ZCSOSUNA media training promotes food and nutrition security

Zimbabwe Civil Society Organizations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA), with financial and technical support from UNICEF, in collaboration with key government ministries and departments, held a training workshop to empower journalists to go beyond numbers to using data-driven storytelling to uncover meaningful insights, raising public awareness, influencing policy and shifting consumption behaviors when reporting on…

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Indigenous and Neglected Food Crops: Gateway to Sustainable Tourism and Growth in Africa and the Caribbean

By FANRPAN   Convening multi-stakeholder policy dialogues is one of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN). Convening policy dialogues is crucial for promoting evidence-informed policymaking, fostering mutual understanding, and achieving better policy outcomes. It allows stakeholders to engage in a structured process of discussing issues, identifying priorities, and finding common ground….

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Youth shaping the future of agriculture and food systems in Africa

Across the African continent, there is an increased recognition of the role youth and young people must play in shaping the future of agriculture and food systems.   That was captured in the remarks by Dr. Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, the Chief Executive Officer of the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) today during…

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Revised RAIPs position SADC as a leader in transition towards food sovereignty

The Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s revised regional agricultural investment plans (RAIPs) position the regional bloc as a continental leader in working towards an agri-food transition that responds to the multi-faceted impacts of climate change by adopting sustainable approaches (agroecology); empowering smallholder farmers (particularly women, youth, and vulnerable people); supporting the use of indigenous knowledge;…

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Competition for schools aligns educational reforms with SDGs, Agenda 2063

The Official Launch of the Schools’ SDGs Competitions by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education aligns educational reforms with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 by equipping learners to address global challenges through local action. “It is my privilege to deliver the keynote address at the Official Launch of the Schools SDGs Competitions….

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CAADP 3 demonstrates commitment to reshaping Africa’s agri-food systems

The launch of the third ten-year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) embodies stakeholders’ collective commitment to reshaping Africa’s agri-food systems and securing a prosperous future for all. “We all know the journey from Maputo to where we are, and we have made significant strides in driving sustainable agricultural growth, enhancing food security, and strengthening…

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CAADP Launch: RECs, farmer organisations pledge partnerships for agricultural success

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Regional economic communities (RECs) and farmer organisations have welcomed the official launch of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan and Kampala Declaration following its approval by the African Union Head of State and Government in January 2025 wherein they pledged to contribute their expertise to the…

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AFSPAN, NSAs pledge partnership with African Union to drive agricultural development

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The Africa Food Systems Parliamentarian Network (AFSPAN) together with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Non-State Actors (NSAs) have pledged to support the African Union Commission (AUC) to drive agriculture on the continent.   In their meeting with Mr. Moses Vilakati, the Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development,…

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CAADP: Commissioner Vilakati sets 100 days plan to improve African Agriculture

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Mr. Moses Vilakati, the Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) in the African Union Commission (AUC) has set a 100-day plan to measure performance of the department in improving African Agriculture under the Africa Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action…

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7th Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week a platform for information sharing

The 7th Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week slated for the 12th to the 16th of May 2025 is an opportunity for the exchange of information and knowledge among countries and other stakeholders in farming.   This was revealed by Dr. Silim M. Nahdy, the Executive Director of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) who…

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Mashonaland West Province poised to meet wheat production targets

Writes Violet Mashonga   The sun rises over the fields of Makonde District in Mashonaland West Province, casting a warm glow over the lush green wheat crops. Recently, Provincial Agronomist S. Makaza and District Agronomist T. Marovora embarked on a mission to assess the progress of winter wheat preparations and planting in the district. Their…

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ECOWAS Agriculture Fund Boosts Food Security Interventions Across West Africa

The ECOWAS Regional Agriculture and Food Fund (RAFF) Supervisory Board approved its 2025-2027 work plan and budget during a meeting in Lomé last week. The fund aims to boost agricultural program funding across member states as West Africa faces escalating food insecurity.   Harmonized Framework estimates that 49.5 million people could face food insecurity during…

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Agricultural education and innovation key to achieving food security

Writes Violet Mashonga   In pursuit of empowering farmers for a food-secure future, the Zvimba District held a Field Day themed “The Power of Educating Farmers: Achieving Food Security Everywhere, Every Day,” which showcased the importance of agricultural education and innovation. At the heart of the event was the Pfumvunza farming method, a climate-resilient approach…

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The value of enhancing knowledge flows between formal and informal economies

In most African countries, the formal education system has not succeeded in creating conditions for knowledge to flow between different classes of economic actors and between the formal and informal economies. Consequently, the gap between formal and informal economic systems continues to widen as evidenced by how the informal economy fast becoming a secondary underground…

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ZITF 2025: UNDP Zimbabwe delivering practical, inclusive solutions for sustainable development

On Wednesday, a Spiked Online Media correspondent visited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe stand at the 2025 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to get insights about the UN agency’s work in the country.   Below are excerpts from the interview: Question 1: What is the overarching goal of UNDP Zimbabwe’s work? Answer: At…

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ZCSOSUNA engages Parliament for food and nutrition security advocacy

The Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA), with financial and technical support from UNICEF and in collaboration with key government ministries and departments, launched a new project titled ‘High-Level Nutrition Advocacy and Parliamentary Engagement’ to enhance national efforts in nutrition advocacy and deepen engagement with policymakers on child nutrition and development.  …

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Zimbabwe’s 45th Independence Anniversary: President Mnangagwa highlights developmental initiatives

Forty-five years after Zimbabwe attained independence, the country has witnessed several developmental initiatives, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.   In his address today, 18 April 2025, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Dr E. D. Mnangagwa in Gokwe, Nembudziya in the Midlands Province said central to the country’s development is the commitment…

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Japan, Zimbabwe and UN Agencies collaboration improves Child Health and Nutrition, Medical Waste Management

The Government of Japan provides support, in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, and UNOPS, to the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and has launched five transformative projects under Japan’s 2024 Supplementary Budget and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). These initiatives aim to strengthen maternal and child health, prevent malnutrition, modernize medical…

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Using agroecology markets to inform diet analyses and community-led nutrition

Writes Charles Dhewa   Due to the colonial legacy that has looked down upon indigenous food for decades, diet and nutrition analyses in most African countries are based on data collected in supermarkets and other formal shops. Rarely is data collected from territorial mass food markets from which the majority get their food. That means…

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Jacob Mutisi

The Forgotten Role of Traditional Leaders in Zimbabwe’s land occupation

Writes Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi   Forty-five (45) years on, in Zimbabwe, the issue of land remains an emotive and politically charged topic since the country gained independence in 1980. The dominant narrative pushed by many of our politicians is that white settlers arrived, violently dispossessed Africans of their land, and that all land must…

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Empowering Rural Livelihoods: The Chomudondo Family’s Success Story

Writes Violet Mashonga In the heart of Mhondoro Mubaira, Ward 5, the Chomudondo family has been making waves with their innovative farming and poultry projects. This elderly couple has defied conventional expectations, showcasing that age is no barrier to achieving success. Their determination and hard work have not only improved their own lives but also…

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Gandiwa Village in Mhondoro Mubaira Hosts Successful Field Day at Mandizvidza Homestead

Writes Violet Mashonga   Gandiwa Village in Mhondoro Mubaira recently hosted a successful field day at the Mandizvidza homestead, attracting numerous organizations and companies. The event, held in Ward 5 of Chief Rwizi’s area, showcased the growing interest in the farming industry. Guest of honor, Mrs. Ndoro, the Provincial Deputy Director of Agritex, expressed her…

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Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism closing agricultural productivity gap

The Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (The Mechanism) is making significant strides toward closing Africa’s agricultural productivity gap. At its 14th Governing Council meeting, held on 20 March 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, the Mechanism reported that its initiatives had facilitated access to 18,448 tons of fertilizer for 115,535 smallholder farmers across Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe during 2024.  …

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Pfumvudza enhancing agricultural productivity: Minister Masuka

Writes Violet Mashonga   The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr Amxious Masuka, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to food security, emphasizing that the Ffumvudza program introduced by President Emerson Mnangagwa plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity.   Addressing farmers and stakeholders during a field day at Headman Peter…

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Governor Adeleke congratulates Osun-born scholar, Prof. Adetunji on inclusion in World’s Top 2% scientists

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has welcomed the inclusion of an Osun-born scholar, Professor Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, in the ranking of top 2% scientists in the World, as yet another recognition of the outstanding potential possessed by the state on the global stage. The governor celebrated Prof. Adetunji for the honor…

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National Biotechnology Authority leading in developing regulatory framework for genome editing

To ensure that modern technologies are developed and used in an ethical, safe, and equitable manner, the National Biotechnology Authority (NBA) is leading in the development of a regulatory framework for genome editing in Zimbabwe.   The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Prof. Fanuel Tagwira…

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Water and sanitation spur Africa’s development aspirations

Water and sanitation play an important role in the pursuit of Africa’s development aspirations given their direct bearing on all basic social and economic indicators, Hon Vangelis Haritatos, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has said.   He made the remarks during the official opening of the Southern Africa Sub-regional…

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Turning Drought into Opportunity: One Farmer’s Innovation in Mwenezi

In the drought-prone district of Mwenezi, Zimbabwe, farmers battle unpredictable rainfall and dwindling agricultural yields. Climate change has made traditional farming methods unreliable, forcing smallholder farmers to seek new solutions. For Chizivano Shava, a lead farmer in the Climate Resilient Livelihoods (CRL) project, innovation is not just an option, it’s a necessity.   Supported by…

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AMCOW workshop spotlights water resources development, management and planning in Africa

The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) is holding a three-day workshop in Harare to promote the effective management of the continent’s water resources and provision of water supply services.   In his address during the first day of the workshop today, Engineer Tinayeshe Mutazu, the Chief Director of Water Resources, Irrigation Development, and National…

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US$2 million Presidential Youth Empowerment Revolving Fund launched

