PAEPARD - FARA

Accelerating product development through AI prototyping

2026-07-17T06:47:26.605+00:00

15 July 2026. Accelerating product development through AI prototyping.

Building successful AI products isn't just about having the right technology. It requires testing ideas early, involving users throughout the design process and validating concepts before investing significant time and resources in development. The CGIAR AI Hub webinar series, Grown by AI Design, explores practical approaches to designing AI products with users at the center.

In this second session, the CGIAR AI Hub Service Design team demonstrated how AI-powered prototyping can dramatically accelerate product development. Rather than spending weeks refining concepts through meetings and documentation, teams can quickly create realistic prototypes, gather feedback and iterate before writing production code.

The Genebank AI prototype is an AI-powered platform being developed under the CGIAR AI Hub and the CGIAR Genebanks Accelerator to make the world's largest public collections of crop genetic resources easier to search and use.

The prototype integrates genetic, genomic, phenotypic, trait, and passport data from CGIAR's 11 genebanks—holding more than 700,000 accessions of over 3,000 plant species—into a single intelligent discovery platform.
By applying artificial intelligence to databases such as Genesys, GRIN-Global, and GIGWA, it enables breeders, researchers, and genebank managers to rapidly identify germplasm with desired characteristics, such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, or nutritional traits, thereby reducing the time and effort required to find climate-resilient crop diversity for breeding and research.
The prototype is currently under development, with its first joint design phase launched in early 2026 as part of CGIAR's Digital Transformation Accelerator.

Speakers:

Lina Yassin CGIAR AI Hub Director CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator
Mohamed Sassi AI Service Designer CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator
Arwa Manzoor UX & Product Designer CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator

NOTE (GFAiR)

No comprehensive, interactive online map dedicated to Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) across Africa is currently available. While several initiatives have produced valuable spatial datasets, crop suitability maps, or country-level inventories, these are generally static maps or project-specific visualizations rather than a continent-wide interactive platform.

A continental interactive NUS Africa Map could integrate:

distribution of indigenous and underutilized crops by country and agroecological zone;
ex situ collections (CGIAR genebanks, national genebanks, botanical gardens);
in situ production hotspots;
nutritional profiles;
climate suitability under current and future scenarios;
value chains, SMEs, and markets;
research organizations, universities, and seed systems; and
ongoing projects and Communities of Practice.

Such a platform could build upon existing datasets from Genesys, CGIAR Genebanks Accelerator, FAO-WIEWS, GBIF, Crop Wild Relatives, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and national agricultural research systems, while adding an interactive visualization layer.

It would fill a significant gap in the current NUS landscape and would complement initiatives such as the CGIAR Genebanks AI prototype by providing a user-friendly geographic entry point for researchers, policymakers, extension services, investors, and value-chain actors.

AI for Healthy Diets – Applying AI in agrifood systems

2026-07-16T19:02:49.706+00:00

16 May 2026. This first webinar in the AI knowledge exchange series of the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development explored how artificial intelligence is applied in agrifood systems, highlighting a practical example from GAIN to improve nutrition outcomes.

Download concept note

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming agrifood systems, offering new opportunities to strengthen food security, improve nutrition, and support rural development. However, donors and development partners face challenges in translating this potential into practice, including ensuring responsible data governance, addressing inequalities in access, and identifying effective entry points for investment and collaboration.

Michelle Tang, GDPRD Secretariat
Alessandra Roversi, Programme Officer, Food Systems Section, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Ty Beal, Senior Technical Specialist and global nutrition scientist, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) - Brief overview of GAIN’s AI Strategy, Concrete case studies
Mduduzi Mbuya, Director, Knowledge Leadership, GAIN - implications for donors

Forgotten Foods Gain Momentum in Global Indigenous Food Systems Debate

2026-07-15T19:46:56.176+00:00

The global conversation on Indigenous Peoples' food systems is increasingly recognizing that Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) are far more than "forgotten crops"—they are fundamental building blocks of biodiversity, nutrition, cultural identity, and climate resilience.

The draft HLPE-FSN Report #21 on Preserving, strengthening and promoting Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems and traditional practices for sustainable food systems (101 p.) provides an important step forward by emphasizing the central role of Indigenous knowledge, territories, biodiversity and food sovereignty in transforming global food systems. The draft recognizes that Indigenous food systems offer diverse, nutritious and resilient alternatives to the narrow dependence on a handful of staple crops and highlights their potential to inform sustainable agricultural transformation.

While the draft acknowledges biodiversity and references underutilized crops in its bibliography, the
public consultation  15 May to 26 June 2026 (DEADLINE EXTENDED) demonstrates that many experts believe the report should place NUS at the heart of its policy recommendations rather than treating them as supporting examples.

Several contributors argue that Indigenous food systems represent living reservoirs of neglected crops whose nutritional, ecological and cultural values remain largely invisible in mainstream agricultural policies.

One contributor specifically recommends that agroecology and Neglected and Under-utilized Species should be framed as a policy bridge between Indigenous Peoples' food systems and conventional food systems, drawing on the IFAD–Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT framework and the accompanying "How-to-Do" notes on NUS.
The comments also recommend referencing the IFAD Digital Toolbox on Sustainable and Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems and strengthening the report's discussion of urban Indigenous food sovereignty and intercultural education.

Other submissions reinforce this message from different regional perspectives.

Contributors from India highlight how Indigenous farming systems maintain exceptional agrobiodiversity while reducing dependence on external inputs and improving climate resilience. They recommend that the report include stronger evidence linking crop diversity, heirloom seeds, dietary diversity, women's nutrition, youth engagement and resilience indicators, demonstrating that Indigenous food systems provide practical solutions to today's food system challenges rather than simply preserving cultural heritage.

The consultation also broadens the discussion from production to nutrition.

One contribution recommends explicitly recognizing the contribution of traditional neglected crops with nutraceutical properties—such as chia, epazote and stevia—to healthier diets and preventive healthcare.
These examples illustrate how many Indigenous foods combine cultural significance with scientifically recognized nutritional benefits, reinforcing the report's objective of connecting Indigenous knowledge with modern food system transformation.

Taken together, the draft report and the consultation responses send a clear signal: future food systems will require far greater investment in Indigenous knowledge and forgotten crops.

For initiatives such as GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, the consultation provides strong international validation for promoting NUS through research, education, value-chain development and policy dialogue.

Rather than remaining niche crops, Bambara groundnut, finger millet, African leafy vegetables and many other Indigenous species can become strategic assets for addressing climate adaptation, dietary diversity, rural livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
The forthcoming final HLPE-FSN report therefore represents an important opportunity to elevate NUS from an underrepresented theme to a central pillar of global food system transformation.

Advancing Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) Education Across Africa

2026-07-15T10:22:57.637+00:00

15 – 17 July 2026. Entebbe. The Open-Source NUS Curriculum – Developing Course Assets for Asynchronous Online Courses Workshop is a three-day curriculum development workshop jointly organized by RUFORUM, GFAiR, and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. The workshop aims to transform the competency-based curriculum on Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) into a complete set of high-quality, open-source digital learning resources that can be delivered asynchronously by universities across Africa. Participants work collaboratively to develop standardized course assets, including course overviews, lesson notes, multimedia resources, readings, assignments, knowledge checks, and documentation of remaining curriculum gaps.

The workshop follows a structured Curriculum Asset Completion Process (CACP) built around seven registers that guide participants from curriculum mapping to final handover. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that the curriculum aligns with labour market needs, competency-based education principles, and quality standards for online learning.

By the end of the workshop, participating universities are expected to have completed and peer-reviewed the core digital assets required to build an open-access Bachelor's and Master's curriculum on Neglected and Underutilized Species, supporting wider adoption of NUS education across the RUFORUM network and beyond.

Dr. Florence Nakayiwa Opening remarks; closing remarks; overall workshop leadership.
Dr. Mary Kulabako Participant introductions and team assignments.
Dr. Peter Kigwilu Workshop flow, roles and expectations; Curriculum Asset Completion Process (CACP); online lesson note development; daily debriefs; curriculum finalization; formal handover of curriculum assets.
Emmanuel Okalany Aligning the NUS curriculum with labour market needs and employability.
Dr. Bernadette Kiarie Developing quality course assets for asynchronous learning; competency-based online pedagogy; assessment design; workshop coordination; post-workshop action planning.
Block Leads with Subject Matter Expert (SME) Teams - Review of course mapping, competencies and learning outcomes; validation of modules; development of course assets.
Block Teams and Instructional Designers (IDs) - Preparation of course overviews, reading lists, multimedia resources, lesson notes, assignments and knowledge checks.
Lead SMEs- Team presentations showcasing completed curriculum assets, identifying remaining gaps, and signing off curriculum packages.

Upcoming:

Africa launch webinar and consolidation of results for global synthesis and reporting (October)

Obituary

Remembering the late Dr Cris Muyunda (CEO, Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa - ACTESA): Dr Muyunda’s interests stretched beyond conventional value chains. He championed the role of wild and indigenous foods — such as tamarind — in African food security, arguing that trees and forests are vital not only as food sources but for the ecosystem services they provide to agriculture locally and globally.

Why the Global NARS Consortium (GNC) Matters More Than Ever

2026-07-15T07:47:02.136+00:00

We keep mistaking income for impact.
Visibility for value.
Short-term success for long-term contribution.

A content creator may earn more than a professor.
A trader may earn more than an agricultural scientist.

But no nation—and no civilization—has ever prospered without research.

Improved crop varieties, climate-smart farming, vaccines, antibiotics, drought-resistant seeds, sustainable livestock systems, and food innovations all began with researchers asking difficult questions long before anyone applauded.

A country that neglects its researchers today will depend on someone else's innovations tomorrow.

This is why the Global NARS Consortium (GNC), facilitated by the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR), is so important.

Around the world, thousands of scientists work in National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS)—public research institutes, universities, extension services, and innovation organizations dedicated to solving the challenges that matter most: food security, nutrition, climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and rural livelihoods.

These researchers are developing the crops that withstand drought.
They are identifying biological alternatives to harmful pesticides.
They are conserving forgotten and underutilized foods.
They are helping farmers adapt to climate change.
They are generating the evidence that informs better agricultural policies.

Yet much of this work remains invisible.

The Global NARS Consortium exists to change that.

It brings together national agricultural research systems from every region, creating a global community that shares knowledge, strengthens capacity, promotes South–South collaboration, and ensures that scientific solutions developed in one country can benefit many others.

The university was never built as a money-making machine. It was built to preserve knowledge, test ideas, challenge assumptions, and prepare society for the future.

Likewise, public agricultural research was never created to maximise profits. It exists because hunger, climate change, degraded soils, emerging pests and diseases, malnutrition, and biodiversity loss cannot be solved by markets alone.

No genuine researcher begins a PhD because it is the fastest path to wealth.

Everyone knows easier roads.

Business.
Finance.
Politics.
Entertainment.

Instead, researchers choose laboratories, libraries, experimental farms, field stations, hospitals, archives, and remote rural communities.

They accept failed experiments.
Rejected papers.
Uncertain funding.
Long seasons of patient work.
Years before discoveries become solutions.

Why? Because some responsibilities are greater than a salary.

Gregor Mendel quietly planted peas. The world later called it genetics.
Marie Curie persevered through hardship. Her discoveries transformed science and medicine.
Norman Borlaug developed improved wheat varieties that helped prevent famine and saved millions of lives.
Jonas Salk refused to patent the polio vaccine. When asked who owned it, he replied: "The people."

That is research at its best.

Agricultural research has transformed humanity in similar ways.

Countless scientists working in national research institutes have developed improved crop varieties, sustainable farming practices, better livestock systems, and innovations that feed billions of people—often without their names ever becoming widely known.

The Global NARS Consortium exists to ensure these researchers are no longer working in isolation.

It connects institutions, accelerates collaboration, and amplifies the collective impact of public agricultural research worldwide.

Knowledge, however, also carries responsibility.

Science can heal or harm.
It can restore ecosystems or destroy them.
It can strengthen communities or deepen inequality.

The question has never been whether researchers deserve to earn well.

They do.
They deserve competitive salaries, well-equipped laboratories, reliable funding, modern infrastructure, international collaboration, and public respect.
But society must remember that knowledge is a public good before it becomes an economic asset.
Governments must remember this too.

Investing in National Agricultural Research Systems is not charity.

It is an investment in national resilience.

When research is neglected, countries eventually pay through imported technologies, declining agricultural productivity, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, weak evidence for policymaking, brain drain, and lost opportunities for innovation.

The Global NARS Consortium, under the leadership of GFAiR, represents a shared commitment to prevent that future.

Because no single country can solve tomorrow's agricultural challenges alone.

