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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Make 2025 Unforgettable with African Sun – Where Special Happens

African Sun Marketing Team   New year, new adventures! Let’s make 2025 the year you treat yourself and your family to experiences that make you feel truly special. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of the wild, the serenity of the mountains, or the perfect mix of relaxation and fun, African Sun has just the destination…

Read More

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…

Read More

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,…

Read More

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…

Read More

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) …

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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….

Read More

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…

Read More

Kadoma’s finest artistes to be recognised for outstanding contributions

Writes Chimeno Azriel Kadoma artistes are set to be recognised for their contributions to the industry during the Kadoma Entertainment Awards ceremony set to be held at African Barrel Lounge on the 18th of January 2025 in Kadoma.   The event, which will take place on a Saturday, will recognise the outstanding contributions of Kadoma’s…

Read More

UAE Distributes 1,000 Food Baskets to Support Over 5,500 Sudanese Refugees in Chad

The United Arab Emirates has distributed 1,000 food baskets to Sudanese refugees in Chad who are facing dire conditions due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s commitment to addressing the priorities of affected Sudanese communities and ensuring effective aid delivery to those in urgent need. The distributed food baskets…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

ManLuckerz Set to Thrill Stockholm with Zimbabwean Music and Dance

Renowned Zimbabwean artist and cultural ambassador, Makandire Chezhira Chikutu, better known as ManLuckerz, is set to deliver an electrifying performance tonight in Stockholm, accompanied by his band, The Zim-Traditional Unity. The event, hosted at the iconic Hotel Hellsten, promises a vibrant evening celebrating Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage through music and dance. With the festive season…

Read More

African Education Leaders Emphasise Holistic Approach to Learning at Continental Conference

The importance of school feeding programs and conducive learning environments took center stage during a key breakout session at the Continental Education Conference, which kickstarted on December 9, 2024, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, with experts highlighting the transformative potential of integrated approaches to education in Africa. Dr. Hameed Nuru, Director of the World Food Programme (WFP)…

Read More

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.  …

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

ZIMSOFF exchange visits help farmers improve agro-ecological practices

Writes Lloyd Rabaya  Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF)’s recent exchange visit in Shashe, Masvingo, has proved to be of great importance to farmers as they taught each other various agroecology elements. During the two-day visit, farmers had the opportunity to watch and learn from other practicing farmers on best sustainable practices that include water…

Read More

The Imperative of Upholding Climate Agreements for Local Communities and LMICs

Writes Ebrima Jarra, Soil Scientist and Civil Actor from The Gambia A Path Toward Equitable and Sustainable Development by “The Soil Solution” (NGO) Abstract As climate change accelerates, its impacts disproportionately burden local communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These communities, often with minimal contributions to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, face severe challenges,…

Read More

Regenerative Agriculture and Agro-biodiversity for Food Security in Africa and India

Empowering Smallholders through Market Approaches   The lack of agricultural biodiversity in farming systems threatens nutritional security for nearly 3 billion people in India and Africa or roughly 40 percent of the global population.   Around 600 million smallholder farmers (with a bulk in India and Africa), who are working on less than two hectares…

Read More

FAO workshop focuses on supporting agri-food system transformation in Southern Africa

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for Southern Africa convened a Multidisciplinary Team meeting to discuss and agree on how FAO can better support agrifood system transformation in Southern African countries.   The meeting was held today 11 November 2024 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe.  …

Read More