Andi Amran Sulaiman signed an MoU with Palestinian agriculture minister Rezq Basheer-Salimia.

Andi Amran Sulaiman, Indonesia's agriculture minister announced a co-management project of 20 thousand hectares of land between Indonesia and Palestine for rice and horticultural crop cultivation, following a signed MoU with Palestinian agriculture minister Rezq Basheer-Salimia

Sulaiman said,“We are preparing 10 to 20 thousand hectares of land for rice fields and horticulture. This is the concern from President Prabowo Subianto for Palestinians."

Sulaiman detailed plans to prepare land primarily for rice and horticulture. He noted Palestine's expertise in water management and drip irrigation technology will enhance agricultural productivity in Indonesia's South Sumatra and Kalimantan regions. Most of the produce, especially rice, is intended for Palestine to support long-term food security and demonstrate humanitarian solidarity. The partnership aims to produce 200,000 tons of rice annually and horticultural yields like tomatoes and garlic. This initiative will encourage technology transfer and resource collaboration, aligning with the vision of food sovereignty and benefiting both nations. Basheer-Salimia appreciated Indonesia's ongoing support for Palestine, underlining the Memorandum of Understanding's role in improving strategic and humanitarian relations across various agricultural sectors.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Indonesian government. Thank you for supporting Palestine in all aspects, especially for supporting the rights of the Palestinian people" said Basheer-Salimia.

Unauthorised agricultural medicines can be harmful for the environment.

The regulatory agency in the Gash Barka area has held food safety workshops for people and animals, focusing on farmers and owners of organisations that provide social services in the sub-zones of Sel'a, Kerkebet, Laelai Gash, Gogni, and Mogolo

During the seminars, Meaze Neguse, an expert in animal resources regulation, cautioned that hazardous food could risk the lives of both people and animals. He stressed the importance of safety and hygiene throughout the whole food production chain, from farm to consumer, and emphasised the close relationship between food safety and environmental protection. He exhorted everyone involved in the food processing and distribution industry to work with regulatory professionals.

Hadish Gebremeskel, a representative of the plant regulatory service, spoke at length about the immediate and indirect negative consequences of misusing pesticides. He aimed at the serious implications of employing unauthorised or harmful agricultural medicines without consulting specialists, noting that these methods are bad for the environment, people, and animals. He requested farmers to switch to organic production methods and utilise only licensed pesticides.

Sub-zone officials, for their part, said that the seminars make a big difference in achieving the objective of "Ensuring Nutritious Food for All and Everywhere." They urged farmers and food processing companies to use the skills they acquired during the training in their regular activities.

The global phosphate fertilizer market is expected to grow upto US$84bn by 2031. (Image credit: Adobe Stock)

The phosphate fertilizers market is on a robust growth trajectory, anticipated to expand from US$57.5bn in 2024 to a significant US$84bn by 2031

This growth corresponds to a healthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2031, according to the latest research. Phosphate fertilizers remain crucial for global agriculture, enhancing crop yields and soil fertility, thus playing a vital role in food security and sustainable farming practices worldwide.

Rising population levels, increasing food demand, and the need to improve agricultural productivity drive the expansion of phosphate fertilizer consumption. The market is segmented by product type, with single superphosphate (SSP) and triple superphosphate (TSP) being among the leading segments due to their efficiency and widespread adoption. Geographically, Asia Pacific dominates the market owing to extensive agricultural activities and supportive government policies encouraging fertilizer use.

The phosphate fertilizers market is pivotal in supporting global agriculture by providing essential nutrients that improve soil health and crop output. In 2024, the market value stood at US$57.5bn, expected to rise steadily to US$84bn by 2031, reflecting the growing need for sustainable and enhanced agricultural practices worldwide. The surge is driven largely by increased adoption in developing regions, where food production must keep pace with rising populations and changing dietary preferences.

Growth in the market is primarily fueled by the high demand from staple crops such as wheat, rice, and maize, which require phosphorus for optimal growth. Among different phosphate fertilizer types, single superphosphate holds a significant share due to its cost-effectiveness and suitability across diverse soil types. Regionally, the Asia Pacific market leads because of extensive farmland, large farming communities, and government incentives aimed at boosting fertilizer use to ensure food security and economic growth.

The programme emphasises a community-led approach, ensuring it is culturally relevant and sustainable. (Image credit: Adobe Stock)

BRAC has received a US$300,000 grant from The Rockefeller Foundation to create a programme aimed at helping three million women smallholder farmers in Bangladesh, Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda by 2030

This initiative targets vulnerable communities affected by climate change. It will first launch in Bangladesh's coastal and drought-prone areas, providing farmers with services like agricultural technology, weather forecasts, adaptive insurance, and better market connections.

Deepali Khanna, head of Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation, stated,“Smallholder farmers are on the frontline of so many challenges, including the impact of climate change. Through our support of BRAC, we are empowering smallholder farmers not only to withstand disruptions, but also to advance solutions that can help build the foundation for lasting economic opportunity.”

The programme emphasises a community-led approach, ensuring it is culturally relevant and sustainable. The aim is to equip communities with skills to build resilience against challenges like rising salinity and erratic rainfall. BRAC plans to raise an additional US$300mn for this program, intending to impact around 14 million people positively.

“At BRAC, we believe in equipping people and communities with the skills they need to build their own resilience,” said Asif Saleh, executive director of BRAC. The Rockefeller Foundation’s support takes an important step in showing that locally driven innovation, when scaled up, can unlock pathways for millions of people to do that.”