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AGRA Announces Top 15 Finalists and Judging Panel for the 2024 VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA)  

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Nairobi, July 23,  2024 – The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has today announced the Top 15 finalists for the 2024 VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA). This year’s selection, drawn from 1,535 applications across 44 African nations, showcases the continent’s top women excelling in agribusiness. The finalists have been drawn from Benin, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.   

“Women represent 50% of the agricultural labor force in Africa where they are responsible for 70% of production, yet they are still underrepresented as agribusiness leaders in the continent. WAYA aims to be one if the initiatives bridging this gap by incentivizing and recognizing these women as the drivers of inclusive agricultural transformation in Africa”, says AGRA’s Director for Gender, Youth & Inclusiveness, Ms. Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah. 
 

This year’s ultimate category winners will each receive a cash prize of $25,000, with the grand prize winner walking away with $40,000. Notably, the 2024 awards have seen a rise in the number of countries represented, increasing from 42 last year to 44 this year, and applicants increasing from 1,430 to 1,535. The winners will be announced at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali Rwanda, which will be held from 2nd to 6th September 2024.

AGRA has convened a distinguished panel of independent judges committed to women’s economic empowerment to assess and select the final awardees. This year’s judging panel includes Delphine Traore, AGRA Board Member and CEO of General Insurance, Sanlam Allianz, Jen Ramnath, Chief Digital and Information Officer for the Mastercard Foundation, Mary Boote, Vice Chair of the International Agri-food Network and CEO Global Farmer Network, Judy Matu, the National Executive Chairlady for the Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya and Oluyemisi Iranloye, CEO/Founder, Psaltry International & Psaltry Foundation and the WAYA 2022 Grand Prize Winner. Oluyemisi is the first WAYA winner to make a judging debut, emphasizing AGRA’s efforts to continue growing and recognizing the winning alumni.

“Our role as judges is not just to evaluate the achievements of these outstanding women, but to amplify their voices and highlight their contributions to sustainable agribusinesses and economic growth across Africa,” says jury member Judy Matu. 

This year’s WAYA features five distinct categories, reflecting diversity and promoting the variety of talents among women agripreneurs in the continent. The categories are: Young Female Agripreneur (Rising Star), Women Empowerment Champion, Resilient and Inspirational Leader, Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise and Female AgTech Innovator.   
 
This year’s top 15 finalists, listed by category and in alphabetical order, are: 

Outstanding Value-adding Enterprises  

  1. Affiong Williams –, Nigeria 
  2. Bassono Kabore Windlasida Florence –, Burkina Faso  
  3. Caroline Wanjiru Mambo –, Kenya 

Female Ag Tech Innovators 

  1. Anaporka Adazabra –, Ghana  
  2. Aisha Raheem –, Nigeria 
  3. Boitumelo Bethesda Frazie –, South Africa 

Young Female Agripreneurs (Rising Stars) 

  1. Jovia Kisakye – Uganda  
  2. Ogbon Eyitayo Azaratou – Benin  
  3. Tonthoza Uganja –– Malawi 
     

Women Empowerment Champion 

  1. Christine Ager – Kenya  
  2. Fannie Gondwe – Malawi  
  3. Judith Endelesi Karia – Tanzania  

Resilient and Inspirational Leader 

  1. Daniella Ushindi Virivuswagha – DR Congo  
  2. Konlan Lydia Madintin – Ghana 
  3. Sandra Letio – Uganda  

These women have distinguished themselves through their leadership, innovation, ambition, and commitment to community development and social impact. Their business ideas were sparked by existing social and environmental challenges within the agriculture and agrifood sectors in their countries, which they felt compelled to address. 

“I am deeply honored to be selected as one of the top 15 finalists for the WAYA awards. This recognition is significant not just for me, but also for the farmers I work with. WAYA celebrates innovation and excellence, and being part of such a prestigious group is both humbling and inspiring. This acknowledgment reaffirms our commitment to pushing boundaries and making a meaningful impact in our communities,” says Judith Karia, WAYA finalist in the Women Empowerment Champion category.  

Notes to editors 

About Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA) 

The VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA) is an AGRA-led recognition initiative launched in 2021 under AGRA’s flagship VALUE4HER initiative that seeks to strengthen women agripreneurship in Africa. WAYA recognizes African female agripreneurs who have excelled in the agricultural value chains and have demonstrated remarkable innovation by contributing positively towards food security, climate resilience, women and youth empowerment. The awards aim to create visibility for successful women and promote them as positive role models, trigger innovation, and spur ambition among women agripreneurs. The awards are a collaboration between AGRA and various partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, UKAID, USAID, and in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Other delivery partners include the International Agrifood Network (IAFN), Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK) and the Africa Development Research, Evaluation & Strategy (ADRES) Group. 

