Weekly News Roundup Nō 36 / Sept 2025
Fairtrade Africa Celebrates 20 Years with Launch of New Strategic Plan
Nairobi, September 3, 2025 – Fairtrade Africa has celebrated its 20th anniversary by unveiling a new strategic plan focused on regenerative agriculture, youth empowerment, and climate resilience.
The celebrations were held in Nairobi, Kenya from 2nd to 4th September 2025. It was attended by over 200 participants drawn from different African countries, including Fairtrade international partners, policy makers, farmer’s representatives and other agricultural industry players. At the occasion of the celebration, participants participated in farms field visits, discussions and round tables that aimed at taking stock of the organisation’s impact and achievements in its quest to better lives of farmers in Africa.
Fairtrade’s main objective is to make global trade fairer by guaranteeing farmers and workers a stable, fair price for their goods, along with a Fairtrade Premium that funds community projects such as schools and clinics. It promotes decent working conditions, bans child and forced labor, and empowers producers through cooperatives so they have a stronger voice in trade decisions. Fairtrade also prioritizes gender equality by training and supporting women leaders, encourages environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices, and helps smallholders gain better access to international markets under equitable terms.
Since its founding in 2005, Fairtrade Africa has grown to represent over 1.4 million farmers and workers in 29 countries, reinvesting more than €650 million into schools, clinics, and irrigation projects. Executive Director Isaac Tongola praised farmers’ leadership, noting women now hold over 35% of key roles thanks to training programs such as the Women School of Leadership.
The new plan will expand regenerative farming, provide 10,000 young farmers with digital climate tools, and strengthen community development. The announcement comes as Kenya reviews costly certification schemes, seeking fairer systems for smallholders.
Fairtrade Africa’s leadership says the goal is to build “a fairer, farmer-led future” and ensure African farmers remain competitive in global markets despite climate and economic challenges.
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Kenya Steps Up Livestock Breeding and Traceability in Samburu
Maralal, Kenya – The government has intensified efforts to improve livestock breeds in Samburu County to boost meat and milk quality for export markets.
Livestock Development PS Jonathan Mueke announced the distribution of 2,810 Galana goats under a restocking programme and revealed that Kenya had secured a market for livestock products in the UAE through the new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Mueke also said a subsidised mass vaccination campaign will soon start in Samburu to improve animal health and urged herders to cooperate. To tackle cattle rustling, he confirmed the rollout of the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC), which tags animals with chips to record ownership, breed, weight, and vaccination history.
During his visit, Mueke commissioned a Sh13.2 million water pan at the Nomotio Livestock Improvement Centre to provide a reliable water source for livestock and residents during dry seasons.
Samburu Agriculture CEC Moses Leluata added that 11% of the county’s development budget is allocated to livestock and agriculture, supporting the annual purchase of 1,000 camels and 1,000 Sahiwal heifers. He praised the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLoP) for training animal health workers and supplying veterinary drugs.
KeFAAS Sends Young Professionals to China to Boost Agricultural Innovation
The Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services – Kenya (KeFAAS) is strengthening agricultural extension by sending young Kenyan professionals to China for advanced studies in soil health, plant protection, and resource use.
Established in 2015, KeFAAS works with academia, research institutions, and private and public stakeholders to improve agricultural extension services. In partnership with the FAO and China Agricultural University, KeFAAS launched the Science and Technology Backyard (STB) project, which trains young agripreneurs through a three-year master’s programme—one year in China, one year of fieldwork in Kenya, and a final year in China for thesis completion.
The first cohort of three students will complete their first year in October and are expected to establish a technology demonstration site at Mariira, Murang’a. More students are set to follow, with six joining in 2025 and 10 more next year, aiming for a total of 25 graduates.
KeFAAS Country Focal Person Peter Mwangi said the initiative focuses on bringing back smallholder-friendly technologies, crucial for Kenya’s shrinking farmlands. Egerton University’s Prof. Agnes Oywaya Nkurumwa added that the programme also aims to teach how China effectively supports its farmers, helping Kenya translate research into practical farm solutions.
One beneficiary, Javan Kiptoo Sogomo, said the training would enable him to help farmers in Baringo make better use of their resources and apply agrochemicals safely and effectively.