Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Friday, July 4, 2025

Fuel To Fork - What will it take to get fossil fuels out of our food systems?


Our food system is hooked on fossil fuels. From fossil-fuelled fertilizers and pesticides to plastic packaging, ultra-processed foods, and long-haul cold chains, fossil fuels are entwined at every link in the food chain. Food systems now consume 40% of all petrochemicals and 15% of fossil fuels globally – making them a key growth frontier for Big Oil. Yet food remains glaringly absent from the climate conversation.

This dependency is deepening climate risks and threatening food access. As geopolitical shocks drive oil price volatility, food prices follow – worsening hunger. Meanwhile, as other sectors begin to decarbonize, food the fossil fuel industry is doubling down on fertilizers and plastics to sustain its growth – locking in pollution and keeping food systems on an industrial, fossil-fuelled path.

This report sets out what it will take to break that addiction – and why it must start now. It exposes the false solutions being peddled by powerful corporations – from ‘blue’ ammonia to high-tech digital farming – and maps out real pathways forward: phasing out chemical inputs, investing in agroecology, building resilient local food systems, and reining in corporate power.

Examples:

Some steps taken in India with support given by the government are:
  1. The Government of India is promoting Use of solar-powered pumps for irrigation-replacing diesel engines for drawing water
  2. The National Bioenergy Programme, particularly the Biogas Programme, offers Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for setting up biogas plants of different sizes, for power generation, and for thermal applications.
  3. Crop-livestock integrated system promotes agroecological & circulatory agriculture reducing the use of chemical fertilizers 
  4. Natural farming is being given big push in India- which calls for on-farm reliance for inputs, eliminating chemical fertilizers

Participatory Foresight for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Through Agroecology

3 July 2025. Participatory Foresight for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Through Agroecology

This webinar unveiled the key outcomes and tools from the Foresight for Agroecology project, implemented by FAO and CIRAD, with financial support from GIZ on behalf of BMZ (2022 – 2025). 

The project leverages foresight approaches to support transitions towards sustainable agrifood systems through agroecology. Key tools include a global guidance document for decision-makers, as well as key lessons and insights from two participatory foresight exercises conducted in Andhra Pradesh (India) and Senegal. 

The event addressed critical questions: 
  • Are foresight initiatives currently integrating agroecological pathways?
  •  Which actors are involved in foresight exercises, and do they represent a variety of experiences, disciplines, and viewpoints 
  • What metrics and methods are needed to develop scenarios for inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems? 
  • How can foresight approaches evolve to better support transitions towards sustainable agrifood systems?

The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems

FAO (2025) The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems 

The world's agrifood systems stand at a crossroads. With 1.3 billion youth globally, the future of food, livelihoods, and economic resilience depends on their participation in agrifood systems. At the same time, agrifood systems need youth to drive productivity, innovation, and sustainability in a crucial and rapidly evolving sector.

FAO's "The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems" report is a call to action. It presents the most comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of youth in agrifood systems to date, highlighting both the opportunities and structural barriers that shape their engagement. It explores how transforming agrifood systems can enhance decent job opportunities and food security for youth, and how empowered youth can drive this transformation.

It concludes highlighting policy recommendations and areas of investments to foster more equitable and sustainable agrifood systems, where rural youth are both beneficiaries and leaders of change.

Foresight for the transformation of agrifood systems through agroecology

Foresight for the transformation of agrifood systems through agroecology


The document offers practical guidance for integrating foresight with agroecological principles, helping decision-makers and practitioners envision sustainable, resilient futures for agriculture. 

  • It frames agroecology not just as a technique, but as a pathway to systemic transformation
  • Emphasizes participatory foresight: involving communities, not just experts
  • Encourages a multi-scale perspective, connecting local practices to global policy shifts



Wednesday, July 2, 2025

FfD4 (4) Game Changers: Role of Remittances & Diaspora Contributions

30 June – 3 July 2025. Seville, Spain. Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)


30 June 2025. Seville. From FfD4 Commitments to Actions: Maximizing Remittances and Diaspora Investments towards Financing Development


This side-event provided a platform to reflect on the growing recognition of remittances and diaspora investment to sustainable development in countries of origin. With global remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) surpassing US$685 billion in 2024, exceeding foreign direct investment and over three times the volume of official development assistance, these private financial flows have become indispensable in the global financing landscape, particularly in rural areas where poverty and vulnerability are most concentrated.

Ministers and high-level representatives from IFAD, the European Commission, Italy, Spain, Guatemala, the Philippines and Senegal shared their national experiences and forward-looking actions to mobilize and maximize the impact of remittances and diaspora investment. The session also showcased concrete commitments aligned with FfD4 outcomes, including the signing of a new partnership agreement between IFAD and the EU focused on diaspora investment
, financial inclusion and climate resilience.

The session “Game Changers: Role of Remittances & Diaspora Contributions” explored how remittances and diaspora investments have emerged as transformative forces in global development, far surpassing traditional financing mechanisms like ODA (Official Development Assistance) and FDI (Foreign Direct Investment).

Expert speakers explored the transformative role of remittances and diaspora engagement — recognising them as true game-changers, not afterthoughts:
  • Ms. Faith Kobusingye Mugambwa, Programme Coordinator, Umurenge SACCO Automation & Consolidation Project, Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning, Rwanda
  • Ms. Lanto RAHAJARIZAFY, Director General for Development Partnership & the Diaspora, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madagascar
  • Mr. Muyangwa Muyangwa, Director General, National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Zambia
  • Mr. Jaona Ravaloson, Head of Mission, Meso Capital Madagascar Funds

Read the Financing Policy Brief: Recommendations for FfD4, The role of remittances and diaspora investments in financing the SDGs # 5 pp.
Beyond remittances, migrants also invest back home and contribute substantial human and financial capital in the form of skills and networks into their countries of origin.
Key Themes and Focus Areas
  • Recognition of Growth & Scale: In 2024, remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reached a staggering US $685 billion, outweighing FDI (~US $435 billion) and tripling ODA (~US $211 billion) feps-europe.eu+3linkedin.com+3ffremittances.org+3.
  • Policy Commitments: Discussions were anchored in the draft outcome document of FfD4, “Compromiso de Sevilla”, which urged governments to: reduce remittance fees (targeting < 3% by 2030), promote digital remittance channels., improve financial inclusion and literacy (especially in rural areas), encourage diaspora investment.
Thematic Highlights
  • Showcasing national experiences (e.g., Spain, Italy, Guatemala, the Philippines, Senegal).
  • Highlighting the EU–IFAD partnership on diaspora investment and climate resilience. 
  • From Commitments to Action. Emphasis on converting high-level pledges into concrete initiatives across digital finance, diaspora engagement, and rural development. ffremittances.org


30 June 2025. Unlocking, Scaling, and Repurposing Finance for Food Systems Transformation: The Strategic Role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs)


High-level speakers from governments, donor agencies, and multilateral organizations assessed progress made in financing sustainable food systems since the 2021 Summit, and identify opportunities and practical solutions to unlock, scale, and repurpose funding. Through data-driven insights, the session pledged for game-changing investments for food systems transformation.

