Agroecological Transitions in Kenya - Pathways and Lessons

13 September 2024. Tropentag 2024 Vienna: Agroecological Transitions in Kenya - Pathways and Lessons

The CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology, working in eight countries of the Global South, seeks to work with food system actors to provide evidence on performance of agroecology in low-income countries. This workshop will focus on the work done in Kenya. Main purpose of the session is to have a constructive dialogue among food system experts interested in agroecological transition, share a concrete example of work that has been conducted in Kenya identifying clear lessons learnt and pathways that could lead to agroecological transition in LMICs. In addition, the workshop seeks to gather input from the participating food system experts on lessons learnt elsewhere that could drive agroecological transition, relevant for Kenya. These would be key as we move to phase 2 of the Initiative starting 2025.

Resource:

CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology. (2023) The Agroecology Transition: Different pathways to a single

destination - Eight country experiences  #32 pp. 

Agroecology is a transdisciplinary, participatory, and action-oriented approach for co-designing options that enhance food system resilience, equity, and sustainability. Working in eight countries of the Global South, the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology seeks effective ways to put this approach into practice. In each country, the Initiative concentrates on one or two distinct territories referred to as “agroecological living landscapes” (ALLs), where it engages with researchers, farmers and their associations or communities, private companies, international and national non-governmental organizations as well as local, regional, and national policymakers.

This report includes the Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) 

Seed Regulation. Africa’s preparedness for the transition

12 September 2024.  Seed Regulation. Africa’s preparedness for the transition. Understanding the EU regulation on Plant Productive Materials (PRMs)

Webinar Areas of Focus

• Understanding the EU regulation on Plant Productive Materials(PRMs)—what has changed with the amendments, what this means for farmers and the transition process of the regulation
• Lessons learned from the new EU Regulation on organic exports, its transition, and what it means for farmers in Africa.

Panel discussion

Previous webinar

4 April 2024. Implications of the EU Proposed Regulation on the Production and Marketing of Plant Reproductive Materials (PRM) on Africa’s Food System

This Webinar by PELUM Association in partnership with Broederlijk Delen (BD) and AfroNet aimed at raising awareness on the implications of the Proposed EU regulation on Plant Reproductive Materials (2023) on Africa’s food system. 

The webinar was attended by over 170 stable attendants from across the world. 

The webinar featured five distinguished discussants: 

1. Giregon Olupot (PhD) from Makerere University, Uganda; 
2. Ms. Karin Ulmer and Fulya Batur (PhD), who are Consultants on a Seeds for Agroecology Project by Bread for the World (BfW) & HEKS/EPER, 
3. Ms. Greet Lambrecht, an Organic farmer and seed saver in Belgium; and 
4. Mr. Chariton Namuwoza, the President of African Organic Network (AfrONET). 
5. Moderation duties were handled by Mr. Muketoi Wamunyima, the Country Coordinator at PELUM Zambia, and Juliet Katusiime (PhD), a Senior Programme Officer at the PELUM Association Regional Secretariat. 

Resource

PELUM (2024) Webinar report. Implications of the EU Proposed Regulation on the Production and Marketing of Plant Reproductive Materials (PRM) on Africa’s Food System # 18 pp.

This report provides an overview of the

proceedings from the webinar on the

implications of the European Union

proposed regulation on Plant Reproductive

Materials (PRM, 2023) on Africa's food

system.

Assessing the field of generative biology

12 September 2024. Understanding the governance challenges created by 'generative biology' – integration of AI with synthetic biology.

Organized by ETC Group, African Center for Biodiversity, TWN – Third World Network

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has for 30 years governed new developments in biotechnology, in the frame of precaution and justice, and has also recently established a process of technology horizon scanning, assessment, and monitoring of new developments.

Now, there is an industrial attempt to converge next-generation genetic engineering tools (synthetic biology) with generative AI (of the sort used by ChatGPT) in a new "generative biology" industry.

• Why the CBD’s expert groups propose an urgent assessment of this newest AI-biotech convergence.
• How the use of generative AI in biology brings thorny new problems stemming from the opaque and error-prone ‘black box’ character of generative AI.
• How the world’s largest digital tech companies (including Google, Microsoft, Amazon and NVIDIA) are fuelling a ‘generative biology rush’, including a bold biopiracy grab of all the world’s digital sequence information on genomic resources.
• What can be done at COP 16 in Cali, Colombia?

Speakers 

• Introduction Sabrina Masinjila (ACB) 
• An introduction to AI‘Generative Biology: why it raises serious challenges for the CBD Jim Thomas (Scan the horizon) 
• AI and Synbio under the Convention on Biological Diversity: process and perspectives Florian Rabitz (Kaunas University of Technology) 
• Prof. Dr. Ossama Abdelkawy 
• Linking the Convention’s obligations to the need to responsibly assess the integration of AI and SynBio Lim Li Ching (TWN) 
• How the industry is using synthetic biology and artificial intelligence to circumvent the CBD, the Cartagena Protocol, and the ITPGRFA Guy Kastler (La Via Campesina) 
• Conclusion Sabrina Masinjila (ACB)

Resource

The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)  (2024) Black Box Biotech. Integration of Artificial Intelligence with Synthetic Biology: Addressing the risks,hype and inequities underpinning Generative Biology. # 36 pp.

Governments are already scrambling to try to catch up with the side effects, errors, and governance conundrums created by first-generation ‘generative AI’ programs – such as ChatGPT – while discovering the overreach of claims initially made by AI developers. 

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with three decades of experience tracking global biotechnology policy, is uniquely placed to assess the now-emerging field of ‘generative biology’ and offer sensible advice before AI risks become irrevocably entangled with genetic engineering risks. At the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the CBD in October and November 2024, governments will have the option to commission a ‘deeper dive’ assessment to better understand the array of policy challenges arising from the rapid integration of AI with SynBio – and to propose how to address those challenges promptly in the frame of precaution and justice. Agreements made at COP 16 on Digital sequence information (DSI) also need to robustly ensure that the digital AI giants now amassing DSI to train generative biology models are firmly covered by requirements concerning commercial utilisation of DSI.

TROPENTAG: annual interdisciplinary conference on research in tropical and subtropical agriculture

11-13 September 2024. TROPENTAG. 

The annual interdisciplinary conference on research in tropical

and subtropical agriculture, natural resource management and rural development (Tropentag) was jointly organised by the universities of Berlin, Bonn, Göttingen, Hohenheim, Kassel-Witzenhausen, ZALF e.V. (all Germany), Ghent University (Belgium), Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic), BOKU Vienna (Austria), and the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Research (ATSAF e.V.) in co-operation with the GIZ Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA).

Tropentag 2024 (TT24) was organised as a hybrid 'green event' by University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU University), Austria (Insitute and Cluster for Development Research), in cooperation with ATSAF e.V.

Topics:

1. 
   Agroecology and sustainable resource management practices: This includes discussions on sustainable agriculture practices, such as crop management, soil conservation, organic agricultural production, agroecology and agroforestry systems, aiming to optimize natural resource management while preserving the environment.
2. Livestock management and human well-being: Addressing sustainable and resilient animal production systems, promoting animal welfare, healthy animals as high-quality food resources, and enhancing human well-being through sustainable livestock management practices. Discussions link to the current discourse regarding economic viability and environmental aspects of animal production systems, increasing consumer demands for improved animal well-being, and calls for alternative non-animal protein sources.
3. Food and nutrition sovereignty: This session aims to bring together different perspectives contributing to a sustainable and just transformation of our food system. This involves addressing the underlying structural and socio-political issues related to malnutrition and advocating for sustainable diets. An emphasis is on democratic control over the production, distribution and consumption of food and the rights of peoples and communities to determine their own food and farming systems. This includes discussions on how to improve access to land and access to culturally appropriate, nutritious and affordable food, and the important intersection between food and health, identifying and assessing transformative solutions.
   
   
   
4. Sustainable water and fisheries management: Exploring innovative strategies and solutions to ensure the long-term viability of water resources and fisheries worldwide. Through interdisciplinary research and collaborative efforts, this session delves into the complex challenges facing sanitation, water ecosystems and fish populations, addressing overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change impacts and offering insights into sustainable management practices, community engagement, policy frameworks, and technological advancements to promote the resilience and health of aquatic environments and fisheries.
5. Climate change adaptation and resilience: Sessions addressing adaptation to climate change in the context of agriculture and food systems, including pastoralism, natural resources management, and rural livelihoods. A critical perspective is laid on the potential threats of climate adaptation strategies for diverse rural livelihoods, in light of increased privatization, land grabbing and the rush for carbon and biodiversity credits. Sessions further focus on resilience strategies in agriculture, food systems and natural resource governance, including innovative approaches to mitigate environmental risks and enhance resilience of local populations.
6. Forestry, environmental conservation and ecosystem services: Exploring the intersection of agriculture and environmental conservation, including plant protection, agroforestry systems sustainability, and the importance of trees for environmental health and ecosystem services provision. This encompasses sessions on plant protection, trees for people and the environment, and understanding and managing soil-vegetation interactions, all of which contribute to environmental conservation and the provision of ecosystem services. This includes critical reflections on the benefits, trade-offs and potential threats of environmental conservation for rural livelihoods.
7. Gender and intersectional perspectives in the governance of natural resources: Critically explore how gender and other social dynamics intersect with and impact the governance of natural resources. Highlight the importance of inclusive approaches and practices, acknowledging diverse perspectives. Emphasize the importance and value of local knowledge systems, knowledge co-creation, co-learning, and actor-based initiatives in achieving more just and inclusive governance of natural resources and food systems.
8. Multiple crises: political, institutional and economic structures and challenges: Adopting a political ecology lens to explore the impact of multiple crises on our food and agriculture systems and natural resources, such as the climate crisis, violent conflicts and resulting economic crises. This includes reflections on the economic potential and profitability of agriculture and rural livelihoods, as well as collective action from grassroots organisations in shaping our future food and agricultural systems, and the role of policies and institutions amidst societal transformations.
9. Social and technological innovations for implementing the SDGs: Sessions focusing on technology adoption and dissemination, social innovations, and farmer perspectives in cropping and animal systems will highlight the role of technical and social innovations in agricultural practices and farmer-driven processes that contribute to sustainable resource management and securing livelihoods.

Keynote speakers

Tropentag 2024 had the honour to welcome three keynote speakers with diverging backgrounds: Franz Fischler, Anja Gassner, and Lerato Thakholi. Although the speakers shared different stories, their speeches united them in a shared vision of making efforts for brighter future prospects.

• Franz Fischler, President IHS, Institute Advanced Studies, Austria
• Anja Gassner, Managing Director, CIFOR Germany gGmbH; Director Europe
• Lerato Thakholi, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands / University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Other speakers:

• Jennie Barron, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Dept. for Soil and
  Environment, Uppsala, Sweden
• Johanna Jacobi, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Agrarökologische Transitionen, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
• Nzula Kitaka, Egerton University, Dept Biological Science, Kenya
• Johannes M. Waldmüller, Department of Political Science, International Politics, University Vienna, Austria
• Achille Assogbadjo, Lab of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

CIFOR-ICRAF's Dietmar Stoian led a session on developing agroforestry value chains in Rwanda, enhancing climate resilience and improving livelihoods through the TREPA project.

