Harvesting Hope: Women in Hurungwe Transform Their Lives Through Mushrooms

In the heart of Zimbabwe’s tobacco belt, a quiet transformation is taking root. In small rural communities in Hurungwe District, women are harnessing the power of mushrooms to grow not just food—but dignity, income, and resilience. Supported by the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) with financial assistance from the European Union and the Embassy of…

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Future of Africa’s food systems depend on youth: AGRA Board Chair

Board chairman of AGRA and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn says the future of Africa’s food systems depends on the youth of the continent.   Speaking at the launch of the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, he said the youth are already doing great things in Africa’s agriculture, and efforts to make…

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ICGEB a platform for knowledge transfer: Dr Deckster Savadye

Dr. Deckster Savadye, the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe (NBA), who is currently in India, New Dehli, attending the 31st Board Meeting of the ICGEB said the country is set to benefit immensely from its participation in this forum.   Speaking to Spiked Online Media from India, Dr….

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ZCSOSUNA media training promotes food and nutrition security

Zimbabwe Civil Society Organizations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA), with financial and technical support from UNICEF, in collaboration with key government ministries and departments, held a training workshop to empower journalists to go beyond numbers to using data-driven storytelling to uncover meaningful insights, raising public awareness, influencing policy and shifting consumption behaviors when reporting on…

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Indigenous and Neglected Food Crops: Gateway to Sustainable Tourism and Growth in Africa and the Caribbean

By FANRPAN   Convening multi-stakeholder policy dialogues is one of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN). Convening policy dialogues is crucial for promoting evidence-informed policymaking, fostering mutual understanding, and achieving better policy outcomes. It allows stakeholders to engage in a structured process of discussing issues, identifying priorities, and finding common ground….

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Youth shaping the future of agriculture and food systems in Africa

Across the African continent, there is an increased recognition of the role youth and young people must play in shaping the future of agriculture and food systems.   That was captured in the remarks by Dr. Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, the Chief Executive Officer of the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) today during…

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Revised RAIPs position SADC as a leader in transition towards food sovereignty

The Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s revised regional agricultural investment plans (RAIPs) position the regional bloc as a continental leader in working towards an agri-food transition that responds to the multi-faceted impacts of climate change by adopting sustainable approaches (agroecology); empowering smallholder farmers (particularly women, youth, and vulnerable people); supporting the use of indigenous knowledge;…

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CAADP 3 demonstrates commitment to reshaping Africa’s agri-food systems

The launch of the third ten-year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) embodies stakeholders’ collective commitment to reshaping Africa’s agri-food systems and securing a prosperous future for all. “We all know the journey from Maputo to where we are, and we have made significant strides in driving sustainable agricultural growth, enhancing food security, and strengthening…

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CAADP Launch: RECs, farmer organisations pledge partnerships for agricultural success

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Regional economic communities (RECs) and farmer organisations have welcomed the official launch of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan and Kampala Declaration following its approval by the African Union Head of State and Government in January 2025 wherein they pledged to contribute their expertise to the…

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AFSPAN, NSAs pledge partnership with African Union to drive agricultural development

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The Africa Food Systems Parliamentarian Network (AFSPAN) together with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Non-State Actors (NSAs) have pledged to support the African Union Commission (AUC) to drive agriculture on the continent.   In their meeting with Mr. Moses Vilakati, the Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development,…

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CAADP: Commissioner Vilakati sets 100 days plan to improve African Agriculture

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Mr. Moses Vilakati, the Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) in the African Union Commission (AUC) has set a 100-day plan to measure performance of the department in improving African Agriculture under the Africa Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action…

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7th Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week a platform for information sharing

The 7th Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week slated for the 12th to the 16th of May 2025 is an opportunity for the exchange of information and knowledge among countries and other stakeholders in farming.   This was revealed by Dr. Silim M. Nahdy, the Executive Director of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) who…

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Mashonaland West Province poised to meet wheat production targets

Writes Violet Mashonga   The sun rises over the fields of Makonde District in Mashonaland West Province, casting a warm glow over the lush green wheat crops. Recently, Provincial Agronomist S. Makaza and District Agronomist T. Marovora embarked on a mission to assess the progress of winter wheat preparations and planting in the district. Their…

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ECOWAS Agriculture Fund Boosts Food Security Interventions Across West Africa

The ECOWAS Regional Agriculture and Food Fund (RAFF) Supervisory Board approved its 2025-2027 work plan and budget during a meeting in Lomé last week. The fund aims to boost agricultural program funding across member states as West Africa faces escalating food insecurity.   Harmonized Framework estimates that 49.5 million people could face food insecurity during…

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Agricultural education and innovation key to achieving food security

Writes Violet Mashonga   In pursuit of empowering farmers for a food-secure future, the Zvimba District held a Field Day themed “The Power of Educating Farmers: Achieving Food Security Everywhere, Every Day,” which showcased the importance of agricultural education and innovation. At the heart of the event was the Pfumvunza farming method, a climate-resilient approach…

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ZCSOSUNA engages Parliament for food and nutrition security advocacy

The Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA), with financial and technical support from UNICEF and in collaboration with key government ministries and departments, launched a new project titled ‘High-Level Nutrition Advocacy and Parliamentary Engagement’ to enhance national efforts in nutrition advocacy and deepen engagement with policymakers on child nutrition and development.  …

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Japan, Zimbabwe and UN Agencies collaboration improves Child Health and Nutrition, Medical Waste Management

The Government of Japan provides support, in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, and UNOPS, to the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and has launched five transformative projects under Japan’s 2024 Supplementary Budget and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). These initiatives aim to strengthen maternal and child health, prevent malnutrition, modernize medical…

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Using agroecology markets to inform diet analyses and community-led nutrition

Writes Charles Dhewa   Due to the colonial legacy that has looked down upon indigenous food for decades, diet and nutrition analyses in most African countries are based on data collected in supermarkets and other formal shops. Rarely is data collected from territorial mass food markets from which the majority get their food. That means…

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Empowering Rural Livelihoods: The Chomudondo Family’s Success Story

Writes Violet Mashonga In the heart of Mhondoro Mubaira, Ward 5, the Chomudondo family has been making waves with their innovative farming and poultry projects. This elderly couple has defied conventional expectations, showcasing that age is no barrier to achieving success. Their determination and hard work have not only improved their own lives but also…

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Gandiwa Village in Mhondoro Mubaira Hosts Successful Field Day at Mandizvidza Homestead

Writes Violet Mashonga   Gandiwa Village in Mhondoro Mubaira recently hosted a successful field day at the Mandizvidza homestead, attracting numerous organizations and companies. The event, held in Ward 5 of Chief Rwizi’s area, showcased the growing interest in the farming industry. Guest of honor, Mrs. Ndoro, the Provincial Deputy Director of Agritex, expressed her…

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Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism closing agricultural productivity gap

The Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (The Mechanism) is making significant strides toward closing Africa’s agricultural productivity gap. At its 14th Governing Council meeting, held on 20 March 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, the Mechanism reported that its initiatives had facilitated access to 18,448 tons of fertilizer for 115,535 smallholder farmers across Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe during 2024.  …

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Pfumvudza enhancing agricultural productivity: Minister Masuka

Writes Violet Mashonga   The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr Amxious Masuka, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to food security, emphasizing that the Ffumvudza program introduced by President Emerson Mnangagwa plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity.   Addressing farmers and stakeholders during a field day at Headman Peter…

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AfDB approves $50 million trust fund to end school-age hunger in Africa

The End School-Age Hunger Fund (ESAH) was approved on 20 March to bolster school meal programmes in targeted African countries   The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) approved the establishment of a fund to help put an end to hunger and malnutrition among school-age children in Africa.   The End School-Age…

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National Biotechnology Authority leading in developing regulatory framework for genome editing

To ensure that modern technologies are developed and used in an ethical, safe, and equitable manner, the National Biotechnology Authority (NBA) is leading in the development of a regulatory framework for genome editing in Zimbabwe.   The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Prof. Fanuel Tagwira…

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Water and sanitation spur Africa’s development aspirations

Water and sanitation play an important role in the pursuit of Africa’s development aspirations given their direct bearing on all basic social and economic indicators, Hon Vangelis Haritatos, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has said.   He made the remarks during the official opening of the Southern Africa Sub-regional…

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Turning Drought into Opportunity: One Farmer’s Innovation in Mwenezi

In the drought-prone district of Mwenezi, Zimbabwe, farmers battle unpredictable rainfall and dwindling agricultural yields. Climate change has made traditional farming methods unreliable, forcing smallholder farmers to seek new solutions. For Chizivano Shava, a lead farmer in the Climate Resilient Livelihoods (CRL) project, innovation is not just an option, it’s a necessity.   Supported by…

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Mary Anibal’s Nyimbo zaKwatu: A Celebration of African music, culture and women’s empowerment

Writes Herzel Mushayabasa   With her mesmerizing blend of traditional Zimbabwean melodies and modern Afro-fusion beats, Mary Anibal is taking the music world by storm.   This award-winning singer, mbira player, and percussionist has come a long way since her humble beginnings as a session musician in 2016 with a string of show-stopping performances at…

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Driving Zimbabwe’s Economic Recovery Through Agriculture: ENAZ Symposium Set to Lead the Way

