions like Ihemi, Mbarali, participate in higher-value activities like
its successor, the Kampala Declaration and Kilombero, significantly enhancing rice processing and marketing.
2025, Tanzania’s SAGCOT initiative agricultural productivity in these areas.
exemplifies the continent’s commitment Youth Empowerment: Youth-led innovation
to transforming agriculture into a driver SAGCOT’s transformative innovations hubs and entrepreneurship programs have
of economic growth and food security. have been instrumental in reshaping created a new generation of agricultural
The Kampala Declaration builds on Tanzania’s rice sub-sector. Here are leaders.
the Malabo framework, aiming to some initiatives that have driven this
further enhance food security, promote change: Neglected Value Chains Transformation:
sustainable practices, and foster resilient Supporting complementary crops like
agri-food systems across Africa. Cluster Development Framework: soybeans and horticulture has enhanced
Organizing farmers, agribusinesses, the profitability and sustainability of rice
SAGCOT’s innovative approach and stakeholders into geographic farming systems.
focused on clustering investments clusters has streamlined logistics,
around key value chains, including improved access to inputs, and enabled Farmer-to-Farmer Initiatives: Peer-to-peer
rice, sugarcane, tea, and horticulture. economies of scale in regions like learning platforms have accelerated the
By 2014, the initiative had already Mbeya, Morogoro, and Mbarali. adoption of best practices, leading to higher
delivered tangible results: soaring crop yields and better-quality rice.
yields, improved livelihoods, and a Rural Roads Development: Improved
surge in international investor interest. road networks have reduced Commodity Associations: Farmers’
Tanzania’s collective efforts have made transportation costs and post-harvest associations have strengthened market
the country a net exporter of rice, with losses, ensuring timely market access linkages, enabling farmers to negotiate
exports reaching $189 million in 2022. for farmers. better prices and access training.
Key markets include Uganda, Rwanda, Soil Health and Fertility Management:
Kenya, Burundi, and the Democratic Promoting soil testing, organic Laser Land-Leveling Technology:
Republic of the Congo. fertilisers, and sustainable practices Optimising water use and increasing
like crop rotation has boosted yields productivity through laser leveling has
SAGCOT promotes rice through and ensured long-term soil health. enhanced irrigation efficiency and reduced
commodity compacts, which are water wastage.
agreements designed to enhance the rice Green Growth Partnership (GRP):
value chain alongside other strategic Climate-smart practices such Biochar Production from Rice Husks:
crops like soybeans and horticulture. as conservation agriculture and Converting rice husks into biochar has
improved soil fertility while addressing
agricultural waste management.

SAGCOT with partners has promoted

several initiatives to open new markets for
rice and other agricultural commodities,
including contract farming, standard
certification, phytosanitary and plant
health services, value addition, good
agricultural practices (GAPs) and post-
harvest loss reduction.

Kirenga says that SAGCOT is actively

looking beyond the established corridors
to initiate strategic commodity compacts
for rice in new areas. This effort aims to
replicate the successes achieved in Ihemi,
Mbarali, and Kilombero clusters, while
expanding rice cultivation to untapped
areas especially in the Central Corridor
Godfrey Kirenga, CEO of Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania
regions."
(SAGCOT). Photo Credit: Zuwena Shame

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 33

SPECIAL REPORT
SPECIAL REPORT

Kieni Canola Oil firm saleslady. Photo Credit: Zablon Oyugi.

Small canola oil processor

unfazed by industry giants
By Zablon Oyugi

I
N 2007, David Kimondo watched “I did not have any knowledge of “Up to five times, tests and trials of
in awe as the first golden droplets processing the oil but I had got a rough the oil failed to meet the regulator’s
of crystal-clear canola oil cascaded idea from a white settler in Laikipia standards despite the efforts and
from the gleaming machine, landing who was producing it for his farm costs I incurred but I did not lose
softly into a waiting vessel below. automotive applications,” said Kimondo. hope thanks to the expert advice for
Upgrading improvement I received every time
“I can say I was the happiest man that day, my products fell below the quality
very excited seeing my idea of producing Two years later in 2009 he was forced requirements,” said Kimondo.
oil from the tiny canola seeds come to to spend Ksh800,000, almost his entire
fruition,” said Kimondo, who had seen his savings to import an oil expeller Another challenge he faced at the
previous attempts using locally fabricated machine from China and set up his teething stage of the venture was
machines not quite work out. cottage industry. He also bought some competition from big canola oil
five 90kg bags of canola at Ksh5,000 a producers, who ensured they bought
The entrepreneur who before then was bag from the white settler. almost all the seeds from the few
running a posho mill at his peri-urban farmers then to drive him out of
home near Mweiga Town in Nyeri He kept producing the oil and business.
County would then begin the process of taking samples to the Kenya Bureau
registering the enterprise and seeking of Standards (KEBS) for tests and “I ensured that I approach the growers
certification of the oil with the view of approvals. This was not an easy process, nicely by teaching them how to
commercialising it. he says. produce canola and offer them a price

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34 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
a little bit higher than that of the
competitors to survive and grow,” he
said.

After rounds of trials, he would finally

get the product approved and since
that time the agripreneur’s small
manufacturing industry has been a
beehive of activities.

The factory, situated on a murram

road a few metres off the Nyeri-
Nairobi highway, currently has a
smaller and bigger electric-powered oil
expeller machines operating.