Transforming Eastern Province through Adaptation (TREPA)
A paradigm shift in land management practices in Rwanda’s Eastern Province to build resilience in the landscape to sustain agro-ecological systems and livelihoods. TREPA intends to increase the resilience of 75,000 smallholder farmers and restore 60,000 ha of drought-prone degraded landscapes as climate-resilient ecosystems through agroforestry, soil erosion control, reforestation, and the restoration of pasturelands, including economic incentives linked with the development of value chains of climate-resilient agricultural and tree products.

• Funding partners: Green Climate Fund & Government of Rwanda
• Implementing partner: Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA)
• Budget: Entire budget 49,622,797 USD (Green Climate Fund + Co-financing)
• ICRAF budget 7,554,960 USD.

Using digital tools to support climate & agroecological transitions at scale

10 September 2024. Using digital tools to support climate & agroecological transitions at scale.

The Agroecological TRANSITIONS program, supported by the EU, advocates for climate and agroecological transitions by addressing several challenges. 

• The program has three projects: investigating holistic metrics to assess food and agricultural systems and guide policy and investment decisions; exploring public-private incentives and innovative pathways for sustainable practices; and developing digital tool innovations to support farmers and extension practitioners assess performance.
• TRANSITIONS’ Inclusive Digital Tools (ATDT) Project looks at how digital resources can boost inclusivity and empower farmers in co-creating sustainable practices. ATDT has evaluated digital resources for technical advice and performance assessment to understand how they support agroecological transition. Regional partners and teams have developed and tested digital tools to support agroecology in Vietnam for rice and in Brazil for livestock. 
• As the ATDT project comes to a close this year, the panel exchanged ideas with a wider group of organizations and stakeholders actively working with digital resources. Through this work and the parallel projects on metrics and public-private incentives, the TRANSITIONS projects aim to improve food security, minimize negative ecological impacts, and foster climate-informed agroecological transitions in LMICs.

The interactive workshop, discussed opportunities and challenges to scale climate and agroecological transitions using digital resources. The objective was to share knowledge and exchange ideas among leaders and experts in this area on the following topics:

• Climate and agroecology indicators in digital tools
• Principles for digital inclusion of smallholder farmers
• Digital tool design for co-creation
• Incentives and pathways to scale digital tools for climate & agroecological transitions

Presentations:

• Facilitator: Sandhya Kumar Agroecology TPP Scientific Coordinator 
• Lini Wollenberg University of Vermont & The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT - Digital tools for an agroecological transition? 
• Violaine Laurens Regional Manager – Digital Solutions, Solidaridad Latinoamérica - Co-creating agroecology practices for livestock in Brazil: Solis 
• Trang Vu/Katie Nelson, IRRI - Vertically integrated digital performance assessment for the 1 Must Do 5 Reductions in Vietnam 
• Fancisco Hidalgo Socio-environmental researcher, Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT - Leveraging digital traceability tools for agroecology transitions  
• Mary Crossland Livelihood systems associate scientist, CIFOR-ICRAF - Metrics for holistic assessment in digital tools 
• Kyle Dittmer Research Analyst, Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT Principles for socially inclusive digital tools for smallholder farmers

Panel: Will this work? What will it take? 

• Facilitator: Sandhya Kumar Agroecology TPP Scientific Coordinator
• Oliver Oliveros Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition 
• Alesha Miller Chief Strategy Officer, Digital Green  
• Christophe Larose European Commission - Concluding statements

The speakers highlighted:

• how digital tools can support farmer agency and negotiate top-down and corporate influence in digital tool design
• how digital tools can best serve farmer needs through co-creation of knowledge and avoiding the pitfalls of current digital tool business models driven by non-farmer interests 
• how aligning metrics, policy, incentives, and digital tools can help integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation into agroecological practices and technical advice.

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

 9 - 10 September 2024. Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

Session 1: Presentations on the characteristics of traditional knowledge and its application., Session 2: Panel discussion addressing key questions, such as:  What support do family farmers need to effectively use traditional knowledge and practices?  Can traditional knowledge be strengthened by integrating innovative practices and modern technologies? If so, how? 
FAO units participating: Agroecology, Indigenous Peoples, Mountain Partnership, Innovation and Nutrition.

• Bangladesh: Floating Garden Agricultural Practices, 
• Brazil: Traditional Agricultural System in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais Japan: Nishi-Awa Steep Slope Land Agriculture System 
• Italy: Olive Groves of the Slopes between Assisi and Spoleto, 
• Morrocco: Argan-based agro-sylvo-pastoral system within the area of Ait Souab - Ait Mansour, 
• Philippines: Ifugao Rice Terraces, 
• Spain: Malaga Raisin Production System in La Axarquía. 

Transforming Agri-Food Systems in West Africa with Digital Technologies

9 - 13 September 2024. Abuja, Nigeria Transforming Agri-Food Systems in West Africa with Digital Technologies

• The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), in collaboration with Agropolis Fondation (AF), Gearbox Pan African Network (GB), and Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), whost the Annual Implementers’ Forum (AIF) 2024 for the Accelerating Inclusive Green Growth through Agri-based Digital Innovation in West Africa (AGriDI) project in Abuja, Nigeria.
  
