AU Summit Showcases Common African Agro-Parks

 28 November 2022. The African Union Members States, the Regional Economic Communities, the United Nations (FAO, UNIDO, ECA), and Development Partners converged to discuss the implementation and financing modalities for the establishment of the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs)

The event took place on the margins of the ongoing AU Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification, in Niamey, Niger, under the theme: “The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) as a vehicle for attracting private investments in establishing transboundary mega agro-industrial hubs on the continent”, within the framework of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Programme (CAADP) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.

The creation of 5 large agro-industrial zones, one in each region of Africa, will serve as major agricultural development hubs for the continent.

The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) Programme is a mega-initiative aimed at creating regional agro-industrial hubs implemented by the African Union.”

The CAAPs was conceptualized to respond to the continent’s demand for increasing the supply of locally produced agricultural goods, reversing projections on African food imports, value-added processing of agricultural products to boost intra-African trade and investment, tapping on the African food import market approximated at $50 billion per year.

CAAPS, a 37-million-dollar investment, has already received USD 0.5million USD in seed capital from Afreximbank. On the implementation of the cross-border agro parks in Zambia and Zimbabwe

The CAAPs also intend to provide over 8 million job opportunities within the crop and livestock value chains.

CGIAR Appoints Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda as System Board Chair

24 November 2022. Following the decision of Marco Ferroni to retire and step down from his position as CGIAR System Board Chair after five years of service on December 31, 2022, CGIAR announced that current Board member Lindiwe Majele Sibanda will succeed him in January 2023.

“I take great pleasure in announcing that Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda will be CGIAR’s next System Board Chair. Throughout her distinguished career, Lindiwe has made substantial contributions to challenges facing global science for agriculture, food systems and the environment. She has a proven track record of harnessing partnerships in research and innovation to drive food systems transformation and foster sustainable food and nutrition security. In addition to formal training in governance and management of change processes, Lindiwe is trained as a multi-cultural dialogue moderator and has a strong track record working with diverse teams in international environments. Her appointment is made following a robust selection process and will ensure a seamless transition in the System Board’s leadership.” Dr. Marco Ferroni

“I am looking forward to taking up the role of Chair of CGIAR’s System Board, and keen to put my experience in science, agriculture, climate change and nutrition to work in advancing CGIAR’s mission – together with colleagues across the organization, and partners around the world – to deliver the science and innovations needed to tackle the many threats related to food, land and water and deliver a food-secure future. As well as applying a policy and institutional perspective, I have a direct, personal connection to agriculture – I’m a farmer as well as a scientist.”  Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda.

MALABO POLICY LEARNING EVENT (MAPLE2022) - 18th CAADP PP

1 - 2 December 2022. MALABO POLICY  LEARNING EVENT  (MAPLE2022)

The findings and recommendations of the Biennial Report allow countries to review the progress made towards the targets set for 2025 in the Malabo Declaration, and then adopt appropriate collective actions to accelerate Agricultural Growth and Transformation.

During the official launch of the 15th CAADP Partnership Platform meeting in Nairobi  AU DREA and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) launched the a new communications toolkit for CAADP advocates, leaders, and focal points entitled, “Catalyzing Action & Agricultural Transformation in Africa: Understanding CAADP & the Biennial Review”.

Follow up of the 18th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP): Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture: A pathway to strengthening resilience of agro-food systems on the continent.(28 -30 December 2022).

Session 1 Policy Implications and Lessons from the 3rd Biennial Review (BR) Cycle.

Panel 1

• Mr. Robert Ouma, (Policy LINK) 
• Mr. John Ulimwengu, (IFPRI) 
• Dr. Augustin Wambo-Yamdjeu, (A2063) 
• Dr. Simplice Nouala, (AUC) 

Panel 2

• Mr. David Phiri (FAO) and Ms. Catherine Mbindyo, (Policy LINK) 
• Eastern Africa – Mr. Paul Guthiga 
• Central Africa – Mr. Joseph Honoré Nguetti 

Panel 3

• Southern Africa – Mr. Greenwell Matchaya 
• Western Africa – Mr. Manson Nwafor 
• Northern Africa - Mr. Souhir Belaid 

Session 2 Lessons and Responses to the Impact of Global Dynamics on Food Security and Nutrition.

• Moderator: Kudzai Madzivanyika, (Policy LINK) 
• Mr. Adama Taoko, (FAO) 
• Dr. Marco D’Errico & Hodjo Manzamasso, (FAO) 

What has worked in terms of response to global dynamics:  

• Mr. Charles Ayueboro Adama, (MoA), Ghana. 
• Mr. Ismael Fofana, (Academya 2063) 

Session 3 Lessons on Nutrition Policy Implementation: Approaches & tools

• Mr. Edwin Odhiambo (Policy LINK) 
• Overview of CAADP and nutrition - Mr. Mphumuzi Sukati (FAO) 
• Lessons on Financing Nutrition – GAIN 
• Lessons on trade facilitation and food safety (SPS) – Ms. Diana Akullo (AfCTA) 

Side events 18th CAADP PP

28 -30 December 2022. 18th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP): Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture: A pathway to strengthening resilience of agro-food systems on the continent.

Side events

28/11 SIDE EVENT 1: Africa Food Security Technical Committee (AFS-TC):

Organizer: AGRA

28/11 SIDE EVENT 2: LAUNCH OF THE MALABO+10 SERIES

Organizer: FARA

28/11 SIDE EVENT 3: Integrating land rights and governance in CAADP National Agriculture and Food Security Plans for Building Resilient Food Systems

Organizer: AUC/DARBE/RDD

28/11 SIDE EVENT 4: The Transformative Power of Knowledge Management to Leverage Agriculture and Food Systems

Organizer: CERFAM

The aim of the webinar was to illustrate the role of knowledge management as an instrument to create an enabling environment for agricultural activities and investments, which can support African member states in implementing recommendations made by CAADP and the Malabo Declaration. It will do so by showcasing the various existing platforms and tools, country case studies.

