African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity (ACENUB)

African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity (ACENUB) at Mzuzu University in Malawi. ACENUB was established in 2022 to strengthen the agri-food system in Africa through research, training, and development related to Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS).

Interview with Dr Mavuto Tembo UMUZ HOLD, Senior Lecturer at Mzuzu University in Malawi, with a focus on land management and related fields. He is also associated with the African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity (ACENUB) at Mzuzu University. Additionally, he has served as a Project Manager for the TEN-Climate Change and Hunger Project at Mzuzu University.

https://youtube.com/shorts/snRjjtirHMI?si=0fLGMvTf8hupeQ6Z

The focus of ACENUB

• Research and training: The center provides high-level postgraduate training to address regional food and nutrition challenges. Its research focuses on unlocking the potential of NUS to increase agricultural productivity.
• Biodiversity for food security: ACENUB believes that targeted research on biodiversity is foundational to development. This can help prevent over-reliance on a few staple crops, a major contributor to food and nutrition insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Skills development: The center aims to strengthen connections between universities, agricultural institutions, and the agro-based industry to improve skills related to the agri-food system across Africa.
• Funding and partnerships: ACENUB is part of a World Bank-funded project in collaboration with the Government of Malawi and works with various regional and international partners. 

What are neglected and underutilised species (NUS)?

Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS) are domesticated or wild plant species used by local communities but not extensively researched, improved, or commercialized. 

These species are important because they are often: 

• Climate-resilient: Many NUS are well-adapted to thrive in harsh environments and tolerate drought, heat, and other stresses.
• Nutrient-dense: They can offer significant nutritional value, including protein, micronutrients, and fiber, helping to combat malnutrition.
• Supports biodiversity: Utilizing NUS helps increase the diversity of crops and build more resilient farming systems.
• Supports smallholder farmers: NUS can be grown on marginal land and help diversify income for small-scale farmers. 

Webinars December 2025

 1 - 5 December 2025. RUFORUM AGM 2025 – Annual General Meeting

8-9 December 2025. Dubai, United Arab Emirates. World Agri‑Tech Innovation Summit Dubai 2025

10 - 11 December 2025. 23rd CGIAR System Council Meeting

12 December 2025. International Conference GAPSYM18 - Resources in Africa

15 - 16 January 2026 | CityCube Berlin. 2026 GFFA - Water. Harvests. Our Future.

• 16/01 Panel Discussion #6 - Strengthening Africa's blue bioeconomy – putting policy into practice
• 16/01 Panel Discussion #7 -To the Point: Sustainable Water Use and Innovative Agricultural Technologies in the Agriculture of Eastern Europe and Central Asia

15-20 March 2026. International symposium on Beverage crops South Africa

6-7 April 2026, Dubai, UAE. 5th International Conference on Plant Science & Agricultural Research (ICPAR 2026) 

25 - 26 August 2026. Plant-Based Fermented Foods for Healthier and More Sustainable Diets - HealthFerm Final Conference

8-10 September 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE. Agra Middle East 2026 (AgraME 2026) 

Strengthening communication skills of young researchers in Francophone West Africa

24-28 November 2025. Access Agriculture, leading GFAiR's Collective Action on Inclusive Digital Agriculture and in partnership with RUFORUM, conducted a residential workshop designed for selected early-career researchers who are affiliated to institutions of higher learning or national research institutes in sub-Saharan Africa.

• The workshop for Francophone countries was held, 24-28 November 2025, in Benin,
• The workshop for Anglophone countries will be held, 8-12 December 2025, in Uganda.

This regional workshop was organised at the Songhaï Centre in Porto Novo, Benin. This, and an upcoming workshop for Anglophone African researchers, are funded by the International Foundation for Science (IFS, Sweden).

The event brought together 25 early-career researchers from universities and national research institutions in Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Togo. Their shared goal: to strengthen their ability to communicate scientific knowledge in clear, accessible ways to maximise reach. 

As Dr. Paul Van Mele, co-founder and international director of Access Agriculture, noted, “Agroecology is about creating shared values within society—about how we shape food systems that respect people, culture and the planet. Communication is key to making this happen.”

A central part of the workshop was the “Letter to Mother” technique, a simple yet powerful method that encourages researchers to explain their work as if they were writing to their own mother. For many participants, this exercise was an eye-opening experience. It pushed them to move away from technical jargon, express their ideas naturally, and focus on the people who stand to benefit from their research.

This approach laid the foundation for practical lessons on writing blog posts aimed at non-specialist audiences. Building on these writing skills, participants worked in small groups to turn one of their blog drafts into a short video script.

The training went far beyond theory: each researcher received a DJI Pocket camera and learned how to conduct farmer interviews, frame shots, and edit short videos. These hands-on sessions helped demystify audiovisual communication and showed how affordable tools can be used to share research insights more widely.