About the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum 

The AFS Forum is the world’s premier forum for African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical action and share lessons that will move African food systems forward. The 2024 AFS Forum, to be held under the theme “Innovate, Accelerate and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era”, will be a timely opportunity to convene diverse stakeholders, including world leaders, investors, academia, farmers’ organizations, and the private sector, to spotlight innovations, technologies, best practices, business models, policy delivery mechanisms, and investments to accelerate food systems transformation in Africa and beyond, with youth and women at the helm.

About AGRA 

Founded in 2006, AGRA, is an African-led African-based organization that seeks to catalyze Agriculture Transformation in Africa. AGRA is focused on putting smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives. As the sector that employs the majority of Africa’s people, nearly all of them small-scale farmers, AGRA recognizes that developing smallholder agriculture into a productive, efficient, and sustainable system is essential to ensuring food security, lifting millions out of poverty, and driving equitable growth across the continent. www.agra.org 

To register to attend the Africa Food Systems Forum and the Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA), please visit https://agrf-inperson.com/ 

For media interviews and enquiries Contact:  

Jean Kiarie 

Head of Communications, AGRA 

+254 722 719 070 

jkiarie@agra.org  

Be Part of the Plan: Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Africa

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As we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity under the theme “Be Part of the Plan,” it is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. This theme resonates deeply with the ongoing efforts across the African continent, particularly in Kenya, where food systems and biodiversity are linked. The Kenya Food Systems and Land Use Action Plan 2024-2030 is a testament to the country’s commitment to addressing these pressing issues. Food and Land Use coalition (FOLU) members are collaborating to be part of this plan, working towards a sustainable future where biodiversity thrives.

Jeremiah Rogito, FOLU Lead Kenya

Kenya has faced numerous challenges over the past years, from global food price surges to local crises enhanced by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts. These challenges have highlighted the urgent need to reexamine and transform Kenyan food systems. The Kenya Food Systems and Land Use Action Plan 2024-2030 aims to address these issues by integrating biodiversity conservation into food production and land use strategies.

Biodiversity ensures the resilience of ecosystems, which are fundamental for sustainable agriculture and food production. In Kenya for example, agriculture contributes 22.7 percent directly to the GDP and 33.8 percent to the broader food system, employing over 43.3 percent of the total population and more than 70 percent of rural people. Transforming this system for better nutrition and health requires a paradigm shift that balances agricultural productivity with the responsibility of ensuring better nutrition and health for all Kenyans.

AGRA and the Food and Land Use (FOLU) Coalition are key players in Kenya’s strategy to integrate biodiversity into food systems. Their collaborative efforts focus on boosting nature-positive production, advancing equitable livelihoods, and building resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stresses. AGRA’s initiatives include supporting smallholder farmers with resources and training to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. These practices enhance soil health, conserve water, and promote crop diversity, which are essential for maintaining biodiversity. AGRA also works on improving market access for farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices for their produce, thereby promoting economic stability and reducing the pressure on natural resources.

The FOLU Coalition complements these efforts by providing a platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration. FOLU members include governments, NGOs, and private sector partners, all working together to create sustainable food systems. Their projects emphasize the importance of policy coherence, innovative financing, and the integration of indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts. This holistic approach ensures that biodiversity conservation is embedded in all aspects of food production and land use planning.

Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change are exerting immense pressure on Kenya’s natural resources. The urban population is projected to make up nearly 50 percent of the total population by 2050, leading to increased food demand and longer supply chains. These trends necessitate a comprehensive approach to feeding and supporting a growing population under challenging climatic and market conditions.

The Kenya Food Systems and Land Use Action Plan 2024-2030 addresses these challenges by promoting a diverse and resilient agricultural model. This model emphasizes diversifying farms and farming landscapes, optimizing biodiversity, and enhancing interactions between different sectors to create sustainable and healthy diets for all. Inclusion and gender equality are also critical components of this plan, ensuring that youth and women are empowered to contribute to and benefit from sustainable agricultural practices.

Delegates at a convening hosted by FOLU Coalition

During the recent FOLU coalition meeting held at Sawela Lodges in Naivasha, Kenya to reflect on the progress in the implementation of the action plan and prioritizing immediate actions, Jeremiah Rogito challenged coalition members to fully commit to the plan for biodiversity conservation. “Being part of the plan means taking concrete actions that contribute to the restoration and preservation of our biodiversity,” Rogito emphasized. He called on stakeholders to support youth in agribusiness, equip them with the necessary skills and resources, and enhance their access to growth capital. Rogito’s challenge highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts and the role of social inclusion in driving biodiversity conservation.

The theme “Be Part of the Plan” for the International Day for Biological Diversity celebrations 2024 is a rallying cry for all stakeholders to join forces in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. The Kenya Food Systems and Land Use Action Plan 2024-2030, represents a significant step towards integrating biodiversity into food systems.

As we reflect on the importance of biodiversity, let us commit to being part of the plan. Together, we can create a sustainable future where biodiversity flourishes, food systems are resilient, and all people enjoy nutritious and diverse diets. Let’s take this opportunity to make a lasting impact and secure a healthy planet for future generations.