More specifically, the side-event :

• Illustrated knowledge management tools and platforms as strategies supporting CAADP and MAPLE commitments and means to create an enabling environment for increase activities and investment in agriculture, promote strategies and good practices, as well as offering a space for creating synergies amongst partners within the sector.
• Presented the digital knowledge platforms of various organizations which facilitate the documentation and dissemination of good practices with potential for replication and scale-up, exchanges among experts and other users.
• Advocated for these multi-sectorial and multi-stakeholder approaches to knowledge management as a way to address recommendations for West Africa made by the CCADP/Malabo Declaration BR3

28/11 SIDE EVENT 5: Towards Dakar 2023: Key issues to the AU fertilizer and Soil Heath Summit

Organizer: AUC and FARA

28/11 SIDE EVENT 6: Policy Appropriateness Index tool and e-tracker for policy gap analysis and benchmarking:

Organizer: AGRA

29/11 SIDE EVENT 7: Forging collaborative engagement between CGIAR and CAADP.

Organizer: CGIAR

• Moderator: Dr Namukolo Covic, ILRI Director General’s Representative to Ethiopia; CGIAR Country Convenor for Ethiopia; CGIAR Regional Director East and Southern Africa President of the African nutrition society
• Dr Simplice Nouala Fonkou; Food Security Advisor, AUC-DARBE
• Dr Joseph Kirugia, ILRI Principal Scientist, Policies Institutions and Livelihoods; CGIAR Country Convenor for Kenya
• Dr Kwesi Atta-Krah; Interim Chief Regional Engagement Officer WCA, and Advisor on Country and Regional Engagement to One CGIAR Regional Director-WCA

29/11 SIDE EVENT 8: Presenting AGRA’s Policy Gap and Prioritisation Benchmarking Mechanism through the lens of policy innovation in nutrition sensitive agriculture.

Organizer: AGRA

29/11 SIDE EVENT 9: Examining the partnership roles of CAADP Country Focal Points and Country Non-State Actors in strengthening the resilience of agro-food systems through the CAADP Biennial Review.

Organizers: AUC - Country CAADP Focal Points

30/11 SIDE EVENT 10: Designing Gender Friendly Nutrition Interventions.

Organizer: Nigerian Women Agro-Allied Farmers Association

30/11 EVENT 11: Launch of the Pan African Agribusiness Apex Chamber

Organizer: AUC/DARBE/RDD

30/11 SIDE EVENT 12: Contributing to agro-food systems resilience through food-crop production focus

Organizer: Akademiya2063

The Food Bridge Chefs of Diversity

26 November 2022. Brussels. This event was an initiative of the Food Bridge vzw funded by the International solidarity Department of the city of Brussels Belgium 

The kitchen is a learning space, so an inclusive kitchen that lets in diversity, offers insight into broader issues in the food system such as sustainability, biodiversity, hunger, food waste climate change, deforestation and many others.

Hybrid discussion panel with innovative chefs of migrant origin working in Belgium.
The Chefs discussed their journey through the Belgian horeca sector, their achievements, what worked for them and also the challenges. Of interest is how their work has been influenced by their background; if there is a place for input from ethnic food cultures in European cooking methods to create something new - a fusion cuisine. They also be discussed how their work addresses some of the social challenges in the country and in the global food system.

Cooking classes 

The goal was for the chefs to educate and inspire people with recipes for healthy and sustainable consumption. This broadened the culinary horizons of the participants, showing them how to use some of the available but unknown healthy ingredients that are on sale in Brussels stores, can be used.

Banquet
This cooking portion was followed by a multicultural six-course banquet prepared by immigrant chefs and cooks.

Resources:

Diaspora, Food and Identity Nigerians migrants in Belgium

This book examines the connection between food and identity in the Nigerian diaspora community in Belgium. Encounters between people from different cultures do not lead to a simple adaptation of the diet, but usually give rise to some kind of fusion of new and indigenous food habits. The author questions the relationship between what Nigerian migrants in the diaspora eat, their self-perception and how they engage with outsiders. Starting with a historical introduction about the country, this study examines what aspects of the Nigerian food culture is retained and what has changed.

Les secrets de cheffe Suzanne. Surprises et saveurs

Cooking has allowed me to be visible, lively, passionate and exciting for gourmets. Wherever I went, I had to talk about cooking to feel like I existed. Cooking allows me to talk to people, I could tell you so many things with a coco-passion fruit seafood fricassee. Things I can't say with words. 

Through this book, I will deliver messages to you using local African and Senegalese foods in particular and, I will also tell you how and in what circumstances these recipes were created and thought out, thanks to small anecdotes that I have carefully slipped into the book. 

These recipes illustrate my passion for local African products, they tell of my journey and my desire to take care while reconnecting with my roots. It is also the kitchen that brought me back to my origins, as one would bring back a child who has run away. I realized that some of the products I was pushing back were actually exceptional products, both in taste and health. Welcome to Suzanne's Kitchen!

Highlight:

Kipeps - Distributor of Afro-Caribbean delicatessen

"Taste the Afro-Caribbean touch" KIPEPS is a distributor specializing in Afro-Caribbean delicatessen for Belgian businesses.

Product Category

• Agri-Food
• Beauty & Esthetics
• Fashion & Accessories
• Home & Decoration

18th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform

28 -30 December 2022. 18th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP): Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture: A pathway to strengthening resilience of agro-food systems on the continent.

1. Sub-theme 1: Upscaling food bio-fortification in Africa with reference to the Declaration on Food Fortification and Bio-Fortification
2. Sub-theme 2: Promotion of orphan crops and indigenous foods in view of their importance in nutrition security

28/11 SESSION 1: THEME 1 - UPSCALING FOOD BIO-FORTIFICATION IN AFRICA WITH REFERENCE TO THE DECLARATION ON FOOD FORTIFICATION AND BIO-FORTIFICATION

Aspirations of the Declaration: The Declaration, what it means for Africa:

• Dr Godfrey Bahiigwa

Overview of biofortification programmes in Africa

• HarvestPlus journey in promoting biofortified crops and foods: “Where are we and what remains to be done” - Ms. Lynn Brown

Scale, coverage, and trends

• Lessons learnt in seed systems for biofortified crops and how governments and partners can create an enabling environment for the private sector. - Mr. Samson Afolabi
• Processing and packaging Orange Fleshed sweet potatoes for consumers: what works, and challenges faced. - Mrs. Fannie Gondwe

Contributions of biofortification on reducing micronutrient malnutrition and increasing nutrition-sensitive agriculture