The programme also explored how researchers can reach broader audiences through strategic content dissemination using appropriate social media channels. Participants learned how to publish videos on EcoAgtube—an agroecology-focused alternative to mainstream platforms—while gaining practical experience in social media use and digital engagement. 

Participants also learned how to integrate EcoAgtube in education curricula as an educational resource and community engagement tool, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and farmer-led innovation.

One trainee described the workshop as “a turning point in my professional career,” emphasising how it provided the skills to promote research cost-effectively and move beyond traditional scientific publications. Many echoed similar sentiments, appreciating the user-friendly approach of the facilitators and the supportive learning environment.

Organised by Access Agriculture in collaboration with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), the workshop underscored the growing importance of communication in agricultural research. 

Dr Florence Mayega Nakayiwa, RUFORUM’s Deputy Executive Secretary, highlighted the need to empower young researchers with tools that go beyond academic writing: “By using audiovisual formats and social media, we can make agriculture more attractive to students and engage with society at large.”

Beyond improving personal communication skills, the workshop also helped participants recognise how existing farmer-to-farmer training videos from Access Agriculture can foster stronger relationships with rural communities and encourage participatory research.

As one trainee expressed in a heartfelt message to the facilitators, the training left many participants “completely transformed and well-equipped” to share agroecological knowledge. 

Their enthusiasm reflects a broader movement: young African researchers are stepping forward to build bridges between science and society—and to help shape a more sustainable future for agriculture across the continent.

Book launch Baobab & Marula: new solutions to global warming and Food security

1 - 5 December 2025. RUFORUM 21ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

1 December. Book launch.

Baobab & Marula: new solutions to global warming and Food security 

While global warming is accelerating, the green transition is being replaced by a new armament race in Europe and the US. At the same time, Amazonian rain forests and the boreal forest zone are turning from carbon sinks to new sources of carbon dioxide.

Luckily, two incredible African trees might still save us from a climate chaos.

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) and marula (Sclerocarya spp) can become large trees even in arid conditions where nothing else grows well. Baobab and marula cannot burn in forest fires, and they are extremely resistant to insect pests and plant diseases.

Both trees produce large amounts of nutritious and popular food and could be planted sparsely on vast areas of land without changing local land-use patterns.

The largest baobabs measured by the French and British during the colonial period were 18 or 20 meters in diameter. Baobabs and marulas could, within half a century, absorb a huge amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

This would also benefit food security. The nutritious value of one baobab fruit is twice the amount of an avocado, and a middle-sized marula typically produces half a ton of fruit in a year. One half of the fruit is edible and the other half consists of stones whose energy value is close to that of coal.

The Baorula Network

The Baorula Network is an informal coalition of African and European universities, research centers, non-governmental organizations and environmental activists interested in promoting the large-scale planting of baobab and marula – and other neglected African tree species – as an important partial solution to the world’s pressing problems.

The members of the steering group are: 

• Prof. Arinola Adefila (Buckinghamshire New University, UK), 
• Prof. Ahmad Cheikhyoussef (University of Namibia), 
• Prof. Kenneth Egbadzor (Ho Technical University, Ghana), 
• Mr. Risto Isomäki (Into Publishing, Finland), 
• Prof. Joyce Lepetu (Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources) jlepetu@buan.ac.bw 
• Doc. Annika Saarto (University of Turku, Finland).

RUFORUM 21ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

1 - 5 December 2025. RUFORUM 21ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

The AGM’s overall theme is “Positioning Africa’s Universities and the Higher Education Sector to effectively impact development processes on the continent.” The AGM is the network’s premier continental gathering, bringing together member universities, policymakers, development partners, private-sector actors, students, researchers, and youth innovators from across Africa and beyond.

The week of 17th – 21st November 2025 marked the official kick-off of a series of RUFORUM Annual General Meeting (AGM) pre-events, sending ripples of anticipation across Africa’s agricultural innovation landscape. The blended meetings draw together the vast RUFORUM Network, and other key stakeholders of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) to share space, exchange insights, and formulate a roadmap to accelerate efforts towards a resilient, sustainable and future-ready agri-food system for Africa.

1. 
   Download the Programme and Abstracts for Day One
   * Harnessing Intellectual Property to Protect and Promote Indigenous Knowledge Systems in
   Agriculture - Case studies included (a) Hoodia (Southern Africa) (b) Penja Pepper (Cameroon) (c) Morama Bean Project (Botswana), (d) Agro-pastoral systems and sorghum/millet cultivation (Botswana). 
   ** Enhancing food security and climate resilience through bean-based climate-smart agriculture in Nakuru county, Kenya - Beans are an essential component of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). Despite these benefits, widespread adoption of bean-based CSA remains low. Key barriers include limited access to improved varieties, weak extension support, limited farmer awareness of CSA practices, and market challenges.
2. Download the Programme and Abstracts for Day Two
3. SCIENTIFIC FORUM AGM 2025 PROGRAMME-DAY 3
4. Download the Programme and Abstracts for Day Four
5. SCIENTIFIC FORUM AGM 2025 PROGRAMME-AI