By Jeremiah Rogito, Food and Land Use Coalition Specialist at AGRA.

AGRA Announces CALA Cohort 4 Recruitment

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Nairobi, Kenya, 15th May 2024…AGRA has announced the opening of applications for the fourth cohort of the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA)’s Advanced Leadership Programme, designed for executives and rising stars from across Africa’s agriculture sector in government, the private sector, and civil society.

The Advanced Leadership programme is tailored to support developing leaders in delivering on top national priorities in African agriculture and nutrition security. Applications will be received from May 13th to July 2nd, 2024, with 80 top applicants from eight focus countries – Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda – joining the highly competitive and selective programme.

Announcing the call for applications, AGRA’s Head of State Capability, Yifru Bekele, said that AGRA launched the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) to provide hands-on implementation support for African leaders in the agriculture sector to unlock opportunities and shape the changing landscape of agriculture in the continent.

Mr Bekele, added, “In a continent haunted by multiple challenges that have been affecting its population to liberate itself out of mire poverty while amassed with plenty of opportunities, the importance of leadership cannot be overemphasized. The agricultural sector has not been an exception, it has been cruising on a bumpy road, experiencing both the challenges and opportunities across countries.”

An AGRA-led initiative, the fourth cohort will be delivered in collaboration with implementing partners, the African Management Institute (AMI), CALA’s lead implementation and learning partner, and the African Network of Professional Facilitators (ANProF). Cohort delegates will participate in the collaborative, hands-on, and tailored programme for 16-months.

“It’s been great to watch CALA’s continued mission to support agriculture leaders to drive food systems transformation through improving their leadership capacity. From the delegates’ learning journey to our robust alumni network, solutions to the continent’s challenges are in good hands”- Rebecca Harrison, CEO and Co-founder of the African Management Institute, spoke on the Advanced Leadership Programme’s impact.

The fourth cohort follows the successful implementation of the first, second and third cohorts, composed of 200 leaders from eight focus countries, who began their journey in August 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Selected from over 4,000 applications, the first and second cohorts graduated from the programme, joining the Centre’s robust alumni network, while the third cohort is now halfway into their 16-month leadership learning journey. The cohorts have been progressively inclusive, with women leaders accounting for an average of 50% across each cohort.

The programme cohort delegates will experience offerings such as executive and team coaching, virtual learning lessons, and leadership forums with experts from across the continent and globe. Participants will also access CALA’s exclusive online leadership courses and ‘game-changers’ case studies from experts advancing agricultural transformation in Africa and the global south.

By the end of the programme, within CALA’s unique Action Learning Project format, participants will have delivered on a collaborative keystone project, working with peers from their country cohort to deliver on a key sector transformation project. The projects will be linked to the participants’ job and country agriculture transformation objectives, emphasizing youth empowerment and employment creation.

For more information or to apply visit: https://cala.agra.org/programme/cala-advanced-leadership-programme/

Strathmore University & AGRA launch the Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center (SAFIC)

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Kenya’s leading business school, Strathmore University and AGRA inked a partnership dubbed Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center (SAFIC), whose aim is to catalyze the transformation of food systems in Africa.

SAFIC is committed to co-designing evidence-based interventions that foster sustainable agricultural growth and innovation. This commitment extends to supporting actors in the agri-food system, including the national government, county government, private sector, and development partners. Unlocking agriculture’s full potential requires innovative, data-driven solutions and increased private sector involvement.

Addressing the participants, Strathmore’s Prof Wagura Ndiritu, Associate Professor and Director, Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center, said the launch of SAFIC seeks to enhance visibility throughout the entire agricultural value chain, spanning from production to market distribution. “Additionally, a large proportion of agribusinesses in the region face several challenges related to business management, market access, accessing capital, and scaling. Central to SAFIC’s mission is the establishment of a Community of Practice (CoP) on Agri Markets Data for Investment & Growth (AMDIG). This collaborative platform will serve as a platform that facilitates knowledge sharing on data insights,” explained Prof Ndiritu.

AGRA President Dr Agnes Kalibata remarked that partnerships are the cornerstone of development. She lauded Strathmore Business School for acknowledging the importance of having data-driven solutions to bridge gaps in agribusiness. She highlighted AGRA’s previous work with various (14) universities across the continent to train MSEs and SMEs.  On behalf of the organisation, she also committed to partner with Strathmore to provide various services, like sharing data and support in research.

Furthermore, she encouraged the faculty to make use of AGRA’s various programmes that are dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration in the agricultural sector. One such initiative is the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA), which provides a platform for businesses and governments to devise solutions tailored to the agricultural landscape. She also referred to other programmes like the Dealroom, Youth Connect, and Value4Her which serve as invaluable resources for networking, mentorship, and empowerment within the agricultural community.

Strathmore University Vice Chancellor, Dr Vincent Ogutu, emphasised the need to seize the opportunity to revolutionise the food system in Kenya and across Africa.  As an African institution, Strathmore University is positioned to foster collaboration through SAFIC and transform data into practical solutions to address the continent’s food security challenges.