• National research activities on biofortified crops and foods: breeding successes and limitations & standards. – Dr. Asea
• International research activities on biofortified crops and foods. – Dr.Henry Ojulong
• Contribution of biofortified crops and foods to daily diets and the gaps that still need addressing. – Dr. Corinne Ringholz
• Open Discussion with Ms. Liz Ogutu

Country lessons & challenges:

• How DRC has embraced innovative financing to implement policies and programmes, Dr. Ndeye Khady Touré
• How Zimbabwe has mainstreamed enabling policies for biofortified crops and foods, Mr. Kennedy Mabehla
• Mainstreaming biofortification into micronutrient malnutrition management programs in Africa, Dr. Patrick Teixeira.
• Continental programs and policies that include biofortification, Ms. Kefilwe Moalosi, AUDA-NEPAD.
• Ms. Lydie Kouame, Deputy Director, WFP African Union Global Office

28/11 SESSION 2: THEME 2 - PROMOTION OF ORPHAN CROPS AND INDIGENOUS FOODS IN VIEW OF THEIR IMPORTANCE TO NUTRITION SECURITY

Keynotes & Presentation

•  Mr. Mphumuzi Sukati (FAO)
• Prof. Fatunbi Oluwole (FARA)
• Mr. John Ulimwengu (IFPRI)

Panel & Discussants

1. Scope and usefulness of indigenous food

2. Strategies to promote their integration in national food policy instruments, food menus and consumer acceptability and come up with recommendations.

• SME/Private sector - Ms. Kudzai Hove, Founder, Amayi Foods
• Consumer Association Representative, Ms. Josephine Atangana, General Secretary of Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)
• Farmer Representative, Ms. Rym Ferchichi - Union Maghrébine et Nord-Africaines des Agriculteurs (UMNAGRI).
• Resilience and Climate Change Expert Mr. Divine Ntiokam, Founder and Managing Director, Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network
• Chef dealing with indigenous foods menus

29/11 SESSION 3: THEME 3 HOME-GROWN SCHOOL-FEEDING PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVED FOOD NUTRITION.

• Opening Statement: H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) of the African Union.
• State of Home-Grown School Feeding Programmes in 2021-2022 (scale, coverage, and trends) and their benefits in Africa Bibi Giyose, Special Advisor to the CEO, AUDA-NEPAD
• Status of nutrition-sensitive agriculture and impacts on healthy diets and school meals Dr Nancy Aburto, Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition Division FAO
• Contributions of HGSF programmes to Africa’s food systems development priorities, including the Malabo Declaration commitment to end hunger by 2025 Dr Simplice Nouala, Head of Division, Agriculture and Food Security, AUC
• Summary: Dr Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative to the AU and UNECA
• Setting the scene: analytics for food security, nutrition, and healthy diets in school feeding Dr Isabel Madzorera, Assistant Professor, Food Systems and Diets, University of California, Berkeley
• Linking school feeding programs to local procurement and improved diets (lessons learned and challenges for implementation)- Government examples.
• Summary Dr Hameed Nuru, WFP Director, and Representative to the AU and UNECA)

29/11 SESSION 4: THEME 4 ROLE OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND EDUCATION IN NUTRITION-SENSITIVE AGRICULTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS.

• Framing Presentation: “State of research on food and nutrition security in Africa: progress and gaps”.  Boaz Blackie Keizire is the Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA

Panel Discussion

• Moderator Dr Namakulo Covic, ILRI
• Livestock. Dr Siboniso Moyo ILRI
• Dr. Gbola Adesogan Livestock lab Florida
• Systems complexities, influence of trade and climate on African food security and nutrition. Dr. David Laborde IFPRI
• Underutilized foods and strengthening food systems in semi-arid areas of Africa: Dr. Andre Van Rooyen, ICRISAT "We need as researchers to move from the science of discovery to the science of delivery "

Role of Research, Innovation and Education in nutrition-sensitive agriculture for sustainable agricultural development pathways.

• Framing presentation: “Why is research not reaching mainstream policymaking processes in Africa?” Dr. Ousmane Badiane, AKADEMIYA2063 
• Mr. John Ulimwengu (IFPRI)

Panel Discussion

• Work on the link research into County/District policies and programmes. Dr Dorothy Mituki, Egerton University, Kenya
• Work linking research to policy and programmes. Prof Francis Zotor, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana
• Coordination and research agenda setting. Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, FARA 
• Advocacy and putting research into use. Ms. Cynthia Mugo, ILRI 
• Simba Sibanda FANRPAN 

30/11 PARLIAMENTARIANS SESSION: RE-INVIGORATING THE ROLE OF AFRICAN PARLIAMENTS IN THE CAADP PROCESS

30/11 SESSION 5: PLENARY OPENING SESSION

• Moderator: Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa
• Hon. Angela Thokozile Didiza – Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Republic of South Africa.
• Mr. Stanlake Samkange - Chair, CAADP Development Partner Coordination Group.
• Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas - Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD.
• Dr QU Dongyu - Director General, FAO.
• H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko - Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, AUC 
• El-Said Marzouq El-Qosair, Chair of the Bureau of the 4th AU STC on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Arab Republic of Egypt
• Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture: A pathway to strengthening resilience of agro-food systems on the continent” Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia (Chair, AGRA Partners)

30/11 SESSION 6: HIGH-LEVEL MINISTERIAL FORUM (HLMF) PANEL

• Moderater by El-Said Marzouq El-Qosair, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Arab Republic of Egypt
• Reflections and Reactions from Honourable Ministers in attendance 
• Reflections from RECs Executive in attendance (Commissioners/Deputy Secretary general in charge of Agriculture)

30/11 HIGH LEVEL CAADP PARTNER PANEL

• Moderated by CEO, AUDA-NEPAD
• African Development Bank
• AFREXIM Bank
• European Union
• USAID
• IFAD
• World Bank
• FARM Initiative
• German Initiative
• Sustaining CAADP implementation post UNFSS - President AGRA 

30/11 SESSION 7: HIGH LEVEL STAKEHOLDER PANEL

• Moderator: Hon. Angela Thokozile Didiza – Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Republic of South Africa.
• Research and Academia (FARA, RUFORUM, et al)
• PAFO
• Private Sector
• Youth
• Civil Society
• CGIAR

30/11 CLOSING CEREMONY

• Session Moderator: Mrs Estherine Fotabong, AUDA-NEPAD.
• Dr Ousmane Badiane, AKADEMIYA2063 (10mn).
• Hon. Angela Thokozile Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Republic of South Africa.
• Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD
• H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner, AUC DARBE
• El-Said Marzouq El-Qosair, Chair of the Bureau of the 4th AU STC on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Arab Republic of Egypt.

