AAGB-2025 featured a comprehensive scientific programme, including three plenary talks and a high-level panel discussion focused on outlining a roadmap for groundnut improvement over the next decade. (Image source: ICRISAT)

ICRISAT in collaboration with the Peanut Research Foundation organised the 13th International Conference on Advances in Arachis through Genomics and Biotechnology (AAGB-2025) which took place from 23-25 March 2025 in Goa, India

The AAGB-2025 served as a vital platform for bringing together a global community of scientists, researchers, and industry experts to explore cutting-edge developments in groundnut (peanut) genomics and biotechnology and the innovations aimed at enhancing crop resilience, productivity, and nutritional quality. The conference saw participation from over 250 delegates from more than 18 countries including India, China, the US, Japan, Mali, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, among others.

AAGB-2025 featured a comprehensive scientific programme, including three plenary talks and a high-level panel discussion focused on outlining a roadmap for groundnut improvement over the next decade. The event also hosted 10 thematic scientific sessions, bringing together leading experts from around the world. In addition, the three-day conference also featured a dedicated poster session showcasing 26 posters. The conference provided a valuable platform for young researchers and students to present their work and interact with global experts.

These sessions covered a wide array of critical topics, including genebank genomics and pan-genomics, trait mapping and gene discovery, genomics-assisted breeding, food safety, nutrition and quality, functional genomics, genome editing, and other emerging technologies. Discussions also focused on strategies for effectively translating genetic innovations into practical applications in groundnut cropping systems. 

Awards were also presented by deputy director general – research and innovation, ICRISAT, Dr Stanford Blade for five outstanding posters and five exceptional presentations by young researchers during the conference.  Another key highlight of the event was the involvement from industry stakeholders, with exhibitions by organisations such as DSS Takara, the South Africa Groundnut Association (SAGA), and Premas Life Sciences, underscoring the strong industry-science partnership in advancing groundnut research.

“For dryland crops like groundnut, strong partnerships and collaborative efforts are essential to drive meaningful impact at the field level. It is encouraging to witness the active engagement of both national and international partners, including the Peanut Research Foundation, in advancing this critical area of research,” said director general of ICRISAT, Dr Himanshu Pathak. President of the Peanut Research Foundation, Dr Steve Brown joined the event virtually and expressed his pleasure regarding their partnership in organising the conference. 

Through its participation, FAO will offer in-depth discussions and interactive sessions that align with the core mandate of FAO in Zimbabwe in alignment with national agrifood systems priorities. (Image source: FAO)

Themed 'Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape,' the 65th blue sapphire edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is scheduled to be held from 21-26 April in Bulawayo

Through participation at the ZITF, FAO will offer in-depth discussions and interactive sessions that align with the core mandate of FAO in Zimbabwe in alignment with national agrifood systems priorities. The dialogues and networking sessions on various thematic issues framed under FAO’s key programme priorities will enhance stakeholder experience and provide a platform for interaction, learning, and collaboration.

Through its participation, FAO will offer in-depth discussions and interactive sessions that align with the core mandate of FAO in Zimbabwe in alignment with national agrifood systems priorities. The dialogues and networking sessions on various thematic issues framed under FAO’s key programme priorities will enhance stakeholder experience and provide a platform for interaction, learning, and collaboration.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon stressed stressed the importance of engaging businesses, youth, and communities in the food security and agriculture sector and their role in transforming food systems, fostering climate resilience, and achieving sustainable development goals. "A lot is weighed against developing countries' ability to shape food systems. In many cases, the essential financial and value chain systems are absent and must be constructed from the ground up," said Kallon. This highlights the urgent need for cohesive efforts in building resilient food systems that can drive economic growth and lift entire communities out of recurrent hunger and poverty.

This initiative aims to celebrate and promote the most promising startups on the continent seeking to address major economic, societal and environmental challenges. (Image source: Viva Technology)

Viva Technology has announced the 45 finalists for the fourth annual edition of the AfricaTech Awards

The mission of the VivaTech initiative is to highlight and support the most innovative and highest-impact startups on the African continent. The AfricaTech Awards reaffirm their ambition to honor African innovation and entrepreneurship at VivaTech. This initiative aims to celebrate and promote the most promising startups on the continent seeking to address major economic, societal and environmental challenges.

This year again, the prize focused on young companies with high potential in three key sectors: GreenTech; HealthTech; and E-commerce & FinTech. VivaTech and its Knowledge Partner, Deloitte, selected the finalists out of 492 applicants for this 2025 edition. Nigeria confirmed its dynamism with the highest representation among the 56 African countries in the running. Of the 45 finalist startups, half were founded or co-founded by women. 

"I am proud that this year's AfricaTech Awards has once again attracted so many high-quality entries from across the African continent," said François Bitouzet, managing director of Viva Technology. “This reinforces our approach at VivaTech: to bring together the many voices of tech. And, of course, we are delighted once again to showcase the unique place of Africa in the international atlas of innovation.”

The winners will be announced at the VivaTech Global Awards Ceremony taking place on 12 June 2025, with Édouard Mendy as patron of the AfricaTech Awards for the second year in a row. 

The workshop was attended by vegetable and fruit development experts. (Image source: Ministry of Information, Eritrea)

On 3 April, a workshop was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture on seed potato certification protocol validation in Asmara, Eritrea

The workshop was attended by vegetable and fruit development experts from the Ministry of Agriculture’s central office, regional branches, as well as from Hamelmalo College of Agriculture. Tekleab Misgina, Director General of Regulatory Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the workshop is part of the initiatives undertaken by the national committee established in 2014 to distribute improved potato seed.

He also noted that it would provide significant input in refining the regulatory draft to ensure the quality of potato seed distributed to farmers. According to the draft regulation, farmers are advised to not plant potato seed varieties that are unofficial and unverified and only use those that are endorsed by agricultural research organisations. During the workshop, participants presented and adopted various recommendations.