Key innovations presented included:

• AI-powered crop disease diagnosis
• Drone-based and satellite imaging for soil and water management
• Digital twins for predictive livestock health
• Chemometric tools for rapid plant and soil analysis
• GIS-based analytics
• Fuzzy-logic early warning systems

From 24th to 28th November 2025, RUFORUM continued its pre-AGM events in Gaborone, offering a series of thematic activities designed to build momentum ahead of the main AGM. These sessions refined action points that guide implementation in 2026.  You can access the pre-AGM events here.

Extracts of the Main programme

01/12 Africa-Europe High Level Dialogue on Higher Agricultural Education, Science and Technology

to be continued

Fieldtrip RUFORUM 21ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

29 November 2025.  RUFORUM 21ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) is actively involved in safflower production by conducting research on its cultivation, promoting its benefits, and collaborating with farmers to increase its adoption and commercial expansion in Botswana. 

The Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) under the TAGDev program in partnership with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) , launched the Community Action Research Project (CARP) focused on Safflower. Led by Professor, Vallantino Emongor, Principal Investigator, Crop and Soil Sciences Department, at BUAN,
the project aimed to build a comprehensive value chain for Safflower by enhancing production, develop marketable products, and train the local farming community – particularly women who were affected by gender-based violence during the COVID-19 lockdown.

BUAN’s research confirms that safflower is a resilient, multi-purpose, and drought-tolerant crop suitable for Botswana’s semi-arid climate, with potential uses for cooking oil, animal feed, and other high-value products. The university is supporting efforts to develop quality seed, provide farmer training, and strengthen safflower value chains (such as tea).

BUAN’s safflower work uses five genotypes: Kiama composite (local), Sina-PI 537598, Gila-PI 537692, PI 537636 and PI 527710. 

• Kiama composite is a local cultivar, which was obtained through crossbreeding of varieties  imported from China, Afghanistan and more countries,  which were part of a lot of 40 varieties sent by the Washington based genebank at the request of  the (Kenyan) breeder based in Botswana Nelson Kiama Mwaniki - for testing
• Sina (PI 537598) is a variety developed and released for drylands in Iran; Iranian and international trials consistently describe PI-537598/Sina as an Iranian line. 
• Gila (PI 537692) is a named U.S. cultivar, listed in multiple studies as “Gila, PI 537692, USA cultivar.” 
• 
  PI 537636 is recorded in the U.S. safflower core collection as a U.S. breeding/core line. 
• PI 527710 appears in the USDA Plant Inventory as a Carthamus tinctorius accession in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (origin “unknown”) but held in the U.S. collection. 

Interview with the breeder 

Dr. Nelson Kiama Mwaniki. 

He explains how he found - through a Google search - USDA Western Regional Plant Introduction Station, located in Pullman, Washington. This facility is part of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and is responsible for maintaining and distributing safflower genetic resources globally

https://youtu.be/28km1QgNy00?si=Rxc2xnVG34AR5atO 

The safflower kiama variety vegetable has more protein content than meat: 39.2% Protein. It has more vitamin B1,B2, B3, B5, B6 than cabbage, rape and spinach. It does not need any agrochemicals to grow and it has the much needed antioxidant flavonoids (catechins, lutein, and quercetin) necessary for boosting immunity and fighting diseases. It can be grown easily in the backyard garden.

Field visit 

Here are the links for the short videos recorded  during the field visit: presentation by Onkgolotse Moatshe  Mashiqa Senior Research Fellow Crops and Soil Science with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN).

In this video, BUAN is harvesting the vegetable for solar dehydration for the  export market.

Value-adding pathways) for Safflower production in Botswana

Here is a list of the main value-chains (value-adding pathways) for Safflower production in Botswana — from farm production to final products and potential markets. The list draws on recent studies of safflower in Botswana and general global safflower value-chain literature. The combination of Botswana’s arid/semi-arid climate and safflower’s drought and heat tolerance makes it well suited as a climate-resilient crop for smallholders — supporting food security and income diversification

Seed → Edible Oil (cooking oil, salad oil, margarine)

• Safflower seeds are harvested, cleaned and processed (pressed or solvent-extracted) to produce cooking/edible oil. This is widely considered the primary value-chain for safflower in Botswana. 
• Given Botswana’s large edible-oil import bill, local safflower-oil production has potential to substitute oil imports.

Seed → Oilseed Cake / Animal Feed

• The by-product (seed cake) left after oil extraction can be used as animal feed or livestock supplement. 
• This adds value and creates a secondary market for livestock producers, improving resource use efficiency. 