Side events

28/11 SIDE EVENT 1: Africa Food Security Technical Committee (AFS-TC):

Organizer: AGRA

28/11 SIDE EVENT 2: LAUNCH OF THE MALABO+10 SERIES

Organizer: FARA

28/11 SIDE EVENT 3: Integrating land rights and governance in CAADP National Agriculture and Food Security Plans for Building Resilient Food Systems

Organizer: AUC/DARBE/RDD

28/11 SIDE EVENT 4: The Transformative Power of Knowledge Management to Leverage Agriculture and Food Systems

Organizer: CERFAM

28/11 SIDE EVENT 5: Towards Dakar 2023: Key issues to the AU fertilizer and Soil Heath Summit

Organizer: AUC and FARA

28/11 SIDE EVENT 6: Policy Appropriateness Index tool and e-tracker for policy gap analysis and benchmarking:

Organizer: AGRA

29/11 SIDE EVENT 7: Forging collaborative engagement between CGIAR and CAADP.

Organizer: CGIAR

29/11 SIDE EVENT 8: Presenting AGRA’s Policy Gap and Prioritisation Benchmarking Mechanism through the lens of policy innovation in nutrition sensitive agriculture.

Organizer: AGRA

29/11 SIDE EVENT 9: Examining the partnership roles of CAADP Country Focal Points and Country Non-State Actors in strengthening the resilience of agro-food systems through the CAADP Biennial Review.

Organizers: AUC - Country CAADP Focal Points

30/11 SIDE EVENT 10: Designing Gender Friendly Nutrition Interventions.

Organizer: Nigerian Women Agro-Allied Farmers Association

30/11 EVENT 11: Launch of the Pan African Agribusiness Apex Chamber

Organizer: AUC/DARBE/RDD

30/11 SIDE EVENT 12: Contributing to agro-food systems resilience through food-crop production focus

Organizer: Akademiya2063

THE 2022 MALABO POLICY LEARNING EVENT (MAPLE2022) 

Upcoming webinars December 2022

 26 - 28 November 2022. Youth in Agroecology @DeTara Foundation YouTube livestreaming

• 26 November 2022: 13.30-14.30 (GMT+07.00) Controlling Pests and Diseases Speakers: Dr. Sari Nurulita (IPB University) and Dedi Mulyadi (Organic Farming Practitioner - Agrospora)
• 27 November 2022: 09.30-10.30 (GMT+07.00) Gender & Agricultural Resources Management Speaker: Latipah Hendarti (DeTara Foundation)
• 27 November 2022: 10.30-11.30 (GMT+07.00) Mapping Our Environment Potency Speaker: Dr. Fakhrizal Nashr (PT. Plan B Indonesia)

28 -30 December 2022. International Symposium on GIAHS and Family Farming 2022 by FAO

• To attend online, click here to register.
• For more information and the detailed agenda, please click here.

28 -30 December 2022. 18th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP): Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture: A pathway to strengthening resilience of agro-food systems on the continent.

• Sub-theme 1: Upscaling food bio-fortification in Africa with reference to the Declaration on Food Fortification and Bio-Fortification
• Sub-theme 2: Promotion of orphan crops and indigenous foods in view of their importance in nutrition security

28 November 2022. Promoting circular economy and reducing food losses and waste: successes by SMEs and entrepreneurs by the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) and the COLEACP within their Innovations series.

28 November 2022. 12:30- 14:00 CET: A Decade On - Lessons Learnt from the Implementation of the AU Agenda on Land

29 November 2022. Session I of the AKADEMIYA2063 Ukraine Crisis Webinar Series

• Download the concept note

29 November 2022. Farmer-led research: Experience in influencing policymakers and building partnerships

• Online meeting via Zoom with interpretation in English, French and Spanish
• As part of the exchange between FO-RI partners, regional farmers organisations (RFOs) will share with us their experience in:
• Policy development processes, when possible related to agroecology, based on evidence and research, including partnerships creation,
• The development of specific communication materials/policy briefs, and
• Exchange on issues relevant to the action research partners.
• With input from :
• RFO Pacific Islands PIFON: Kyle Stice, Executive Director
• RFO West Africa ROPPA: Ousseini Ouedraogo, Secretary General
• RFO Latin American COPROFAM: Fernando Lopez, President and Gustavo Cabrera, Coordinator CNFR

29 November 2022. HiddenHunger global data and actions needed hosted by the Micronutrient Forum

 by IFPRI 

29 November 2022. 09:30 AM FOODPathS: Online Funders Forum Event

29 November 2022 08:00 EST (New York) / 14:00 CET (Brussels)  ‘Countdown to the UN SDG Summit 2023,’

• The first in a series of eight SDGs monthly webinars, will focus on SDG 1 on Poverty and SDG 2 on Hunger.

29 November - 2 December 2022 AGROFOOD WEST AFRICA

• Exhibitors from all over the world are ready to meet with Ghanaian and West African farmers, food & drink producers, and food retail, hotels, and restaurants to discuss ideas, network, and talk business.

29 Novembre 2022, 14:00 - 15:30 CET. Conférence hybride de l'InfoPoint via Webex Meetings: "Pastoralisme et insécurité au Sahel et en Afrique de l’Ouest : la voix des éleveurs 

30 November- 13:00- 14:30 CET: InfoPoint Hybrid Conference: "Evidence-informed decision making: Insights from the nutrition field

• Though widely called upon, the use of scientific evidence in the design of nutrition policies still faces many obstacles and is poorly implemented. 
• A gap that the Knowledge and Research for Nutrition project aims to address, by improving the connection between researchers and decision makers.

