By Brandon Moss A major maize export agreement between Zambia and Kenya is facing a legal challenge after a petitioner asked Kenya’s High Court in Mombasa to temporarily halt the planned importation of 540,000 metric tonnes of maize by Baita Trading Company Limited. The proposed shipment, equivalent to approximately six million 90-kilogramme bags, involves maize ...

For millions of African small-scale farmers, October is one of the most important months of the agricultural calendar. In many parts of Southern and Eastern Africa, the month signals the beginning of, or preparation for, a new rainy-season cropping cycle. By: Brandon Moss But there is no single crop that every African farmer should plant ...

The Kwara State Government, in partnership with Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, has launched a maize production project aimed at empowering young people, improving food security and supporting livestock development. The initiative involves the cultivation of 3.5 hectares of farmland at the university’s Faculty of Agriculture. The project is being implemented under the Kwara Livestock Entrepreneurship Scheme, ...

The Kenyan government plans to import one million 90-kilogram bags of maize to help address an expected shortage caused by poor rainfall in major maize-growing regions. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the imported maize will be directed to the country’s strategic reserves as the government prepares for a projected 5.4 million-bag deficit by the ...

Brandon Moss the main rainy season is still months away, July and August are among the most important periods for Zambia’s farmers. Decisions made during these months often determine the success of the entire production season. Soil preparation, seed selection, fertilizer planning and irrigation management should already be underway if farmers hope to maximize yields ...

South Africa has restarted large-scale maize exports for the first time since December 2023, marking a major milestone for the country’s agricultural sector as it heads toward a record-breaking harvest and improved export capacity. The Maydon Wharf Agribulk Terminal in Durban, operated by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), is currently loading 40,000 tons of maize onto ...

Malawi is expected to record a stronger maize harvest in the 2025/26 agricultural season, offering relief after last year’s poor production, but the country is still projected to face a maize deficit despite the improvement. According to the latest assessment by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), national maize production is expected to ...

South Africa’s agriculture sector is facing growing pressure from recent floods across the Western Cape and other parts of the country, adding new risks to an industry already managing climate volatility, infrastructure challenges, and animal disease outbreaks. While several agricultural subsectors are still expected to deliver strong harvests during the 2025/26 season, industry leaders warn ...

South Africa’s maize industry continues to demonstrate resilience, with production forecasts for the 2025/26 season estimated at around 16 million tonnes, remaining well above the country’s annual consumption needs. Despite this strong output, export prospects are weakening. Total maize exports are expected to fall to roughly 2 million tonnes, largely due to reduced demand from ...

Kenya is facing a looming threat to its 2026 maize harvest as farmers in key growing regions report a critical shortage of subsidised fertiliser, disrupting planting during the peak season. In the North Rift—widely regarded as the country’s breadbasket—farmers are struggling to access essential inputs, leading to delays that could significantly reduce yields. Long queues ...