Rural women take the lead in Zimbabwe’s food sovereignty

Writes Lloyd Rabaya With the sharp voices of the Zvamahande Primary School pupils cutting through the air echoing the food sovereignty message with their poems, the farmers from various provinces who were gathered at Shashe Agroecology School celebrating the International Day of Rural Women, which was preceded by International Food Sovereignty  Day, lauded and ululated…

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Tinubu reappoints Mustapha as DG National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency

Writes Toyin Omozuwa   The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the reappointment of the Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha for a second tenure of 5 years.   His reappointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the…

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Conference spotlights strategies to eliminate hunger by 2025

A high-level political forum on global action against hunger is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with stakeholders seeking to achieve this goal, importantly in Africa where a large proportion of the population is food insecure annually and increasingly goes hungry.   These were the sentiments for His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe,…

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PARM Stories Challenge: Winners speak at 20th CAADP PP, 15th ADFNS

The winners of the Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) Stories Challenge were sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to attend the commemoration of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS), the 20th edition of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform (PP) and the associated Malabo…

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United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework aligns with NDS1

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) aimed at achieving economic growth and stability, food and nutrition security, structural transformation, and value chains among many common priorities. These were the sentiments of Mr. Spencer Dube, the Acting Chief Director of Political Affairs in the Ministry of…

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A Food Security Statistics Project is Enhancing Food Security Data across Africa

Reliable food security statistics are essential for informed decisions on food access, quality, and affordability.   Recognizing this, a regional collaboration between the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Statistics Norway, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), has supported eight African nations in strengthening their food and nutritional security…

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Biennial Review Reports: Member states off-target on achieving CAADP commitments

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Progamme (CAADP) Biennial Review Reports have shown that countries have missed targets on enhancing investment finance in agriculture, ending hunger, halving poverty, boosting intra-African trade, enhancing resilience to climate variability, and promoting mutual accountability by 2025 as espoused in the commitments that support the Malabo Declaration. This was revealed by…

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AUDA-NEPAD and PARM contributing to agricultural risk management in Africa

The Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) shared knowledge of the approaches and opportunities for effective agricultural risk management (ARM) in Africa.   Speaking during a side event titled “Accelerating Investments for Inclusive and Holistic Agricultural Risk Management in Africa” on the sidelines of the commemoration of the…

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Research and Innovation: Catalysts for Agricultural Transformation under under CAADP

As stakeholders gathered in Harare to commemorate two decades of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme(CAADP), it emerged that there is a need to reflect on the vital role that research plays in this transformative journey.   In a speech on his behalf during a side event at the 20th CAADP Partnership Platform titled “Research…

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Commissioner Sacko urges action on implementing the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan

H.E Ambassador Josefa Sacko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the Africa Union Commission, has urged urgent action on the implementation of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan.   She made the call during a side event at the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP PP)…

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AGRA, FAO hail CAADP Partnership Platform: Aligning efforts to drive Africa’s agricultural agenda

The Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA) has hailed the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform (PP) as stronger than ever, with a renewed focus on inclusivity and collaboration.   Speaking during the official opening of the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP PP) and the 15th Africa Day for Food…

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African governments tasked to prioritise investment in biotechnology

African governments have been urged to prioritise investment in biotechnology research and development to address pressing challenges in the sector, including climate change, pests and diseases, and declining soil fertility.   The call was made to African Ministers from six countries, including Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Eswatini, during a ministerial roundtable held on the…

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AUDA-NEPAD, donors renew commitment to building resilient and inclusive food systems

The 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) held under the theme “CAADP Agenda Two Decades-on: Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agrifood Systems, and Education for Africa’s Growth” marked an opportunity not only to reflect on the achievements of the past 20 years but…

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AGRA, AUDA-NEPAD and IFPRI event spotlights Strategic Pathways to Agrifood Systems Transformation

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) will be holding a side event during the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Africa day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) in Harare, Zimbbwe. This session…

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Africa needs to develop human capacities and innovative practices to achieve resilient agri-food systems

African Union Commissioner Josefa Correia Sacko reaffirmed in Harare, Zimbabwe, the need to develop human capacities and innovative practices to accelerate the implementation and expansion of successful models to achieve resilient agri-food systems in Africa.   Josefa Sacko, who was speaking at the commemoration of the fifteenth African Day for Food Security and Nutrition and…

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CAADP Non-state actors enhancing accountability, knowledge dissemination in agriculture

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…

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Agriculture risk management contributes to Africa’s food security: PARM, AUDA-NEPAD

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…

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CAADP processes register tremendous progress in transforming agriculture

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…

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Agriculture: To what extent can a few beneficiaries transform a whole community?

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…

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20th CAADP PP and 15th ADFNS: Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agri-food Systems and Education for Africa’s Growth

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…

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SHEFS-SA catalyses the transformation of Southern African food systems

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…

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Partnerships enhance sustainable food security: Inaugural Africa Plant Health Systems Forum

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…

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Poverty eradication: AFDB President urges bold, innovative and practical solutions

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…

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Africa’s post-Malabo agriculture programme a rethink of the continent’s priorities: Ambassador Josefa Sacko

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…

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Food safety agency to strengthen coordination and harmonisation capacity on the continent

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…

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AU reviews Africa agriculture programme strategy

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,…

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K-State, USDA scientists awarded grant to battle invasive stored grain pests

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…

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Svalbard Global Seed Vault Receives Historic Deposit Bolstering Food Security Amid Crises

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…

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Zimbabwe to host 20th CAADP-PP and Commemoration of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security

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…

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52nd Session of the Committee on World Food Security: Address shocks and stresses affecting agriculture

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…

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Rwanda launches $9.9M genetically modified crops program to boost 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…

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ECHO hires specialist to lead East Africa Regional Impact Centre

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…

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Policy harmonisation, uptake of indigenous knowledge systems critical for seed sector success

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…

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Hekhani Seeds a game-changer in Zimbabwe’s agricultural seed sector

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…

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Rural women contribute to food systems, agriculture

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…

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African seed system experts seek to validate their strategic report

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…

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The critical emerging role of food historians in advancing African agro-ecology

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….

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Africa advocates ocean health for global climate stability and the future of humans

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…

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Castle Braai Fest 2024: The Ultimate Celebration Of Music and Braai Culture

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…

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All set for the second NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon

Preparations for the second NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon – a momentous event aimed at promoting tourism, rural development, and raising awareness on global warming and environmental preservation in the beautiful Honde Valley, are at an advanced stage.   Speaking at a press conference in Harare today, Mr. Learnmore Musunda, the NetOne Chief Commercial officer…

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Water at the core of community resilience in the face of El-Nino-induced drought

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…

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Mitigating drought: Zimbabwe compels farmers to use wheat stover as livestock feed

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…

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AGRA shares perspectives on AU’s 10-Year Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan

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…

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Addressing food waste and loss mitigates climate change

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…

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National Sanitary and Phytosanitary systems promoting food and nutrition security

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…

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