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Nestlé (Thai) Ltd. has renewed its long-standing partnership with Thai coffee farmers by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Thai Coffee Growers Association

The agreement, covering the 2025/2026 harvest season, affirms Nestlé’s commitment to purchasing Robusta coffee beans directly from local farmers while continuing to promote sustainable farming practices and improve livelihoods within the coffee-growing communities.

The signing ceremony was held in Chumphon Province, a key region for coffee production in Thailand, and was honoured by the presence of the provincial governor, reflecting the significance of the initiative to the local economy.

As part of the agreement, Nestlé will support farmers not only through bean purchases but also by sharing practical knowledge on Regenerative Agriculture. This approach focuses on improving soil health, conserving water, and promoting biodiversity, ultimately helping farmers build climate resilience and boost both yield and quality.

“For several decades, Nestlé has continuously supported our local coffee farmers. Additionally, Nestlé has consistently been the largest purchaser of local Robusta beans in Thailand. The signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) each year reaffirms that Nestlé will purchase Robusta coffee beans directly from Thai farmers. Moreover, we support farmers in adopting Regenerative Agriculture practices in their coffee plantations through knowledge-sharing programs and various training sessions. This not only helps improve coffee production in terms of both quantity and quality but also aids in restoring ecosystems and protecting soil and water resources, enabling farmers to cope with climate change,” said Salinla Seehaphan, Corporate Affairs Director at Nestlé (Thai) Ltd.

Thianchai Chookittiwiboon, Governor of Chumphon Province, praised the initiative, emphasising coffee’s economic importance to the region. He noted that direct support from companies like Nestlé aligns with the province’s goal to establish itself as a globally recognised “Robusta Metropolis.”

Echoing this, Prayoon Songprasert, Chairman of the Thai Coffee Growers Association, acknowledged Nestlé’s ongoing contributions. He highlighted the positive impact of high-yield plantlets developed by Nestlé and the company’s training initiatives, which have led to consistent quality and income growth for farmers.

With this renewed partnership, Nestlé continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s coffee sector promoting sustainability, boosting farmer incomes, and securing the future of Robusta cultivation in the country.

The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to ratify a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in promoting the Senate’s concurrence to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Signed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the BBNJ treaty addresses the conservation and equitable use of marine resources in high seas and other regions beyond exclusive national control.

Although Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President ratified the agreement in 2024-a year after its global adoption - the treaty still requires Senate concurrence before the Philippines can officially participate.

Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary emphasised the agreement's relevance for the Philippines, said, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.”

As a nation composed of over 7,000 islands and located near areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Philippines has a strong stake in the treaty’s success. It was an early signatory and active participant in the negotiation process, aligning with global conservation goals and the principles of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate stressed the strategic timing of the ratification: once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will be eligible to participate in the first Conference of Parties (COP1). This milestone event is expected to take place shortly after 60 countries submit their ratification instruments to the United Nations. As of late August, 55 nations have completed the process, with momentum building towards reaching the required threshold during the UN General Assembly from September 23–26.

The BBNJ treaty represents a critical tool for archipelagic nations like the Philippines—not only to influence global marine governance but also to safeguard marine ecosystems, promote fair benefit-sharing, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on ocean resources.

With rising global temperatures driving up the risk of wildfires, farmers across the Western Cape are being urged to take fire preparedness more seriously than ever

According to the Winelands Fire Protection Association, a single-degree increase in temperature raises the risk of fire by nearly 30%. This wasn’t just a statistic in theory during the summer of 2023/2024, over 6,000 fires tore through nearly 100,000 hectares in the region, marking one of the worst fire seasons in recent memory.

As another hot, dry summer approaches, Stefan de Ridder, chairperson of the association, has issued a stark warning: “It’s going to be another hell-raiser unless farmers focus on minimising the risks.” Beyond the physical destruction fires can bring, the legal and financial responsibilities weigh heavily on landowners. “If a fire starts on your farm, you’re legally and financially liable for all the damage it causes to other properties,” he explains.