It featured heads of key International Financial Institutions. The UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed launched the Food Systems Summit +4 (FSS+4) Dialogues, in the lead-up to the UN Food Systems Summit in July in Addis Ababa.

1 July 2025. Harnessing remittances and diaspora investment as innovative financing for development


Over the past 2 years FCDO and IOM have been working to maximise the contributions of remittances and diaspora investment to development on corridors between the UK and East Africa including Kenya and Somalia, working with MTOs and diaspore to bring down remittance costs and stimulate diaspora investment.
  • Amy Pope. IOM Director General
  • H.E. Bihi Iman Egeh, Minister of Finance, Somalia
  • Latest global remittance data: Dilip Ratha, Lead Economist, Migration and Remittances, MIGA, World Bank  (online)
  • Reducing remittances costs UK to East Africa: Killian Clifford, Remittances, diaspora investment and development finance lead, IOM

Panel discussion – The remittance dividend: mobilizing diaspora capital for development – learnings and experiences
  • Killian Clifford, IOM (moderator)
  • Louise Walker, Head of Private Sector and Capital Markets Department, FCDO
  • Prof. Gibril Faal, OBE, Director - GK Partners, LSE visiting professor, UK
  • José Filomeno de Carvalho Dias Monteiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration and Minister for Communities, Cabo Verde (tbc)

2 July 2025. Investing in the Future: Financing School Feeding as a Cornerstone for Ending
Hunger, Building Resilience and Promoting Development



This side event (Organized by: WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil, Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), FNDE, RAES, and SFI/LGI–EDC) explored how well-financed and nationally integrated school feeding programmes can serve as strategic tools to achieve food security, improve education, promote gender equality, and drive inclusive rural development.

It included keynote presentations, country case studies (including Brazil’s PNAE), and an interactive panel with representatives from Latin America, Africa, and global initiatives. It also showcase the work of key platforms like RAES, the Sustainable Financing Initiative (SFI), and the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.

GFAiR's Forgotten Food Consortium was represented by Maureen Duru of Foodbridge.

She spoke on the contributions of diasporas as agrofood entrepreneurs, custodians of the African food heritage and development actors. She gave examples of different projects led by diasporas innovating the African food and also as consumers,  how the diaspora has been supporting the African indigenous food systems through what it eats.

She gave an interview at casa devex about the initiatives of Foodbridge. At the school feeding side event she stressed:
  • the need to include indigenous food crops in school feeding programmes 
  • the importance of spending some of the budget for infrastructure on school farms 
  • the support to agricultural undergraduates to ensure sustainability even if the funding stops.

"One of the highlights of attending events like FfD4 is the chance to meet with inspiring individuals and motivated sector leaders; especially those who may not know how their work benefits small organizations that aren’t always visible.  It was a pleasure to meet Mr. Jean Van Wetter , CEO of Enabel and also have a conversation. My colleagues and I informed him of the relevance of our roles as African diaspora development actors." Maureen Duru of Foodbridge 


2 July 2025. From FfD4 Commitments to Action: Unlocking Partnerships between IFIs and NDBs to Increase Agri‑Financing for Rural Transformation. 

This high-level event convened by IFAD, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) shed a spotlight on a key missing link: scaling up collaboration between International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and National Development Banks (NDBs) to drive investment in agriculture and rural transformation.

The session highlighted how these partnerships can unlock long-term, low-cost financing for country-level priorities, particularly in food systems, where NDBs play a pivotal role as domestic investors. With a focus on concrete examples and lessons from IFAD’s Agri PDB Platform, speakers explored how coordinated financing efforts can boost food security, create rural jobs, and ensure NDBs are more strategically embedded within the international financial system.


FfD4 (3) Scaling solutions: Improving food and nutrition governance in the Sahel and West Africa

30 June - 3 July 2025. Seville, Spain. The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). This global summit is convened by the UN to mobilize and align public and private financing for sustainable development, with a focus on tackling poverty, climate change, inequality, and food system transformation.


2 July 2025. OECD side event: Scaling solutions: Improving food and nutrition governance in the Sahel and West Africa 


Focus: Strengthening governance, business models, and regional partnerships to build resilient food systems in Sahel/West Africa. Organised by the OECD/Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) Secretariat.

Over the past decade, the Sahel and West Africa region has experienced an increase in cereal and root crop production per capita. However, food and nutrition security has worsened, with an additional 30 million people affected in the last five years. This situation demonstrates that agricultural growth alone is insufficient to improve food security which is driven by complex, interconnected factors.

The SWAC Secretariat, in collaboration with the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), facilitates the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA) under the political leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). Through the RPCA network, the SWAC Secretariat has recently developed essential governance tools for food security and nutrition. 
  • Moderator: Sidy Gueye NIANG, Programme Manager, Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat (OECD/SWAC)
  • Dr Issoufou BAOUA, Director General, Agrhymet Centre, CILSS
  • Ms Bintia Stephen TCHICAYA, Representative ad interim in Liberia and Programme Leader for Social Protection for Africa, FAO
  • Ms Cecilia García GASALLA, Director of Cooperation with Africa, the Arab World and Asia, AECID
  • Dr Conrad REIN, Secretary General, Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, AGFUND
  • Mr Philippe THOMAS, Head of Sector for Crisis and Resilience of Food and Agricultural Systems, European Union
  • Mr Jean Pierre SENGHOR, former Executive Secretary of the Food Security National Council, Senegal
  • Mr Ahmet BENANE, CONACILSS, Mauritania

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

FfD4 (2) New research, innovative financing pathways, and dynamic policy solutions.


    1 July 2025  Prioritizing financing for food system transformation: Options and trade‑offs


    Focus: Aligning public and private capital with sustainable, resilient, nutritious food systems. It presents investment frameworks, green bonds, blended finance incentives, and value‑chain finance to drive sustainable agri‑food transformation - by CGIAR & IFPRI.