The key messaging for the event was “advocating for partnerships and evidence-based support, stressing the pivotal role of precision policies and credible data tailored to Africa’s diverse market demands.” Capacity building for SMEs is necessary to enhance market access and scalability, vital for the sector’s growth and prosperity.

Hon. Dr. Kanyuithia Mutunga, the Chair of the Agricultural Committee for the National Assembly and the keynote speaker remarked on the need for credible data to innovate. He emphasised the importance of efforts and policies to strengthen market linkages and stressed the urgent need for reliable data systems.

He acknowledged that a forum like SAFIC could provide a platform to facilitate informed decision-making in order to accelerate industrialisation as well as have the potential to drive transformation in agriculture. He stated that the national government would work with the SAFIC, to collaborate in data collection and dissemination, providing research and insights needed to drive agriculture in the country forward.

The launch of SAFIC marks a new beginning for African agriculture, characterised by collaboration, evidence-based decision-making and strategic partnerships. SAFIC is committed to empowering stakeholders and creating opportunities for innovation, to change global trends and promote sustainable growth and food security throughout the continent.

AGRA at Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit

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The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, scheduled for 7th-9th May 2024, is poised to bring together African heads of state, policymakers, private-sector players, farmer organizations, development agencies, and others to address Africa’s widespread and decades-long decline in soil health, which threatens agricultural productivity and food security on the continent.

We are glad to invite you to attend the side-events we are co-organizing at the sidelines of the summit:

  1. Post-Summit action following the Abuja Declaration

Date: 7th May, 2024.
Time: 14:00 pm to 15:30 pm EAT
Venue: KICC Lawns, Tent 5.
Partners: AGRA, ECOWAS, EAC, SADC

The session will showcase their progress in implementing initiatives following the Abuja Declaration.

  1. The Great Debate: Towards Better Soil Health through Sustainable
    Agricultural Practices
    Date: 7th May 2024
    Time: 15:30pm to 17:00pm EAT
    Venue: Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC)
    Partners: AGRA, AUC, Consortium of African Youth on Agriculture and Climate Change – CAYACC Africa.
    This session aims to convene African youth in agriculture and climate change to discuss opportunities for Sustainable Agricultural Practices, focusing on incentives for youth enterprise in the production of organic and mineral fertilizers, ultimately contributing to securing Africa’s food basket.
  2. Managing Degraded Soils for Reclaiming Livelihoods in Africa
    Date: 7th May 2024
    Time: 17:00 – 18:30 EAT
    Venue: KICC, Laws Tent 1
    Partners: AGRA, AGRA, ECOWAS, EAC, CIMMYT, APNI, Research Institutes of Ethiopia (EIER), Rwanda (RAB) and Tanzania (TARI), Yara, SAGCOT
    This event will delve into the critical issue of land degradation in Africa and its impact on food security and community resilience to climate change. Through sharing best practices and innovative approaches, it aims to demonstrate how rehabilitating degraded soils can address both food security and climate change concerns.
  3. Soil Matters: Cultivating Change for Africa’s Food System, Transformation through Evidence-based Policy and Practice
    Date: 8th May 2024
    Time: 15:30 – 17:00 EAT
    Venue: Aberdare Hall, Lower Ground, Nairobi, Kenya
    Partners: AGRA, Coalition of Action for Soil Health, ICRAF-CIFOR, SNV, KARLO, AUDA-NEPAD, Farm Radio International, Emerging Ag This event will highlight on-the-ground implementation and advancements in monitoring, focusing on evidence-based policy frameworks to contribute to Africa’s Food Systems transformation.
    Stakeholders from development, science, government, and policy will come together to share successful implementation solutions and advancements in soil health monitoring.

4. Organics is How: Complementary Use of Inorganic Fertilizers and Organic Resources
Date: 8th May 2024
Time: 14:00 – 15:30 EAT
Venue: KICC Lawns Tent 2, Nairobi, Kenya.
Partners: AGRA, ICRAF-CIFOR
This event will bring together stakeholders from the fertilizer industry, producers of organic inputs, scientists, policymakers, and communication specialists to discuss existing innovations and investments in the production of organic resources and policy incentives for inclusive business models to promote novel product development and the scaling and integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources.

To register to attend the event, click the link below:


https://eventsaccreditation.go.ke/event/38/


#Listentotheland #AFSHS2024

Africa and the Americas seal partnership to restore soils, under an unprecedented bi-regional initiative led by AGRA and IICA

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San Jose, Costa Rica, 6 May 2024 (IICA) – AGRA and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) jointly launched the biregional “Living Soils” initiative, which, based on its successful implementation in the Americas, will seek to restore degraded soils, rehabilitate acid soils, increase agricultural and landscape productivity and improve climate resilience in African agrifood systems.
 
