Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) 26/10/24 – African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko reiterated in Addis Ababa the need to maintain the strengths of the continent’s comprehensive agricultural development programme to respond to economic shocks, emerging climate change issues, conflicts and plant and animal diseases. Josefa Sacko, who was speaking at the Ministerial follow-up to the…
A High-Level Segment of the 10th Meeting of Parties (MoP10) to the Water Convention in Ljubljana, Slovenia has demonstrated the importance of transboundary water cooperation. Key dignitaries who attended the meeting include Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Hon. Vangelis Peter Haritatos; H.E. Mr. Robert Golob, Prime Minister of…
Hon Vangelis P. Haritatos, the Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, while addressing the 52nd Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the sub-theme: ‘Strengthening Coordinated Policy Responses to the Food Crisis’, said the world’s agriculture…
The curtain came down on the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and related Meetings held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 12th to 17th October 2024. Running under the overarching theme: ‘HARNESSING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION (STI) FOR A MORE PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE,” the 149th Assembly considered and deliberated on parliamentary action to maximize…
On October 12th, the Greening Kuwadzana Project hosted its signature Tree Care Therapy for Mental Health program, a groundbreaking initiative that harnesses the therapeutic power of nurturing trees to promote mental well-being. This innovative program, held at least three times a year, brings together the Greening Kuwadzana Project and Ndinewe Foundation, a Harare-based mental health…
SEforALL’s managed Universal Energy Facility launches a campaign that makes a case for building clean energy markets in Africa #FinancingEnergyProsperity Campaign will showcase the success of the UEF as an efficient mechanism to provide reliable, sustainable energy for all The UEF has so far issued USD 22 million in grants to clean energy companies, for…
Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is set for a positive transformation following the advent of Hekhani Seeds, an innovative seed company dedicated to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability for underutilized crops. Hekhani Seeds represents a significant advancement in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. By championing agricultural entrepreneurship among women and focusing on sustainable practices, this collaboration has the…
Ahead of a High Level Ministerial Dialogue on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance and the Pre-COP meeting in Baku this week, Climate Action Network (CAN) is sending a clear and unequivocal message from more than 130 civil society organisations: failure to deliver an ambitious climate finance outcome at COP29 is not acceptable. The…
African Union Commissioner of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, AmbassadorJosefa Correia Sacko, assured in Tangier (Morocco), that the health of the oceans is fundamental for global climate stability, biodiversity conservation, food security and the future of human beings. The African diplomat, who was speaking at the African consultation event in preparation…
In a groundbreaking moment for Africa, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed, and the African Union Chairperson’s Special Envoy on Youth, Ms. Chido Mpemba, alongside UN partners and BBC Africa, convened a pivotal Africa Town Hall meeting, marking the official close of the United Nations High-Level Week. This event, titled “Leading Africa into…
Zimbabwe’s second Climate Change and Development Conference has urged a multi-stakeholder approach by involving women, children, and youth in addressing the phenomenon that impacts livelihoods. This emerged on the first day of the two-day conference which kicked off in Harare yesterday and will be running under the theme: “Building Resilience, Securing the Future.” Notable…
Zimbabwe has made considerable progress in advancing sustainable development despite several challenges affecting the southern African nation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said in his 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the new Parliament Building in Harare today. “Our commitment to enhance the well-being of the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe by entrenching unity,…
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Zimbabwe has said access to safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene services are key to ensuring children’s rights to health, nutrition, education, and protection. As Zimbabwe faces the El Nino-induced drought, the UN agency is calling on the Government and partners to prioritise investment in water, sanitation, and…
Dr. Anxious Masuka, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, in terms of section 21 of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, and Remedies Act [Chapter 18:12], has compelled farmers to use wheat stover as feed. In Statutory Instrument (SI) 159 of 2024 cited as the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds and Remedies (Wheat stover as…
Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of the African economies, accounting for 17.2 per cent of the continent’s gross domestic product, the Commissioner of the African Union’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Josefa Correia Sacko, said in Puglia, Italy. Ambassador Josefa Sacko, who presented these figures during the G7…
At least 10 billion dollars a year is the estimate that the continent expects to grow in the green industrial infrastructure market as a distinct asset, African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko said in New York. The diplomat, who was speaking at a summit on the investment market signalling framework for green industrialisation on…
Climate change and food loss and waste are two interconnected global challenges that threaten the very foundation of our food systems. With one-third of all food produced globally going to waste, the environmental, economic, and social implications are dire. As climate change intensifies, its impact on food production, distribution, and consumption becomes increasingly evident. This…
Dr Agens Kalibata, the President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA) has underscored the importance of working with the private sector to drive investment to reduce post harvest food loss. She was speaking at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA2024) in a session titled “Opportunities To Unlock Private Sector Investment…
A workshop to develop a robust and targeted communications strategy for the African Union (AU) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Programme in Africa is underway in Lusaka, Zambia with a view of outlining clear guidelines and approaches for communicating key messages, advocacy, and awareness creation among key audiences. In welcome remarks read by Chiluba Mwape,…