    The session opened with the presentation of new CGIAR research that offers a decision-making framework to guide strategic investment in science, innovation, and institutional capacity and market incentives needed to induce farmers and food sector operators to adopt improved sustainable technologies and practices. 

    It then turned to an evidence-based policy discussion on how to (a) create new incentive structures to reallocate existing finance, including through the repurposing of existing public support to agriculture, and, (b) leverage new, alternative financing instruments, such as blended finance mechanisms, incentives for de-risking finance, green bonds, and private value-chain finance, aiming to provide adequate finance for sustainable agrifood system transformation.
    • Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
    • Representative Agricultural Research Council (ARC) South Africa
    • James Thurlow, Director, Foresight and Policy Modeling (FPM), IFPRI; CGIAR Policy Innovations Program
    • Ruth Hill, Director, Markets, Trade, and Institutions, IFPRI; CGIAR Policy Innovations Program
    • Godefroy Grosjean, CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF)

      CGIAR needs to give commercial banks a better access to data, in terms of assessing risk and understand the risks across their portfolio. We have a role to play in bringing data and science-based solutions for managing risk and impact reporting, and reducing the transaction costs of doing that.

      The CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF) supports banks by providing its AI-powered tool—the ImpactSF Analyzer—which integrates CGIAR’s scientific data, climate‑smart agriculture insights, and local agricultural datasets into customized risk models and portfolio dashboards. This empowers banks to more accurately assess climate and environmental risks across agro-loan portfolios, enabling differentiated pricing, improved due diligence, and the development of new green financial products based on location-specific scenario analysis. The ImpactSF Analyzer, is currently being piloted by multiple banks in Southeast Asia and Africa. 
    Panel on impact investment
    • Moderator Clemens Breisinger, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI; Interim Director, Policy Innovations Science Program
    • Deniz Harut is CEO and Managing Director of Agri3 fund. The mission of AGRI3 Fund is to mobilise additional public and private capital at scale (to support sustainable agriculture and avert deforestation). Prior to joining AGRI3, Deniz served as an Executive Director at Pollination Group, leading initiatives to transition portfolios
      towards net-zero and nature-positive investments. At Standard Chartered Bank, she held various senior positions for over seventeen years. 
    • Roel Messie, Chief Executive Officer IDH Investment Management | Impact Investing. The EUR 100 million IDH Farmfit Fund wants to empower 3 million farmers with the goal of a 50% income increase.
    • Sylvain Goupille. Founder and Managing Director, October Fund. Entrepreneur for climate action, nature-based solutions and biodiversity "Blending is a nightmare to operate and not a great success for impact"

    Extract Q & A

    GFAiR @James Thurlow: The 26-28 May 2025. Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa. G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) gave special attention to the importance of nutrition-sensitive agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and soil health. https://paepard.blogspot.com/2025/06/g20-meeting-of-agricultural-chief.html How desirable  is it to redirect & repurpose funding from staple crops research to Opportunity Crops research: forgotten foods and neglected and underutilised species (NUS) + farmers’ varieties/landraces (FV/LR)

    Petronella Chaminuka (Agricultural Research Council ARC South Africa): Is it desirable to move away from staple crops as staple food are far more affordable for poor populations?

    James Thurlow emphasized that the analysis does not dismiss the importance of staple food crops for poor households—these crops continue to play a significant, pro-poor role. However, the focus of the analysis is on the relative rate of return from various types of agricultural investments, rather than their absolute importance. Twenty years ago, investing in staple crops like maize in regions such as Southern Africa was clearly the most effective strategy for poverty reduction. This was largely because many farmers were subsistence producers, directly consuming what they grew, which created a tight linkage between agricultural production and household food security.

    However, the context has since changed. Markets have become more developed, and farmers are increasingly engaged in commercial agriculture, selling their produce rather than just consuming it. This shift opens up new pathways for poverty reduction that extend beyond staple crops. Investments in other value chains and agricultural products—potentially higher-value or more market-oriented—can now also deliver strong poverty-reducing impacts. The analysis, therefore, looks at how different investment strategies compare in terms of their effectiveness in today’s more dynamic and market-connected agricultural landscape.

    Related: "Impact Investing: From Pioneering Innovations to Scalable Solutions"


    #FFD4 International Business Forum


    2 July 2025 | 8:30–10:00 CET
    📍Room: Madrid E/F, Seville
    Register🔗 https://lnkd.in/gGAgfsik


    This session will examine novel financial tools such as liquidity tools, aggregator platforms, outcome-based finance, and risk mitigation approaches.

    Speakers include:

    Monday, June 30, 2025

    Crop diversity for global food security and nutrition

    28 June – 4 July 2025. 44th Session of the FAO Conference.

    With the backdrop of FAO’s 80th anniversary, members are debating critical global agrifood issues—including reshaping policy frameworks, adopting a medium-term plan, and endorsing a biennial theme on innovation for food security. 

    Director-General Qu Dongyu’s opening call emphasized the urgency of transforming food systems through collective action, efficiency, and partnerships to address intertwined challenges like hunger, environmental sustainability, and resilient agriculture. Highlights of the session included the inaugural Treaty Ceremony, where Member States can deposit instruments for treaties on fisheries, plant protection, animal health and more 

    Extracts of the program

    30/06. South-South cooperation for food and nutrition security  

    30/06 Driving change: Youth in Action for agrifood systems transformation

    • See the recording
    • Youth Panel I: From Global Policy to Local Action – Youth Driving Change
    • Youth Panel II: Nurturing youth-led solutions for agrifood systems transformation

    02/07 Crop diversity for global food security and nutrition


    FAO under the auspices of its Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, has recently published The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Third Report). The Third Report, prepared by FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division, provides an assessment of the global status and trends of the conservation and use of PGRFA from 2011 to 2022 based on data provided by 128 Member Countries and 17 international and regional centres. The themes covered by the Third Report are in situ conservation and on-farm management.

    Resource:

    FAO (2025) The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture # 374 pp.

