Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Reducing Food Loss and Waste: A Food Systems Perspective

13 January 2026. Reducing Food Loss and Waste: A Food Systems Perspective

In the first segment, Jocelyn Boiteau and Prabhu Pingali will share key findings from their new book, Wasted Potential: Tackling Food Loss and Waste Across Transforming Food Systems.
Their work takes a holistic view of where losses occur from production through consumption, and how smarter policies and investments can meaningfully reduce them. The book importantly also highlights the need for better metrics and approaches to understanding where and why losses occur.

This book launch was followed by presentations on new IFPRI research on innovative approaches to measuring and reducing food loss and waste in perishable foods. This includes research on the use of artificial intelligence to improve food loss measurement accuracy, reducing spoilage in meat supply chains, and other emerging tools for understanding and addressing losses in highly perishable products.

The seminar concluded with an open Q&A exploring promising directions for future research and practical, cost‑effective strategies to reduce food loss and waste at scale.
  • Alan de Brauw, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
  • Prabhu Pingali, Professor, Charles Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management, & Director, Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture & Nutrition, Cornell University
  • Jocelyn Boiteau, Senior Nutrition Impact and Innovation Director, Food Systems for the Future
  • Vivian Hoffmann, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
  • Carolyne Maina, Program Director, Technoserve
  • Assan Ng’ombe, Resilience Officer, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
  • Ruth Hill, Director, Markets, Trade, and Institutions, IFPRI
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Monday, January 5, 2026

Webinars and event January 2026


  • Introducing the joint World Bank–Islamic Development Bank report on Islamic Finance and Climate Agenda.
13 January 2026. Reducing Food Loss and Waste: A Food Systems Perspective
  • In the first segment, Jocelyn Boiteau and Prabhu Pingali will share key findings from their new book, Wasted Potential: Tackling Food Loss and Waste Across Transforming Food Systems. 
  • Their work takes a holistic view of where losses occur from production through consumption, and how smarter policies and investments can meaningfully reduce them. The book importantly also highlights the need for better metrics and approaches to understanding where and why losses occur.
14 January 2026. FOOD 2050 World Premiere 
  • Food Tank, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Media RED in Los Angeles, California for a World Premiere Screening of FOOD 2050 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' Ted Mann Theater.
  • In 2019, The Rockefeller Foundation announced the Food System Vision Prize. An initiative to seek out and highlight visions for improving the global food systems and addressing our planet's biggest challenges. Over 1,300 submissions from 4,000 organizations spanning 119 countries were received. 10 were selected. These are the visions chosen to light the way to a better 2050.
  • Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. Such rapid growth has led to an agricultural system unable to keep up, leading to simultaneous issues of malnutrition and food waste. Visionaries in Lagos are using solar panels to power urban farming and have created an online produce exchange platform to guide their city, and their country, to a more sustainably nourished future.
  • In Nairobi, Kenya, almost half of impoverished children are malnourished; their parents unable to afford produce from the markets. By expanding urban farming through education, and increased access to seeds and high-quality soil, fresh produce will become accessible to everyone in Nairobi.
  • Watch the series here
14 January 2026. Agri4Pol: Promoting sustainable agriculture for pollinators – online at 10:00a.m. CET


  • Speaker: Géronime Houeto, West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change & Adapted Land Use (WASCAL)
15 - 16 January 2026. CityCube Berlin. 2026 GFFA - Water. Harvests. Our Future.

19th January 2026. 10:00 AM EAT. EAC Quality for Trade (Q4T) Platform - KENYA - (Coffee, Avocado, Tea Sectors)
  • Registration link for the Webinar: https://bit.ly/4pOhEXd
  • Service offered by the Association of Quality Professionals (AQP)
  • Join Corinna Hawkes (Director, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO) and Jim Woodhill (Senior Advisor, GDPRD) 
20 January 2026. 2:00 PM (CET, Brussels time). Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 : Africa Initiative IV
  • online information session (in English) on Horizon Europe’s Africa Initiative IV. 
  • Organised by the European Commission, the EU Delegation to the African Union, and EURAXESS Africa
  • This high-level event will present all call topics under the recently launched Africa Initiative IV. 

