EMBRAPA’s scientific and research expertise and ManejeBem’s digital innovation capabilities

ManejeBem is a Brazilian agri-tech company that devel
ops digital advisory and management solutions for livestock producers, focusing on sustainable pig and poultry farming through mobile, AI-enabled, and remote extension technologies.

EMBRAPA and ManejeBem are collaborating in Brazil to advance sustainable livestock production through digital agriculture and technical assistance tools for family farmers. Their partnership, led through EMBRAPA’s Swine and Poultry Unit, focuses on developing digital platforms such as “ManejeChat” and the “EcoPiggy” application to support pig and poultry producers with real-time technical guidance, environmental management, animal welfare practices, and production monitoring. 

The initiative aims to improve sustainability and compliance in livestock systems while reducing environmental risks linked to waste management in pig farming.

The collaboration combines EMBRAPA’s scientific and research expertise with ManejeBem’s digital innovation capabilities to strengthen remote agricultural extension services and climate-smart farming solutions. Through mobile and WhatsApp-integrated tools, farmers can access advisory services on animal health, nutrition, bio-inputs, waste utilization, and sustainable production practices, even in low-connectivity rural areas. 

The partnership has also expanded into broader discussions on precision agriculture, ESG innovation (Environmental, Social, and Governance principles),
and international cooperation involving Brazil, the UK, Ghana, and Nigeria, positioning the initiative as a model for inclusive digital agriculture and sustainable rural development. - see: Digital Agri-Tech Africa- Brazil Ecosystem Engagement (DATA-BEE) (2025, 23 p.)

• DATA-BEE is one of 12 scoping projects in the Innovate UK Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership, within the theme of Digital Agriculture and Precision Farming. These projects aim to building knowledge, networks and collaboration ideas between the UK, Brazil and Africa. 
• DATA-BEE focuses on identifying opportunities for collaboration and understanding the specific challenges in adopting digital agriculture and precision farming technologies in Ghana and Nigeria. The project aims to bridge agricultural systems between Africa and Brazil, leveraging the latter’s advanced precision farming techniques to address climate-related challenges and improve food security in West Africa. 

The ecosystem networks built by DATA-BEE directly paved the way for larger innovation phases:

• Climate-Smart Maize Initiative: A collaborative project funded as a direct output of DATA-BEE's cross-border missions, deploying advanced crop inputs like R-Leaf to lower chemical fertilizer requirements.
• Dissemination Hubs: Operating continuous on-the-ground training, forums, and market access workshops alongside entities like the British High Commission to scale tech distribution.

Successful adoption of agri-tech requires strong farmer engagement through training programs, extension services, and digital literacy initiatives. Localised knowledge transfer, delivered through both digital platforms and community-based extension officers, will help farmers maximise the benefits of new technologies. Strengthening cooperatives and farmer networks can also enhance collective bargaining power and market access. (page 21)

 

Possible synergies

Collaboration between EMBRAPA, ManejeBem, and Access Agriculture could expand the reach of sustainable livestock and climate-smart agriculture knowledge to smallholder farmers through multilingual farmer-to-farmer training videos and digital extension platforms.

• The partnership could combine EMBRAPA’s scientific research, ManejeBem’s digital advisory technologies, and Access Agriculture’s grassroots extension methodologies to create inclusive digital learning ecosystems for farmers with limited connectivity and literacy levels.
• Joint collaboration could support capacity building for extension agents, youth agripreneurs, and farmer organizations by integrating interactive advisory tools, mobile applications, and practical training content tailored to local production systems.
• The partnership could strengthen South–South cooperation by facilitating knowledge exchange between Brazil, Africa, and other regions on sustainable livestock production, agroecology, digital agriculture, and resilient food systems.
• Access Agriculture’s extensive experience in rural communication and local-language video dissemination could help EMBRAPA and ManejeBem scale adoption of good practices in pig and poultry management, animal health, waste management, and biosecurity across Africa and Latin America.

International Agricultural research at the Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit

11 - 12 May 2026. Nairobi, Kenya. Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit. The summit programme was organized around seven major themes,

1. Energy Transition & Green Industrialisation A joint plenary structured around facilitating trade and investment, promoting bankable projects, and strengthening skills and talent development. 
2. Reform of the International Financial Architecture Reforming the financial architecture to better mobilize private capital (both local and international) for the development of the African continent. 
3. Blue Economy Three axes: strategic priorities in maritime governance and environmental security; creation of blue jobs; and decarbonisation of maritime transport. 
4. Sustainable Agriculture Strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships to support the transition toward productive, sustainable, and resilient food systems in Africa. 
5. AI & Digital Technologies Investment in digital infrastructure, partnerships for open AI, growth of start-ups and talent training, and financing the high-tech sector. 
6. Resilient Health Systems Health cooperation through partnership and co-construction, strengthened local production of vaccines and medicines, and continental capacity in health. 
   
7. Peace & Security Plenary session on peace and security issues in support of African mediation efforts and the actions of the African Union.
   

Side events on agricultural research

East Africa Workshop on Bridging Science and Entrepreneurship 

8 May 2026. The East Africa Workshop on “Bridging Science and Entrepreneurship” was held on Friday, May 8, 2026, as part of the Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop brought together academic, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship stakeholders from across East Africa to discuss strengthening collaboration between science, innovation, and market-ready agricultural solutions.