    Based on information from 128 countries and four regional and 13 international research centres and the contribution from over 1 600 experts, this report presents an overview of progress since 2012, as well as current needs and challenges in the future management of PGRFA. This report provides a sound basis for recalibrating relevant polices and strategies, including the rolling Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

    Forgotten foods and neglected and underutilised species (NUS):

    Here are the key extracts from the document "Plant Genetic Resources.pdf" related to forgotten foods and neglected and underutilised species (NUS):

     Surveys of farmers’ varieties/landraces (FV/LR) found that an average of 6 percent of their diversity was threatened globally, although results from nine of 18 subregions were more alarming with 18 percent or more of FV/LR diversity reported as threatened. Page XXV

    Nearly 1 400 programmes on research, crop improvement, improving processing, public awareness, seed distribution, market development and policy changes for FV/LR and underutilized crops or species, were reported by 75 countries. Of these programmes, 412 are considered specific to FV/LR, whereas 159 specifically target underutilized crops or species. Page XXX
    Recognition of Underutilized Species in PGRFA Management

    "Despite their potential contribution to diversified and sustainable food systems, neglected and underutilized species (NUS) often receive limited attention in national programmes and policies."

    The document emphasizes the need to integrate NUS more fully into national strategies for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) conservation and sustainable use.

    Development and Commercialization of Underutilized Crops see pages 166 - 170

    "Some countries reported activities aimed at the development and commercialization of underutilized crop species, such as amaranth, quinoa, fonio, millets and indigenous legumes."

    These initiatives are tied to nutrition enhancement, climate resilience, and livelihood diversification. See page 168 - TABLE 4.12 Number of underutilized crop species with potential for commercialization, by crop group and region

    Colocasia esculenta (taro) is the underutilized crop species with potential for commercialization that was reported by the largest number of countries, namely Cuba, Ghana, El Salvador, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Uganda. In Cuba and El Salvador, it was assigned a high priority. 

    Finger millet and pearl millet were reported by six countries each, the former with medium-high priority in Ethiopia, Nepal and Zambia and lower priorities in Bhutan, and Zimbabwe, and the latter with high priority in the Islamic Republic of Iran, medium priority in the Sudan and Togo and lower priorities in, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Zimbabwe. 

    Amaranth, roselle, sorghum, lentil, common bean and sweet potato are among the other crops reported by large numbers of countries as having potential for commercialization.

    In Uganda, renewed interest in the development and commercialization of products from previously neglected and underutilized species has yielded dividends. There is a growing desire among the country’s emerging middle class for healthier diets and healthier food products. Neglected and underutilized species targeted for product development and commercialization to meet this demand have included Tamarindus indica, Telfairia occidentalis, Mondia whitei, Psorospermum species, Persea americana, Abelmoschus esculentus, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Zingiber officinale, Cucurbita species, Cymbopogon citratus, Serenoa repens and Dioscorea species. Page 171

    Support for Farmers’ Varieties and Landraces

    "Efforts to support farmers’ varieties and landraces have contributed to increased attention to neglected crops... For example, community seed banks have played a role in conserving and reintroducing these varieties."

    Farmer-led conservation practices are central to reviving forgotten foods. So-called niche or high-value markets are expanding, as consumers are increasingly willing to pay higher prices for better quality, novel foods from known sources. New legal mechanisms are enabling farmers to market “lost” heritage crops and farmers’ varieties, and legislation supporting the marketing of geographically identified products has been put in place, providing incentives for farmers to conserve and use local crop genetic diversity. Page 165

    Mainstreaming Forgotten Foods

    "The promotion of forgotten foods is increasingly linked to national strategies on nutrition, climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture. However, scaling up remains limited due to market, research and policy gaps." Page 139

    This identifies the main barriers to bringing NUS into the mainstream and highlights their cross-cutting relevance to multiple national goals .

    FAO-Led Initiatives

    "Several international initiatives led by FAO and partners, such as the International Year of Millets, have helped raise the profile of these species."

    Such global campaigns are positioned as critical entry points for mainstreaming forgotten and underutilized species into food systems.




    FfD4 (1) Financing Agrifood Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity

    30 June - 3 July 2025
    . Seville, Spain. The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). This global summit is convened by the UN to mobilize and align public and private financing for sustainable development, with a focus on tackling poverty, climate change, inequality, and food system transformation.
    Opening & 1st Plenary- 4th International Conference on Financing for Development FFD4 Sevilla, Spain

    • Pedro Sánchez, President of the Conference and the President of the Government of Spain
    • António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
    • Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly
    • Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC
    • Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group
    • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO
    • Li Junhua, Secretary-General of the Conference and a Representative of the International Monetary Fund. 

    Following the opening remarks, the Conference addressed key procedural matters followed by a general debate and statements by Heads of State or Government, ministers, and heads of delegation, setting the stage for a week of high-level discussions on mobilizing financing for the SDGs.


    Some sessions were related to agriculture and nutrition.




    30 June 2025. Financing Agrifood Systems for People, Planet, and Prosperity: Towards a new pact for mobilizing capital, reforming systems, and driving transformation at scale


    The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD) held an official virtual side event at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) to facilitate a strategic dialogue on financing agrifood systems transformation.

    The event presented the new GDPRD White Paper outlining a bold yet practical agenda for mobilizing capital and transforming agrifood systems at scale.
    • Presentation of the GDPRD White Paper - Jim Woodhill, GDPRD Senior Advisor
    • Alice Ruhweza, President, AGRA
    • Chris Isaac, Chief Investment Officer, AgDevCo
    • Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
    • Excused: Maximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - Replaced by David Laborde (FAO)
    • Roel Messie, Chief Investment Officer, IDH Investment Management
    • Ron Hartman, Director, Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
    • Maurizio Navarra, GDPRD Secretariat Coordinator

    Resources


    GDPRD (2025) Summary Financing Agrifood Systems # 2 pp.

    Transforming agrifood systems is economically sound. The cost of transformation is estimated at
    US$1.2 - US$1.4 trillion annually, only a fraction of the current system’s hidden costs, which amount to
    approximately US$12 trillion per year due to poor health, environmental damage and poverty.
    Transforming agrifood systems could deliver at least a tenfold economic, social and environmental return.

    Responsible private investment in agrifood systems could unlock as much as US$4.5 trillion annually in new business opportunities. It is one of the smartest investments that can be made to ensure future prosperity, security, sustainability and resilience.

    6th African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) Agriculture Ministerial Conference


    27 June 2025.
    6th African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) Agriculture Ministerial Conference

    In the framework of the Africa-EU Partnership, the sixth AU-EU agriculture ministerial conference centered around strengthening the collaboration and addressing current challenges facing both Continents’ agri-food systems.
    The conference discussed in depth four topics that will feed into the overall theme with a good potential for concrete EU-AU partnership. The four topics were:
    • Investment and Financing in agri-food value chains
    • Sustainable Practices and Climate Resilience
    • Research, Innovation, and Technology
    • Market Access and Trade Facilitation
    AU and EU Ministers of Agriculture, together with representatives of other international organisations convened in the afternoon plenary session to take stock of the thematic discussions and pave the way for the future cooperation.