  • This webinar will engage researchers discussing methodology and policy implications for food systems

  • Registration link for the Webinar: https://bit.ly/4p1pr2J
  • Service offered by the Rwanda Alliance for Quality (RAQ)

  • Registration link for the Webinar: https://bit.ly/4sfjr9B
  • Service offered by the National Quality Association of Tanzania (NQAT)
27 January 2026. Regenerating Africa’s rangelands: the power of regenerative grazing – online at 14:00 – 16:30 EAT


  • Hosted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), this exchange will bring together global and country partners, technical experts and practitioners to connect evidence and action in responding to child undernutrition and strengthening food and nutrition data systems.

28 January 2025. 2-3pm WAT Harnessing Global Opportunities in Underutilized Legumes Value Chains
  • How to harness global marketing and product developments for underutilized legumes particularly Bambara groundnut, Winged Bean, Common bean etc. 
  • The overall goal is to gain a better understanding of how Bambara groundnut and others can be utilized globally to achieve the desired support for both human and animal health, while also considering their impacts for sustainable environments.
  • With Joanna Kane-Potaka of the Global Forum for Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAIR)
  • IFPRI webinar on school feeding programs and the economic and policy implications for agriculture and local food systems — includes impacts relevant to Africa’s food policies.

  • CGIAR/IFPRI webinar in the AI for Food Systems Research series — panel exploring how AI and digital tools are used in agricultural decision-making, innovation adoption, and research-to-practice translation
  • Registration link for the Webinar: https://bit.ly/3Yraw71
  • Service offered by the Association of South Sudan Manufacturers (ASSM)
  • Review EFARD’s recent activities and strategic directions
  • Exchange views on ongoing and future priorities in agricultural research for development
  • Strengthen engagement among EFARD members and partners
Register by 31 January, IFOAM Animal Husbandry Alliance Conference 2026 - to be held on 28-30 April - Frick, Switzerland and online

  • Registration link for the Webinar:  https://bit.ly/4sflnyT
  • Service offered by the Association Nationale pour la Promotion de la Qualite au Burundi (ANPQ-Burundi)
  • Registration link for the Webinar: https://bit.ly/48QeN8P
  • Service offered by the Quality Assurance Association of Uganda Limited (QAAUL)

11-12 February 2026, Quezon City, Philippines. Asian Regional Workshop on Mainstreaming Land Rights and Climate Change in Agricultural Food Systems.

9-13 February, 20th European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks – Garmisch, Germany

24 - 28 February, International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development - Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

25-27 February 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Dairy Innovations Summit 

  • Under the theme ‘Beverage Crops: Sustainability and Scientific Advancements in the 21st Century,’ this symposium will highlight the latest research, technological innovations, and industry trends shaping the future of beverage crop production and processing. 
  • This theme reflects the growing importance of beverage crops in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and global trade. Beverage crops encompass a vast diversity of fruits, nuts, vegetables, vine and berry fruits, and botanical plants used for fresh juices, extracts, fermentations, and infusions. 
  • From widely consumed beverages such as coffee, tea, beer, and wine to emerging plant-based alternatives like almond and soy beverages, as well as herbal infusions rich in bioactive compounds—including the proudly South African Rooibos tea—this symposium provides a platform for scientific exchange, innovation, and industry collaboration.
  • This event builds on the success of previous symposia held in Cairns, Australia (2016), Xi’an, China (2018), and Murcia, Spain (2023)
25-27 March 2026 – Lusaka, Zambia. Africa Food Manufacturing Zambia & Southern Africa 




15-17 July 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Food Manufacturing Kenya & Eastern Africa 

16 July 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Food Awards 

25 - 26 August 2026. Leuven, KU Leuven. 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)

September 2026. Africa Food Systems Forum 2026

  • The event, held at the Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi from September 22-25, 2026, invites papers and proposals on topics like climate-smart ag, agri-finance, digital tech, value chains, and gender/youth in agriculture, with submissions due by March 31, 2026. 
  • African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE). 
October 2026. FAO’s World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly is a year-round platform for youth engagement in agrifood systems. It includes ongoing virtual and thematic consultations throughout the year and typically culminates in activities around the flagship World Food Forum event in October.

19–23 October 2026. FAO HQ, Rome, Italy. CFS 54th Plenary Session

19-30 October 2026. Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

31 October 2026. International Conference on Agroforestry Systems for Climate Adaptation and Biodiversity (ICASCAAB-2026)
  • Focuses on agroforestry systems, climate adaptation, and biodiversity — a platform for researchers and practitioners to share developments in the field.

