Alcoraplant’s Post

AFSA exposes AGRA's alleged undue influence on African agricultural policies, promoting industrial models harmful to farmers, while Faith Leaders demand reparations from the Gates Foundation. Read more : https://lnkd.in/dz-79rrc #AFSA,#AGRA,#AgriculturalPolicies,#IndustrialAgriculture, #GatesFoundation,#Reparations,#Agroecology,#SAFCEI,#FarmersRights,#EnvironmentalDegradation,#ClimateChange,#SeedSovereignty,#FoodSecurity,#Africa, #CorporateAccountability,#PolicyInfluence,#PeoplesOverProfit,#PlanetOverProfit, #AfricanCentreforBiodiversity,#AU

PHI's vision is to "Collaboratively empower Africa's marginalized communities with emphasis on biodiverse rich ecosystems, education, livelihoods, health and wellness". Supporting the movement for food sovereignty is a dominant component of this vision. PRESS RELEASE: AGRA’S POLICY INFLUENCE EXPOSED On August 28, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) hosted a press conference, where they released a briefing paper revealing how AGRA (formerly the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) is using its outsized power to exert undue influence on local, national and continental policymaking. The briefing paper, “Pulling Back the Veil: AGRA’s Influence on Africa’s Agricultural Policies,” exposes how AGRA uses strategic financial backing and embedding of consultants in government institutions to entrench industrial models detrimental to farmers. This paper bolsters African faith leaders’ demand for reparations to the Gates Foundation, AGRA’s main funder, just days ahead of the ‘Africa Food Systems Forum’ taking place September 2-6 in Kigali, Rwanda, where AGRA and its funders are expected to push their agenda further. Despite a proven track record of failures (highlighted in AGRA’s own donor-commissioned report), AGRA and its lead funders, namely the Gates Foundation and USAID, continue to push industrial agriculture using their outsized resources and power. “AGRA’s fingerprints are all over African agriculture policy, and represent an attack on African farmer sovereignty.” — Million Belay, General Coordinator, AFSA https://lnkd.in/eCDtAE8b

🌱 Cassava Roots: A Key to Food Security in Africa 🌍 Cassava is more than just a staple crop—it’s a lifeline for millions of people across Africa and other tropical regions. As we continue to explore solutions to food insecurity, cassava roots stand out for their potential to enhance agricultural resilience and provide sustainable food sources. Here’s why cassava plays a vital role in food security: 1. High Yield & Resilience 🌾: Cassava is highly adaptable to poor soils and can thrive even in drought-prone areas. This makes it a crucial crop for regions facing climate challenges, ensuring consistent harvests where other crops might fail. 2. Rich Nutritional Value 🍽️: Cassava roots are rich in carbohydrates, serving as a primary energy source for millions of households. Additionally, cassava leaves are a great source of protein and essential nutrients, adding to its overall dietary value. 3. Versatility 🔄: Cassava can be processed into a wide variety of products—garri, fufu, cassava flour, starch, and even biofuel. This versatility makes it not only a food source but also a livelihood for farmers and entrepreneurs, driving economic growth. 4. Long Shelf Life⏳: Cassava can be stored in its processed form (such as flour or starch) for long periods, making it a reliable food source during off-seasons or in times of crisis. 5. Global Impact 🌍: With its rising demand in both food and industrial sectors, cassava has the potential to improve both food security and economic stability across Africa and beyond. Investing in cassava—from improved farming practices to better post-harvest handling and processing—will not only empower rural farmers but also provide sustainable food solutions that can feed the growing population. 🌱💡 Cassava is more than a crop—it’s a pathway to a food-secure future.🌍💪 #FoodSecurity #CassavaFarming #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #AfricaRising #RuralDevelopment #EconomicGrowth IITA-CASSAVABREEDING #NutritionSecurity PC Dennis Leonardo Aiyevbekpen

Did you know that you can turn pumpkin seeds into oil? Well value addition and innovation are crucial in the food system. Farmers in agribusiness are now taking advantage of underutilized crops such as pumpkin, cassava, and sweet potato to turn them into products that have a long shelf life and more monetary value. Through the HealthyDiets4Africa project, we are supporting women and youths in agribusiness to scale their innovations and businesses around such value chains. We provide them with the necessary business development skills, knowledge, and enlightenment on how the landscape of business and food safety regulations operate. We believe innovations have the potential to shift the perception and consumption patterns of indigenous foods in Africa, consequently improving the health outcomes of our communities. #PartnersAgainstHunger #HealthyDiets4Africa

Value addition is a transformative approach to addressing the #FoodInjustice of food loss, waste, and smallholder farmer poverty. Initiatives like the 3000 NOOYA PGS by @CshepKenya demonstrate this beautifully. Through their organic products shop, farmers supply raw materials that are processed into high-quality, nutritious items, reducing waste while ensuring farmers earn fair incomes. This model empowers smallholder farmers, enhances sustainability, and promotes economic resilience within local communities. Moreover, these value-added products are crafted with minimal use of additives, making them safer and more nutritious for consumers. By focusing on organic and natural methods, initiatives like these not only protect the environment but also promote public health. It’s a win-win for farmers, consumers, and the planet—an inspiring example of how innovation and sustainability can transform food systems. #foodjustice #Nutrition #Sustainability African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND) Agroecology Fund Agroecology Coalition Agroecology Europe Association Biovision Foundation Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT PELUM Kenya Association