    High level thematic sessions


    Concept note for the panel on investment and financing in agri-food value chains  # 3 pp.

    Concept note for the panel on sustainable practices and climate resilience # 2 pp.

    Concept note for the panel on research, innovation and technology # 3 pp.

    Concept note for the panel on market access and trade facilitation # 3 pp.

    Side events

    1: Enhancing investment, sustainability, and trade: The role of farmers and farmer organisations

    • The Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (FO4ACP) programme (2019-2025) aimed to increase the incomes and improve the livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and safety of organized smallholders and family farmers in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries by strengthening regional, national and local farmers’ organizations. This program consistsed of 23 projects in various countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. The projects were implemented by nine (9) of the twelve (12) AGRICORD member agri-agencies and trusted Farmer Organizations on the national, subnational and local level ranging from country-wide federations to primary producer cooperatives.
    • Farmers' Organizations Leading Research & Innovation on agroecology for sustainable food systems (FO-RI, 2022-2026), - managed by AgriCord. 
    • A new farmers’ organization’s global capacity building program FO4IMPACT is expected to be implemented in Africa through the Panafrican Farmers Organisation (PAFO), its members and AgriCord.
    Speakers:
    • Keynote – Ms Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of EAFF, Board member of PAFO
    • Unlocking finance for smallholder farmers, including youth, and addressing barriers to market access, Mr Musa Sowe, President of National Coordinating Organizations for Farmers Association of the Gambia and, Vice-president of ROPPA
    • FOs’ role in IFAD programs and IFAD investments contributing to scaling up, Mr Ron Hartman, Director for Global Engagement, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, IFAD
    • Relevance of supporting FOs within EU policy framework, Mr Philippe Le Clerc Policy Officer, Sustainable Food Systems/DG INTPA, European Commission
    • Agroecological/climate-smart farming practices and compensation for ecosystem services, Ms Kati Partanen, Board member of the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners/MTK, Finland and Board member of the WFO
    • Summary remarks – Mr Pieter Verhelst, Board member of Boerenbond, Belgium and President of AgriCord

    This side event explored how the AU and EU can strategically contribute to global efforts to address inequality, achieve climate justice and the right to food. It linked the conversation to global processes: These include the G20 - now under the Presidency of South Africa - and its Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil, the 53rd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 53), and the recent pledges at the Nutrition for Growth Summit. 



    This event explored how the recent Kampala Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Declaration alongside the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, can further strengthen collaboration opportunities to strengthen the evidence-base of economic analysis of policies. 
    • Opening A. Agumya, Executive Director (FARA)
    • Introduction M. Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (AU)
    • PANAP: Bridging science and policy presentation - E. Ferrari, Scientific Project Officer (EC-JRC) & Kweku Antwi, Cluster Lead (FARA)
    Bridging science-policy in current Africa-EU agri-food policy: opportunities for partnerships
    • M. Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, (Republic of Ireland)
    • Senator A. Kyari, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (Federal Republic of Nigeria)
    • E. Fotabong, Director of Agriculture (NEPAD)
    • L. Mizzi, Head of Unit (EC-DG INTPA)
    • O. Badiane, Executive Chairperson (AKADEMIYA2063)
    • P. Quartey, Professor (ISSER- University of Ghana)
    • Moderator - K. Dekeyser, Policy Analyst (ECDPM)
    • Wrap-up and take aways A. Zampieri, Director Sustainable Resources (EC-JRC)


    The traditional knowledge of the territories where they are rooted, require supportive public
    policies to thrive. These policies must secure a favorable legal and administrative framework for their management and protection, support stakeholders in their collective efforts, and help turn these high-quality agricultural and food products into genuine engines of sustainable territorial development.

    Strong policies for strong GIs 
    • Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, France
    • Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture
    GIs: Perspectives from Africa and Europe
    • Maurizio Martina, Deputy Director-General of FAO
    • Alaa Farouk Zaki El-Sayed, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt
    • Mabouba Diagne, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, Livestock, Senegal
    • Assoumani Mondoha, Comores ambassador
    • Mr. Tahirou Pape Kanoute, Executive Director of the NGO and consultancy firm ETDS – Economy, Territory and Development Services, Senegal (via video)
    Conclusion and thanks 
    • Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture
    • Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Italy

    Webinar Agroecology Finance Assessment ad Tracking Tool

    10 June 2025
    . Webinar Agroecology Finance Assessment ad Tracking Tool.

    This webinar—organized by the Agroecology Coalition and Agroecology Fund—focused on two-year updates and practical experiences from major funders. The updated platform now provides enhanced portfolio-level analysis and visual dashboards, helping users evaluate funding aligned with the 13 agroecological principles 
    Built on a robust methodology co-developed by Stats4SD and Coventry University-based experts, the tool ensures secure, open-source, and institution-specific data handling, while enabling aggregate trend reports.
    • Opening Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition 
    • Daniel Moss, Agroecology Fund Presentation of the Tool and New Features: 
    • Emile Frison, Agroecology Coalition 
    • David Mills, Statistics for Sustainable Development Experiences from users: Alexander Lingenthal, BMZ, Germany 
    • Anja Müting-van Loon, GIZ, Germany 
    • Marion Michaud, European Commission 
    • Elisa Pettinati, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Italy 
    • Anna Paskal, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) 




    Biopesticide research in Sri Lanka and Russia

    30 June 2025. APAARI Asia Pacific Biopesticides

    The Asia‑Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP), launched by APAARI in May 2024, is a vibrant cross‑sectoral platform that unites researchers, industry stakeholders, policymakers, regulators, NGOs and government agencies across the Asia‑Pacific region. Its primary mission is to promote knowledge exchange, foster collaboration, and accelerate the development, regulation, and trade of biopesticides—a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical pest control. 
    • Mr. Igor Rylkov, International Affairs Manager, All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center, under the authority of Rosselkhoznadzor (Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation), Moscow Oblast, “Biological Crop Protection – Key Facts on the Current Situation in Russia.” rilkov.igor@vniikr.ru

      The All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center (ФГБУ «ВНИИКР»), under Rosselkhoznadzor in Moscow Oblast, actively promotes biological crop protection across Russia through several integrated approaches. As a core scientific institution within the Federal Service, it leads the development and deployment of biological control methods—such as introducing entomophagous insects, pheromone-based traps, and biovaccines—to combat quarantine and invasive pests in both field and greenhouse crops. 
      It also hosts forums and round‑table discussions with agricultural stakeholders, regulatory authorities, and research centers to refine regulatory frameworks and disseminate best practices in bio‑protection. In addition, VNIIKR serves as an educational hub: through its licensed Training and Methodology Department, it offers certification courses, practical seminars, and internships to Rosselkhoznadzor personnel and regional phytosanitary specialists in biological plant protection techniques and quarantine monitoring. By combining R&D, regulatory input, capacity-building, and stakeholder engagement, the Center fosters widespread adoption of safer, more sustainable biocontrol solutions throughout Russia’s agricultural sectors.