Participating in the launch event were Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Rattan Lal, recipient of the 2020 World Food Prize; Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA; as well as ministers of Agriculture of several African countries, AGRA authorities, private sector representatives, and other senior agricultural officials of the Americas and Africa.

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Designed to improve rural well-being, productivity and food security while respecting environmental limits and making rational use of natural resources, Living Soils links science and public policies to rehabilitate and protect soils, whose degradation is threatening global food security.
 
Launched in 2020, Living Soils is spearheaded by IICA and Rattan Lal, the world’s leading authority on soil science and Director of the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (C-MASC) at The Ohio State University.
 
At the launch event for the initiative in Africa, Lal, who is also an IICA Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Issues, called for driving and replicating what he described as “the miracle of the Brazilian Cerrado”, in reference to a unique biome that covers almost a quarter of Brazil’s land area and that is characterized by savanna vegetation and a wealth of flora and fauna.
 


To protect this territory, the South American country has enacted laws and established policies to regulate deforestation and foster sustainable agriculture practices related to the use and conservation of biodiversity.
 
“Africa possesses the natural resources required to create a miracle; Africa can become the next breadbasket of the world”, said Lal. “The strategy to achieve this should involve translating agronomic and soil management science into action, as well as developing policies that are pro-nature, pro-agriculture and pro-farmer, which is why this initiative is being launched in a timely manner”, he added.
 
In his presentation, the award-winning scientist added that, although African production systems are increasing their productivity, they are doing so at a slow pace. Therefore, he considered it necessary to take a big leap by fostering “knowledge and technology that is currently not being implemented, as well as improving the management of African soils, which are facing challenges such as degradation, primarily due to erosion, droughts, nutrient depletion, salinization, reduction of organic carbon in soils, urbanization and climate change”.
 
In the same vein, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana and CARICOM, stated that the Living Soils program “has tremendous significance for Africa because it addresses key environmental challenges and will allow for implementing regenerative agriculture practices, enhancing biodiversity and soil health, improving food security and contributing to climate resilience”.
 
“Africa possesses 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 8% of its natural gas, 40% of its gold and 90% of its chromium and platinum. It has the largest reserves of cobalt, diamonds and uranium, and great mineral, agricultural and environmental potential. Africa is home to 65% of the world’s uncultivated land and 10% of the earth’s renewable water resources. It has tremendous potential to assume a leading role in the global supply chain and position itself as a key player in feeding the world”, mentioned Ali.
 
The President of Guyana also highlighted IICA’s strong leadership in the initiative, which had allowed for promoting sustainable agrifood systems that can transform the lives of small-scale farmers and rural dwellers. “In this developing world in which we are working to build a resilient, viable and competitive food ecosystem, IICA is carrying out commendable work, and I would like to acknowledge this leadership”, he said.

Watch the Launch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URpqJ2H78dc
 
Priorities of the initiative
 
In Africa, Living Soils will receive support from AGRA and will prioritize 11 countries in three agroecological regions: the Guinea savanna zone, which includes Ghana, Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso; highlands in the Eastern region, which include Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania; and the Miombo woodlands, which include Malawi and Mozambique.
 
It will focus on leveraging South-South cooperation to foster climate-smart agriculture, restore degraded lands and increase productivity, thereby fostering resilience to the impacts of climate change by incorporating the requisite elements, such as inputs, bioinputs, technology, irrigation and climate-adapted crops.
 
To that end, the initiative will seek to replicate successful experiences and good practices implemented in the Americas, such as the 2020-2030 Brazilian Agricultural Plan for Climate Change Adaptation and Low Carbon Emissions (ABC Plan), as well as CARICOM’s vision to reduce the food import bill by 25% by 2025.
 
“Brazilian agriculture has played a fundamental role in fostering global food security through the implementation of innovative and sustainable technologies. Many of these technologies are the result of the establishment, 51 years ago, of EMBRAPA, which is the Brazilian agricultural technology company”, noted Roberto Perosa, Secretary of Trade and International Relations of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply.
 
“We used to be an importing country and now we are a major exporter. Many African nations face challenges similar to ours with respect to agriculture and soil preservation, so we strongly believe in the importance of international cooperation to jointly address and support one another in overcoming these challenges. Initiatives such as Living Soils of Africa afford valuable opportunities to share experiences with sustainable agricultural technologies that can help our partner countries in Africa to restore degraded soils and adapt agriculture to the effects of climate change”, remarked Perosa.
 
During the event—which was moderated by U.S. journalist and Agri-Pulse Communications Editor-in-Chief Philip Brasher— Eyasu Elias, Minister of State for Agriculture of Ethiopia; Yaw Frimpong Addo, Deputy Minister for Crops of Ghana; and Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Senator and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security of Nigeria, shared the challenges they face and discussed opportunities to adapt key innovations and policy instruments that could lead to sustainable agrifood systems with healthy soils suitable for production. They also agreed to strengthen collaboration and the sharing of experiences between the Americas and Africa.
 