• Funded by the European Commission through the R&I Programme implemented by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), AGriDI is a 4-year initiative aimed at creating an enabling environment for agri-based digital innovations in West Africa. The project is designed to increase the uptake of digital technologies by farmers’ cooperatives and SMEs, strengthen collaboration between research communities, industry, and policy actors, and enhance policymaking to support the scaling of agribusiness digital innovations.

Since its inception, AGriDI has implemented a competitive grant scheme, awarding EUR 2.73 million across 9 projects in West Africa. These initiatives focus on co-developing and adapting digital solutions, establishing market linkages, and supporting policy development for digital innovation. 

1. The AGriCef mobile app in Benin, controls the Fall armyworm in maize
   In Northern Benin, the Université de Parakou developed the AGriCef mobile app to combat the Fall armyworm (FAW) in maize, while the Ki@ app provides market updates directly to local farmers via SMS and voice messages.
2. the SMARTSOIL app in Nigeria, provides hyper-local soil information to farmers using artificial intelligence.
   In South-Western Nigeria, the SMARTSOIL app by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) leverages digital soil mapping and AI to deliver accessible and affordable soil information to farmers.
3. In Ghana, the Driving Market Access and Managing AG Value chains (DigiMakt) app profiles over 12,500 smallholder farmers, providing climate-smart agronomic advice, market information, weather alerts, insurance, and credit scoring. This innovation, led by Esoko Ltd., the Agri-Tech company of the year at the 2023 Ghana Agriculture and Agri-Business Awards, is enhancing financial inclusion in the Bono East and Oti regions. Another significant contribution is the recently launched MarketMap app by SOSAI, offering reliable market information for farmers, processors, and service providers in the agricultural sector.

The Annual Implementers’ Forum (AIF) 2024 provides a platform for AGriDI’s partners and beneficiaries to share lessons learned over the past two and a half years. Participants will engage in discussions on the digital innovation ecosystem in agriculture, the successes and challenges faced, and the sustainability of current innovations.

Agronomy and Policy Solutions for Effective Implementation of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan

10 September 2024. Agronomy and Policy Solutions for Effective Implementation of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan. Co-organized by IFPRI, CGIAR, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI)

Speakers from the research, policy, nongovernmental, and private sectors highlighted agronomy solutions and policy frameworks that can bolster stakeholder resilience. These experts will draw on the work of two CGIAR research initiatives, Excellence in Agronomy and National Policies and Strategies, to explore the potential of agronomy at scale solutions and present strategies for developing effective policy frameworks in support of soil health, balanced plant nutrition, and increased agricultural productivity and livelihoods. 

Opening Remarks

• Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI
• Antony Chapoto, Executive Director, Secretariat, Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI)

Outcome of the AFSH and Next Steps

• Wole Fatunbi, Ag. Director of Research and Innovation, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
• Oumou Camara, Vice President of Programs, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
• Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director General, Research for Development, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
• Felicitas Röhrig, Senior Policy Officer, Division “Agriculture, rural development”, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• Habiba Mouttaki, Chief Commercial Officer, Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa

Supporting Agronomic Solutions at Scale and Enabling Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Fertilizer Management and Soil Health 

• Job Kihara, Agronomist, Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT; Excellence in Agronomy (EiA), CGIAR
• John Olwande, Research Fellow, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development; National Policies and Strategies, CGIAR
• Claudia Ringler, Director, Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR), IFPRI
• Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
• Madhur Gautam, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI

Discussion 

• Richard Mkandawire, Africa Director, Alliance for African Partnership, Michigan State University (MSU); National Planning Commissioner, Malawi
• Maria Wanzala, Vice President, Policy Services, African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP)
• Nancy Laibuni, Advisor, Associate Member, Council of Economic Advisors- Executive Office of the President, Kenya

Is Big Bet Philanthropy Capable of Scaling Food Systems Transformation?

4 September 2024. IFAD Innovation Talk 17: Is Big Bet Philanthropy Capable of Scaling Food Systems Transformation?

This Innovation Talk explored innovations and strategies to transform global food systems and delve into how philanthropic partnerships and investments can be mobilized for systems change. Leading representatives from foundations and philanthropic organizations discussed how they are using these strategies to better leverage resources and focus on proven results to end hunger, achieve food security and ensure climate resilience.

• Alvaro Lario, President, IFAD
• Tonya Allen, President, McKnight Foundation 
  Tonya emphasized the transformative potential of “big bet philanthropy” in rural development and food systems. She stressed the importance of co-designing solutions with local communities, particularly farmers, and highlighted that financial resources alone aren’t enough. True impact requires rewriting financial systems and empowering those closest to the challenges. Allen advocated for disrupting traditional practices in philanthropy and ensuring that investments are driven by genuine intentions and collaboration, ultimately aimed at sustainable, equitable outcomes.
• Sonia Medina, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer & Executive Director, Climate Change, Children's Investment Fund Foundation 
  Sonia emphasized the urgent need for “big bets” in philanthropy to address the significant disparities in agricultural subsidies versus climate financing for agriculture and called for collective action to create lasting systemic change. She outlined three key points: 1. Unite diverse perspectives to create a shared vision for food systems aligning nutrition and climate goals. 2. Encourage diverse agriculture to reduce reliance on large-scale livestock. 3. Collaborate to reform harmful subsidies, ensuring support for sustainable agriculture
• Masego Madzwamuse, Director of the Environment Programme, Oak Foundation 
  Masego pointed out that beyond focusing on increasing production, it’s essential to improve the quality of life and ensure the self-representation of small-scale farmers. She highlighted the disparities in how philanthropic resources are distributed, with far less flexible funding reaching the Global South, and called for a rebalancing of resource flows. 
• Anna Lappé, Executive Director, Global Alliance for the Future of Food
  Anna emphasized the need for philanthropy to play a key role in scaling sustainable food systems. She highlighted that food systems are major contributors to both climate change and biodiversity loss, and urgent transformation is required.
• Ron Thomas Hartman, Director, Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization, IFAD 
  Ron emphasized the importance of collaboration, integrated approaches, and empowering local communities. He stressed that philanthropy should support both funding and partnerships to drive sustainable, systemic change.