It was organized by International Innovation Hub (IIH) within the framework of Africa Forward Summit, bringing together academic and innovation stakeholders from across the region and with the partners Ministère des Affaires étrangères français , and Agropolis International , CIRAD , L'Institut Agro Montpellier and the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Nairobi.

The event laid the foundations for stronger regional collaboration on sustainable food systems and explored how to strengthen the continuum between research, training, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 

Building on the successful establishment of IIH West Africa, the initiative is now exploring the creation
of an East Africa Hub to help bridge the gap between academic excellence and market-ready solutions. 

During the session, Nekesah T. Wafullah presented CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) structured approach to scaling science-based technologies — from proof of concept to commercialization — while also sharing lessons and insights from the #AgriTech4Tanzania consultation workshop and the #AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge. 

These experiences continue to reinforce our commitment to strengthening innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and research-to-market pathways across East Africa. 

FAO High-level Agriculture Roundtable

12 May 2026. This roundtable was led by Abebe Haile-Gabriel Farayi Zimudzi  Hamisi Williams  participated in the high-level Agriculture Roundtable discussions focused on food security, innovation, and sustainable agricultural transformation.

The discussions centered on:

• food security,
• agricultural innovation,
• policy reforms,
• and sustainable agricultural transformation.

GFAiR sparking renewed interest in traditional foods

15 May 2026. At the sideline of the Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, KBCchannel1 News interviewed Joanna Kane-Potaka, Executive Secretary of GFAiR.

Traditional food crops are being sidelined by households. GFAiR is sparking renewed interest in traditional foods. GFAiR is supporting research on traditional foods and dissemination of research to smallholder farmers is key.

Extracts of the sessions

Main Stage Inspire

Agro Business leaders Jean-Louis Billon and Hassanein Hiridjee emphasized that Africa is the next global economic frontier, provided that governments and the private sector form strong partnerships to overcome infrastructure and regulatory hurdles. They argued that the continent must shift from discussing potential to executing bold, large-scale investments in energy, technology, and industrialization. Ultimately, they call for a more business-oriented political environment to support local champions and accelerate Africa's development.

Main Stage Inspire

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Danone, and Senegalese entrepreneur Bagore Bathily discussed their long-term partnership, which bridges the gap between smallholder farmers and growing urban markets through science, technology, and sustainable practices. By fostering horizontal collaborations, they demonstrate that local value chains can be both socially impactful and commercially successful. Ultimately, they argue that Africa has the potential to become a food superpower if stakeholders prioritize immediate action and inclusive, long-term partnerships.

Food4Education: affordable, nutritious school meals to children in public schools

21-24 April 2026. Oxford, UK. 2026 Skoll World Forum.

The 2026 Skoll World Forum featured a strong presence of African social innovation projects, organizations, and leaders focused on education, food systems, peacebuilding, conservation, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

Some notable African-linked initiatives and leaders highlighted during the 2026 forum included:

• SmartStart South Africa — winner of the 2026 Skoll Award for Social Innovation for expanding access to early childhood development through community-based franchise models.
• Trevor Noah Foundation and Food4Education (F4E) , focus on equitable education access for African youth.
• Elman Peace and Human Rights Centre — represented by Ilwad Elman, working on peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and post-conflict recovery.
• Amini — founded by Kate Kallot, using AI and environmental data systems to improve climate resilience and agricultural decision-making in Africa.
• Education innovation organizations from Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Kenya participated in side events focused on scaling education systems and government adoption. These included EducAid, Inspire, Educate and Empower Rwanda, and Elimu-Soko.
• Conservation and community-led environmental initiatives from Africa also featured prominently in discussions around climate resilience and biodiversity protection, including sessions co-hosted by Maliasili.

Social entrepreneur Wawira Njiru of Food4Education (F4E)  and comedian and philanthropist Trevor Noah explored what it takes to unlock opportunity for young people across Africa and beyond. United by a shared belief that investing in young people is the most powerful lever for change, they dig into the role of homegrown innovation in tackling the continent’s biggest challenges.

Food4Education (F4E) is a Kenyan nonprofit organization that provides affordable, nutritious school meals to children in public schools. Founded in 2012 by Wawira Njiru, the initiative began by feeding just 25 children near Nairobi and has since grown into one of Africa’s largest locally led school feeding programs. The organization’s mission is based on the idea that hungry children cannot learn effectively, and that school meals can improve education, nutrition, and long-term economic outcomes.

Food4Education operates a highly innovative and scalable feeding model in Kenya using centralized “giga kitchens,” digital payment systems such as Tap2Eat wristbands, and partnerships with county governments, parents, and local farmers. The meals are designed to provide essential nutrients including iron, zinc, calcium, and protein while remaining affordable for low-income families. The organization also sources much of its food locally from smallholder farmers, helping strengthen rural livelihoods and local food systems. By 2025–2026, the program was serving more than 500,000 children daily across over 1,300 schools in multiple Kenyan counties.

Beyond feeding children, Food4Education aims to create a scalable African model for sustainable school feeding that can be replicated across the continent. The organization works closely with governments and development partners to influence school feeding policies and demonstrate how investment in nutrition improves attendance, enrollment, academic performance, and community resilience. Food4Education has gained international recognition for combining nutrition, technology, climate-conscious operations, and local ownership into a cost-effective system that could transform school feeding across Africa.

Report: Agroecological Entrepreneurship Starts Here

Agroecology Fund ( 2026) Agroecological Entrepreneurship Starts Here: Shifting Food Systems in Africa from Extraction to Regeneration.  97 p.