25-27 November 2026. Santiago, Chile. XI CONGRESSO LATINOAMERICANO DE AGROECOLOGIA
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Sunday, January 4, 2026

AR4D Funding Opportunities for Africa : January 2026


Agriculture Fisheries Forestry

Climate, Food and Farming Scholarships

2026-01-11

The Climate, Food and Farming, Global Research Alliance Development Scholarships (CLIFF-GRADS) Program is a capacity training program for early-career scientists from developing countries to conduct applied research in agriculture greenhouse gas emissions quantification and mitigation. The opportunity is open to PhD students undertaking their PhD at a university in a developing country. Successful applicants will go on short term (4-6 month) research stays at a host institution. Successful applicants receive a grant of about US$14 thousand to cover travel, living and research costs during their research stay. Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in a PhD programme at a university in a developing country and must not have previously received a CLIFF-GRADS grant. The application deadline is 11 January 2026.

Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces

2026-01-16

The Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STAARS) fellowship program announces its annual call for research proposals. STAARS Fellows will be paired with researcher mentors from Cornell University or the World Bank with whom they will jointly author a paper on a topic of mutual interest relating to structural transformation in Africa south of the Sahara. The call is open to early career researchers, either Ph.D. students in their final year prior to degree completion. The selected applicants will receive funds to cover travel and participation in a three-week mentorship program. The deadline to submit a research proposal is 16 January 2026.

Women in Agricultural Sciences

2026-01-31

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) announces the AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science. The call targets young women in science under 35 years of age from Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal. Selected candidates will participate in a nine-month capacity building program. The call for applications closes on 31 January 2026.


Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife

Danforth Conservation Grants

2026-01-01

The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund makes grants of up to US$1 thousand to protect threatened wildlife and habitats worldwide. Priority is for projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to ecosystem conservation, and that involve in-country collaborators. Projects must directly affect biological conservation. Applicants can be of any nationality but must be associated with an organization (non-profit, university, etc.) through which they can receive funding. The application deadline is 01 January 2026.

Botany in Action Fellowships 2026

2026-01-09

The Botany in Action (BIA) Fellowship program at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens fosters the development of the next generation of plant-based scientists. Subject areas include ethnobotany, plant diversity and conservation, landscape and brownfield restoration, and others. The program is open to Ph.D. students of any nationality who are conducting plant-based scientific research at U.S. graduate institutions. Grants are US$5 thousand for research-related expenses at sites in the U.S. or internationally, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Phipps to make a public presentation. The application deadline is 09 January 2026.

Grants for Early-Career Conservationists

2026-01-09

The Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) makes grants to advance the leadership capacity of early-career conservationists in the developing world. Grants combine research with conservation. CLP provides support to small teams of at least three individuals. Future Conservationist Awards are up to US$15 thousand. Follow-up awards and Leadership Awards are up to US$25 thousand and US$50 thousand, respectively. CLP explains each category of award; eligibility criteria; and details on how to apply. CLP offers support to early-career conservationists living and working in low- and middle-income economies in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern and South-eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The application deadline is 09 January 2026.

Conservation Fellows 2026

2026-01-11

The Kinship Foundation invites fellows worldwide to participate in its month-long conservation leadership program in the USA. Kinship focuses on market-based mechanisms for conservation by strengthening the participants’ skills in leadership, communication, economics, and business and finance. Selected participants receive training and a US$6 thousand stipend to cover travel and living expenses. Applicants should be mid-career conservation practitioners with at least five years of field experience, a bachelor’s degree, and a demonstrated desire to innovate. The next application deadline is 11 January 2026.

Veterinary Student Scholar Program

2026-01-14

The Morris Animal Foundation supports research on animal health and welfare, including wildlife/exotics. The Foundation provides veterinary students with the opportunity to become involved in mentored research that advances the health and/or welfare of companion animals and wildlife exotics. The Veterinary Student Scholars program awards stipends up to US$5 thousand to veterinary students. The program is open to currently enrolled veterinary students from all around the world. Applications are due 14 January 2026.