Unlocking Africa-EU Research Collaboration

5 September 2024. Unlocking Africa-EU Research Collaboration

Funded by the European Union (Horizon Europe programme), SEADE Strengthening the Europe-Africa Digital Ecosystem Through Increased R&I Cooperationprovides fundamental and tangible support services to the Research and Innovation (R&I) ecosystems of Europe (EU) and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), undertaking human-centred research, programme development, and pilot actions in Ghana, South Africa Kenya and Senegal.

The SEADE project incorporates and builds on work started in previous projects, such as the Horizon 2020 projects AfriConEU, HUBiquitous and ENRICH in Africa (EiA), in which consortium partners created a network of core stakeholders from both continents to support and strengthen the European-African innovation ecosystem. SEADE will extend this network to include the research sector and focus mainly on two key areas: digital transformation and international collaboration. Alongside programme development, integration of legacy elements from further current and past initiatives in the field will provide R&I actors with a comprehensive resource toolkit, made available within the digital platform of the EiA Center, legacy organisation of the EiA project.  

• Overview of SEADE Jan Ertmann - Steinbeis Europa Zentrum
• Human-Centered Approach in Research Gideon Brefo - Hapa Foundation
• Call for Stories Isabella Ahinakwa - Association of African Universities
• 
  Senegal Soft-Landing Program and Upcoming Activities Charlie Guerin - BonD'Innov
  
  Bond'innov is an association promoting innovation with a strong economic and societal impact and supporting innovative projects in France and Africa, particularly in the digital technology, health/biotechnology, ecological transition and the social economy sectors. Bond’innov evolves around 4 main activities : Funding of Startups, Incubation of entrepreneurs, Building and implementing programs for public and private partners and Strengthening Incubators Networks in over 18 african countries. For more than years, Bond’innov have supported more than 200 startups and funded 70.

Africa Food Systems Forum 2024: main program

 

2 - 6 September 2024. Kigali Rwanda. 

Africa Food Systems Forum 2024

The Africa Food Systems Forum is the world largest annual summit on agriculture and food systems on the continent.

Extracts of the main programme

03/09 DAY 1: CCOUNTABILITY, STATUS, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR) 

See YouTube video recording @

• Presentation of the Report: AGRA (2024). Accelerating the Private Sector for Food Systems transformation in Africa (Issue 12). Nairobi, Kenya: AGRA. # 88 pp.
• Dr. Thomas Reardon, Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University Moderator: 
• Dr . Roy Steiner, Senior Vice President, Food Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA Board Member
• Ms. Chema Triki – AASR Author 
• Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Panel Discussion: 
• Hon. Rose Kayi Mivedor, Minister of Commerce, Crafts, and Local Consumption, Togo 
• Mr. Michael Shaw, Director, WellSping Development 
• Ms. Anna Riley, Managing Partner, Sofala Partners 
• Mr. Daniel Hailu, Executive Director, Mastercard Foundation 
• Mr. Jemery Awori, Group CEO, Ecobank Group 
• Ms. Michelle Gortan, CEO, Macdoch Foundation. Launch of the AASR report and official opening photo
• Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President, AGRA 
• Rt. Hon. Dr. Edouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda 
• H.E. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), AUC

Resource: 

AGRA (2024). Accelerating the Private Sector for Food Systems transformation in Africa (Issue 12). Nairobi, Kenya: AGRA. # 88 pp.

Digitalization Roadmap on Food Systems

Digital technologies hold immense potential to transform agri-food systems across sub-Saharan Africa by significantly enhancing productivity and resilience, market access, supply chains, and financial inclusivity for small-scale producers. Although some progress has been made, many challenges persist, including fragmented initiatives and investments across the public, private, and social sectors, uncertain business models, inadequate digital and physical infrastructure, and lack of gender and social inclusion, which all hinder the widespread adoption and impact of digital agriculture solutions. We have a unique opportunity for digital transformation in agriculture due to growing mobile and internet penetration, innovative digital solutions, and growing leadership and policy support.

 
There is a need for coordinated roadmaps that align with national policies, identify and address ecosystem gaps, and prioritize and coordinate sustainable investments to fully realize digital agriculture’s potential. This session aims to gather key stakeholders to discuss the development and implementation of Digital Agriculture Roadmaps for African countries while drawing on insights from previous initiatives in Ethiopia, other SSA countries, and India and exploring pathways to enhance digital transformation in the agri-food sector across the continent.