Whole plant / Residues / Biomass → Soil health / Crop rotation benefits

• On-farm, safflower can be integrated in crop rotations due to its drought tolerance, deep roots, and ability to improve soil structure — thereby increasing the value of land and improving sustainability of cropping systems. 
• This “ecosystem-service” value chain can support other crops (soil amelioration, weed control, salinity/waterlogging mitigation, etc.) while providing yield returns. 

Flowers / Petals → Natural Dyes / Colourants / Herbal Products / Cosmetics / Medicinal Uses

• The petals of safflower can be harvested and processed to produce natural dyes (e.g. carthamin), used in food colouring, textile dyeing, cosmetics, herbal teas and medicinal products. 
• This value-chain captures high-value niche markets (textiles, natural dyes, cosmetics, herbal medicines) — offering significant income potential beyond bulk seed/oil markets.

Seed → Bird Seed / Pet Food / Niche Seed Market

• 
  Safflower seeds may be sold whole (non-processed) as bird seed or pet food, or to seed traders/exporters — offering a lower-entry barrier value-chain that avoids processing infrastructure.
• This chain can be especially relevant for small-scale or backyard producers, as has been suggested in Botswana by local advocates. 

Seed / Oil → Industrial Uses: Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Bio-products, Biodiesel / Bio-energy Feedstock

• 
  Safflower oil is valued for its high content of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and oleic), making it suitable for use in cosmetics, personal care, and in industrial applications (e.g. as a base oil). 
• There is also potential for bio-industrial products — for example, biodiesel or bio-based oils — though uptake may depend on investment in processing infrastructure.

Integrated Value-Chains / Mixed Use — Combined production for Food, Feed, Industry, and Environment

• Because safflower is multipurpose, many value-chains can be combined: e.g. seed for oil, cake for feed, petals for dyes, biomass for soil health — creating a diversified “portfolio” value-chain for producers.
• This diversified value-chain model enhances resilience for smallholder farmers — especially in semi-arid contexts like Botswana — and supports agroecological and circular-economy principles.

The core BUAN-affiliated safflower team

• Prof. Vallantino (Valentino) Emongor – Crop & Soil Sciences, BUAN. Long-standing lead on safflower agronomy in Botswana (field trials, oil content, value-chain work). 
• Dr Onkgolotse G. Moatshe-Mashiqa – Senior Researcher, Crop & Soil Sciences, BUAN
• Dr Bamphitlhi Tiroesele – Co-author on “Enhancing safflower production and product development…” focusing on smallholder farmers in Botswana. 
• Researchers involved in growth/yield and phenology trials, including Mosupiemang (first author on growth and yield work) and Otsoseng TRIGO Oagile
• Dr Nelson Kiama Mwaniki is a Kenyan scientist and lead farmer based in Botswana who collaborates closely with BUAN and RUFORUM on safflower outreach and farmer training

Safflower production in the Kweneng North region of Botswana

This is an emerging agricultural initiative led by the Kweneng North Horticultural Farmers’ Cooperative. The crop is promoted as a resilient and profitable “cash-crop” perfectly suited for the country’s semi-arid climate. 

Botswana in Rome

The “From Seeds to Foods” global exhibition, part of WFF 2025 at FAO headquarters in Rome, took place 10–13 October 2025. The “Africa Pavilion” at that exhibition showcased a range of African agrifood products and processed goods — including many traditional/indigenous and underutilized crops. 

Botswana presented national favourites such as preserved wild watermelon and dried sweet reeds, as well as segwapa dried meat.

Articles

Enhancing safflower production and product development for food security and improving incomes of small-scale farmers in Botswana

• 
  Through this initiative, over 160 women have been trained and organized into cooperatives such as the Saff Energy Initiative Multipurpose Co-operative Society. These groups now actively produce safflower-based goods, including cooking oil, herbal teas, natural dyes, cosmetics and livestock feed. The project didn’t just provide agricultural training, it also created an economic value chain.
• One of the project’s key successes was the integration of universities, Technical Vocational Institutions (TVETs), government agencies, and private sector into the safflower ecosystem. Students were trained in practical research and outreach, farmers received hands-on instruction, and cooperatives gained the skills to process and market safflower products. This collaborative approach extended from seed multiplication to final product packaging and branding.

Safeguarding Edible Biodiversity

22 November 2025. Lima, Peru,  Global leaders in food security, biodiversity conservation, and gastronomy innovation gathered in Lima to launch the Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants (GCCFP) ahead of the Eleventh Session of the Governing Body (GB-11) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. 

This new initiative connects botanical gardens, agricultural genebanks, and other International Treaty stakeholders from all corners of the globe to protect the planet's edible biodiversity for future generations.

More than 25 000 plant species are used to feed humanity, yet only a small number is widely cultivated on a global scale. Thousands remain neglected, underutilized, and increasingly threatened. This Consortium aims to address this gap through coordinated global action.

