Community-based adaptation essential under CBA-SCALE Southern Africa+ project

The Scaling up Community Action for Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Southern Africa and Beyond (CBA-SCALE Southern Africa+) launched on the 29th of February 2024 in Harare realises that to support groups most impacted by climate change, community-based adaptation provides livelihood opportunities for communities suffering from climatic shocks. Addressing delegates who witnessed the launch at Wild…

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Symposium empowers young people in agro-ecology to address climate change

The youth bear the brunt of vulnerability to climate change hence engaging and empowering them in promoting agro-ecology, sustainable farming practices, and advocating for climate justice is crucial for building resilient and sustainable food systems in the country. This emerged today at a symposium by the Young Volunteers for the Environment (YVE) in partnership with…

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Rwanda Finally Passes Law On GMO – What Next?

Rwanda, on February 21, published in its Official Gazette a law governing biosafety, which seeks to ensure that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are handled, transferred, and used safely in the country. According to the purpose of the law, it establishes an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer and use of living…

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Hands-on technical capacity crucial for matching skills with industry needs

Engineer Malven Takaidza, the Head of the Mechanical and Production Engineering Division of the Harare Polytechnic has said the Zimbabwean human capital skills development for industrialisation requires a hands-on technical capacity of an individual towards the fulfillment of an assigned socio-economic assignment. He said this while giving an overview of the skills landscape in Zimbabwe…

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Uganda’s NARO Licenses More Seed Companies to Boost Agriculture and Exports

In a significant move aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda has recently expanded its network of licensed seed companies. With the addition of 10 new licenses, the total number of seed suppliers in the country has surged to 23. This strategic initiative is poised to enhance the…

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First Session of the Zimbabwe-Belarus Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation opened

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Fredrick Shava, has opened the First Session of the Zimbabwe-Belarus Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC). Honourable Sergei Aleinik, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and Co-Chair of the First (1st) Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the…

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The counter-productivity of fragmented investments in African food systems

Billions of dollars have gone into African agriculture and food systems over the past few years but the main challenge remains the absence of a coordinated framework for deploying such resources. Resources that are squandered through fragmented investments by development organizations, government, and the private sector are more than what is needed to address challenges…

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Rwanda commits $2m to food security based on agricultural innovation

At a time when food security in Rwanda is under increasing threat from several phenomena, including climate change, the government is committed to supporting agricultural innovation through the $2 million Hanga Agritech Innovation Challenge Fund. In Rwanda, the government is banking on digital innovation to improve farming practices. The “Hanga Agritech Innovation Challenge Fund” initiative…

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Technical, fundamental soft skills required for competitiveness: Prof Mavima

The country requires critical technical skills and other fundamental soft skills to be competitive, Prof Paul Mavima, the Minister of Skills Audit and Development has said. Prof Mavima made the revelation at a Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on the Mandate of the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development that got underway in Harare today. The workshop…

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African Development Bank Backs Mozambique with $33 Million for Food Security and Climate Resilience

In a significant move to bolster food security and climate resilience in Mozambique, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed $33 million to support agricultural and meteorological initiatives in the region. This investment, approved by the AfDB’s board in January, is part of a larger $150 million program co-financed with the Mozambican government and other…

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Wetlands central to sustainable development, human well-being: NECJ

On World Wetlands Day (2024), the Network for Environmental and Climate Justice (NECJ) reiterated the importance of wetlands for sustainable development and their centrality to human well-being. The 2024 theme for World Wetlands Day; “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” outlines the interconnection between wetlands, sustainable development, and human health. NECJ said it is regrettable though to…

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RFMO Accountability Tracker Update Highlights Deflected Accountability

Results of recent meetings of leading Regional Fisheries Management Organizations underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in their decision-making processes. That was the conclusion from Accountability.Fish as it published the latest results from annual meetings of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) which…

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$15M additional funding to tackle food waste around the world

Nairobi/Cape Town, 31 Jan 2024) Work tackling the huge environmental cost of food waste has been given a massive boost this year, as international climate action NGO WRAP receives catalytic funding from the Ballmer Group. The $15M funding will support essential work by WRAP and our partners in tackling food loss and waste through existing Voluntary Agreements in Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, and South…

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The Ghanaian Farmer: Bringing African Farmers’ Voices to the Forefront

Writes Winston Mwale ACCRA, Ghana – “We want to showcase the real stories of farmers,” said Enyonam Manye, creator of The Ghanaian Farmer YouTube channel, in an exclusive interview with AfricaBrief’s Editor-in-Chief, Winston Mwale. Manye is committed to bringing informative and uplifting stories from farmers across Ghana and Africa. Manye utilizes a constructive journalism philosophy in her…

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Public confidence needed for adoption of biotechnologies like genome editing

ACCRA, GHANA – There is a need to create a science culture among the citizenry to boost public confidence in such emerging modern biotechnology sciences as genome editing, a workshop here has revealed. In his opening remarks at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) In-country Training Workshop for Genome Editing Communicators today in Accra, Ghana…

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Genome editing knowledge products solve agricultural, healthcare challenges

Product knowledge of genome editing provides transformative technology in the field of biotechnology, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for solving complex challenges in various sectors, ranging from agriculture and environmental conservation and healthcare. These were remarks by Mrs. Anna Tinarwo, the Chief Director of Devolution and Development Planning in the Office of the President and Cabinet, who…

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A look into the science of genome editing in Africa to optimise agriculture

Genome editing is one of the latest tools that has been developed by scientists to effect changes in organisms of agricultural, medical, and economic importance. The advent of genome editing has increased the available tools and the effectiveness of developing new productive and better-adapted organisms of economic importance. Genome Editing (GEd) involves the deliberate introduction…

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How to stem the turbulent tides of food insecurity across Africa

Food insecurity in Africa is off track. The situation keeps becoming aggravating as soaring food prices, inflation, conflict, and climate change are plunging parts of the continent into a severe and enduring food crisis, magnifying hunger and malnutrition. This extreme situation is hitting great swathes of Africa in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel particularly…

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Who needs a wholesaler when consumers can speak directly to food producers?

Writes Charles Dhewa Fundamental shifts in African food systems are accelerating changes in the food distribution landscape, blurring traditional boundaries between distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. These structural challenges are dismantling the wholesaling business model, forcing wholesalers to continuously rethink their aggregation and distribution strategies to remain relevant. In a fast and fluid distribution landscape driven…

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Science module on communicating genome editing under review

A science module on communicating genome editing – a powerful tool that holds immense potential in revolutionizing the field of biotechnology to optimize African agriculture, is under review in Harare this week. Addressing participants in his welcome remarks today, Dr. Leonard Madzingaidzo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre…

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Food Security: Experts Advocate Adoption Of Technology And Innovation

Experts and agricultural researchers have advocated the adoption of technologies and innovation to produce intensive agriculture and bridge the yield gap between Africa and other continents so as to ensure food security in the continent.  The researchers, from different research groups including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), WorldFish,…

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Climate change, pandemics and global conflicts affecting SDGs implementation

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo, has said there is a need for the acceleration of actions that will ensure the successful implementation of sustainable development goals in the country, which has been hampered by various challenges. Minister Chombo was speaking during the…

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Ministry of Education promoting greening of schools

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is spearheading a school greening initiative as part of the climate education curriculum. This emerged today at the National Clean-Up Campaign exercise held at Warren Park High School where Hon. Torerayi Moyo, the Minister of Primary and Secondary School led the delegation. President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the National…

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Farmers urged to destroy tobacco seedlings to prevent carryover of diseases and pests

Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development has reviewed the date of the tobacco seedlings’ destruction for the 2023-24 season intending to curb the carryover of diseases and pests. “As all tobacco growers are aware, the last day of destroying all seedbeds for this season is 31 December 2023….

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WCPFC Refusal to Address Compliance Secrecy Calls Sustainability into Question

WASHINGTON: “90% transparency is not transparency.” That was the verdict from Accountability.Fish Global Director Ryan Orgera, who yesterday blasted the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission for failing to address continuing secrecy issues in WCPFC’s compliance processes during its Annual Meeting earlier this month. “The WCPFC and its cheerleaders in the industrial fishing community have been…

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A New Bean Product Development and Scaling in East Africa

In the heart of Kigali, Rwanda, Govindaraj, a Senior Scientist in Crop Development at HarvestPlus, and Telesphore Ndabamenye, the Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), found themselves engaged in a crucial conversation. The purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on the future of bean farming and scaling in…

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2nd Food Safety Conference for Africa takes off in Accra

The African Continental Association for Protection (ACAFP) is organising its 2nd Food Safety Conference for Africa under the theme “Towards A Safer Food Supply for Africa”. The conference is taking place from December 12-14, 2023 at Erata Hotel, East Legon, Accra. This aligns with the sustainable and safe food production and supply initiatives in Africa. The…

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Grain Industry Insights in Africa

The grain industry is a cornerstone of food security in Africa, serving as a staple for millions across the continent. With a burgeoning population and socioeconomic transformations, understanding the volume of grain production and consumption is pivotal for ensuring the resilience of food systems in Africa. The data obtained from IndexBox shows that the largest countries in…

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Training provides regulatory frameworks for application of Genome Editing

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPA) is holding training to create awareness among in-country regulators drafting and implementing policies and regulations critical for shaping communication and advocacy narratives on genome editing. In a speech on behalf of Mr. Willard Munango, the Deputy Chief Secretary for the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mrs. Anna Tinarwo,…

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AUDA-NEPAD collaborates with NABDA to strengthen capacity in Genome Editing and Biotechnology

Writes Toyin Omozuwa (Press Secretary to the DG/CEO NABDA) Vice-Chancellors, Chief Executives, Deans of Faculties of Agriculture and sciences, academic and research leaders in selected institutions, as well as policymakers, regulators, and senior researchers, gathered on 7 December 2023, at the Abuja Continental Hotel for a Two-Day Workshop on Strengthening Institutionalised Capacity in Genome Editing…

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AI-Powered Solutions for Agriculture in Africa

In this rapidly modernizing World, the slow blending of technology with AI Development is painting a new reality that is quite unimaginable. Apart from this collaboration, AI is catching up with agriculture too much and taking it to the next level. Regions like Africa, where agriculture is the cornerstone, face the scope of development. In…

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Clean energy critical for adapting and mitigating against climate change

The Government of Zimbabwe has put in place Policy frameworks which have created a conducive environment for clean energy infrastructure to be put in place in response especially to clean energy and adapting and mitigating against climate change. Tariro Chipepera, the Director for Community Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium…

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Kenya Develops Innovative Hermetic Bags to Revolutionize Grain Storage

The Kenyan government has been working in partnership with private sectors to develop new technologies to ensure that farmer’s harvest were well preserved during storage to avert losses. Hermetic Storage Technology Bags are able to preserve stored grains while restricting the existence of cereal pests by depleting oxygen levels. The air-tight bags prevent air or…

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Makoni RDC, chiefs embrace gender inclusivity in land allocation

Makoni Rural District Council (RDC), in partnership with the local traditional leadership, has scored a first by embracing gender inclusivity by parcelling out pieces of land to women, both the council and traditional leaders have confirmed. Chiefs in the area are also promoting women to become village heads and headwomen. Traditionally, land ownership was a…

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Re-Gain: Green Climate Fund and AGRA partner to transform Africa’s food systems

By AGRA Content Hub Despite the challenges posed by the climate crisis, Africa holds tremendous potential to become the world’s breadbasket. The opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s food systems are immense. The continent possesses 60 per cent of the world’s unused arable land and has the potential to accelerate agricultural productivity by 2 or 3…

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Southern Africa Fertilizer Program a game-changer for farmers

Writes Dr. Mathew M. Abang Agriculture is the backbone of most economies in Southern Africa. However, overall the sector is not performing well due to low agricultural productivity which is partly attributed to the under-use of oftentimes poor quality fertilizers. The poor performance of the agriculture sector is posing a serious constraint to economic growth,…

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University of Edinburgh and the International Livestock Research Institute Renew Partnership

In order to further advance collaboration in livestock systems research, the University of Edinburgh and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), a CGIAR centre, have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding, further strengthening their decades-long partnership. This strategic alliance, announced at ILRI’s Nairobi Campus in Kenya on 29 November 2023, underscores a shared commitment to deepen…

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Drought claiming livestock in Matebeleland South

Own Correspondent Rural communities in Matabeleland South have raised calls of despondency following the depletion of water sources and grazing plains which has resulted in the death of livestock which include cattle and donkeys.  The prevailing harsh climatic conditions have precipitated an erratic start to the 2023/2024 rainy season currently being experienced in most parts…

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Zimbabwe to pitch regenerative agriculture at COP28

Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa  As Zimbabwe gears for COP28 in Dubai where nations will deliberate on various strategies to avert the climate crisis, it has emerged that the country is going to pitch on regenerative agriculture to combat climate change. Speaking ahead of the climate summit during a pre-COP 28 media sensitization workshop on Wednesday in…

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