Enhancing Knowledge Management in institutions requires enforcing a national policy aimed at influencing knowledge sharing and serving as a repository of knowledge among stakeholders, key players, and the public. On 25th October 2024, the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in partnership with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), held a Knowledge Management Policy Dialogue at Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, through the Ukama Ustawi Initiative.
The IWMI-led Ukama Ustawi (UU) Initiative is a four-year project worth approximately USD 40 million that promotes diversification for resilient agribusiness ecosystems in East and Southern Africa (ESA). The initiative is set to end in 2024 and targets 12 countries in this region: Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The main goal of the UU Initiative is to address food and nutrition security risks in the region, which stem from an overreliance on maize monoculture. The initiative instead promotes a climate-resilient, water-secure, and socially inclusive approach aimed at helping smallholders diversify and de-risk agri-food systems based on maize in the targeted countries.
The Forum builds on a far-reaching year-long process, from the work of AEF multi-stakeholder Strategy Groups and the Future Africa-EU Roundtable of July 2024 to Friends of Europe’s Global Europe programme and in the preamble of the State of Europe 2024. Throughout the year, the AEF community has had a strategic focus on ‘sustainable finance’ as a defining domain of cooperation for a forward-looking Africa-Europe Partnership on equal footing.
Donald Kaberuka - High Representative for the Peace Fund of the Africa Union Commission and former President of the African Development Bank
Arancha González Laya - Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po and former Spanish minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli - President and CEO of the ONE Campaign
Simon Mordue - Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS)
Myriam Ferran - Deputy Director General, European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA)
Related:
25 September 2024. ONE Campaign "Africa at the Forefront of Global Financing Solutions," discussed the current financing gap for people and planet and African-led ideas and solutions for the future. The event featured panels and discussions on global health financing and the future of replenishments, Africa's seat at the table in shaping our collective future, and ONE's journey of activism and advocacy as we celebrate our 20th anniversary.
At the Food & Agriculture Pavilion, CGIAR and FAO will create a platform for collaborative dialogue, knowledge sharing, and decision-making on the unique role of agriculture and food systems in the fight against climate change. These will include sharing efforts to drive adaptation and reduce emissions across food, land, and water systems to ensure food, nutrition, and water security for the most affected small-scale producers and food-insecure communities through targeted adaptation strategies.
This session explores LLA experiences designing food and agricultural climate solutions that engage diverse stakeholders, leverage innovative finance, address structural inequalities, and foster capacity and knowledge exchange.
Led by ICARDA and ICRISAT, the Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD) builds on CGIAR’s 50-year legacy of dryland agri-research, science, and extensive partner networks, to leverage cutting-edge technologies and foster synergies for agri-innovation packages that are tailored to unique dryland challenges.
The current climate financing falls short of enabling net-zero, nature-positive transitions. This event explores science-based solutions to unlock capital for farmers, boosting resilience, food security, and equity, while addressing both adaptation and mitigation in sustainable livestock development. The session highlights barriers faced by women in agriculture, creating a platform for their empowerment in the food system transformation.
The panel will discuss the findings of a recent study that highlighted the potential of bioinputs, particularly inoculants and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) techniques, as alternatives to nitrogen fertilizers in non-leguminous Crops such as wheat, rice, sugarcane, corn, and pastures.
Extension systems are often faced with operational budget constraints, weak technical capacity, coordination challenges, poor research-extension linkages, and unsupportive policy environments for building resilience to climate shocks.
Experts will discuss how cutting-edge innovations are revolutionizing traditional farming methods, promoting resource efficiency, and enhancing resilience in the face of climate change and resource scarcity. Additionally, the panel will explore how financial mechanisms can direct capital toward sustainable practices, ensuring the long-term management of vital resources such as water and land.
An opportunity to announce progress against various initiatives focused on smallholder farmers, taking stock of how recent global and bilateral initiatives have catalyzed investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.
This side event explores the profound impact of climate change, particularly rising atmospheric CO₂ and extreme weather events, on food supply and the nutrient quality of key staple crops like maize, rice, and wheat.
