Welcome to our first issue of Growing Africa for 2026. It is a pleasure to bring you another collection of practical, science-based articles designed to support the advancement of sustainable and productive agriculture across the continent.
Across Africa, farmers face an increasingly complex production environment. Soil degradation, climate variability, market uncertainties, and changing input costs continue to place pressure on agricultural systems. Our feature article examines the links between nutrient management, market access, and sustainable intensification in legume-based systems across Africa. What might be holding back legume-drive intensification in our smallholder cropping systems?
We are also pleased to present a two-part feature on Gender and Precision Agriculture in Africa, examining both the barriers and opportunities facing women and youth in accessing precision agriculture technologies. As 2026 marks the International Year of the Woman Farmer, this discussion is especially timely and important.
Additionally, we highlight recent work in Kenya exploring the often-overlooked role of financial liquidity in determining whether farmers can apply nutrients at the right time. Additional articles examine nutrient management in Morocco’s olive systems, the socio-economic factors shaping soil fertility decisions in Ghana, and the diverse realities of coffee-banana farming systems in Uganda. Beyond agronomic practices, this issue encourages us to think more broadly about the connections between soil health, crop nutrition, livelihoods, and even human health outcomes. The evidence continues to show that investments in better crop nutrition can deliver benefits far beyond the farm gate.
Thank you for your continued interest in Growing Africa. We hope the knowledge and experiences shared in these pages inspire new ideas, productive discussions, and practical action. Questions about article submissions can be answered by our guide for authors (https://growingafrica.pub/about).
More information about the publication process can be obtained by contacting our staff directly. Together, we can continue advancing science-based solutions that strengthen African agriculture and improve livelihoods across the continent.
Gavin Sulewski
Senior Editor | Communications Lead, APNI