      The Union of Biological Producers in Russia (Союз биологических производителей России) is an industry association that represents the interests of companies and organizations involved in the development, production, and promotion of biological products in Russia.
    • Dr. A.D.N.T. Kumara, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, Southeastern University of Sri Lanka, “Advancements and Prospects of Biopesticides for Sustainable Agriculture: Global Trends and Insights from Sri Lanka.”

      Under integrated pest management frameworks, bio-agents can effectively suppress pests without harming non-target species, thus aiding in biodiversity conservation and food safety. Nonetheless, challenges such as inconsistent product quality, lack of farmer awareness, regulatory limitations, and higher initial costs are noted as barriers to large-scale adoption. Overall, the analysis calls for strengthened local research (often dependent on short term external research funding without follow up), improved regulatory pathways, targeted extension services, and public–private partnerships to fully realize the potential of biopesticides in Sri Lanka’s transition to a more sustainable agricultural future.

    Background

    Building on foundational work from a 2020–2023 STDF‑supported initiative led in partnership with AgAligned Global, ABCoP aims to harmonize regulatory frameworks (especially around Maximum Residue Limits), strengthen technical capacities in residue analysis, biopesticide production, and data validation, and thereby enhance safe trade opportunities. With monthly sessions open to all interested experts and newcomers, ABCoP ensures continuous regional engagement. The community supports APAARI’s broader vision of sustainable agriculture by bridging national decision‑makers and the private sector to advance biopesticides as a cornerstone of integrated pest management in the Asia‑Pacific

    Thursday, June 26, 2025

    Financing Africa's Development

    26 June 2025
    .  This online session on Financing Africa's Development, wanted to elevate the voices of migration governance actors in the upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). At this FfD4 meeting, the African Non-State Actors Platform on Migration and Development will be represented by a Delegation of actors from civil society, diaspora and trade unions. It will also host an in-person official side event: Game Changers: Role of Remittances & Diaspora Contributions. 

    The GFAiR Collective Action on Forgotten Foods will be represented at 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) by Maureen Duru of Foodbridge. 

    During the online session of 26/06 Maureen Duru of Foodbridge pleaded for going beyond the remittances but also valorise entrepreneurship, in particular in the food sector. (see: Forgotten food and the UK diaspora of African origin).

    Picture: delegation of the African Non-State Actors Platform on Migration and Development which will participate in 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4).

    Upcoming event


    Background:

    The African Non-State Actors Platform on Migration and Development is a regional initiative that brings together civil society organizations, diaspora groups, research institutions, labor unions, and other non-governmental stakeholders to engage in migration and development discourse across the African continent. The platform provides a coordinated voice for non-state actors to influence migration policy, advocate for the rights of migrants, and contribute to the implementation of regional and global migration frameworks such as the Global Compact for Migration and the African Union’s Migration Policy Framework. By facilitating dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and joint action, the platform enhances the visibility and effectiveness of civil society participation in migration governance.

    A core function of the Platform is to ensure that migration policies and development strategies are rooted in human rights, social justice, and sustainable development principles. It seeks to address the structural drivers of forced migration, promote safe and regular migration channels, and highlight the contributions of migrants to both origin and destination communities. 

    Through research, advocacy, and capacity-building, the Platform empowers non-state actors to hold governments accountable, influence decision-making processes, and ensure that the voices of migrants, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups, are heard in regional and international fora.

    Rethinking Public–Private Partnerships: From Funding Gaps to Shared Goals

    26 June 2025. Rethinking Public–Private Partnerships: From Funding Gaps to Shared Goals

    Second session of the APAARI Community of Practice on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP CoP)—a platform dedicated to strengthening public-private collaborations to enhance agricultural trade.

    Dr. Romano De Vivo emphasized the vital role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in agriculture and sustainable development, highlighting their global significance in mobilizing over $100 billion annually. These partnerships are endorsed by major institutions and UN frameworks such as the SDGs and Rio Conventions, underscoring their relevance for climate resilience and inclusive development. However, he insisted that true partnerships go beyond mere transactions or sponsorships—they must be grounded in co-design, shared purpose, and trust. Partnerships should not involve unilateral control or outsourcing, but rather mutual ownership and co-creation of solutions, where both public and private sectors contribute equally and align their objectives.

    A successful partnership requires shared values, early engagement, and balanced responsibilities. Partnerships often fail due to unclear objectives, mismatched timelines, incompatible success metrics, and rigid contracts. While the public sector tends to prioritize implementation and short-term goals, the private sector focuses on long-term impact and financial returns. These differences, unless reconciled, lead to mistrust. Effective collaboration requires transparent governance, aligned KPIs, and careful consideration of reputational risks—especially when involving multinational corporations or local startups. The public sector must not compromise its mission but rather ensure that partnerships serve community needs and public interest first.

    In closing, Dr. Romano De Vivo urged public institutions—especially National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and regional fora—to explore new roles as service providers and facilitators for the private sector. Given their deep understanding of local contexts, networks, and regulatory environments, public entities can guide private actors through complex local challenges, such as benefit-sharing or sustainability disclosure requirements. He encouraged reexamining foundational frameworks—like GFAiR’s own partnership principles—as a guide to forming high-impact, locally grounded, and ethically sound partnerships. Ultimately, the goal is to build models that are context-specific but anchored in strategic alignment, shared benefits, and lasting impact.

