The new guidelines seek to reflect the realities of African food systems to improve the ways in which African governments engage with the informal sector in their efforts to improve the safety of foods. (Image source: flickr)

The African Union (AU) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have entered into partnership to produce the first framework to improve food safety in the informal food sector

Africa's informal food markets comprising street vendors, kiosks, and traditional market sellers, among others are critical for food security, employment and livelihoods, particularly for the continent's urban poor, with around 70% of Africa's urban households buying food from these markets. However, neglect and mismanagement of food safety in these domestic markets has resulted in around 90 million Africans falling sick from foodborne illness every year. This has in turn cost an estimated US$16bn in productivity losses, thus prompting the development of these new guidelines. 

The new guidelines seek to reflect the realities of African food systems to improve the ways in which African governments engage with the informal sector in their efforts to improve the safety of foods. Embracing and engaging with the informal food sector as a cornerstone of food systems transformation is likely to play a key role in the post-Malabo agenda. Published in 2021, the AU’s continental-wide Food Safety Strategy for Africa is the base upon which the new draft guidelines have been developed. 

While compliance with food safety standards has improved in Africa’s exported goods, progress has been limited when it comes to the domestic informal sector, which is typically fragmented and under-resourced. The guidelines are informed by ILRI’s research and interventions for improved food safety across Africa. This has included a 'push-pull' approach in Burkina Faso, which involved both food hygiene training for chicken grillers as well as awareness campaigns for consumers, and inclusive professionalisation of the informal milk sector in Kenya through training and marketing.

By consulting with informal sector actors and partners, the AU and ILRI are helping to refine the guidelines from 10 June. The consultation process with member states will continue throughout 2024 and 2025 before the framework is scheduled to be presented to the AU policy bodies for approval in 2025.

“Western approaches to improving food safety, which include compliance with strict requirements and involve complex documentation processes, are really only suited to the formal sector, which is regularised and has sufficient financial resources,” said Silvia Alonso, senior scientist epidemiologist at ILRI. “The reality is most African consumers buy food from the informal sector, which requires different approaches for food safety management. With the right support, governments can unlock the informal food sector as a vehicle for healthy and safe foods for all, and a source of decent and dignified employment for men and women, especially youth, in Africa.”

In addition, food safety officer at the African Union International Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), John Oppong-Otoo believes that these new guidelines will provide realistic and practical guidance to help governments work with the informal sector and gradually transform it to safely and sustainably sustain the population.

Assessment meetings on progress of agricultural activities in Eritrea. (Image source: Ministry of Information, Eritrea)

Focusing on the first quarter’s progress and the five-year strategic plan, the Ministry of Agriculture conducted an activity assessment meeting on 30 May in the port city of Assab

Reports presented during the meeting highlighted the key elements of the five-year strategic plan, including land development, natural resource management, crop and livestock development, integrated and sustainable agro-business, and human resources development.

Omar Mahmud, acting Director General of Agriculture and Land, shed light on the utilisation of both rainfall and irrigation farming methods to conduct various agricultural activities in the region. He also noted the completion of micro-dams in Afambo and Debaisima, with another in Romoda, South Dankalia being currently under construction.

Extensive discussions then ensued among participants, who adopted several recommendations that included providing support to irrigation farmers, strengthening forestry safety and developing sweet potato farming, among others.

Speaking at the event, Minister Arefaine Berhe highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural production. He also called for reinforced efforts in developing household poultry farms, cultivating sweet potatoes, bee farming, and expanding date and other fruit farming, laying specific emphasis on the importance of strengthening participation among relevant institutions, agricultural experts, administrators, and the public. Moreover, the need to strengthen the information and data systems was also discussed by Ambassador Mohammed-Seid Mantai. 

Highly hazardous pesticides are a development and human right issue that calls for global action. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) joined hands with the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) to support Zimbabwe and Zambia to reduce risks of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) through a peer learning & exchange workshop between pesticide regulators from Zambia and Zimbabwe, that was held in Harare from 8-9 May this year

Around 14 pesticide regulators attended the workshop. As part of the workshop the delegates compared lists of identified HHPs, shared experiences of pesticide risk and needs assessment for HHPs and jointly identified viable alternatives. The engagement culminated in the development of draft risk mitigation plans, and information exchange on the status of HHP identification and needs assessment in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The pesticide regulators also compared the status and gaps in their respective pesticide regulatory frameworks.

To limit the impacts of HHPs on human health and the environment, FAO and WHO developed the ‘International Guidelines on Highly Hazardous Pesticides to provide Governments and other stakeholders with stepwise guidance on HHP risk reduction.’

According to FAO Agricultural Officer, Ivy Saunyama, the HHP Guidelines recommend a clear step wise approach for HHP risk reduction, which Zambia and Zimbabwe have both followed. 

The regulators from both countries highlighted that it was possible to increase agricultural productivity with limited use of HHPs by promotion alternatives, with emphasis on the use of less hazardous alternatives, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that preserve ecosystem, product management measures to enhance proper use and risk reduction, like training farmers in proper use, ensuring availability and use of PPE, precautionary label statements.

“Feeding the two nations without the use of highly hazardous pesticides is possible if we work together,” said Daisy Ndlovu, environmental health officer at National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Zimbabwe. “It is good that the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia have already started working together to phase out HHPs.”

GrapeHarvest SA and SunRaisins Ltd. have played a pivotal role in this resurgence, focusing on quality, sustainability, and consumer engagement. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

In 2024, South African raisin producers have indeed made an impressive recovery, achieving a total crop size of 95,000 tonnes, marking a significant improvement from the challenges faced in the previous years 

Companies like GrapeHarvest SA and SunRaisins Ltd. have played a pivotal role in this resurgence, focusing on quality, sustainability, and consumer engagement.

The combination of optimal climate conditions, including well-distributed rainfall and ample sunlight, has resulted in some of the best quality and most diverse variety of raisins yet. This achievement not only reflects the resilience of South African raisin producers but also highlights the potential for future growth in the dried fruit category.

The upcoming PR campaign in the UK, led by GrapeHarvest SA and SunRaisins Ltd., demonstrates a strategic shift towards targeting both trade and consumer audiences. By organising activities such as trips for key buyers and trade journalists to the Orange River region, retailer roadshows, and continued media placements, they aim to showcase the excellence of South African raisin production and engage with both industry stakeholders and consumers.

Furthermore, the commitment of GrapeHarvest SA and SunRaisins Ltd. to responsible business practices, including human rights, environmental protection, social responsibility, and product traceability, adds a layer of trust and credibility to their offerings. Customers can be assured of not only excellent-quality raisins bursting with flavor but also products that align with their values and health-conscious lifestyles.

Ferdie Botha, CEO of Raisins SA, said, “Customers can look forward to excellent-quality South African raisins this year. They are bursting with flavour and natural goodness, and as they are packed full of nutrients such as fibre, iron, calcium and antioxidants, they are perfect for New Year health diets. We are excited to work closely with customers and bring new consumers into the category.”