30 November 2022.Farming with Fungi, 11a.m. - 1p.m. Pacific time.  Convert your time zone here.

30 November 2022. 8:30–10:00 AM EST (GMT-5). Supporting Children with Feeding Difficulties and Disabilities in Nutrition Programs: Tools for Action by USAID 

30 November 2022. 04:00 PM Singapore. CLIMATE CHANGE: FROM RISK TO RESILIENCE

1 December 2022. ANH Academy Webinar Series: One Health 

• ANH Academy for educators and students 
• 5-part webinar series ‘Curriculum Enrichment Teaching Materials Pilot Seminars’

1 December 2022. Legal issues in animal gene banking. by FAO

• in 2021 FAO developed guidelines on Innovations in conservation of animal genetic resources. 
• The guidelines were prepared by an international team of scientists and gene bank managers, many of whom were partners in the EU Horizon 2020 project IMAGE
• Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 399 795 493 192 Passcode: EKM3Zb

5  December 2022.2:00 to 4:00pm EAT Leveraging the New Bottom-Up Economic Plan for Food System Transformation in Kenya  by IFPRI

8 December 2022, 09:00 CET - 9 December 2022, 18:00 CET, Brussels, Belgium. The 2022 EU Agricultural Outlook conference - A sustainable agri-food system forged in crises, 

6 - 7 December 2022. AGRA INNOVATE LAGOS

• Now in its 8th year, Agra Innovate Lagos is West Africa's leading agriculture trade show. 
• Featuring free seminars on hot agribusiness topics, a buzzing expo and unlimited networking opportunities, the expo connects global suppliers to serious local agriculture sector buyers, professionals and practitioners.

7 December 2022 at 1pm GMT. Climate risk and adaptation: How to prepare farmers for the effects of climate change.

7 December 2022 Monitoring the Status of Animal Genetic Resources Worldwide - the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System

8 December 2022 Food and nutrition education and school food to improve diets for life by FAO

8 December 2022, 10.00-12.00 hours GMT. Launch Event of the AfricaSeeds New Strategy Document

8 December 2022. Perspectives on Pastoralism” film festival.

• Brussels, in combination with a photo exhibit by the PASTRES (Pastoralism, Uncertainty and Resilience: Global Lessons from the Margins) research programme funded by the European Research Council (ERC)
• The films selected for the 2nd edition of the “Perspectives on Pastoralism” festival can be found on the film festival website (www.pastoralistfilmfestival.com).
• This film festival forms part of the initiative for the International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP; www.iyrp.info), approved by the United Nations to be celebrated in 2026.

12 December 2022 NFP debriefing on the COP27 Climate-Food-Nature agenda

13 December 2022 MaRCCI Building Resilient Crop Systems in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges. RUFORUM AGM event

22 December 2022 6TH GLF INVESTMENT CASE SYMPOSIUM

• The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) is the world’s largest knowledge-led platform on integrated land use, dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement.

25-26 January 2023. Dakar. Feed Africa. AFDB, AU, FAO, etcFeb 15, 2023 - Feb 16, 2023 AFRICA AGRI EXPO

• Africa Agri Expo cater a networking platform for Agriculture Companies, Service Providers, Machinery & Equipment Companies, Technology Companies, Agro Chemical and Fertiliser companies, Seed Companies and Investors to build valuable connections.

15- 17 March 2023 AGRITECH WEST AFRICA

• exhibition and marketing platform for companies in the agriculture technology, agro chemicals, irrigation & systems, and all products related to agriculture and value addition, if they are targeting to connect partners and expand your business in West Africa.

30 March - 1 April 2023 AFMASS FOOD EXPO EASTERN AFRICA

• The food industry in Eastern Africa is the most vibrant in Africa – as new investments and new product innovations surge in key markets in the region such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda etc

19 June - 30 June 2023. ANH 2023 will be hosted in a hybrid format: online and in Malawi.

Organic poultry production - African Organic Agriculture Training Manual

FIBL (202) Organic poultry production - African Organic Agriculture Training Manual # 71 p. 

This manual is intended for use by trainers of trainers and trainers of farmers on organic agriculture. The manual aims to explain the principles and details of poultry management for small-scale poultry farmers in Africa under organic management. It has been developed with the understanding that farmers live in various contexts that may require unique adaptations of these guidelines. 

Users may require further references to existing training materials for more information:

• Africa organic agriculture training manual Module nr. 1: Definition and Benefits of Organic Agriculture. 
• Africa organic agriculture training manual Module nr. 5: Animal Husbandry 
• African organic agriculture training manual Module nr. 8: Conversion to Organic Farming

Webinar African Continental Association for Food Protection

24 November 20222 4 p.m. GMT. ACAFP Webinar: The power of Hydroxyl-radical in enhancing the food safety and shelf-life of foods by African Continental Association for Food Protection.

Organised with www.hesiglobal.org 

Contact: membry@hesiglobal.org

This webinar, sponsored by the African Continental Association for Food Protection (ACAFP) will feature Professor Keith Warriner, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Canada. The webinar platform is provided in-kind by the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI).

The African affiliate was established in 2013 as the African Association for Food Protection (AAFP) and consists of food safety professionals, students, government workers, and professors from the continent of Africa and/or committed to educating proper food safety skills and procedures across the continent. 

In early 2017, the affiliate was re-established as the African Continental Association for Food Protection (ACAFP) because the IAFP already had another affiliate with the acronym AAFP, and was registered as a non-profit in the United States. Unlike other IAFP affiliates who represent one state or country, the ACAFP aims to represent food safety interests across the continent of Africa, crossing national borders and expanding educational resources to the growing number of food safety professionals in Africa.

Hydroxyl radicals? 

They are the most remarkable molecule you’ve never heard of. They are the reason the Earth’s atmosphere does not accumulate most chemicals (other than a handful of greenhouse gases). Hydroxyl radicals are non-toxic to humans, animals, and plants, yet they kill bacteria, virus, and mold. Because they are naturally occurring there are no regulatory issues with deploying hydroxyl radicals.

Note: There are actually four types of hydroxyl radicals: atmospheric, in-vivo, chemical, and

interstellar. This article only discusses atmospheric hydroxyls. In-vivo refers to hydroxyls that are formed inside the human body. They are formed through a Fenton reaction as a body’s response to severe diseases. Interstellar are simply hydroxyls in outer space.

Why should you care about atmospheric hydroxyl radicals? 