But together, through stronger National Agricultural Research Systems connected by the Global NARS Consortium, the world's researchers can generate the knowledge, innovation, and partnerships needed to build sustainable, resilient, and equitable agrifood systems for generations to come.

(Adapted from: What Many Don’t Know: No Genuine Researcher Entered the University to Become Rich - Wadzani Dauda, PhD, D.D.)

Radiation entomology and the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)

2026-07-14T09:51:27.017+00:00

14 July. Irradiation Applications in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Programs for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata).

This webinar was organized in collaboration with AARINENA and the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye. It brought together leading experts in radiation entomology and the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to discuss the application of irradiation in Mediterranean fruit fly management programmes.

The webinar covered the principles of SIT and its integration into pest management strategies, the use of gamma and X-ray irradiation to sterilize Mediterranean fruit flies, irradiation dose optimization, insect quality assurance, mass rearing, and operational aspects of SIT implementation. Speakers also shared experiences from national and regional SIT programmes, highlighted recent advances in radiation entomology, and discussed opportunities for strengthening regional collaboration in sustainable fruit fly control.

Moderated by Dr. Didem KÖKDEN, International Relations Coordinator at TAGEM.
Dr. Ümran Akkan Demirer, Head of the Biotechnical Control Department, Bornova Plant Protection Research Institute (TAGEM), who will present the operational implementation of SIT, including mass rearing, sterilization, quality control, and field application.
Dr. Dilan Özmen, Senior Researcher at the TENMAK Nuclear Energy Research Institute, who will present irradiation technologies for sterile insect production, dose optimization, and quality assurance.

Note:

Türkiye's Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programme progressed more slowly than anticipated because it remained in the research, development and pilot implementation phase for many years. The programme focused on developing domestic capacity—including mass rearing of Mediterranean fruit flies, genetic sexing strains, irradiation protocols, quality control, and release technology—before moving to operational field releases. In recent years, with continued technical support from the IAEA, Türkiye has accelerated implementation: in 2025 the Bornova Plant Protection Research Institute installed and calibrated a new ground-based sterile insect release system and began pilot releases in citrus orchards in İzmir, confirming that the national programme is actively expanding rather than being discontinued.

Jordan’s Mediterranean fruit fly SIT programme was interrupted mainly because it depended on sterile flies shipped from Guatemala, making it vulnerable to long transport times, flight cancellations, and stricter aviation security after September 2001, which sometimes caused shipments to arrive late or in poor condition. Regional political and security tensions also complicated coordination among Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority, while the absence of a nearby mass-rearing facility limited reliable expansion. The programme itself was technically successful in suppressing fruit fly populations, but these logistical and geopolitical constraints led to interruptions and encouraged a shift from eradication toward sustained suppression.

Note:

8 April 2026. Controlling mosquitoes using the sterile insect technique.

This CIRAD workshop aims to bring together key players to accelerate the operationalisation of SIT within an integrated health vision. It will bring together scientists, French public health stakeholders (Regional Health Agencies, Santé Publique France, Ministry of Health, Mosquito Control Services) and foreign stakeholders, international SIT experts and private vector control operators.

Note:

IAEA (2022) Nuclear Technologies and Climate Adapt action in Africa 46 p.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, supports several Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programmes in Africa.

These programmes use gamma- or X-ray irradiation to sterilize male insects before releasing them into the environment, reducing pest populations without pesticides. SIT is currently being applied primarily against tsetse flies, fruit flies, and, increasingly, disease-transmitting mosquitoes.

Success stories

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre is testing induced genetic variation for insect pest resistance as an alternative to other techniques. Seven African countries are participating in this project, with a focus on the cowpea pod borer. Early success has already been demonstrated by one participating research group in India.
The IAEA, in cooperation with the FAO, has helped Morocco achieve its first victory in the ongoing campaign to suppress the Mediterranean fruit fly. Moroccan counterparts have received the training and equipment necessary to detect and respond in a timely manner to any incursion by other fruit fly pests, which is a prerequisite for sustained suppression using the SIT.
The IAEA, in cooperation with the FAO, helped Senegal to suppress pest populations by applying the SIT. The disease that tsetse flies transmit can kill livestock or make them sick. The tsetse fly populations in the entire project area are suppressed by more than 97%, resulting in a very low prevalence of the disease trypanosomosis that the flies transmit. This resulted in a significant increase in milk yields, and a ten-fold increase in the use of imported, more productive, exotic cattle with a positive overall return on investment.
A new fruit fly mass rearing facility in Mauritius went into service in August 2019, with the capacity to produce 15 million flies per week. The target is to release the sterile flies in fruit and vegetable production areas to suppress fruit and vegetable infestations in selected areas.
The IAEA, in partnership with the FAO, has provided technical support to a false codling moth project in South Africa. The insects are produced locally in a mass rearing facility and released in the citrus production areas. The release period is from September to June over a period of ten months, with 40 million moths per week released throughout 16 500 hectares.

African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) network

AFRA is an intergovernmental agreement of 39 African Member States established in 1990. Supported by the IAEA, it strengthens peaceful nuclear applications in agriculture, human health, water resources, and industry.AFRA works directly with specialized regional networks and centers to build local expertise:

AFRA-NEST: The African Network for Education in Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA-NEST) harmonizes curricula, awards scholarships, and facilitates the exchange of students and researchers across the continent.
RDCs: AFRA utilizes over 30 designated Regional Designated Centres (RDCs), such as the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) in Ghana and the University of Alexandria in Egypt, to conduct master's fellowship programs.Thematic Focus: Cooperative projects span six main areas, including sustainable energy, radiation safety, and nuclear security.

Kenyan Seed Savers Network in India

2026-07-14T08:34:21.036+00:00

6 July 2026. A delegation from Seed Savers Network Kenya, led by Daniel Wanjama, visited Andhra Pradesh, India, to study community-managed natural farming. According to reports, the team toured farms in Eluru district observing climate-resilient farming practices, indigenous seed conservation, and natural farming systems with the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program.

The delegation included John Kariuki Mwangi, Head of Slow Food Kenya; farmers Oddah Friday Ochomo and Zipporah Nyambura Kuria; Prasiddha Sapkota, an intern from New York University-Abu Dhabi; and Reddi Gowtham from RySS-APCNF. District Project Manager B Venkatesh briefed them on initiatives across the district.

At Gunampalli village in Dwaraka Tirumala mandal, the team observed Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) using Navadhanyalu at the farm of Venkata Subba Reddy. They also visited U Ramachandra Rao’s seven-acre integrated Natural Farming model at Agokavaram village in Unguturu mandal and a 14-acre paddy compact block at Venkatapuram village, where desi paddy is cultivated without chemical inputs. The farmers also explained the natural farming methods.

During the exchange, the Kenyan delegation had the opportunity to showcase the work on the Global Field Concept demonstrating how a household can sustainably produce diverse and nutritious food on just 2,000 m² of land without relying on external agricultural inputs.

This approach highlights the potential of smallholder farmers to achieve food security while conserving biodiversity and building resilient farming systems.

The exchange has provided a rich platform for sharing knowledge, practical experiences, and innovative natural farming practices. The Kenyan Seed Savers Network team returned home with valuable lessons and inspiration that they will share with fellow farmers across Kenya, strengthening farmer-to-farmer learning and promoting sustainable, nature-based agriculture.

17th – 20th November 2026. 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference (EA-ISC 2026) - Building farmer managed seed system community of practice (COP) For a Resilient EASTERN AFRICA Region.

Last year Seed Savers Network, Kenya and AFSA collaborated on a very important initiate. A capacity building for youth representatives from over 25 countries in Africa. Here's, a touch of what happened. We also look forward to connecting further during the upcoming 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference to discuss the important role of the youth in promoting seed and food sovereignty.

FONTAGRO Knowledge Week

2026-07-09T10:22:15.770+00:00

8 - 10 July 2026. FONTAGRO Knowledge Week

The event combines the XXI Annual Technical Monitoring Workshop of FONTAGRO Projects with scientific presentations showcasing research and innovation across Latin America and the Caribbean.

It is supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IICA, the Government of New Zealand, the Global Research Alliance, Global Methane Hub, INTA Costa Rica, and other partners.

The opening session set the stage for three days of scientific exchange and regional collaboration by bringing together researchers, policymakers, development partners, and innovation leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlighted FONTAGRO's vision of transforming agri-food systems through science, technology, and international partnerships, emphasizing the importance of collaborative research in addressing climate change, food security, and sustainable rural development.

08/07 Flagship Program 1 – Transformation of resilient and carbon-neutral crop systems

This session addressed the growing pressures of climate change, resource scarcity, and increasing food demand on agricultural production. Presenters showcased innovative approaches to improving crop resilience while reducing agriculture's environmental footprint, covering advances in soil management, biological inputs, nutrient-use efficiency, crop protection, sustainable irrigation, and climate-resilient cropping systems.

Pablo Mamani (PROINPA, Bolivia) – Nanotechnology in agricultural soil moisture management
Juliana Gómez Valderrama (AGROSAVIA, Colombia) – Leveraging biological products to build climate resilience
Francisco Salazar (INIA, Chile) – Nitrogen optimization for climate-smart food production
Víctor Hugo Sánchez (INIAP, Ecuador) – Managing potato purple top disease
Hugo Montero (INTA, Costa Rica) – Biologicals for sustainable agriculture
Ignacio Hisse (University of Florida, USA) – Integrating sorghum into Latin American production systems
Carolina Lizana (Universidad Austral, Chile) – Sustainable irrigation and fertilization in quinoa

08/07 Flagship Program 2 – Livestock and animal protein systems

This session examined how livestock systems could become more productive while reducing their environmental impact. Presentations focused on climate-smart livestock production, methane mitigation, sustainable grazing systems, resilient farm management, animal welfare, and tropical dairy production, demonstrating practical pathways toward more sustainable animal production systems.

Carlos Gómez (Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru) – Sustainable livestock in the Amazon
Yury Granja Salcedo (AGROSAVIA, Colombia) – Methane reduction in ruminants
Marcelo Cesar Contreras (INTA, Argentina) – Resilient farm networks
Natalia Aguilar (INTA, Argentina) – One Welfare approaches
Nelson Vivas (Universidad del Cauca, Colombia) – Tropical dairy systems
Alejandro Radrizzani (INTA, Argentina) – Gran Chaco cattle and methane reduction

09/07 Flagship Program 3 – Impact 2030

This session demonstrated how scientific innovation was translated into practical benefits for farmers and rural communities. Speakers presented successful examples of scaling agricultural innovations through extension services, public-private partnerships, participatory research, and regional collaboration, highlighting approaches that accelerated the adoption of climate-smart technologies across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Carlos Hernández (Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica) – Geographical indications for Mesoamerican cacao
Romina Romaniuk (INTA, Argentina) – Integrated production systems for climate adaptation
Sebastián Villagra (INTA, Argentina) – Climate-smart research with Indigenous communities
Gina Garzón (AGROSAVIA, Colombia) – Climate-resilient potatoes for the Andes

09/07 Flagship Program 4 – Digital revolution in agriculture

This session explored how digital technologies were transforming agricultural management and decision-making. Presentations highlighted the use of satellite observations, precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital decision-support platforms, and AgTech innovations to improve productivity while enhancing environmental sustainability.

Martín Durante (INTA, Argentina) – Satellite monitoring of pasture biomass
Liliana Ríos (AGROSAVIA, Colombia) – Tropical Agriculture 4.0 and water management
Fernando Lattanzi (INIA, Uruguay) – Scaling AgTech innovation
Álvaro Roel (INIA, Uruguay) – Satellite monitoring and verification of methane emissions
Patricio Sandaña (Universidad Austral, Chile) – Online crop management platforms

10/07 Flagship Program 5 – The Future Food Basket

This session focused on agricultural diversification and innovations that contributed to resilient and nutritious food systems. Speakers presented research on biodiversity, sustainable horticulture, biological technologies, post-harvest protection, value-added products, and crop improvement, demonstrating how these innovations strengthened food security and agricultural competitiveness.

