| African Development Bank, Pan-African Farmers Organization to host conference on channelling financing to smallholder farmers |
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The African Development Bank Group and the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) will jointly host a high-level conference to discuss and share knowledge on enhancing smallholder farmers’ access to financial resources, investment opportunities, market infrastructure, capacity-building initiatives, and sustainable agricultural practices. The conference will bring together policymakers, research institutions, farmer associations, financial institutions, investors, development partners, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, agribusiness leaders, and technology providers. Key focus areas: - Mapping the ecosystem of actors and highlighting scalable financial mechanisms.
- Showcase innovative funding models to support smallholder farmers.
- Strengthening linkages between the smallholder support ecosystem and funders.
- Provide a robust data collection platform to track progress.
- Identify actionable innovative financing mechanisms, including climate finance for smallholder farmers, that can be employed to scale successful financing models. Read More
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| 2025 Youth AgriChampions Workshop – Applications Now Open! |
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📅 Application Deadline: March 24, 2025
The Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens (BKMC) is excited to launch the 4th edition of the Youth AgriChampions—Peer2Peer Workshop Series on climate adaptation in agriculture. This initiative unites young smallholder farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia to share real-world experiences on adapting to climate change.
🔹 Why Apply? - Engage in peer learning on locally-led climate adaptation
- Contribute to a Youth Demand Paper to be presented by Ban Ki-moon
- Gain a certificate signed by Ban Ki-moon
- Join the BKMC Youth AgriChampions Alumni Network
- Potential opportunity to represent youth voices at global events like COP29
🔹 Who Can Apply? - Smallholder farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, or youth in the agricultural sector
- Age 18-35
- Citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, or Zambia
- Experience in climate adaptation projects
- Passion for agriculture, climate change, and food systems
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| AI At Work: Revolutionary Agriculture In Africa And Elsewhere |
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One fundamental way to contrast the impact of artificial intelligence is to look at its applications in different industries—in healthcare, education, and national administration—and another way is to look at it on a regional basis. We obviously have a lot of focus on the U.S. and China right now as these two empires race to develop new, more powerful models. The DeepSeek announcement is just the newest wrinkle in a bone-deep rivalry that could very well decide a lot of the geopolitical realities of the rest of the twenty-first century. Read More
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| FAO and the Federal Government of Somalia launch Ugbaad, a transformative climate resilient agriculture project |
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The seven-year project, funded by the Green Climate Fund, aims to enhance climate adaptation and resilience for vulnerable communities in Somalia 10 January 2025, Mogadishu - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Somalia and with financial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has launched the Climate Resilient Agriculture in Somalia (Ugbaad) project. This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance climate resilience within Somalia’s agricultural sector. Officially approved by the GCF Board in October 2024, the project represents a significant step in tackling the pressing challenges posed by climate change, restoring productive landscapes, and empowering vulnerable local communities. Projected to benefit over 2.1 million people, including 1.15 million direct recipients, the Ugbaad project is poised to transform Somalia’s agricultural sector through locally-led approaches and strategic investments in climate-resilient agriculture. In addition, 41 800 hectares of productive landscapes will be restored to build sustainable livelihoods in the target areas most vulnerable to recurrent droughts and floods. Read More
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| Fully Funded Training on Resilient Agriculture – Apply Now! |
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📅 Application Deadline: March 15, 2025
AfricaRice and the G20 Global Land Initiative are offering a fully funded, 5-day training workshop on sustainable land management and climate-resilient agriculture from April 21–25, 2025, in Saint Louis, Senegal. This program equips agricultural professionals with practical skills to combat land degradation and promote climate-smart farming in Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants will engage in expert-led theoretical sessions and hands-on field training on topics like land restoration, resilient landscapes, and policy frameworks.
🔹 Who Can Apply? ✔️ Scientists, researchers, and extension officers ✔️ Policymakers, agricultural practitioners, and postgraduate students ✔️ Those committed to sustainable agriculture and land restoration
📢 Selection notifications: March 31, 2025 Apply today and be part of Africa’s sustainable agricultural future!
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| Madagascar’s Rural Revival: How two African Development Bank-supported programs Are Transforming Agriculture and Entrepreneurship |
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Two pioneering programs supported by the African Development Bank in Madagascar are breathing new life into the agricultural sector and unlocking entrepreneurial opportunities for young people. The impact is evident in places like Ambalona, a secluded village in the Mananjary district where hardship and migration were once the norm. Nestled in the rolling hills of Madagascar, Ambalona was a place where hope was scarce. With 80% of its inhabitants living below the poverty line and frequent cyclones devastating harvests, stable income and food security seemed like distant dreams. Read More
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| Reshaping European and African partnerships to advance the agroecological transition |
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As part of the 2025 Paris International Agricultural Show, and a month prior to the Nutrition for Growth summit, AFD and the Académie d'agriculture de France organized a roundtable and strategic brainstorming session on transforming African and European food systems, and redefining current partnerships. Given that current production and consumption models can no longer feed populations without harming the planet, a shift toward more sustainable food systems is imperative. Read More
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| Why China’s two sessions matter for African agriculture modernization? |
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Agriculture is the backbone of many economies, particularly in Africa, where challenges such as the lack of massive agricultural infrastructure, risks arising from rising international food prices, and vulnerability to natural disasters persist. China’s annual Two Sessions could offer valuable insights into addressing these issues through technological advancement and rural revitalization. The sessions underscore the significance of leveraging technological advancements to empower agricultural development and rural revitalization. This focus aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s hallmark campaign for rural revitalization, aimed at achieving common prosperity and a moderately prosperous society. Read More
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| How innovation and sustainability can solve Africa's food security challenges |
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Africa is home to approximately 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, offering immense potential to bolster both regional and global food security. However, logistical inefficiencies, inadequate infrastructure, and high production costs continue to hinder agricultural development across the continent.South Africa plays a crucial role in Africa's agricultural market, exporting an estimated $13.2bn worth of agricultural and processed food products in 2023. Nearly 40% of these exports were directed to African markets, with Southern Africa accounting for approximately 90 cents of every dollar. Read more
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| Boosting Agricultural Productivity and Expanding Market Access in Mozambique |
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Mozambique’s abundant arable land holds immense but largely untapped potential. Most farmers are trapped in subsistence farming, relying on traditional methods and constrained by limited access to the improved seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural knowledge that would boost their low productivity. Mozambique’s government—also lacking resources—is hard pressed to close these gaps. The Swiss-funded Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Market Systems (PROMAS) project set out in 2023 to address the structural weaknesses in Mozambique’s agricultural sector. One of the key steps was building up agricultural input markets in underserved areas. PROMAS partnered with agribusinesses to extend their distribution networks to downstream partners to sell certified seeds and modern fertilizers, marketing these and other essential inputs through village markets and road shows. Read More
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African Association of Agricultural Economists c/o University of Nairobi, C.A.V.S, Upper Kabete Campus Loresho Ridge Road, Nairobi, Kenya |
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