Collaborative action to protect food plant diversity

Coordinated by the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and developed under Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)'s framework, the initiative is co-founded by FAO's International Treaty, the Crop Trust, and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) to implement comprehensive conservation strategies for priority food plants and their wild relatives.

The new Consortium operates within the established framework of international cooperation on plant genetic resources. 

“The International Treaty is the leading global agreement for countries to conserve, use and share plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, Through this new consortium, botanical gardens join as key conservation partners, advancing the International Treaty implementation and opening new pathways to safeguard the full spectrum of food plant diversity.” Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty. “

About the Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants

The Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants (GCCFP) mobilizes a global network of botanical gardens, genebanks, and research institutions to collaboratively develop and implement comprehensive conservation strategies for food plant species and their wild relatives, ensuring their preservation both in repositories and natural habitats. 

The Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants (GCCFP) is a collaboration led by the New York Botanical Garden, with support from Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the Global Crop Diversity Trust, the United States Botanic Garden, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

For more information: https://www.nybg.org/gccfp/and https://www.bgci.org/our-work/projects-and-case-studies/global-conservation-consortia/

 

Fostering sustainable agrifood trade and competitiveness in EU-Africa relations

25 November 2025. Fostering sustainable agrifood trade and competitiveness in EU-Africa relations. COLEAD at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit (24-25 November 2025, Luanda).

Political leaders from the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) formally reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen agricultural cooperation and deepen sustainable agrifood trade between the two continents. The final summit Joint declaration of the 7th African Union – European Union Summit explicitly endorses sustainable and resilient agricultural and food-system transformation as a priority — noting that cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture will be a key driver of growth, job creation and improved nutrition across Africa and Europe.

Speakers & Moderators

• Patrick DEEGBE Director Wad African Foods Ltd.
• Jane MAINA
• Tewodros BEKELE

Summary of the main agrifood-related (and allied) commitments

• Strengthened agricultural cooperation including fisheries/aquaculture — Leaders committed to boosting cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, recognising these as sectors that can drive growth, create jobs and improve food security on both continents. 
• Support for sustainable, resilient agrifood and food-system transformation — The Summit’s joint declaration endorses sustainable and resilient agriculture and food-system transformation as strategic priorities, linking them to nutrition, food security and broader development goals. 
• Promotion of value-addition, agro-industrialization and diversification beyond raw commodity trade — The declaration emphasises transforming Africa’s role from primarily raw-commodity supplier to more diversified, value-added agro-industrial and agrifood supply chains — a shift highly relevant to sustainable agrifood trade and competitiveness. 
• Aligning ambitions under shared frameworks: Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) & the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food — The leaders reaffirmed the alignment of AU–EU agrifood cooperation under CAADP and the EU’s agri-food vision via the AU–EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference. 
• Sustainable natural-resource management and circular economy, including sustainable blue economy & combating IUU fishing — The Summit committed to promoting sustainable resource management, circular economy practices, curbing illegal/unregulated fishing, and developing a sustainable blue economy — which includes fisheries/aquaculture as part of agrifood systems. 
• Leveraging large-scale investment frameworks to support agrifood systems transformation — Through the continuation of the Global Gateway Africa‑Europe Investment Package, the Summit reaffirmed commitment to mobilising public and private funds for green, inclusive, and sustainable transformation — including agriculture, agro-industry, food systems, and related infrastructure. 
• Linking agrifood cooperation with broader goals of green transition, climate resilience, and sustainable development — Agrifood trade, production and sectoral cooperation are embedded in a comprehensive vision for sustainable growth, climate action, and multilateral cooperation, reflecting the linkage between food systems and environmental & social sustainability. 

Related:

24-25 November 2025. Luanda. 7th African Union–European Union Summit 

The 7th African Union–European Union Summit focused on renewing political partnership and advancing peace, prosperity, and sustainable development—highlighting cooperation on agrifood systems, trade, climate action, security, and economic transformation between Africa and Europe.

Building AI Foundations: From Farms to Future Economies

25 November 2025. Building AI Foundations: From Farms to Future Economies

Artificial intelligence is advancing at remarkable speed, transforming global economies and everyday life. With its power to unlock knowledge, boost productivity, and open new markets, AI holds immense potential to drive jobs, industries, and economic transformation in developing countries. And in the food sector, AI can help smallholder farmers increase yields and strengthen resilience. 

But turning this potential into reality calls for investments in foundational elements like digital infrastructure, governance, and skills, while developing practical AI applications, including “Small AI”. What should countries prioritize?