Javier Pitti (IDIAP, Panama) – Vertical farming technologies
Federico Battistoni (IIBCE, Uruguay) – Biologicals platform for Latin American farms
Gabriela Nicoleta Tenea (Universidad Técnica del Norte, Ecuador) – Postharvest bio-protectors
Ivonne Ximena Ceron Salazar (Universidad de Tolima, Colombia) – Value-added mango products
Fabián Jiménez (INTA, Costa Rica) – Regional genetic improvement network

10/07 Project Presentations

The finalist project presentations showcased some of the most promising research initiatives supported by FONTAGRO. The projects addressed topics including gene editing, climate-smart livestock systems, biofortified crops, disease management, soil carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation, illustrating their potential to generate meaningful benefits for farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Sergio Feingold (INTA, Argentina) – Gene editing for plants and animals
Nelson Pérez (AGROSAVIA, Colombia) – Multipurpose silvopastoral systems
Maika Barría (IDIAP, Panama) – Iron-rich bean alliances
Mónica Betancourt (AGROSAVIA, Colombia) – Fusarium wilt prevention
Verónica Ciganda (INIA, Uruguay) – Soil carbon sequestration
Nicolás Ayub (INTA, Argentina) – Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture

Leveraging Digital Solutions for Strengthening the Seed Systems in Africa

2026-07-09T09:57:42.111+00:00

9 July 2026. Leveraging Digital Solutions for Strengthening the Seed Systems in Africa

As African countries seek to strengthen food security, resilience and sustainable agrifood systems, the digitalization of seed systems is emerging as a critical enabler of transformation. Digital tools can improve seed traceability, certification, regulatory services, information management and market access, while helping address challenges such as counterfeit seeds, fragmented processes and weak sector coordination.

The event was organized by the FAO Regional Office for Africa, FAO Country Offices in DR Congo, Somalia and South Sudan, with the support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and in collaboration with AGRA and other partners. The webinar will bring together policymakers, seed authorities, researchers, development partners, private sector actors and digital agriculture specialists to explore how digital technologies are strengthening seed systems across Africa.

Participants learned from country experiences and innovative initiatives, including FAO's EmergenSys project, digital seed certification and traceability systems in Kenya, and electronic phytosanitary certification (e-Phyto) systems. Discussions will focus on practical lessons, sustainability, interoperability, governance and opportunities for scaling digital seed solutions.

The webinar was organized as part of the EmergenSys project activities, FAO RAF’s periodic digital agriculture knowledge-sharing events, and as a contribution to the preparations for the Digitalization Thematic Area of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026.

Moderation - Priya Gujadhur, FAO Representative in Ghana (a.i.); Senior Regional Resilience Officer, FAO, Regional Office for Africa

Opening Remarks, Meshack Malo, Deputy Regional Representative, FAO Regional Office for Africa
Remarks by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Jeffrey Kwesiga, Senior Agribusiness Officer, AHAI.4 (RDGE) Africa Development Bank
Digital Seed Systems Initiatives under the EmergenSys Project in Somalia, South Sudan & DRCongo, Kiprotich Chemweno, Head of Information & Systems Management & Digital Innovation FAO Somalia
Digital Seed Certification and Traceability Systems in Kenya, Ephraim Wachira, Deputy Director, Seed Certification Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Kenya

@Ephraim: how can digitalisation protect IP rights on indigenous seeds?
ANSWER: This can at least document the indigenous variety establishing the fact that it is a variety of common knowledge so that no one can later on claim it. More work can then be done to facilitate community ownership of the indigenous seed.

@Ephraim: How does KEPHIS support Kenyan Seed Savers with digitalisation?

We are currently working on legislation for community seed production and certification, we shall definitely come up with a digital format for it.

The Ethio-Seed digital platform, Ato Tefera Zeray, Technical Advisor Seed Systems, Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia
e-Phyto implementation in Uganda, Remco Kibago, Information Technologist, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda
Presentation of the AU Biotech and Seed Partnership Platform, Catherine Langat, Seed system specialist FAOSFE
Poll / Questions and Answers / Interactive Discussion Ken Lohento, Digital Agriculture Specialist, FAO Regional Office for Africa

Related: 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference EA-ISC 2026

Building farmer managed seed system community of practice (COP) For a Resilient EASTERN AFRICA Region.

📅

17th – 20th November 2026

📍

Catholic university of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

How Farmers Organizations are reclaiming Indigenous knowledge and research

2026-07-09T09:43:24.245+00:00

8 July 2026. Roots of resilience: How Farmers Organizations are reclaiming Indigenous knowledge and research to tackle breadfruit and banana value chains challenges in the Pacific and Philippine

Hosted by AgriCord, this webinar showcased how farmers are utilizing indigenous knowledge and participatory research to combat climate change, crop diseases, and food insecurity.

Indigenous and local knowledge systems have long played a vital role in sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation. Yet these practices often remain under-recognized in agricultural development and research agendas.

At the same time, farmer organizations are increasingly demonstrating their capacity to generate solutions that are locally adapted, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive.

By bringing together farmer organizations, researchers, development practitioners, cooperatives, and policy actors, this webinar explored how farmer-led research and indigenous knowledge can contribute to building more resilient agroecological food systems.

Katja Vuori, CEO of AgriCord – Welcome Remarks
Mohinesh Reddy, Pacific Farmer Organisations (PFO) – Revitalizing Breadfruit Systems through Farmer-Led Agroecological Innovation and Indigenous Knowledge
Kahlil Apuzen-Ito, FARMCOOP – Tackling TR4 Disease in the Banana Value Chain through Participatory Agroecological Research and Innovation: Experience from the Philippines

Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

2026-07-08T12:37:35.488+00:00

8 - 10 July 2026. Thirteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The primary focus of the meeting is the Revision of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources.

This Working Group meeting operates under the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) and serves several core functions:

Reviewing Draft Guidelines: Deliberating on the Draft Revised Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources.
Evaluating Global Reports: Using findings from the Third Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources to identify key policy priorities.
Cross-Sectoral Discussions: Addressing how plant genetic resources contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and broader biodiversity for food and agriculture initiatives.

Contributions:

Review of the Strategic Plan and Multi-Year Programme of Work for the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Cooperation with international organizations and instruments: present a draft stakeholder engagement needs assessment and a proposal for the process to develop a stakeholder engagement action plan

Partners:

Empowering Youth and Women in Agrifood: Bridging Entrepreneurship and Job Creation

2026-07-08T08:16:06.394+00:00

7 July 2026. Empowering Youth and Women in Agrifood: Bridging Entrepreneurship and Job Creation for Sustainable Impact - Organizers: PAFO and COLEAD

The 27th PAFO–COLEAD Innovations Session discussed how agrifood systems and the organisations, cooperatives, MSMEs and support ecosystems can better serve youth and women as both entrepreneurs and jobseekers, and how strengthening one pathway can reinforce the other for sustainable, inclusive impact.

Moderator: Aimable Twagirayezu, Programs Officer, PAFO
Laura Wauters , Head of Training Department, COLEAD
Babafemi Oyewole, CEO, PAFO
Olusola Adeyemo , Lead Sustainable Farming , Distribution and Extension , AGRA

Panel 1: youth - and women -led agrifood businesses creating value and quality work

Practical experiences across the entrepreneurship and employment pathways

Chiamaka Ndukwu, CEO , AgroHive
Akejo Gordon Victor, CEO , Gordon Agricultural Organisation
Fatoumatta Joof , Director of Programs, The Woman Boss

Panel 2: Building support ecosystems for inclusive growth

strengthening skills, entrepreneurship and quality employment

Genna Tesdall, Director of Young Professionals for Agricultural Development
(YPARD)
Mathabo Tsepa, Women Leader, SACAU, PAFO
Key takeaways and conclusion Ahoefa Soklou, Project officer, Networks and
Alliances, COLEAD

Program Links

📄English
📄French
📄Portuguese

Biodata Links

📄English
📄French

East-West Seed transformed indigenous vegetable production across West Africa.

2026-07-07T16:00:42.208+00:00

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 30. The Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation, was presented to plant breeder Pamela Afokpe of East-West Seed for pioneering research that has transformed indigenous vegetable production across West Africa.

Afokpe was recognised for combining scientific plant breeding with farmer training and market development, including the creation of the Sika Gboma variety of a traditional West African leafy vegetable that has been adopted by thousands of smallholder farmers in Benin neighbouring ring countries.

Afokpe recognized the untapped potential of crops with proven nutritional value, deep cultural significance and established consumer demand. She not only built a research station from scratch to address this need, she pioneered a commercial market across West and Central Africa, leading to the sale of thousands of tons of vegetables that the global seed industry had largely neglected.

Her research also precipitated East-West Seed becoming a Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) Champion. This global partnership recognizes “opportunity crops,” including traditional African vegetables, as critical to climate resilience and nutrition, a policy shift that Afokpe’s field work has helped validate. She led the effort for East-West Seed to join the African Vegetable Breeding Consortium headed by the World Vegetable Center, and she was selected as a 2024 One Planet Fellow by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) in recognition of her research leadership in helping Africa’s smallholder farmers adapt to a changing climate.

Afokpe and her mentor, the late Simon Groot (2019 World Food Prize Laureate), shared the vision that high quality seeds, combined with knowledge of good agricultural practices and connection to markets, are the most effective tools for smallholders to improve their livelihoods. Afokpe extended this conviction to vegetables that Groot’s mission had not yet reached, leveraging groundbreaking research and development for oft-overlooked opportunity crops to give growers a resilient, high-yielding future.

Honoring the women whose hands shaped America's food system

2026-07-07T15:52:50.358+00:00

Who fed America?

For more than 250 years, Black women have grown, harvested, cooked, researched, taught, organized, and nourished a nation often without recognition. "We Belong at the Table" is a cinematic musical tribute honoring the women whose hands shaped America's food system and whose legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Created by WANDA (Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics and Agriculture) during its 10th anniversary and in recognition of America's 250th anniversary, this song celebrates the food sheroes who transformed recipes into resistance, gardens into freedom, and meals into movements.

From Harriet Tubman and Georgia Gilmore to Edna Lewis, Jessica B. Harris, Flemmie Kittrell, Leah Chase, Karen Washington, Toni Tipton Martin, Psyche Williams-Forson, Carla Hall, Lena Richard, Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor, Evelyn Crayton, Fannie Lou Hamer, and **Tambra Raye Stevenson, this film reminds us that food is more than nourishment; it is heritage, leadership, community, and democracy.

At WANDA, we believe:

🌱 Food is a human right.
🤝 Belonging is the foundation of democracy.
🍽️ Every table has the power to build healthier communities.

This is more than a song. It is an invitation to remember those who came before us—and to become the next generation of Food Citizens. Because we belong. And so does our food.

Join the Movement
❤️ Support the WANDA Scholars Fund and help prepare the next generation of food leaders.
🌍 Learn more about WANDA: https://www.iamwanda.org

Follow WANDA:
Instagram: @_iamwandaorg
LinkedIn / Facebook / X: @iamwandaorg
Website: https://www.iamwanda.org

Lyrics Written in Honor of America's Food Sheroes

Honoring the enduring contributions of Black women who have nourished families, strengthened communities, advanced science, preserved culture, and shaped democracy through food.

The Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026 Dialogue

2026-07-06T14:53:19.504+00:00

30 June–2 July 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. The Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026 Dialogue was held from under the theme "Towards Sustainable Financial Architecture for Africa's Food Systems."

The summit brought together governments, development banks, financial institutions, agribusinesses, farmer organizations, investors, research organizations, and development partners to explore how Africa can mobilize and better align finance for food systems transformation.

Dr. Charity Mutegi, Director: "Agriculture continues to power Africa’s economies, yet financing models
remain stuck in the past. Despite donor funding and countless initiatives, the numbers have not shifted. This question is at the heart of #FINASSummit dialogue. That stagnation tells us one thing: we must do something differently."

By aligning policy, innovating finance models, and forging partnerships, we can unlock inclusive, de‑risked solutions for Africa’s food systems.

Programme

Overall, FINAS 2026 featured more than 50 plenary sessions, side events, deal rooms and masterclasses, with speakers drawn from African governments, the private financial sector, development finance institutions, farmer organizations, international organizations, research institutions and development partners. The programme emphasized practical financing solutions for policy alignment, inclusive finance, climate resilience, agrifood SMEs and investment mobilization across Africa.

The programme was organized around four major thematic pillars.

1. Policy Alignment and Coordination

This track focused on creating coherent financing frameworks that support implementation of the Kampala CAADP Declaration and national agricultural investment plans.

Main sessions included:

Continental Roundtable: Policy Alignment and Coordination for Financing the Kampala
CAADP Declaration
Using National Agrifood Systems Investment Plans (NASIPs) to mobilize, coordinate and monitor investments
Launch of the Kenya National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) 2026–2030

Key discussion themes

Harmonizing national and continental investment strategies
Public finance reforms
Improving accountability for agricultural expenditure
Better coordination among governments, donors and private investors.

2. Innovative and Inclusive Finance Models

One of the largest streams examined how to unlock finance for farmers, cooperatives and agrifood SMEs. Panels and side events covered:

Making Agricultural Development Funds work
Public Development Banks and agricultural finance
Wholesale lending for agricultural financial inclusion
Agri-SME finance and prudential reforms
Finance linked with agricultural skills development
Blended finance mechanisms
Cooperatives and rural financial services

The discussions emphasized reducing investment risks while expanding affordable credit to smallholders, women, youth and agricultural enterprises.