Food prices have been hitting hard this year, and it looks like next year might be even tougher. One big reason? Farmers are not getting the inputs they need to grow enough food. At GreenFlow Nexus, with support from Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition LTD, we are passionate about making a difference and promoting sustainability. Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition LTD has been playing a vital role in tackling food insecurity through innovative projects like ours, aimed at creating lasting solutions. That is why we are building a community of Nigerian student farmers—to share knowledge, support each other, and work together towards making food more accessible. Join the movement! 🌿 Click on the link below to register: https://lnkd.in/dhHX597c #GreenFlowNexus #StudentFarmers #SahelConsulting #agriculture #farmers #sustainablegoals #sdgs #foodsecurity #inflation #foodinsecurity #food #nigerianstudent #students #sustainability

Is it radical to shift from fertiliser input subsidies to Soil Health Payments? Fertiliser use efficiency in Malawi has declined over the years, mostly because soil health has declined. We propose a payment system to farmers for soil health practices that enhance soil health and ultimately improve productivity, nutrition outcomes and build climate resilience. See our paper released at COP28. Thanks to the many who have helped in making this happen. Jacob Nyirongo, Blessings Botha, Jan Duchoslav, Christone Nyondo, Ishmael Sunga, Lini Wollenberg, Felicitas Röhrig, Sophia Baumert, Dhanush Dinesh, Leanne Zeppenfeldt, Wiebe Smit, Rachel Waterhouse, Richard Chazika, Fred Chibwana, Giles Henley, The Centre for Agricultural Transformation, Clim-Eat, Gertrude Mgogo-Kambauwa, Andrew W.A Kansungwi, Derrick Kapolo, Ann-Kathrin Lichtner, Cuthbert Lunduka, Stephanie Heiland, Joyce Grevulo Minofu, James Mlamba, Lovemore Mtsitsi, Constance Munyenyembe, Thokozani Njima, Mbawaka Phiri https://lnkd.in/dP85UCiG

The Africa Food Systems Forum highlighted the urgent need for  action on food insecurity as progress towards #ZeroHunger lags. However, solutions to tackle this challenge exist. This includes, 🍠 Embracing indigenous crops and improving diet diversity for resilience. 💰 Advocating for increased funding for sustainable agriculture and integrating #AgTech into national adaptation plans. 💲 Innovative financing strategies such as blended finance to de-risk investments in agriculture. …and more! Explore more insights from Shamba Centre for Food & Climate’s Oshani Perera on solutions to advance #FoodSecurity on Farming First 👇 https://bit.ly/4eRce7Q

SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Last week Vuyiswa Ramokgopa hosted a collective of Gauteng based thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, farmers, indigenous food activists, industry leaders, chefs and media professionals in the agri food industry to discuss sustainable agricultural practices, indigenous crops and how we can all collectively contribute to ending hunger in Gauteng by 2030 and ensure equitable access to food! Food security is a fundamental human right. Every person in South Africa deserves access to sufficient, nutritious food that aligns with their preferred diet and cultural roots. To achieve this, we need intentional dialogues on indigenous and organic farming, rooted in sustainability and cultural pride. Indigenous foods like sorghum, madumbe, and atchaar are more than ingredients, they are part of South African heritage. They nourish us, ground us, and connect us to our history. In the journey toward a hunger-free South Africa, we must champion sustainable farming practices that honour both our environment and our culture. When people are food insecure, their right to life and dignity is at risk. It’s time to work collectively toward a just, equitable South Africa—one where no one is left hungry. Let’s build a future where food is accessible, respected, and sustainable for generations to come. #IndigenousFoods #OrganicFarming #FoodSecurity #EndHunger #risemzansi #RISEinGovernment #100days #climatechange #entrepreneurship

🌏 Today (Jul 11) is #WorldPopulationDay. According to data from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the world population now stands at over 8 billion and is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. As we mark this important occasion, it is crucial that we reflect on the challenges that comes with feeding the growing global population. Here are 3 ways we can enable #foodsecurity resiliency for the growing global population: 🍽 Building Resilient Food Systems A resilient food system ensures a reliable food supply, economic stability, and providing employment opportunities including support for rural livelihoods. To build a resilient system, there is a need to promote the cultivation of diverse crops, give smallholder farmers access to resources such as credit, technology and training that can improve their productivity and resilience as well as improving infrastructure for better supply chain efficiency. 🌾 Agricultural Innovation As the world grapples with climate change and the impact that it has on the food system, innovative agricultural technologies enable farmers to increase productivity sustainably. Advances in crop protection and plant biotechnology means that farmers can grow more food on existing farmland without having to clear additional land. 🤝 Strengthening Partnerships Given how interconnected the food system is, ensuring food security will require a collective effort. Governments, NGOs and the private sector need to work together to create policies and partnerships that supports sustainable food production and equitable distribution. CropLife Asia and our members are committed to increasing productivity and efficiency to improve food security through agricultural innovation. #sustainableagriculture #aginnovation #climatechange #foodsystems #farmers #farming #agriculture