Global Raptor Research & Conservation Grant

2026-01-15

The Global Raptor Research & Conservation Grant invests in projects led by citizens of developing countries with the aim of increasing diversity and inclusivity in conservation while building local capacity. Projects must be located in high-priority countries for raptor research and conservation (mainly Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, or Southeast Asia), focus on a single species of raptor, and be led by an applicant who is associated with a registered NGO and/or university in the country where the project will take place. Preference will be given to projects working in low-income countries. Applicants may apply for up to US$2,500. The application deadline is 15 January 2026.

Scholarship for Sea Turtle Preservation

2026-01-15

The Ocean Foundation and the Boyd Lyon Sea Turtle Fund seek applicants for the Boyd N. Lyon Scholarship. Students with field research projects on sea turtle behavior and habitat use in the marine environment, as well as projects that promote sea turtle conservation in coastal ecosystems, can apply. One award of US$2,500 will be made to a Masters or PhD student. The applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university during 2026/2027. The application deadline is 15 January 2026.

International Climate Initiative Small Grants

2026-01-15

Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) supports projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity projects that have climate relevance. The focus of the IKI Small Grants scheme is to provide support to the implementation of projects addressing the global loss of biodiversity in connection with climate change. IKI Small Grants selects project proposals and provides funding between €60 thousand and €200 thousand. Not-for-profit organizations and for-profit non-government organizations, if they pursue strictly non-profit objectives, are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.

Visual Journalism and Stories Awards 2026

2026-01-17

The World Press Photo Contest recognizes the best visual journalism and awards visual stories in eight categories, including Environment and Nature. The award winners will receive €5 thousand each. The prize-winning photographs will be assembled into a worldwide year-long exhibition. The contest is only open to professional photographers. Entries close on 17 January 2026.

Capacity Enhancement Support Program 2026

2026-01-19

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) welcomes proposals for funding under the 2022 Capacity Enhancement Support Program, which seeks to enhance the long-term capacity of GBIF participants through collaborative projects. The program provides co-funding to current GBIF participants. The maximum funding request is €20 thousand per project. Concept notes must be submitted by 19 January 2026.

Training & Travel Grants

2026-01-25

The British Ecological Society (BES) makes grants to PhD students and postgraduate research assistants to meet the costs of specialist field training courses and to network and publicize their research at workshops and conferences. Applicants must be members of BES. However, there are no restrictions on the nationality or residence of applicants. Grants of up to £500 are available. The application deadline is 25 January 2026.

Student and Postdoctoral Research

2026-01-30

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) makes student grants of up to $4,000 to support research in various areas of avian biology by undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs. AOS encourages undergraduate students from any region to apply. Applicants must be members of AOS. Latin American students are particularly encouraged to apply for the Alexander Wetmore Memorial Research Award for research in avian systematics, paleo-ornithology, biogeography, and especially neotropical biology. Other AOS grant programs may also be of international relevance. Applications are due by 30 January 2026.

Student Environmental Projects

2026-01-31

The Earth Prize is an annual, global environmental sustainability competition for students between the ages of 13 and 19. The Earth Prize will reward seven regional winners, each receiving $12,500 to implement their ideas. The regions are Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Central & South America. Additionally, The Earth Prize will recognize three mentors and three educators of the year, awarding each $2,500. The registration phase closes on 31 January 2026.


Crosscutting

Joint Masters

2026-01-05

The Erasmus Mundus Master’s programs Flood Risk Management (FRM) and Groundwater and Global Change (GroundwatCh) are open for application. All four programs include studies at three institutions in three different countries. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Applications have to be submitted by 05 January 2026.

Critical Conservation Challenges

2026-01-06

In support of the United Nations agenda on sustainable development, the Science for People and Nature Partnership (SNAPP) aims to find solutions for problems at the interface of economic development, nature conservation, and human well-being. SNAPP operates through working groups that represent 200 institutions from more than 30 countries. SNAPP provides up to US$1 million total across 4-6 working groups. Proposals are invited from researchers and practitioners of any nationality affiliated with an academic, governmental, multilateral, or non-profit institution. Individuals operating independently are also eligible to apply. Proposals from low- and middle-income countries are especially welcome. The deadline for proposals is 06 January 2026.

Young Global Scholars Program

2026-01-07

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) offers two-week academic summer programs for high school students from all around the world. The program offers four interdisciplinary sessions on campus at Yale (USA), including sessions on Innovations in Science & Technology and Solving Global Challenges. YYGS offers the opportunity for students to apply for need-based financial aid. Furthermore, YYGS will waive the application fee if it constitutes a significant financial burden for the student’s family. The application deadline is 07 January 2026.

Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Program

2026-01-09

The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT offers academic-year fellowships to science journalists. Fellows will be able to leverage the resources and connections available to them at MIT and in the surrounding greater Boston area. The research project must be journalism-related. Fellows receive a US$85 thousand stipend paid out in installments over 9.5 months. The program is designed for journalists from around the world. International candidates are encouraged to apply. Applications close on 09 January 2026.

Award for Excellence in African Storytelling

2026-01-09

The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling honors journalists in Africa who strengthen people’s voices and show the transformational change taking place on the continent. The ICFJ seeks a wide variety of topics, not limited to health and social issues. This includes stories and initiatives about global climate change, development challenges, or the environment. The winner receives a US$5 thousand cash prize. The deadline to apply is 09 January 2026.

Summer School

2026-01-11

The Vienna Biocenter Summer School provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to work side by side with leading researchers in a dynamic scientific environment. Each fellow will be allocated a faculty member, with whom they will work closely. The research project will focus on a current topic in the allocated lab. Selected fellows receive free student accommodation, a stipend of €1400 euros, medical insurance, and other benefits. The Vienna Biocenter welcomes applications from students from all around the world who are undergraduates/master students and have completed at least two years of university study in a Life Sciences related study. The application deadline is 11 January 2026.

Award in Leadership

2026-01-11

The WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award invites nominations to recognize leaders who dare to confront problematic structures and systems driving sustainable transformation in global development and serve as powerful role models. The nominees will have created change that inspires others and shown what measures are necessary. Candidates for the WIN WIN Award compete for SEK 1 million. Candidates for the WIN WIN Youth Award (between the ages of 13 and 29) compete for SEK 50 thousand. Any organization, movement, business, group of people, or individual can be nominated. Nominations must be submitted by 11 January 2026.

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships

2026-01-14

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) supports the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries. The scholarships fund cultural and academic exchanges and are awarded across many subjects, including climate resilience and life sciences. Eligibility extends to citizens of (or with refugee status in) a Commonwealth country other than the country hosting the award. Scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses (stipend) for the duration of the award, return economy flight, one-off arrival allowance, and research support grant (on request). The application deadline is 14 January 2026.

Mini Grants to Combat Plastic Pollution

2026-01-15

The Wayfinder Society Student Mini-Grant supports student-led projects that reduce plastic pollution and protect ocean health. The grant is open to students ages 11–25 worldwide who are leading or developing projects that address the root cause of plastic pollution. Selected applicants can receive up to US $500 to support project materials, outreach, or implementation. Applications are accepted until 15 January 2026.

Summer Fellowships for Future Leaders 2026

2026-01-15

The Draper Hills Summer Fellowship on Democracy and Development Program is a three-week academic training program for mid-career practitioners in the fields of democracy, development, and the rule of law. Applicants can be working as policy-makers, academics, legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, business entrepreneurs, and leaders of civil society organizations. Stanford will pay for accommodations, meals, and transportation costs during the duration of the program. A small travel fund is available for fellows who under no circumstances can support their travel. The application deadline is 15 January 2026.

Global Fellowship Program

2026-01-16

The NGO Whisperer® Centre For Social Impact announces its Global Fellowship Program. The fellowship program is a six-month virtual leadership program for leaders and founders of non-governmental organizations and social enterprises worldwide. Participants receive online tailored mentorship and leadership coaching as well as online masterclasses. The goal is to build the capacity of professionals who are focused on designing and implementing high-impact programs in low- and middle-income countries. Applications close 16 January 2026.

APN Individual Research Fellowships

2026-01-16

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) offers fellowships to African researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners working on conflict and peace-building issues. The posted list of issues includes natural resource conflicts and water conflicts. The fellowships are intended to support six months of field-based research with grants of up to US$15 thousand. Applicants must be citizens of and reside in an African country. The application deadline is 16 January 2026.

Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program 2026

2026-01-16

The Beahrs ELP sponsors an annual three-week summer course in environmental science, policy, management, and leadership at UC Berkeley. The next course is scheduled for July 2026. ELP invites applications from mid-career professionals around the world. Workshops and field trips draw on the strengths of UC Berkeley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area of California. Course participants continue their learning and networking through the Berkeley ELP Alumni Network. The program offers a limited number of partial scholarships. The final deadline for scholarship review is 16 January 2026.