Panel Discussion 1: Coordinating Digital Agricultural Initiatives and Investments

• Dr. Parmesh Shah, Global Lead for Rural Livelihoods & Agricultural Jobs, Agriculture, World Bank
• Mr. Stewart Collis, Senior Program Officer, Digital Solutions, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Ms. Brenda Mulele Gunde, Global Lead for ICT4D, IFAD
• Mr. Josh Woodward, Senior Digital Advisor, USAID
• Mr. Innocent Musabyimana, Chief Agriculture Technology Officer, AFDB
• Mr. Dayo Aduroja, Director, Youth and Innovation Africa, Heifer International
• Mr. Omundi Kasidhi, Digital Manager Africa, Yara
• Moderator: Mr. Kristofer Hamel, Agricultural Innovations Lead, President, Court of the United Arab Emirates

Panel Discussion 2: Building and Implementing Digital Agricultural Solutions & Public Infrastructure

• Keynote speaker: Hon. Paul Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda
• Ms. Niriksha Shetty, CEO, Precision Development (PxD)
• Mr. Rikin Gandhi, CEO, Digital Green
• Dr. Rajeev Chawla, Strategic Advisor and Chief Knowledge Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
• Ms. Kameshwari Chandra, Chief Strategy Officer, Center for Digital Public Infrastructure, India
• Mr. Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
• Mr. Stewart Collis, Senior Program Officer, Digital Solutions, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Ms. Chen Hattav, Growing IL Ecosystem Development Manager, Israel Innovation Institute

04/09 DAY 2: NUTRITION, HEALTH, TRADE, AND MARKETS

Farmers’ Forum

This year’s Farmers’ Forum will bring farmers from Asia, Latin America, and Africa together to exchange experiences and share best practices regarding participation in food systems policies, access to financing and markets, and capacity to deliver healthy foods produced sustainably amid climate change and conflicts. This interactive discussion will give participants a broader picture of the progress made in the field about food systems transformation and how gaps and challenges can be addressed. AS INVITED Moderator • Dr. King-David Amoah, President of Farmers Organization Network, Ghana and of the Ghana Federation of Agricultural Producers (GFAP) Keynote Remarks: Farmers’ Forum for Food Systems Transformation • Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala, President, Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) • Ms. Esther Penuri, Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development

Panel Discussion 1: Climate Finance 

• Mr. Kolyang Palabele, President, Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO), The Gambia 
• Mr. Ishmael Sunga, Chief Executive Officer, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) 
• Ms. Ruramiso Mashumba, Regional Lead - Africa, Global Farmer Network (GFN), Zimbabwe • Ms. Juliana Kantegwa, Founder, Wood Valley Organics, Rwanda 
• Ms. Wangeci , Farmers Organization, Kenya 
• Mr. Foster Boateng, Deputy CEO – Operations, Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) 
• Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director Nigeria, Heifer Internationa
•  Hon. Allahoury Diallo - Minister Special Advisor to the President Niger Moderator: 
• Ms. Manes Ngoma, President, Farmers Union of Malawi

Panel Discussion 2: Best Practices from Africa 

• Mr. Stephen Muchiri, CEO, Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) 
• Mr. Ibrahima Coulibaly, President, Network of Farmers’ Organizations and Agricultural Producers of West Africa (ROPPA) & President, PanAfrican Farmers Organization (PAFO) 
• Mr. Bagore Bathily, Managing Director, La Laiterie Du Berger, Senegal 
• Mr. Philip Kiriro, Chairman and Board Member, EAFF Co. Ltd, Kenya
• Dr. Sinare Yusufu Sinare, Chairman, SACAU, Tanzania 
• Dr. Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Rwanda 
• Dr. Athman Mravili, FAO Coordinator for Central Africa and Representative in Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe, and Cameroon • Prof. Godfrey NZAMUJO, Founder of SONGHAÏ Institute - Bénin

05/09 DAY 3: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SYSTEMS

PRIVATE SECTOR PLENARY: Food Systems 

The Bigger Picture As the engine of economic growth, a robust and vibrant private sector is vital to transform food systems on the continent. In Africa, the private sector has an immense potential to contribute directly to the achievement of Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want through basic pursuits, such as increasing productivity, creating jobs, and accelerating service delivery. This session will showcase success stories and scalable best practices, effective approaches to mobilizing resources by banks and non-bank financial institutions, including financial technology (fintech), and the potential role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in private sector development. This session will give voice to private sector experts who wish to share specific flagship initiatives in the area of production, processing, and marketing with demonstrated scalability and impact, as well as insights into the processes and partnerships involved in their initiatives’ success. 

• Mr. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and Director General of the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group. Keynote Speakers 
• H.E. Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Chairman and Managing Partner of SouthBridge & Senior Advisor at the IGC, Rwanda 
• H.E. Khalifa Al Kuwari, DG, Qatar Fund for Development Fireside Chat: 
• Dr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa 
• Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Global Compact Kenya 
• Ms. Carla Montesi, EU Director for Green Deal and Digital Agenda, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, Belgium 
• Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director, UNEP

Panel Discussion: De-risking Systems 

• Ms. Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali 
• Dr. James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Group Holdings Limited 
• Ms. Maria Håkansson, CEO, Swedfund 
• Mr. Jules Ngankam, Group CEO, African Guarantee Fund 
• Ms. Delphine Traore, CEO, Allianz Africa & Chair, Board of Management of Allianz Africa & AGRA Board Member 
• Ms. Vera Songwe, Founder and Chair of Liquidity and Sustainability Facility & Co-chair of the High-Level Panel on Climate Finance 
• Mr. Fred Swaniker, Entrepreneur Founder, African Leadership Group 
• Mr. Samuel Ssenyimba, Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) 
• Dr. Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit at the European Commission, Directorate-General (DG) for International Partnerships - Sustainable Agri-Food systems and Fisheries

Agri-innovation & Digitalization: Investments to Scale up Food Systems Transformation 

The session’s goal is to identify key actions to unlock investments and strengthen public-private sector collaborations in delivering digital technological innovations that will drive food system transformation at scale. The session will also highlight successful investment models, technical assistance and business development opportunities, and concrete cases in agriculture that provide replicable examples. A special focus will be on new initiatives for de-risking private sector investments to drive agricultural digitalization. The session will also serve as a call to action and facilitate direct interactions and relationship building between investors, agribusinesses, financial institutions, policymakers, and other stakeholders to promote a collaborative approach to the development of investment vehicles that support the large-scale transformation of food systems.

