6 November 2025. The Collective Action on Forgotten Foods coordinated by Foodbridge and funded by GFAiR launched in September a Call for Projects: Forgotten Foods Youth Challenge 2025 - Reconnecting Africa’s Youth with Indigenous Food Heritage.
This pilot in Nigeri and Ghana is to served as a proof of concept, generating measurable results to attract further investment and upscaling across Africa. 3 winners were selected of which the CFF AGROSCHOOLING PROJECT.
It hosted the Campus Indigenous Food Festival and Cooking Competition at the University of Ibadan, in collaboration with the National Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS UI). 10 talented youth chefs showcased their creativity using indigenous vegetables to prepare mouthwatering dishes such as:
Efo Odunjejalo with Semo
Edikaikong with Eba
Efo Tete and Seasoned Rice
Efo Ebelo and Pounded Yam
Egunsin Soup and Semo
The chefs took time to enlighten participants about these traditional vegetables and sharing their inspiration behind the dishes. The guests also discussed the nutritional benefits of indigenous vegetables and youth participation in their cultivation and promotion.
The CFF AGROSCHOOLING PROJECT distributed indigenous vegetable seeds to youths and organized an exhibition showcasing other forgotten vegetables.
Multi-stakeholder write-shops (Ghana, Nigeria) to co-develop proposals linking forgotten foods with women’s health, youth, climate resilience, and digital innovation.
Diaspora market engagement through African diaspora food market studies in London (and planned in Paris), identifying demand drivers and niche opportunities.
Digital innovation pilots via the GAMAAL App, connecting women cooks and farmers with diaspora and urban consumers. To be tested in Kumasi (Ghana) and Abuja (Nigeria)depending on funding.
Awareness campaigns including culinary demonstrations, storytelling, cultural tourism events (e.g., African Diaspora Food Forum), and side-events at major international conferences (Biodiversity Conference Kunming, UNFSS+4 Addis Ababa).
Youth-focused pilots such as school gardens in Nigeria to integrate forgotten foods into nutrition, climate-smart practices, and waste reduction education.
Policy engagement pilots through proposals (e.g., Pivotal Ventures, One Planet Network, INCiTiS-FOOD) advocacy at FAO, FfD4 (Sevilla), and UNFSS: Alliance for Local Food and Nutrition Supply Chains in Africa (Alliance Africa).
Community of Practice (CoP) building via FARA and GFAiR, now with 650+ members, to foster exchange on research, policy, and practice for forgotten foods.
Diaspora entrepreneur engagement linking food SMEs and diaspora chefs to promote heritage foods in premium urban and international markets (e.g., Compendium 2024 African Diaspora Agrofood Entrepreneurs)
Despite large-scale food security programmes, malnutrition continues to affect both rural and urban families in Telangana (India). The reasons lie in limited dietary diversity, monocropping systems, lack of nutrition awareness, and weak linkages between food production and consumption. Farmers often grow commercial crops for markets rather than diverse and nutritious foods for their households, resulting in a disconnect between what is produced locally and what is consumed, which limits nutritional outcomes.
To address these gaps, WASSAN initiated the Malnutrition-Free Gram Panchayats programme in Vikarabad district, Telangana, in November 2022 with an integrated approach that combines sustainable agriculture, nutrition-sensitive farming, and capacity building for women and youth.
The programme was aimed at ensuring nutritionally vulnerable families, especially women, children, and the elderly, access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food through building self-reliant, malnutrition-free communities
29 - 31 October 2025. The ARUA 2025 Biennial International Conference brought together experts from different fields, including universities, research institutions, government, industry, civil society, international organizations, etc., to discuss how Africa’s Transformation can best be facilitated by Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence.
29/10 Advancing responsible AI ecosystems in African HEIs
Moderator: Prof. Sizwe Mabizela (VC, Rhodes University, ARUA Board Chair)
Prof. Bolanle Oboh (DVC, University of Lagos)
Prof. Didas Muganga Kayihura (VC, University of Rwanda)
Prof. Mosa Moshabela (VC, University of Cape Town)
Prof Denis Worlanyo Aheto (VC, University of Cape Coast)
30/10 Collaboration of Networks (Promoting Collaborative Research and Innovation Networks in AI in Africa)
Moderator: Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale (VC, University of Ibadan)
Prof. Sharon Fonn (Co-Director, CARTA)
Prof. Anthony Egeru (Manager - Skilling, Engagement for Community Development, RUFORUM)
Mr. Jim Kaketch (Senior Programme Officer, Research and Policy Uptake, Partnership for African Social & Governance Research - PASGR)
Prof. Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi (DVC, OAU)
Dr. Rachid Serraj (Director for Africa Initiative, UM6P)
31/10 Collaboration of Networks (Engaging international collaborative networks for Research and Innovation)
Moderator: Emeritus Prof. Ernest Aryeetey (University of Ghana)
Prof. Jenny Dixon (Secretary General, Universitas 21 – U21)
Prof. Jan Palmwosky (Secretary General, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities – The Guild)
Prof. Peter Lennie (Executive Director, Worldwide Universities Network - WUN)
Prof. Maashutha Samuel Tshehla (DVC, Stellenbosch University)
Dr. Laurent Bochereau (Minister-Counsellor Science, Technology & Innovation Delegation of the European Union to the African Union)
Poster presentation
The ARUA 2025 Biennial International Conference includes several posters and presentations directly related to agriculture and food security, many highlighting how AI and digital innovation can support sustainable farming, climate resilience, and smallholder livelihoods.
1. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Food Security in Africa: Addressing Data Gaps, Infrastructure Challenges and Policy Barriers
Presenter:Ms. Mariah Muli, University of Nairobi
Summary: Explores AI’s potential to improve agricultural resilience and food security in Africa. Identifies barriers such as data scarcity, weak infrastructure, and inadequate policy frameworks. Recommends developing localized AI models, strengthening digital infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships
2. Leveraging Indigenous Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture in Africa: Exploring Africa’s Rain-Making Technology
Presenter:Mr. Philip Onyekachukwu Egbule, University of Delta, Agbor
Summary: Examines integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) with AI for climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture. Proposes hybrid systems that combine traditional weather knowledge with AI-based prediction tools for improved agricultural planning
3. Development of an Agri-Management Database System Prototype for the Sustainability of Smallholder Farmers in South Africa: A Design Thinking Approach
Presenter:Dr. Obvious Mapiye, Stellenbosch University, with co-authors from University of Pretoria and UNISA
Summary: Introduces a mobile app (AMDS) co-designed with smallholder cattle farmers to digitize farm records and extension services. Demonstrates improved usability and efficiency for managing farm data and connecting to markets
4. Climate-Smart Apiary Site Selection in East Africa: GIS-Based Analysis of Current and Future Climate Projections
Presenter:Dr. Filagot Mengistu Walle, Addis Ababa University, with collaborators from University of Helsinki and ICIPE
Summary: Uses AI-driven GIS and multi-criteria decision methods to optimize beekeeping site selection under different climate scenarios. Demonstrates how climate models can support adaptive agriculture and ecosystem services
5. AI Research Boost and Impact on Ugandan Universities and Communities
Presenter:Mr. Hussein Mbabali, Islamic University in Uganda
Summary: Highlights how AI and IoT projects in Ugandan universities (e.g., Busitema’s smart irrigation) have improved crop yields and agricultural productivity, showcasing university-community partnerships
🧩 Poster Presentations Related to Agriculture
6. Monitoring the Environmental Quality of Solar Energy-Powered Poultry Production System Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Presenters:Okonkwo Ifeanyi & Owoh Ikechukwu, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Summary: Describes use of AI systems to monitor environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, emissions) in poultry systems powered by solar energy—targeting efficiency and sustainability in agribusiness
This conference revolved around three overarching thematic areas that reflect Africa’s pressing priorities in food systems development.
Creating Resilient Food Systems: Jobs, Equity, and Inclusion. This thematic area focuses on building food systems that are capable of withstanding and adapting to both man-made and natural shocks, while generating decent jobs, promoting equity, and ensuring inclusive participation across all levels.
Investment, Innovation, and Financing for Transformation. This thematic area explores how Africa can mobilize and direct strategic investments toward priority areas of food system transformation by aligning public, private, and development finance with coherent policy frameworks. It draws on ANAPRI’s work under the Policy and Priority Value Chains Initiative (PPVC II), which supports governments in identifying high- potential value chains and designing integrated policy responses grounded in evidence, modelling, and stakeholder consultation.
Sustainability, Trade, and Climate Action. Frameworks such as the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP), the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP 3.0), and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provide critical pathways for aligning national priorities with continental goals. Since the launch of the Farmer Know Your Soil campaign at the last ANAPRI conference in 2024, efforts have intensified to raise farmer awareness and adoption of sustainable soil management practices through localized soil data, digital advisory tools, and field-level engagement.
Extract of the programme
Day 0 – Monday 3 November 2025 (Pre-Conference)
A special side event on the topic “Leveraging the Agrifood System for Jobs”, organised jointly by ANAPRI and the World Bank.
Academic-paper sessions: selected papers will be presented by researchers on themes such as job creation in agrifood systems, off-farm employment, MSMEs, digital services, youth and women inclusion.
Networking and preparatory workshops that help set the stage for the main conference.
Day 1 – Tuesday 4 November 2025
Opening Ceremony & High-Level Plenary: Setting the global and African context of food systems transformation under the conference theme “Driving Africa’s Food Systems Transformation: Strategic Investments, Resilient Policies, and Global Partnerships”.
Thematic Panel: Creating Resilient Food Systems – Jobs, Equity & Inclusion: Discussion on governance, youth and women’s roles, off-farm value chain jobs, territorial and community-led resilience.
Interactive Café/Breakout Sessions: Smaller group sessions for peer exchange on job creation, inclusion strategies, and resilience building.
Day 2 – Wednesday 5 November 2025
Keynote and Panel: Investment, Innovation & Financing for Transformation: Focus on directing public, private and development finance into value-chains, digital tools, blended finance, institutional alignment.