They destroy volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). They destroy viruses. They destroy bacteria. They destroy mold. Hydroxyl radicals destroy these chemicals and micro-organisms throughout indoor air and on surfaces. They do not penetrate liquids or solids, which makes them ideal for food & beverage, drug manufacturing, research facilities, hospitality facilities, and many other environments.

Because hydroxyl radicals destroy VOCs and micro-organisms they can reduce downtime costs for sanitation, improve indoor air quality for the health and safety of employees, and improve product quality so more products can be sold at lower costs. In healthcare settings, hydroxyl radicals can reduce the incidence of infections, which lowers costs and improves patient health and throughput.

Food Systems Solution Dialogue “Food systems for health and nutrition”

23 November 2022. Food Systems Solution Dialogue “Food systems for health and nutrition” 

hosted by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

The guiding questions for the Dialogue break-out groups were:  

1. Pathways: How are actions to improve access to healthy diets and better nutrition/health reflected in your country’s food system transformation pathway? 
2. Coordination: How are you coordinating with your government colleagues in charge of nutrition? How do you liaise with different non-state nutrition actors?  
3. Challenges, opportunities and needs: What are the opportunities and challenges in creating synergies between food systems transformation and health/nutrition agendas? What are the most urgent actions needed to ensure that the implementation of food system transformation leads to improved nutrition in your country? 

23rd Annual Global Child Nutrition Forum

24 - 27 October 2022. 23rd Annual Global Child Nutrition Forum took place in Cotonou, Benin from You can watch the recap video on our Youtube channel here. 

The Global Child Nutrition Forum is a peer-to-peer exchange designed to stimulate critical discussions about school meal programs around the world, identify collective priorities, and provide advice and support for one another going forward. The four-day event included plenary sessions, technical workshops, school visits, and cultural activities.

The 2022 Forum Communiqué is also available on our website in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Russian. Click this link to read it! An Arabic version will be available soon. (https://gcnf.org/events/forum/)

CFS: Reducing Inequalities for Food Security and Nutrition

22 November 2022. CFS/FAO Reducing Inequalities for Food Security and Nutrition

The objective of the event was to provide the CFS High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) with substantive inputs and contributions towards the preparation of a report on this topic, which is expected to be released in the summer of 2023 to inform the preparation of related CFS policy recommendations. 

The event presented an opportunity to discuss, address and share views on the following questions:

• How do political, social, cultural, and economic inequalities around food systems negatively affect food security and nutritional outcomes?
• What are the main policy approaches and entry points that are needed, in order to address and reduce these inequalities? And which areas require additional data and further research?

23 November 2022. The Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations Rome organised an “International Science Day 2022: agriculture – food – environment” as a webinar.

The event was organized in collaboration with French research institutes CIRAD-INRAE-IRD.

The 2022 edition focused on the ways in which science can inform the analysis of the current food crisis, as well as the relationship between science and society (collective scientific expertise, public policies, ethics). Innovation and sustainability will also be addressed through thematic discussions on digital agriculture and robotics, microbiome, agroecology and water. A final session will present the relationship of science to time and in particular the symbolic year 2030 (outcome of the UN process of the so-called Agenda 2030 resolution).

Download the full program - International Science Festival 2022 (PDF - 307.6 kb)

• Céline Jurgensen, Ambassador, Permanent mission of France to the United Nations in Rome 
• Élisabeth Claverie de Saint Martin, CEO of CIRAD 

Food insecurity and crises 

• Moderator: Robin Bourgeois (CIRAD) 

Members of the academic working group report on the FARM initiative 

• Sandrine Dury (CIRAD) 
• Jean-Christophe Avarre (IRD) 

Case studies 

• Akiko Suwa-Eisenmann (INRAE, HLPE-FSN) 
• Denis Lacroix (Ifremer) Reflections – Ronald Tran Ba Huy (WFP) 

Science(s) and society(ies)

• Patrick Flammarion (INRAE) Collective scientific assessments
• Ludovic Mollier (IRD) Support for public policies 
• David Mair (JRC) Science and Ethics 
• Marie de Lattre-Gasquet (CIRAD) 
• Reflections – Sara Savastano (FIDA) 

Innovation and sustainability in our plates 

• Moderator: Raoul Mille, scientific counsellor Digital agriculture – Robotics 
• Véronique Bellon-Maurel (INRAE) Microbiome 
• Joël Doré (INRAE) Agroecology(ies) 
• Laurent Cournac (IRD) Water 
• Marie-Laure Vercambre (Partenariat Français pour l'Eau - PFE)
• Reflections – Lethicia Magno (World Food Forum Young Scientists Group)

 Tomorrow 2030 

• Eveline Sawadogo-Compaoré, INERA
• Philippe Mauguin, CEO of INRAE 
• Preet Lidder, FAO Chief Scientist Office 
• Valérie Verdier, CEO of IRD

AU-EU Innovation Agenda Stakeholder Event Nairobi

23 - 24 November 2022. Nairobi, Kenya and online. AU-EU Innovation Agenda Stakeholder Event
Nairobi by the The European Commission and the African Union Commission. 

This represents the culmination of a stakeholder dialogue process started in February 2022, aiming to seek feedback and input from citizens and organisations on the draft version of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda.

The joint AU-EU Innovation Agenda is an unprecedented initiative aiming to accelerate the translation of Research and Innovation into tangible positive impact on the ground, so to generate products, services, businesses and jobs, in Africa and Europe. 

It proposes four objectives, articulated into short-term, medium-term and long-term actions, for each of the four priority areas of the AU-EU cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation:

1. Public Health, 
   
2. Green Transition,
3. Capacities for Science and 
4. Innovation and Technology
5. Cross-cutting issues.

Resources: 

Download at the link here:

• EC (2022) Report on Feedback and Input from the Public Consultation on the Working Document of the Joint “African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) Innovation Agenda” Prepared by the Task Force of the Ad-hoc Innovation Agenda Working Group of the Bureau of the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) # 48 p.
• The AU-EU Innovation Agenda Working document Version of 14 February 2022 # 38 p.
• The programme of the Stakeholder Event. # 24 p.