This is a new report exploring how grassroots organisations across Africa are building enterprises that restore ecosystems while strengthening local economies.

Drawing on AEF’s Business Planning Grants, the report highlights how 15 organisations are advancing agroecological food systems through locally rooted, economically viable models.

Key insights include the persistent “missing middle” in agroecology finance:

• Most enterprises require $10,000–$250,000 to grow
• Microfinance is too limited, while larger investments exceed their scale
• Commercial lending remains inaccessible due to high costs and collateral requirement

Embrapa's Technical Cooperation Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

24 March 2026. Gates Foundation and Embrapa discuss South-South sustainable development projects

Researchers from Embrapa and the Gates Foundation (GF) participated in a workshop held on March 17 and 18 in Brasília to coordinate activities regarding the South-South Cooperation Agreement for Agricultural Sustainability. The initiative, the first stage of bilateral cooperation following COP30, identified areas that will serve as a starting point to bring Embrapa’s research in line with the priorities of the U.S. institution.

The initiative is part of an agreement between the Gates Foundation and Embrapa, which sets targets to strengthen the South’s presence in global forums by 2027, and provides for South-South exchange activities, technical events, communication activities concerning regional cooperation, and the identification of opportunities to develop joint Brazil-Africa research, technology and training projects. 

The goals of the meeting, which was coordinated by the Advisory Service for International Relations (Arin), include the identification of opportunities for South-South cooperation to strengthen ties between Embrapa and organizations in African countries, the integration of research networks, and strategic alignment through the establishment of shared schedules for global forums and events.

The following topics were identified as priorities for discussion: 

• rice and cassava; 
• dairy farming; 
• soil biofertilizers, 
• bio-inputs and bio-products; 
• food security; 
• and cross-cutting issues, particularly technology transfer and licensing. 

Representatives from Embrapa Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Embrapa Semiarid, Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, Embrapa Agrobiology, Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, Embrapa Rice and Beans, Embrapa Cerrados and Embrapa Maranhão, centers whose research relates to the initial agenda, had an in-person participation, as well as José Ednilson Miranda, Embrapa’s representative at the Office of Technical Cooperation for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

José Ednilson Miranda highlighted the interest in technologies concerning digital agriculture, Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (ZARC), digital platforms, Ater+Digital, and the e-Campo learning platform. “They are resources that can benefit several African countries whose needs resemble those Embrapa has been addressing; therefore, the proposal is to develop infrastructure projects in which Embrapa is the technical implementer and the Gates Foundation the aid agency and facilitator in the African continent,”

The participants from the CGIAR, were Namukolo Covic, head of International Relations for Africa, Gatachew Feye, representing Ethiopia's general director, and Million Gebreyes, from CGIAR's Scaling for Impact program.

Related:

6 February 2026. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) officially inaugurated a Technical Cooperation Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

This initiative marks Embrapa's return to the African continent and is part of a broader strategy by the Brazilian government to enhance agricultural collaboration, technology transfer, and South-South cooperation, particularly with the African Union, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa.

The Brazilian government sees in the agricultural sector the greatest opportunities to more easily reach the 54 African countries. 

“Ethiopia is now the diplomatic hub of African countries. We chose Addis Ababa for a reason. Here we have the headquarters of the African Union, as well as offices of the World Bank and the African Development Bank. It is the right place for us to connect with potential partners,”  “Addis Ababa is a hub, and we intend to reach other African countries from here. The demand is huge,” José Ednilson Miranda, head of Embrapa’s local office.

• Inauguration: The office was inaugurated by Embrapa President Silvia Massruhá and the Director of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), Ambassador Ruy Pereira.
• Location & Purpose: Located in Ethiopia’s capital—a major diplomatic hub—the office aims to facilitate the exchange of tropical agriculture technology, covering areas such as genetics, animal nutrition, and sustainable low-carbon livestock production.
• Partnerships: The office works with local partners such as the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute (EIAR) and private entities like the Kerchanshe Group, with whom they signed a landmark agreement for coffee technology development.
• Strategic Role: Jose Ednilson Miranda, an experienced Embrapa researcher, was appointed to lead the office, which will also support preparations for technical collaboration in upcoming international forums, including COP-32.

This move follows a push to strengthen Brazil-Africa ties and focus on sustainable, climate-smart agriculture in regions with similar climate conditions to Brazil. 

Announcement: 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference

1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference, taking place from 17th–20th November 2026 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, Kenya. This conference is envisioned as a farmer-centred platform to strengthen Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) and advance seed sovereignty in the region. It will bring together farmers, pastoralists, community seed banks, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and collectively shape solutions around indigenous seeds, indigenous livestock diversity, policies, and the right to food.

 

Financing towards agrifood systems transformation for food security and improved nutrition.

FAO, ECA, WFP and AU. 2026. Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2025 – Financing towards agrifood systems transformation for food security and improved nutrition. Accra. 187 p.

This report highlights the latest data on undernourishment, food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as the cost and affordability of a healthy diet, reflecting people's economic access to nutritious food. The worsening food security and slow progress towards global nutrition targets demand increased efforts to achieve a world without hunger and malnutrition by 2030. Given the projected lower economic growth, high inflation, and rising borrowing costs since 2022, greater action is necessary.