“The sharing of experiences, capacity building and collaboration are the main ingredients we need to give visibility to and make this initiative a reality in Africa. We are grappling with a very serious food crisis and one of the challenges we face are the poor soils our farmers are working with. Thus, having this program is a win in terms of food security, an issue of importance not only to Nigeria, but the whole world”, remarked Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, highlighting the importance of South-South and triangular cooperation between nations.
 
“We face a number of challenges, but the most important one, which is also faced by other African countries, is soil erosion by water. This is due to topographic factors, but also to the high rate of deforestation, the loss of vegetation cover over the last few decades, the loss of nutrients and organic matter, the level of organic carbon in soils and their acidity”, explained Eyasu Elias, Minister of Agriculture of Ethiopia.
 
“In sub-Saharan Africa, we are suffering a great deal. The solution to the issue of soil health requires a multidisciplinary approach, synergies, the introduction of technologies, the mechanization of irrigation, and support to farmers with information and better credit opportunities. We want to help farmers become better prepared and trained to improve their soils”, stated Deputy Minister Yaw Frimpong Addo of Ghana.
 
The Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, underscored the importance of the public and private sectors, research organizations, academia and civil society taking part in the initiative, in order to broaden its impact.
 
“Financial support is needed to help African and Latin American countries engage in this South-South cooperation. IICA is going to implement this initiative rapidly by allocating an initial USD 50,000 to support its first steps, but we must encourage other partners to join us and lend their support”, explained Otero.
 
Private sector support
 
Major food companies such as Bayer, Syngenta and PepsiCo are involved in the Living Soils of the Americas program. In that region, the program is currently underway in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, with the support of the corresponding ministries of Agriculture.
 
“This initiative with Africa is very important. In the Americas, we have been able to promote international cooperation and collaboration with the private sector, farmers and civil society to drive the adoption of soil management and regenerative agriculture practices. As a result, agricultural productivity has improved and impacts on the environment have been mitigated”, said Mildred Nadah Pita, Head of Global Healthcare Programs/Sustainability in Middle Africa at Bayer.
 
“This initiative is crucial. AGRA and IICA are committed to revitalizing our soils, which are the foundation of our agricultural system. This is a flagship initiative for South-South cooperation that goes beyond just agriculture. It works to build resilient and improved systems, because healthy soils will allow for improving productivity, crop quality, income for farmers and countries’ economic performance. Our planet’s future is dependent on soil health”, concluded Jean Jacques Muhinda, Regional Manager for East Africa at AGRA.

Also participating in the launch event for the Living Soils of Africa initiative were Tilahun Amede, Head of Resilience, Climate and Soil Fertility at AGRA; Zelia Menete, Director General of the Mozambique Institute of Agricultural Research; Manyewu Mutamba, Head of Agriculture at the African Union Development Agency; and Jorge Werthein, Special Advisor to the Director General of IICA.

Healthy and sustainable soil dominates World Soil Day

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World Soil Day, celebrated on December 5, 2023, marks another annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of healthy soil and advocating for sustainable soil management. This day presents a crucial moment for Africa, a continent where soil is not just a resource but the very foundation of life, culture, and survival. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of soil health, particularly in the African context where it supports the livelihoods of millions. Safeguarding the health of African soils for future generations is not just about enhancing food security but is also crucial for environmental sustainability and economic resilience across the continent.

The challenge of soil degradation in Africa is alarming. Deforestation, overgrazing, and inappropriate agricultural practices have led to severe soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and decreased agricultural productivity. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that approximately 65% of Africa’s arable land is damaged, with soil erosion affecting about 30% of the continent’s land. This degradation not only threatens food production but also the ecological balance, affecting biodiversity and the natural systems that many rural communities depend upon.

Africa’s diverse climates and ecosystems present unique challenges and opportunities in soil management. The Sahel region, for example, faces soil erosion mainly due to wind, while in sub-Saharan Africa, water-induced soil erosion is more prevalent. These issues are further compounded by the impacts of climate change, which introduces more unpredictable weather patterns and extreme events, exacerbating soil erosion and degradation.

However, amidst these challenges, there are rays of hope. Across the continent, innovative soil health practices are being implemented to combat these issues. AGRA is leading groundbreaking efforts to enhance soil health, a crucial step towards food security and environmental sustainability. AGRA has embarked on various initiatives to combat soil degradation across the continent. AGRA’s approach is multifaceted, focusing on research, education, and practical interventions. The adoption of regenerative agriculture practices is gaining momentum. These practices, which focus on using local knowledge and natural resources, are creating sustainable and productive farming systems. The use of compost and manure to improve soil fertility, integration of trees in farming systems (agroforestry), and promotion of indigenous crops suited to local conditions are examples of such practices.

AGRA invests heavily in research and development to understand the specific needs of different soil types across Africa. Research projects in collaboration with local and international agricultural institutions. These projects aim to develop soil-specific fertilizers and identify sustainable farming practices that can rejuvenate soil nutrients without harming the environment. This commitment to soil health is a commitment to life itself, a recognition of the intertwined destiny of soil and humanity, particularly in a continent as diverse and vibrant as Africa.