    Background


    What is the APAARI PPP CoP?
    • A dedicated forum by APAARI to foster public–private partnerships focused on advancing agri‑trade in the Asia‑Pacific region 
    • Engages a wide mix of stakeholders: government (e.g., Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh), private sector, NGOs, universities, and research institutions 
    • Designed to cultivate ongoing knowledge-sharing, joint problem-solving, and policy dialogue.
    Launch & Key Sessions
    • The inaugural event, held ~4 months ago, attracted 80+ participants from 9 countries, with a focus on Bangladesh 
    • February 24, 2025 session brought together experts and stakeholders for a targeted discussion on agri‑trade partnerships 
    Objectives and Outcomes
    • Expert Insights & Perspectives
    • Panel sessions featuring voices from APAARI, government (e.g., DAE), and private agribusiness investors to shape PPP roles in agricultural trade 
    Identifying Challenges & Opportunities
    • In-depth discussions on trade compliance, policy advocacy, standards harmonization, and private‑sector engagement 
    • Commitment to Continued Engagement
    • Participants agreed to hold regular CoP meetings to sustain momentum and collaboration 
    Contextual Linkages
    • Builds on related APAARI initiatives such as the seed‑trade PPP project, focusing on phytosanitary compliance and private‑public collaboration in countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Thailand, 
    • Reinforces APAARI’s broader initiative to strengthen agricultural innovation systems and capacity development across the region.
    Why It Matters
    • Serves as a bridging mechanism between policy-makers, agribusiness, research, and farmers to unlock new trade opportunities.
    • Addresses key bottlenecks—such as compliance and market access—through collective action.
    • Supports APAARI's mission to enhance agri‑trade, sustainability, and innovation via multi-stakeholder platforms.
    Moving Forward
    • Regular sessions are planned across different member countries to share successful PPP models, align policy frameworks, and facilitate on‑the‑ground collaboration.
    • Through this CoP, APAARI aims to build scalable, repeatable PPP models that enhance agriculture trade and market access throughout the region.

    Impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA) cuts on food security and nutrition

    JRC (2025) The Impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA) cuts on food security and nutrition – a Knowledge Review

    The main recommendations from key players to address the current challenges include reducing the fragmentation of the ODA landscape; finding innovative, low cost and technology-based sources of data; enhancing ownership and leadership in development assistance by national states; and joining forces with private donors.

    The shortfall of the US cannot be offset by other ODA donors, which shift their priorities from development aid towards strategic national interests, notably migration control and defence.
    • The US was the largest contributors to FAO, supporting 14% of agency’s total budget. FAO’s Director-General reported on April 7th that 106 projects were terminated due to recent decisions of the US government, with a total value of $348 m (source). This includes $250 m under the Global Health security Program, focused on monitoring and rapid response to transboundary animal diseases. Terminated programmes include surveillance of avian flu in Central America, monitoring of avian flu outbreaks in key Asian hotspots (Cambodia and Vietnam), and support to veterinary laboratories to quick diagnose avian influenza in Western and Central Africa (source). FAO announced that it would eliminate 600 staff positions due to funding cuts (source)
    • The Word Food Program (WFP) funding outlook in 2025 shows a reduction of 34%, decreasing from $9.8 bn last year to $6.4 bn this year (source). The agency will slash 25% to 30% of its workforce, or up to 6 000 jobs, by next year (source). Large donors reviewing their contribution to WFP are the reason for this expected drop in funding forecasts. With a total of $4.4 bn the US was in 2024 the biggest donor of the WFP (source). However, other countries are also decreasing their budget for multilateral development cooperation.
    The analysis by the Centre for Global Development (source), based on the March 26 list, shows that considering the absolute amount of cuts, the most affected country is by far Ukraine ($1.4 bn). 
    The second most affected country is Ethiopia ($386.9 mn), followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo ($386.7 mn) Colombia ($309.3 mn), Uganda ($306.8 mn), South Africa ($260.6 mn), Palestine ($240 mn) Bangladesh ($229.2 mn), Kenya ($224.7 mn), Afghanistan ($223.1 mn) and Tanzania ($215.7 mn).

    It does not seem that the shortfall of the US can be offset by other countries, as ODA is declining worldwide: according to an analysis that used OECD data and projections based on announced cuts to ODA by the main 17 DAC countries (accounting for 95% of total ODA from DAC), to decline from $213.1 in 2023 to $152.7 bn in 2026, meaning -28.3% (source).

    The first draft of the Outcome document of the 2024 Seville conference on Financing for
    Development
    recommends and commits to strengthening the SDG indicator framework, broader reporting by South-South providers, promoting open, interoperable data platforms to improve data sharing and accessibility, and enhancing coordination on data among IFIs, national and international statistical agencies, the United Nations, Member States, development agencies and relevant stakeholders (source, section II, point no. 57).

    The report Global Outlook on Financing Sustainable Development 2025, published ahead of the upcoming Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, calls for redirecting the capital available globally, starting with balancing ambition and practicality in addressing sustainable development priorities. Inclusive governance and policy coherence are critical to overcoming the hurdles, as disparities in decision-making structures and resource allocation undermine global trust and co-operation. It also includes the mobilisation of national funds through improved tax collection and private investments. To enhance accountability and transparency in resource allocation, the report urges strengthening the global financing for development monitoring system to restore trust among all countries (source, source).

    Leading nutritionists commented on the journal Nature that the unprecedented crisis requires the world to rethink aid to nutrition, as well as to prioritize and expand financing options; saying that global development partners, governments and donors should mobilize immediately to safeguard nutrition for the world’s most vulnerable populations. Governments in Low and Middle Income Countries should be supported and developmentfinance institutions should further increase global funding for nutrition programmes. Funding from outside the nutrition sector could be leveraged by accelerating efforts to make agricultural, workforce and climate investments more ‘nutrition smart’ (source).

    Forthcoming:


    30 June - 3 July 2025 in Seville, Spain. The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)


    Friday, June 20, 2025

    Delivering the Kampala Strategy for Agricultural R&D in Africa

    16 - 19 June 2025
    . Cairo, Egypt. From Commitment to Action: Delivering the Kampala Strategy for Agricultural R&D in Africa

    This meeting was organized by AU‑SAFGRAD (the African Union’s Semi‑Arid Food Grains Research & Development office). It served as a key strategy session aimed at operationalizing the newly launched CAADP Kampala Strategy (covering 2026–2035), which is Africa's post‑Malabo framework for transforming agriculture through science and innovation.

