The International Symposium on Pathways to Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials to Support Sustainable Livestock Transformation (RENOFARM) took place from 25-26 April in Chongqing, China

Stakeholders, experts and politicians from around the globe gathered at the RENOFARM symposium last month, to discuss the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which is becoming a serious problem across Africa, particularly in the agriculture sector. By taking part, AU-IBAR demonstrated its dedication to fighting antimicrobial resistance and promoting sustainable livestock practices among African Union member states.

The symposium which was in line with the goals of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance Control (2020-2025), was convened by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to present the project, encourage participation, and pinpoint important approaches to put it into action. Besides enhancing the worldwide response to AMR, the symposium also promoted One Health concepts through collaborations with groups like AU-IBAR.

The significance of customised strategies for various livestock value chains was further emphasised at the symposium, which also brought attention to the priorities and difficulties encountered by African Union member states in executing RENOFARM. Throughout the symposium, various sessions and presentations addressed critical issues related to reducing the need for antimicrobials. Topics ranged from EU One Health actions and biosecurity measures to national action plans and good production practices. Key achievements included the launch of the RENOFARM initiative, the exchange of country and regional priorities, and the issuance of the Rongchang Statement outlining future actions. Participants emphasised the importance of accelerating the implementation of national action plans, strengthening evidence-based policy-making, and promoting international collaboration.

A presentation titled 'Alternatives to Antimicrobials to Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials - Examples from African Union Member States,' was also delivered by AU-IBAR's AMR Expert, Dr Joseph Magona, providing valuable insights into the key pathways for implementing RENOFARM within African Union member states. In addition, he also shed light on alternative strategies to mitigate antimicrobial use in various livestock value-chains, emphasising the importance of good husbandry practices, vaccination, and biosecurity measures.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently inaugurated a new drilling project, aimed at improving employment opportunities for youth through improved dairy and fodder production 

Promising to transform the lives of members of the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative in Chukun, Nigeria, the project which was initiated by the Value Chain Foundation with financial support from ECOWAS and the Swiss Cooperation (DDC), is part of the Regional Programme for Support to Farmer Organisations (PRAOP). 

The objective of the project is to improve the dairy and fooder production by enhancing local milk production through the establishment of family dairy farms and the management of cows and calves, increasing the availability and accessibility of feed and forage, and facilitating knowledge sharing among dairy farmers and stakeholders. This in turn improves employment opportunities for youth. 

At the end of its implementation, the project is expected to create 22 direct jobs, produce 400 tons of fodder, train 600 youths from 100 households and 10 young individuals, connect 100 households to inputs and services such as feed, forage, medications, veterinary services, and artificial insemination, and link 100 households to governments, development partners, milk supply, with an additional production of 300 liters of raw milk per day and an increase in beneficiaries’ income by about 200%.

The handover of the drilling to the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative and its members, who are primarily composed of livestock farmers, marks a significant step in promoting youth employability and improving the living conditions of cooperative members. The Chukun region, like many other rural areas in Nigeria, faces challenges in accessing clean water, which often hinders agricultural activities and limits development opportunities. 

Therefore, by providing a reliable and essential water source for cooperative members and livestock watering, the project will help improve their main source of livelihood, thus demonstrating ECOWAS’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in West Africa.

The El Nino Drought Action Committee (DAC) was set up by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture Water, Fisheries and Rural Development (MLAFWRD), to develop mitigation strategies to combat the devastating impacts of El Nino-induced drought

To set up the DAC, a multi-stakeholder meeting was conducted in the first week of May, attended by more than 60 key stakeholders representing all provinces and sectors in Zimbabwe. The DAC will be responsible for coordinating all drought response interventions to save lives in the immediate-term and build climate-resilient livelihoods and agrifood systems in the longer-term.

The committee’s primary interventions are to develop short- and long-term mitigation measures in the agriculture sector in particular areas on crops, water, livestock, fisheries, agriculture, and irrigation. Working in close collaboration with the FAO and key stakeholders, the MLAWFRD through the Food Security and Livelihoods cluster, the sectoral response strategy is aligned to the Drought Risk Management Strategy 2017-2025 and the El Nino Response Plan (April 2024). 

During the meeting, the MLAFWRD presented the proposed Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the DAC including the expected deliverables and timelines in alignment to the Drought Response Plan. Stakeholders had the opportunity to deliberate on the proposed ToRs with the objective to formulate co-owned realistic and measurable interventions that clearly spell out roles and responsibilities of the DAC. The meeting outlined the sectors that need specific response strategies and required resources as well as the proposed resource mobilisation strategy.

Sub-committees that will spearhead implementation of the El Nino mitigation strategy, were also agreed upon during the meeting. These include wheat, crops, livestock and fisheries, horticulture, irrigation, grain mobilisation, strategic grain reserve, water and WASH, mechanisation, data and knowledge management. Each sub-committee will be responsible for developing an action plan and implementing matrix with timelines and key deliverables, the progress of which will be continuously monitored and reported to the main committee. 

“We gathered as key stakeholders in the Agriculture sector to coordinate our efforts and create synergies as we address the ongoing El Nino-induced drought that is ravaging our country," asserted chief director, Business Development, Markets and Trade in the MLAFWRD, Clemence Bwenje. "Together, we have the power to overcome the challenges posed by drought and build a more resilient and sustainable future for all. The formation of the Drought Action Committee marks a crucial step forward in our collective journey towards a drought-resilient nation.” 

Africa's leading infrastructure solutions provider, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), is leading the commercial funding for a US$413mn package to finance the engineering, procurement and construction of 186 bridges and crucially needed enhancements to Angola’s road network

Initiated by the Ministry of Public Works, Urban Planning and Housing in Angola, the project aims to improve accessibility in remote areas and supports industrial and commercial activity, advancing prosperity by reducing transport costs and travel times, and easing poverty through job creation. The signing took place at the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, organised by the Corporate Council on Africa.

Improving road connectivity is particularly beneficial to the agricultural sector in producing and marketing much needed cereals for human food and animal feed and livestock, thereby providing a resolute response to increased food imports and fostering localisation of food chains.

“AFC is proud to work with the government and other partners on this landmark project which is set to transform the country’s road transportation infrastructure as Angola makes strides to diversify its economy away from oil,” said AFC board member and head of Financial Services, Sanjeev Gupta. “This project not only supports the country’s drive to make agriculture a foundation for economic growth, but it also prioritises the development of climate resilient infrastructure which contributes significantly to Angola’s climate adaptation plan.”

For more information, visit: https://www.africafc.org/