As we are ushered into the processing

unit, we meet Christabella Manyonge
the machines operator in her overall
attire. Her work involves properly
feeding canola seeds, first, into the
bigger machine which can crush three
bags of 90kg canola seeds in about
four hours. David Kimondo displays some of the oil products at his cottage industry.
Photo Credit: Zablon Oyugi
“We ensure the seeds processed are
dried to 11 percent moisture content
for them to be crushed well by the “We sell a litre of canola oil at Ksh400. “I want to thank the government
machine to produce oil which we We also have other oils that we process through AFA for allowing small
collect into a drum through sievers such as castor (mbonombono) oil that enterprises such as Kieni Canola
and sludge for further crushing we sell at Ksh1,500 a litre, black seed Oil to have space to thrive. I’m
to remove some oil remains,” says oil and pumpkin oil among other really grateful for the support and
Manyonge. products,” said Kimondo. recognition I have received over the
years,” he said.
The sludge is passed through the The cottage industry currently
smaller machine twice until the processes a tonne of canola seeds a Possible returns
remaining oil is completely squeezed week which can yield up to 200 litres of
out, leaving molds of almost dry cakes. oil and 1,400 kilos of castor seeds which Kimondo says a farmer can harvest
produce 20 litres of oil a week. 1-1.5 tonnes of canola seeds from an
If properly processed, three 90kg acre in about 100 days.
bags of canola seeds can yield more Having been approved by the National
than 70 litres of refined oil for market Products Industry (NPI) and with Currently, a kilo of canola seeds is
while the cakes, which are the sole herbal medicine knowledge, Kimondo sold at between Ksh70 and Ksh180,
byproducts, are milled through is now spicing the oil with some herbal meaning from an acre, a grower
another machine into animal feeds. extracts to make other medicinal can rake in about Ksh270,000 or
products for his many health conscious Ksh105,000 a season from the crop
“We normally realise about 150 kilos consumers. whose investment in terms of
of animal feeds from the three 90kg input and labour per acre cannot
processed seeds. The feeds are sold Training farmers exceed Ksh10,000, according to the
as supplement to livestock farmers entrepreneur.
nearby who walk in to buy at the Kimondo has since embarked on
industry or faraway farmers on order,” training farmers, especially those Generally, the introduction of canola,
said Manyonge. who grow wheat, on the importance say on a three-year cycle initially, will
of rotating the crop with canola and lead to improved net income and
The oil is sold under the brand name its economic value. He also teaches profitability over the period.
‘Kieni Canola Oil’ at various outlets, consumers about the benefit of the
including the industry shop at edible oil thanks to a platform he has However, Kimondo decries lack of
Mweiga, and shops and supermarkets been offered by the Agriculture and enough producers of castor and back
in Nyeri Town, Nakuru, Nyahururu, Food Authority (AFA) in almost all seeds locally something which forces
Chaka and in Nairobi. the agricultural events to exhibit the him buy them from as far as the
products and educate the public. Coast region and Ethiopia.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 35

SPECIAL REPORT

Farmers belonging to Cameroon’s MushFarm project are making use of recycled forestry and agricultural waste to
grow oyster mushrooms. Photo Credit: Ngalame

Cameroon farmers reap

cash from mushrooms
By Ngalame Elias The farmers belonging to MushFarm, introduced, the bags are placed
a project initiated in 2020, are in the mushroom house. It takes

A
making use of recycled forestry and 30 days for the first plants to
s Cameroon intensifies agricultural waste to grow the soilless appear.
efforts to achieve crop.
food security, “Thousands of oyster
inclusive growth The project started off with 25 mushrooms are grown in dark
and development, farmers has since seen grown its rooms by members of our group.
local communities are being membership to over 500. They are grown in rows on
encouraged to seize opportunities “We mix maize cobs with materials shelves on agricultural waste
in agribusiness. such as bran and wheat flour to make packaged in plastic bags,” said
the subsrate and apply fungicide Nkwelle Jacob, the team leader.
In Tombel in South West Region to prevent fungus,” said Brice Nono
of the country, a group of farmers Djomo, one of the farmers. With financial support from the
is already reaping the benefits Tombel Farmers Cooperative,
of agribusiness, growing oyster Once the mixture is made, this MushFarm has trained over 400
mushroom and supplying substrate is sterilised, placed in youths in mushroom farming.
mushroom products in the local barrels and heated over a wood fire.
market. It is then cooled and distributed “Since training, mushroom
in bags. After the seed has been farming has become a source

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36 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
of employment for all these young A kilo of mushroom is sold for 2,000 Experts say though Cameroon
people and women. We are calling CFA francs (3 euros) in Tombel, while has a ready market for
on the government to give us it costs up to 3,500 in bigger cities like mushrooms, more research,
more support so the cultivation of Yaoundé, the administrative capital, sensitisation, and training of
mushroom can be scaled,” Nkwelle or Douala, the economic capital. manpower are required to
said. enhance commercialisation
The duration of cultivation is three and youth engagement in
The project has since encouraged months. Each farmer in the group agribusiness especially in the
many youths to develop interest produces between 300 to 400 kilos of rural areas.
in mushroom cultivation as a cash mushrooms, 80 percent of which are
crop that provides income for their sold directly to consumers. “Cameroon farmers need to go
livelihood. The group saw a surge in demand for beyond the use of rudimentary
mushrooms in the country especially tools and equipment to carry out
Dione Joan, a resident Tombel, said during the Covid period, a factor innovations in production and
mushroom growing has been a major that motivated many youths to take processing of mushroom. More
source of income and livelihood for interest in its cultivation in their area. training and research is needed
his family in the past three years. in many parts of Cameroon
“The demand for mushroom when it comes to mushroom
Eighty-five percent of the mushroom suddenly increased since the Covid production,” said Ngu Nenong,
produced is dried and packaged to period and since then we have a the head of research in the
reap better profit for the farmers. steady market for this important Ministry of Agriculture.
crop throughout the country,”
The farmers have seen growth Nkwelle said. Reports indicate that the
in the market for their products, Experts say mushroom is rich in demand for edible and medicinal
especially among people incorporate proteins and vitamins B2, B3, B5 and mushroom in Cameroon
mushrooms in their meals for D. presently exceeds supply due
medical reasons. to low production, lack of
Mushroom is also used to make oil trained personnel in mushroom
“There are those who have been for hair dressing, soap, juice and biotechnology and poor post-
asked to stay off meat for health whisky. harvest storage.
reasons, those who are healthy
lifestyle enthusiasts that believe in “It softens the hair and makes it grow “The government plans to put in
healthy options and even those who back. It also treats dandruff and hair more effort in training youths
are vegetarians or vegans looking for breakage,” said Josiane Sogo, a beauty in mushroom cultivation,” Ngu
a trusted source for mushrooms, all salon owner in Yaounde. said.
year round,” said Nkwelle.