• Moderator: Dr. Enock Chikava, Director, Agricultural Delivery Systems, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Inspirations from Asia: 
• Mr. Veera Sekaran, Founder and Director, VertiVegies, Singapore Keynote 
• Mr. Samuel N’gan’ga, Manager Upstream and Advisory for Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services in East and Southern Africa, IFC Panelists: 
• Ms. Liz Wilson - Deputy CEO, Small Foundation
• Mr. Jehiel Oliver, Founder and CEO, Hello Tractor
• Mr. Sriram Bharatam, CEO and Founder, Kuza, Kenya 
• Mr. Albert Munyabugingo, Co-founder and CEO, Vuba Vuba Africa Ltd., Rwanda
• Mr. Ivan Shema, Founder, of 1000 Hills Products 
• Mr. Ken Akinwande, Head Digital , OCP 
• Mr. Kristofer

Digital Solutions for Production, Processing, E-marketing, and Food Waste Keynote 

• Dr. Strive Masiyiwa, Founder & Executive Chairman, Econet Group, Cassava Technologies & Econet Wireless and Co-Founder, Higherlife Foundation Panel: 
• Ms. Anu Adedoyin Adasolum, Co-Founder & CEO, Sabi 
• Mr. Ismael Belkhayat, CEO and Founder, Chari, Morocco 
• Ms. Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President of Africa Programs, Heifer International 
• Mr. Ralph Mupita, Group President and CEO, MTN, South Africa 
• Ms. Coura Sene, Regional Director, Wave Digital Finance 
• Ms. Daniel Whitley, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, US Department of Agriculture 
• Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, Africa Director, NASA Harvest & Africa Food Prize Laureate Closing remarks: 
• Mr. Paul Garaycochea, Director, Sustainable Transformation of Supply Chains, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany

DAY 4: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 THEME: DATA, DIGITAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Panel Session: Innovative Business Models to Successfully Drive Mechanization in Africa 

• Moderator: Ms. Melissa Pinfield, Executive Director, Just Rural Transition Secretariat, Meridian Institute Keynote Remarks: 
• Mr. Donal Brown, Associate Vice President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Fireside chat: 
• Dr. Prof. Yanshui Zhao, Deputy Chairman, Chinese Association of Agriculture Machinery Manufacturers 
• Hon. Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Rwanda 
• Mr. Jehiel Oliver, Founder and CEO, Hello Tractor 
• Mr. Jaco Beyers, Managing Director Africa, John Deere 
• Mr. Paul Christopher Richards, CEO, AgLeaseCo, Zambia 
• Mrs. Patricia Amankwa Yeboah, Head of Agric Mechanization, CSIR Ghana 
• Mrs. Ruramiso Mashumba, Africa Lead, Global Farmer Network 
• Mr. Ibrahim Maigari, Technology Entrepreneur, Nigeria • Mr. Chris Brett, Lead Agribusiness Specialist, World Bank

The Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR)

AGRA (2024). Accelerating the Private Sector for Food Systems transformation in Africa (Issue 12). Nairobi, Kenya: AGRA. # 88 pp.

AASR24 draws out the pathways and conditioning factors that drive the development of the private sector in Africa and linkages between off farm and farm actors. It proposes relevant policies and business models that can foster a more inclusive and productive agrifood sector on the continent.

1. Accelerating the Private Sector for Food Systems Transformation in Africa: Introduction 
2. Private Sector Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Hidden Middle of African Agrifood
   Value Chains 
3. Medium to large-scale agribusiness firms in Africa: triggers, drivers, and investment strategies defining private sector-led growth 
4. Agro-Industrial Parks as an Industrial Policy Tool for Agro-Industrialization 
5. Catalyzing Financing for Agricultural SMEs 
6. Coordinating Governments around the needs of private sector-led growth opportunities 
7. Synthesis of findings and policy implications

3 September 2024. Launch of the Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR) 

• Presentation of the Report: AGRA (2024). Accelerating the Private Sector for Food Systems transformation in Africa (Issue 12). Nairobi, Kenya: AGRA. # 88 pp.
• Dr. Thomas Reardon, Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University Moderator: 
• Dr . Roy Steiner, Senior Vice President, Food Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA Board Member
• Ms. Chema Triki – AASR Author 
• Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Panel Discussion: 
• Hon. Rose Kayi Mivedor, Minister of Commerce, Crafts, and Local Consumption, Togo 
• Mr. Michael Shaw, Director, WellSping Development 
• Ms. Anna Riley, Managing Partner, Sofala Partners 
• Mr. Daniel Hailu, Executive Director, Mastercard Foundation 
• Mr. Jemery Awori, Group CEO, Ecobank Group 
• Ms. Michelle Gortan, CEO, Macdoch Foundation. Launch of the AASR report and official opening photo
• Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President, AGRA 
• Rt. Hon. Dr. Edouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda 
• H.E. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), AUC

See YouTube video recording @ - 6:55.40

Related:

AKADEMIYA2063, IFPRI (2024) Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) 2024: Exploring the Climate Change and Trade Nexus # 224 pp.

