Agriculture stakeholders reflect on sustainable and resilient food systems for Africa
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Farmers, heads of state, agricultural scientists and representatives of the private sector and civil society are gathering in Nairobi, Kenya, for the 11th AGRF Summit to discuss ways for creating a sustainable and resilient food system in Africa, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) said on Tuesday.
This year's forum, under the theme 'Pathways to Recovery and Resilient Food Systems', will feature an in-depth discussion with various African leaders on how to accelerate the process of creating and developing African food systems.
AGRA is one of the partners of this edition organised by the Kenyan government.
Speaking at the Summit, which runs from 7 to 10 September, AGRA Chairperson Dr. Agnes Kalibata stressed the urgent need to address the challenges that hinder sustainable food systems, such as poverty and hunger, the adverse effects of climate change and health-related issues.
"This is an opportunity for the continent to work together to define the steps we need to take to rebuild our food systems. We need to focus on boosting our productivity and innovatively developing our entire food system to ensure food and nutrition security for all," said Kalibata.
The AGRF 2021 Summit is critical to the future of Africa's agricultural sector. It is a critical moment to highlight and realise many of the policy, regulatory and financial commitments and innovations that the continent has made and needs to make in order to advance the commitments made at the Malabo Heads of State Summit and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
This edition also features the Agribusiness Virtual Marketplace 2021, a platform for forging new trade agreements and commitments.
Through the Virtual Marketplace, businesses in the agriculture and agri-food sector have the opportunity to access financing, mentoring and market entry solutions to support their growth objectives.
It also offers governments the opportunity to present investment opportunities, promote investment incentives and engage with interested investors.
Participants will explore trade agreements and partnership opportunities that promote procurement from African smallholder farmers. It was noted that the AGRF 2021 Summit will also include a Farmers' Forum, the announcement of the African Food Prize 2021 and the release of this year's State of the African Agricultural Sector Report.
AGRA Board Chair and former Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, will attend the summit.
AGRA is a farmer-centred, African-led, partnership-based organisation. It strives to move smallholder farmers from a solitary struggle for survival to a prosperous business.
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