Writes Lloyd Rabaya Guitars, drums, and throats soothed the ears, plenty of seed varieties were on display, and lots of food was prepared for sale to visitors as farmers exhibited at the Good Seed and Food Festival held in Harare at Botanical Gardens. Farmers from across Zimbabwe converged at the Botanical Gardens “Celebrating the resilience…
Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – Concerned residents of Banket have raised alarm over the devastating impact of artisanal mining on the environment, with authorities accused of turning a blind eye to the destruction. Artisanal mining has become a significant threat to Zimbabwe’s environment, with many miners operating outside ecological rules, leaving hazardous pits and toxic…
Old Mutual Zimbabwe has launched the Old Mutual Renewable Energy Fund, a private equity fund dedicated to fostering renewable energy investments in the country. The fund is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with Old Mutual, the Government of Zimbabwe, and various UN agencies as its key initial investors. The Old Mutual…
His Excellency Mr. Edward Kallon, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has said the launch of the Renewable Energy Fund was a significant milestone for Zimbabwe’s journey toward a sustainable and prosperous future. He made the remarks at the launch of the Renewable Energy Fund on 20 September 2024 at the Old Mutual…
Byron Adonis Mutingwende As Southern Africa faces escalating climate challenges, the urgency for enhanced climate finance in 2024 has never been more critical. With increasing temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather events, the region is at a pivotal moment where proactive measures can shape its future. Southern Africa is uniquely vulnerable to climate…
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka has said lessons from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Scientific Forum 2024, themed ‘Atoms4Food: Better Agriculture for a Better Life’, should be harnessed to promote food and nutrition security in the country. He revealed that in a panel discussion of a…
Climate-wrecking fossil fuel and industrial agriculture sectors are squeezing climate-hit countries for over US$600 billion in public subsidies every year. ActionAid’s groundbreaking new report on the corporate capture of public finance finds that climate-destructive sectors are benefiting from subsidies amounting to an average of US$677 billion in the Global South every year, money that could…
Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, shared opportunities and insights that stakeholders could utilize to improve food security. He was speaking during the 68th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Scientific Forum being held under the theme “Atoms4Food: Better Agriculture for a Better Life”, running from 17…
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Scientific Forum 2024, themed Atoms4Food: Better Agriculture for a Better Life, opened alongside the 68th IAEA General Conference, focusing on how nuclear technology can help tackle global food insecurity. With an audience of over 260 participants, including high-level speakers and ministers from various countries, the opening session was filled…
Writes Dr Ayodele Odusola, UNDP Zimbabwe Resident Representative Zimbabwe stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, facing the dual challenge of climate change and economic transformation. The recent Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) in Victoria Falls underscored the urgency of addressing these intertwined issues, highlighting both the vulnerabilities we face and the…
By: Dr. Ayodele Odusola, UNDP Resident Representative, Zimbabwe Dr. Solomon Mutambara, Project Manager Climate Adaptation, Water and Energy Programme, United Nations Development Programme Zimbabwe The Climate Adaptation Water Energy Programme (CAWEP) stands as a testament to the power of strategic intervention and community-driven development in building resilience in the face of climate change. Funded by…
Writes Admore Mbonda Kariba – Residents of Kariba are living in fear as baboons increasingly invade their neighborhoods, with some even making their way into the Kariba District Hospital, where they are stealing food from the wards. Residents report that baboons have become a common sight, particularly in the mornings, as they roam freely through…
In pursuit of realizing the nation’s 2030 vision to become an upper-middle-income society, the 2024 Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference in the resort city of Victoria Falls is focusing on building resilience to climate change. The Conference is running under the theme ‘Building Resilience and Driving Economic Transformation under Climate Change’ from 14-18 September 2024…
Byron Adonis Mutingwende As the world heads towards COP 29, the issues of climate finance and a fossil fuel phase-out towards a just energy transition are ever more critical for climate action. The upcoming UN General Assembly, the UN Summit of the Future, and the Global Renewables Summit all taking place one after the…
OWN CORRESPONDENT Cuiabá (Brazil) – African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko today defended the need for climate-resilient agricultural practices, climate information services, and agricultural insurance programmes to support farmers in Chapada dos Guimarães in central Brazil, 62 km from the city of Cuiabá, capital of the state of Mato Grosso. Speaking at the G-20…
Today, Friday 13 September 2024, climate activists are mobilising across the globe in more than 150 events, spanning over 50 countries on all continents, calling on their governments to urgently implement a fast, fair, and funded phase-out of fossil fuels to prevent further climate catastrophe. Wellington Madumira, the coordinator of Climate Action Network Zimbabwe…
Hon Richard Tusabe, the Minister of State in Charge of the National Treasury for Rwanda has said there is a need to finance the agriculture sector on the African continent to ensure food and nutrition security. He was speaking during a side event for parliamentarians that was moderated by Dr. Fatimata Lovetta Sesay, the…
The Word Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a contribution of US$1 million from the Republic of Korea to meet the nutrition needs of 22,000 people adversely impacted by the El Niño-induced drought, which has exacerbated food insecurity across Zimbabwe. An estimated 5.9 million people living in rural Zimbabwe and 1.7 million in urban areas are…
In a significant gathering at the Rainbow Towers in Harare yesterday, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development for Zimbabwe, Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka, delivered a powerful address at the Zimbabwe Agriculture Resilience Symposium and Drought Action Committee (DAC) feedback report meeting. The event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, representatives…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