The Entrepreneurs Network Association of Zimbabwe (ENAZ) is set to host a groundbreaking symposium on April 11, 2025, in Harare, bringing together key stakeholders in agriculture, finance, and policy to drive Zimbabwe’s economic resurgence. This high-level event will underscore the agricultural sector’s indispensable role in steering Zimbabwe toward its Vision 2030 goals, focusing on food…

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IITA drives regional agricultural transformation at Africa Business Forum

At the recently concluded Africa Business Forum (ABF) 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, IITA–CGIAR Director of Private Sector Partnerships, Dr Debo Akande, led an IITA delegation at the high-profile event hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Centered around the theme, “From Potential to Prosperity: Activating Africa’s Regional Value Chains,” the forum brought together key stakeholders to drive…

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ZRBF 2: Enhancing resilience in a multi-shock environment

In pursuit of enhancing resilience in a multi-shock environment, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Resident Coordinator’s Office of Zimbabwe, today, officially launched Phase 2 of the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF), together with its donors, the European Union and the Government of Ireland.   ZRBF is a…

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AU Continental Food Safety Agency to Address Critical Health and Trade Challenges

The African Union has taken a historic step towards enhancing food safety across the continent with the adoption of the statute for the establishment of the Africa Food Safety Agency during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 16 February 2025. This landmark decision marks…

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FAO Regional Workshop boosts workers’ skills and knowledge for agri-food systems transformation

A workshop by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) regional office for Africa (RAF) that took place in Harare from 17 to 28 February 2025 enhanced participants’ skills and knowledge in the quest for establishing resilient agri-food systems on the continent.   Below, Spiked Online Media shares participants’ perspectives about the…

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Goat farming takes centre stage in Zimbabwe’s agricultural growth

A local agricultural organisation, Mash Goats, hosted a day-long goat farming training session aimed at empowering communities with agricultural entrepreneurial skills. Speaking to journalists at the training session in Harare, the initiative’s founder, Tatenda Mashozhera, stated that equipping people with knowledge of goat farming is crucial for bridging the unemployment gap. “Empowering communities with agricultural…

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Agriculture sector experts refine techniques for fifth biennial review report

NAIROBI, KENYA – A continental training of trainer’s seminar for agriculture development programme experts is taking place in Nairobi to prepare experts from regional economic communities to support the biennial review mechanism in data collection, to ensure that data continues to be of high quality.   This event centred on efforts to critically analyse the…

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Outgoing AU Commissioner honoured by AU-IBAR in Nairobi for her work on the continent

Addis Ababa – The outgoing African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Josefa Correia Sacko, was honoured in Nairobi by the Inter-African Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) for her work on the continent.   The farewell event, organised by the specialised technical office, came at a time when the Angolan…

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Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems: FAO’s Commitment to Sustainable Agricultural Growth

By Sibiri Sylvain Herve Ouedraogo, Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF)   The Regional Capacity development workshop in Zimbabwe   Agriculture is at the heart of Africa’s economy, providing livelihoods for nearly 60% of the population. However, inefficiencies in agrifood systems—ranging from poor infrastructure to climate vulnerability and weak market access—have limited the…

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FAO collaborates with African Union to enhance food and nutrition security

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the African Union (FAO), has pledged to continue to work with the African Union in promoting food and nutrition security on the African continent. Speaking to Spiked Online Media on the sidelines of the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) Capacity Development Workshop running in Harare, Zimbabwe from 17…

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Africa requires US$15 billion annually for addressing climate change: Josefa Sacko

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – At least 15 billion dollars a year up to 2030 is the amount the continent needs to increase its capacity to adapt to and mitigate climate change, outgoing African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko said.   The Ambassador, who made a name for herself during two terms in the Department of…

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FAO holds Africa regional capacity development workshop

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is holding a two-week long training workshop on administrative, finance, and operational matters in Harare. Speaking to Spiked Online Media ahead of the meeting today, Dr. Patrice Talla, the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, said the training was…

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Outgoing AU Commissioner Josefa Sacko honoured with medal for outstanding work

Addis Ababa – 16 February 2025 – Angolan Josefa Correia Sacko, outgoing African Union Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, was honoured in Addis Ababa, with a medal of honour of merit, by the President of the Republic, Mohamed Oud Ghazouani.   Th honour came on the sidelines…

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Josefa Sacko says African women are the backbone of the continent’s agri-food systems

Addis Ababa 14 February 2025 – Women are the backbone of Africa’s agri-food systems, contributing immensely to production, processing, distribution, and family livelihoods, outgoing African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment Josefa Correia Sacko said in Addis Ababa.   The Angolan diplomat at the end of her mandate at the…

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