Nominations 2026

2026-01-20

The Volvo Environment Prize aims to promote scientific research and innovations that in broad terms fall within the environmental and sustainability field. The Volvo Environment Prize Foundation invites universities, research institutes, scientists, engineers, as well as other individuals and organizations to submit nominations. Priority is given to an individual or to a group of individuals. Past laureates have included leaders in fields such as global change, biodiversity, energy efficiency, and others. The Prize consists of a diploma, sculpture, and cash award for SEK 1.5 million. The deadline for nominations is 20 January 2026.

Student Design Award

2026-01-28

The iF Student Design Award recognizes students and their future-oriented concepts that aim to solve a global development challenge. The best concepts earn a share of €50 thousand. All winners will be honored with a two-day event in Istanbul. Students and recent graduates of all design-related courses and programs are welcome to register their concepts. The registration deadline for participation is 28 January 2026.

Idea Competition

2026-01-30

The Grawemeyer Awards recognize transformative, practical ideas that promote world peace, global security, human rights, or international cooperation. The award focuses on specific works, such as books, essays or analytical papers, that offer new and practical ways to improve world order. The competition is open to individuals or teams anywhere in the world. The award includes a US$100 thousand prize. Entries must be submitted by 30 January 2026.

Prize for Humanity

2026-01-30

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation seeks nominations for the 2026 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. The Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to climate action and climate solutions that inspire hope and possibility. The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity in the amount of €1 million, aims to strengthen communities facing the effects of climate change, helping them to adapt and build resilience at a local level. Individuals, groups or organizations from all over the world can be nominated. The nomination deadline is 30 January 2026.

Indigenous Fellowship Program

2026-01-31

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Indigenous Fellowship Training Programme is open for applications. The aim of the program is to give Indigenous persons the opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights issues in general and Indigenous issues in particular. (Note: This may include land rights and biodiversity conservation issues). Participants will learn how to more effectively advocate for the rights of their communities and raise their concerns at the international level. Travel, stipend and basic expenses are covered by OHCHR. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2026.

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Monday, December 22, 2025

Interviews with participants of the Residential workshop Transformative Teaching of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)

11-12 December 2025, Nairobi, Kenya. Residential workshop Transformative Teaching of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) - Linking Education, Innovation, and Enterprise Development

Organised with funding from the International Foundation for Science (IFS, Sweden) for the workshop operational costs and the European Commission who supports GFAiR and the Collective Action on Higher Education for Forgotten Foods.

Carlo Rega, Coordinator, Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security, European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) Ispra, Italy



Prof. Agnes W. Mwang’ombe, Professor of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection and Coordinator, Seed Enterprise Management Institute (SEMIs), University of Nairobi, Kenya



Prof. Pravat Kumar Roul, Vice Chancellor, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, India - Higher Education and Agrifood Transformation in Asia



Dr. Sonia Peter, Founder and Executive Director, Biocultural Education and Research Programme (BERP), Barbados




Prof. Christopher Chiedozie Eze, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Nigeria



Ms Milcah Mlazamirwa Kalinga - Research Assistant, African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity (ACENUB), Mzuzu University, Malawi



Professor Chrispen Murungweni, Executive Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology



Prof Nelson K. Olang’o Ojijo, Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya



Mr. Fahad Juma, Business Development Specialist, Egerton University Business Incubation Centre



Prof. Jwan Ibbini Associate Professor and Head of Department, Land Management and Environment, Hashemite University



Dr Oral O. Daley, Crop Scientist and Lecturer, Department of Food Production, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago



Prof John H. Muyonga, Professor of Food Science and Technology, Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Makerere University, Uganda



Prof Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo Professor of Conservation Genetics, Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany, University of Abomey Calavi, Benin

 


Dr. Julia Sibiya Capacity Lead, Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), CIMMYT-Kenya



Ms Cornelia Ganaa Kanyiri, Founder and Team Lead, Nelia’s Foods Limited

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Unlocking the Global Market Potential of Africa’s Adapted Crops


10 December 2025. Building Resilient Food Systems: Unlocking the Global Market Potential of Africa’s Adapted Crops” , hosted by AGRA and the Food Action Alliance, in collaboration with TechnoServe and Bain & Company.