Awareness and knowledge are key to changing farming practices. AGRA conducts extensive training programs for farmers, focusing on soil health management techniques. These include conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, and the use of organic matter for soil enrichment, significantly impacting soil management practices at the grassroots level. AGRA promotes sustainable agricultural practices that maintain and improve soil health. These practices include crop rotation, intercropping, use of cover crops, appropriate crop nutrition among others. Such methods help in maintaining soil structure, preventing erosion, and enhancing soil fertility. AGRA works closely with African governments to influence policy decisions regarding soil health. Their efforts have led to the implementation of favourable agricultural policies in several countries, promoting sustainable soil management.

The impact of AGRA’s initiatives is evident in the improved soil health and increased crop yields reported in various regions. In Kenya for example through initiative such as the sustainable land management program, Laikipia Isiolo Samburu transforming the environment through nexus and strengthening regenerative agriculture in Kenya program. While progress is being made, the journey towards completely revitalized African soils is long. AGRA continues to champion the cause, but it requires the collaborative effort of governments, NGOs, the private sector, and most importantly, the farmers themselves. On this World Soil Day, we celebrate the strides made by AGRA and other stakeholders in enhancing soil health in Africa. Their work not only contributes to food security but also plays a critical role in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development. Let us all join hands in this noble endeavour to protect and nurture the very foundation of our existence – the soil.

AGRA, GGGI sign MOU to promote food systems in Africa and the Middle East

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Dubai, UAE, December 10, 2023: AGRA and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to scale agriculture and food systems across Africa. The MOU seeks to foster cooperation for the development and implementation of research and developmental programs to improve the well-being of farmers in Africa. It will kick off with at least four countries for the first year, increasing to 15 targeted countries across the continent.

The pact was signed by AGRA President Dr. Agnes Kalibata and GGGI’s Mr. Mahamadou Tounkara, Regional Director, Middle East & North Africa on the sidelines of the just concluded COP28 held in Dubai.

Commenting on the MOU, Dr. Kalibata said it was one of the major highlights of the meeting held in Dubai where she served on the COP28 President’s advisory committee.

“We are delighted with this partnership that will anchor our efforts to transform and improve the lives of African farmers. This co-operation will catalyse rapid improvements in food systems as well as further entrenching sustainable agriculture on the continent,” said Dr Kalibata.

As part of the MOU, the parties will jointly mobilise funding for technical assistance to members and partner states to help them transform their food security plans to green bankable solutions that can attract investors.

The two institutions will also develop innovative finance instruments such as green bonds and green sukuk to reduce risk and encourage investments in the Middle East and Africa as well as support countries towards climate resilience and low emissions. The MOU will also foster climate-smart agricultural technology solutions and promote green farming in the selected countries.

“We need to have collaborative efforts to tackle the urgent issues of food security, climate crisis, and rural livelihood vulnerability. We believe that by supporting farmers to apply climate smart technology solutions on their farms and transitioning them towards green farming is a critical step in helping them increase agricultural productivity, food security and reduce harmful emissions,” said Mr. Tounkara.

Under the MOU, GGGI will provide technical assistance for the design and structuring of projects that support food security and food systems transformation as well as mobilise public and private investments from investors in the Middle East. AGRA will support the implementation of activities and commit resources to support the technical assistance in rolling out the plans.

About GGGI
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was founded as a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. GGGI supports its Member States in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. With 48 Member States and over 22 Partner countries and regional integration organizations in the process of accession, GGGI delivers programs and projects in over 40 countries. GGGI’s work contributes to its Member States’ efforts to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals and the Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. GGGI is facilitating the Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative, launched at COP28, a USD 10 billion public-private partnership, coordinating diverse stakeholders for climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems in Africa and the Middle East.

About AGRA
AGRA is an African-led alliance focused on putting smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives. Founded in 2006, at a time when agricultural development was emerging from a 20-year decline characterized by minimal growth and investment in the sector, AGRA’s mission is to catalyze and sustain an agricultural transformation in Africa through innovation-driven productivity increases and access to markets and finance that improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. AGRA serves as the secretariat of the Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum), (AFS Forum Secretariat) which is a coalition of leading actors in African Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as “the AFS Forum Partners Group”) focused on putting farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economies

The Commonwealth Secretariat and AGRA today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will leverage digital innovations to help transform smallholder agriculture across Africa

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The MoU aims to bolster agricultural production and trade through the harmonisation of agricultural data systems at national level using a Digital Public Infrastructure model (DPI). During the recent Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting, a unanimous agreement centred on the development of resilient DPIs as a backbone for intra-Commonwealth trade and investment.

Under the MoU, the Commonwealth will help facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues on ‘National Agricultural Data Infrastructure (NAgDI)’ and capacity building on ‘National Digital Agriculture Strategies’ in selected countries in Africa, as part of a suite of strategic initiatives.