Key experts will share (1) food sharing model for food waste prevention in Solo (Indonesia); (2) zero waste and agroecology implementation in Kerala (India); and (3) zero waste communities and organic food production in Rangpur (Bangladesh).
The ‘2024 Breakthrough Agenda Report: Agriculture’ is the first standalone report to focus on agriculture within the Breakthrough Agenda series. This report draws on CGIAR’s and global stakeholders’ expertise to assess the status of international collaboration toward implementing sustainable practices in agriculture, and to propose clear recommendations for sector-specific actions that governments and non-state actors need to take together.
Representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia will launch Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plans designed to align climate adaptation in agriculture with NDCs.
This event will highlight the potential of agroecology, water systems, sector-specific initiatives in fisheries and healthy diets for ambitious national climate action.
The 2024 Breakthrough Agenda Report – Agriculture is the first standalone report to focus on the agrifood system in the Breakthrough Agenda series. The report assesses the status of international collaboration toward implementing sustainable practices in agriculture and finds that while efforts are being made, they are not yet delivering the levels of investment and deployment required to drive reductions in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions required to meet international climate goals.
Spotlighting two sectors of the agrifood system with the greatest contributions to GHG emissions – enteric methane emissions from livestock and emissions from fertilizers production and application – the report outlines several promising technologies that could support climate mitigation if appropriately scaled. It calls on governments to strengthen collaboration in key areas – such as financial and technical assistance, knowledge exchange, demand creation, and the development of common metrics and indicators – to accelerate the much-needed transition to clean, sustainable, agricultural practices.
Launched in December 2022, AfriFOODlinks is an EU funded project*. Coordinated by ICLEI Africa, the project gathers 26 partners across the globe to improve food security and urban sustainability in 65+ cities in Africa and Europe by:
Applying an urban food systems lens to promote shifts to healthy, sustainable diets
Transforming urban food environments through real-world socio-technical experiments
Promoting inclusive multi-actor governance to empower public officials, small businesses and communities with ownership and agency to shape their food systems
Accelerating innovative, women- and youth-led agri-food businesses to support local value addition and inclusive economic participation
This project is part of the Step Change initiative, co-funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and IDRC. Step Change is a five-year, CAD28.5-million initiative that aims to accelerate equitable and inclusive locally led adaptation.
The main objectives of Tropical Summit are to promote the transfer of knowledge, stimulate multidisciplinary collaboration and the involvement of stakeholders, and contribute to the co-creation and innovative projects, capitalizing and densifying existing initiatives and collaboration platforms for the rapid implementation of tangible and robust solutions. The focus will be on South-South-North triangular cooperation and 4 thematic areas:
PLANETARY HEALTH: Nurturing life within the global boundaries
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: Sustainability as a path to socioeconomic progress
TERRITORIAL AND SOCIAL TRANSITIONS: Building resilient spaces and societies in every dimension
HUMAN GROWTH: Empowerment and technology for the times ahead
This panel session discussed the critical role of agroecology in addressing food system challenges in Africa, particularly under the looming impacts of climate change. Opening remarks by Dr. Aggrey Agumya focused on the need for a robust ten-year agricultural strategy from FARA that acknowledges the benefits of agroecology, a point furthered by Dr. Guy Faure’s insights on EU support and the importance of innovation and market access for agroecological systems. Dr. Marc Corbeels highlighted the detrimental effects of climate change, indicating changes in temperature and rainfall that could reduce crop yields. Discussions led by Prof. Rachel Wynberg outlined fundamental principles and necessary transformative approaches to agroecology. The session identified key action items for scientists, researchers, policymakers, and research institutions to bolster evidence, innovation, market access, and research capacity, while also addressing the challenges of urbanization and waste management in agroecological practices. Overall, the meeting underscored the urgency of catalyzing agroecological practices as a resilient response to climate change and food security challenges in Africa.
Aggrey Agumya, FARA
FARA is developing 10-year agricultural strategy for Africa. No mention of agroecology in the strategy despite efforts. Lack of evidence cited as reason for not featuring agroecology prominently. Call for scientists to provide more concrete evidence on agroecology benefits.
