AGRF: Sustainable Agriculture Intensification to Feed the Cities and Grow Africa

7 September 2020. AGRF: Sustainable Agriculture Intensification to Feed the Cities and Grow Africa.

See the recording here

How can the Global South strengthen agricultural systems and accelerate agricultural production to deliver broad access to affordable, safe and nutritious foods, while at the same time protecting and improving natural ecosystems, and reducing poverty and inequality?

These are formidable challenges.Our current technology, policies, institutions, and financial instruments are not up to the job. Innovation will be absolutely critical. But is the world investing in the right areas and approaches to innovation to make the massive changes that are needed?

The Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI) is bringing together eminent

Global South scientists, policy-makers, farming experts and others to tackle these challenging questions and recommend priority areas for international support.

• Introduction – Ruben G. Echeverria, CoSAI Chair, Sr. Research Fellow International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) \
• What are the rural-urban links that need to be strengthened to sustainably feed African cities? - David Simon, Professor of Development Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London 
• What will future agricultural systems in Africa require in terms of innovation in SAI, given rapid urbanization? - Irene Annor-Frempong, Director for Research and Innovation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
• How can innovation best be supported to achieve the priority environmental objectives of SAI in Africa? - Alice Ruhweza, Regional Director for Africa at the WWF
• What are the perceived priorities for the major investors in innovation in SAI, and how they may need to change? - Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Director of the East and Southern Africa Division at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• What are the major policy constraints to generating and adopting innovation in SAI, and how can these be overcome? - Madiodio Niasse, formerly Director of the Secretariat of the International Land Coalition (ILC)
• Question/Answers from the virtual audience  - Moderator: Jennifer Baarn, Head of Partnerships at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)