Workshop/Exhibition: Showcasing innovation tools (e.g., the PPVC modelling services of ANAPRI) and interactive sessions on building investment-ready food systems.
Parallel Tracks / Thematic Workshops: Possible breakout tracks on topics such as digital agriculture, value chain finance, MSME linkages, youth entrepreneurship.
Panel Discussion: Aligning National & Continental Frameworks: Topics may include implementing the Africa Fertilizer & Soil Health Action Plan, CAADP 3.0 alignment, cross-border coordination.
eprnrwanda.org
Closing Plenary & Synthesis: Summary of insights, agreement on next-steps, commitments from stakeholders, launch of any joint statement or roadmap.
Organized under the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), the gathering spotlighted Africa’s commitment to advancing food security and nutrition through sustainable agriculture.
The three-day high-level gathering, held under the theme “From Malabo to Kampala: Accelerating Just, Resilient Agrifood Systems Transformation for Nutrition and Sustainable Growth,” marked a pivotal transition from the Malabo Declaration (2014) to the newly adopted CAADP Strategy and Ten-Year Action Plan (2026–2035), setting a bold agenda for the next decade of Africa’s agricultural transformation.
It brought together African governments, policymakers, regional economic communities, civil society, farmers’ groups, private sector actors and development partners to:
Address Africa’s food and nutrition security challenges in line with Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.
Strengthen nutrition-sensitive agricultural systems and value-chain development.
Enhance resilience of food systems in the face of climate change and global supply chain disruptions.
Promote policy coherence, accountability, and financing through CAADP processes.
Elevate the role of youth and women farmers in driving agricultural transformation.
Organisers: African Union, CAADP Non-State Actors Group (CNG), African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN), Zero Hunger Coalition.
The session emphasised that parliaments across Africa must move from passive oversight to active financing and legislative leadership in agrifood-systems transformation. It called for parliamentary mandates to align national budgets and laws with the forthcoming CAADP 2026–2035 Strategy, prioritising investments in inclusive value chains, youth and women empowerment, climate resilience, and intra-African trade.
The outcomes included a call to establish parliamentary food-systems caucuses, legislate coherent food-systems laws, adopt transparent budget-tracking dashboards tied to agrifood investment, and reaffirm that MPs hold the power to accelerate the agrifood revolution—not just endorse it.
The session launched
a CAADP Non-State Actors Group “Magazine of Impact”
Chikondi Chabvuta-Mkawa, Chair, CNG (CAADP Non-State Actors Group) “Ten years ago, we stood under the Malabo Declaration. Now, as we embrace the Kampala Declaration, we must renew our commitment, not just to participation, but to transformation. We have seen governments make strides, women rise to leadership, and the private sector move from the margins to the center of dialogue. Yet, 307 million Africans still go hungry. The next decade must be about action: to rise, and rise again, for Africa’s future.”
Agnes Kirabo, Chair, East African Community (EAC) “Many communities still can’t access CAADP materials because of language barriers and limited capacity. We are trying to take the message to the grassroots, but without sufficient resources, it’s not easy. We need investment in translation, training, and local ownership.”
Scene-Setting: Dr John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) "The Theory of Change underpinning the Kampala Declaration is built on three pillars: Leadership and Policy Coherence; Evidence-Based Decision-Making, and Mutual Accountability, as well as Inclusive Participation of Civil Society and Private Sector."
Constance Okeke, ActionAid International
Hon. Agho Oliver Bamenju, African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN) "From Maputo to Malabo, parliaments were observers. From Kampala onward, we are actors. We are no longer on the sidelines. We are implicated, engaged, and accountable. The new Policy Framework for Parliamentary Action, will ensure that commitments made in Kampala are implemented through legislative processes and national oversight. We must not have another decade of speeches without action. Parliament must translate the aspirations of non-state actors into tangible results."
Joe Mzinga, East & Southern African Small-Scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) “When farmers are organized locally and demand accountability, that’s when we see change. We must decentralize implementation and keep farmers, especially smallholders, at the heart of the process.”
Zainab Isah Arah, African Kilimanjaro Women Farmers Forum (AKIWOFF) “We cannot transform Africa’s food systems without women at the center: from the soil to the seed, from health to education. Our soil is our life, our seed is our future, and our hands are our power,”
Precious Jacdonmi GIZ “Non-state actors have been given work without money. To achieve our strategic objectives, we need to rethink how we mobilize and manage resources by blending public, private, and development funding.”
This session advocated institutionalising strategic foresight in agriculture policy/investment cycles (via national foresight hubs, youth leadership, and quality standards) so planning, research and financing.
Foresight must be embedded in planning, investment and policy systems — not treated as a one-off workshop.
Inclusive partnerships are essential, with youth, women, local knowledge-holders and private-sector actors actively co-designing the future of food systems.
Foresight outputs must lead to action — linking research, innovation, value-chains and investment, rather than remaining conceptual.
The draft oversight tool — the Guide on Quality Criteria & Impact for Food-Systems Foresight — provides practitioners with practical measures to ensure foresight is inclusive, rigorous, context-appropriate and measurable.
Foresight capacity-building, institutional mechanisms (e.g., national foresight hubs), and youth leadership are indispensable for achieving a lasting impact.
The Guide, developed by FARA, AFA, and Foresight4Food, offers a practical resource for governments, institutions, practitioners, and partners. It emphasises:
Working principles & quality criteria: inclusivity, contextual relevance, action-orientation, methodological rigour and ethics.
Evaluation & impact framework: providing indicators and learning questions to assess how foresight contributes to change (capacity built, policy uptake, investment relevance).
Procedural guidance: step-by-step processes from scoping and stakeholder mapping through to scenario design and embedding in policy/investment cycles.
Institutionalisation & multi-actor engagement: guidance for embedding foresight in ministries, research systems, youth networks and value-chain partnerships.
The CAADP Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan calls for tripling fertilizer consumption (both organic and inorganic) by 2034, restoring at least 30% of degraded soils, and ensuring 70% of smallholder farmers have access to extension and soil management services.
The session concluded that soil health is a foundational pillar for resilient agrifood systems, linking soil degradation directly to lower food yield, poorer nutritional outcomes and weaker climate adaptation. As Dr Edeme emphasised: with about 65% of Africa’s agricultural land degraded and annual losses of around US $4 billion in soil nutrients, the continent must prioritise investment in soil health to unlock the potential for up to 58% more food production. She quoted Indian agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, who once said, “Soil anemia breeds human anemia.”
It was further argued that soils must be treated as a national asset — requiring diagnostics (soil health monitoring), targeted interventions (organic & inorganic fertiliser, restoration practices) and integration into policy/investment frameworks (e.g., the CAADP Fertiliser & Soil Health Action Plan). Dr Haddad stressed the shift from plan to performance. In short: invest in soils now, align with national development plans, mobilise finance and monitor results, to secure people’s health, nutrition and planetary sustainability.
Dr Janet Edeme, Head, Rural Development Division (Acting Head, Agriculture & Food Security) at African Union Commission (AUC)
Dr Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director at Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
30/10 Financing Inclusive Partnerships and Food Supply Chains for Nutrition, Health and Food Sovereignty in Africa
This side event explored how inclusive partnerships are necessary for mobilising public and private sector investment for strengthened climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive, research driven and health-enhancing agri-food local value chains. Such value chains minimize the distance between producers and consumers, involve fewer intermediaries, have closer connections and they support local economies by reinvesting money into the producing (farmer, fisher, pastoral) communities.
Keynote Speakers
Minister or high-level govt. official – Key Partnerships for Investment in Local Food and Nutrition Supply Chains for increased food production – Government of Rwanda
Emmanuel Maboneza, Head Commercial Banking – Private Financing Institutions and Local Food Value Chains Transformation in Africa – Ecobank Rwanda
AUDA-NEPAD - Catalysing Inclusive Partnerships across Africa for the implementation of Strategic Objective 5 - ‘Building Resilient Agri-Food Systems’ of the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan - 2026-2035) -
Panellists
Dr Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director – FARA
Dr Sloans Chimatiro, President – African Union Policy Research Network for Fisheries & Aquaculture in Africa, PRNFAA
Dr Beatrice Kiage – Food Systems, Nutrition, Climate Change and Health, African Population Health Research Centre, APHRC
Ms Sakina Usengimana, Chairperson, Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF), Managing Director of Agri-foods, Rwanda
Ms Cynthia Ndayishimiye, Head of Operations, JR FARMS, Rwanda
Mr Tobie Manga Ondoa – CAADP Focal Point/National Food Systems Convenor, Cameroon
Africa should drive the momentum toward data-driven youth empowerment in agrifood systems, riding on the idea that progress must be measured, inclusive, and accountable.
Moderated by Dr. Olawale Olayide of the University of Ibadan
Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of Rural Development and Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division at the African Union Commission (AUC) Dr. Edeme introduced the Youth in Agri-Food Systems Performance Index (YAPI)—a new, comprehensive framework jointly developed by the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, and regional economic communities to track youth participation, entrepreneurship, and employment across Africa’s agrifood systems.
Dr. John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow, Development Strategies and Governance Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Dr. Ulimwengu explained that YAPI builds on the Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AYS) and is designed around five domains: Education, Skills, and Technology, Productive Resources and Services, , Economic Opportunities, Policy Engagement and Governance, Sustainability and Resilience
Haile Abebe (AUC) Mr. Haile Abebe emphasized the AUC’s determination to move from commitment to action, noting that only 11 countries are currently on track to meet the 30% youth-in-agriculture target.
Mr. David Adama (picture) Senior Specialist, AGRA He highlighted ongoing youth initiatives such as GoGettaz, Value4Her, and WIRE, while emphasizing the need for evidence-based programming. He noted that YAPI will provide critical insights to help align and scale up youth agripreneurship programs across the continent.
Mr. Duncan Samikwa Senior Programme Officer for the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Mr. Emmanuel Onos Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Nigeria
Ms. Baliqees Salaudeen-Ibrahim (CEO, Green Republic Farm). She shared her experiences as a youth-led agribusiness leader, emphasizing that access to finance, mentorship, and markets are some of the barriers hindering youth participation in agribusiness. She called for youth-driven innovation, digital inclusion, and stronger partnerships between governments and the private sector.
30/10 Sovereign and Scalable: Innovative and Gender-Inclusive Risk Financing for Africa’s Agrifood Resilience and Transformation
Organisers: Government of Rwanda (MINAGRI) & African Risk Capacity (ARC).
This session urged embedding gender-responsive disaster-risk financing (e.g., sovereign parametric insurance) in NAIPs to speed the 2026–2035 CAADP Strategy—so climate shocks don’t derail transformation; called for predictable public finance that reaches women and youth.
allAfrica.com
Olivier Kamana (Permanent Secretary, MINAGRI, on behalf of the Minister);
ARC leadership incl. Dr Christiana George (Head of Gender)
Hon. Aimée Marie Ange Tumukunde (Pan-African Parliament).
31/10 The 2025 Africa Food Systems Report Key Takeaways
The Africa Food Systems Report 2025 (2025, 154 pp) formerly the Africa Agriculture Status Report, was launched in September 2025. It acts as a roadmap for transforming Africa's food systems, emphasizing systemic, rather than fragmented, progress. Key recommendations include:
African food systems must transition from fragmented efforts to integrated, food-system-wide strategies, linking production, nutrition, trade, environment and climate resilience.
The Report highlights that new policy pathways are required: moving from incremental improvements to transformational change—through investments in data systems, value-chain development, intra-African trade, youth & women engagement, and alignment with the upcoming CAADP 2026-2035 strategy.
Panelists underscored that adoption of the Report’s findings requires national food-systems-thinking, not just agricultural thinking—embedding food processing, loss reduction, nutrition outcomes and market access into investment plans. They stressed actionable steps: adopt the Report’s recommendations in national investment plans (NAIPs), mobilise matched funding (public + private), and operationalise the monitoring frameworks proposed in the report to ensure accountability and progress.
Finally, there was a call to use the Report as a continental benchmark, enabling countries and stakeholders to compare performance, benchmark progress and accelerate sharing of best practices across regions.
Organisers: AUDA-NEPAD, AUC, GIZ, CIFOR-ICRAF, Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH), NORAD.
This event made the case that robust soil-health monitoring systems are essential to policy, finance and program delivery under the new CAADP cycle, showcasing tools, briefs and hubs to embed soil data in national investment plans and scaling land-restoration practices. The call was for governments, development partners and private sector to commit to the “soil health decade” through measurable commitments, shared indicators, and regional platforms (e.g., CA4SH hubs) that support national implementation and accountability.
H.E. Moses Vilakati — Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy & Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission (AUC)
Esterine Fotabong — Director of Agriculture, Food Security & Environmental Sustainability, African Union Development Agency – NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD)
Teklu Erkossa — Program Manager, Soil Health Project, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Ethiopia; Member, Soil Health Action Working Group
Elvis Weullow — Senior Lab Enterprise Manager, Soil & Land Health Theme, CIFOR‑ICRAF; Member, Soil Health Action Working Groups 2 & 4
Portia Pohlo — Sustainable Agriculture Researcher, Trace & Save, South Africa; Co-Chair, Soil Health Action Working Group
Alice G. Nyaga — Chief Superintending Engineer, Agricultural Land Management Unit, Agricultural Engineering Services, State Department for Crops, Government of Kenya
Blessing Akhile — Food & Agriculture Programme Advisor, ActionAid Nigeria; Member, Soil Health Action Working Group
A representative from the Government of Norway
31/10 Strengthening Africa’s Seed Systems
The session’s through-line was that Africa won’t hit Kampala-era targets without stronger, better-financed seed systems built on partnerships and hard evidence. Seed is the system’s first mile—treat it as national infrastructure and fund/measure it accordingly. Priorities highlighted were:
using rigorous diagnostics (e.g., national seed system assessments) to target evidence-based investments in breeding, early-generation seed, certification/quality control, and market development;
policy and regulatory harmonization (regional seed rules, faster variety release, trade facilitation) to cut time-to-farmer;
deploying digital tools (catalogues, traceability, dashboards) for transparency and performance; and
channeling capital (public + blended) with clear accountability so women, youth and SMEs can scale delivery.
30–31/10 Food, Culture & Nutrition — The Youth Chef Challenge for Africa’s Future
Youth & culture side-event.
This session used culinary competition to spotlight nutrition education, local foods and youth leadership as levers for healthier diets and cultural pride in food systems transformation.
The event was promoted by the CAADP Youth4Nutrition initiative with the tagline “‘Youth Chef Challenge for Africa’s Future’”.
It featured young chefs, cultural food elements and nutrition discussions, tying youth activity with food systems transformation.
Engaging youth through culturally-grounded food and nutrition challenges helps raise awareness, build skills, and link heritage foods to healthier diets and agrifood system transformation.
31/10 Partnering with farmers organization for Investment
Speakers converged on the idea that farmer organizations (FOs) must be treated as co-investors and delivery partners, not just beneficiaries. The session highlighted four priorities: (1) use solid diagnostics to channel evidence-based investment into FO governance, services, and value-chain links; (2) embed FO-targeted lines in next-generation NAIPs, with transparent budget-tracking and parliamentary oversight; (3) expand blended finance and risk-management (e.g., guarantees/insurance) so FOs and their SMEs can scale; and (4) leverage digital tools for market access and performance dashboards so funds translate into measurable outcomes for women and youth.
30–31/10 Parliamentary engagement at CAADP PP
Organisers: Pan-African Parliament (PAP) with AFSPaN and partners.
The sessions underscored parliamentary leadership for policy coherence and financing, echoing AFSPaN’s 2026–2035 policy brief to place legislatures at the centre of accountability for agrifood transformation.
Hon. Aimée Marie Ange Tumukunde
Pan-African Parliament (PAP) committee members
31/10 Getting to the $100 Billion CAADP Kampala target
The session emphasized the need for: scaling public and private investment rapidly, aligning national investment plans with the Kampala-era targets; strengthening results-based financing; tapping innovative financing instruments (blended finance, risk-mitigation); and leveraging regional cooperation to pool resources and bring down unit costs. Progress hinges on "the progressives in government and private sector" working together, aligning around specific value chains, and tackling the bottlenecks that limit enterprise growth. The solution requires seamless integration and coordination of investments across priority value chains and ecosystems, ensuring efforts address binding constraints and deliver tangible results. Ultimately, unlocking the $100 billion ambition is more than an economic goal - it calls for political will, ethical leadership, and inclusive growth models. Read the full AFSR report - the essential roadmap for achieving the Kampala Target.
AGRA’s Vice President for the Center of Technical Expertise, Jonathan Said, reminded participants of Africa's immense potential - citing success stories like Ethiopia's rapid growth in flower exports. However, Dr. Said cautioned that the real constraint isn't a lack of ideas or financing, but fragmented coordination and weak delivery.
From Tanzania, Dorcas Mwakoi presented the rollout of the Agriculture Growth Corridor of Tanzania (AGCOT) - driving commercialization through cluster-based investments, private sector co-ownership, and spatial development that links infrastructure, irrigation, and agribusiness ecosystems.
From Ethiopia, Dr. Yifru Tafesse Bekele shared the Agriculture Commercialization Cluster (ACC) model, now reaching 4.4 million farmers across 311 woredas. By organizing smallholders into production clusters, the model is enhancing productivity, strengthening market access, and attracting investment into agro-industrial value chains.
Together, these experiences highlight how Commodity Cluster Compacts are driving the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Commitments - turning strategy into coordinated, market-led action for Africa’s food systems transformation.
31/10 Multi-sectoral Governance to Tackle Malnutrition, SUN Movement Secretariat
The session underscored that achieving nutrition outcomes in Africa demands strong multisectoral governance—involving agriculture, health, education, social protection, trade and finance sectors—operating through a nationally-mandated platform (often a SUN country platform). Key takeaways included: the necessity to embed nutrition objectives in national agricultural investment plans and sectoral budgets; to build robust data and monitoring systems that span sectors; to strengthen legislative and budgetary oversight of nutrition outcomes; and to engage civil society, private sector and youth as partners in governance, not just as implementers.
31/10 Pathways for achieving CAADP Kampala Targets
31/10 Closing Plenary and OFFICIAL CLOSING
Mrs. Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability, AU-NEPAD
"The future of Africa’s agrifood systems will not be written in conference halls, but in the fields, laboratories, and markets where our people live and work. The Kampala CAADP Declaration gives us the roadmap. Now, it is up to us to build the road. Let the spirit of Kigali—a spirit of resilience, unity, and purpose—accompany us as we translate conversation into coordinated action".
Simone Staiger-Rivas – Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT, CGIAR / Bridget Kakuwa – CCARDESA / Lisa Kircher – Asian Development Bank (ADB) / Anselme Vodounhessi – FARA /
21 - 23 October 2025. Borlaug Dialogue 2025 under the theme “SOILutions for Security”.
The Borlaug Dialogue 2025 placed agricultural research firmly at the heart of food security strategy by focusing on soil not just as a substrate but as a living system essential for resilience, productivity and peace.
It underscored that innovation in soil health, digital mapping, regenerative practices and alternative protein systems are not peripheral—they are central to transforming agri-food systems under climate and conflict pressure. For someone working on agroecology and “forgotten foods”, the messaging is clear: research must span from the micro-level (soil microbiome, bioinputs) to the systems-level (food security, peace and trade), and must link to investment, policy and farmer-driven uptake.
This high-level session examined how food and agriculture, and by extension soil and land systems, underpin national and global stability — addressing links between climate change, migration, conflict and resilient food systems.
Panelists connected challenges such as climate change, migration and confl ict to the urgent need for resilient food systems. The discussion highlighted why addressing hunger is not only a humanitarian priority but also a strategic investment in a safer, more stable future.
Facilitator: Cary Fowler, 2024 World Food Prize Laureate
This session examined how agricultural transformation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region can serve as a stabilising force in a context of land-use change, farmer-pastoralist conflict, environmental degradation and insecurity. Speakers highlighted how improving soil health, restoring degraded lands, establishing inclusive value-chains and strengthening local institutions offers a pathway from fragility to resilience. A key conclusion was that agricultural research and innovation — especially soil- and landscape-based interventions — must be embedded in peacebuilding and livelihood strategies, not treated purely as productivity tools.
For regions such as the Middle Belt, where agro-ecological, socio‐economic and conflict dynamics intersect, this means that research on soil health and agricultural systems must be paired with local governance, inclusive partnerships (farmers + pastoralists + state) and long-term investment to deliver both agricultural and security outcomes.
22/10 From Policy to Progress: A Diplomatic Legacy
This session explored the complex pathway from global policy declarations to tangible progress on the ground, with a strong emphasis on the diplomatic legacy of food-security instruments and international partnerships. The discussion underlined that while high-level commitments – such as multilateral treaties, national food-security strategies and diplomatic engagements – set the stage, real progress demands sustained alignment between diplomacy, research, public-private collaboration and implementation in local contexts.
Speakers emphasised that diplomatic frameworks can open doors and create legitimacy, but their value is realised only when matched with capacity, accountability, local-led processes and follow-through.
Facilitator: Gebisa Ejeta | Chair, World Food Prize Selection Committee, 2009 World Food Prize Laureate and Distinguished Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
Hon. Henry Musa Kpaka | Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Government of Sierra Leone
Hon. J. Alexander Nuetah | Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Liberia
Hon. Eric Opoku | Minister of Food and Agriculture, Republic of Ghana
Beth Dunford | International Development Sector Executive and Former Vice President, African Development Bank Group
A research-oriented dialogue on how protein systems (plant, microbial, insect, cultivated) can be re-imagined for climate-smart agriculture, bringing in innovation, science and evidence of emerging systems. Feeding nearly 10 billion people while meeting global climate goals demands diverse, resilient protein systems. Animal-source foods remain central to nutrition, livelihoods, and culture, while complementary proteins, including plant-based, microbial, insect, blended, and cultivated options, bring innovation and resilience. Yet too often, these systems are pitted against each other.
Hosted by Food Systems for the Future Institute (FSF), in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
The Soil Health & Digital Soil Mapping session explored how advances in soil science and digital technologies are reshaping our ability to assess, monitor and manage soils at scale — moving from soil as a static resource to soil as a dynamic, data-rich system. Presenters highlighted how digital soil mapping, remote sensing, machine learning, in-situ sensors and large soil-health datasets are enabling more precise, timely interventions in agricultural systems.
The key conclusion was that soil health must be measured and managed with the same rigour as other agricultural inputs: without adequate data-driven soil-management frameworks, innovations in inputs (e.g., microbials, neglected-crop systems) risk being applied on weak foundations.
Neglected crops and agroecology pathways benefit not just from biological innovation but from the soil-health diagnostics and mapping systems that support them — hence the research priority is dual: (1) biological/management innovation, and (2) digital soil systems for decision-support.
Ismahane Elouafi — Executive Managing Director, CGIAR (also featured in soil-health research coverage)
Johan Swinnen — Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) — overarching dialogue participant with links to soil & ag systems research.
Paul Temple — Chairman, Global Farmer Network — spoke to farmer experience and soil/regenerative agriculture.
Additional experts from CGIAR and partner institutions working on soil health and mapping technologies.
The session focused on how evolving agri-food value chains demand new forms of collaboration and innovation — moving beyond traditional public research and extending through the full chain from discovery to delivery. It highlighted how public–private partnerships (PPPs), cross-sector alliances and institutional innovation can drive efficiency, scale and relevance in agri-food research and innovation.
Key conclusions included that:
innovation chains must be co-designed with all actors (farmers, industry, R&D, policy) to be effective;
the public sector must redefine its role—focusing on public goods, enabling environments and equity—while private actors bring speed, scale and market linkage;
partnerships need to be structured so that benefits and risks are shared, especially for systems in low-income settings; and
there is no one-size-fits-all: successful cases vary by crop, region and innovation stage, so context-adaptation is essential.
This session underscores that for agroecology, forgotten foods and neglected crops, the way forward is less a novel technology and more the way it is integrated into value chains with inclusive, adaptive partnerships.
Phil Pardey – Director, GEMS Informatics, University of Minnesota.
The side event emphasised that school-meal programmes extend far beyond nutrition and education: by embedding procurement within local agriculture and supply chains, they serve as powerful levers for economic growth, market development and trade. With more than 400 million children reached globally and estimated procurement flows of around US $48 billion in 2022, the session underscored how well-designed school-feeding systems can generate stable demand from smallholder farmers, create jobs in food processing and logistics, and enhance trade opportunities for agricultural produce.
The key conclusion was that integrating school-meal programmes into national and regional agrifood systems can multiply benefit: advancing nutrition, education, farmer livelihoods and trade. However, success depends on cross-sector policy alignment (education, agriculture, trade), reliable financing, and supply-chain capacities — especially in lower-income countries.
Johan Swinnen (Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute)
Additional panelists were drawn from host organisations: Bread for the World Institute, Alliance to End Hunger and Farm Journal Foundation
The session emphasised that the network of 1890 Land‑Grant Universities (historically Black U.S. land-grant institutions) are uniquely positioned to drive inclusive agricultural innovation through collaborative partnerships—bridging academic research, extension services and underserved communities. Key take-aways included: the necessity of embedding research within real-world community contexts (not just labs), the importance of multi-stakeholder and cross-institutional alliances (public-private, NGO-university, global counterparts) to scale solutions, and the need for enhanced investment in capacity-building and infrastructure so that 1890 institutions can lead not only domestically but also in global food-security efforts.
The dialogue flagged persistent inequities in funding and infrastructure for 1890 institutions, and called for strategic partnerships that empower these universities as co-leaders in innovation ecosystems and knowledge exchange networks.
Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson – Interim President, Langston University (one of the 1890 land-grant institutions)
Dr. Solomon Haile – Program Officer, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) – overseeing 1890/evans-Allen research programmes
Dr. Maria Marshall – Dean of Agriculture, Michigan State University (partnering with 1890 institutions)
Ms. Kase Wheatley – Director, North Carolina A&T State University (1890 land-grant) Cooperative Extension / outreach lead
Dr. Jeffrey Agnoli – Faculty, Ohio State University; moderator of the panel
23/10 Fields of Renewal: Innovation for Soil, Ecosystem and Security
The session highlighted how restoring soil health and ecosystem function is foundational to food security, climate resilience and global stability. Speakers emphasised the need for systemic innovation—combining biological, digital and landscape approaches—to regenerate degraded soils, rebuild ecosystem services and secure agricultural productivity for future generations. The main conclusion was that effective soil and ecosystem renewal requires not only technical innovation (e.g., sensors, bio-inputs, restoration practices) but integrated partnerships, long-term investment and alignment with policy, markets and local communities.
Facilitator: Simon Heck | Director General, International Potato Institute
Neil Bentley | Vice President, Market Management, Agricultural Solutions, North America, BASF
20–24 October 2025, Rome. At CFS 53 the agenda included multiple sessions of relevance to agricultural research and innovation in food systems.
These included plenary sessions on advancing food security and nutrition through improved governance of food and agriculture, side-events on topics such as “Blended Finance and Impact Measurement in Agri-food Systems” (SE26) and “Aligning multilateral, public and private investments for transforming agri-food systems” (SE32) which bring research, innovation and investment together.
Key research-related themes included the role of data, technology and innovation in tackling food security, linking research and development with policy uptake, and financing of research-driven agrifood solutions. They reflect a push to integrate agricultural research into food systems policy dialogue at the CFS.
By separating organic waste and by-products already at the source, it is possible to develop decentralized solutions for waste streams, which are efficiently used as nutritious high-value resources for fertilizers, bioenergy, feed and food.
By sharing best practices with regards to financing and collaboration as well as discussing enabling environments with a child-centered approach, the event highlighted how school meals can become a driver of agrifood resilience, and access to affordable healthy diets.
The Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES), led by Brazil-FAO cooperation, supports 18 LAC countries to enhance their SFP through dialogue, policy development, nutrition standards and public procurement from family farming. While financing is one key component, knowledge and understanding of the enabling environment, nutrition, local food preferences and local partnership are also pivotal for scaling up the programmes.
The School Meals Coalition, with over 100 members, fosters global collaboration to ensure every child receives a healthy school meal by 2030. Its Sustainable Financing Initiative builds evidence and provides technical assistance to boost domestic investment.
23/10 Blended Finance and Impact Measurement in Agrifood Systems: The Catalytic Capital Framework
The thematic Working Group on Sustainable/Blended Finance for Food Systems was established in April 2024 by the GDPRD. It brings together representatives from donor organizations, philanthropies, public funds and foundations to explore innovative financing approaches aimed at increasing the impact of donor and public funds on food systems.
This session presented the work being done as the group’s first initiative, to standardize the assessment of additionality and impact in agri-SME blended finance through a Catalytic Capital Framework. Supported by Canada, Norway, Switzerland, the UK and the US, and led by the Agri-SME Learning Collective, the framework aims to enhance decision-making, accountability and collaboration by providing a common language for donors, intermediaries and policymakers.
The session discussed the challenges in measuring and standardizing the impact of blended finance instruments across impact investors and donors. It showcased how the framework can guide catalytic capital deployment, strengthen impact measurement, and inform policies that promote food security and sustainable agricultural investment. By standardizing assessments of impact and additionality, the framework aligns with CFS’s mission to enhance inclusive, sustainable financing.
Moderator: Jim Woodhill (Senior Advisor, Global Donor Platform for Rural Development – GDPRD)
Corinna Hawkes (Director, Division of Agrifood Systems & Food Safety, FAO)
Efo Tete and Seasoned Rice