Mushroom farming showcases the power of small-scale agriculture. Photo Credit: Ngalame

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 37

SPECIAL REPORT

Heads of State in a group photo on the sidelines of AU’s 37th Extra Ordinary Summit in Kampala, Uganda in January 2025.
. Photo Credit: AU

Kampala Declaration: Africa creates

a new food security roadmap
By Murimi Gitari

T
and are expected to lay One of the primary goals of the
HE African Union (AU) in strategy is to increase Africa’s agri-
January this year adopted the foundation for a
transformative shift in Africa’s food output by 45 percent by 2035. To
yet another comprehensive achieve this, the AU member states
10-year strategy aimed agri-food systems.
have pledged to intensify sustainable
at revolutionising the food production, promote agro-
continent’s agricultural sector and The new strategy is driven by
the urgent need to address industrialisation, and facilitate trade.
achieving food security by 2035. These efforts are expected to not only
This ambitious strategy, dubbed the challenges posed by
Africa’s rapidly growing enhance food security but also drive
the Kampala Declaration, was economic growth and development
unveiled during the African Union population, which is projected
to reach 2.5 billion people across the continent.
Extraordinary Summit on the Post-
Malabo Comprehensive Africa by 2050. In comparison,
the global population is The strategy also sets ambitious
Agriculture Development Programme targets for reducing post-harvest
(CAADP) held in Kampala, Uganda. expected to reach 9.8 billion
people. Recognising the losses, tripling intra-African trade
immense pressure this in agri-food products and inputs,
The Kampala Declaration on Building and increasing the share of locally
Resilient and Sustainable Agri-food will place on food demand,
the heads of state and processed food to 35 percent of agri-
Systems in Africa builds on the food GDP by 2035. By addressing
progress made on the commitments government committed to
a series of measures aimed these critical areas, the strategy aims
under the 2014 Malabo Declaration to create a more resilient and efficient
but sets more ambitious goals and at significantly increasing
agricultural production, agri-food system that can meet the
introduces new initiatives. continent’s growing food needs.
These initiatives are set to be productivity, food processing,
implemented from 2026 to 2035, and trade.

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38 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta dissatisfaction with the pace of sovereign and prosperous continent.
Museveni, a prominent advocate for progress and underscored the need “This Summit marks a defining
agricultural development, delivered for renewed efforts to achieve the set moment for Africa, where we will be
a powerful speech at the summit. He objectives. able to chart out the course of the
emphasised the importance of value continent’s agri-food system,” he said.
addition in agriculture, urging African Kenya’s President William Ruto
nations to move away from relying emphasized the importance of The former AU Commissioner for
on food imports and instead focus on transforming Africa’s agri-food Agriculture, Rural Development,
adding value to their own agricultural systems to achieve food security Blue Economy, and Sustainable
products. and sustainable economic growth. Environment, Josefa Sacko described
He highlighted Kenya’s efforts the Kampala Declaration as inclusive
“This Africa of having no food and to enhance food security, reduce and comprehensive, with a clear
begging is not the real Africa, but the poverty, create jobs, and promote roadmap and realistic strategic
colonial and neo-colonial Africa. It is sustainable growth. He reaffirmed objectives that align with the
a shame,” Museveni declared. He also Kenya’s commitment to agricultural agriculture transformation vision
called on leaders to eliminate non- transformation, aligning with the outlined in Agenda 2063.
tariff barriers that hinder agricultural country’s Bottom-Up Economic
advancement and disrupt production. Transformation Agenda and Vision Development partners, represented
2030 by Norway’s State Minister Bjørg
The former AUC Chairperson, Sandkjær, commended Africa’s new
Moussa Faki Mahamat, acknowledged Ethiopian President Taye Atske strategy for emphasising the critical
the ambitious nature of the Selassie underscored the urgency for role of agri-food systems in economic
CAADP Programme, which has collective commitment and action growth, food security, and improved
been in place since 2014 under the to realise Africa’s vision for a food- nutrition. She noted that the bold
Malabo Declaration. He expressed

Ugandan Yoweri Kaguta Museveni chit chatting other Heads of State and the former AU Chair during the AU’s 37th
Extra Ordinary Summit in Kampala that focused on adopting a 10-year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan. Photo Credit: Uganda Presidency Press

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 39

SPECIAL REPORT

Boaz Blackie Keizire, AGRA’s Director for Policy and State Capability, speaks at a past event.
Photo Credit: Murimi Gitari

Kampala Declaration brings new

hope to Africa’s food systems
Q&A: Panagrimedia spoke to Boaz Blackie Keizire, AGRA’s Director for Policy and State Capability, on
the latest commitments by the African Union (AU) member states to transform food systems on the
continent and the upcoming Financing Agri-food Systems (FINAS) 2025 Dialogue.
The African Union in January adopted a new agricultural development strategy, dubbed the
Kampala Declaration, aimed at making the continent food-secure by 2035.

