Rwanda Secures US$40M Chinese Loan for Mega-Irrigation Project in Gisagara District

Rwanda is set to launch a major irrigation development project in Gisagara District following the signing of a concessional financing agreement with China on Wednesday, January 22. The initiative, dubbed the Giseke Dam and Irrigation Project, is expected to benefit over 915 households by providing irrigation infrastructure to support crop cultivation.   Gisagara District, known…

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African Pastoral Markets Development Platform to foster economic growth

A new era in livestock marketing has dawned through the African Pastoral Markets Development Platform (APMD), which represents a groundbreaking initiative hosted by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). Speaking during the APMD launch, Mohamed Omar, a renowned pastoralist leader, said the platform implementation will reflect the shared commitment to the transformations…

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Address structural challenges hindering economic transformation: AU Commissioner warns Africa

Berlin, Germany – The continent needs to address the structural challenges that are impeding economic transformation in Africa, which are deeply intertwined with food systems, African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko reiterated in Berlin.   The Diplomat, who was speaking at the Eleventh German-Africa Conference that takes place from 17-21 of this month, assured that…

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Decolonizing urban planning through African values and indigenous markets

Writes Charles Dhewa   Decades after independence from colonial masters, most African countries continue to perpetuate colonial urban planning approaches that were designed to exclude and marginalize the majority of poor Africans and their markets from urban areas. For instance, why should it be acceptable for urban dwellers to keep cats, dogs, and horses but…

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AGRA’s intervention positively transforms African agriculture

KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)’s involvement and intervention in agriculture have translated into positive, tangible impacts on the African continent. Speaking to Spiked Online Media during the just-ended African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) that ran from the 9th to the 11th…

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AU CAADP Extraordinary Summit signals commitment to transform agriculture: President Mnangagwa

Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has said the Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the Post Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agenda in Kampala, Uganda signifies a commitment to transforming the African agricultural sector.   In a statement read on his behalf by Dr. Anxious Masuka,…

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Climate change, inadequate funding among obstacles in implementing CAADP: AGRA

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) said despite some progress in addressing food insecurity, Africa still faces several challenges and obstacles to the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) including climate change and inadequate funding of the agricultural sector.   This came to the fore during an interactive…

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Policy and institutional support necessary for success of Post-Malabo Agenda: FANRPAN

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Stakeholders have been urged to embrace policy and institutional support measures to ensure the successful implementation of the post-Malabo agenda for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system.   These were the sentiments of Dr. Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, the Chief Executive Officer of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) …

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Animal protein vital cog in food and nutrition security

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Dr. Bright Rwamirama, Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has underscored the importance of animal protein in food and nutrition security.   He was speaking during a Livestock Side event at the Margins of the African Union Heads of States Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development…

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AGRA Appoints Alice Ruhweza as next President

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is proud to announce the appointment of Alice Ruhweza as its next President, effective March 1st, 2025. This appointment follows a thorough and comprehensive selection process in partnership with Spencer Stuart. The incoming president, Alice Ruhweza will succeed Dr. Agnes Kalibata, who has successfully led AGRA…

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CAADP Group of Non-State Actors share position on Food Systems with AU Heads of State

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Group of Non-State Actors has shared a common position on food systems with members of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee of Rural Agriculture, Water, and Environment as well as the Heads of State and Government of the African Union during the ongoing African Union Extraordinary Summit in…

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Evidence-based policies and strategies drive sustainable food systems transformation: President Kikwete

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Evidence-based policies and strategies are essential to drive sustainable food systems transformation, without which stakeholders would not be able to successfully implement the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and deliver the African transformation, HE Jakaya Kikwete, the former President of Tanzania has said.   He made the remarks in his keynote…

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Multi-stakeholder collaboration critical in advancing African agriculture: Dr Anxious Masuka

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka has said multi-stakeholder collaboration is the best way of developing Africa’s agricultural advancement.   He was speaking during a side event of the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Programme ((CAADP) in Kampala, Uganda…

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Post-Malabo CAADP Agenda springboard for resilient and sustainable agrifood systems

KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Africa Union-led development of a new 10-year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan: 2026-2035 whose vision is to build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for a healthy and prosperous Africa, is in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063.   There were the remarks today by H.E….

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Championing Africa’s Agricultural Future: From Commitment to Action

Writes Dr. Antony Chapoto   I am representing ANAPRI at the AU Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action, taking place in Kampala, Uganda, from January 9 to 11, 2024. Our network is dedicated to supporting the AU and member states by providing essential data and evidence to guide…

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African indigenous markets are not just about food but healing at four levels

Writes Charles Dhewa   Besides sustaining the vital connection between urban and rural areas, African mass markets are now driving a vibrant cultural revitalization based on indigenous worldviews and traditions long suppressed by colonization. Where the colonial notion separated seed from food and created siloes through disciplines like seed breeding and agronomy, indigenous world views…

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A Beacon of Hope Amidst Adversity: The Story of Tariro Children’s Home

In the spirit of giving, Kutsaga staff extended their corporate social responsibility by heeding a heartfelt call for help from Tariro Children’s Home. Nestled in the heart of Kadoma, Tariro Children’s Home has been a beacon of hope for orphaned and vulnerable children since its establishment in 2006. On 19 December 2024, a Kutsaga delegation…

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Stakeholders geared for African Union Extraordinary Summit on CAADP in Uganda

Stakeholders are geared for the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit to mark the adoption of a new 10-year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan: 2026-2035, as well as the Kampala CAADP Declaration to be held in Uganda from 9 to 11 January 2025.   In her remarks for the African Union…

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The Social Impact of Large-Scale Construction Projects in Africa

Emerging lessons from rebuilding Mbare Retail Market in Harare, Zimbabwe   Writes Charles Dhewa   Introduction   Across Africa, it has become common practice for large-scale infrastructure projects to be decided and implemented by government departments, engineers, and architectural designers without fully involving social scientists. Such projects include road construction, dam construction, residential housing, and…

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AGRA promoting innovations in the agriculture space

Writes AGRA   For over a decade, AGRA has been at the forefront of promoting innovations in the agriculture space. These innovations have fuelled growth in the agriculture sector in Africa. In under 10 years, the agricultural GDP in Africa has seen significant growth. In 2022, agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed around 17% of Sub-Saharan…

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Mozambican relief agency distributes 80 tons of food products to hunger victims

Writes Felicidade Banze MAPUTO (Mozambique) – Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) has begun the distribution of more than eighty tons of food products to people affected by hunger in the country’s central province of Sofala where more than 13 000 people are facing acute hunger. INGD’s delegate in Sofala, Aristides…

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The Food Industry’s Role in Combating Gender-Based Violence: A Call to Action

Writes Zvikomborero Machinga   Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pressing social issues of our time, affecting individuals and communities across all sectors. Defined as harmful acts directed at individuals based on gender, GBV encompasses physical, mental, sexual, and economic harm. Globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their…

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NEAT plants trees, joins church in donating Christmas food hampers to the needy

National Environment Awareness Trust (NEAT) in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, donated food and new clothes to two orphanage homes as an early Christmas gift to the underprivileged members of the community.   The event, held on Saturday, was a celebration of community spirit and generosity led by the Church…

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US$13 billion lost to dust and sand storms: AUC’s Commissioner Josefa Sacko

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 09/12/24 – Around 13 billion dollars of gross domestic product in North Africa and the Middle East is lost to sand and dust storms, African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko said in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).   The diplomat made these remarks while speaking at the United Nations Convention Forum (COP16) on combating…

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Elliot Goliath donates borehole to boost Chedonje Primary School’s agricultural projects

Chedonje Primary School has received a significant boost to its agricultural projects, thanks to the generosity of a local businessman who has funded the drilling of a borehole on the school’s premises. The borehole will provide a reliable source of water for the school’s agricultural projects, including crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and environmental conservation.  …

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Blessing Mapfumo wins World Aquaculture Society’s Africa Honorary Award 2024

The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) has awarded Blessing Mapfumo, a Zimbabwean based in South Africa, with the Africa Honorary Award 2024, an award which is “conferred upon an identified individual who has made a longstanding and significant contribution within the WAS”.     Mr. Mapfumo, a long-serving aquaculture professional, led the establishment of the WAS…

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African sanitary and phytosanitary experts reiterate harmonisation and adoption of good practices

Libreville, Gabon 6/12/24 – Experts in the field of sanitary and phytosanitary issues from the continent reiterated in Libreville (Gabon) the need for harmonisation and the adoption of African standards to deal with the integration of good practices at the global level.   These positions were taken at an African Union coordination and consultative forum…

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Sanitary and phytosanitary system aims to harmonise effective measures: AU programme coordinator

Libreville, Gabon 4/12/24 – The policy framework of the African Union’s sanitary and phytosanitary systems seeks to strengthen the efficiency of intra-African trade within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), senior AU programme coordinator Chiluba Mwape said in Libreville, Gabon.   Chiluba Mwape, who was speaking at the fifth coordination session…

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FAO Initiates Digital Agriculture Project in Rural Rwanda

Agriculture drives economic growth across Africa, but most smallholder farmers still rely on outdated tools, leading to low yields and profits. Digital technologies offer a solution by streamlining processes, improving access to data, and boosting productivity.   The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the “Fostering Digital Villages through Innovative Advisory and Profitable Market Services…

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African experts analyse implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary policy framework

Libreville, Gabon 03/12/24 – An African Union coordination and consultative forum on sanitary and phytosanitary policy is being held today in Libreville, Gabon, to analyse the development and accelerate actions to safeguard consumer health and facilitate safe trade on the continent.   Experts in this area will adopt the action matrix of the issues raised…

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Africa’s fertiliser strategy will bring sustainable agricultural productivity and food sovereignty

African Union Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Ambassador Josefa Correia Sacko reaffirmed in Dakar that the Africa Soil Initiative and the mechanism to finance the action plan provide a clear path to achieving sustainable agricultural productivity and food sovereignty in Africa.   The diplomat, who was speaking…

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Saving banana in Southern Africa from a deadly fungal disease – Banana Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4

Writes Dr Mathew M. Abang   Grown in more than 135 countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Oceania and Africa, bananas and plantains are staple crops for the food security of some 400 million people. With around 15 percent of global production exported, the total trade value of bananas was about USD 7.5 billion…

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Human interest stories spur sustainable development: Fatou Lo

Fatou Lo, the UN Women Representative and Chairperson of the United Nations Communication Group (UNCG) for Zimbabwe has urged the media to focus on human interest stories in their coverage to promote sustainable development.   She was addressing a UN-Media Seminar on Development Reporting on 21 November 2024 in Masvingo after the journalists had concluded…

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African Agri Investment Indaba drives solutions for Africa’s growing food crisis

The African Agri Investment Indaba which took place in Cape Town and was organised by the African Agri Council, addressed sub-Saharan Africa’s worst food crisis in decades. With over 800 participants from 20+ countries, the event focused on tackling the urgent food scarcity affecting millions.   Over 16 million people in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe…

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Drought mitigation in Masvingo Province: UN and partners support irrigation schemes

Following the negative impact of the El-Nino-induced drought that affected Southern Africa, Zimbabwe included, the United Nations (UN) country team is supporting smallholder farmers in irrigation schemes in Masvingo Province.   One such initiative is the Mushandike Irrigation Scheme located in Masvingo District which is one of the oldest irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe. The scheme…

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Smallholder farmers’ savings and lending groups providing lifeline to children’s education

“I dropped out of school just after starting my secondary level, there was no point – where was I going to get school fees? What about exam registration fees? Dropping out to help my mother work and to take care of my younger siblings was my option”, said Ashley Marime clenching her jaw, clearly trying…

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Livestock farming boosts Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector

Livestock farming is vital in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector because it boosts the country’s economy, food security, and rural livelihoods. Farmers, agricultural service providers, and other actors in the livestock value chain rely on livestock for employment and revenue.   In a speech read on behalf of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson in the Ministry of…

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AFSA Launches New Booklet Showcasing Agroecology Success Stories From Kenya At COP29

Writes Kirubel Tadele   Baku, Azerbaijan – As the second week of COP29 negotiations continues, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) launches its latest publication, Agroecology Works: Evidence from Kenya. This booklet offers a deep dive into the transformative power of agroecology through 15 inspiring stories from across ten counties in Kenya, providing a rich…

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UN helps Zimbabwe sustain food and nutrition security: Hon Chadzamira

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province, Hon Ezra Chadzamira, has said Zimbabwe has managed to sustain food and nutrition security through United Nations Agencies’ support in the country.   He made the remarks in Masvingo today at a workshop by the United Nations in Zimbabwe to build partnerships and…

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FAO seeks urgent action to address Eastern Africa’s food security crisis

Eastern Africa is a region of stark contrasts, where immense potential coexists with pressing challenges. On one hand, it presents a myriad of business opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors worldwide, offering a gateway to emerging markets with significant growth potential.   However, this promising outlook is tempered by the persistent threat of drought and severe…

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AU-IBAR highlights urgent need to address Antimicrobial Resistance

Yesterday, during the opening of the 6th World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) campaign for Africa in Cameroon, AU-IBAR’s Director Dr. Huyam Salih highlighted the urgent need to address Antimicrobial Resistance (hashtag#AMR)—a growing global threat that knows no borders. Dr. Salih underscored that 60-75% of emerging human pathogens originate from animals, making the responsible use of…

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EAFF Raises Concerns over Food Safety in Eastern Africa Amid Aflatoxin Threats

The Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) has raised alarm over food safety in the region, particularly in maize production, amid concerns that failure to address these issues could impact negatively on regional trade.   Speaking at a workshop in Bomet County, EAFF Chairman Philip Kiriro emphasized the importance of tackling food safety challenges to prevent…

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