• Moderator Catherine Cheney, Senior Editor for Special Coverage at Devex 
• Axel van Trotsenburg Senior Managing Director, The World Bank 
• Sangbu Kim Vice President, Digital, The World Bank Sangbu 
• Christine Zhenwei Qiang Global Director, Digital, The World Bank 
• Shobha Shetty  Global Director, Agriculture and Food, The World Bank
• Shahid Yusuf Chief Economist, The Growth Dialogue, George Washington University 
• Gaurav Nayyar Economic Advisor & Director for World Development Report 2026, The World Bank 
• Ana Maria Loboguerrero, Director, Adaptive & Equitable Food Systems, Gates Foundation

Resource

World Bank (2025) Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Agricultural Transformation 104 pp

The global agrifood system stands at a critical inflection point. Climate shocks, rising input costs, fragile supply chains, and widening inequality are placing unprecedented pressure on food production and distribution. Small-scale producers (SSPs), who produce one-third of the world’s food, are especially vulnerable. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a timely and powerful tool to help reimagine agricultural transformation in ways that are more productive, sustainable, and inclusive. This report presents a comprehensive and development-oriented analysis of how AI can be responsibly deployed across agrifood systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It moves beyond hype to deliver a grounded roadmap of applications, prerequisites, and investment priorities, while emphasizing ethical, inclusive, and scalable use.

1. Why Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Sector 

2. Foundational Domains for AI in Agriculture: 

    Conditions, Challenges, and Opportunities 

    Connectivity and Energy Infrastructure: The Physical Backbone                                        

    Data Ecosystems: Fueling AI with Local Intelligence                                                               

    Human Capital and Digital Literacy: Equipping the Frontline                                               

    Governance and Policy: Building a Framework for Trust and Scale                                    

    Public-Private Ecosystems: Scaling Sustainably                                                                     

3. Applications of AI in Agriculture                                                                    

    Crop and Livestock Discovery 

    Advisory and Farm Management                                                                                               

    Inclusive Finance and Risk Mitigation                                                                                       

    Markets, Distribution, and Logistics                                                                                          

    Cross-Cutting Applications                                                                                                         

4. Investment Priorities                                                                                      

    Agriculture-Specific AI Models and Capacity                                                                           

    Foundational Data Investments                                                                                                

    Compute Infrastructure Investments                                                                                      

    Policy and Governance Investments 

    Forward Look: Advancing Agrifood Transformation through Responsible AI 

    Call to action                                                                         

Africa’s Agricultural Transformation: Trade, Innovation and Resilience

In 2025, South Africa hosted the first-ever G20 and B20 Presidency led from Africa. Guided by the theme “Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity through Global Cooperation,” B20 South Africa is committed to driving collaboration between advanced economies and emerging markets, ensuring that growth benefits people everywhere.

The B20 South Africa 2025 Summit in Johannesburg (18–20 November 2025) was the  culmination of this historic year, a global platform to amplify the B20 Recommendations and connect international perspectives with Africa’s leadership moment.

Extract of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, South Africa 2025 Programme

24/11 G20 Flagship Initiative on Food Security Meeting

Recording forthcoming

The 2025 G20 Presidency, designated Food Security as its second high-level priority (Priority 2) under its overall theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. The leaders’ Declaration of the Summit further emphasised the challenge: up to 720 million people hungry in 2024, and 2.6 billion unable to afford healthy diets.

• 
  Programme Director: Dr Petronella Chaminuka: Executive Manager: Research Support and Coordination.
• Dr. Litha Magingxa, CEO and President of the Agricultural Research Council
• H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (Video) 
• Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Co-Chair Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security and Executive Director Crop Trust (Video)
• H.E. Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Chair, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 Presidency (Video)
• Dr. Martin Fregene, Acting Vice President, Agriculture, Human & Social Development, African 
• Development Bank (Video) 
• Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary-General of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security - Framing Presentation – The Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security in the G20 Context: 
• H.E. Mr. John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, South Africa - G20 Outcomes

Panel Discussion

• Moderator: Mr. Declan Kirrane, Africa-Europe Science Collaboration Platform (AERAP) and Managing Director, UN Science Summit
• H.E. Ms. Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA
• Mr. Mooketsa Ramasodi, Director-General: Department of Agriculture, South Africa
• Dr. Linda Mtwisha, Group Executive, Research and Innovation, Agricultural Research Council
• Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, Director-General, International Livestock Research Institute
• Mr. Gideon Hefer, Executive Council Member, CropLife South Africa 
• Mr. Brian Weaving, Head of Business Development, SASA Finance

Extracts of the B20 programme

21/11 Africa’s Agricultural Transformation: Trade, Innovation and Resilience

21 November 2025. On the sidelines of the B20Summit, AGRA hosted a pivotal side event focused on the B20 Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture Task Force. The theme was: "Accelerating action on partnerships for Africa's agricultural future."

It drilled down into how public-private partnerships can practically unlock Africa's agricultural potential. By aligning global business strategies with local priorities, we can drive the sustainable transformation the continent needs.