The 2024 Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) focuses on the trade and climate change nexus, including the impact of climate change on agricultural yields and thus on trade, and the relationship of trade with carbon emissions and water use. In addition, the chapters provide analysis of Africa’s fruit and vegetable value chains and the integration experience of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

1. Chapter 1| OVERVIEW AND RECENT CHALLENGES  [Download]
2. Chapter 2| AFRICA IN WORLD AGRICULTURAL TRADE: RECENT TRENDS AND CARBON FOOTPRINT  [Download]
3. Chapter 3| INTRA-AFRICAN TRADE IN VIRTUAL WATER: TRENDS AND DRIVERS [Download]
4. Chapter 4| FRUIT AND VEGETABLE VALUE CHAINS IN AFRICA [Download]
5. Chapter 5| IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON TRADE IN AFRICA [Download]
6. Chapter 6| AGRICULTURAL TRADE INTEGRATION IN ECOWAS [Download]

Launch of the AATM 2024 report: Streamed live on 29 Aug 2024:

Agroecology, Organic, Regenerative, Nature-based A conversation on food systems sustainability framings

3 September 2024. 02:00 CEST Agroecology, Organic, Regenerative, Nature-based A conversation on food systems sustainability framings

See also on LinkedIn

Sustainable”, “organic”, “agroecological”, “nature-based”, “regenerative” are increasingly being discussed in the context of food systems. 

• What are the differences and synergies between these concepts and frameworks, and how can they contribute to transforming our food systems? 
• Register here 

Speakers:

• Fergus Sinclair, Director of Agroecology, CIFOR-ICRAF & Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology
• Ercilia Sahores, Founding Member and Latin America Director, Regeneration International
• Choitresh (Bablu) Ganguly, Board Member, IFOAM - Organics International
• Natasja Oerlemans, Head of Food team, WWF Netherlands
• Moderated by Esther Kagai, Director, Cshep Kenya

FARA, CSIR Ghana and Partners Strengthen Stakeholders’ Capacity to adopt vegetables, maize, soyabeans and rice technologies

By: Benjamin Abugri, Mabel Shu Lum & Abdulrazak Ibrahim

September 2, 2024: Tamale, Ghana, West Africa

From 2nd to 6th September 2024, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Crop Research Institute (CRI), together with some Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) compacts, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Africa Rice, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and the World Vegetable Centre (WorldVeg), are organizing a stakeholders’ training of trainers (TOT) workshop in Tamale, Ghana, to strengthen the capacity of Ghanaian stakeholders and enterprises to adopt and scale proven agricultural technologies within the context of Innovation Platforms (IP). TAAT which was launched by the African Development Bank (AfDB) is a major continent-wide initiative designed to boost agricultural productivity across the continent by rapidly delivering proven technologies to millions of farmers. It aims to double crop, livestock, and fish productivity by expanding access to productivity-increasing technologies to more than 40 million smallholder farmers across Africa by 2025.

The workshop aims at enhancing rice, vegetable, soybean and maize production through the strengthening of Innovation Platforms (IP) within the country by bringing together strategic stakeholders who will be trained on IP setting-up and running for downstream dissemination.

Innovation platforms which serve as a space for learning, experience sharing, co-creation, business relationship building, problem solving and decision making also facilitate the promotion of innovations, interactions, and collaboration among multiple actors such as agricultural producers, researchers, extensionists, and policymakers. They are therefore critical in promoting interactions among stakeholders to generate, test, and disseminate innovations that will provide solutions to constraints that hinder the performance of agricultural value chains.

The target audience for the workshop includes rice, vegetables, soybean, and maize value farmers and producers, agricultural extension workers, research institutions, academia, government agencies involved in agriculture, private sector actors and traditional authorities. These stakeholders will be taken through sessions on setting up innovation platforms, monitoring, evaluation and learning, governance, knowledge management and resource mobilization on innovation platforms.

The 5-day workshop which will include presentations, discussions, teamwork, and role playing based on practical cases seeks to achieve the following:

• Empower a network of farmers and stakeholders with the necessary skills in setting-up and running innovation platforms for enhancing the rice, maize, soybean and vegetable value chains in Ghana.
• Establish/support and strengthen rice, soybean, maize, and vegetable Innovation Platforms in Ghana.
• Strengthen the agribusiness capacity of stakeholders within the rice, soybean, maize, and vegetable value chains, especially women and youth, for improved profitability.
• Promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation within the rice, soybean, maize, and vegetable value chains

The secretary to the Paramount Chief of Gukpegu (Tamale Traditional Council) and Kpalung Zobogu Naa, Mohamed Rashad Abdulai

The secretary to the Paramount Chief of Gukpegu (Tamale Traditional Council) and Kpalung Zobogu Naa, Mohamed Rashad Abdulai welcomed all participants to the Northern regional capital and assured them of the Traditional Council’s support for the event and the promotion of improved agricultural practices in the Northern region.

Dr Issah Sugri, Deputy Director at the CSIR-SARI

In his opening speech, Dr Issah Sugri, Deputy Director at the CSIR-SARI, speaking on behalf of the Director, expressed his gratitude to donors for contributing to food security across all levels and stressed the need for training on access to technology and knowledge building for capacity development and the creation of more learning platforms to increase reach. He also encouraged participants to adapt and implement these technologies to increase productivity for more sustainable livelihoods.

This workshop hosted at the Pioneer Hotel in Tamale, is set to produce a strengthened network of digitally connected farmers empowered with IP thinking through capacity building, knowledge, and experience sharing, enabling farmers to adopt best practices and improve their productivity.

Media Contact: Benjamin Abugri – babugri@faraafrica.org; Tel: 0243513773