By Murimi Gitari

What is your assessment of and a peer review mechanism in which been a lot of progress. The
the Malabo Declaration which countries report on the progress they first big challenge were
are making and they able to really see the climate shocks. We saw
preceded this new strategy? how others are performing against the southern Africa being hit
commitments they made. These made by El Nino and the Horn
The Malabo Declaration was a very
countries to compete in designing very of Africa was being hit by
critical decision because it built on
strong agriculture and investment plans. drought. Climate change
the lessons from the previous 10 years
shocks really compromised
since 2003 in Maputo Declaration,
But the commitments weren’t the delivery of the goals
which focused initially on mobilising
and targets of Malabo
public resources around the 10 met, why?
Declaration. COVID-19 also
percent public expenditure on
disrupted the supply chains
agriculture. But the game changer Key challenges that the Malabo
of inputs like fertiliser and
in Malabo was a commitment that Declaration faced were mostly beyond
food items.
instituted a mutual accountability the control of countries. But there has

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40 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 to different parts of the food systems
What was AGRA’s role in been supporting AU member states to
mobilise resources and design policies elements. This will enable governments
the Malabo Declaration? to make decisions on where we need to
and strategies that create incentives
for access to land and productive assets increase allocations and so on.
AGRA was instrumental in
supporting the delivery of Malabo like finance for women and youth. This
Declaration. We supported is to intentionally incentivise youth How do you see AGRA’s role in the
the African Union in shaping and excite them to use the digital tools implementation of the Kampala
the biennial review processes, to be part of the agricultural value Declaration?
strengthened countries’ seed chains.
systems, supported policy reforms We commit, based on our experience and
that liberalised seed and fertiliser How different is the Kampala comparative advantage, to strengthen seed
industries, strengthened markets Declaration from Malabo and systems, sustainable farming, regenerative
across borders by looking at non- Maputo? agriculture models, last-mile delivery,
tariff barriers, reducing roadblocks extension as well as fertiliser application.
and eliminating export bans. We Our experience with COVID-19 shaped
worked with governments to the design of the Kampala Declaration AGRA will also be supporting countries
reduce unpredictable policies and for the next 10 years. In the Kampala to design bankable investment plans for
incentivise farmers. In a country Declaration, the 10 percent public mobilisation of resources and new money
like Tanzania, we supported the expenditure on agriculture was upheld that would not have come because of
streamlining of farmer registration but also made sure that we look at lack of clear investable programmes and
to make fertiliser distribution new financing models like blended business cases that could attract private
more efficient. finance, pension funds and other sector and public sector investment. We
kinds of resources that are required have also enhanced our programme
Women and youth still face to drive agri-food systems. A new tool on youth and gender to respond to the
inclusivity commitment of the AU. We
an uphill task accessing has been developed which we call
Financing Flows for Food Systems are very intentional in terms of designing
finance and markets, why is projects and programmes that are
(3FS). Financing flows will be able to
this? tell us how much resources are going specifically targeting youth. We are looking

Due to our historical and cultural

behaviour, women and youth don’t
have access to financial resources
simply because they are unable to
find collateral, don’t have access
to land and face lots of other
bottlenecks and hinderances in
engaging in agriculture. So they
require special interventions at
the continental level. As AGRA,
we have been able to develop
what we call the youth agro-
business strategy, a continental
policy framework. We have also

Boaz Blackie Keizire (left), AGRA’s Director for Policy and State Capability, and Anthony Karuiru of Strathmore Academy
for International Research Collaboration (SAIRC) at a past event. Photo Credit: Murimi Gitari

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 41

at end-to-end value chains so that they How do we make sure that are going they’re able to increase. If
you show ministries of finance the
are really incentivised to be part of we harness some of the
those particular investments. AGRA biggest returns on investment are,
innovations that we never had where you are going to get jobs, where
has helped with the design of the new
policy agenda for the continent. We
before? Today we are talking you are going to get the growth of the
are also investing in domesticating about green or climate-related economy, they are likely to give more
those policies, so that we can see jobs that can be harnessed. The because they have not been refusing.
The challenge is that they have been
results change at the farm level so that existing financing instruments,
farmers can increase their incomes, overwhelmed by a multitude of
how have they worked? What different needs of the governments.
young people are able to get jobs and
women are integrated in the value
are the new models? But if you demonstrate that agri-food
chains. systems are going to be central to
So, the FINAS conference has a huge driving the economy and other sectors
opportunity for countries and all and services in digital space, I am
Will Kampala Declaration stakeholders to learn about sustainably optimistic that the governments will
succeed where Malabo and investing and financing agri-food even give additional resources. But we
Maputo floundered? systems and I would urge everyone to also need innovative financing tools
plan to attend. instead of relying and depending on
I’m very optimistic that the Kampala borrowing.
Declaration will learn from the lessons Do you see African
or failures to fare better. We are also governments this time around We need to design specific policies for
in an era of digitisation, especially smallholder farmers and young people
with young people being the biggest
meeting their 10 percent public to access money that are within central
segment of the population on the expenditure commitment? banks and commercial banks, reduce
continent. Harnessing the potential the collateral or security requirements
of the youth and the women to be Yes. I am very optimistic. First of all, if and allow for a longer repayment period
part of the transformation and the you redefine what food systems contain for agriculture-related businesseses and
digital solutions and technology, we and they are able to see where resources so on.
are going to see more progress in terms
of how you make farmers access their
input through digital means. Through
market intelligence information
and satellite imaging, we will gain
understanding what’s happening on
the farm and be able to have precision
in terms of where the inputs are.