The event stressed that time is tight — Africa must utilise the coming growing seasons to seize food-system gains. Three “levers” for transformation included:

1. 
   Unlocking intra-African agricultural trade (reducing export barriers, improving regional
   markets). 
2. Building resilient regional supply chains (processing, cold-chains, logistics, infrastructure). 
3. Scaling sustainable agriculture for smallholder-based systems (supporting 70 %+ of food production on the continent). 

Smallholder farmers central: The narrative emphasised that while commercial agriculture exists, change hinges on supporting smallholder (often female-led) producers with better finance, inputs, market access. 

Business & private-sector role: The Task Force work was business-driven, with private-sector insights feeding into policy recommendations. “We handed our insights to policy makers with a sense of partnership and urgency.

Background

The B20 South Africa Sustainable Food Systems & Agriculture Task Force is focused on building inclusive and future-ready food systems through innovation, investment, and cross-border cooperation. 

Debra Mallowah, Bayer Africa Head for Crop Science and chairperson of the B20 Task Force on Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture, delivered a message that urgently called for action.

Agriculture remains the backbone of many economies – powering livelihoods, nourishing communities, and fuelling trade. But this sector now stands at a crossroads, threatened by environmental change, rising input costs, and supply chain volatility. At the same time, it holds immense potential to drive sustainable development, particularly across Africa. This Task Force is focused on four priority areas:

• Enhancing Labour and Capital Productivity: 
• Unlocking innovation and investment to improve yields, integrate value chains, and create jobs, particularly for Africa’s growing workforce. 
• Ensuring Climate Resilience and Improving Livelihoods: 
• Promoting climate-smart practices, inclusive financing, and technologies that reduce risk and increase food security for small-scale farmers. 

Accelerating and Enabling Trade: Strengthening regional trade and agro-processing infrastructure to reduce costs, cut losses, and link farmers to new markets. 

Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Scaling regenerative approaches, digital tools, and context-specific sustainability standards that work for producers and the planet. 

19/11 Global South and Global North Conversation: Getting Global Cooperation Right in the Next Era of Global Change

• Charles R. Johnston – Managing Director, Citi Global Government Affairs; Chair, Business & Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD). 
• Alexia Latortue – Distinguished Non-Resident Fellow, Centre for Global Development. 
• Trevor Manuel – Chairperson & Independent Non-executive Director, Board for Old Mutual; Chair, G20 Africa Expert Panel. 
• Jacqueline Mugo – Executive Director & CEO, Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE); President, International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

IFAD @COP30

At COP30, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) showcased new evidence that investing in small-scale farmers to help them adapt and thrive in a changing climate yields strong economic and social returns. The organization is urging governments and partners to scale and speed up adaptation investment in rural communities who are the backbone of national and global food supplies and rural ecosystems.

14-Nov-2025 Adaptation Finance – Building the investment case publication.

IFAD (2025) Adaptation Finance: Building the Investment Case, 42 pp.

IFAD launched its new publication, it highlights how climate adaptation can be an engine of economic opportunities. 

• The report also shows how to make adaptation projects “bankable” by integrating financial and social impact metrics to quantify real returns and link development results with investment performance.
• The publication shows how an IFAD project in Bangladesh generated a return of 35 per cent per year on the investment made and led to an 11 per cent income increase for 5 million people thanks to climate resilient markets and roads to access them.  
• Other IFAD’s evidence shows that investing in deep rural areas can be transformational, with several IFAD projects leading to an income gain of 50 per cent for farmers, according to the latest IFAD Impact assessment. Among the projects assessed, small-scale food producers that received investment from 2022-2024 saw their average income grow by 34 per cent; their production grow by 35 per cent; and their access to markets increase by 34 per cent.

Innovative Finance: Learning on CGIAR’s Ways of Working

Preissing, J., Theuri, G. 2025. Innovative Finance: Learning on CGIAR’s Ways of Working. Rome: CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES), Evaluation Function. https://iaes.cgiar.org/evaluation

This summary of learning, prepared under the System Council–endorsed Multi-Year Evaluation Plan (MYEP), synthesizes evidence on one of CGIAR’s Ways of Working (WoWs) identified in the CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy as a priority approach for CGIAR to do business differently, namely: Harnessing innovative finance to leverage and deliver research through new investment and funding models.

The summary examines CGIAR’s progress towards innovative finance and resource mobilization, drawing on IAES Evaluation Function evaluations, Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) and CGIAR Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) sources, 2025–30 Portfolio inception reports, external literature, field evidence from the Republic of Uganda, and a webinar with key stakeholders. The report presents findings, lessons learned, key evidence gaps, and provides strategic takeaways for CGIAR and partners to gain greater traction in innovative finance.

Overall, the summary found that CGIAR has strong scientific credibility, global networks, and technical expertise that can be used to attract and inform innovative finance instruments. Lasting progress will require building institutional capacities and strengthening strategic coherence across centers to translate finance innovation into scalable impact across agri-food systems.

