The draft NALC project document will be presented and validated by key stakeholders from both the Government and donor community on 30 January 2025. (Image source: FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is providing technical assistance to the Government of Zimbabwe in developing a National Agricultural and Livestock Census (NALC) Plan of Action

This collaboration is part of FAO’s broader efforts to support Zimbabwe in strengthening its agricultural data systems and ensuring food security for its population. For the next two weeks, senior statisticians and economists from key strategic sectors are gathered in Harare to discuss and document data needs, methodological considerations, overall planning and the required resources for undertaking the agricultural and livestock census in a project document as per the FAO World Programme for the Census of Agriculture (WCA 2020).

At the same time, the Government professionals are updating data on food availability for human consumption in terms calories, fats, minerals, proteins, vitamins and other micro and macro nutrients per capita per day to support food security and nutrition policies.

The draft NALC project document will be presented and validated by key stakeholders from both the Government and donor community on 30 January 2025, as an important tool for resource mobilisation to be used by both the Government and its development partners. The implementation of NALC will follow once the required resources become available.

Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the presentations and adopted various recommendations. (Image source: Ministry of Information Eritrea)

A meeting by the National Agricultural Research Institutions was held on 21 January at the Halhale Agricultural Research Centre to review the activities of 2024 and action plan for 2025

During the meeting, detailed briefings were provided on natural and transformative resources, crop improvement, livestock resources, agricultural engineering, food and biotechnology, ongoing research activities, and the challenges encountered.

Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the presentations and adopted various recommendations. These included publishing and distributing research outcomes, strengthening research on vegetables and fruits, reviving the research centre in Sheib, and reinforcing research on food technology.

Minister of Agriculture, Arefaine Berhe called for intensified research activities and urged a revision of policies to improve and renovate certain crops. He further emphasised the importance of engaging the public and local administrations in efforts to identify and hybridise animal types, recruiting young agricultural researchers, and reviving research activities in the eastern plains.

AGRA announced a three-year investment of up to US$3mn in Seeds2B Africa. (Image source: USAID)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announced the contribution of US$9.95mn aimed at strengthening the Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) to support the building of functional seed systems on the content

With a focus on forming strategic partnerships, CESSA serves as a one-stop centre to address challenges in African seed systems and accelerate the building of functional seed systems required for a food secure continent. The funding plays a key role in advancing the African Union's Seed Sector Action Plan (2020–2030).  

“Strengthening Africa’s seed systems is a fundamental component of the continental agenda in the newly endorsed Kampala Declaration and a priority for food security, resilience, and inclusive economic growth in African countries," said AGRA president, Dr Agnes Kalibata. "AGRA is pleased to deepen collaboration with USAID and other partners through CESSA, drawing on collective strengths, expertise, and portfolios to support this country-led agenda and develop the sector together.

AGRA announced a three-year investment of up to US$3mn in the Kenya-based enterprise Seeds2B Africa that will work to increase smallholder farmers’ resilience, incomes, food security, nutrition and ultimately improve their livelihoods in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. 

Tony Gathungu, global head of Seeds2B and CEO of Seeds2B Africa Social Enterprise emphasised the vital role of resilient seed systems in improving agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa. “Seeds2B Africa will drive the commercialisation of stress-tolerant, nutrient-dense, and market-preferred seeds while building the capacity of seed companies to generate demand and expand access," said Gathungu. "By equipping farmers with high-quality seeds and innovative tools, this initiative will enhance resilience, boost productivity, and improve livelihoods across the region.”

The partnership will focus on implementing best-in-class agricultural practices, capacity building programmes as well as undertaking comprehensive vegetable seed trials. (Image source: Bayer)

Building on their successful collaboration announced in 2023, Silal and Bayer have expanded their strategic partnership through a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai

The MoU outlines an ambitious programme of collaboration through 2028, focusing on four key initiatives designed to advance agricultural practices in arid environments around the world like the UAE, with both organisations aiming to contribute meaningfully to the region’s National Food Security, while also addressing climate change challenges.  

The partnership will also scale up agricultural capacity building through Bayer's BayG.A.P. programme, with particular emphasis on regenerative agriculture practices suitable for arid climates. A key innovation in this phase includes the implementation of digital monitoring and verification platforms to ensure the effective adoption of sustainable farming practices. Additionally, the collaboration encompasses the extension of comprehensive vegetable seed trials aimed at identifying crops better suited to local growing conditions and market demands.

Hugo Hagen, Senior Bayer Representative – Middle East at Bayer, stated: "The signing of this MoU represents a major step forward in our partnership with Silal. This detailed framework allows us to bring together Bayer's global expertise in sustainable agriculture with Silal's deep understanding of local agricultural challenges, advancing our mission of ‘Health for all, Hunger for none’ while addressing critical climate challenges."