United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework aligns with NDS1

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) aimed at achieving economic growth and stability, food and nutrition security, structural transformation, and value chains among many common priorities. These were the sentiments of Mr. Spencer Dube, the Acting Chief Director of Political Affairs in the Ministry of…

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A Food Security Statistics Project is Enhancing Food Security Data across Africa

Reliable food security statistics are essential for informed decisions on food access, quality, and affordability.   Recognizing this, a regional collaboration between the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Statistics Norway, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), has supported eight African nations in strengthening their food and nutritional security…

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NetOne, Salutem Launch Dollar-a-Month Medical Cover

NetOne, Zimbabwe’s state-owned mobile network operator, has partnered with Salutem International Medical Fund to launch an innovative healthcare product aimed at increasing access to primary healthcare services across the country. The Salutem One Health product, accessible through NetOne’s mobile money platform OneMoney, offers essential medical coverage for just US$1 per month. Speaking at the launch…

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Religious Freedom Violation and Intolerance Spark International Controversy

South Korean local government cancels international event with 30,000 participants from 78 countries, causing international damage   On October 29th, an administrative decision by a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom and causing substantial financial loss.   The “Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two…

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Pan African Youth Forum: Empowering Youth Through Education for Climate Resilience

On November 2, 2024, at the Pan African Youth Forum in Oran, Algeria, the event titled “Empowering Youth through Education for Climate Resilience” brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including youth leaders, educators, and policymakers, to address the urgent need for climate education. This gathering underscored the pivotal role that young people can play…

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Agri-Food Systems: Inclusive education and skills training empower women and youth

On the 30th of October 2024, Ash-Gric held a side event at the African Union’s  20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) and the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) under the theme “Inclusive Education & Skills Training: Empowering Youth and Women for Resilient Agri-Food Systems.”   The event…

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Biennial Review Reports: Member states off-target on achieving CAADP commitments

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Progamme (CAADP) Biennial Review Reports have shown that countries have missed targets on enhancing investment finance in agriculture, ending hunger, halving poverty, boosting intra-African trade, enhancing resilience to climate variability, and promoting mutual accountability by 2025 as espoused in the commitments that support the Malabo Declaration. This was revealed by…

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50/50 Women on Boards Launches Inaugural African Chapter in Nairobi

On 15 October 2024, the 50/50 Women on Boards (WOB), the global nonprofit advocating for gender balance and diversity on corporate boards, is thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural African chapter in Nairobi, Kenya. This marks a significant expansion of the organization’s mission to promote gender equality in corporate governance and leadership across…

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Epi App Takes Top Honors at Cimas HIT Healthathon: A New Era in Healthcare Innovation

Writes Kundai Marunya Harare, Zimbabwe – At the Cimas HIT Healthathon 2.0, held yesterday at Borrowdale Office Park, the future of healthcare innovation took center stage with a spotlight on the groundbreaking Epi App, which clinched the grand prize. The event drew nine talented innovators from various tertiary institutions, all eager to showcase their revolutionary…

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AUDA-NEPAD and PARM contributing to agricultural risk management in Africa

The Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) shared knowledge of the approaches and opportunities for effective agricultural risk management (ARM) in Africa.   Speaking during a side event titled “Accelerating Investments for Inclusive and Holistic Agricultural Risk Management in Africa” on the sidelines of the commemoration of the…

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NetOne takes connectivity, environmental stewardship to Honde Valley

NetOne Zimbabwe’s leading mobile network operator has hailed its collaboration with the local and many other stakeholders in Mutasa Rural District Council by actively participating in the National Clean-up Day and bin installations in its efforts to fulfill its mandate on corporate social responsibility and environmental conservation. Also aligned with its mission to develop communities…

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Research and Innovation: Catalysts for Agricultural Transformation under under CAADP

As stakeholders gathered in Harare to commemorate two decades of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme(CAADP), it emerged that there is a need to reflect on the vital role that research plays in this transformative journey.   In a speech on his behalf during a side event at the 20th CAADP Partnership Platform titled “Research…

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Commissioner Sacko urges action on implementing the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan

H.E Ambassador Josefa Sacko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the Africa Union Commission, has urged urgent action on the implementation of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan.   She made the call during a side event at the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP PP)…

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AGRA, FAO hail CAADP Partnership Platform: Aligning efforts to drive Africa’s agricultural agenda

The Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA) has hailed the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform (PP) as stronger than ever, with a renewed focus on inclusivity and collaboration.   Speaking during the official opening of the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP PP) and the 15th Africa Day for Food…

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African governments tasked to prioritise investment in biotechnology

African governments have been urged to prioritise investment in biotechnology research and development to address pressing challenges in the sector, including climate change, pests and diseases, and declining soil fertility.   The call was made to African Ministers from six countries, including Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Eswatini, during a ministerial roundtable held on the…

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AUDA-NEPAD, donors renew commitment to building resilient and inclusive food systems

The 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) held under the theme “CAADP Agenda Two Decades-on: Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agrifood Systems, and Education for Africa’s Growth” marked an opportunity not only to reflect on the achievements of the past 20 years but…

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AGRA, AUDA-NEPAD and IFPRI event spotlights Strategic Pathways to Agrifood Systems Transformation

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) will be holding a side event during the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Africa day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) in Harare, Zimbbwe. This session…

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Africa needs to develop human capacities and innovative practices to achieve resilient agri-food systems

African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko reaffirmed in Harare, Zimbabwe, the need to develop human capacities and innovative practices to accelerate the implementation and expansion of successful models to achieve resilient agri-food systems in Africa.   Josefa Sacko, who was speaking at the commemoration of the fifteenth African Day for Food Security and Nutrition and…

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CAADP Non-state actors enhancing accountability, knowledge dissemination in agriculture

Non-state actors play a key role in realising the aspirations of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) by promoting accountability among stakeholders and disseminating knowledge and information to the grassroots, especially smallholder farmers.   This emerged yesterday during the first day of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) Commemoration and…

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Agriculture risk management contributes to Africa’s food security: PARM, AUDA-NEPAD

The Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) and the African Union Development Agency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) are co-organising the side-event “Accelerating Investments for Inclusive and Holistic Agricultural Risk Management in Africa” on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS), the 20th…

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CAADP processes register tremendous progress in transforming agriculture

Since the birth of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) through the Maputo Declaration of 2003 followed by the Malabo Declaration of 2014, tremendous progress has been made by the member states in transforming agriculture despite facing various challenges including the effects of climate change, pandemics, geo-political conflicts, and global recession, a senior government…

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Agriculture: To what extent can a few beneficiaries transform a whole community?

Writes Charles Dhewa   Due to limited resources, among other reasons, development interventions often work with a few targeted beneficiaries hoping that new knowledge or practices can trickle down to the entire community. For instance, in a community of more than 1000 households, an intervention can support 50 households to do sustainable agriculture. Some interventions…

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20th CAADP PP and 15th ADFNS: Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agri-food Systems and Education for Africa’s Growth

Zimbabwe hosts the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP) and Commemoration of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) under the theme “Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agrifood Systems, and Education for Africa’s Growth.”   The meetings will run from the 29th of October to the 1st of November…

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SHEFS-SA catalyses the transformation of Southern African food systems

The Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems – Southern Africa (SHEFS-SA) consortium seeks to catalyse the transformation of Southern African food systems and communities towards systems and communities that are healthy and resilient to climate risks.   This emerged at a side event ahead of the Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC) 2024 running under the…

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Partnerships enhance sustainable food security: Inaugural Africa Plant Health Systems Forum

The inaugural African Plant Health Systems Forum has highlighted the strength of partnerships and knowledge-driven solutions towards greater sustainable food security for a growing African population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.   CABI, organised and launched the event, which brings together representatives from CABI’s African Member Countries, including government, development, research, farmer, and private…

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Bishops Healing Nations Council bringing souls to Jesus Christ

Writes Panashe Gwesu   Bishops Healing Nations Council, a new chapter in spiritual leadership and community healing was officially launched in Harare yesterday.   Addressing a crowd of hundreds, the founding president, Bishop Philein T. Muzira, who took the procession, talked about the organization’s mission of uniting spiritual leaders from diverse callings bishops, overseers, prophets,…

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Poverty eradication: AFDB President urges bold, innovative and practical solutions

Climate change, global financial shocks, and growing food insecurity are threatening Africa, the world’s fastest-growing continent, and hampering the achievement of global development goals. To tackle these challenges and speed up the continent’s efforts to achieve these goals, the president of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on Thursday called for bold reforms…

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Africa’s post-Malabo agriculture programme a rethink of the continent’s priorities: Ambassador Josefa Sacko

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) 26/10/24 – African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko reiterated in Addis Ababa the need to maintain the strengths of the continent’s comprehensive agricultural development programme to respond to economic shocks, emerging climate change issues, conflicts and plant and animal diseases.   Josefa Sacko, who was speaking at the Ministerial follow-up to the…

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Fastjet Zimbabwe achieves prestigious IOSA registration

HARARE, ZIMBABWE | Fastjet Zimbabwe, the award-winning airline, is pleased to announce that it has successfully achieved the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration. This registration acknowledges fastjet’s conformance and adherence to the highest operational and safety standards in the aviation industry.   Administered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the IOSA…

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CCARDESA advances knowledge management practices promoting agricultural resilience and food security

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is coordinating research and development programs for the region by embracing knowledge manansagement practices in pursuit of agricultural resilience and food security. This emerged at the CCARDESA’s Ukama Ustawi Learning Alliance Policy Dialogue Knowledge Management and Agricultural Policy meeting underway in Johannesburg,…

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UNDP, Global Fund-Donated Solar Systems to Strengthen Zimbabwe’s Healthcare Infrastructure

In a significant step toward bolstering Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and promoting sustainable energy solutions, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) yesterday officially handed over a state-of-the-art 450 kW solar system to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm). Additionally, 1,044 solar systems have been installed across health facilities…

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Merjury Nyarumwe unveils uplifting Gospel album

Writes Chimeno Azriel   Last Saturday, Kadoma City’s gospel music scene witnessed a momentous occasion with the launch of Kadoma-based Mejury Nyarumwe’s debut album ‘Ngavavongwe’. The event, filled with soul-stirring performances and heartfelt testimonies, left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who attended, cementing the talented singer’s position as a leading voice in…

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Jacob Ngarivhume set free after 82-day detention

Writes Kumbirai Mafunda   The High Court has ended the 82-day detention of Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of the opposition Transform Zimbabwe political party, by setting him free from prison on bail.   High Court Judge Justice Emilia Muchawa on Wednesday 23 October 2024 ordered that Ngarivhume should be released from prison on bail after he petitioned the…

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UN at 79: Bridging Legacy and Innovation for a Sustainable Future

Writes Sirak Gebrehiwot Seventy-nine years ago, the United Nations was founded in the aftermath of World War II, a bold response to the catastrophic fallout of global conflict. Established with the aspirational goal of promoting international peace, security, and cooperation, the UN has long stood as a cornerstone of multilateral diplomacy, championing human rights, humanitarian…

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Food safety agency to strengthen coordination and harmonisation capacity on the continent

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 24 October 2024 – The African Food Safety Agency will be created to ensure responsibility for strengthening the capacity, governance, coordination, and harmonisation of food safety systems in Africa, Dr. Amare Ayalew, Programme Manager of the AU Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa, said in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.   Amare Ayalew made…

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Workshop demonstrates importance of transboundary water cooperation

A High-Level Segment of the 10th Meeting of Parties (MoP10) to the Water Convention in Ljubljana, Slovenia has demonstrated the importance of transboundary water cooperation.   Key dignitaries who attended the meeting include Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Hon. Vangelis Peter Haritatos;  H.E. Mr. Robert Golob, Prime Minister of…

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AU reviews Africa agriculture programme strategy

An extraordinary session of the African Union’s specialised technical committee got underway on 23 October 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review the strategy and action plan for the continent’s comprehensive agricultural development programme for the next 10 years.   For three days, experts in the agricultural sector will review and approve the Kampala Declaration,…

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Zimbabwe Youth Council, TRM partner to address young people’s plight in rural areas

Writes Marlvin Ngiza  The Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) and Teen Rescue Mission (TRM) have entered a partnership to strengthen interventions in rural areas through economic empowerment programmes, health education and vocational training, a move which has been described as a roadmap to alleviate poverty, youth crimes, drug abuse and teen pregnancy among others. Speaking after…

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MISA calls for solidarity of editors against violations committed against journalists in Mozambique

Writes Charles Mangwiro Maputo (Mozambique) – The National Governing Council of MISA-Mozambique has strongly condemned  the attack against journalists which occurred last Monday, perpetrated by the Mozambican Police Force (PRM), during the strike called by  the opposition party PODEMOS, in protest against the murder of its members Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe. Riot police in…

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K-State, USDA scientists awarded grant to battle invasive stored grain pests

Scientists from Kansas State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have launched a project to improve biosecurity against a pair of insects that have battered America’s food supply for decades.   K-State professor of entomology Tom Phillips said the university will lead a $799,976 project funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture…

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High Court trashes archaic demolition law, says it has outlived its usefulness

Writes Kumbirai Mafunda   The High Court has frowned upon the unlawful and pervasive practice of local authorities in demolishing residential properties across the country and criticised the impugned legislation, which they had abused for several years, to arbitrarily demolish houses and evict people, as having outlived its usefulness.   In a written judgment handed…

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Svalbard Global Seed Vault Receives Historic Deposit Bolstering Food Security Amid Crises

LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD — October 23, 2024 — The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received yesterday a deposit of more than 30,000 new seed samples from 23 depositors across 21 countries, including seven international genebanks. This marks the largest number of depositors since the Seed Vault received samples from a record-breaking 35 genebanks in 2020, underscoring the…

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Old Mutual Partners with The Eye Institute For Community Eye Care Initiative

In a ground-breaking initiative aimed at tackling critical health issues in Zimbabwe, Old Mutual has unveiled a pioneering partnership with the Eye Institute founded by Dr Ron Mhizha. This strategic collaboration is set to elevate eye care services for various community members, including pensioners. The inaugural pilot project launching in Manicaland marks a significant step…

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