As a tool contributing to sustainable agricultural transformation, Spore's influence is well recognised. In this final Trends article, we review the legacy of CTA's flagship publication and how it has evolved from a short technical bulletin to a comprehensive online and print magazine.

Smallholder farmers in Africa continue to face numerous hurdles accessing credit or loans to increase their production. It is indicated that innovation and partnerships are key to addressing this, along with stronger government leadership and support.

This manual provides a detailed explanation of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) principles as applied in a number of African countries. An introduction is followed by sections on the need for ISFM, the principles of ISFM, soil fertility management practices, targeting of ISFM options,...

This article explains how 'impact investment funds' work and reports that these funds are fast becoming the vehicle of choice for governments and donors looking to invest in African agriculture and encourage private sector investors to do the same.

This article reports on a landmark report on digitalisation for agriculture (D4Ag) in Africa that compiles and highlights data on digital solutions that are enabling the transformation of African agriculture. Despite showing some impressive achievements in digital transformation, the report...

This dossier shows the importance of informal agricultural trade to the most vulnerable populations in Africa and indicates that, if gradually formalised, it has potential to become a major lever for growth and development. Measures and initiatives for the formalization of this informal economy are ...

This article highlights the role of alternative finance, in the form of angel investors, in providing important seed money to jumpstart African agribusiness entrepreneurs.

Poor food safety regulations limit Africa's ability to engage in international food markets. This article shows how harmonised regulations and investments in appropriate infrastructure and technology could bolster the continent's food safety capacity, and ignite its food export market.

This article examines the success of Pacific Island entrepreneurs in one value chain, that of natural beauty products. Innovative entrepreneurs are working with farmers to produce products such as natural soaps, oils and lotions for sale in the regional tourist sector as well as for export to...

This article looks at agricultural development as an effective tool to boost the resilience of vulnerable communities in fragile states. Ways to leverage this role of agriculture are discussed, including increasing capacities for risk mitigation, connecting farmers to markets, supporting farmer...