Cocoa Crisis or Market Correction? Exploring the Industry's Future
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
Release Date: 02/27/2025
The Agritech Boom: African Farmers Going Digital
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
African farmers are embracing the digital revolution, and the impact on agriculture across the continent is nothing short of remarkable! In this episode of the Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast, Sharon takes us on an exciting journey into the world of technology in farming. Discover how mobile apps, digital marketplaces, and innovative fintech solutions are empowering farmers to grow smarter, sell quicker, and connect directly with buyers like never before. But it’s not all smooth sailing. We’ll also tackle the challenges that come with this transformation—think infrastructure hurdles,...
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The ₦5bn Agro-Inputs Distribution Plan – Will It Work?
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
The Nigerian government has announced a ₦5bn agro-inputs distribution plan — promising to get fertilisers, seeds, and agro-chemicals into the hands of farmers. But will this intervention truly reach those who need it most, or will it get stuck in the same old bottlenecks of politics, logistics, and poor timing? In this episode, I sit with Ilyasu Ishak, Business Development Manager at CropIT, to unpack the realities on the ground: How effective input distribution can transform yields Why timing is critical for farmers’ success The risks of leakages and mismanagement What lessons...
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Rethinking Carbon Offsets Through Farmers, Equity, and Climate Justice with Micheal Jones
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
Agriculture is often at the heart of climate conversations, but not always at the center of climate solutions. Farmers, especially smallholders, carry the heaviest weight of climate shocks while decisions are made far away from their fields. In this episode of the Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast, Sharon sits down with Michael Jones, Co-Founder and Lead Architect at AgroReGenerations, to explore what it really means to put farmers first in the fight for climate justice. Michael shares his journey from city life to co-founding a global initiative spanning East Africa and Indonesia, and why...
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Restoring What Feeds Us: Soil, Regeneration, and African-Led Conservation
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
Soil is where it all begins — yet it’s often the most overlooked element in agriculture conversations.
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What Local Sounds Like: Building Regional Media in Multilingual Agri Spaces
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
In this episode, we’re digging into what it really means to create local, relatable media across Africa’s multilingual spaces and why translation alone isn’t enough.
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Beyond the Message: Understanding Agricultural Audiences with Sharon Idahosa
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
Are your agricultural messages truly reaching the people they’re meant for?
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Unlocking the Power of Agro-Informatics – With Karl Morteo (FAO)
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
What if agricultural data wasn’t just for researchers — but also for farmers, governments, startups, and everyday decision-makers?
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Unspoken Work: Why Communication Still Feels Optional in Agriculture
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
There’s a lot of good work happening in agriculture — women-led businesses scaling, agritech solutions making real impact, donor programs driving change in rural communities. But far too often, all that transformation happens quietly. No updates. No stories. No real visibility.
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Leading with Data: How Agri-Businesses Can Use Tech to Drive Smarter Decisions with Beatrice Omoh
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
You’ve probably heard it before: “Data is the new oil.”
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Building Resilient Agri-Businesses with Smart Financial Tools with Ndu Ekwomadu
The Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast
Running an agri-business isn’t just about producing food — it’s about building systems that work, managing operations efficiently, and making smart financial decisions. But for many agri-entrepreneurs, especially small and growing ones, managing inventory, tracking sales, or even preparing basic financial records can feel overwhelming or get left behind completely.
info_outlineIn this episode of the Let's Talk Agriculture podcast, Sharon Idahosa delves into the burgeoning cocoa industry, currently making headlines due to skyrocketing prices and divided opinions. Is the industry truly in crisis, or are we witnessing a long-overdue market correction?
Join Sharon as she hosts Alan Perlstein, a pioneering food technology expert, to explore the impacts of technological innovations in food production. Discover the potential of lab-grown cocoa as a sustainable alternative, its effects on traditional farming, and how such innovations could redefine the future of chocolate.
Alan shares insights into the challenges faced by cocoa farmers, especially in Africa, and how the demand for cocoa is outpacing supply. Learn how lab-grown cocoa might impact the market, its ability to mimic traditional flavors, and the debate around differentiating between traditional and lab-grown cocoa in the market.
Tune in to understand the dynamics of the cocoa industry, the role of technology in food production, and the implications for farmers and consumers alike.