AGRF: Second day of the virtual meeting: a selection

 8-11 September 2020. AGRF Virtual Summit 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tenth Annual Summit of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), which brings together over thousands of delegates from governments, the civil society, the private sector, research community and development partners will be held virtually from 8-11 September 2020 and will be co-hosted by the Government of Rwanda and the AGRF Partners Group.

9 September 2020. (selection) THEME OF THE DAY: NUTRITIOUS FOOD

Panel discussion: Food Systems & Nutrition: Reaching Urban Food Consumers Through Resilient Supply Chains

This session examined policies, technologies, and investments that are needed to make food systems

supply chains more responsive, reliable, and resilient for urban populations in Africa. The merits of local, regional, or global supply options were interrogated and amplified and mechanisms for connecting smallholder producers with urban consumers will bewere defined. Technological and product innovation can further improve the nutritional content of foods and increase access to more-nutritious foods among urban populations. See the recording here

• Ms. Yewande Kazeem, Moderator, reator, Wandieville Media
• Mr. Nnaemeka C. Ikegwuonu CEO, Coldhubs (Yara Prize Winner, 2013)
• Dr. Julie Howard Board member, World Vegetable Center
• Dr. Leonard Mizzi DG International Cooperation and Development, EU Commission
• Ms. Angel Adelaja Founder, Fresh Direct
• Mr. Joost Oorthuizen CEO, IDH
• Ms. Robin Miller Partner and Global Digital & Data Practice Lead, Dalberg Advisors
• Mr. Cyril Khamsi CEO, Kumwe Freight
• Ms. Toyin Onigbanjo CEO, August Secrets

Sustainable Productivity: Maintaining Technology and Input Delivery Systems

Rural retail agro-dealers and their suppliers face many challenges when selling and distributing agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers, including high transaction costs, stock-outs, and working capital constraints, and pressing needs such as acidic soils and major pest outbreaks.

• Dr. Usha Zehr Director and Chief Technology Officer, MAHYCO 
• Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo Executive Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa 
• Ms. Dinnah Kapiza Founder and CEO, Tisaiwale Trading 
• Ms. Faith Mulwa Chief Financial Officer, Agri-Wallet Dr. George Bigirwa Deputy Vice President Program Innovations and Delivery – Technical, AGRA 
• Dr. Joseph DeVries President, Seed Systems Group 
• Mr. Jason Scarpone President and CEO, The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) Bio Mr. Øystein Botillen Stakeholder Relations and Business Development Manager, YARA 
• Ms. Jihane Ajijti Head of Business Development & Digital, OCP Africa Bio

Farmers Forum

Africa’s farmers are a vibrant community. Mixed or specialized; local or global; urban or rural – food producers discuss the paths that drive their sustainability. This panel discussed how to survive recent challenges and increase resilience.

• Mr. Daniel Gad Owner and General Manager, Omega Farms Bio 
• Ms. Onyaole Patience Koku CEO, Replenish Farms 
• Mr. Motlatsi Musi Family Farmer, Global Farmer Network 
• Dr. Dick Kamuganga President, The Uganda National Farmers Federation 
• Ms. Hellen Akinyi Onyango Crop Aggregator, Farm to Market Alliance 
• Mr. King David Amoah President, Ghana Federation of Agricultural Producers (GFAP)/ Farmers Organizations Network of Ghana 
• Dr. Fadel Ndiame Deputy President, AGRA Dr. Theo de Jager President, World Farmers' Organisation (WFO) 
• Mr. Joe Mzinga Coordinator of ESAFF 
• Dr. Agnes Kalibata President, AGRA and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the 2021 Food Systems Summit 
• Mr. Ishmael Sunga CEO, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) 
• Nelly Mukangwije IIGC (Inspire Igiceri Gasabo Cooperative) Women cooperative 
• Mr. Pascal Mugabarigira Twitezimbere Muhinzi Mworozi Kinyinya

Building Back Better - Growing the Continent

Create demand for African products that fuel diverse, healthy diets with the safety and quality every consumer needs. This Policy Symposium discussed the UN The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 (SOFI 2020)

• Hon. Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Rwanda 
• Mr. Simeon Ehui Regional Director for Sustainable Development for Africa, World Bank 
• Dr. Jemimah Njuki Senior Program Specialist, IDRC 
• Dr. Qu Dongyu Director-General, FAO 
• Mr. Rodger Voorhies President, Global Growth and Opportunity, BMGF 
• Ms. Wambui Gichuri Acting VP for Agriculture Human and Social Development, AfDB 

Growing Africa's Food - African Leaders Unpack Nutrition Indicators
Practitioners showcased how we can create demand for African products that fuel diverse, healthy diets with the safety and quality every consumer needs. 

African food and African food products generate agriculture-driven economic growth in Africa that develops urban food markets, fosters urban-rural linkages, and contributes to reducing poverty and hunger in Africa. It also celebrates the rich food culture across the continent.

• Dr. Barbara Wells Director General, CIP 
  
• Dr. Johan Swinnen Director General, IFPRI 
• Ms. Ertharin Cousin Distinguished Fellow, Chicago Council on Global Affairs 
• Dr. Lawrence Haddad Executive Director, GAIN 
• Ms. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli Co-founder, AACE Foods & and Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition 
• Ms. Thato Moagi-Mugonda Farmer and Managing Director, Black Sheep Agribusiness Bio

Strengthening the Ecosystem for Young African Agripreneurs

AfDB, IFAD, USAID, SACAU, MCF, Syngenta Foundation, Syngenta, FAO, Wasafiri, CTA, Corteva.

Generation Africa as a platform together with like-minded institutions are supporting collaboration to improve the ecosystem for agripreneurship. Three consistent members of the year-round Generation Africa Members working Group, discussed an action plan on how to serve young agripreneurs’ needs better, noting opportunities to collaborate on finance, education, business support, policy reform and advocacy.

• Mr. Fredrick Swaniker CEO, African Leadership Academy 
  
• Dr. Simon Winter Executive Director Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture 
• Ms. Sharon Cromer Mission Director, Ghana, USAID 
• Dr. Kanayo Nwanze CEO, FAYODE, Nigeria (Africa Food Prize Laureate, 2016) 
• Ms. Evelyn Ohanwusi ENABLE TAAT Youth Coordinator, IITA 
• Mr. Dana Bolden Chief Communications Officer, Corteva Agriscience 
• Ms. Bonolo Monthe Managing Director, Maungo Craft 
• Ms. Anne Maria Makhulo Chief of International Cooperation