Related:

Galbiati, G.M., Caputo, I., Brierly, I., Ducastel, A. & Bernoux, M. 2025. Climate-related development finance to agrifood systems – Global and regional trends. Report 2025. Rome, FAO. 40 pp.

Climate finance is a fundamental element of the global development agenda and has been increasingly considered in international fora such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the G20 Agenda. This publication aims to inform participants of the UNFCCC 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), as well as UN agencies, international finance institutions, national governments of both donor and recipient countries, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and a wider group of partners interested in climate-related development finance to agrifood systems. The document was prepared as part of the work plan of the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Partnership.

PODCAST: African Development Bank Group on Encouraging Youth Entrepreneurship

9 November 2025. Edson Mpyisi, Chief Financial Economist and Coordinator of the Enable Youth Program at the African Development Bank Group talks with Harriette Foulkes-Arnold of the Africa Food Systems Forum about Africa’s youth and how critical it is to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth.

The ENABLE Youth Programme (Agri-Business Led Employment) is an initiative by the African Development Bank Group to support young men and women in Africa to access financing, develop enterprises, especially in agricultural value chains. 

The programme is active in multiple African countries (for example, Sudan) and focuses on youth (age ~18-35) at post-secondary level, training, business incubation, and finance access. 

• ENABLE Youth is an AfDB flagship under Feed Africa and Jobs for Youth in Africa, designed to incubate young agripreneurs (18–35) and help them access finance to start or scale agribusinesses.
• It’s implemented through national projects and incubation centers (YABICs) in specific countries (e.g., Kenya, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Lesotho), often in partnership with local universities (Egerton University, University of Eldoret, etc.). 

The ENABLE Youth Kenya - Planned Completion Date 30 Dec 2027

The Empowering Novel Agri-Business-Led Employment (ENABLE) Youth Programme, launched in 2016, demonstrates how strategic investment in youth-led enterprises can accelerate agricultural transformation across the continent.

The ENABLE Youth Kenya is a skills and capacity development program for youth. It largely entails
training of Youth on business skills and development of business plans; providing mentorship and linkages to markets and financing. The training will be conducted in selected incubation centres, which will be rehabilitated and outfitted to cater for better interaction, networking and exchange of innovative ideas. 

The program is also in line with the recently launched Kenya Youth Agribusiness Strategy (KYAS) 2017-2021 which aims at providing opportunities for the youth to benefit from the various agribusiness enterprises along the agricultural value chains. It was designed because the increased of youth unemployment, particularly recent graduates from universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions becomes a major concern for the Government of Kenya since nearly 500,000 youth graduate from tertiary institutions and are ready to enter the job market every year. 

The program consists of four (04) components, namely: 

1. Enabling Environment for Youth Empowerment in Agribusiness; 
2. Entrepreneurship and agribusiness incubation; 
3. Financing Youth Agribusinesses; and 
4. Program Management and Coordination.

Stories: African youth transform agriculture with capital that works

See an overview of projects + maps

China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance

27–29 October 2025 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 2025 General Assembly of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders to discuss and advance cooperation. 

The China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA) is a platform for collaboration between Chinese and African institutions to advance agricultural science, technology, and innovation in Africa. Co-hosted by the African Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, it aims to share China's agricultural advancements with Africa to improve food security, modernization, and sustainable development. CAASTIA facilitates joint research, technology transfer, and capacity building through initiatives like the recent General Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General: "CAASTIA is committed to driving innovation in agricultural science and technology. Today (27 October), multiple Chinese and African institutions signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for jointly implemented projects-pragmatic actions that advance this goal and are of historic significance."

Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS): "This platform will serve as our flagship for strengthening South-South cooperation. I look forward to it becoming a turning point for achieving food security across the African continent, and to learning extensively from China's experience in technology and innovation."

ARC President and CEO Dr. Litha Magingxa and Executive Manager for Research Support and Coordination Dr. Petronella Chaminuka are representing the ARC at this historic event, aimed at advancing food security and sustainable development across Africa, drawing lessons from China’s success in agriculture and poverty alleviation. During the Assembly, ARC also held bilateral discussions with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) to explore new joint initiatives under the existing MoU between the two institutions.

China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA)

Key features

• 
  Goal: To strengthen China-Africa cooperation in agricultural research and development to
  address food insecurity and promote modernization in Africa.
• Membership: It brings together leaders from Chinese and African organizations, including research institutions, government agencies, and universities.

Activities:

• 
  Joint research: Conducting collaborative research projects, such as the one between Mekelle
  University in Ethiopia and the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute in China focusing on animal health.
• Technology transfer: Sharing agricultural technologies, including digital farming tools and techniques, to improve productivity.
• Capacity building: Providing training and support to African scientists, farmers, and other stakeholders.
• Governance: The alliance is supported by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and has its own steering bodies and communication channels.

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