Objectives of the Event

• This Stakeholder Event aims to provide a forum to:Present and discuss on the findings of the online public consultation on the AU-EU Innovation Agenda (which took place between February and June 2022);
• Discuss on specific stakeholder demands and ideas, and possible implementation routes for the Agenda, so to co-create its implementation plan;
  
• 
  Showcase the AU and EU vibrant innovation ecosystems, in the form of a matchmaking session entitled “AU-EU Innovation Fair – meet the innovators”, to catalyse partnerships and foster collaborations and entrepreneurship;
• Provide strategic training and information sessions focused on topics of particular relevance to the implementation of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda.

Selection of the programme

23/11 Opening Addresses

• Moderators: Ms Nienke Buisman (European Commission) & Dr Monica Ebele Idinoba (African Union Commission)
• Ms Maria Cristina Russo, Director for Global Approach and International Cooperation in R&I, European Commission
  
• Prof Chomora Mikeka, HLPD Vice Co-chair, Republic of Malawi
• Simon Nabukesi, Principal Secretary, State Department for University Education and Research, Ministry of Education. Kenya
• Ms Irene Giribaldi, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Kenya
• Commissioner Mohammed Belhocine, African Union Commission
• Mr Hans Stausboll, Acting Director Africa, DG International Partnerships, European Commission

23/11 Overview of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda & Results of the Public Consultation

• Mr Lukovi Seke (AUDA-NEPAD) & Dr Vincenzo Lorusso (European Commission)

23/11 National innovation policies and link to the Innovation Agenda

• Mr Gonzalo Arévalo Nieto, Director General of Research Planning, General Secretariat for
  Research, Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain
• Mr Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General: International Cooperation and Resources at South African Department of Science and Innovation
• 
  Mr Paolo Lombardo, Head of Regional Representation for East Africa, European Investment Bank
• Ms Hendrina Doroba, Division Manager-Education and Skills Development, Africa Development Bank
  

23/11 Thematic Workshop 1 Public Health Needs and Technologies for Healthy Societies with Responsive & Resilient Health Systems

23/11 Thematic Workshop 2 Green Transition Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)

• Moderator: Dr Bernard Rey, Senior Expert, Science, Technology, Innovation and Digitalisation, DG International Partnerships, European Commission 
• Rapporteur: Dr Pamela Paparu, Senior Scientist Plant Pathology, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Uganda 
• Dr Judy Omumbo (Senior Programme Manager, Science for Africa Foundation) 
• Mr Hamis Said Hincha (Project Officer, Food Security for Peace and Nutrition-Africa) 
• Dr Irene Annor-Frempong (LEAP4FNSSA Coordinator, FARA) 
• Dr Jonas Mugabe (AGriDI Project Manager, ICIPE) and Dr Fathiya Khamis (Senior Scientist, ICIPE) 
• Ms Margherita Trestini (Marketing Director, Prototipi) 
• Mr Gibson Gisore (Chief of Staff, Adanian Labs) and Mr Kenneth Agina (Business Development Manager, Adanian Labs) 
• Mr Robert Kubai (Monitoring, Evaluation and Resource Mobilization Officer, Eastern Africa Farmers Federation) 
• Dr Carlo Fadda (Research Director, Biodiversity for food and agriculture, Alliance Bioversity CIAT) Dr Johnson Ouma (Executive Director, R&D, GALVmed) 
• Mr Lindokuhle Mdletshe (Founder and CEO, INNOBIZ Group (Pty) Ltd)

23/11 Thematic Workshop 3 Green Transition Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE)

23/11 Thematic Workshop 4 Innovation & Technology Investing in Innovation in Africa

23/11  Thematic Workshop 5 Innovation & Technology Innovation Ecosystems in Africa

• Prof Nelson Ojijo (Associated Professor, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology)

23/11  Thematic Workshop 6 Capacities for Science Skills Development and Mobility

23/11  Thematic Workshop 7 Capacities for Science Higher Education Institutions and the AU-EU Innovation Agenda

• Ms Mary Mukuhi (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, RUFORUM)

23/11  Thematic Workshop 8 Cross-cutting issues Monitoring & Evaluation of Objectives and Actions of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda

24/11 Training Session 1 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs): from discovery to patent & beyond

24/11 Training Session 2 – Preparing proposals for Horizon Europe and other funding programmes (e.g. Erasmus+): a multi-step training

Presentation of EU cooperation with Africa on R&I and of Horizon Europe framework
programme

• Mr Antonio Márquez Camacho

Testimonials from representatives of Horizon Europe National Contact Points

• Dr Armela Dino (Science Policy Analyst, Unit of Internationalisation of Science and Innovation, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation)
• 
  Mr Jacob Kamwaria (NCP HE, Kenya Ministry of Education) 
• Prof Mike Faborode (NCP HE Nigeria), Professor of Agricultural Engineering, Former Vice
  Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

24/11 Training Session 3 – Open Science and Data Science (e.g. Africa Knowledge Platform)

24/11 Information Session 1 – Africa Initiative in Horizon Europe: update on projects from Work Programme I, 2021-2022 

24/11 Information Session 2 – EURAXESS Africa

24/11 Information Session 3 – Erasmus+ in Africa

24/11 Information Session 4 – Fostering R&I Policy Frameworks in the OACPS Member States

24/11 Information Session 5 – Clustering/Partnership management 

• Dr Joanes Atela Senior Research Fellow in at the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Kenya.

Upcoming event: The Horizon Europe (HE) Cluster 6 Info days

13 and 14 December 2022 Info days for Horizon Europe Cluster 6 will take place virtually

Research & Innovation funding opportunities in the area of Food, Bioeconomy, Natural resources, Agriculture and Environment? The Horizon Europe (HE) Cluster 6 Info days about the Work Programme 2023 and calls. This Work Programme includes 100 topics proposing over 880 Millions of EU funding to support the best actions.

The overall programme includes:

• An insight on the policy context
• Pitches for each of the 100 topics from the Work programme 2023
• A ‘key-to-success' session focused on guidance and tips for quality proposals
• Networking and matchmaking opportunities in a dedicated brokerage for prospective applicants to support the building of consortia

Download the agenda

Related:
23 November 2022 Brokerage event on calls for collaboration with African researchers under the Horizon Europe programme clusters 5 & 6.

The event was organised by Brussels liaison offices from UniLiON, an informal network of 52 Brussels-based liaison offices that represent over 157 universities across Europe, as well as in UK and Japan.

