Non-state actors play a key role in realising the aspirations of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) by promoting accountability among stakeholders and disseminating knowledge and information to the grassroots, especially smallholder farmers. This emerged yesterday during the first day of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) Commemoration and…
The Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) and the African Union Development Agency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) are co-organising the side-event “Accelerating Investments for Inclusive and Holistic Agricultural Risk Management in Africa” on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS), the 20th…
Since the birth of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) through the Maputo Declaration of 2003 followed by the Malabo Declaration of 2014, tremendous progress has been made by the member states in transforming agriculture despite facing various challenges including the effects of climate change, pandemics, geo-political conflicts, and global recession, a senior government…
Writes Charles Dhewa Due to limited resources, among other reasons, development interventions often work with a few targeted beneficiaries hoping that new knowledge or practices can trickle down to the entire community. For instance, in a community of more than 1000 households, an intervention can support 50 households to do sustainable agriculture. Some interventions…
Zimbabwe hosts the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP) and Commemoration of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) under the theme “Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agrifood Systems, and Education for Africa’s Growth.” The meetings will run from the 29th of October to the 1st of November…
The Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems – Southern Africa (SHEFS-SA) consortium seeks to catalyse the transformation of Southern African food systems and communities towards systems and communities that are healthy and resilient to climate risks. This emerged at a side event ahead of the Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC) 2024 running under the…
The inaugural African Plant Health Systems Forum has highlighted the strength of partnerships and knowledge-driven solutions towards greater sustainable food security for a growing African population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. CABI, organised and launched the event, which brings together representatives from CABI’s African Member Countries, including government, development, research, farmer, and private…
Climate change, global financial shocks, and growing food insecurity are threatening Africa, the world’s fastest-growing continent, and hampering the achievement of global development goals. To tackle these challenges and speed up the continent’s efforts to achieve these goals, the president of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on Thursday called for bold reforms…
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…
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 24 October 2024 – The African Food Safety Agency will be created to ensure responsibility for strengthening the capacity, governance, coordination, and harmonisation of food safety systems in Africa, Dr. Amare Ayalew, Programme Manager of the AU Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa, said in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Amare Ayalew made…
An extraordinary session of the African Union’s specialised technical committee got underway on 23 October 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review the strategy and action plan for the continent’s comprehensive agricultural development programme for the next 10 years. For three days, experts in the agricultural sector will review and approve the Kampala Declaration,…
Scientists from Kansas State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have launched a project to improve biosecurity against a pair of insects that have battered America’s food supply for decades. K-State professor of entomology Tom Phillips said the university will lead a $799,976 project funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture…
LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD — October 23, 2024 — The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received yesterday a deposit of more than 30,000 new seed samples from 23 depositors across 21 countries, including seven international genebanks. This marks the largest number of depositors since the Seed Vault received samples from a record-breaking 35 genebanks in 2020, underscoring the…
The African Union Commission (AUC) through its Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), in collaboration with the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHDS) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), with support of technical institutions and development partners will commemorate the 15th Africa Day for Food and…
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…
Rwanda has initiated a program aimed at enhancing the production of cassava and potatoes by integrating genetically modified varieties that combat diseases, pests, and drought conditions. The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), unveiled the country’s Agricultural Biotechnology Programme. This initiative, supported by a…
ECHO, a Southwest Florida-based international nonprofit advocate for sustainable agriculture and food security, has hired a new director for its East Africa Regional Impact Center. Charei Munene, a leader in Agroecology/Ecological Organic Agriculture from Kenya, will succeed Erwin Kinsey in Tanzania. “We’re excited to have someone of Charei’s experience as part of our leadership…
African seed sector experts validated in Lusaka, Zambia the progress report and methodology of the study on seed systems managed by farmers on the continent to ensure correct practices. Participants in the event held discussions to find a common denominator for the implementation of the mission following the agreed terms of reference, including various…
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…
Women are the backbone of the agricultural sector in Africa and play a crucial role in the continent’s agri-food system, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment Josefa Correia Sacko said in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Speaking on International Rural Women’s Day, celebrated on 15 October, Josefa Sacko said that women…
A validation seminar of the progress report and methodology of the study on farmer-managed seed systems on the continent is taking place beginning today in Lusaka ( Zambia ), aimed at actions and policies modelled on best practices in this sector. Experts in the field are discussing the execution of the mission according to…
Writes Charles Dhewa As the battle for supremacy between agroecology and industrial agriculture gets more intense, food historians will carry the day for agroecology and indigenous food systems. Every African community has a deep history of its food system including intricate details on what has changed in the local food systems over the years….
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…
The Castle Braai Festival 2024 is set to light up the Harare Sports Club on October 19. This year, the Old Hararians Sports Club will once again host this vibrant celebration, inviting locals and visitors to indulge in a day filled with braai, entertainment, and music. The festival highlights the beloved tradition of braaiing…
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…
The Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA) applauded and embraced the 10-Year Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan and the Soil Initiative for Africa Framework adopted by African Heads of State at the African Union Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit. The Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) is an ambitious long-term effort to systematically…
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…
National Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) systems play an important role in ensuring food and nutrition security through protecting human, animal, and plant health; supporting economic development; promoting environmental sustainability; ensuring compliance with international standards; and building public trust and confidence in agrifood systems. This came to the fore during a Workshop on the Validation…
The Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA) has offered recommendations for strategic priorities for Improving Fertilizer Subsidy Programmes in Africa (FSP). Available evidence indicates that FSPs in Africa have generated several positive impacts, notably by bolstering agricultural productivity, augmenting farmers’ incomes, and fortifying food security. These impacts have come at a high cost…
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…
African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Ambassador Josefa Correia Sacko said today in New York that the levels of post-harvest food losses in Africa are sufficient to meet the annual food needs of some 48 million people. Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, which has been taking place since last Monday,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