This working session brought together >50 participants from over 27 organizations, representing the full agri-food value chain across multinational and local agri-food companies, NGOs and development partners. 

The discussion explored opportunities to strengthen demand and supply for Africa’s adapted crops and advance ecosystem collaboration, with a focus on commercialization opportunities for cereal crops (millet, sorghum, fonio) in Nigeria and Kenya. 

The presentation outlined the role of the Africa Adapted Crops Initiative (AACI) platform, the market opportunity assessment that validated major areas of untapped commercial potential, success examples and proven farmer-allied intermediary models, key enablers (e.g., policy, seed systems, consumer awareness) and next steps.  

Major areas of near-term commercial opportunity - animal feed, beverages and packaged foods (with strong “affordable nutrition” proposition) - were highlighted and validated by key participants who shared relevant experiences and perspectives.

AACI aspires to be the leading private-public-philanthropy collaboration platform focused on the commercialization of Africa Adapted Crops and the initiative was introduced at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar and New York Climate Week.  

This work of mainstreaming the consumption and production of Africa Adapted Crops connects into a broader agenda of ingredient innovation, substitution, and diversification as a vital pathway to resilient food systems, nutrition security and economic inclusion.

Background:

This new Africa Adapted Crops Initiative (AACI), is hosted by AGRA and
Food Action Alliance , in collaboration with TechnoServe and Bain & Company.

It builds on an earlier roundtable at the AFS Forum in Dakar, bringing together leaders from governments, funders, farmer organizations, and research institutions on the need for food systems transformation in Africa.

Adapted crops — like millet, sorghum, and fonio — are nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, and rooted in Africa’s food traditions. By mainstreaming and commercializing these crops, we can strengthen food systems, build resilient livelihoods, and meet growing demand for nutritious foods across Africa and globally.

The vision behind AACI is unlocking the global market potential of adapted crops through new partnership models connecting the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. AACI will focus on:
  1. Catalyzing demand to boost smallholder prosperity, climate resilience, and local value addition
  2. Mobilizing closed-loop partnerships anchored by farmer-allied enterprises
  3. Attracting catalytic capital to scale adoption and investment
AACI objectives: Commercialization of Africa Adapted Crops, mainstreaming consumption, 
production, and processing  
  • AACI connects into a broader agenda of ingredient innovation, substitution, and diversification as a vital pathway to resilient food systems, nutrition security and economic inclusion 
  • AACI follows a demand-led, system wide approach to catalyze demand, mobilize closed-loop  partnerships, attract catalytic capital and create a repeatable model to mobilize value chains 
  • The initiative focuses on public-private-philanthropy collaboration, mobilization of large-scale demand signals, establishment of value chain alliance proof-points and enablement of cost/investment sharing required for scaling 
Scope and progress to date: Recap and reinforcement between participants on significant potential in the commercialization of prioritized Africa Adapted Crops (AACs) 
  • Adapted crops offer major untapped potential, combining drought tolerance, strong nutritional profiles (higher micronutrients vs. maize), and commercial viability across various applications; sorghum, millet, and fonio as prioritized crops driven by high substitution potentials for cereals in consumer packaged goods, expected production potential and governmental support  
  • Nigeria and Kenya were prioritized due to broad smallholder farmer base, strong consumer packaged goods markets, solid consumer base, relevant partners and ongoing initiatives that AACI can build on 
  • AACI has established early coalition momentum, with strong engagement across governments, corporates, funders, and farmer-allied intermediaries 
Market opportunity: The 3 main near-term commercial AAC opportunities identified based on research were validated and reinforced by participants sharing their first-hand experience in commercialization 
  1. Three priority commercial opportunities: animal feed, beverages, and packaged foods 
  2. Domestic demand potential roughly 4-6x by 2035 across Nigeria and Kenya 
  3. Institutional demand as additional opportunity 
Multiple examples were shared by participants validating the commercial potential, e.g. 
  • Nestlé’s integration of millet into Cerelac / Golden Morn and AIF’s inclusion of sorghum in Nootri, demonstrating the commercialization of superior nutritional profiles for consumer packaged goods 
  • Carlsberg’s innovative approach to fonio brewing, marketing AAC’s unique taste profiles for export markets  
  • Experience sharing on the successful substitution of maize with millet (50+%) and sorghum (up to 30%) in poultry feed, profiting from short-term price differentials versus maize – to achieve longer-term viability, dedicated efforts are required to improve AAC yields to drive down cost, as well as increased awareness for the efficacy of AACs in feed  
Demand and consumer adoption: While both multinational and local consumer packaged goods companies have begun substituting established crops with AACs, they stress the need for coordinated public/private action to strengthen consumer pull and the perception of AACs  
  • Demand acceleration requires shifting entrenched consumer perceptions (e.g., consumer awareness campaigns), positioning these crops as modern, aspirational, nutritious “super foods”, and emphasizing local sourcing aspects – away from the current perception of basic / lower-tier products 
  • Coordinated multi-actor messaging is critical and requires a joint movement of NGOs, government and pre-competitive private sector collaboration, consistently reinforcing health and nutritional benefits; challenges may remain in categories with legal limitations to marketing, e.g. baby food 
  • India’s successful increase in millet adoption, positioning millet as a “super food” in campaigns like the International Year of Millets, can serve as a valuable case example 
Supply-side constraints and Farmer-Allied Intermediaries (FAIs): Participants continued to highlight supply-side challenges (e.g., quantity, quality and specs, reliability, price point) as a bottleneck to scaling AACs; engaging farmer-allied intermediaries as “linchpins” in value chain transformations can help to address many of these supply-side challenges:  
  • Consistent, high-quality supply and competitive price points remain constraints, mainly driven by lower yields vs. maize (e.g., farmers achieving 1-1.5 t/ha for millet vs. 6-7 t/ha for commercial maize in optimal conditions), inconsistent post-harvest quality, fragmented farmer networks, and limited local processing capacity
  • Farmer-Allied Intermediaries (FAIs) offer proven scaling models that can address AACs’ core
    constraints making them critical to improve the value proposition of AACs and enable scaling; three were spotlighted on the call:  
    • Babban Gona offers a technology-based “FAI in a box” model, allowing suppliers to build their own farmer-member ecosystems; the model achieves 99% loan repayment while doubling member incomes
    • Farmers to MARKET (FtMA) links farmers in their Farmer Service Center (FSC) model, providing them with access to training, inputs, mechanization, digitalization, and offtake markets; the required investment of 15 USD per farmer p.a., over 3 years, yields a 39% Return on Investmen (ROI), and FSCs are self-sustainable after 3 years
    • Yolélé supports fonio farmers on improved agronomic practices (over 50% yield gains and higher farmer margins) and is collaborating with Bühler on industrial-scale processing to reduce processing cost by 50%, increase throughput by 20x and cut water use by >98% – on equipment that can be used for sorghum and millet as well  
  • Investing in seed supply systems is recognized as another critical enabler to increase farmer yields and cost competitiveness of AACs 
Policy environment: Consensus among participants that policy levers remain critical enablers 
  • 3 main pillars of policies include fiscal and regulatory incentives (excise taxes, trade incentives, blending mandates), strategic public investment (seed systems, farmer training, institutional procurement), consumer advocacy (national campaigns on nutrition and climate resilience) 
  • Coherence as a critical driver of adoption, showcased in the successful example of millet in India 
  • Seed-system reform (faster certification, improved varieties) and excise incentives (e.g., beverage tax remission for local crop use) were highlighted by some participants as examples of meaningful policy measures for AACs 
2026 collaboration opportunities: 
  • The focus of AACI in Q1 2026 will on mobilization, incl. preparing for key moments, mapping of opportunities and ongoing initiatives, coalition building, co-creation of value chain alliance proof points; 
  • this will form the basis to accelerate collaboration and implementation and scale AACI through 2026

Related:

For years, Africa’s traditional foods were dismissed as poor man’s food. They were shamed, sidelined, and replaced in the story of what “modern” eating should look like. Yet today, those very same foods are celebrated in Europe and sold at a premium as superfoods. 

This shift is not just about diet trends ,it exposes a deeper story of how colonial systems devalued what was ours, only for it to be rebranded and sold back as luxury. The foods that once defined survival for millions of Africans are now packaged as health miracles for Western markets. 

So the question is,why were Africa’s foods stripped of value at home, only to be exalted abroad? And what does this say about power, profit, and the urgent need for food sovereignty across the continent?

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