President Mnangagwa today launched a US$2 million Presidential Youth Empowerment Revolving Fund that is earmarked to fund youth income-generating projects.   HE Mnangagwa also announced the launch of a US$5 million Presidential Youth Mining Equipment Scheme for young artisanal miners and urged beneficiaries to exercise high levels of morality and ethical consideration.   “The schemes…

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CAADP’s 10-year programme aims to intensify sustainable food production

The strategy and action plan for the development of agriculture under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), for 10 years, intensifies sustainable food production, agro-industrialization, and trade, aimed at transforming the continent’s agri-food systems.   These efforts are centred on strengthening agricultural input systems, promoting environmentally friendly practices, adopting emerging and existing technologies, promoting…

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Driving Zimbabwe’s Economic Recovery Through Agriculture: ENAZ Symposium Set to Lead the Way

The Entrepreneurs Network Association of Zimbabwe (ENAZ) is set to host a groundbreaking symposium on April 11, 2025, in Harare, bringing together key stakeholders in agriculture, finance, and policy to drive Zimbabwe’s economic resurgence. This high-level event will underscore the agricultural sector’s indispensable role in steering Zimbabwe toward its Vision 2030 goals, focusing on food…

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IITA drives regional agricultural transformation at Africa Business Forum

At the recently concluded Africa Business Forum (ABF) 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, IITA–CGIAR Director of Private Sector Partnerships, Dr Debo Akande, led an IITA delegation at the high-profile event hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Centered around the theme, “From Potential to Prosperity: Activating Africa’s Regional Value Chains,” the forum brought together key stakeholders to drive…

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ZRBF 2: Enhancing resilience in a multi-shock environment

In pursuit of enhancing resilience in a multi-shock environment, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Resident Coordinator’s Office of Zimbabwe, today, officially launched Phase 2 of the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF), together with its donors, the European Union and the Government of Ireland.   ZRBF is a…

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AU Continental Food Safety Agency to Address Critical Health and Trade Challenges

The African Union has taken a historic step towards enhancing food safety across the continent with the adoption of the statute for the establishment of the Africa Food Safety Agency during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 16 February 2025. This landmark decision marks…

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FAO Regional Workshop boosts workers’ skills and knowledge for agri-food systems transformation

A workshop by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) regional office for Africa (RAF) that took place in Harare from 17 to 28 February 2025 enhanced participants’ skills and knowledge in the quest for establishing resilient agri-food systems on the continent.   Below, Spiked Online Media shares participants’ perspectives about the…

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Positive prospects for 2025 tobacco selling season

There are positive prospects for the 2025 tobacco selling season following a bumper harvest projected to surpass 300 million kilogrammes attributed to good rainfall.   Appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development on Tuesday, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) chairperson Patrick Devenish was happy with the…

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Goat farming takes centre stage in Zimbabwe’s agricultural growth

A local agricultural organisation, Mash Goats, hosted a day-long goat farming training session aimed at empowering communities with agricultural entrepreneurial skills. Speaking to journalists at the training session in Harare, the initiative’s founder, Tatenda Mashozhera, stated that equipping people with knowledge of goat farming is crucial for bridging the unemployment gap. “Empowering communities with agricultural…

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Agriculture sector experts refine techniques for fifth biennial review report

NAIROBI, KENYA – A continental training of trainer’s seminar for agriculture development programme experts is taking place in Nairobi to prepare experts from regional economic communities to support the biennial review mechanism in data collection, to ensure that data continues to be of high quality.   This event centred on efforts to critically analyse the…

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Funding for Research, Development and Innovation for an industrialised Africa: Are we on the right track or it’s just a pipe-dream?

Writes Prf Ereck Chakauya   There is no doubt that research and development (R&D) is a good feed to sustainable innovation and industrialisation. R&D fosters a culture of experimentation and learning and can create an ideal ecosystem for entrepreneurship and start-ups to thrive as well as address societal needs such as food, shelter, energy, health…

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AUDA-NEPAD urges PAP to embrace biotechnology for improved agricultural productivity

MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA – The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has urged the Pan-African Parliament to embrace technology for improved agricultural productivity on the continent.   Speaking to parliamentarians during a committee meeting at the PAP headquarters in Midrand, South Africa today, the Head of the Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation at…

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Outgoing AU Commissioner honoured by AU-IBAR in Nairobi for her work on the continent

Addis Ababa – The outgoing African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Josefa Correia Sacko, was honoured in Nairobi by the Inter-African Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) for her work on the continent.   The farewell event, organised by the specialised technical office, came at a time when the Angolan…

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Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems: FAO’s Commitment to Sustainable Agricultural Growth

By Sibiri Sylvain Herve Ouedraogo, Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF)   The Regional Capacity development workshop in Zimbabwe   Agriculture is at the heart of Africa’s economy, providing livelihoods for nearly 60% of the population. However, inefficiencies in agrifood systems—ranging from poor infrastructure to climate vulnerability and weak market access—have limited the…

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FAO collaborates with African Union to enhance food and nutrition security

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the African Union (FAO), has pledged to continue to work with the African Union in promoting food and nutrition security on the African continent. Speaking to Spiked Online Media on the sidelines of the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) Capacity Development Workshop running in Harare, Zimbabwe from 17…

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