Science and innovation is reshaping Africa's agrifood systems.

African-led science and innovation are key to transforming agrifood systems across the continent

This was the central message of a special side event held during the Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening South-South & Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in Africa, organised by the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) and hosted by the Government of Tanzania.

The Scaling Science & Innovation for Resilient Agrifood Systems: African Solutions through South-South and Triangular Cooperation event took place on the second day of the Dialogue. It served as a precursor to the Science & Innovation Forum at the FAO World Food Forum in October. The event gathered African experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore how homegrown innovations can transform African agrifood systems.

Opening the session, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, emphasised the role of science and innovation in reshaping Africa's agrifood systems. He called for scaling successful practices through stronger partnerships and better policy alignment. "Africa stands today at a defining moment. Our agrifood systems face immense pressure from intensifying climate change, growing scarcity of land and water, frequent pest and disease outbreaks, and persistent post-harvest losses that undermine productivity and incomes. Yet, amidst these challenges, a new generation of African scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators is reimagining agriculture, its business model, mechanisms of knowledge sharing, and scaling up technologies," he said.

Anthony Egeru, professor from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) highlighted Africa's untapped potential in homegrown scientific knowledge and innovation. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among African research institutions, as intra-African scientific cooperation remains limited.

Two expert panels followed, one focusing on scalable technologies benefiting smallholder farmers, and the other on how science-policy partnerships can foster innovation uptake. Among the innovators featured was Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture (ISDA), whose flagship product, the Virtual Agronomist, has increased yields by 60% among farmers using the AI-based tool.

FAO also showcased its work on plant protection with the eLocust3, a real-time data tool for monitoring locust outbreaks.

Peter Anaadumba, FAO South-South Cooperation Officer, stressed the need for strong policy frameworks, sustained financial support, and partnerships to create environments conducive to innovation. This event reinforced FAO's commitment to advancing African-led solutions and set the stage for further discussions at the Science and Innovation Forum in October.

This initiative invites young people aged 12-18 globally to create robots that tackle food insecurity.

At the opening of the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the Robotics for Good – Youth Challenge 2025–26

This initiative invites young people aged 12-18 globally to create robots that tackle food insecurity.

 QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General emphasized the importance of empowering youth in the fight against hunger. "This challenge is not just about robotics," he said, "It is about empowering youth to become agents of change in the fight against hunger."

 QU Dongyu also addressed the growing digital divide, which is hindering progress in low-income and rural areas. "The digital divide is becoming development divide,"  he stated. With 1 in 3 people worldwide still offline, especially in developing regions, AI's potential to reduce poverty and improve resilience remains out of reach for many.

FAO is working to bridge this gap by using AI to enhance global agrifood systems. Their digital tools help with precision agriculture, resource management, early warning systems, and market access. One of their successes includes AI-powered advisory services for smallholder farmers, which have reduced costs from US$30 to US$3 per farmer.

The FAO also uses AI for remote sensing and geospatial analysis to monitor drought, water stress, and crop health. Additionally, FAO is developing a knowledge bot and the world’s first agrifood-focused foundation AI model to provide context-specific solutions.

FAO is committed to ethical AI use, advocating for transparency, human dignity, and "do no harm."  QU Dongyu concluded by urging partners to ensure AI is inclusive, transparent, and human-centered. "We must work together to address global challenges and accelerate progress in agrifood systems."

The AI for Good Summit, co-organized by the ITU and Swiss Government, gathers experts and stakeholders to explore AI's role in tackling global challenges.

Ethiopia plans to sow seeds on a total of 21 million hectares of land this season.

Girma Amente in a recent press conference revealed that Ethiopia has covered seven million hectares of land with seeds during the current rainy season

Girma stated that the country is working towards achieving its food sovereignty goals. He pointed out that the agricultural sector has shown strong performance over the past years, especially during the summer, spring, and irrigation farming seasons.

According to Girma, Ethiopia plans to sow seeds on a total of 21 million hectares of land this season. He said, “Some hectares of the land have already been covered with cereal seeds such as maize and the likes.”  He added that crops like teff, wheat, and barley are currently being sown in different areas based on the local ecological conditions.

Girma also stated that this year’s harvest is expected to be better due to the use of modern technologies and awareness-raising campaigns among farmers. Fertilizers, improved seeds, and other essential agricultural inputs have been delivered to farmers on time, which will help boost productivity and yields.

He emphasized that summer is the most important farming season in Ethiopia, as 70 percent of the country’s annual harvest is grown during this period. This year, 13 million hectares will be cultivated using cluster farming methods. This marks an increase compared to the same period last year. He stressed the importance of expanding cluster farming as it significantly increases productivity and helps improve farming practices.

In addition, the minister reported that 6 million hectares of land have been cultivated through mechanized farming, which is an increase of one million hectares compared to last year. He pointed out that the adoption of technology in agriculture is growing rapidly and is playing a key role in modernizing the sector.

Girma said a target has been set to harvest over 659 million quintals of crops by covering 21 million hectares of land in this meher season. “The major breakthrough is that farmers’ use of technology has been widely growing,” he added.

Courteenhall is now seen as a leading example of forward-thinking land management.

Courteenhall Estate in Northamptonshire, run by former doctor Johnny Wake, has been recognised for its outstanding approach to sustainable and regenerative farming

Johnny recently won Sustainable Farmer of the Year 2024 at the British Farming Awards and has now achieved another milestone. Courteenhall has become the first landholding in Northamptonshire, and one of only five nationally, to receive Wildlife Farms & Estates (WFE) England and Wales Level Two accreditation. This prestigious award was presented to Johnny Wake, Rosie Davis, and Jack Rawson at Groundswell, the annual regenerative agriculture festival in Hertfordshire, by Mark Tufnell, Chair of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

WFE Level Two accreditation is considered a gold standard in promoting wildlife and biodiversity. It is awarded to farms that show a clear commitment to environmental, economic, and social sustainability through independent assessment.

Johnny said, “We’re really thrilled to have been presented with our Level Two accreditation, and to be the first estate in Northamptonshire to receive this prestigious award for our excellence in land management and nature. At Courteenhall we’re committed to continuous improvement and to making sure the business is as sustainable as possible for both the bottom line and the environment. Our strategy is to go above and beyond when it comes to farming and for working for nature, because everything we do on the land is about leaving a legacy to be proud of.”

Tom Leicester, The Earl of Leicester and Chairman of WFE, praised the estate’s approach. “Courteenhall Farms has embraced the start of its environmental journey with ambition and pace. From native cattle grazing and woodland regeneration to rewetting parkland and restoring historic ponds... Courteenhall embodies a strong sense of place, with the value of nature deeply woven into its ethos.”

Courteenhall is now seen as a leading example of forward-thinking land management.