On mobilising resources, we see a

lot of commitments. So we want to
work with all the different models,
pension funds, investments, innovative
financing tools and models that
exist within commercial banks.
Those resources can actually be
harnessed across the continent to
increase investment and create policy
incentives. All this needs thought
leadership.

How important is Financing

Agri-food Systems (FINAS)
2025 Dialogue in May?
The FINAS conference is designed
to bring in data and evidence-based
solutions towards sustainably
financing agri-food systems in Africa.
It will address key questions such as:
How do we bring in additional new
money?
Boaz Blackie Keizire. Photo Credit: Murimi Gitari

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42 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
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 ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS

AI generated image

Africa: The world’s next breadbasket

By Prof Arun Tiwari

T
HERE are two kinds of Goals were set up for ten years, African Agriculture Development
events. One emerges from with crystal clear objectives to Programme (CAADP), which is
an ongoing process, unseen create prosperous and healthy aligned with the Sustainable
and unnoticed; it reaches African societies through the Development Goals (SDGs) of the
a critical point, the idea transformation of the agricultural United Nations.
gets precipitated into an event, and sector. These included achieving
everyone notices it. The other type comprehensive food security Acknowledging the reality that
is an idea brewing in the thoughts of and nutrition for all Africans, Africa remains off-track in meeting
sensitive minds; it gathers traction, promoting sustainable farming key commitments like ending
brings people together, and then takes practices, enhancing resilience hunger by 2025, the Kampala
a form that is more of a collective to climate change, increasing Declaration of 2025 marked a
creation. investments in the farming decisive shift from a narrow
sector by both governments and focus on agriculture-led growth
The Malabo Declaration on private entities and prioritising to a broader agri-food systems
Accelerated Agricultural Growth and smallholder farmers, particularly approach. The declaration issued
Transformation for Shared Prosperity women and youth, in agricultural a clarion call to end hunger and
and Improved Livelihoods at the policies and programmes. The malnutrition by 2035. Taking the
African Union Summit in Malabo, Malabo Declaration builds on the bull by the horns, it decided to
Equatorial Guinea, held in June 2014, principles of the Comprehensive pursue self-reliance in climate-
was an event that was both.

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44 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
smart technologies to address The tricky part is developing drought-
herbicide and insect resistance and
agricultural productivity gaps. resistant varieties, which are more
to produce higher yields. India has
resilient to drought and extreme
taken a very progressive stand and
What does this mean on the ground? weather events. These varieties
has exempted crops with certain
can be cultivated using genetically
kinds of genetic modifications
Climate-smart technologies are vital modified organisms (GMOs) or
from the regulations previously
in closing agricultural productivity traditional breeding techniques. In
imposed on commercialising all
gaps by enhancing resilience and sub-Saharan Africa, only the South
genetically modified crops. The
sustainability while addressing Africa allows the cultivation of a
new policy exempts crops with
climate change challenges. First and GMO variety of white maize for
simple tweaks to genes that are
foremost is precision agriculture, direct food consumption.
already ‘natural’ to the plant but
which involves using GPS, sensors have not added any ‘foreign’ DNA.
and data analytics to optimise field- Almost no GMO food crops are
level crop farming management. legally grown anywhere in South Asia
Due to global supply chains, GMO
It helps apply water, fertilisers and or Southeast Asia. In the Philippines,
foods are proliferating even in
pesticides more efficiently, reducing GMO sweetcorn is permitted;
those countries where they are not
waste and increasing yield. Bangladesh approved a limited
approved. Of course, genetically
commercialisation of GMO eggplant
engineered foods currently
Techniques such as no-till farming, in 2013; and finally, in 2014, Indonesia
available in the international
cover cropping and crop rotation brought in GMO sugarcane, but that
market have passed safety
can improve soil health, increase is all. China permits GMO cotton but
assessments in their countries
carbon sequestration and enhance does not allow commercial farmers
and are not likely to present risks
productivity. Innovations such as to plant GMO wheat, rice, corn or
to human health. In addition, no
drip irrigation systems and rainwater potato. It was only in 2024 that China
effects on human health have been
harvesting can significantly improve approved GM corn and 14 soybean
shown from the consumption
water use efficiency, especially in varieties to be bred for stronger
of such foods by the general
regions susceptible to drought.

AI generated image

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 45

 AI generated image

population in the countries where Africa urgently needs to lead in citizens. The Kampala Declaration
they have been approved. India innovation and development rather of 2025 represents the most accurate
freely imports huge quantities, than simply keeping pace with global expression of 21st century Africa.
edible oil extracted from trends. This proactive approach can While it may focus primarily on
genetically altered oilseeds, and address many pressing challenges agriculture, the Kampala Declaration
unfounded fears of their adverse the continent faces, including 2025 testifies to the awakening of the
impact are hurting farmers, technology adoption, education African people and their freedom
consumers and the industry. and skill development. Focusing in the true sense and it will lead to
on environmentally sustainable far-reaching reforms. Much like no
It is time for Africa to take the practices in agriculture, industry cloud forms in isolation to rain over
lead in deciding what is right for and urban development can build a specific piece of land, and based on
its people and show by example resilience against climate change, the winds, it rains over a wide area,
that smallholders need to be promote economic growth and the Kampala Declaration 2025 heralds
prosperous. Many smallholder encourage entrepreneurship. the emergence of a New Africa. This
farmers struggle with inadequate Africa seeks to address global issues
resources, including access to land, Undoubtedly, investment in through its resources, which are no
credit, education and technology, infrastructure encompassing longer limited to gold, diamonds and
which can limit their agricultural transportation, energy and digital even rare earth elements. Its true
productivity and income. This networks has occurred. However, wealth lies in its people, their skills
situation can lead to food by promoting unique cultural and their capacity to produce food—
insecurity for the farmers and the narratives and innovations, Africa not only for their own population
broader community, as they may can shape global conversations but also to significantly support the
struggle to produce enough food to and trends in the arts, fashion densely populated South Asia.
meet local demand. Encouraging and technology. This proactive
sustainable farming practices can strategy can ultimately contribute Prof. Arun Tiwari is an Indian missile
lead to long-term productivity to sustainable economic growth and scientist, and author.
and environmental health an improved quality of life for its
improvements.

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46 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 Training you on good agricultural practices, so
you can get your produce verified for local and
international markets

Waste
Pollution
Traceability Management

and
Documentation Application
Technology Food
Safety

Safe Use Integrated

Pest
Site History and Management
Site Management

Crop Protection
Irrigation Products
Systems PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 47
 ANALYSIS

Farmers tending their crops in the field in conflict-hit areas of Kasai and Tanganyika regions, the Democratic
Republic of Congo. Photo Credit: FAO/Junior D. Kanna

How DRC conflict is threatening

food security in the region
By Patrick Githinji

C
systems and food security in both
ONFLICTS in Africa Rwanda and DRC, as well as across
cause food insecurity the continent.
because they disrupt
agricultural It has disrupted agricultural
production, displace activities, which are the backbone of
farmers from their land, destroy food production in the area. Farmers
infrastructure like irrigation have been forced to abandon their
systems, hinder access to fields due to the violence, leading to a
markets, drive up food prices, significant reduction in crop yields.
and divert resources away from
development towards military The destruction of infrastructure,
efforts, ultimately leaving people such as roads and bridges, has
unable to access sufficient food further hampered the transportation
supplies. of food supplies, making it difficult to
get food to markets and distribution
The ongoing fighting between centres.
government forces and the M23
rebels in Goma and Bukavu, the According to the Food and
two major cities in the eastern Agriculture Organisation of the
Democratic Republic of Congo United Nations (FAO), conflict cost
Patrick Githinji (DRC), has had profound and Africa over $120 billion worth of
far-reaching impacts on food

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48 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 The M23 rebel group is made up of hundreds of Congolese soldiers mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group who deserted
the national army last year. Photo Credit: Reuters

agricultural production during the a new perennial plague: global in the Horn of Africa, driving hunger
last third of the 20th century. warming, causing severe weather in Ethiopia in particular. Of the
events like flooding and drought countries of highest concern in terms
Conflict in developing countries that disrupt food production. Both of famine, three of the top four are
stems from a constellation of conflict and climate change are African: Mali, South Sudan and the
factors, including ethnic rivalries human-caused maladies that can Sudan. The DRC’s eastern provinces
and environmental scarcities, as be ended through human actions. are Africa’s area of primary concern
well as intergroup competition For the foreseeable future, however, and face critical levels of acute food
over resources such as land, water, humanitarian groups can only track insecurity as well.
and development aid. In conflict areas of the highest danger and
situations, there is usually some prepare mitigation measures. The instability in the DRC has
combination of perceived unfair- broader implications for food security
ness in resource distribution, injury The tracking organisation that across Africa. The DRC is a significant
to a group’s sense of cultural identity, proactively identifies danger zones producer of various agricultural
struggle for control over access to for countries that face famine products, and disruptions in its food
high-value primary resources, and worldwide is the World Food production can lead to shortages
a precipitous decline in household Programme (WFP). The WFP keeps and increased prices in neighbouring
incomes due to a natural disaster or a a list of ‘hotspot’ countries that face countries. Moreover, the conflict has
plunge in the price of key mineral or life-threatening conditions because diverted attention and resources
agricultural commodities. of food shortages. The countries away from long-term agricultural
that were added to the 2024 list development projects, which are
Studies of the economic correlates are the Central African Republic, crucial for improving food security on
of war—or of the motives and Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone the continent.
opportunities of the combatants— and Zambia. Listed in 2023 and the
rarely investigate food insecurity remaining ‘hunger hotspots’ in 2024 The conflict in Goma and Bukavu is
directly, although they often find are Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, a stark reminder of how violence and
that conflict is strongly associated Somalia and Zimbabwe. instability can have cascading effects
with factors closely related to food on food systems and food security.
insecurity, for example, high infant Of the 18 countries identified in Addressing the root causes of the
mortality, destitution, inequality, and 2024 by the WFP, all but five are conflict and restoring peace in the
declining per capita incomes. African. Nearly all of the countries region are essential for ensuring that
are involved in armed conflicts or people in both the DRC and Rwanda,
In 2024, the plague of conflict in experience political violence. Nigeria as well as across Africa, have access to
various places in Africa put millions is one such country, engaged in a sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
of people in danger of starvation, decades-long battle with the Islamic
outstripping available international terrorists al-Shabaab. On the eastern Patrick is a digital communications
aid. The 21st century has brought end of the Sahel, conflict continues expert based in Nairobi.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 49

 RESEARCH

Dr Chimango Nyasulu, a
recent Regional Scholarship
and Innovation Fund (Rsif)
supported PhD graduate
from Malawi.
Photo Credit: Sakina Mapenzi

Using AI, machine learning to tackle

climate change, crop diseases in the Sahel
By Sakina Kahindi features. The Artificial Neural Network achieved an
impressive 91 percent accuracy rate. Further, transfer
learning with Convolutional Neural Networks, specifically

