Singapore-based Indorama Group, through its Senegalese subsidiary Industries Chimiques du Sénégal (ICS), has announced a significant US$210mn investment aimed at expanding and modernising its fertilizer production facilities in Senegal

This investment, outlined in a memorandum of understanding with Senegal’s Investment and Major Projects Promotion Agency (APIX), was unveiled at the Senegal Investment Forum and will be executed between 2025 and 2028.

The main focus of the programme is to strengthen Senegal’s role in the agricultural input sector by enhancing its phosphate and fertilizer production capabilities. Senegal has a growing agricultural market, and this investment aims to address key gaps in fertilizer supply, benefiting local farmers and boosting agricultural output across the region.

ICS plans to upgrade its facilities, particularly at the Mbao fertilizer plant, where it will increase production of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and DAP (diammonium phosphate) fertilizers from 250,000 to 400,000 tons annually. The company will also build a new Single Super Phosphate (SSP) unit, which will have an annual capacity of 350,000 tons. Additionally, ICS is set to ramp up phosphoric acid production at its Darou plant to 660,000 tons per year, supported by a new sulfuric acid plant capable of producing 700 tons per day. These improvements are expected to significantly boost ICS’s presence in Senegal’s fertilizer market.

Currently, Senegal relies heavily on imported fertilizers, bringing in an average of 126,484 tons annually, valued at $97.4 million between 2020 and 2024. Fertilizer use in the country is still limited, with application rates standing at just 8.5 kg per hectare in 2022. This is far below the sub-Saharan African average of 18.5 kg and the African Union’s target of 50 kg per hectare set at the 2006 Abuja Fertilizer Summit. NPK fertilizers dominate the local market, comprising 50% of usage, followed by urea (30%), DAP (7%), and potassium muriate (3%).

This investment in local fertilizer production aligns with the 2024 Nairobi Declaration, which urges African nations to triple their fertilizer production by 2034. By boosting domestic manufacturing, the initiative aims to reduce Senegal’s dependency on imports, make fertilizers more accessible to smallholder farmers, and enhance agricultural productivity.

Sigenergy, a key player in renewable energy innovation, recently showcased its modular commercial and industrial (C&I) solar-storage system at Sigenergy Day APAC in Hainan

The event brought together over 300 industry experts, partners, clients, and media professionals to explore the evolving landscape of solar-storage technology. A particular highlight of the event was a tour of a new aquaculture project powered entirely by solar and storage technology—demonstrating a bold step forward in sustainable energy applications beyond traditional sectors.

The seawater fish farming project, located in Hainan, uses Sigenergy’s advanced C&I inverters and the SigenStack energy storage system to power its operations. With a setup integrating 6 MW of solar power and 5 MWh of storage capacity, the project shows how clean energy can be effectively used in the demanding environment of aquaculture. It is a significant case study for how renewable energy can reduce operational costs and support environmental goals in industries that depend on consistent and intensive energy use.

This fish farm, focused on cultivating the high-value Leopard Coral Grouper, requires stringent control over its operating environment. Maintaining stable water temperature, constant oxygen supply, and controlled lighting is essential to the survival of the fish. These needs drive high energy consumption, with the farm using around 43,200 kWh daily and more than 15 million kWh annually. Sigenergy’s system drastically cuts the farm’s reliance on the grid and offers a cost-effective, environmentally conscious energy solution.

The site posed several logistical and environmental challenges that traditional energy systems could not solve. However, Sigenergy’s modular design provided key advantages. Space was a major limitation, with narrow corridors between ponds making bulky container systems impractical. The compact, plug-and-play nature of Sigenergy’s solution allowed it to be easily installed without wasting valuable space.

Transport and installation were also simplified. As the site is located near water networks, heavy machinery access was impossible. Sigenergy’s lightweight units, which don’t require cranes, enabled the system to be fully set up in just four days. The sandy soil also posed structural concerns, but the modular design allowed even weight distribution, reducing foundation stress and ensuring safety.

Being just 300 metres from the sea, the site is exposed to salt-heavy air and humidity. Sigenergy’s equipment is built to last under such harsh conditions, with IP66 and C5-M protection ratings that provide high-level resistance to corrosion and ensure long-term performance.

This deployment not only delivers reliable and clean energy for the aquaculture industry but also stands as a scalable model for energy transformation in other complex, high-demand environments.

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.”

Unitree Robotics, known for creating user-friendly and affordable robots, is now bringing its technology to farming.

As rural areas face a shortage of younger workers and an ageing labour force, many tech companies are turning to robotics and digital solutions to modernise agriculture. In line with this, Unitree has teamed up with a top agricultural research institution to explore how robots can support smarter, more efficient farming practices.

Traditionally, farmers have relied on their experience to judge the health and condition of crops. But modern robotics, powered by AI vision and edge computing, can now carry out these tasks more accurately and efficiently. These technologies also make farming more accessible for younger generations, who can become "robot managers" and take on farming roles without needing years of experience.

Unitree’s consumer-grade quadruped robot, Go2, is leading this change. Priced from just US$1,600, Go2 is affordable and well-suited to agriculture, thanks to its strong performance, adaptability, and ability to work in tough conditions. Farming environments pose unique challenges, such as varying lighting and ever-changing crop shapes, which demand advanced sensing and recognition abilities.

To meet these needs, Go2 has been equipped with a specialised camera and agricultural sensors that track the growth of seedlings in real time. It uses a custom AI vision model tailored for farming. This AI, supported by edge computing, allows the robot to analyse and identify plant conditions on the spot. The data collected is then sent to a central system, which uses agricultural big data to suggest specific farming strategies based on the crop’s growth stage.

This integrated setup, from the robot in the field to the cloud-based platform, helps reduce the physical burden on farmers. At the same time, it offers researchers detailed and frequent field data, helping to speed up scientific progress in agriculture.

As one industry observer noted, “civilian-grade robots, through deeper integration into agricultural environments, are opening up broader application prospects for advanced legged robotics.”

Unitree continues to develop high-quality legged and humanoid robots for the public. With practical tools like Go2, the company is helping to replace hard, repetitive, and risky work with smart automation-making farming more efficient and improving the overall quality of life.