Despite the common practice of creating firebreaks, de Ridder stresses that these alone are not enough. Comprehensive fire readiness involves a combination of access, equipment, training, and understanding the environment. Roads and access points must be wide and clear enough for emergency vehicles, while tools such as chainsaws, water pumps, and fire beaters need to be in good working order. Staff should be properly trained in fire response and provided with protective gear, while emergency contact numbers should be easily accessible.

Reliable water access is another essential factor. In many cases, farms rely on electricity to pump water which may not be an option during power outages. This is where portable, petrol-powered pumps come in. De Ridder particularly recommends high-pressure units for tackling underground fires, especially in sensitive areas like fynbos where roots may continue to smoulder unseen.

Understanding how different vegetation behaves during a fire is also critical. Trees like gum and even green pinecones can explode when burning, increasing danger and spreading fire more rapidly. That’s why periodic, controlled burns are sometimes necessary not just for safety, but for the health of the ecosystem. “Periodic fires are therefore essential for protea germination and sustainability,” de Ridder says, “and when they aren’t burnt, old proteas die and become hazardous fire fuel.”

He trusts Husqvarna equipment for this work, citing the brand’s reliability, affordability, and portability. “The W25P is great for transferring water and the 321SP high-pressure pump means I don’t have to dig up fynbos roots to make sure they’re not alight.”

De Ridder’s fire-fighting approach includes strategically placing vehicles equipped with pumps and water tanks near hotspots, turning natural water sources like streams into assets during a fire. “Fire is a natural part of our ecosystems,” he concludes. “So we need to be prepared. With the right tools and knowledge, we can protect our farms and ensure their resilience in the face of wildfires.”

The SoLAR project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is entering its second phase, aiming to deepen agricultural resilience and climate transformation in smallholder farming

Launched by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the initiative runs from July 2025 to December 2029 and expands its geographical and thematic focus, now incorporating Ethiopia and Kenya, while continuing its work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Building on the success of its first phase (2019–2024), SoLAR looks to scale solar energy solutions for agriculture and position them as a replicable and scalable model for climate-resilient agriculture across the Global South.

In its first phase, SoLAR focused on generating evidence, piloting innovative financing models, and influencing policy to integrate solar-powered irrigation systems (SIPs). These solar pumps have proven effective in mitigating climate impacts by replacing diesel pumps and promoting sustainable groundwater usage. “Across the four South Asian countries, we have seen promising steps toward scaling solar irrigation sustainably and inclusively,” said Darshini Ravindranath, Project Lead and Research Group Leader at IWMI. The project has helped governments in Bangladesh and India integrate solar irrigation into national strategies, while in Nepal, it led to a significant policy shift, including revised subsidy criteria supporting women farmers and smallholders.

Key outcomes include the promotion of gender-sensitive policies, innovative financing such as micro-financing and grants, and the adoption of solar irrigation systems that reduce carbon emissions, conserve groundwater, and support high-value crops. IWMI’s work also extended to grid-connected solar irrigation in Nepal, enabling farmers to sell surplus energy, providing them with additional income streams while promoting responsible groundwater use.

In phase two, SoLAR will expand its reach to East Africa, focusing on scaling solar-powered solutions for irrigation, cooling, and processing. With Kenya and Ethiopia facing climate and energy challenges, the project sees solar technology as a transformative tool for boosting year-round agricultural production and enhancing food security. Muluken Elias Adamseged, Deputy Country Representative at IWMI in Ethiopia, remarked, “Scaling solar-powered irrigation, cooling, and processing can boost year-round production, cut losses and costs, and enhance food security.”

The second phase aims to drive an integrated approach with evidence-based policy design, accelerated funding for solar adoption, enhanced capacity building, and the establishment of Living Labs to test solar solutions in diverse settings. The program will directly benefit smallholder farmers in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ethiopia by improving water and energy security, reducing emissions, and enhancing resilience to climate risks, according to Philippe Sas, Head of Cooperation for SDC in India.