Innovations and technologies in agriculture to leapfrog Africa's development

1 - 2 December 2015. Durban Exhibition Centre, KwaZulu-Natal.

GFIA Africa, an event which is aimed at showcasing innovations for sustainable agriculture, hosted ministerial delegations from Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, and Zambia – to find innovative solutions to the challenges that threaten the agricultural sector, and ultimately food security in Africa.

Addressing an audience of more than 400 delegates, Mohamed Abdullahl Farmaajo, the Former Prime Minister of Somalia, stated that the African continent must seize the opportunity to secure food security. “There are a number of countries that have successfully managed to overcome the cycle of poverty, but there is still a great deal more that needs to be done,” he said.

Te GFIA series of events offer a much needed platform for interactions between diverse actors committed to spearheading an innovation driven transformation of Africa’s agriculture. Partnerships for agricultural transformation are strengthened and new ones initiated during networking events such as GFIA. Organisers of GFIA say science, technology, innovation and technology transfer will be key elements for unlocking the productive

potential of Africa. According to Africa Agenda-2063; “Africa hosts 60% of global arable land but the continent only contributes 10% of global agricultural output”.

The Global Forum for Innovation in Agriculture (GFIA) 2016 edition will take place in Kigali in June.

Related:

30 November 2015. Farmers Sessions: Responding to the effects of climate change on the business of farming  organised by CTA and NEPAD in collaboration with the Pan-African Farmers’ Organisation (PAFO), the Regional Famers Organizations in East Africa (EAFF), West Africa (ROPPA), Central Africa (PROPAC) and Southern Africa (SACAU). 

In development and policy discussions, there is a general consensus that climate change affects agriculture, especially for smallholder producers in Africa, the impact is high, and urgent action is required to assist farmers. While much has been documented about the challenges and problems of climate change and its impacts on agriculture, comparatively less information is available on the solutions and innovations that help farmers adapt to climate change. This session focused on solutions and opportunities for responding to climate change effects on the business of farming in Africa. Specifically, discussions at the session focused on:

• Existing practical and proven climate-smart solutions, and draw lessons for scaling them up
• Private sector experiences and engagement on climate-solutions across the agriculture value chain in the continent
• Farmers’ perspectives and position on scaling up solutions to climate change in Africa
• Strengthening partnership to support the scaling up of the emerging solutions to climate change in the field of agriculture