3. Green, Climate and Resilient Finance

A major focus of FINAS 2026 was integrating climate resilience into agricultural finance. Major sessions included:

Embedding Climate Risk Intelligence into Agricultural Value Chain Financing (plenary keynote)
Carbon finance under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement
Embedding insurance into agricultural lending
Climate-resilient finance for crop and livestock systems
Sustainable financing for resilient agrifood systems
Financing feed and fodder systems
Cold-chain financing and reducing food loss and waste

These sessions explored insurance, climate data, carbon markets, blended finance and innovative risk-sharing mechanisms that can attract private capital into climate-smart agriculture.

4. Trade, Investment and Partnerships

The final thematic stream examined how finance can strengthen regional markets and agricultural competitiveness. Topics included:

Trade and investment frameworks
Regional value chains
Public-private partnerships
Cross-border investments
Deal rooms connecting investors with agribusinesses
Business-to-business matchmaking
Scaling agricultural innovations

Special emphasis was placed on mobilizing domestic capital, strengthening African financial markets and reducing dependence on external aid.

Side events: extracts

02/07 Unlocking Sustainable Financing for Nutrition-Sensitive Food Systems: Evidence, Partnerships and Sub-national Level Innovations — Stock Take of Financial Flows for Food Systems (3FS)

The panel emphasized that transformation requires deliberate alignment of policy frameworks,
financing instruments, and institutional will.

Faraya Constance Zimudzi @FAO (#F𝗔𝗢, 𝗨𝗡): Nutrition-sensitive investment must be embedded into agrifood systems at country level.
Ruth Okowa (#𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡): Policies must translate into practice, ensuring SMEs can scale nutrition-focused solutions.
Anna Tavina Eivin (#𝗙𝗔𝗢, 𝗨𝗡): Stronger institutional coherence is essential to sustain impact.
Peter Chepata (𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗜𝗖): Financing instruments must be tailored to SME realities.
Joseph Nderitu (𝗞-𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬): Local financial institutions play a critical role in bridging access gaps.
Blessings Mutheu (𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗻): Investors must see SMEs as viable partners in nutrition transformation.
Samuel Ndonga (𝗙𝗔𝗢, 𝗨𝗡): Coordinated approaches are key to embedding nutrition into agrifood finance.

2/07 Beyond Donor Funding: Advancing AI-Enabled Finance for Africa’s Smallholder Farmers

At FINAS 2026, SAFIC convened a high-impact side event themed “Beyond Donor Funding: Sustainable Business Models and AI-Enabled Finance for Africa’s Smallholder Farmers,” bringing together leaders from government, academia, development, technology, and the private sector to explore practical pathways for transforming African agriculture.

Prof. Simon Ndiritu, The Center Director of SAFIC, opened by challenging participants to rethink the agricultural ecosystem, noting that Kenya does not lack technology or innovation. Rather, the real opportunity lies in integrating advisory services, finance, quality inputs, insurance, and market access into a coordinated system that delivers tangible value for farmers.

In his keynote remarks, Amb. Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology, emphasized the importance of building trusted mechanisms for data exchange across the agricultural ecosystem. He encouraged stakeholders to begin with practical, scalable proof points, highlighting food systems as a compelling use case for shared data infrastructure and collaborative innovation.

Moderating the discussion, Richard Migwalla of Baobab Impact framed the conversation around three critical questions:

Can we meet farmers at their point of need?
Can we deliver these solutions sustainably?
Can artificial intelligence improve the commercial equation for smallholder agriculture?

𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (𝗧𝗪𝗧)

At #FINAS2026, leaders from across finance, policy, and development have launched the 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (𝗧𝗪𝗧,) a permanent mechanism designed to move evidence into policy, and policy into action.
Key highlights from the speeches:
David Sajabi, 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁: “Good ideas must not remain reports. Reforms must be followed through.” He emphasized that success will be measured not by discussions, but by real change in agricultural lending.
Dr. Samuel Tiriongo, 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Stressed the importance of evidence-based advocacy, better data, and exploring alternative collateral beyond land to unlock lending opportunities for farmers.
Titian Donda, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆, 𝗔𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗶 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 Reflected on the journey of collaboration, noting that fragmented approaches have slowed progress. The TWT is a product of partnership and coordination, designed to transform data into evidence and evidence into reforms.
Petra Jacoby, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗚𝗜𝗭 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 Called the launch a reaffirmation of collective commitment. She highlighted the need for sound policies, reliable data, effective risk-sharing mechanisms, and strong coordination to build confidence among financial institutions and expand access to finance for farmers.

FINAS 2026 post-summit field visits

From cold storage to food processing, the FINAS 2026 post-summit field visits continued with a stop at ItalNovis Group SEZ Limited in Tatu City, Kenya.

‎‎Delegates explored the company's modern pasta manufacturing facility, gaining firsthand insight into the journey from raw materials to finished products. The visit demonstrated how technology, efficient production systems, and value addition are driving competitiveness in Africa's food manufacturing sector.

‎‎With roots dating back to the 1950s, ItalNovis Group reflects the impact of sustained industrial investment and innovation in building resilient agrifood value chains.

Rethinking Mushroom Production in Ghana Through the Cold Chlorine Method

2026-07-04T11:15:59.503+00:00

- By Gideon Adotey, Accra Technical University. His primary areas of research include biochemistry, enzymology, and related chemical and biological sciences (17/06/2026 Mushrooms for Africa International, WhatApp group, 237 members)

Ghana’s agricultural sector is being asked to do more with less. It must feed a growing population, create decent employment, reduce post-harvest waste, and adapt to a changing climate, all within a context of rising production costs and persistent energy challenges. Within this broader national agenda, mushroom cultivation presents a practical and underutilized opportunity.

Mushrooms offer an efficient way of converting agricultural residues into nutritious food and income. They require limited land, have relatively short production cycles, and can be integrated into both rural and peri-urban economies. Yet despite these advantages, the mushroom industry in Ghana remains small compared to its potential.

A major constraint lies in the preparation of growing substrates. Most producers rely on steam or pressure-based sterilization, or hot water pasteurization, to reduce contamination before inoculation. While effective, these methods are capital intensive. They depend on boilers, fuel, electricity, and skilled operation, all of which increase the cost of production and limit expansion, particularly for small and medium-scale farmers.

In response to these limitations, alternative approaches have emerged, among them the Cold Chlorine Method developed by Dr. John Holliday. This system introduces a chemical approach to substrate sanitation that avoids the need for heat-based treatment.

Rather than relying on temperature, agricultural materials such as straw, maize stalks, sawdust blends, and other crop residues are immersed in a chlorine solution at ambient conditions. The active chlorine compounds generate hypochlorous acid in water, which disrupts and destroys a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, moulds, and fungal spores. The outcome is a substantially reduced microbial load that allows mushroom mycelium to establish dominance quickly.

For Ghana, the implications of this approach are significant.

One of the most immediate benefits is the reduction in energy demand. By eliminating the need for steaming or boiling, farmers can drastically cut fuel and electricity consumption. This is particularly important in an environment where energy costs are unstable and often high, especially for emerging agribusinesses.

Equally important is the accessibility of the system. The Cold Chlorine Method lowers the entry barrier into commercial mushroom production. Farmers and youth-led enterprises do not need to invest in expensive sterilization equipment before starting production. This opens up opportunities for wider participation, particularly among young people, women, and community-based organizations.

From an environmental perspective, the method also aligns with climate-smart agriculture principles. Reducing reliance on fuel-based sterilization contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions and supports more sustainable production systems. At scale, such shifts in practice can contribute meaningfully to greener agricultural value chains.

Ghana also possesses a strong comparative advantage in raw materials. Large volumes of agricultural residues such as rice straw, maize stalks, cocoa pod husks, plantain leaves, sugarcane bagasse, and sawdust are generated annually, much of which is underutilized or burned. Mushroom production provides a pathway to convert these materials into valuable protein-rich food and economic activity.

The approach is particularly relevant for emerging climate-controlled mushroom farms, university-based production systems, and innovation-driven agricultural enterprises that are seeking cost-efficient methods of scaling production.

However, it is important to acknowledge that this method is not universally applicable. Highly enriched substrates used for specialty mushrooms such as lion’s mane, reishi, and shiitake often require stricter sterilization procedures due to their susceptibility to contamination. In such cases, conventional thermal sterilization may still be necessary.

A key technical consideration in the Cold Chlorine Method is the management of residual chlorine after treatment. While chlorine is effective in reducing contamination, any remaining chemical must be carefully addressed before inoculation. Excess chlorine can inhibit or damage mushroom mycelium.

For this reason, it is essential that residual chlorine levels are reduced to safe thresholds prior to spawning. This can occur naturally through aeration and time, but in more controlled production systems, chemical neutralization provides a more reliable solution. Sodium thiosulphate is widely recognized as an effective neutralizing agent, converting residual chlorine into harmless chloride compounds. This step is particularly important in commercial operations where consistency, spawn protection, and yield stability are essential.

Field reports and experimental observations suggest that properly treated substrates can support rapid colonization and reduced contamination rates. In some cases, production cycles may be shortened, allowing for faster turnover and improved overall productivity. These outcomes, while promising, still require systematic validation under Ghanaian conditions.

This is where the real opportunity lies. The question is not whether the Cold Chlorine Method should replace all existing systems, but whether it can be adapted, tested, and optimized within local production environments. Universities, research institutions, and commercial farms have a role to play in generating evidence on optimal chlorine concentrations, treatment durations, substrate suitability, and neutralization protocols using agents such as sodium thiosulphate.

Ultimately, the future of mushroom production in Ghana will depend on innovation that reduces cost while maintaining productivity and food safety. Technologies that simplify production without compromising yield deserve serious attention.

The Cold Chlorine Method is not a universal solution, but it represents a practical and thought-provoking approach to one of the most expensive stages of mushroom cultivation. In a country striving to expand agricultural entrepreneurship, improve food security, and create sustainable livelihoods, such innovations should not be overlooked.

A modern mushroom industry will be built not only on infrastructure, but also on the willingness to adopt, test, and refine simpler and more accessible technologies.

Announcement: The Applied Research Conference of Accra Technical University (ARCATU 2026)

This is the premier annual research event at Accra Technical University, bringing together academics, researchers, industry experts, and students to discuss cutting-edge innovations and sustainable solutions for the future. This year, ARCATU 2026 will take place from September 16-18, 2026, at Accra Technical University, Ghana.

Side event: High Speed Culture Blender Technique to Advance Mushroom Production in Africa: ICMBMP 2026 Hands on Workshop at Accra Technical University

Mushroom Consulting LLC has introduced a new technical guideline on a high speed culture blender technique aimed at improving mushroom production efficiency, especially for growers in Africa. The method is designed to address common challenges in the region such as slow spawn production, contamination losses, and limited access to advanced laboratory facilities.

The technique is based on a simple idea. Instead of using multiple steps to multiply mushroom cultures on grain, a fully grown agar culture is directly turned into a liquid inoculum. This is done by blending the culture in a sterile solution under very clean conditions. The liquid produced contains small fragments of healthy mycelium that can be used immediately to inoculate grain or other growing materials. This removes several intermediate stages and saves a lot of production time.

The system uses basic equipment that is easy to find and use. A one liter or one quart glass jar serves as the blending container. The jar is filled with sterile water or a mild nutrient solution, fitted with a blender lid, and sterilized before use. After cooling in a clean environment, a selected agar culture is added and blended for a short time. The result is a smooth liquid inoculum that can be used right away for mushroom production.

This simple setup makes the method suitable for many African mushroom farms. Most growers already use tools such as pressure cookers, jars, and simple clean work areas. Because of this, the technique can be added to existing systems without major investment in expensive laboratory equipment. It offers a practical way to improve production speed and efficiency at both small and medium scale levels.

However, the guideline clearly stresses that cleanliness is very important. The blending process must be done in a sterile environment such as a laminar flow hood or a well prepared clean workspace. If contamination enters the system at this stage, it can spread quickly through the liquid inoculum and affect the whole production batch, leading to serious losses.

To help the culture recover quickly after blending, the method recommends adding a small amount of light malt extract, about twenty grams per liter, to the solution. This provides simple nutrients that help the mycelium recover and start growing faster. In places where malt extract is not available, other clean sugar sources may be used, but only if proper sterilization is followed.

One major advantage of this technique is the reduction in production time. By removing several traditional spawn expansion steps, growers can shorten the full cultivation cycle by several weeks. In good conditions, grain can be fully colonized within a few days after inoculation. Fast growing mushroom species may even reach fruiting much sooner than with conventional methods.

For African mushroom farmers, this can bring important benefits. It means more production cycles in a year, faster response to market demand, and improved income opportunities. It is especially useful for youth and women involved in small scale and community based mushroom farming.

Mushroom Consulting LLC has announced that practical hands on training on this technique will be offered at Accra Technical University as part of the ICMBMP 2026 pre conference workshop. The training will focus on sterile techniques, preparation of liquid inoculum, proper use of the culture blender system, and how to prevent contamination. The aim is to help African growers, technicians, and students learn how to safely apply the method in real production settings.

Even though the technique is simple in design, it requires careful handling and good discipline. Success depends mainly on maintaining strict cleanliness during every step. Without proper training, contamination can easily reduce its effectiveness.

Overall, the. By combining simple tools, faster biological processing, and practical training at Accra Technical University under ICMBMP 2026, it provides a clear pathway toward more efficient and modern mushroom farming across the continent.

Major events in June 2026

2026-07-03T07:51:19.099+00:00

CIRAWA Agroecology Conference

1–3 July 2026. Accra, Ghana. Together, four Horizon Europe projects represent a coordinated investment of approximately €30 million in agroecological research and innovation across West, Central, East and North Africa.

The Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026 Dialogue

30 June–2 July 2026. This was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre under the theme "Towards Sustainable Financial Architecture for Africa's Food Systems."

DialogueNEXT in Africa: Born To Feed the Future

30 June - 1 July 2026. Nairobi, Kenya. Although DialogueNEXT Africa was not a dedicated NARS conference, it reflected many of the principles underpinning the Global NARS Consortium (GNC). The programme emphasized: stronger collaboration between national research institutes, CGIAR centres and universities; translating agricultural research into farmer-centred innovations and scalable businesses; strengthening links among research, extension, policy and the private sector; and investing in African scientific leadership, particularly through youth and women researchers and entrepreneurs.

Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice

1 July 2026. This webinar focused on how nature-based pest management and biopesticides can strengthen climate-resilient agriculture across Asia and Africa, with particular attention to dryland farming systems and fragile mountain ecosystems.

NUS in Odisha: Strategies for Revival, Conservation

1 July 2026. This webinar brought together 130 online participants: experts, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives to share experiences, innovations, and strategies for conserving, promoting, and scaling up forgotten foods.

Agribusiness, Agro-Processing & Food Value Chains

27 June 2026. Rather than concentrating solely on farming, the webinar emphasized the need to transform entire agrifood systems by strengthening agro-processing, investment, logistics, technology adoption, and intra-African trade so that agriculture becomes a driver of industrialization, employment, and economic sovereignty.

The Memory of the Land: Women, Partnership, and Agriculture

26 June 2026. This webinar was the second webinar in AgroSpectrum Asia's global series marking the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.

Climate week London and agricultural research for development

20-28 June 2026. During London Climate Action Week 2026, agricultural research for development featured prominently in discussions on climate resilience, food security, sustainable finance, and science partnerships.

RAMP - Research and Market Pathways

26 June 2026. The RAMP (Research and Market Pathways) webinar held served as the Demo Day and culmination of the six-month RAMP-Accelerate programme, an initiative of the CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP).

The growing investment potential of the organic fertilizers

25 June 2026. The Monthly Talks on Agroecology webinar focused on the growing investment potential of the organic fertilizer sector in Africa as a strategic component of the continent's agroecological transition.

Crop Trust Roundtable: Safeguarding Crop Diversity

25 June 2026 in Brussels. This Roundtable brought together representatives of the Crop Trust, the European Commission, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa

Advancing National, Regional and Global policies for NUS

24 June 2026. Advancing National, Regional and Global policies for the World's most overlooked Superfoods.

2nd KALRO Scientic Conference and Innovation Expo ...

15 - 19 June 2026. The 2nd KALRO Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo 2026 is organized around the theme “Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food Systems, Climate Change Resilience and Improved Livelihoods.”

Advancing Biological Control in Asia, the Middle East

11 June 2026. experts from more than 75 countries gathered for a regional webinar organized by CABI and the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNET).

From Pesticide Reduction to Agricultural Transformation

10 June 2026. Responsible Pesticide Use and Agricultural Transition in Tropical Agriculture

Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Indigenous and indigenous and underutilized crops

9–11 June 2026 | University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany

AFRICAN OPPORTUNITY CROPS WORKING GROUP

Africa's regional stakeholders conference on Neglected Species

9 - 11 June 2026. Accra, Ghana. NUS Africa's regional stakeholders conference. Co-organized by FARA & FAO, the hybrid event focused on integrating neglected and underutilized “forgotten foods” (like millets, fonio, and sorghum) into African food systems.

Mugala Naturals: Organic food venture
Heirloom Seed Agriculture Company in Ghana
Bambara Groundnut cultivation and processing 12 June 2026. Field visit of GFAiR and Foodbridge (which leads GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods)
Ghana Investment Promotion Council The study titled “A Research on the African Diaspora Food Market in the United Kingdom: Understanding Market Dynamics, Opportunities and Indigenous Food Systems” (25 pages) was presented

GFAiR Regional Fora and Steering Committee meeting

7 - 8 June 2026. Antalya, Turkey. Assessing new ways to accelerate more effective and equitable agrifood research and innovation systems - GFAiR Regional Fora and Steering Committee meeting

AgriCord Partners' Forum 2026

4 June 2026. Nairobi. The AgriCord Partners' Forum 2026 highlighted critical strategies for agricultural development.

The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development

2 June 2026. The report “The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas 2025–2026: A Perspective on Latin America and the Caribbean” was officially launched by the three organizations that jointly produce the report: the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS)

2–3 June 2026. The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) successfully hosted their second joint regional webinar.

Biological Control, Biopesticides and Sustainable Food Systems

1 June 2026. Biological Control, Biopesticides and Sustainable Food Systems in Afro-Eurasia

NUS Open-Source Curriculum Network

The four-session CBE Curriculum Co-Design Training was delivered virtually on 11, 15, 20, and 25 May 2026.

RELATED:

CIRAWA Agroecology Conference

2026-07-02T15:02:06.177+00:00

1–3 July 2026. Accra, Ghana. The CIRAWA Agroecology Conference – Agroecology and Nature-BasedSolutions for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa was structured around three thematic days that combined keynote addresses, scientific presentations, policy dialogues, workshops, poster sessions, and field visits. The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, farmers, civil society organizations, development partners, and private-sector actors to discuss how
agroecology and nature-based solutions can accelerate sustainable food systems across Africa.

Conference Programme

The conference opened with three keynote addresses that framed the scientific and policy discussions on agroecology in Africa:

Keynote 1: The IUCN Global Framework for the Design, Verification and Scaling-up of Nature-based Solutions – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Keynote 2: Harmonisation of Indigenous Knowledge and Transformative Education: Enabling Agroecology Transitions in Africa – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Opening Ceremony – Alex Percival Segbefia (picture), the Chief of Staff of the Vice President of Ghana

Mr. Segbefia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector through the promotion of agroecological practices as part of the country’s broader agricultural transformation agenda. He said Ghana must move away from agricultural systems that are no longer delivering the desired results and embrace approaches that support sustainable food systems and long-term agricultural resilience. [02/07 West Africa charts path towards sustainable food systems at CIRAWA Agroecology Conference]
Remarks from representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana (EPA Ghana), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the European Union (EU), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Ghana (MoFA), the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology of Ghana (MESTI), the Minister of State for Climate Change, AMAATI Ltd., and other partners.
Keynote 3: The State and Potential of Agroecology in Africa – University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana

The first scientific sessions focused on two major themes:

Scientific Session 1: Nature-based Solutions – Chair: CARTIF (Centro Tecnológico CARTIF, Spain)
Scientific Session 2: Agroecology Transitions – Chair: Association pour le Développement des Populations du Mayo-Rey (ADPM), Cameroon

The second day 02/07 featured four keynote presentations followed by four thematic scientific sessions:

Keynote 4: Soil Health, Agro-Waste and Circularity – Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
Keynote 5: Indicators and Monitoring & Evaluation – Raul Sanchez, CARTIF (Centro Tecnológico CARTIF, Spain); Discussants: Dr. Dileyini Lizza Diaz, University of Valladolid (UVA), Spain, and Prof. Charles Okyere, University of Ghana
Scientific Session 3: Soil Health, Agro-Waste and Circularity – Chair: Dr. Catherine Dembele, Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF); Discussant: Dr. Marina Paneque, University of Seville (USE), Spain
Scientific Session 4: Indicators and Monitoring & Evaluation – Chair: Jules Bayala, Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF); Discussant: Dr. Lamin Dibba, National Agricultural Research Institute of The Gambia (NARI)
Keynote 6: Agroecology Transitions – Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana (EPA Ghana)
Keynote 7: Policy, Upscaling and Gender: Agroecology & Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems at Scale in Africa – Critical Pathways to Adoption at Scale – Dr. Moumini Savadogo, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF)
Scientific Session 5: Agroecology Transitions – Chair: Dr. Erin Anders, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, University of Nebraska, USA; Discussant: Richard Appoh, World Vision (WV)
Scientific Session 6: Policy, Upscaling & Gender – Chair: Dr. Demba B. Jallow, National Agricultural Research Institute of The Gambia (NARI); Discussant: Dorcas Owusuaa Agyei, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

The final day 03/07 focused on policy dialogue and practical implementation:

Keynote 8: Policy, Governance and Way Forward – Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana (EPA Ghana).
Policy Briefs and Roundtable Policy Discussion – Moderator: Dr. Jacques Somda; Panelists: Dr. Moumini Savadogo (West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development – CORAF), Dr. Marc Corbeels (Climate Adaptation and Mitigation through Nature-based Solutions – CANALLS), Prof. Osman Tahidu Damba (Secretary-General, Ghana Commission for UNESCO), and Prof. Olowole Fatunbi (Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa – FARA).

The conference concluded with five parallel workshops:

Workshop 1: Unlocking the Potential of Partnerships for Agroecology in Sub-Saharan Africa – Organised by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).
Workshop 2: Measuring What Matters: Participatory Monitoring for Farmers and Agroecology Practitioners Using the TRANSITIONS Metrics Meta Framework – Gloria Kukurije Adeyiga, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG).
Workshop 3: CIRAWA DSS: An Agroecological Decision-Support System for Soil-Based Crop Planning in West Africa – Nicolas Minary and Nabil Boukala, Landfiles.
Workshop 4: Operationalising Agroecology at Scale: Insights from the Regreening Africa Project in Ghana – Organised by the Regreening Africa Project.
Workshop 5: Agroecological Farming and Biocircular Training Programme (AFBTP) – Organised by the Wuntira Agri Foundation (WAF).

Background:

The EU-funded project CIRAWA has been collaborating with farmers and stakeholders in four West African countries (Cape Verde, Ghana, Senegal, and The Gambia) since 2023, to develop and share agroecological and nature-based solutions that promote sustainable and resilient farming. The conference also receive support from other EU projects such as CANALLS, PrAEctiCe, and NATAE.

Project	Full project name	Implementation period	EU budget	Consortium
CIRAWA	Agro-ecological Strategies for Resilient Farming in West Africa	November 2022 – October 2026 (48 months)	€7.5 million	14 partners from 9 countries, coordinated by Fundación CARTIF (Spain). The consortium includes CARTIF, CIRAD, University for Development Studies (Ghana), FARA, University of Cape Verde, INIDA (Cape Verde), ISRA (Senegal), NARI (The Gambia), CIFOR-ICRAF, ADPM (Cameroon), and other European and African research and innovation organizations.
CANALLS	Climate Adaptation through Nature-based Solutions: Agroecology Living Labs in Sub-Saharan Africa	November 2022 – October 2026 (48 months)	Approximately €8 million	18 partners from Europe and Africa, coordinated by CIRAD (France). Partners include IITA, University of Hohenheim, NIBIO, Rikolto, IRAD, ISABU, Rwanda Agriculture Board, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), FARA and several national research organizations in Central and Eastern Africa.
PrAEctiCe	Potentials of Agroecological Practices in East Africa with a Focus on Circular Water-Energy-Nutrient Systems	November 2022 – April 2026 (42 months)	€6.9 million	16 partners from 9 countries, coordinated by Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (Germany). The consortium includes universities and research institutes from Germany, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia, Malta and Nigeria, working through Living Labs in East Africa.
NATAE	Fostering Agroecology Transition in North Africa through Multi-actor Approaches	November 2022 – October 2026 (48 months)	€7.4 million	23 partners from Europe and North Africa, coordinated by CIHEAM Montpellier (France). The consortium includes Wageningen University & Research, IUCN, ICARDA, CIHEAM Bari, CIHEAM Zaragoza, Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie (INAT), Institut National du Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts (INGC), Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II (Morocco), and research institutes and NGOs from Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.

Together, these four Horizon Europe projects represent a coordinated investment of approximately €30 million in agroecological research and innovation across West, Central, East and North Africa. They share a common emphasis on multi-actor innovation, Living Labs, nature-based solutions, knowledge co-creation, and evidence-based policy development, while each focuses on a distinct African region and agroecological context.

DialogueNEXT in Africa: Born To Feed the Future

2026-07-01T13:34:32.447+00:00

30 June - 1 July 2026. Nairobi, Kenya. Agricultural leaders, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and investors gathered for the inaugural DialogueNEXT Africa, organized by the World Food Prize Foundation under the inspiring theme "Born to Feed the Future."

DialogueNEXT in Africa came ahead of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, October 20–22, 2026.

The event explored how Africa can harness its scientific excellence, entrepreneurial talent and agricultural diversity to become a global leader in sustainable food production. Throughout the day, speakers emphasized that the continent's food systems transformation must be driven by African farmers, youth, women, researchers and innovators working together through strong regional and international partnerships.

"It is an honor to hold this conference in Africa, four decades after Dr. Borlaug made his first major visit to the continent in 1984. Borlaug came with a simple but powerful conviction: that science in the hands of farmers could defeat hunger. That mission is unfinished and more urgent than ever as Africa's food systems must feed a young, growing and increasingly urban population.” Mashal Husain (see picture), President, World Food Prize Foundation.

"Hosting this conversation in Africa is not just symbolic, but necessary. This continent is home to some of the world's most dynamic agricultural systems and most resilient farmers, yet it remains chronically underinvested in. The challenges — climate shocks, fragile supply chains, growing populations — are real, but so are the solutions, which are increasingly being developed by African scientists, farmers and entrepreneurs. The insights that emerge from Nairobi will help shape the global agenda." Akinwumi Adesina,
2017 World Food Prize Laureate; Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors; and Former President of the African Development Bank Group.

Agenda

The conference featured a series of high-level dialogues addressing the major drivers of agricultural
transformation.

Farmer-Centred Innovation

The session on Farmer-Centred Innovation highlighted how research, extension services and digital technologies can better respond to the needs of smallholder farmers.

Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), stressed the importance of placing farmers at the centre of innovation
Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), discussed the role of agricultural technologies in improving productivity.
Andrew Mude, Principal Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), shared insights into strengthening resilience through innovative livestock systems.

Technology and Digital Agriculture

Discussions on Technology and Digital Agriculture explored how digital tools, artificial intelligence, mechanization and precision agriculture can accelerate productivity and resilience.

Leena Tripathi, Director of the Eastern Africa Hub of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), joined fellow experts in demonstrating how scientific research and biotechnology continue to expand opportunities for African farmers.
Canisius Kanangire – African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)

Women Feeding Africa

Another session on Women Feeding Africa celebrated the pivotal contribution of women across agricultural value chains

Doreen Irungu, Founder and CEO of Ustawi Afrika, highlighted the role of women entrepreneurs in transforming food systems.

Youth, entrepreneurship and innovation

The Agripreneurship and Youth Innovation dialogue showcased emerging African innovators and Top Agri-food Pioneers who are developing new business models for agriculture

Optimising Agricultural Regulations

Participants also examined how enabling regulatory frameworks and strategic investments can stimulate innovation and strengthen agricultural value chains.

DialogueNEXT Africa also underscored the importance of collaboration among governments, national agricultural research systems, CGIAR centres, regional organizations, the private sector and farmer organizations. The conference concluded that achieving resilient and nutritious food systems will require sustained investments in research and innovation, supportive policies, stronger public-private partnerships and the active participation of youth and women.

Technical immersion visits

Following the conference, delegates participated in technical immersion visits hosted by leading agricultural innovation institutions,

Participants visited the Alliance's "Partners Day: Connecting Science, Community & Markets", where researchers, entrepreneurs and agrifood innovators demonstrated how agricultural research is translated into value-added products and market opportunities. The programme included networking with investors and policymakers and exhibitions of climate-smart innovations.

Hello Tractor Experience Center – Participants explored how IoT, asset finance, digital marketplaces and mechanization services are helping smallholder farmers access tractors and improve productivity through innovative business models.
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – Delegates visited the MRGM Farmer Cooperative to learn how research, farmer-led innovation and circular use of rice straw are improving rice productivity, market access and livelihoods.
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – Visitors toured ILRI's Nairobi campus, including its advanced bioscience laboratories and the Mazingira Centre, to see how CGIAR research is advancing livestock productivity, animal health and climate resilience.
CIMMYT – The immersion showcased climate-smart innovations for maize, wheat and dryland cropping systems and demonstrated how research partnerships translate scientific advances into practical solutions for farmers.
WorldFish – Participants visited a science-supported fish farm to explore climate-resilient aquaculture, sustainable fish production, feed management and post-harvest innovations.
International Potato Center (CIP) – The visit highlighted how research, youth entrepreneurship and partnerships are strengthening root and tuber crop value chains through quality seed systems, climate-smart production and digital advisory services.
Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT – Through its "Partners Day:
Connecting Science, Community & Markets," the Alliance demonstrated how agricultural research is transformed into value-added products and market opportunities through collaboration with entrepreneurs.
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) – Delegates discovered insect-based innovations supporting One Health, sustainable food systems and circular bioeconomy solutions for agriculture and nutrition.

Mugala Naturals: Organic food venture that is powering a climate-smart future had a stand at ICIPE stand to promote inclusion if cricket powder in Mainstresm processed nutritious climate resilient value chains.

These visits showcased how CGIAR research is being translated into practical solutions for farmers and policymakers across Africa.

Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice (ABCoP) session

2026-07-01T07:30:27.413+00:00

1 July 2026. Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice (ABCoP) session

Program Agenda and Flyer

This webinar focused on how nature-based pest management and biopesticides can strengthen climate-resilient agriculture across Asia and Africa, with particular attention to dryland farming systems and fragile mountain ecosystems.

participated in this online webinar.

As part of APAARI's monthly ABCoP series, the webinar brought together some 40 persons: researchers and development practitioners to share scientific advances, practical experiences, and regional partnerships that can accelerate the transition from synthetic pesticides towards biological alternatives. The session aligned with ABCoP's broader objective of promoting knowledge exchange, regulatory harmonization, innovation, and the wider adoption of biopesticides for sustainable agriculture and safe trade.

Jagdisha Jaba, Scientist & Lead- Entomology International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics(ICRISAT) India - “Advancing biopesticides for Dryland Crops: Present insights and future pathways in Asia & Africa”
Rajendra Dhakal Climate Resilient Analyst Livelihood International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Nepal - Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Pest Management: Lessons from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Region.

The first presentation, "Advancing Biopesticides for Dryland Crops: Present Insights and Future Pathways in Asia & Africa," by Jagdisha Jaba (ICRISAT, India), examined the opportunities and challenges of deploying biopesticides in semi-arid and dryland cropping systems. The presentation highlighted recent research on biological crop protection for drought-prone agriculture, discussed constraints such as product efficacy, farmer adoption, regulatory frameworks, and commercialization, and explored future research priorities and cross-regional collaboration between Asia and Africa. Particular emphasis was placed on integrating biopesticides into broader integrated pest management (IPM) systems to improve resilience while reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides.

The second presentation, "Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Pest Management: Lessons from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Region," by Rajendra Dhakal (ICIMOD, Nepal), demonstrated how ecosystem-based approaches—including biodiversity conservation, ecological pest regulation, climate adaptation, and community-based natural resource management—can improve pest management in fragile mountain landscapes. Drawing on experiences from the HKH region, the session illustrated how nature-based solutions contribute simultaneously to climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental protection while strengthening local agricultural systems. It also highlighted the value of regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing across mountain countries facing similar climate and pest challenges.

NUS in Odisha: Strategies for Revival, Conservation, and Promotion

2026-07-01T06:24:22.953+00:00

1 July 2026. "Forgotten Foods: Strategies for Revival, Conservation, and Promotion to Strengthen Nutritional Security and Climate Resilience in Odisha."

Traditional and underutilized foods such as millets, legumes, tubers, indigenous greens, and other local crop varieties are rich in nutrients, resilient to changing climatic conditions, and deeply embedded in our cultural heritage. Reviving these forgotten foods can play a significant role in enhancing nutrition, conserving agrobiodiversity, and strengthening sustainable food systems.
This webinar brought together 130 online participants: experts, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives to share experiences, innovations, and strategies for conserving, promoting, and scaling up forgotten foods.

The discussions focused on community-led conservation efforts, seed systems, nutritional and ecological significance of traditional foods, value addition, market opportunities, and pathways for wider adoption and policy support.

Importance of forgotten foods for nutrition and climate resilience.
Documentation and conservation of crop biodiversity.
Community-led seed systems and traditional knowledge.
Success stories and best practices from the field.
Vision and strategy for mainstreaming forgotten food initiatives.

The webinar invitation and concept note

Mr. Anshuman Das, Lead Expert - Agroecology and Food Systems, WHH - Challenges in promotion of landscape based farming systems with respect to forgotten foods - A comparative experience from Odisha and across India.
Padma Shri Sabarmatee, Secretary and Co Founder, Sambhav - Methodology for Germplasm Conservation & Varietal Mapping & its importance
Mr. Dinesh Balam, Head - Food Systems, AI and Regenerative Agriculture, ISB
Strategy and Vision for Reviving of Forgotten Foods

Dinesh referred to GFAiR's South-South Forgotten Foods Consortium ([Collective Action]
Mrs. Bhagya Laxmi, Associate Director, WASSAN - Why ! Community led seed system for neglected crops

Dr. Oliver King, Director- Biodiversity, MSSRF - Success Stories: Community conservation & upscaling of Forgotten Food & Neglected Crops

Oliver referred to the Manifesto on Forgotten Foods spearheaded by GFAR/GFAiR

Webinars and events July 2026

2026-06-30T15:44:16.818+00:00

1 July 2026. Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice (ABCoP) session

Program Agenda and Flyer
02:00 PM – 03:15 PM (Bangkok Time: GMT+7). 09:00 AM – 10:15 AM CEST

1 July 2026."Forgotten Foods: Strategies for Revival, Conservation, and Promotion to Strengthen Nutritional Security and Climate Resilience in Odisha."

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (IST). 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Traditional and underutilized foods such as millets, legumes, tubers, indigenous greens, and other local crop varieties are rich in nutrients, resilient to changing climatic conditions, and deeply embedded in our cultural heritage. Reviving these forgotten foods can play a significant role in enhancing nutrition, conserving agrobiodiversity, and strengthening sustainable food systems.
The discussions will focus on community-led conservation efforts, seed systems, nutritional and ecological significance of traditional foods, value addition, market opportunities, and pathways for wider adoption and policy support.
This webinar will bring together experts, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives to share experiences, innovations, and strategies for conserving, promoting, and scaling up forgotten foods.
Join Online or on YouTube Live
The webinar invitation and concept note

1-2 July 2026. Utrecht, the Netherlands. Land, Conflict, and Peace conference

1-3 July 2026 (Accra, Ghana). CIRAWA Agroecology and Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa Conference.

The EU-funded project CIRAWA has been collaborating with farmers and stakeholders in four West African countries (Cape Verde, Ghana, Senegal, and The Gambia) since 2023, to develop and share agroecological and nature-based solutions that promote sustainable and resilient farming.

7 July 2026. Empowering Youth and Women in Agrifood: Bridging Entrepreneurship and Job Creation for Sustainable Impact - Organizers: PAFO and COLEAD

8 July 2026. 8:00 - 9:00 AM, Brussels time (CET) Roots of resilience: How Farmers Organizations are reclaiming Indigenous knowledge and research to tackle breadfruit and banana value chains challenges in the Pacific and Philippine

8 - 10 July 2026. Thirteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The primary focus of the meeting is the Revision of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources

8 - 10 July 2026. FONTAGRO Knowledge Week

9 July 2026. Leveraging Digital Solutions for Strengthening the Seed Systems in Africa

11 - 12 July 2026. Brussels. Festival Afrodisiac

14 July 2026. Irradiation Applications in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Programs for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata)

10:00–12:30 (Türkiye and Jordan Time, UTC+3)
This webinar is organized in collaboration with the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, and will feature leading experts in radiation entomology and the Sterile Insect Technique.

15 July 2026. 15:00–16:00 CEST. Accelerating product development through AI prototyping

15-17 July 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Food Manufacturing Kenya & Eastern Africa

16 July 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Food Awards

16 July 2026. Strengthening Nutrition through Food Fortification: Insights from New Global Modelling

20 July 2026. Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture in Africa: Science, Digital Innovation and Inclusive Resilient Food Systems

21 July 2026 at 11:00 CEST: Biosolutions in Afro-Eurasian Agriculture: Systemic Conditions for Scaling Biopesticides and Biofertilizers to Achieve Sustainable Food Systems

27–31 July 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria. 9th Africa Agriculture and Science Week AASW9 and the 10th FARA General Assembly

3 - 6 August 2026. Malaysia. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY 2026,

4 - 8 August 2026. Cotonou, Benin World Social Forum 2026

After more than a decade, Africa welcomes the World Social Forum to Benin.
This 17th edition of the WSF reflects a strategic reading of the dynamics of struggles, resistances and alternative proposals carried by West African communities.

7-8 August 2026. African Food Research & Innovation Conference, online

The Role of Industry in Funding African Food Research Plenary
Winning Research Funding: Strategies for African Food Researchers
The Role of Banks and Investors in Funding African Food Research Plenary
The Role of International and Multilateral Organisations
The Role of Development Finance and Government-Backed Institutions
The Role of Academia in Advancing African Food Research

10-13 August 2026. Burgas, Bulgaria14th International Conference on Agriculture & Food

25 - 26 August 2026. Leuven, KU Leuven. Plant-Based Fermented Foods for Healthier and More Sustainable Diets - Health Farm Final Conference

31 August - 3 September 2026, Kigali, Rwanda. Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 Summit

02/09 Crop Life / GFAiR side event: Growing the movement: Scaling Opportunity Crops through policy, partnerships and Investment

8-10 September 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE. Agra Middle East 2026 (AgraME 2026)

11-12 September 2026. Accra. Phenomics in Plant Breeding

The International Plant Phenotyping Network (IPPN) is organizing a symposium in Accra – Ghana, incl a 2-day workshop for which participants can apply for full cover of travel, stay and symposium costs via this Novo Nordisk sponsored event: the Phenotyping Innovation Sprint

14-16 September 2026, Rome, Italy. Global Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

16 to 18 September 2026 in Göttingen (Germany) and online. TROPENTAG

under the theme 'Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient future'.
The call for workshops was open until 3 May 2026.

15-17 September 2026 – Lagos, Nigeria Africa Food Manufacturing Nigeria & Western Africa

22–25 September 2026. Nairobi (Kenya). Smart Agriculture: Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Trade for a Climate-Challenged Africa.

The event invites papers and proposals on topics like climate-smart ag, agri-finance, digital tech, value chains, and gender/youth in agriculture - by African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).

24–25 September, Brussels. EU AgRI 2040 Conference “Future-proofing EU Agri-Food through research and innovation”

Registrations closes 3 July

October 2026. FAO’s World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly

This is a year-round platform for youth engagement in agrifood systems. It includes ongoing virtual and thematic consultations throughout the year and typically culminates in activities around the flagship World Food Forum event in October.

13 - 17 October 2026. The 11th Conference on Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products

19–23 October 2026. FAO HQ, Rome, Italy. CFS 54th Plenary Session

19-30 October 2026. Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

27 October 2026, Addis Ababa. AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation

31 October 2026. International Conference on Agroforestry Systems for Climate Adaptation and Biodiversity (ICASCAAB-2026)
Focuses on agroforestry systems, climate adaptation, and biodiversity — a platform for researchers and practitioners to share developments in the field.

17 – 20 November 2026. 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference - EA-ISC 2026

Building farmer managed seed system community of practice (COP) For a Resilient EASTERN AFRICA Region.
Catholic university of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

25 November 2026. Bari, Italy. AU-EU Innovation fair - focus on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture

25-27 November 2026. Santiago, Chile. XI CONGRESSO LATINOAMERICANO DE AGROECOLOGIA

30 November - 3 December 2026 RUFORUM’s 22nd AGM

To be held in Zambia, hosted by the Government of Zambia and RUFORUM member universities in Zambia.
This AGM edition offers Zambia, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the rest of Africa, and partners an opportunity to discuss current development opportunities and challenges, and to co-create roadmaps for delivering solutions.

AR4D Funding Opportunities for Africa : July 2026

2026-06-30T14:36:16.386+00:00

Agriculture Fisheries Forestry

African Plant Nutrition Institute

Phosphorus Fellowship

2026-07-07

The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) accepts applications for the Young African Phosphorus Fellowship. This program aims to support early-career scientists working in African National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems institutions or universities who are conducting innovative research on phosphorus management in African agro-ecosystems. APNI will award up to five fellowships of US$5,000 each. Applicants must be full-time scientists at an African NARES institution or university. The application deadline is 07 July 2026.

UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Youth Leadership Program

2026-07-13

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub invites applications for the second cohort of its Youth Leadership Program to build a global network of emerging leaders driving food systems transformation. This two-year fellowship is open to individuals between 18 and 35 years old who are proficient in English and hold nationality in a low- or middle-income country, with particular emphasis on Africa, Asia and the Pacific, or Latin America and the Caribbean. Applicants must demonstrate experience leading or contributing to initiatives in food systems, sustainable development, or climate action. The program provides comprehensive leadership development, peer mentorship, and direct exposure to global United Nations partners and expert networks. The deadline for applications is 13 July 2026.

International Tropical Timber Organization

Freezailah Fellowships 2026

2026-07-20

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) makes grants through the Freezailah Fellowship Fund in support of capacity building. The grant can be used for training opportunities, demonstration tours, participation in conferences and workshops, preparation of technical papers, and post-graduate degrees. Grants up to US$10 thousand are in support of sustainable tropical forest management. Applicants are young and mid-career professionals in ITTO’s member countries; most grants are to individuals in developing countries. The next application deadline is 20 July 2026.

Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum

Gender Responsive Research for Optimized Women Fellowship

2026-07-24

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) invites applications for its GROW Fellowship. This two-year, immersive non-residential program strengthens the leadership pipeline of women professionals working in plant breeding, livestock breeding, and related fields across Africa. Eligible applicants must be female citizens of any African country who hold at least a master's degree in plant or livestock breeding and possess a minimum of five years of experience in crop or livestock improvement research. Eligible candidates must also be affiliated with a university, national agricultural research institution, private company, or other relevant organization. The fellowship provides customized leadership, negotiation, and mentoring training, though specific monetary funding amounts are not disclosed. The deadline for applications is 24 July 2026.

Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife

Rainforest Trust

Creating New Protected Areas

2026-07-01

The Rainforest Trust partners with local conservation organizations to create new protected areas and expand existing ones for Critically Endangered and Endangered species. The Initiative invites applications for conservation partnerships from nonprofit entities and NGOs for projects in tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Applying organizations may submit proposals for either a land purchase or a protected area designation. Applications to create new protected areas are reviewed three times per year. The application deadlines are 01 July and 01 October 2026. Applications for less than US$250 thousand may be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

UK Government

Extra Grants for Biodiversity

2026-07-01

The Darwin Initiative invites applications for its Extra grants program to fund large-scale, collaborative projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and reducing poverty in eligible low- to upper-middle-income countries. Non-governmental organisations, research institutions, and private sector businesses can apply with initiatives that demonstrate strong potential to scale up proven environmental interventions. The program provides funding ranging from £1 million to £5 million for a project period lasting between two and five years. The deadline for Phase I applications is 01 July 2026.

Save Our Seas Foundation

Small Grants 2026

2026-07-03

The Save Our Seas Foundation invites applications for its small grants program to support original, innovative start-up projects focused on marine research, conservation, or education. The opportunity is dedicated to early-career scientists, conservationists, and educators worldwide who are within five years of receiving their degree. Eligible projects must focus specifically on marine chondrichthyan species, such as sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimaeras. The foundation provides annual grants of up to US$10 thousand, with awards averaging US$5,000, to cover local initiatives lasting up to 18 months. The deadline for stage-one applications is 03 July 2026.

GOT BAG

Care Collective Fund

2026-07-05

GOT BAG offers the Care Collective Fund to support global ocean health and climate action initiatives. The grant program funds a diverse range of partners, including non-governmental organizations, foundations, grassroots initiatives, activists, academic research projects, and social enterprises. Eligible projects must fit a maximum duration of 12 months and align with one of the program’s three systemic pillars: plastic life cycle, maritime ecosystems, or community of care and climate resilience. While the program supports projects worldwide, it gives preference to locally led initiatives in the Global South and high-leakage regions like Southeast Asia and coastal Africa. Selected applicants receive a grant of €10,000 to implement their project. The deadline for applications is 05 July 2026.

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

Biodiversity Conservation in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands

2026-07-07

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites letters of inquiry for large grants to support biodiversity conservation in the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot. Non-governmental organizations, community groups, private enterprises, and other civil society entities are eligible to apply for projects that strengthen the protection of priority sites and ecosystems. Grants are available for amounts over US$50 thousand to support conservation actions in Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. The deadline for submission is 07 July 2026.

Earth Journalism Network

Media Workshop on Biodiversity Reporting in Kenya

2026-07-11

The Earth Journalism Network invites applications for a specialized workshop in Malindi, Kenya, aimed at strengthening conservation and environmental reporting. Print, broadcast, digital, and freelance journalists based in Kenya are eligible to apply, with priority given to women, rural, Indigenous, and early-career media professionals. The program provides a fully funded training experience for about 15 selected participants, covering all costs for travel, accommodation, and meals from 24 to 26 August 2026. The application deadline is 11 July 2026.

Conservation Nation

Global Grant Program

2026-07-15

The Conservation Nation Grant Program provides funding to help save endangered animals and their ecosystems. This grant will assist early to mid-career conservationists in their efforts by granting up to US$5,000 each, which will fund activities that are essential for their life-saving work but may not be covered by standard grant programs. Applications have to be received by 15 July 2026.

Leakey Foundation

Research on Primates

2026-07-15

The Leakey Foundation funds research related to human origins. This includes research on primate biology, ecology, and behavior. The majority of research grants awarded to doctoral students range from US$3 thousand to US$20 thousand. Larger projects by senior scientists and post-doctoral students may be funded up to US$30 thousand. There are no citizenship restrictions. The next application deadline is 15 July 2026.

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners

Ocean Innovation Funding Program

2026-07-31

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners invites applications for its ocean innovation program to transform promising marine technologies into real-world conservation tools. Universities, non-profit organisations, and startup companies globally can apply with practical, scalable hardware or software projects that improve ocean health, enhance sustainable fisheries, or support habitat restoration. The program does not fund individuals directly unless they apply through an eligible institution or business. Grant amounts typically range between US$100 thousand and US$400 thousand to support the development, testing, and deployment of these systems. The application deadline is 31 July 2026.

Global Landscapes Forum

Restoration Stewards

2026-07-31

The Restoration Stewards program supports the work of young restoration practitioners and their teams through funding, mentorship, and training to deepen the impact of youth-led restoration projects. Teams receive a grant of €5 thousand to develop their restoration project and raise awareness among their local communities about the importance of ecosystem restoration and healthy landscapes. Projects may focus on preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. The application deadline is 31 July 2026.

African World Heritage Fund

Grants for World Heritage Conservation

2026-07-31

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) provides grants to implement projects and activities which focus on improving the state of conservation of World Heritage properties located in Africa. Project activities are restricted to African government institutions involved in the management and protection of World Heritage sites, both cultural and natural, as defined by UNESCO. The grant will cover direct costs related to project activities. Applicants can apply for up to US$10 thousand in project funding. Projects must be implemented within 12 months. The application for financial assistance closes on 31 July 2026.

Crosscutting

Meaningful Business 100

Entrepreneur Award

2026-07-03

The Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) is an annual award program that honors global leaders who effectively combine profit and purpose to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The award is open to social entrepreneurs, corporate sustainability leaders, impact investors, and micro-entrepreneurs across various industries and regions. Individuals can nominate themselves or others. The deadline for entries is 03 July 2026.

Moonshot Platform

Award for Young Changemakers

2026-07-12

The Moonshot Platform invites applications for the Moonshot Awards to back exceptional young changemakers developing solutions to the world's most urgent challenges. The program is open to global entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, and social advocates between the ages of 15 and 30 who are leading early-stage projects, startups, or non-profits that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Winners receive equity-free grants ranging from US$5 thousand to US$10 thousand depending on the category, alongside entry into a two-year leadership acceleration program that includes professional mentorship and fully sponsored travel to the awards ceremony in New York City. The final deadline for submissions is 12 July 2026.

Photography 4 Humanity

Climate Justice Photography

2026-07-12

Photography 4 Humanity invites amateur and professional photographers worldwide to submit images for its 2026 Global Prize. This year’s theme, "HOME," asks artists to explore concepts of safety, belonging, and identity in a world shaped by climate change and displacement. The competition is open to individuals at least 18 years of age, and entrants may submit up to five photographs taken within the last three years. The Global Prize recipient receives a US$5 thousand cash award, and their work will be exhibited at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Human Rights Day. The deadline for submissions is 12 July 2026.

Social Nest Foundation

Startup Challenge

2026-07-14

The Social Nest Foundation invites applications for its 2026 Startup Challenge to support early- and growth-stage ventures driving social and environmental transformation. Legally incorporated startups from any country are eligible to apply, provided they have a validated minimum viable product or a product already on the market. The competition focuses on five innovation areas, including climate tech, smart cities, agritech, health, and inclusive economic systems. The single winning startup receives a €10 thousand cash prize, alongside international pitch opportunities and matchmaking sessions with investors in Valencia, Spain. The application deadline is 14 July 2026.

Zendesk

Tech for Good Impact Awards

2026-07-15

The Zendesk Tech for Good Impact Awards provides free software and multiple grants ranging from US$5 thousand to US$50 thousand to global nonprofit organizations. Impact Awards are made to products that promote resilience, foster community, and increase access to careers in technology in areas that range from refugee rights to environmental justice. Zendesk will also provide free product and software donations and Pro Bono support. Applications are due 15 July 2026.

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Science and SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists 2026

2026-07-15

The SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists rewards outstanding early-career researchers. The prize is awarded annually to four young scientists for research performed while they were graduate students in the fields of cell and molecular biology, genomics, proteomics and systems biology, ecology and evolution, or molecular medicine. Applicants must have been awarded their PhD between 01 January 2023 and 31 December 2024. The grand prize winner receives US$30 thousand, and each of the three category winners receives US$10 thousand. Additionally, the grand prize-winning essay is published in Science, and the category winners' essays are published online.The deadline for entries is 15 July 2026.

Sustainability & ESG Africa

Student Innovation Challenge

2026-07-16

The Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo invites applications for its Student Innovation Challenge to uncover practical solutions to systemic environmental, social, and governance issues. Eligible applicants must be 30 years of age or younger and currently enrolled at an accredited university or higher learning institution. Submissions must fall under one of four designated themes, including Nature, Biodiversity and Inclusive Economies. While the specific cash prize amounts or grant funding totals are not specified, winners will present their solutions at the main conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The deadline for applications is 16 July 2026.

African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum

Pitch n Grow Competition

2026-07-20

The African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum invites applications for its Pitch n Grow competition. The program offers early-stage and high-growth women-led African startups the opportunity to present their business models directly to an audience of international investors, venture capitalists, and corporate executives during the annual forum. Eligible applicants must be female founders or business leaders running enterprises based in any African country. The competition focuses on providing market visibility, technical mentoring, and investor match-making; however, specific monetary grant awards are not disclosed. The application deadline is 20 July 2026.

Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future

Prize for Environmental Stewardship

2026-07-20

The Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future invites applications for the second cycle of the Earthna Prize. The award program supports global initiatives and projects that integrate traditional knowledge and cultural heritage to tackle contemporary environmental and sustainability challenges. Legally incorporated entities worldwide, including non-governmental organizations, community-based groups, civil society organizations, and private sector businesses, are eligible to apply. Submitted projects must focus on one or more of five strategic areas: water systems, food systems, terrestrial ecosystems, marine and coastal ecosystems, or built environments. The program features a total prize pool of US$1 million, which will be awarded among four winners to help scale and continue their environmental work. The application deadline is 20 July 2026.

Wellcome Trust

Early-Career Awards

2026-07-21

The Wellcome Trust supports bold and creative discovery research that has the potential to improve human life, health, and well-being. The Early-Career Awards provide funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity through innovative projects. Research can be in any discipline, including STEM, experimental medicine, or climate – as long as it has the potential to improve human life. The Trust covers the researcher’s salary and up to £400 thousand for research expenses. The applicant’s host organization has to be based in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, or a low- or middle-income country (apart from India and mainland China). The deadline for new applications is 21 July 2026.

Institute for Security Studies

Young Changemakers 2026

2026-07-26

The Institute for Security Studies invites submissions for its Young Changemakers 2026 essay and video competition, aimed at centering youth perspectives on Africa's long-term future. The opportunity is open to African citizens between 18 and 30 years old who are currently residing on the continent or in the diaspora. Applicants must submit either an essay of up to two thousand words or a three-minute video addressing key development and governance transitions for Africa over the next two decades. Winners will receive fully funded travel to participate in a high-level dialogue in Pretoria, South Africa, alongside mentorship and publication opportunities. The deadline for submissions is 26 July 2026.

Embassy of Japan

Grants for Grassroots Projects in Uganda

2026-07-31

The Embassy of Japan in Uganda provides financial assistance to non-profit, development-oriented organizations in support of community development projects in Uganda. Any projects geared towards grassroots assistance are eligible for financing, including water and sanitation, disaster relief, and agricultural development. The grant amount per project is generally under 10 million yen (approx. US$100 thousand). Potential recipients are international or local NGOs, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and local governments. The Embassy receives concept papers anytime throughout the year, but the selection process is conducted twice a year with deadlines on 15 February and 31 July.

The Memory of the Land: Women, Partnership, and Agricultural Transformation

2026-06-29T09:02:45.529+00:00

26 June 2026 The "The Memory of the Land: Women, Partnership, and Agricultural Transformation" webinar, was the second webinar in AgroSpectrum Asia's global series marking the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.

The session explored the central role of women in transforming agriculture and food systems, arguing that women are not only food producers but also innovators, knowledge custodians, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are helping agriculture respond to climate change, biodiversity loss, market volatility, and technological change. The webinar emphasized that the future of sustainable agriculture depends on partnerships—across genders, generations, institutions, disciplines, and regions—to create more resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.

Discussions focused on how women are bridging traditional agricultural knowledge with scientific research and innovation, strengthening community resilience, promoting climate adaptation, and connecting policy with farmers' realities. Speakers shared examples of women-led innovation in farming, seed conservation, research, agri-business, and international agricultural partnerships. The webinar also examined practical approaches for integrating gender inclusion into agricultural policy, fostering collaboration across the agricultural value chain, and supporting the next generation of women agri-leaders. Participants were encouraged to view partnership not simply as institutional cooperation, but as the foundation for restoring more equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems.

Joanna Kane-Potaka – Executive Secretary, GFAiR – Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation and Research; spoke on the importance of global partnerships and women-led agricultural transformation.
Evalyne Okoth – Woman farmer engaged in research; shared practical experiences from farming and community-based agricultural innovation.
Carlo Fadda – Research Director, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT; discussed the role of agricultural biodiversity, research, and partnerships in building resilient food systems.
Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg – Managing Director for Africa, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and one of the World Food Prize Foundation's 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers; addressed women's leadership, institutional change, and inclusive agricultural innovation across Africa.
Moderator: Suchetana Choudhury Goswami – Session moderator, who guided the discussion on women's leadership, partnerships, and agricultural transformation.

Related: FAO releases most comprehensive dataset to date on women in agrifood systems

28 May 2026. The first webinar in AgroSpectrum Asia's International Year of Women Farmers 2026 series focused on the growing leadership of women across agriculture and the need to recognize women as key drivers of innovation, resilience, and food system transformation.

SEE THE RECORDING HERE

Rather than viewing women solely as producers, the webinar highlighted their expanding roles as researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders who are shaping climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive rural development. It also examined how women-led partnerships across research institutions, governments, farmer organizations, and the private sector are strengthening agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of climate change and market uncertainty.

The discussion emphasized that sustainable agricultural transformation depends on building stronger partnerships between science and practice, integrating indigenous and local knowledge with innovation, and creating opportunities for women to participate in decision-making at every level of the agrifood system. Speakers shared experiences from Africa and Asia on women-led innovation, climate adaptation, agri-enterprise development, and research collaboration, while also exploring how future food systems can become more equitable, resilient, and inclusive.

Sumini Sampa, Senior Agricultural Research Officer, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute; National Focal Point – Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture: From Genetic Resources to Resilient Food Systems: Why Women Matter
Dr. Chapwa Kasoma, Scientist – Invasive Species Management, CABI Southern Africa Centre: Climate Change, Invasive Species and the Need for Collaborative Agricultural Solutions
Chileshe Bwalya, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Manager, iDE: Why Gender Equity Is Central to Agricultural Transformation
Sussana Phiri, YPARD Zambia Country Representative: Young Women Reimagining Agriculture Through Leadership and Innovation
Joanna Kane-Potaka, Executive Secretary, Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation and Research (GFAiR): Partnerships That Power Global Agricultural Innovation
Moderator: Suchetana Choudhury Goswami – Session moderator, who guided the discussion on women's leadership, partnerships, and agricultural transformation.

8 + 22 + 29 June 2026. Cultivating Change: Women Reclaiming and Transforming Food Systems Webinar Series

Webinar 1 | 08 June 2026. Women Farmers and Food Security: Visibility, Roles and Realities
Women farmers play a critical role in ensuring global and local food security, yet their roles often remain under-recognised in policy and practice. This session, featuring insights from UN Women and local women's rights organisations, explores the lived realities of women farmers and the structural factors shaping their work and livelihoods. Regional perspectives will highlight concrete challenges, experiences, and opportunities for strengthening women’s roles in sustainable food systems.

Webinar 2 | 22 June 2026, Structural Barriers and Gender Inequalities in Food Systems
The second session examines structural barriers faced by women farmers, including access to land, finance, services and decision-making. It also explores how climate change, market volatility, supply chains and digitalisation affect women differently. Speakers will highlight women-led solutions and initiatives that address these challenges in practice, combining evidence-based insights with experiences from women leaders and practitioners working to transform seed and food systems.

Webinar 3 | 29 June 2026, What Works: Tools, Evidence and Pathways for Gender-Transformative Change
The final session highlights practical tools, learning approaches, and evidence for advancing gender-transformative change in agriculture and food systems. Drawing on FemHub’s work on toolkits, learning formats, and measuring change, it explores what makes interventions effective in practice—and how practitioners can move from intention to implementation. The session concludes with a joint reflection and call to action.

Agribusiness, Agro-Processing & Food Value Chains

2026-06-29T08:20:49.001+00:00

27 June 2026. The Women in Geopolitics Debate Series webinar, focused on the theme "Agribusiness, Agro-Processing & Food Value Chains", examining why Africa—despite possessing some of the world's richest agricultural resources—continues to rely heavily on food imports.

The discussion explored whether the continent's food insecurity stems primarily from insufficient agricultural production or from deeper structural constraints such as weak market linkages, limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented regional value chains, and policy shortcomings.

Rather than concentrating solely on farming, the webinar emphasized the need to transform entire agrifood systems by strengthening agro-processing, investment, logistics, technology adoption, and intra-African trade so that agriculture becomes a driver of industrialization, employment, and economic sovereignty.

Why does the African continent possess nearly 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land, yet somehow spends a staggering $100 billion every single year importing food? In this powerful episode of Women in Geopolitics, international experts drop the pleasantries to expose the value chain crisis holding Africa back.

Ambassador Peko masterfully unpacks why Africa doesn't have a production problem, but an ownership problem. From global conglomerates controlling the world's seeds to the tragic reality of exporting raw cocoa, cotton, and coffee only to buy them back as Swiss chocolate, Louis Vuitton, and Starbucks—Africa is producing wealth for everyone except itself.
On-the-ground expert Maureen Onyango and others joins the conversation to reveal the shocking disconnect in the ecosystem: local manufacturers are importing agricultural goods from outside the continent while identical local crops rot in post-harvest losses due to broken logistics and high cross-border trade costs. This isn't just a video about farming—it's a masterclass on economic sovereignty, geopolitical strategy, and the 4 assets Africa MUST own to reclaim its future.

The session formed part of the Women in Geopolitics Debate Series, organized by Leading Women of Africa (LWA), which seeks to highlight women's leadership in strategic sectors shaping Africa's future.

The webinar brought together a panel of senior leaders and practitioners from across the African agribusiness ecosystem to discuss practical pathways for increasing agricultural competitiveness and reducing dependence on imported food.
Speakers represented expertise in agricultural policy, agribusiness investment, agro-processing, food value chains, entrepreneurship, and regional market development, contributing perspectives on improving farmer access to finance, strengthening processing industries, expanding regional trade, and creating inclusive value chains that benefit women and youth.
The organizers presented the event as an interactive policy dialogue aimed at connecting policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and development partners around a shared vision of building a more resilient, food-secure, and economically competitive Africa. While the announcement highlights a "distinguished panel," the publicly accessible event page does not list the speakers by name; instead, they were presented in an embedded event graphic that is not machine-readable in the available online version.