Despite an increasing interest in impact investments, investors predominately pursue investments that focus on a single objective within a landscape, such as agricultural production or reforestation. The effects of these kinds of investments can be undone through the actions of other actors in the same landscape. Landscape financing takes a holistic approach to natural capital, in which all stakeholders agree, and investments are interlinked and strengthen each other. (page 123)

Webinars and events May 2026

6 - 7 May 2026. GLF Africa 2026: Rangelands

7 May 2026. 14:30–17:00 CEST. From dialogue to delivery: Africa-Europe innovation in action

• As an open entry point to the Africa–Europe innovation community, the webinar will introduce the objectives of the AEIP, its role in supporting partnerships across the two continents, and give an update on the growing range of activities available through the digital space for those interested in cross-regional cooperation.

8 May 2026. 14:00–15:30 CEST. Africa Initiative IV: funding and practical guidance

• This online workshop, jointly organised with EURAXESS Africa, provides a comprehensive introduction to the Africa Initiative IV under the Horizon Europe work programme 2026–2027. Participants will receive guidance on how to engage with the initiative and access available funding opportunities.

11-12 May 2026. Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit

12-15 May 2026. Building the next generation of food systems leaders in developing countries

13 May 2026. 9:00 am CET Validation Meeting - FA0 - APAARI - Agricultural Education, Research and Innovation Study

18-20 May 2026. Accra, Ghana. 4th Africa Regional Food System Transformation Meeting

• In Africa, over 43 countries developed and submitted their National Food System Pathways to the UN Food Systems Summit. 
• Several countries have either updated or are currently in the process of updating their National Pathways. 

25-28 May 2026 at FAO Headquarters, Rome Nutrition Week

• 25 May: Nutrition Evidence and Innovation for Shaping Agrifood Systems Transformation (thematic lead: FAO)
• 26 May: Local Food Solutions for Global Impact (thematic lead: WFP)
• 27 May: Aligning Financing for Nutrition Integration (thematic lead: IFAD)
• 28 May: Delivering as One for Coherent Nutrition Action (thematic lead: UNN)

22 May 2026. Tasting the Forgotten: a celebration of biodiversity

• Royal Museum for Central Africa. Tervuren, Brussels
• This event will bring biodiversity to life, not through reports or policy briefs but through dialogue, taste, culture and lived experience.
• Join us at the Africa Museum for a unique celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity.
• Organized by the Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, this immersive event goes beyond reports and policy briefs to explore biodiversity through dialogue, taste, culture and lived experience.
• There will be a high-level panel discussion with experts and changemakers, followed by a curated experiential lunch showcasing forgotten and underutilized foods.

29 May 2026. Renewable Energy & Green Transition

• Theme: Powering Africa’s Future: Women Leading the Green Energy Transition
• ​The Women in Geopolitics Debate Series is a high-level dialogue platform that convenes former diplomats, policy experts, political leaders, scholars, and practitioners to examine Africa’s geopolitical positioning within an increasingly complex global order.

2-3 June. Online. International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) Joint Webinar 

• This webinar is part of the IUNS Regional Webinar Series, which brings together nutrition researchers, professionals, practitioners, and students interested in nutrition and policy at different stages of their careers to discuss important and emerging topics in nutrition. The previous webinar in this series has attracted more than 500 participants globally. 
• Theme: Building Resilient Nutrition and Health Systems: Global Challenges and African Solutions
• Day 1: Global nutrition: problems and determinants - 12:30 – 4:30 pm, 2nd June 2026 (CET)
• Day 2: Evidence for Actions to Address the Problems - 9:30 am – 2:00 pm, 3rd June 2026 (CET)

8-11 June 2026 (Nairobi, Kenya) 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO)

9 - 11 June 2026. Accra, Ghana. NUS Africa's regional stakeholders conference

9 - 11 June 2026. Stuttgart. Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Indigenous and Underutilised Crops: Rethinking Value Chains for Sustainable Food Futures

26 June 2026. Agribusiness, Agro-Processing & Food Value Chains

• Theme: Feeding Africa: From Smallholder Farmers to Industrial Value Chains
• ​The Women in Geopolitics Debate Series is a high-level dialogue platform that convenes former diplomats, policy experts, political leaders, scholars, and practitioners to examine Africa’s geopolitical positioning within an increasingly complex global order.

1-2 July 2026. Utrecht, the Netherlands. Land, Conflict, and Peace conference

1-3 July 2026 (Accra, Ghana). CIRAWA Agroecology and Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa Conference.
The EU-funded project CIRAWA has been collaborating with farmers and stakeholders in four West African countries (Cape Verde, Ghana, Senegal, and The Gambia) since 2023, to develop and share agroecological and nature-based solutions that promote sustainable and resilient farming.

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

16 July 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Food Awards

27–31 July 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria. 9th Africa Agriculture and Science Week AASW9 and the 10th FARA General Assembly

3 - 6 August 2026. Malaysia. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY 2026, UPM

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

16 to 18 September 2026 in Göttingen (Germany) and online. TROPENTAG under the theme 'Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient future'.

• The call for workshops is open until 3 May 2026. If you are interested in organizing a workshop, FILL IN THIS TEMPLATE and send it to info@tropentag.de no later than 3 May.15-17 September 2026 – Lagos, Nigeria Africa Food Manufacturing Nigeria & Western Africa

22–25 September 2026. Nairobi (Kenya). Smart Agriculture: Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Trade for a Climate-Challenged Africa.
The event invites papers and proposals on topics like climate-smart ag, agri-finance, digital tech, value chains, and gender/youth in agriculture - by African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).

October 2026. FAO’s World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly
This 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.

17 – 20 November 2026. 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference - EA-ISC 2026

• Building farmer managed seed system community of practice (COP) For a Resilient EASTERN AFRICA Region.
• Catholic university of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

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

30 November - 3 December 2026 RUFORUM’s 22nd AGM

• To be held in Zambia, hosted by the Government of Zambia and RUFORUM member universities in Zambia. 
• This AGM edition offers Zambia, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the rest of Africa, and partners an opportunity to discuss current development opportunities and challenges, and to co-create roadmaps for delivering solutions. 

The Farmer’s Kitchen Table: celebrating and tasting NUS in Barbados

22 April 2026. Andromeda Botanic Gardens, east coast of Barbados in the Caribbean.  

video recap forthcoming

The Farmer’s Kitchen Table was a vibrant Earth Month celebration that brought together food, culture, and sustainability in a shared culinary experience. 

Organized as part of the Million Tables Challenge, the event highlighted the importance of reconnecting people with the origins of their food while celebrating biodiversity and local traditions. Set in the lush surroundings of the gardens, the gathering created a warm and inviting space where guests could engage with nature not just visually, but through taste and storytelling.

At the heart of the event was a thoughtfully curated menu centered on underutilized and neglected species (NUS), showcasing their potential in modern cuisine. Guests enjoyed a diverse spread that included artisan soups, freshly baked breads, breadfruit pasta, botanical drinks, and earth-inspired desserts. Each dish was designed not only to delight the palate but also to spark curiosity about ingredients that are often overlooked despite their nutritional and ecological value. 

The culinary experience served as a powerful reminder that sustainable diets can be both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.

Beyond the food, The Farmer’s Kitchen Table emphasized the role of local knowledge and community in building resilient food systems. The event honored farmers, growers, and indigenous practices that have long sustained biodiversity and cultural heritage. Conversations flowed as participants learned about sustainable farming, the significance of preserving agrobiodiversity, and the importance of supporting local producers. It was an opportunity to reflect on how everyday food choices can contribute to environmental stewardship and social well-being.

Ultimately, the event was more than a meal—it was a celebration of connection. By bringing people together around a shared table, it fostered a sense of collective responsibility toward the planet and its resources. The Farmer’s Kitchen Table demonstrated how food can be a unifying force, bridging communities and inspiring action toward more sustainable and inclusive food systems. It left attendees not only satisfied, but also more mindful of the impact of what they eat and the stories behind it.

Lessons from African Cities on Participatory Urban Food Systems Governance

29 April 2026. Beyond Silos: Lessons from African Cities on Participatory Urban Food Systems Governance - side event to the 12th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.

• Across the continent, cities are experimenting with new ways to bring governments, researchers, civil society and communities to the same table. The results are here and they are pointing to a shared insight: when cities work together, change happens faster.
• The AfriFOOD links project hosted a session that puts these experiences front and centre. AfriFOODlinks creatively unlocks this transition, and will drive change in 65+ cities. It is delivered by 26 partners and funded by the European Union.

The stories from the ground are compelling. 

• In Lusaka, a dedicated Food Desk is helping city officials make better decisions by connecting policy to evidence. 
• In Mbale, the Good Food Parliament has opened up a formal space for communities to have a real say in what a healthier food environment looks like. 
• In Kisumu, the Food Liaison Advisory Council (FLACK) is bridging the gap between city government, civil society and the people who grow, sell and eat food every day.

AGRINATURA and the Global Gateway

27 April 2026. Brussels. Global Gateway Strategy: Insights from Agrinatura

The Global Gateway Strategy is the European Union’s flagship framework for investment in infrastructure and connectivity. It aims to catalyze private sector competitiveness while upholding rigorous environmental and labor standards, strengthening human capital, reinforcing knowledge systems, and protecting global commons. Education, research, and innovation (ER&I) are not merely peripheral components; they are central pillars that drive sustainable, inclusive, and values-based global partnerships.

A position paper (8 pages) + summary (3 pages) explores how the ER&I sphere—with a specific focus on the agrifood sector—contributes to the Global Gateway. It reflects the perspectives of Agrinatura, the European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development.

Examples: ER&I Projects as Global Gateway Strategy Enablers 

1. VCA4D (Value Chain Analysis for Development): Provides standardized, evidence-based sustainability analyses for over 65 value chains (to date), informing EU investment decisions. 
2. SASI-SPI: Delivers sectoral studies focusing onto investments needs towards agrifood systems’ sustainable transformations. 
3. DeSIRA LIFT & LIFT+: Supports 70+ projects in co-designing climate-smart innovations and fostering policy dialogue for scaling agroecological transitions. 
4. GENE-LINK (2026–2029): Strengthens the link between African research labs and the private sector to valorize nature-derived products (bioeconomy). 
5. 
   Coffee Value Chain Support: A holistic model integrating vocational training for agroforestry, participatory research on bio-solutions, and innovation hubs to support SMEs in meeting EU deforestation and safety standards.

Rationale

The Global Gateway responds to a rising demand for trusted, sustainable investments. Recent strategic frameworks, such as the Draghi Competitiveness Report and the Niinistö Report, underscore that Research and Innovation (R&I) must sit at the heart of Europe’s international partnerships. This aligns with the "360-degree" and "triptych" approaches adopted by DG INTPA, which integrate Higher Education, R&I, and vocational skills to power the Green and Digital transitions.

In the agrifood sector, the Global Gateway prioritizes private sector investments to build productive, sustainable value chains connecting farmers and processors to global markets. While the initiative is global, Africa remains a primary priority due to its rapid demographic growth, the central role of small-scale family farming, and existing gaps in connectivity and processing infrastructure.

The African Union, through the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Kampala Declaration, shares this vision. The 2022 EU-AU Summit further solidified this by acknowledging equitable ER&I collaboration as a vital vehicle for transformation. Similar synergies are emerging globally, such as the EU-CELAC Strategic Roadmap (2025) and the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023–2027).

To optimize ER&I investments, Agrinatura draws on lessons from the 2025 "Boosting Agrifood Research and Innovation" conference, recommending four priority actions:

1. Strengthen international dialogue to align agendas (e.g., the AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap) with long-term frameworks like the Global Gateway.
2. Foster innovation ecosystems (Living Labs, incubators, and accelerators) to scale interventions.
3. Improve governance and coordination between EU instruments (e.g., Horizon Europe and NDICI).
4. Build coherent funding mechanisms that blend public, private, and partner-country resources across all stages of innovation

Aggrey Agumya - Executive Secretary of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa on value addition and the reasons of poor food processing in Africa

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Patrick Okori Executive Secretary of Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)

Guy Faure (CIRAD) on the Innovation eco-system

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Leonard Mizzi Adviser Food Systems, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), European Commission

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Thérèse Gohin - Technical & Regulatory Officer at IBMA - International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association: Why research and innovation in biopesticides is important

Promoting Indigenous seeds

24 April 2026. PROMOTING INDIGENOUS SEED PRACTICES TO ADVANCE SEED AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, AND PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY. 

This was a high-level webinar focused on strengthening traditional seed systems and local food control. 

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

It brought together stakeholders such as farmers, civil society organizations, researchers, and policy actors to discuss how indigenous seed practices can support food sovereignty—defined as the right of communities to control their seeds, food systems, and agricultural choices . The discussion emphasized that traditional seeds are not only agricultural inputs but also carry cultural knowledge, resilience, and identity.

A central theme of the event was the role of indigenous seed systems in protecting biodiversity and building climate resilience. Participants highlighted that local seed varieties are often better adapted to specific environments and can evolve over time through farmer-led selection, helping maintain genetic diversity in crops. This is increasingly important as global agriculture faces threats from climate change, monoculture farming, and the spread of uniform commercial seeds, which can reduce biodiversity and increase dependency on external inputs. The webinar positioned indigenous seed practices as a key pathway for sustainable and agroecological food systems.

The event also stressed the need for policy support, community empowerment, and knowledge sharing to scale indigenous seed practices. This includes strengthening farmer-managed seed systems, supporting seed exchange networks, and recognizing the rights of smallholder farmers—especially women—to save, use, and share seeds. Overall, the webinar framed indigenous seeds as essential to achieving food sovereignty, ecological sustainability, and resilient local economies, calling for coordinated action across communities, governments, and development partners.

Forthcoming: 

17th – 20th November 2026. 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference

• A landmark gathering bringing together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and seed advocates from across Eastern Africa to champion seed sovereignty and strengthen farmer-managed seed systems.
• Organised by the Catholic university of Eastern Africa, Nairobi
• four days of knowledge exchange, regional collaboration, and advancing policies that protect indigenous seed systems as the foundation of food security and climate resilience.

Post harvest Connect

22 - 23 April 2026. Abuja. Post harvest Connect

Organized by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, it brought together researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, and development partners to address the critical issue of food losses after harvest. The event emphasized the need to strengthen systems that handle storage, processing, and distribution of agricultural products.

Partners: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) World Bank Group Sasakawa Africa Association HarvestPlus Helen Keller Intl Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition

The main objective of the conference was to promote technologies and innovations that reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the competitiveness of agrifood value chains. Key topics included storage and preservation technologies, cold chain systems, food safety (including aflatoxin control), value addition, and market linkages. The discussions highlighted that increasing agricultural production alone is not sufficient—equal attention must be given to preserving and efficiently moving food along the value chain.

The event underscored the significant impact of post-harvest losses in Africa, where up to 30–50% of food can be lost before reaching consumers. Addressing these inefficiencies can improve food availability, increase farmer incomes, and strengthen food and nutrition security. Overall, Postharvest Connect 2026 served as a platform to connect innovation, policy, and investment, with the goal of building more resilient and efficient agrifood systems.

Post-Harvest Connect 2026 in Abuja Posted by Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute on Wednesday 22 April 2026

Fin4Dev Dialogues: Stabilizing Agrifood Systems Amid Trade, Energy and Market Volatility

 22 April 2026. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD) co-hosted a side event at the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development (FFD Forum), as part of the Financing for Development (Fin4Dev) Dialogues. 

The session examined how current trade and energy disruptions are affecting agrifood systems and what recent shocks have taught the global community about strengthening resilience.

The meeting convened partners from the public and private sector, including government representatives, development finance institutions professionals, energy and trade experts, to explore how geopolitical shifts are affecting global food systems. 

The discussion examined the implications of tariffs, export restrictions, energy price fluctuations and evolving trade relationships for agrifood supply chains, food affordability and investment in agriculture. Participants will also explore how stronger policy and financing coordination can help stabilize agrifood systems and ensure resilience in an increasingly volatile global environment.

• Leonard Mizzi, Adviser Food Systems, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), European Commission. (Co-Chair, GDPRD)
• H.E. Tesfaye Yilma Sabo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations
• David Laborde, Director, Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Marlynne Hopper, Head a.i., Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) Secretariat, World Trade Organization
• Courtney Hood, Head of Office, IFAD New York Liaison Office
• Rodrigo Carcamo, Chief a.i., Agricultural Commodities Section, Commodities Branch, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• Jim Woodhill, Director, Agrifood Systems and Futures Hub, University of Reading, and Lead of the Global Foresight4Food Initiative. (Senior Advisor, GDPRD)
• Maurizio Navarra, Senior Partnership Officer and Coordinator, Global Donor Platform for Rural Development 
• Vincent De Graaf, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations

• Moderator: Elena Bertusi, Partnership Officer, IFAD New York Liaison Office

Leveraging Effective Communication to expand Utilization of Underutilized Legumes for health, Nutrition and Environmental Sustainability

29 April 2026. 35th Academic Lecture Series. The Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL) organised a webinar on "Leveraging Effective Communication to expand Utilization of Underutilized Legumes for health, Nutrition and Environmental Sustainability" Speaker : Lopez Katherine, Head of Communication, IITA.

This lecture focused on how effective communication can drive the adoption of underutilized legumes for improved nutrition, environmental sustainability, and food security. The keynote speaker, Katherine Lopez (IITA), emphasized that these crops—such as Bambara groundnut, pigeon pea, and African yam bean—are highly nutritious, climate-resilient, and locally adapted, yet remain underutilized. The central issue is not a lack of research or innovation, but rather low adoption due to weak communication, limited awareness, poor value chains, and fragmented knowledge systems.

A key message from the lecture is that communication is the missing link between research and impact. Successful agricultural innovations (e.g., Vitamin A maize, Aflasafe, and digital tools like Akilimo) demonstrate that strong communication—through campaigns, storytelling, and farmer engagement—can significantly increase adoption. The speaker highlighted the need to reframe underutilized legumes from being perceived as “poor man’s food” to desirable, healthy, and climate-smart options. Strategies such as using digital platforms, social media, cooking demonstrations, and influencer engagement were identified as critical for driving behavior change and increasing visibility.

The discussion also underscored systemic challenges and solutions. Participants highlighted issues such as limited access to improved seeds, weak extension services, and insufficient policy support. Proposed solutions included strengthening seed systems, building value chains, engaging grassroots actors, and adopting community-based scaling approaches. The overall conclusion was that underutilized legumes are “future foods” with immense potential, but unlocking this potential requires integrated communication strategies, stronger partnerships, and coordinated action across research, policy, and practice.

Related: Highlight: Main brands producing Bambara groundnut value-added products

Aonyx Foods - Bambara Groundnut and the Agrifood Technology Station (ATS) of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has used the Bambara Groundnut as a raw material to create several value-added products. These include dairy-substitutes, baked-goods, meat-substitutes, and beverages.


Download here the Aonyx Bambara groundnut product range potential

which includes several gluten-, lactose- and cholesterol-free value-added products. These include dairy substitutes, baked goods, meat substitutes and beverages. These products have the potential to be rapidly scaled up to provide niche and alternative products that are nutritious and marketable.

CPUT is looking to create a manufacturing business, vertically integrating with other sectors in the country. It is currently looking for investors to partner with us to take this business opportunity forward

Green ERA hub: future priorities for sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and innovation

21-22 April 2026. Brussels. Meeting of the Green Era Hub (GEH) on widening and outreach

The Green ERA-Hub (GEH) Coordination and Support Action under Horizon Europe (HEU), brings together all relevant ongoing and self-sustaining networks; (including ERA-Nets and European Joint Programme Cofund) in the Agri-food and biotechnolgy sector. 

The Hub thus represents a large part of Europe's national ministries, funders and research institutes within these themes. The networks provide transnational co-programming of national research priorities and funding, organising joint scientific research, knowledge valorisation and science-policy dialogue activities.

The objective of the GEH is to maintain, use and strengthen the established knowledge, networks and resources, and to play a bridging role in the setting up of partnerships under Horizon Europe. Specific ambitions include developing a strategic roadmap, strengthening expertise in the themes, organising new calls for proposals and maintaining, sharing and strengthening knowledge in joint transnational research programming.

Explicitly, the GEH wants to contribute to preparations for Horizon Europe partnerships. (Future Frame Work Programme 10).

As part of the GEH, the partners of the work package on “Widening and outreach” submitted a document of recommendations to the EC to expand geographical collaboration with Africa, the Mediterranean, Eastern European countries, and the Balkans in Horizon Europe partnerships. 

This final meeting aimed to disseminate these recommendations more widely and, above all, to go further and propose avenues for implementation. 

Main speakers:

1. FutureFoods – Claude Yven 
2. Agroecology – Stephane Bellon  
3. Agriculture of Data – Johannes Pfeiffer  
4. European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare  – Mahur Turan 
5. Prima – Ali Rhouma 
6. BioEAST – Vanda Fuzesi 
7. Belmont Forum - Laurent Bernadou 
8. CEA First - Bernard Mallet 

UPRISE: a Horizon Europe collaboration translating research into practical, scalable solutions for safer and more resilient food systems

15 April 2026. The AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation, hosted by the European Commission, serves as a platform for regular exchanges on research and innovation policy. It aims to formulate and implement long-term priorities to strengthen Africa-Europe cooperation.

The first 2026 edition of the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue newsletter highlights key developments in African Union - European Union research and innovation cooperation, from policy to priority areas of interventions, such as agriculture, health, climate action and innovative technologies.

UP-RISE was featured as an example of demonstrating innovative solutions in food safety, sharing the release of the 10 business cases and practice abstracts showcasing successful agri-entrepreneurial solutions; an example of how Horizon Europe collaboration is translating research into practical, scalable solutions for safer and more resilient food systems.

Links

• The AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation - Newsletter 10 - March 2026
• Horizon Europe Projects Driving Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

UPRISE Bootcamp in Kenya July 2026

UP-RISE has selected ten business cases involving agri-entrepreneurs active in both the informal and formal markets of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. 

• These cases form part of the development and implementation of co-created solutions across the five traditional fermented food value chains. The call for the selection of the 10 fermented food processors was awarded on 7 December 2024 and will run until the end of UP-RISE (31 December 2027).
• The 10 selected agripreneurs from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa gathered for the very first time in Nairobi.
• Beyond the roadmap, the group hit the ground identifying key learning goals and sharing real world challenges in certification, packaging, management and communications. 
• Upcoming program journey: Baseline & Interviews, Specialised webinar series, Individual mentoring, In-Person Bootcamp July 2026

Up-rise Consortium Partners

The consortium is built up on 13 international partners bringing together an interdisciplinary approach and a well-framed gender dimension to maximise the impact.



Ghent University
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement
Wageningen University
Federal University of Technology Minna
Université Abomey-Calavi
University of Nangui Abrogoua
University of Nairobi
L’Institut Agro Montpellier
University of Johannesburg
University of Montpellier
African Union Development Agency: New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD)
ADS Insight

Stakeholder Consultation: amaranth as Kenya’s priority opportunity crop

21-24 April 2026. Kisumu, Kenya. Stakeholder consultation workshop in Kenya organised by the German BOLDER program with the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT. 

Stakeholders came together for a two-day validation workshop on the amaranth value chain and food environment. The workshop created space to align evidence with experience, bringing together voices from across research, policy, and practice 

Discussions went beyond validation. They focused on what it will take to unlock the full potential of amaranth as a nutritious, climate-resilient crop. From consumption patterns to market dynamics, stakeholders explored practical pathways to scale impact and strengthen local food systems.

Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through KfW Development Bank and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, this work continues to build momentum around underutilized crops that can drive nutrition, resilience, and livelihoods.

For the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, this validation is not as the end of research, but as the beginning of action.

This workshop was a follow-up to 18–22 August 2025. Nairobi. Finger millet and amaranth were selected as Kenya’s priority “opportunity crops” during the two-day National Stakeholder Consultation under the Power of Diversity Funding Facility (PDFF).

The crops also hold huge market potential. While their consumption has traditionally been low, mostly limited to rural households and older generations, this is now changing. In urban areas, health-conscious consumers are increasingly embracing nutrient-rich alternatives, driven by the rise of lifestyle diseases and growing awareness of the benefits of indigenous foods. As a result, amaranth and finger millet are gradually making their way into supermarkets, health stores, and restaurant menus, signaling a broader shift toward healthier eating habits.

Resources:

A new Crop Trust policy brief presents a strategic framework for integrating opportunity crops into African food systems through foresight-driven planning and multi-stakeholder collaboration. 

Drawing on pilot workshops in Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, the brief shows how the Power Of Diversity Funding Facility supports inclusive decision-making to prioritize crops that offer resilience, nutrition and livelihood benefits.

A new Crop Trust policy brief presents a strategic framework for integrating opportunity crops into African food systems through foresight-driven planning and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Drawing on pilot workshops in Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, the brief shows how the hashtag#PowerOfDiversity Funding Facility supports inclusive decision-making to prioritize crops that offer resilience, nutrition and livelihood benefits.

Global Crop Conservation and Use Metrics: Amaranth

This report provides an up-to-date overview of the global status of ex situ conservation of genetic resources of amaranth and its wild relatives, including key metrics on: 

• global statistics on crop production and availability in food supplies; 
• the identity and composition of genebank collections; 
• the Multilateral System (MLS) status of accessions in these collections; 
• storage, regeneration, and safety duplication status; 
• documentation, information systems, and research resources; 
• germplasm distribution; 
• varietal registrations and releases; and 
• crop networks and partnerships.

Crop Trust, Alliance Bioversity & CIAT (2026) Scoping Review Report: Assessing Finger millet food systems in Kenya. Power of Diversity Funding Facility Prepared by: Consolata Musita/Wendy Kimonye, 52 p.

• Despite growing interest in neglected and underutilized species (NUS) for strengthening sustainable and inclusive food systems, evidence on finger millet in Kenya remains fragmented across disciplines, value chain stages, and food system domains. 
• This scoping review synthesizes existing literature on finger millet in Kenya using a food systems lens to assess how the crop is positioned across the value chain, the extent to which gender and governance dimensions are addressed, and where critical evidence gaps remain. 

Background:

Crop Trust launched (19/03/2025) the Power of Diversity Funding Facility (PDFF). This
transformative multi-donor funded initiative will promote the use of so-called opportunity crops across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Initially, the PDFF will focus on 14 high-potential opportunity crops in seven countries,: Colombia, Kenya, India, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Additional funding can extend the project’s reach to more countries, driving a shift towards resilient and sustainable agrifood systems worldwide.