The NAgDI is a model of DPI being designed to support member countries to better manage their agricultural data.   

The MoU was signed by Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC and Dr Agnes Kalibata, the President of AGRA at COP28, the UN climate change summit taking place in Dubai. In her address, the Secretary-General expressed admiration for AGRA’s longstanding achievements in Africa.

The organisation focuses on scaling up agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers increase their incomes and livelihoods and improve food security.  

The Commonwealth Secretary-General said: 

“The long-standing spirit of cooperation in the Commonwealth positions us to play a crucial role in supporting member countries to harness the power of data to ensure sovereignty over how the digital assets are handled.

By collaborating with organisations, such as AGRA, who are doing important work on the ground with governments, communities and smallholder farmers the Commonwealth can help to reduce duplication and improve impact.” 

Dr Kalibata said: 

“This partnership will complement our efforts to advocate for and advance Africa’s food systems transformation for people and planet. It builds on our strengths to foster synergy to inspire action, attract investment and reform policies for improved livelihoods in a sustainable, inclusive and resilient environment.

Working together, we can strengthen South-South collaboration in advancing global dialogues on climate action, trade, investments and digitization, complementing our recent engagements with IICA, Grow Asia, UAE and Barbados.” 

With 21 member states in Africa, the Commonwealth aims to use this MoU to collaborate closely with AGRA to bolster support for these nations while advancing intra-Commonwealth knowledge sharing. The MoU signing marks a new phase of collaboration between the Commonwealth and AGRA to tackle significant agricultural challenges across Africa.  

The implementation plan outlined within the MoU directly addresses these challenges, emphasising both organisations’ shared commitment to fostering sustainable development and growth on the continent. 

The Commonwealth champions a flagship programme on food system transformation, steered by the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. With a policy-driven approach, the Commonwealth aims to advance the impact of digital innovations in African agriculture through the facilitation of the enabling environment for digitalisation. 

Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) announces USD 10 billion groundbreaking “Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative.”

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Abu Dhabi, UAE — Countries and Institutions from Africa and the Middle East joined forces under the facilitation of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to officially introduce the groundbreaking “Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative.” This landmark initiative endeavors to Scale-up Agriculture and Food systems for Economic development in Africa and the Middle East and aims to benefit millions of people whose livelihoods are threatened by the climate crisis.

The Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative, a groundbreaking USD 10 billion public-private partnership, represents collaborative efforts to tackle the urgent issues of food security, climate change, and rural livelihood vulnerability. Emphasizing the centrality of food security in COP28 discussions, the initiative demonstrates a dedicated commitment to advancing sustainable development and resilience in Africa and the Middle East through comprehensive and holistic strategies.

During the launch event, government and institutional representatives expressed strong support for the initiative, underlining its significance in addressing critical issues on a regional scale. “We cannot approach the food security problem without a comprehensive approach. It is rare to find a program like the SAFE initiative, which will bring economic development in a multi-dimensional way, bringing public and private sectors together,” H.E. Khaled Mahdi, Secretary General, Supreme Council for Planning and Development, State of Kuwait remarked.  “There is an urgent need to ease access for developing countries to climate finance and technology, and in particular taking into account the current levels of internal and external debt of the African countries. It is therefore important we offer these countries investment opportunities. We capitalize on the Africa SAFE initiative as an approach to improve the lives of people in Africa in a sustainable and climate resilient manner, ” H.E. Hala Helmy el-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Arab Republic of Egypt remarked.

By leveraging Africa’s agricultural potential and the Middle East’s investment capacity, the Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative aims to unlock green investments, promote climate-smart agriculture for rural farmers, and create green jobs, all geared towards securing a sustainable future for these regions. Comprising the Technical Assistance Fund (TAF) and Investment Platform (IP), the Initiative sets ambitious goals, aiming to irrigate 2 million hectares of African farmland, enhance climate resilience for 10 million smallholder farmers (with a specific focus on women and young people), and effectively address food security challenges. “With food security and agriculture production at the heart of the economic sector of Côte d’Ivoire, this initiative will support particularly youth and women. On behalf of H.E. Alassane Ouattara the country is happy to provide support to the SAFE initiative,” Côte d’Ivoire State Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Food Production, Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani said. 

GGGI is committed to facilitating ongoing dialogues and shaping the potential of the initiative. “This initiative is poised to make a substantial impact by not only addressing immediate challenges but also contributing to the long-term well-being of Africa and the Middle East,” Dr. Frank Rijsberman GGGI’s Director General said. “GGGI is dedicated to facilitating the Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative, coordinating diverse stakeholder voices to ensure its successful progression toward climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems in Africa and the Middle East,” Dr. Frank Rijsberman added.

Operationalization of the initiative will be supervised by a Board representing participating countries and institutions. GGGI’s Regional Office for MENA will serve as the Secretariat for the Board of the Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative.