Prof Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) System Board Chairperson has said that the institution’s vision for adopted crops and soils for Africa is to build resilient agrifood systems by leveraging opportunity crops and building healthy soils to enhance agricultural resilience to climate change and improve diets. She was…
Writes Liapeng Raliengoane LESOTHO, Quthing – Parents from Mphaki area agree that they do not talk to their children about menstruation due to several reasons including cultural norms and fear of talking about sex-related matters. An interview with the Ministry of Health Lesotho Adolescent Health Program Manager ‘Mathato Nkuatsana revealed that there is…
Writes Elvis Dumba Cairo, Egypt – The COVID-19 pandemic has taught Zimbabwe the crucial need for public health investment, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Marian Chombo, revealed at the ongoing Pharmoconex Conference in Egypt. The conference, one of Africa’s largest events for the medical manufacturing industry, brings together pharmaceutical industries from…
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, the President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has urged ministers responsible for agriculture on the African continent to drive real change in the food systems in the face of climate challenges. She raised the issue during a ministerial roundtable held on 4 September 2024 at the…
The 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum has emerged as a mechanism for the implementation of various initiatives and a tool for action in pursuit of achieving improved agricultural production and productivity and attaining food and nutrition security on the continent. This was revealed by Dr. Agnes Kalibata, the President of the Alliance for a…
Dr. Lawrence Haddad, the Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has said nutrition is a story that can change a lifetime. Speaking on the progress of food systems in Africa during the launch of the Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR), Dr. Haddad said stakeholders on the continent have lots of…
Investing in gender-sensitive policies and regulatory frameworks that encourage investment in women agripreneurs is central to the future of agrifood systems in Africa. This was revealed by Nana Amoah, AGRA’s Director of Gender, Youth, and Inclusiveness during the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday 5 September 2024 during a deal room knowledge…
Writes Lloyd Rabaya It’s 11:00 PM on the streets of Harare. The only sound comes from bass-heavy echoes from nearby nightclubs and intermittent hushed drives. On the pavement of one building, a group of young people hurdle together while some cover themselves in cardboard boxes to ward off the cold despite it being summer. This…
In a significant stride towards improving healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), today commissioned the newly completed NatPharm warehouse in Masvingo. The state-of-the-art facility, which was funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria (Global Fund), is expected…
Writes Charles Mangwiro MAPUTO (Mozambique) – The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique, Dr. Catherine Sozi has called for peaceful Mozambique general elections due on October 9 to choose the country’s next president and 250 members of parliament. “A peaceful and democratic electoral process is essential for the prosperity and…
The 7th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum, held on Wednesday in Gaborone, Botswana highlighted the urgent need to remove visa restrictions, reduce airfares, and enhance connectivity to unleash Africa’s vast tourism potential. Stakeholders emphasised that these strategies, which aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), were crucial to boosting intra-Africa travel and fostering…
Tinotenda Mhiko, the Chief Executive Officer of the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has said the implementation of the revolutionary agricultural science-based Vision 2030 (V30) accelerator model has won him the prestigious 2024 Africa Food Prize. He was addressing journalists at a press conference at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) in Rwanda yesterday…
Tinotenda Mhiko, the Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has won the coveted US$100,000 Africa Food Prize that celebrates Africans who are taking control of the continent’s agriculture agenda. The prize puts a spotlight on bold initiatives and technical innovations that can be replicated across the continent to create…
At least 4.4 million hectares of productive land are lost to desertification every year, leading to the malnutrition of some 68 million people in Africa, African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko said today in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The diplomat, who was speaking at the Tenth Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the…
The 2023 Seed Sector Performance Index (SSPI) Status Report for Africa was disseminated at the African Food Systems Forum’s 2024 Summit on 2 September in Kigali, Rwanda. The SSPI is a new, single score-based measurement tool that provides “a bird’s eye view” of the health of national seed systems across the continent. The SSPI was…
Writes George Marechera (AGRA – Head of Digital Systems and Solutions for Agriculture) New technologies and digitalisation are transforming agriculture and offering new opportunities for transformative agriculture development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Digital agriculture is a new and emerging field that has the potential to help address the productivity, sustainability, resilience, market, and trade…
Zimbabwe demonstrated a scalable innovative food system policy through its 1-hectare irrigation model during a plenary session on the official opening yesterday of the Africa Food Systems Forum running from 2 to 6 September 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda. Addressing participants during a room discussion on scalable innovative food systems policies and the financing needed…
H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission has called for increased investments in agricultural research and development. She was speaking through the Director of her Department, Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, during the official opening of the Africa Food Systems Forum that is running…
Building productive, nutritious, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable African food systems accelerates the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This was revealed today by Hon Ildephonse Musafiri, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources during the official opening of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda. He…
In her keynote address during the official opening of the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum in Bali, Indonesia on 1 September 2024, Her Excellency, Dr. Puan Maharani, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, said there is a need for strategic cooperation between Indonesia and Africa in the arena of renewable energy, food…
The provision of extension services tied to research and development will improve the capacity of smallholder farmers to increase agricultural production and productivity. This came to the fore yesterday during a side meeting of extension base actors held at the Lemigo Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda at the African Food Systems Forum running from the…
In the continent’s journey towards transforming agrifood systems through preserving and conserving vegetable biodiversity and sustainable use, the Africa Vegetable Biodiversity Rescue Plan (AVBRP), was launched today during the first day of the Africa Food Systems Forum under the session ‘Harnessing our Vegetable Heritage. In his keynote address during the launch, Dr Clement Adjorlolo,…
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is spearheading transformative investment in rural women and youth entrepreneurship in agrifood systems. Addressing participants during a side event of the ongoing Africa Food Systems Forum that kicked off today 2 September 2024 and will run until 6 September 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda held under…
Accelerating food systems transformation, particularly in a changing climate within a digital era, requires careful consideration of the needs, priorities, and capabilities of a diversity of men and women to contribute and benefit from agrifood systems. These were the remarks of Deogratius Magero, the Youth Engagement Manager at the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience…
The country’s largest private medical aid society, and health and wellness service provider, Cimas Health Group continues to embrace innovative models to improve ways of service delivery in the health sector. In a groundbreaking development, Cimas recently acquired a mobile clinic, a customised motor vehicle that will be staffed by a combination of health…
The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Honorable Advocate Jacob F.N Mudenda arrived in Bali, Indonesia on 30th August 2024, where is attending the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Summit running from 31st August – 2nd September at the Grand Hyatt Hotel meant to foster social justice and sustainable economic development. Speaker Mudenda is accompanied by the…
Clayton Masekesa With furtive glances over his shoulder, Samson Muchibo (not his real name), the firewood poacher, creeps through the Burma Valley forest in Mutare South constituency, his worn axe slung over his shoulder. He knows the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and Zimbabwe Forestry Commission authorities are on the lookout for him,…
Her Excellency Charity Manyeruke, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Republic of Rwanda and Chairperson of the Heads of Diplomatic Missions Group (HDMG) of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has said the regional economic group is driving sustainable development despite the threats of natural disasters negatively impacting human and food security. …
Writes Hillary Munedzi The government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has unveiled opportunities for investors to invest in value addition and beneficiation of minerals through restricting the export of all ores and under-processed minerals. Through the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Base Mineral Ores) Order, 2023, contained in Statutory…
Leading telecommunications giant, NetOne, showcased its recently launched service as it unveiled its cutting-edge Telemedicine product at the prestigious Zimbabwe Agricultural Show. To fully execute the innovative offering which is the brainchild of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxilia Mnangangwa, NetOne in partnership with ZimSmart, represents this significant step forward…
As the 2024/2025 agricultural season approaches, National Tested Seeds is poised to support farmers with a wide portfolio of high-quality seeds for both field crops and vegetables. This is also complimented by the company’s wealth of expert agronomic and agri-business management services. Speaking to this publication at the Zimbabwe Agriculture Society (ZAS), the Head…
As the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show runs under the theme “Cultivating Prosperity. Growing Business. Innovation for Change. Nurturing our Future,” a critical component of this year’s event is the financial literacy training session hosted by Old Mutual. Agriculture is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP, exports, and employment. However, financial…
The Agricultural Excellence Indaba presided over by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga on the fourth day of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare on Thursday 29 August 2024 emphasised the critical role that new farming technologies play in increasing agricultural production and productivity. In her presentation during the Indaba, held under the theme “Research and…
The Tobacco Research Board trading as Kutsaga continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in agricultural innovation and sustainability, achieving double recognition at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) 2024 while challenging giants like Econet Wireless Zimbabwe. In a notable achievement, Kutsaga was named the Second Runner Up Overall Best Exhibiting Stand at ZAS2024,…
Chronic diseases present significant challenges to individual well-being, necessitating comprehensive management strategies that extend beyond medical treatments. This was said by Ms. Elsie Whacha, a licensed Clinical Social Worker at Island Hospice and Healthcare who has over five years of social work experience in her presentation at the Pain Symposium organised by the Zimbabwe…
As the 2024/25 summer cropping season draws near, anticipation and activity in Zimbabwe’s cotton sector are reaching a fever pitch. Speaking to the media on Monday, the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) Chief Executive Officer, Rockie Mutenha, said that the company was leading the charge, embarking on a comprehensive farmer registration and assessment campaign,…
Spiked Online Media caught up with Tisitano, the local application for buying and selling that is exhibiting at the 2024 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show. Below, Spiked Online Media reproduces an interview with Sibongile Harvey, the Tisitano Country Representative for Zimbabwe: Tisitano is an app that helps you buy and sell things in your local…
The Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday kicked off a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of Food Business Operators (FBOs) in Kenya to address food safety risks. This comes ahead of the implementation of the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill…
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country’s leading telecommunications and technology company, on Tuesday won both the Best Overall Stand and Best ICT Exhibitor awards at the 2024 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS). The accolades are a recognition of the cutting-edge technology Econet is providing to multiple sectors of the economy, including the key agricultural sector. This year…
The African Youth Business Council (AfYBC), affiliated with the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, announced the selection of Engineer Mohamed Osama, an Alumni of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership and the Technical and Technological Support Officer for the Global Solidarity Network, as a founding member representing the North Africa region on the…
Leading Mobile Network Operator in Zimbabwe, NetOne made a remarkable impression at the Zimbabwe Agriculture Show through its captivating technology displays showcasing the latest advancements in robotics, smart farming, and smart home solutions. Drawing attention from attendees and industry experts alike, NetOne’s innovative exhibits not only wowed the audience but also shed light on…
The Tobacco Research Board (TRB) trading as Kutsaga has once again demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and innovation, emerging as the Best Organisation Exhibiting Sustainable Conservation Practices at the prestigious Zimbabwe Agricultural Show 2024. This accolade reaffirms Kutsaga’s expanded mandate in leading the way in sustainable agricultural practices, showcasing its dedication to environmental stewardship and…
Writes Tongai Mwenje NetOne, one of Zimbabwe’s leading mobile network providers, is showcasing its cutting-edge products and services at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show. Among the innovations on display is the “Connect a Greenhouse” initiative, a flagship project under the company’s Smart Agriculture program. The Connect a Greenhouse initiative leverages modern technologies to empower…
His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, the President of the Republic of Mozambique has hailed the resilience of Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector amidst the El-Nino-induced drought. President Nyusi made the remarks today while officially opening the 114th Edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show. The event was graced by His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the President…
Writes Nhau Mangirazi Hurungwe East Member of Parliament Chenjerai Kangausaru launched anti anti-drug campaign through a sports gala at Tengwe Country Club recently. The three-day sports extravaganza saw 13 soccer teams and seven netball teams battling it out from the constituency’s seven wards. The competition was held under the Dan and Erita Maendaenda…
