Agriculture & Food Security

Agriculture & Food Security: Monitoring regional farming innovations, supply chain stability, and sustainable practices to ensure a food-secure future.

One-Third of Food Lost or Wasted, 324 Studies Show Fixes

By Kabir IsaOctober 14, 2026

A review of 324 studies on post-harvest losses across the global south found that about one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, and that the evidence base for fixing it is fragmented and hard to compare. The authors report losses ranging from roughly 26% of fruits to 43% of roots and tubers without interventions, and set out four priorities: standardised measurement, storage and cold-chain infrastructure, affordable technologies combined with Indigenous knowledge, and finance and extension support that explicitly includes women.

Agriculture & Food Security

ECOWAS Ministers Adopt Three Animal Health Strategies

By Kabir IsaOctober 12, 2026

Animal health ministers from the Economic Community of West African States adopted three regional strategies at a meeting in Lomé, Togo, on 8 October 2026. The plans cover donkey protection and conservation through 2030, and the prevention and control of foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza for 2027 to 2031. The donkey strategy includes a commitment to ban trade in donkey skins, while the other two set out measures on surveillance, vaccination, data sharing and coordination through the Regional Animal Health Centre.

Agriculture & Food Security

ECOWAS Opens 11th Annual Animal Health Meeting in Lomé to Tackle Transboundary Diseases

By Kabir IsaOctober 7, 2026

ECOWAS opened its 11th annual meeting of animal health networks in Lomé on Tuesday, bringing together veterinary officials and regional partners to strengthen surveillance and control of transboundary animal diseases. Participants will review and adopt the electronic platform of the Regional Animal Health Information System, while a ministerial gathering on the sidelines is set to approve regional strategies on donkey conservation, foot-and-mouth disease, and avian influenza.

Agriculture & Food Security

Super El Niño Threatens Southern Africa Bean Harvests, Up to 78% Losses

By Kabir IsaOctober 7, 2026

A review of 62 studies across the Southern African Development Community found that climate shocks have cut legume harvests by up to 78%, and researchers warn a super El Niño expected from September 2026 into early 2027 could bring similar losses. Researcher Moses Chitete outlines steps farmers and governments can take, from drought-tolerant seed to stronger early-warning systems and crop insurance.

Agriculture & Food Security

Super El Niño Could Push South Africa’s Maize Prices Higher, Study Finds

By Kabir IsaOctober 7, 2026

A new study analysing nearly three decades of maize futures data finds that South African prices become more volatile during El Niño events, even as the country holds larger stockpiles than in previous droughts. The research suggests local prices are unlikely to rise as high as import costs, though white maize remains vulnerable if supplies run short.

Agriculture & Food Security

ECOWAS Animal Health Networks Meet in Lomé to Adopt Surveillance Tools

By Kabir IsaOctober 6, 2026

ECOWAS animal health networks are meeting in Lomé, Togo, from 6 to 8 October 2026 to discuss regional governance of animal health and adopt new surveillance tools. The 11th annual meeting brings together veterinary services heads, laboratory and epidemiology network focal points, and representatives of regional bodies. A ministerial gathering on the sidelines will consider strategies on donkey conservation, foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza.