Initiatives to enhance food systems in Africa gain momentum

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The vision towards enhancing food systems in Africa is gaining momentum as the continent is positioning itself and giving food and nutrition the necessary attention. This came to the fore at the 14th commemoration of the Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) and the 19th CAADP Partnership Platform (CAADP PP)…

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Accelerated implementation of CAADP to improve African food and nutrition security

There is an urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a continental framework for agricultural transformation and agriculture-led growth strategy to achieve ambitious targets on food and nutrition security as outlined in the Malabo Declaration. These were sentiments by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)’s Director of Agriculture,…

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CAADP PP, ADFNS to promote intra-Africa agri-food trade and improved nutrition

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The 14th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) Commemoration and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) running from the 30th of October to the 2nd of November 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia will ensure cross-fertilization and provide a platform for sharing experiences and lessons and discussing…

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ICGEB offers course on biopesticides and biocontrol agents

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is offering a course on “Harmonising regulatory requirements for registration of biopesticides and biocontrol agents in Africa: From principles to practice” which will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 27 to 29 February 2024. The Scientific Organiser is Dr. Dennis Obonyo Ndolo from ICGEB…

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Indian-based horticulture seed manufacturing company to set base in Mashonaland West

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – An international agriculture company has been attracted to the country by Zimbabwe’s favourable climatic conditions and investment environment. Right Seeds, an Indian-based horticulture seed manufacturing company intends to set a base in the country. This was revealed by Right Seeds Company Indian Director, Annirudha Tinali, when he led local and…

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Workshop looks into benefits and regulation of biopesticides

A workshop by various stakeholders in the agricultural value chain has brought to the fore the benefits and regulation architecture of biopesticides. The workshop is being held in Harare from 24 to 26 October 2023 under the auspices of the Southern Africa Biopesticides Project titled, Enhancing Trade Through Regulatory Harmonisation and Biopesticide Based Residue Mitigation…

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Biopesticides increase agricultural productivity and production

Increased agricultural productivity and production can be achieved through adaptation and use of new technologies such as biopesticides, a senior government official has said. This came to the fore today at a workshop on targeted interventions towards enhancing the registration and use of biopesticides in Zimbabwe that is running from 25 to 26 October 2023…

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Fossil fuel, mining, and extractive industry expansion threaten remaining tropical forests

Indigenous and civil society organizations hold press conference calling on world leaders gathering at the Summit of the Three Basins this week to commit to protecting tropical forests in these critical basins and to scale up rights-based legal protections We are at a critical juncture in the nature crisis: the science is unambiguous about the…

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Marian Chombo warns abusers of Presidential Inputs Scheme

Writes Elvis Dumba Sanyati – The government has put adequate measures to ensure a successful 2023/24 agriculture season by ensuring the timeous availability of agriculture inputs with people being warned against abusing the program. Launching the Presidential conservation farming, Pfumvudza/Intwasa for Sanyati District, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian…

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Sir John Kennedy Primary School’s environmental club bears fruits

Writes Chimeno Azriel The introduction of Environmental Clubs is benefitting educational institutions like Kadoma-based Sir John Kennedy Primary which joined the Head of State and Government, His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa during the 2023 edition of the Harare Agricultural Show where it scooped the best stand award for the schools category. The impacts of climate…

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Communication and advocacy spurs uptake of genome editing

MOMBASA, KENYA – Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) director for programme development and commercialization has urged proper communication and advocacy to influence the adoption of biotechnology and complementary innovative technologies like genome editing so as to catalyse productivity transformation and improve food system resilience in Africa. He made the remarks in…

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Zimbabwe to invest in multi-billion dollar biotechnology industries

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said his administration is investing in emerging industries such as the multi-billion dollar biotechnology industries as a way of expediting the achievement of an upper-middle income economy by 2030. He made the remarks while officially opening the Great Zimbabwe University Innovation Hub during the institution’s 17th Graduation Ceremony, held under the…

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China Approves “Dozens” of Genetically Modified Corn, Soybean Varieties

Bloomberg writer Hallie Gu reported that “China has approved dozens of genetically modified corn and soybean seed varieties for planting, in a breakthrough move that could eventually boost production and reduce dependence on foreign supplies. “The country is the world’s top importer of soybeans and corn “A national committee set up by the agriculture ministry has approved 37 GM corn seed and 14 soybean…

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Communication, commercialisation and innovation systems for genome editing intertwined

MOMBASA, KENYA – There is an interconnectedness of communication, commercialisation, and innovation systems related to genome editing, a multi-stakeholder strategic workshop on biotechnology in this coastal city of Kenya that is meant to improve African agriculture has revealed. Moderating a roundtable discussion on insights into genome editing/biotech communication and advocacy, Veronica Mwaba, the Director of…

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Mozambique’s Prof Alsácia Atanásio encourages girls and women to take STEM subjects

MOMBASA, KENYA – There are vast opportunities for women and girls in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, Prof Alsácia Atanásio of Mozambique has said. The scientist revealed this in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing genome editing strategic workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, that is organised by the African Union Development…

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First regional meeting to drive Common African Agro-Parks vision

Regional Economic Communities in Africa are set to meet this week to drive forward a proposal for mega agro-industrial hubs across the continent that would boost agricultural development. The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) are aimed at boosting regional trade for agricultural commodities, increasing local processing of key agricultural products and reducing food import. This significant event will…

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Scientists call for Africa to adopt gene editing for success of agriculture

MOMBASA, KENYA – Scientists attending the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) strategic meeting on gene editing in Mombasa, Kenya have called for muti-stakeholder collaboration to ensure the success of the biotechnology meant to ensure food and nutrition security in Africa. In her presentation, Dr. Florence Wambugu, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Harvest, said gene…

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Scientists celebrate Nigerian Professor Charles Adetunji’s high achievements

MOMBASA, KENYA – Stakeholders gathered in Mombasa, Kenya for a workshop on genome editing that is being spearheaded by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), are celebrating one of their own, Professor Charles Adetunji, who has attained the prestigious number 1 position among the top 500 prolific authors in Nigeria, a distinction he has maintained…

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Genome editing offers Africa opportunity to harness new and emerging technologies

MOMBASA, KENYA – With the potential that biotechnology possesses in developing crops and animals that are more resilient to climate change and risks of diseases, the adoption of genome editing sets the stage for Africa to harness new and emerging technologies to ensure food and nutrition security on the continent. These were the sentiments of…

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AUDA-NEPAD’s Mombasa meeting to leverage collaborative alliances for genome editing

MOMBASA, KENYA – The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is convening a meeting towards leveraging collaborative alliances for the enhanced uptake of genome editing to drive Agricultural Innovation in Africa. Addressing a gathering of experts today, who will moderate and facilitate the meeting that runs from the 16th to the 20th of October 2023 in…

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Kenyan court dismisses challenge over GM crops

A Kenyan court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit challenging a government decision to allow the importation and cultivation of genetically modified crops to help combat its food crisis. In October last year, the government lifted a decade-old ban on GM crops in response to dwindling food security following the worst drought to ravage the Horn…

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Devolution stimulates community development: UN

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The country’s devolution program where communities participate in key decision-making activities in developing their communities has caught the eyes of international humanitarian and development partners under the United Nations. This came out after United Nations Resident Coordinator, His Excellency Edward Kallon, paid a courtesy call to Mashonaland West Provincial Minister…

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Why African farming communities are fed up with African politics

Writes Charles Dhewa Partisan politics has made it difficult for African countries to unlock value from natural resources such as land, water, and favorable climate. Otherwise, farming communities would be living more fulfilling lives than urban dwellers. In spite of resources being spent on sending children to school, African politics does not provide space for…

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Grain Swap project launched

Staff Reporter Mola, Kariba District – As the climate change-induced weather patterns threaten to affect food security, the government has put in place measures to ensure that communities in drought-prone areas have adequate food. Mashonaland West Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo today launched the Grain Swap Program at…

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14th ADFNS Commemoration, 19th CAADP Partnership Platform on cards

Writes Baboloki Semele Lusaka, Zambia, is set to become the focal point of significant events at the end of this month. The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with various departments and partners and African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) are organizing a series of important gatherings to commemorate the 14th Africa Day for Food and…

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National Seed Fair breathes life into long-lost millet varieties

By Lloyd Rabaya As the Green Stars traditional dance group was dishing out their transcendent performance of the Mbakumba dance, the unmitigated crowd’s cheerful plaudits with the golden dust going straight to the skies marked the permanent return of a lost hope. Since time immemorial in Zimbabwe, different occasions called for different dances, which vary…

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Food security a top priority for Morocco, Africa’s future

Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, has said food and health security and sovereignty are at the heart of Morocco’s political and economic concerns with a continental vision. The importance of the orientation of the food systems and their agri-food value chains that Morocco is developing towards…

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Health harm reduction necessary for sustainable development: Africa CDC

Dr Ahmed E. Ogwell Ouma, the Deputy Director-General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)  has said health harm reduction is the most viable option for attaining sustainable development on the continent. He made the remarks yesterday at the second edition of the African and first edition of the South-South Health…

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Agriculture insurance a wake up call as climate change takes toll

Writes Elvis Dumba Zvimba – The agriculture sector is facing a huge challenge due to the ever-changing weather patterns as a result of climate change. Zimbabwean farmers involved in various agriculture sectors have not been spared from the effects of climate change with threats of another poor rainy season due to the expected El-Nino weather…

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The significance of a Problem Statement in building resilient food systems

Many interventions by African governments and development organizations have failed to make a difference in several communities due to poor problem definitions from inception. Massive dams and irrigation schemes have been set up for growing exotic food when communities need simple equipment for harvesting abundant underground water and surface water to produce indigenous food. Hybrid…

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Preparations for 2023 Conference on Land Policy in Africa underway

Writes Baboloki Semele The stage is set for one of Africa’s most significant gatherings in the field of land policy and governance, the 2023 Conference on Land Policy in Africa. Convened by the tripartite consortium consisting of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,…

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Government intensifies climate-smart agriculture as El-Nino looms

Writes Elvis Dumba Zvimba – The government has put in place mechanisms to counter the effect of the predicted El-Nino weather phenomenon that is expected to affect the 2023-24 agriculture season. The government has intensified the climate-smart agriculture program,  Pfumvudza/Intwasa by deploying senior government officials to the country’s districts. This was revealed by Professor Obert…

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Accountability.Fish Blasts WCPFC For Continued Meeting Secrecy

OWN CORRESPONDENT POHNPEI, MICRONESIA: Fisheries governance watchdog Accountability.Fish today blasted the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission for continuing its practice of holding key compliance meetings in secrecy, saying the practice threatens to make a sham of the Commission’s rhetoric around sustainability. A prepared statement read by Mike Klein, Accountability.Fish Communication Lead, at the WCPFC’s…

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Korea and the African Development Bank strengthen drive towards Africa’s food security

The Government of Korea and the African Development Bank Group are intent on strengthening their partnership to support African countries in achieving food security in five years and boost the continent’s capability to produce its own vaccines and other pharmaceutical products. Speaking on Monday during a meeting with Korea’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural…

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Accountability.Fish’s RFMO Tracker brings openness to Fisheries Management Organisations

Fisheries governance watchdog Accountability.Fish today released previously secret deliberations from an international fisheries decision-making body, publishing its first-ever RFMO Tracker detailing the outcomes of the recent IATTC (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission) meeting in Victoria, Canada. Key decisions included a watering down of key proposals due to the interventions of China, Chinese Taipei, and Japan, and…

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Initiatives to use biotechnology for adaptation: Climate change in Zimbabwe

Writes Dr. Deckster Tony Savadye, CEO and Registrar of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, like any other country in the world, has experienced climate change. The country has been experiencing frequent droughts, the emergence of new diseases and pests, and also increase in temperatures. The adverse effects of climate change have therefore affected…

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Nearly US$3 trillion needed to implement Africa’s NDCs

Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: Nearly US$3 trillion is needed to implement Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This figure was discussed at the eleventh Conference on Climate Change and African Development (CCDA11) during a session on climate finance, moderated by Harsen Nyambe of the African Union Commission. There is a substantial financial gap in climate…

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AGRF 2023: Kikwete urges transformative policies to ensure food security

Africa has a real opportunity to transform its food systems, reduce its import bill, and create wealth, HE. Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, the former president of the United Republic of Tanzania and Africa Food Prize (AFP) chair has said. He made the remarks at the 2023 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) during a session titled ‘Parliamentary…

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Scale up private capital aligned to SDGs, Paris Agreement: French minister Chrysoula Zacharopoulou

French minister Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, in her address to the media at the Africa Climate Week, emphasised the need to scale up private capital aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. She said there is a need to maintain the strong political momentum for climate action and global financial system reform….

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NetOne wins huge accolade at Zimbabwe Agricultural Show

Writes Lovemore Chazingwa Mobile telecoms player, NetOne, scooped the biggest prize in the overall best stand by a registered postal and telecommunications operator at the just-ended Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) 2023 annual event. The prize was among other winners which included the best overall exhibition, the best overall exhibition by an institution in the education,…

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Africa Climate Week commences, Charting a Fresh Course for Climate Action

Writes Baboloki Semele 06 August 2023, Nairobi, Kenya: The urgency of climate change is undeniable, and the stakes have never been higher. Against this backdrop, Africa Climate Week 2023 emerged as a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action. Held in Nairobi, Kenya, from the 4th to the 8th of September 2023, the Africa Climate…

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