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Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi. (Image source: Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya)

Event News

Ahead of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation's (FOCAC) summit following the 2024 edition, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, is in China, attending the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of Follow-Up Actions of the summit

Attended by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives from all 54 African member states of FOCAC, the high level engagement is evaluating the progress since FOCAC 2024.

Mudavadi visited the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center at the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HUNAAS) in Mapoling, Changsha. Founded in 1984 by globally renowned Academician Yuan Longping—celebrated as the “Father of Hybrid Rice”—the center has made significant advancements in rice production through innovative research and technology. The hybrid varieties developed at HUNAAS can yield over 18 tonnes per hectare, marking a transformational leap in food production.

The visit presents an opportunity for Kenya to explore enhanced collaboration in agricultural innovation, aimed at strengthening national food security and sustainable agricultural development.

Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Agriculture

Computational biology company, Evogene Ltd has developed a generative AI foundation model, version 1.0, for small molecule design, in collaboration with Google Cloud

The new model expands on Evogene's ChemPass AI by identifying novel small molecules that meet multiple complex product criteria.

Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process by enabling the simultaneous consideration of multiple complex product requirements, all while creating truly novel molecular structures. This allows the industry to access strong, defensible IP portfolios.

Ofer Haviv, president and CEO of Evogene, said, "Completing our foundation model is a major milestone in our offering. It unlocks new frontiers for ChemPass AI, giving us the power to generate wholly novel molecules—ones that not only perform but also create new IP space. This is key to overcoming long-standing challenges in life-science R&D: from reducing late-stage failure in pharma to developing ag-chemicals that are effective, sustainable, and proprietary."

Boaz Maoz, managing director, Google Cloud Israel, said, "We're pleased to collaborate with Evogene's innovation in AI-powered molecule design. Their progress with ChemPass AI highlights the strength of pairing advanced AI infrastructure with deep scientific insight. We look forward to seeing the impact of this new model in drug discovery and agriculture."

 

The development will empower thousands of smallholder farmers. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

Agriculture

Blue Earth Capital has announced a US$30mn private credit commitment of its investment vehicles to Valency International

Based in Singapore, Valency is a global trader, processor, and exporter of agricultural commodities with a specialty in edible nuts (particularly cashew & sesame) and agricultural inputs (agrochemicals & fertilizers). The company operates large-scale commodity processing facilities across four countries in Africa and Asia.

The investment marks BlueEarth’s fourth impact-linked facility (ILF), which are designed to encourage borrowers to align with pre-defined impact goals.

The additional funding will provide Valency with working capital to buy agricultural commodities from the company’s network of smallholder farmers and local traders across Africa.

Amy Wang, Head of Private Credit at BlueEarth, said, “By providing this impact-linked facility to Valency, BlueEarth is excited to not just support a market leading business but also empower thousands of smallholder farmers and support critical local processing capacity while reducing the carbon footprint of cashew nuts. Valency’s approach to bridging agricultural value chains between Africa and Asia demonstrates exactly the kind of measurable, scalable impact our capital is designed to accelerate.”

Sumit Jain, Chief Executive Officer of Valency, comments: “We are excited to partner with Blue Earth Capital on this $30 million sustainability-linked financing, which strengthens our commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and driving local value addition in Africa. This investment will help us enhance our sourcing network, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in the region, all while aligning with our mission to create lasting social and environmental impact.”

African Farming

  • HSW ECO MATIC® 6ml _ 10ml (for injection, oral and pour-on application)

Telematics enhances efficiency and uptime for seed research. (Image source: ALMACO)

ALMACO Telematics is a next-generation system delivering remote access to real-time machine data—boosting efficiency, performance, and uptime for seed research professionals

Available on both the R1 Single-Plot and R2 Twin-Plot Research Combines, it’s the only telematics offering integrated specifically for seed research, reinforcing ALMACO’s leadership in precision agtech.

With insights into numerous machine parameters, the platform provides deep visibility into settings, location, diagnostics, software, and performance. This empowers fleet managers and researchers to easily monitor and optimise machine use for peak operational output.

Maximising uptime through smart diagnostics

A key feature of ALMACO Telematics is its remote diagnostics and repair capability, protecting uptime and reducing disruptions. Over 30% of service issues can be resolved remotely, removing the need for a field technician and delivering cost-effective value.

Simplified software upgrades

The system enables remote software updates, ensuring machines stay up to date without site visits. This reduces downtime and maintenance costs while supporting continuous tech improvement.

Enhanced fleet oversight

From their desks, managers can track machine performance and advise operators to refine seed trial accuracy. Telematics interfaces can also be remotely customised to support the specific goals of different research operations, improving data precision and machine functionality.

A smart investment for research operations

By reducing field calls, improving uptime, and enhancing resale value, ALMACO Telematics offers a strong return on investment. With its real-time oversight and proactive maintenance tools, seed research professionals can operate with confidence and lower costs.

“The integration of ALMACO Telematics marks a significant step forward in precision seed research,” said Mat Titus, service director at ALMACO. “By offering real-time data access and remote diagnostics, we are enabling researchers to focus on what matters most—developing the next generation of seed innovations.”

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Crops

Cargill and Biotech team up to expand tailored feed production in South Cotabato. (Image source: Cargill)

Crops

Cargill has bolstered its operations in Mindanao through a strategic feed production partnership with Biotech Farms, further demonstrating its commitment to serving the Philippines’ growing agricultural sector

The new production line is located within the Biotech Agro-Industrial Complex in Tantangan, South Cotabato, and is designed to deliver high-quality feed more efficiently to the region’s farmers and producers.

Mindanao remains a vital hub for agriculture in the Philippines, home to a rising number of livestock farmers and agribusinesses. The collaboration between Cargill and Biotech addresses the increasing demand for reliable and safe animal nutrition, helping strengthen food security in one of the country’s most productive farming regions.

“This is about serving our Mindanao customers better — with the reliability, responsiveness, and quality they deserve,” said Sonny Catacutan, senior managing director for Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health Philippines. “The Tantangan Plant gives us a stronger presence in a region essential to the future of the local agricultural industry. It allows us to enhance service to our customers and live our purpose of nourishing the world starting with every bag of feed. We’re excited about what this partnership brings, not just in operational capability, but in helping us create more impact for customers, farmers, and communities that depend on us every day.”

The Tantangan feed mill was selected after a stringent evaluation process to ensure compliance with Cargill’s global benchmarks for food and feed safety, quality, and efficiency. The facility is equipped with advanced milling technology and designed for high-performance feed production, ensuring a steady and dedicated output to match market needs.

Now fully operational, the plant expands Cargill’s supply chain resilience in the region while increasing its capacity to offer tailored and sustainable nutrition solutions at scale. This development underscores the company’s long-term strategy of enhancing its footprint in key agricultural areas and improving service responsiveness.

Rey Chiang, CEO of Biotech Farms, highlighted, “This partnership is a testament to our shared mission of empowering Mindanao’s farmers with innovative, sustainable solutions. Since 2001, Biotech has been at the forefront of transforming Philippine agriculture through precision farming, renewable energy, and circular economy practices. Together with Cargill, we will amplify our impact — ensuring farmers receive high-quality, tailored feed nutrition solutions using Cargill’s cutting-edge research, data-driven insights, and a vast supply chain network that not only boosts productivity but also aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship and community upliftment.”

As feed production accelerates in South Cotabato, the partnership marks another significant step in Cargill’s 77-year history in the Philippines. The company continues to play an integral role in supporting farmers, enhancing food security, and contributing to sustainable agricultural development across the country.

Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The development will empower thousands of smallholder farmers. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

Livestock

Horizontal nozzle-pressurised spinning could be a huge boost to the global dairy farming industry. (Image source: UCL)

Cattle

Researchers have developed a new technique to extract tiny cellulose strands from cow dung and turn them into manufacturing-grade cellulose

A study published in The Journal of Cleaner Production, describes the potential of a new ‘pressurised spinning’ innovation that uses cow dung as a raw material to create cellulose materials more cheaply and cleanly than some current manufacturing methods. Cellulose is one of the world’s most commonly used manufacturing materials, and can be found in everything from cling film to surgical masks, paper products, textiles, foods and pharmaceuticals.  

Professor Edirisinghe, the senior author of the study, considered the possibility of extracting tiny fragments of cellulose present in cow manure and turning it into manufacturing-grade cellulose materials. He first used mild chemical reactions and homogenisation, which was successful in fragment extraction. However, the use of pressurised spinning technology to turn these fragments into fibres failed. 

However, upon trial and error, a new technique called horizontal nozzle-pressurised spinning, proved successful. This is an energy efficient process that doesn’t require the high voltages of other fibre production techniques such as electrospinning. This advancement is a prime example of circular economy and is the first time that manufacturing-grade cellulose has been derived from animal waste. 

Horizontal nozzle-pressurised spinning could be a huge boost to the global dairy farming industry, given the fact that animal waste management continues to be a growing problem globally. The research team is currently seeking opportunities to work with dairy farmers to take advantage of the technology and scale it up.

By installing additional PEM electrolysers, Hy2gen plans to upgrade the facility by the end of 2025. (Image source: Hy2gen)

Results from the study showed that SNPs found in the HNMT gene significantly increased carnosine levels in chickens. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Equipment

Zoomlion showcases tailored solutions for Africa’s growth at China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. (Image source: Zoomlion)

Equipment

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. took centre stage at the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, China, from 12 to 15 June, showcasing its latest agricultural and engineering machinery solutions tailored specifically for the African market

Since making its entry into Africa in 2007, Zoomlion has played an integral role in infrastructure development and agricultural modernisation across the continent. The company has also been committed to nurturing local talent, evident in its ongoing technical training programmes, such as those provided to Ugandan farmers to enhance agricultural skill sets.

At the trade expo, Zoomlion displayed a comprehensive line-up of machinery, ranging from construction cranes and earthmoving equipment to aerial work platforms and advanced agricultural machinery. These products are engineered to withstand and perform efficiently in Africa’s diverse and often demanding working conditions.

Zoomlion’s footprint in Africa has expanded significantly over the past 18 years. The company has delivered more than 10,000 units of equipment to markets across the continent, establishing itself as one of Africa’s leading machinery suppliers. In addition to setting up subsidiaries in key markets like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, Zoomlion has developed a robust after-sales infrastructure. This includes spare parts centres in Algeria and South Africa, a joint-venture manufacturing plant in Algeria, and an expanding network of dealers and service providers across the region.

The company has also been instrumental in supporting critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa. These include Egypt’s New Administrative Capital—home to Africa’s tallest skyscraper at 385.8 metres—the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in Tanzania, which boosts the country’s energy capacity nearly fourfold, and the N'Djamena Stadium in Chad, designed to host international sports and cultural events. Another notable contribution is the Rosso Bridge, linking Senegal and Mauritania, which will enhance regional trade and connectivity.

Zoomlion’s growth trajectory in Africa continues to accelerate. Sales in the first quarter of 2025 alone accounted for 60% of the total recorded in 2024, underlining rising demand for its solutions. As of May 2025, the company’s Africa team comprised over 300 employees, with more than 90% of them being locally hired—demonstrating Zoomlion’s commitment to job creation and skills development in the region.

The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco. (Image source: Alamco)

Monarch MK-V tractor demonstrating V2G through Borg Warner DCFC and Gridtractor CMS. (Image source: Gridtractor)

Technology

Entocycle operator using controls web. (Image source: Entocycle)

Technology

Entocycle, a UK-based developer of insect farming technology that transforms food waste into sustainable protein for animal feed, has collaborated with Siemens to launch the country’s first digitalised insect farm showroom

The facility is uniquely located beneath four Victorian railway arches in central London.

Focused on creating a sustainable protein alternative, Entocycle chose the high-profile London Bridge area to boost visibility, attract top talent, and engage potential investors in its innovative approach to circular food systems.

Before construction began, Entocycle used Siemens’ digital twin technology to create a virtual model of the site. This simulation helped maximise the use of the complex arch-shaped space and minimise construction errors, saving time and costs.

The site has since undergone a full digital transformation and now runs on Siemens AI and automation systems. Advanced technologies integrated into the facility include robotic arms, machine vision systems that monitor 3,000 larvae per second with up to 100% accuracy, and climate-controlled chambers. These upgrades have significantly enhanced production by reducing larvae growth time and improving survival rates by 30%.

Now in operation for a year, the facility has demonstrated that insect farming can address two major environmental challenges: cutting the UK’s annual 10.7 million tonnes of food waste (of which 30% is lost through supply chain inefficiencies) and reducing reliance on 3.3 million tonnes of imported soy used for animal feed.

With proof of concept established, Entocycle plans to expand its model to industrial scale, aiming to support farms, agri-businesses, and waste management companies in cutting emissions and rethinking protein supply chains.

Matt Simonds, managing director at Entocycle, said: “We’ve spent a decade developing this concept, which has grown from equipment pieced together from hardware retailers to the bespoke and highly advanced factory we’re running today. The London Bridge centre proves our concept, which leverages the black soldier fly as nature’s recycler, that can be scaled around the world to help tackle the dual issue of food waste and sustainability issues in animal feed supply.

“Insect farming is an exciting emerging industry, and our vision is to be the go-to provider of technology to customers alongside our partner Siemens. In 10 years’ time, we expect Entocycle-designed farms to be processing millions of tonnes of food waste around the world, saving millions of tonnes of carbon emissions with it. Partnering with Siemens to deliver our solution internationally provides us with the trust and scalability we need to deliver on our global ambitions.”

Keith Thornhill, head of food and beverage for UK & Ireland at Siemens said: “Entocycle has created the blueprint for high-tech insect farming. It’s successfully applied modern manufacturing technology to its highly niche subject of rearing black soldier flies. And the outcomes are clear to see in increased insect survival rates and slashing the time staff would spend counting insects.

“It’s a fantastic concept ready to be delivered to customers around the world, regardless of site size and location. We’re proud to support it as a great example of technology with a purpose in addressing crucial sustainability challenges.”

Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. (Image source: Biobest)

Among Bayer’s 11 sets of tanks, the measurement range varies from a maximum of 9 tons to a minimum of 4 tons. (Image source: Bayer)

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With ease of use being the main focus, this advancement ensures that smart lighting strategies are intuitive and accessible for growers at every level. (Image source: Heliospectra)

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Monarch MK-V tractor demonstrating V2G through Borg Warner DCFC and Gridtractor CMS. (Image source: Gridtractor)

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Latest news

Zoomlion showcases tailored solutions for Africa’s growth at China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. (Image source: Zoomlion)

Cargill and Biotech team up to expand tailored feed production in South Cotabato. (Image source: Cargill)

Entocycle operator using controls web. (Image source: Entocycle)

Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The development will empower thousands of smallholder farmers. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco. (Image source: Alamco)

Yoshifumi Kanao, president & CEO of welzo Inc. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

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