The aim of the event was to build a platform for everyone, share  ideas and find suitable partners for future consortia under the EU-African calls in Cluster 5-6. This online matchmaking event was focused on the research and innovation community of excellent universities based in Europe and Africa.

Keynote presentation: Strengthening the EU-Africa partnership in food and farming 

• EC DG Agriculture and Rural 
• Mr. Rui COSTA, Head of Sector for Science, Technology and Innovation DG International Partnerships (INTPA) 
• University of Helsinki and/or the Cabinet of Jutta Urpilainen 

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture

• Florence Mayega Nakayiwa, Deputy Executive Secretary Ruforum 

Universities in Africa 

• Lizel Seneka, manager for multi-national funding, University of Stellenbosch
• African Universities Research Alliances

Pitch presentations

Related: 

17 November 2022. Info session on Horizon Results Booster – steering research towards a strong societal impact

Food security: availability and affordability of fertilisers

EC (2022) Food security: availability and affordability of fertilisers 

8 November 2022. The European Commission produced a Communication on ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers. Today's Communication presents a wide range of actions and guidance on how to tackle the challenges that EU farmers and industry, as well as developing countries, are currently facing. 

The need to reinforce the overall resilience and sustainability of our food systems in the medium and the long-term is also addressed, in line with the Communication on safeguarding food security adopted in March 2022, the Farm to Fork strategy and REPowerEU.

The Communication outlines several best practices and ways ahead to help farmers optimise their fertiliser use and reduce their dependencies while securing yields:Critical sector: Member States may prioritise the continued and undisrupted access to natural gas for fertiliser producers in their national emergency plans in the event of gas rationing, in line with the Commission Communication “Save gas for a safe winter”.

• Targeted financial support: The amended Temporary Crisis Framework for State aid enables Member States to provide specific support to farmers and fertiliser producers. Funds generated by measures such as the cap on the market revenues of certain electricity generators and the solidarity contribution can also be used, subject to the applicable conditions, for purposes of national support schemes. Furthermore, the Commission will together with Member States examine the expediency of making use of the agricultural reserve worth €450 million for the financial year 2023 for farmers affected by high input costs.
• Improved market transparency: The Commission will launch a market observatory for fertilisers in 2023 to share data on production, use, prices and trade.
• Sustainable farming practices and training: The Commission will work with Member States to ensure that relevant interventions such as nutrient management plans, soil health improvement, precision farming, organic farming, use of leguminous crops in crop rotation schemes are widely adopted by farmers. The Commission will also invite Member States to look into further prioritisation and increasing the ambition of such interventions in future revisions of their CAP Strategic Plans.
• More organic fertilisers: The substitution, whenever possible, of mineral fertilisers by organic fertilisers will reduce EU's dependence on gas as well as the carbon footprint of the sector. The Fertilising Products Regulation already ensures a better access in the market to fertilisers made from recovered waste and green and circular alternatives to natural gas. Horizon Europe has also invested €180 million in projects on optimisation of nutrient budget, alternative fertilising products and nature-based solutions for nutrient management. The Commission will also adopt in 2023 an Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan to foster a more efficient use of nutrients, taking into account Member States' starting points and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
• Transition to greener fertilisers: The Commission will encourage Member States to support investments in renewable hydrogen and biomethane for ammonia production.
• Trade diversification: The Commission has reached out to alternative suppliers of fertilisers to compensate for previous supplies from Belarus and Russia. The Commission also proposed in July 2022 to suspend trade tariffs for ammonia and urea, used to produce nitrogen fertilisers.

Nigeria: boosting innovative private sector-led solutions

15 September 2022. The Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference 

Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Limited in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the European Union, and with support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), convened the first Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference in Abuja. 

The event themed Curbing the Nigerian Food Crisis: Ensuring Resilience and Sustainability in the Agribusiness Landscape attracted over 300 participants across the public, private, donor, non-profit and civil society sectors.

It aimed to address the issues of the Nigerian food and agriculture sector by boosting innovative private sector-led solutions toward improving local economies and livelihoods in an environmentally sustainable manner. It brought together government officials, development partners, agribusiness leaders and industry experts from various value chains to pool ideas for interventions, and strategies to create and support sustainable business models for accelerated growth.

The objectives were to:

• Identify critical steps to curtailing the food crisis by taking lessons from Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine-Russia.
• Highlight success factors for developing private sector-led initiatives to drive transformation in the Nigerian agribusiness landscape.
• Highlight emerging solutions and innovative business models in the agri-food landscape to promote resilience in food systems.
• Facilitate dialogue between stakeholders on the urgent need to position private sector-led strategies as a sustainable option for a resilient food system.
• Develop a clear roadmap for multi-sector collaborations to curtail the food crisis in Nigeria

The conference identified critical steps to address the food crisis taking lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. It highlighted success factors for developing private sector-led initiatives to drive transformation in the Nigerian agribusiness landscape, showcased emerging solutions and innovative business models in the agri-food landscape to promote resilience in the food systems, and facilitated dialogue between stakeholders on the urgent need for private sector-led strategies as a sustainable option for a resilient food system. The conference also initiated the conversation towards developing a clear road map for multistakeholder collaboration to curtail the existential food crisis in Nigeria.

Download PDF

1. Primary Production
Facilitator: Foluso Adejoro, Policy Advisor Food Security & Climate Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Abuja, Nigeria

2. Food Processing
Facilitator: Ms. Emma Odundo, GIZ

3. Distribution & Logistics
Facilitator: Mr. Kamaldeen Raji, MD, AFEX

4. Trade
Facilitator: Dr. Ezra Yakusak, NEPC

5. Safety & Security: Addressing insecurity in farming communities.
Facilitator: Dr. Bola Karimu, Private Sector Development Adviser, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

6. Nutrition
Facilitator: Dr. Michael Ojo, Country Director, GAIN Nigeria

7. Livestock
Facilitator: Ms. Fisayo Kayode, Productivity Improvement Manager,
Sahel Consulting

8. Equity and Inclusion:
Facilitator: Mr. Andrew Smith, GIZ

9. Starting and scaling Resilient Agribusinesses

Facilitator: Mr. Deji Adebusoye, Sahel Capital