C
MobileNet, enhanced the classification accuracy to 96.3
LIMATE change brings numerous challenges
percent.
to agriculture in the Sahel region, including
unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and
The practical application of Dr Nyasulu’s research led
increased incidence of pests and diseases.
to the development of a prototype called E-FarmAI,
integrating the Ensemble Model for weather forecasting
To help farmers cope with these challenges, Dr Chimango
and MobileNet for disease classification. This tool has the
Nyasulu’s research at Gaston Berger University of Saint
potential to significantly boost food security in Senegal and
Louis, Senegal, is exploring the effectiveness of AI and
other African nations by providing farmers with accurate
machine learning to predict weather patterns and diagnose
weather predictions and effective disease management
crop diseases in the region.
strategies.
Dr Nyasulu is a recent Regional Scholarship and Innovation
Dr Nyasulu’s research holds valuable insights for
Fund (Rsif)-supported PhD graduate from Malawi.
policymakers, researchers, and development organizations
His study used various machine learning methods to forecast
aiming to promote agricultural productivity and resilience
daily rainfall, relative humidity, maximum temperature, and
in Africa. Currently, he continues his work as a Researcher
minimum temperature in Senegal. The stacked Ensemble
in Artificial Intelligence in the ICT Department of Mzuzu
Model proved to be the most accurate, outperforming
University in Malawi, contributing to the advancement of
other techniques by accurately predicting weather patterns
AI solutions for agricultural challenges.
based on spatial distribution and annual cycles. The use of
polynomial features improved the model’s performance,
The Rsif programme has played a crucial role in supporting
reducing errors and increasing accuracy for daily rainfall
Dr Nyasulu and other students, fostering innovation and
forecasting.
practical solutions to real-world problems in sub-Saharan
Africa. His work exemplifies how Rsif students are solving
In addition to weather prediction, Dr Nyasulu focused
pressing African problems, driving positive impacts on
on classifying and quantifying the severity of tomato
their countries and the broader sub-Saharan region. Rsif’s
leaf fungal diseases using machine learning classifiers.
contribution to strengthening higher education and
Techniques like Support Vector Machine, Random Forest,
scientific research is vital for the continent’s sustainable
K-Nearest Neighbors, and Artificial Neural Networks were
development and building resilience to climate change.
applied to identify diseases such as Alternaria, Curvularia,
Helminthosporium, and Lasiodiplodia based on texture
Sakina Kahindi is a communications expert.

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50 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 Earning a Living through Safer Pesticide Application:
The Role of Spray Service Providers in Kenya

Pest Control Products (PCPs), commonly referred to as Pesticides, are essential in safeguarding crops from pests and
diseases, thus contributing significantly to Africa's economic growth and food security. In Kenya, where agriculture
constitutes 33% of the GDP and employs over 40% of the population, the impact of PCPs is particularly pronounced. Despite
their pivotal role, the misuse of pesticides is still reported among small-scale farmers, leading to various challenges such as
information gaps on products, and food safety concerns.

Recognizing the need for a balance between the benefits of pest control products and responsible usage, aak-GROW/
CropLife Kenya initiated the Spray Service Provider Concept. The trained and certified farmers, known as Spray Service
Providers (SSPs) offer pesticide application services to their fellow farmers at a small fee, and are addressing issues of
pesticide misinformation and promoting safe and effective pesticide use. The initiative is implemented in partnership with
among other stakeholders, the government of Kenya through the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). This innovative
approach not only enhances food security by improving yields and reducing post-harvest losses but also contributes to
the creation of economic opportunities for the youth involved in agriculture. The SSP’s provide a viable and cost-effective
solution for small scale farmers to apply pesticides on their farms in a low risk and high reward scenario.

The Spray Service Provider Initiative also serves as a safety bridge, minimizing the health and environmental risks
associated with pesticide handling. By ensuring the correct application of pesticides for target pests and promoting Integrated
Pest Management (IPM), SSPs play a crucial role in reducing pesticide resistance. Additionally, the initiative strengthens the
supply chain, providing farmers with improved access to quality and genuine pesticides.

Moreover, the Spray Service Provider Initiative becomes a source of employment for the youth, offering opportunities as
sprayers, brand agents, trainers, and more. This multifaceted approach not only fosters responsible pest control practices
but also addresses the financial independence of young farmers, making a significant impact on sustainable agriculture in
Kenya.

PANAFRICAN
For those interested in hiring or becoming a Spray Service AGRICULTURE
Provider, contact | April
aak-GROW - June 2025
at 0710447777/0734447777. 51
 Emmanuel
Mensah,groundbreaking
work focuses on optimizing
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-
Polyacrylamide Gel
Electrophoresis (SDS-
PAGE) for accurate protein
characterization in food
science and nutrition.

Ghanaian scientist leads

groundbreaking protein research
By Emmanuel Mensah

P
ROTEINS play a crucial role SDS-PAGE is one of the most widely sensitivity, gel polymerisation, and
in nutrition, health, and used techniques in protein analysis. compatibility with downstream
food quality. Understanding It offers high-resolution separation analytical techniques like mass
their structure and function of proteins based on their molecular spectrometry and immunoblotting.
is key to ensuring food weight, making it an indispensable
safety, improving nutritional value, tool in nutritional research, food Food science heavily relies on protein
and advancing scientific research. In quality assessment, allergen detection, characterisation to assess the
a groundbreaking study published in and food safety studies. This method nutritional value and safety of various
the International Journal of Innovative enables researchers to determine food products. Proteins undergo
Science and Research Technology, protein purity, modifications, and structural changes due to processing,
Ghanaian scientist Emmanuel Mensah structural changes, which are essential storage, and environmental factors,
explores the optimisation of Sodium in ensuring the quality of food and SDS-PAGE serves as a powerful
Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel products. Mensah’s study highlights analytical tool for studying these
Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for accurate how experimental parameters such as modifications. Mensah’s research
protein characterisation in food science gel composition, sample preparation, emphasises that accurate protein
and nutrition. His research provides and electrophoretic conditions can be characterisation is essential for
vital insights into how SDS-PAGE optimised to achieve more accurate detecting food allergens, evaluating
can be optimised for better protein and reproducible protein analysis. protein functionality, and ensuring
identification, quantification, and Additionally, the research explores consistent quality control in food
structural analysis in food products. advancements in SDS-PAGE protocols, production. His findings demonstrate
including improvements in detection that SDS-PAGE plays a critical role

52
52 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
in distinguishing different types Another key aspect of the research is findings highlight the advantages
of proteins within complex food the optimisation of electrophoresis of fluorescent staining techniques,
matrices, allowing researchers to conditions and buffer systems. which provide greater sensitivity
identify dietary proteins, detect Voltage, temperature, and run-time and lower background interference,
protein degradation, and assess post- significantly impact protein migration making them ideal for identifying
translational modifications that and resolution in SDS-PAGE. Mensah’s low-abundance proteins in food
influence protein functionality. study discusses best practices for samples.
controlling these parameters to
Mensah’s study presents detailed enhance the clarity and accuracy Another critical factor in optimising
strategies for optimising SDS-PAGE of protein separation. By carefully SDS-PAGE is gel composition and
in nutritional research and food adjusting these factors, researchers polymerization. The concentration of
quality assessment. One major area can prevent protein degradation and acrylamide in the resolving gel directly
of focus is sample preparation and improve the reproducibility of results. affects the separation efficiency of
protein extraction, which are crucial proteins based on molecular weight.
for obtaining reliable results. The The study also explores staining and Higher acrylamide concentrations
study examines various techniques visualization techniques, which are create smaller gel pores, which are
such as chemical lysis, mechanical essential for detecting and analyzing better suited for separating low
disruption, and enzymatic treatment proteins after electrophoresis. molecular weight proteins, whereas
to efficiently extract proteins from Different staining methods, such lower concentrations are more
different food matrices. These as Coomassie Brilliant Blue, silver effective for high molecular weight
methods help in preserving protein staining, and fluorescent staining, proteins. The study emphasizes that
integrity while ensuring that the offer varying levels of sensitivity adjusting acrylamide concentration
extracted proteins are suitable for and detection efficiency. Mensah’s and optimising polymerisation
electrophoretic analysis. conditions can significantly improve
resolution and reproducibility in
protein characterisation studies.

Mensah’s research has wide-ranging

applications in food science and
nutrition, particularly in protein
characterisation, quality assessment,
and food safety. One key application
is the analysis of dietary proteins in
complex food mixtures. Many food
products contain multiple protein
sources, including plant-based and
animal-derived proteins, making it
essential to identify individual protein
components. SDS-PAGE enables
scientists to separate and characterise
proteins within complex food
matrices, ensuring that nutritional
claims and labeling standards are
accurate.

The study also underscores the

importance of SDS-PAGE in
evaluating protein quality in
fortified and processed foods. Food
manufacturers often fortify products
with additional proteins to enhance
their nutritional value. However,
processing techniques such as
heating, drying, and extrusion can
alter protein structure, affecting both
its functionality and bioavailability.
SDS-PAGE provides a reliable method
for monitoring these changes,
allowing food scientists to determine
whether fortified proteins retain their
intended nutritional benefits.

PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025 53

 add photo

Solving the protein folding problem bio in formatics. Photo Credit: John Carroll University.

His research is crucial for improving PAGE is an effective technique ensure nutritional accuracy, food
food safety, nutritional value, and for identifying these structural safety, and consumer protection.
quality control in food production. changes, providing researchers with As interest in functional foods,
essential information for improving plant-based proteins, and dietary
Another significant application food formulation and processing supplements continues to grow,
of SDS-PAGE is in food allergen methods. advanced methods like SDS-PAGE
detection. Certain proteins present will play an increasingly vital role in
in food can trigger allergic reactions, The findings from Mensah’s research shaping the future of food science
making it critical for manufacturers have important implications for and nutrition.
to identify and quantify allergenic both academic and industrial
proteins in food products. Mensah’s applications. In academia, SDS- Mensah’s study underscores the
study highlights how SDS-PAGE PAGE remains a gold standard growing contributions of African
can be used to detect allergens in technique for studying protein scientists to global research and
processed foods, ensuring compliance structure and function, enabling innovation. His work serves as a
with food safety regulations and researchers to gain deeper insights testament to the scientific potential
protecting consumers from potential into protein behavior in food in Ghana and the broader African
health risks. systems. In the food industry, the continent, demonstrating that
optimisation of SDS-PAGE can lead African researchers are making
Beyond allergen detection, SDS- to better quality control, improved meaningful contributions to
PAGE is also valuable for studying product formulations, and enhanced advancing food science and
protein modifications such as food safety measures. biotechnology. By applying cutting-
glycation, phosphorylation, and edge analytical techniques to food
oxidation. These modifications By optimising SDS-PAGE protocols, quality assessment, Mensah is
often occur during food processing Mensah’s research paves the way helping to elevate the standards of
and storage and can impact for more precise and reliable protein food research while ensuring that
protein stability, digestibility, characterisation in food science. His consumers worldwide have access to
and nutritional properties. The work highlights the importance of safe, high-quality, and nutritionally
study demonstrates that SDS- refining analytical techniques to rich food products.

54
54 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025
 “Farming is my business
since 15 years. Potato, Onion, Cole
are some of the crops I grow
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In BayG.A.P. training,
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Farmer from India

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56 PANAFRICAN AGRICULTURE | April - June 2025