    It is important to strengthen joint African action to address the risks and challenges facing the region, as well as the optimal and effective exploitation of the vast and diverse economic and natural resources possessed by the African continent, to achieve intra-African economic integration and address the new global reality. Egypt develops agriculture through several axes, including: horizontal expansion through the reclamation of approximately 4 million acres to support the production of strategic crops and reduce the food gap therein, as well as vertical expansion through the development of new varieties with high productivity, early maturity, low water requirements, and tolerance to climate change.  
    Egyptian state's efforts include adopting modern technologies to develop irrigation systems and increase the efficiency of water resource use by building giant agricultural wastewater treatment plants. This is in addition to supporting the transition to healthy and safe food systems, reducing loss and waste by expanding the scope of the National Silos Program and diversifying import sources for strategic grain commodities. This is in addition to strengthening and expanding the social protection network through the "Takaful and Karama" programs and launching the presidential "Decent Life" initiative, which aims to alleviate the burden on citizens in the most needy communities in rural areas and urban slums, representing more than 60% of the Egyptian population. 
    The Ministry of Agriculture and its scientists from the Agricultural Research Center and the Desert Research Center are fully prepared to provide the necessary expertise and all means of support to cooperate with our brothers from the African continent, harnessing all capabilities to ensure the success of this cooperation and achieve food security. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt
    The workshop was attended by: the Director of the African Union Office for Research and Development at the African Union Commission; the Executive Secretary of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa; the Executive Secretary of the Arab Fund for Technical Support to African Countries; Dr. Adel Abdel Azim, Head of the Agricultural Research Center; Dr. Saad Moussa, Supervisor of External Agricultural Relations; and representatives of African Union bodies and organizations.

    Objectives of the Meeting
    • Translate the Kampala Strategy into a concrete Action Plan: Participants focused on identifying R&D priorities, setting targets, defining implementation pathways, and establishing an M&E (monitoring & evaluation) framework .
    • Engage key stakeholders: A broad range of actors from national agricultural research centers, CGIAR institutes, regional bodies like FARA, and AU entities (e.g., SAFGRAD, AUC) were consulted to ensure ownership at all levels.
    • Mobilize support and funding mechanisms: The meeting also explored ways to build strong public–private partnerships, secure donor engagement, and tap into new financing instruments to support agricultural research in Africa.
    Key Themes Covered
    • Strengthening R&D infrastructure up to 2035.
    • Enhancing tech transfer—including mechanization, digital agriculture, AI, climate-smart practices.
    • Establishing robust institutional frameworks and governance for implementation and monitoring.
    • Formulating resource mobilization strategies.
    This event marked the first major consultative workshop aimed at driving the shift from high‑level commitment—to the Kampala Strategy—toward tangible, on‑the‑ground action across Africa. The ultimate goal: to build sustainable, resilient, and innovation-led agri-food systems across the continent.

    Extracts of the programma

    Panel 1: CAADP Kampala Strategy – From Vision to Action 

    • Moderator: Dr. Irene Annor Frempong (Facilitator) 
    • Kenao Lao (AUC/CAADP) 
    • Dr. Samuel Benin (IFPRI/CGIAR) 
    • Dr. Clement Adjorlolo (AU-NEPAD) 
    • Dr. Moses Odeke (ASARECA) 
    • Representative ARC Egypt 

    Panel 2: Building Resilient Agricultural Research Systems 

    • Moderator: Dr. Niéyidouba Lamien (CORAF) 
    • Dr. Majola Lawrence Mabuza (CCARDESA) 
    • Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg (CGIAR) 
    • Dr. Sokona Dagnoko (RUFORUM) 
    • Dr. Charity Kagiso K-Kruger (NARDI, Botswana) 
    • Dr. Fredah Maina Wangui (KALRO, Kenya) 
    • Representative ARC Egypt 

    Panel 3: Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Agri-Transformation 

    • Moderator: Dr. Charles Kleinermann (CGIAR/ ICARDA) 
    • Dr. Baboucarr Manneh (AfricaRice) 
    • Dr. Oladunjoye Michael Adeyinka (Pan African University) 
    • Kofi Kisiedu Acquaye (YPARD) 
    • Dr. Niéyidouba Lamien (CORAF) 
    • Dr. Hernán D. Muñoz, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 
    • Representative ARC Egypt 

    Panel 4: Bridging the Research-to-Practice Gap 

    • Moderator: Dr. Lilian Lihasi Kidula (AFAAS) 
    • Dr. Oyewole Babafemi (PAFO) 
    • Representative ROPPA/PROPAC 
    • Prof. Quirico Migheli, Director, Desertification Research Centre (EWA 
    • BELT) 
    • Dr. Uffelen, Gerrit-Jan van (WUR) 
    • Representative ARC/Cairo University 

    Panel 5: Gender, Youth and Inclusive Research Systems 

    • Moderator: Fatma Bensadok (Algeria – Gender/Training) 
    • Lovin Kobusingye (Uganda National Women Fish Organization) 
    • Kofi Kisiedu Acquaye (YPARD) 
    • Jenniffer Wairimu Waruingi (Kenya Youth) 
    • Dr. Jennie Van der Mheen (WUR) University 
    • Dr. Laura Altea (EWA BELT ) 
    • Representative ARC Egypt 

    Panel 6: Institutional Collaboration and Policy Engagement for Kampala Delivery 

    • Moderator: Dr. AKwesi Ntiamoah Atta-Krah, Senior advisor to the Regional Director for Africa   
    • Dr. Uffelen, Gerrit-Jan van (WUR) 
    • Dr. Aliou Faye (ISRA, Senegal) 
    • Representative ARC/Cairo University 
    • Dr. Moyo Siboniso, ILRI Deputy Director General 

    Panel 7: Resource Mobilization and Public-Private Partnerships 

    • Moderator: Dr Kwaku Antwi (FARA) 
    • Dr. Oyewole Babafemi (PAFO – Farmer/PPP links) 
    • Dr. Tapsoba François (EWA Scientific Board) 
    • Peter Claver Anyeembey (Ministry of Agriculture, Ghana) 
    • Dr. Mohammed Ssemwanga (AGRENES-Private Sector) 
    • Representative Cairo University 
    • Representatives from AFTAAC 
    • Representative ARC Egypt 

    Key Outcomes & Next Steps

    • Drafting of an AU-SAFGRAD Action Plan. Outlining thematic priorities, institutional roles, performance indicators, and implementation timelines.
    • Governance Frameworks Initiated. Draft TORs for coordinating bodies, partnership agreements, and M&E systems were proposed for adoption at continental and regional levels 
    • Resource Mobilization Framework Drafted. Including proposals for public–private funding, donor coordination, and engagement with “Team Africa” financing mechanisms 
    • Research Priorities Finalized. Soil health, digital/agri-tech, AI, mechanization, climate-smart practices and value-chain R&D were signed off as flagship areas 
    • Partnership Agreements Under Development. Including a roadmap for AARIEIs (Africa‑wide Agricultural Research & Innovation Excellence Institutions) aligned with Kampala goals 
    • RUFORUM-Led Capacity Support Planned. RUFORUM to roll out training programs aiding national implementation efforts