Guy Faure, EC-INTPA
He emphasized need for innovation in agroecology to boost production, Highlighted importance of better market access for agroecological farming systems, EU is funding regional multi-actor research networks to strengthen research capacity
Marc Corbeels, CIRAD
He presented the CANALLS project. This research project aims to drive agroecological transitions in the humid tropics of Central and Eastern Africa via multi-actor transdisciplinary Agroecology Living Labs (ALLs) and providing holistic agroecological solutions that meet the challenges of the local food systems. The ALLs are based in
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Bunia in DRC (Lowlands/ cocoa) + Biega in DRC (Highlands/ coffee) + Kabare (Highlands/ coffee) + Uvira (Lowlands/ cassava, rice)
This book offers a contribution that is enriched by the collaborative, creative, and critical voices of African farmers, activists, scientists, scholars, and policymakers. Their viewpoints combine in this volume to articulate a shared and dynamic vision of a world where agriculture is productive, diverse, and sustainable; where different ways of seeing and knowing are respected; and where seed and food systems are in the hands of farmers and local communities.
Baitsi Podisi, CCARDESA
06/11 Agricultural Development
Keynote - Sammy Aggrey Professor in Genetics and Genomics at the University of Georgia, Athens
Bongiwe Njobe - Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
Karen Montiel - Technical specialist, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture
Ravi Khetarpal - Chair of the Global Forum on Agriculture Research and Innovation (APAARI)
Sylvain Perret - Director of Agrinatura
Moderator: Oseyemi Akinbamijo Former Executive Director of FARA
06/11 Building Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems: Case Studies and Indicators
Parallel Session – Project Showcase
Transformative Agri-Food Supply Chains for Climate Resilience – Which indicators are suitable to measure resilience and social transformation? - Christine Altenbuchner, BOKU University
Agroecological Solutions for Resilient Farming in West Africa - The Cape Verde Case Study - Miguel Ribeiro, ADPM - Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola
Variability and Trends in the Beginning and End of the Rainy Season in West Africa. The Guinea-Bissau case study - Orlando Mendes, National Meteorological Institute; Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning
Sustainable Aquaponics for Food Security in SIDS: A Case Study of São Tomé and Príncipe - Britta Kautzman, School of Agriculture; Lisbon School of Economics & Management
INNOECOFOOD - Eco-innovative technologies for improved nutrition, sustainable production and marketing of agroecological food products in Africa - Ana Faria, CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research INNOECOFOOD aims to establish innovative production/ business ECOHUBS and improve local aquaculture farms using AI and IoT in six African countries. To support EU-AU markets and trade, INNOECOFOOD will train rural farmers, youth and women to innovatively produce and process nutritious aquaculture catfish and tilapia, blue-green cyanobacteria spirulina, and insect value chains that will be processed into certified marketable human food products and feed. The project aims to establish ECOHUB farms in six African countries, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Namibia, Tanzania and Egypt, where sustainable cultured fish, Spirulina (a green-blue algae) and insects will be produced using innovative artificial intelligence technologies and climate-friendly renewable local energy sources, with optimized production-processing-operation-marketing. This project will also lead to the employment and training of local people with low socio-economic status in these ECOHUB farms, enabling them to sustainably continue the production chain and cycle in the ECOHUB farms, and to produce and process certified, marketable food and industrial products from these innovative farms, thus providing the potential for sustainable social impact.
Soil Salinity and Saline Agriculture in Eastern & Southern Africa: Experiences from a Regional Technical Network Initiative - Jakob Herrmann, Weltweit – Association for the Promotion of Local Initiatives e.V.; Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Soil Science and Soil Protection
06/11 Transforming African farming and food systems through research and innovation – A presentation and discussion with six EU-H2020 projects
Adam Standring, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão
Idalina Dias Sardinha, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão
Giles Young, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Helena Serrano, Faculty of Sciences - University of Lisbon
Cristina Branquinho, Faculty of Sciences - University of Lisbon
Mary Steverink-Mosugu, ISRIC - World Soil Information
Giovanna Seddaiu, University of Sassari
Harun Cicek, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
Fernando Sousa, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
Vladimir Mrkajić, InoSens
Mila Sell, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
6/11 Reflections of Agroecology as pathway to climate change adaptation and mitigation
07/11 FOOD4WA: Sharing Africa's Centers of Excellence and Innovative Agricultural Solutions with the World
Parallel Session - Project Showcase & Debate
Organised by: Food for West Africa Network
In line with strengthening Inter-ACE collaborations, various thematic networks have been created under the ACE Impact Project. The Food for West Africa (FOOD4WA) is one of eight thematic networks established with the aim of advancing collaboration on cutting edge research, to address food insecurity challenges within the region. The Network headquarters are based at the Regional Center of Excellence on Poultry Sciences (CERSA) of the University of Lome-Togo.
Eh Samba Sylla, Food for West Africa Network (FOOD4WA)
Centre of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (CCBAD) of Côte d’Ivoire
farmer-led networks from Asia, Africa, and Latin America about their experience revitalizing fresh food markets and strengthening links among farmers, consumers, and public officials.
learn about the main findings of the "Food from Somewhere" report on the status of territorial markets launched by The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food).
The webinar titled "Territorial Markets: Healthy Food, Real Relationships, and a Fair Deal" focused on the significance of territorial markets in promoting sustainable food systems, particularly through agroecological economies, with support from the Agroecology Fund active in over 90 countries. Key highlights included discussions on barriers faced by farmers, such as infrastructure and regulatory challenges, and presentations from organizations in Sri Lanka, Benin, and Peru showcasing efforts to empower marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, in agriculture and local markets.
The session also featured an IPES-Food report that outlined the vulnerabilities of global food systems and underscored the resilience offered by territorial markets compared to corporate supply chains. Recommendations for future actions included necessary policy shifts to bolster support for these markets, enhancing access to agroecological products, and fostering knowledge exchange among farmers globally. Action items were established, such as sharing relevant studies and organizing exchange programs.
Through the territorial markets initiative, FAO aims to highlight the importance of territorial markets to promote healthy food environments and ensure access to healthy diets and nutritious and diversified food. FAO seeks also to identify any gaps that could be addressed, as well as to provide specific recommendations for policies and investments that could be promoted by local and national institutions and governments.
Persistent crises have also underscored the importance of resilient close-to-home ‘territorial’ markets that feed billions of people every day – from public markets and street vendors to cooperatives, from urban agriculture to online direct sales, from food hubs to community kitchens.
Food From Somewhere provides a comprehensive overview of these diverse food webs. It documents their critical contributions to sustaining producer livelihoods, ensuring access to healthy food for the poorest populations, sustaining cultures and communities, and keeping people fed in the face of shocks. The report urges governments to reinvest in local and regional supply infrastructure, relocalise public purchasing and food security strategies, and curb corporate capture of food systems.
The SUN Movement Global Gathering is the Movement’s flagship event and one of the largest international gatherings within the nutrition community.
26 to 27 November 2024 SFN+ Hybrid Conference: Innovations for sustainable and resilient agri-food systems
This hybrid conference will provide an opportunity to explore the latest innovations in the agri-food systems within the UK and beyond (Africa and Asia); showcase the success of its funded research projects, present the latest knowledge exchange initiatives of its expert working groups and provide networking opportunities for leading food researchers and industry experts.
This event is organised by the Brussels-based FiBL Europe together with FiBL Switzerland, FiBL Germany, FiBL Austria, FiBL France and the Hungarian ÖMKi.
Centre for Rural Development/Humboldt University Berlin
This training will delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of transforming food systems in the Global South, offering practical insights and strategic guidance.
Aim: Highlight the main challenges in the current food system(s), and co-develop practical solutions and action plans based on the objectives and local realities of the participants.
Target group : Urban planners, Project Manager in International Development NGOs, Food Value Chain Experts.
