Crops

Leveraging AATB’s Food Security Programme to power the agribusiness sector

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During the roundtable discussion at the fourth AATB Board of Governors Meeting, Ismael Nab highlighted he vital role of the AATB Program in fostering South-South cooperation in tackling food security issues. (Image source: AATB)

South-South Cooperation fosters collaboration among developing countries in the global South, enabling them to exchange knowledge, skills, resources, and best practices to drive mutual growth and development

This cooperation is crucial in addressing shared challenges and encouraging mutual growth. The Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) programme exemplifies South-South Cooperation, aiming to strengthen trade and investment ties between Arab and African nations. A key focus of the AATB Programme is the agriculture sector, evident in its Food Security Program designed to enhance food security and boost the agribusiness sector in member countries.

Food security is a pressing global issue, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) aiming to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food year-round by 2030. However, conflicts, pandemics, and climate change have exacerbated food insecurity in many countries including some of those covered under this program. The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts have disrupted global food supply chains, led to increases in food prices, and inflation, and plunged millions further into poverty and food insecurity. As of 2023, the World Food Programme estimated that 345 million people across 82 countries are experiencing acute food insecurity, a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels.

In this regard, the AATB Programme has put together a US$1.5bn trade facility to support food security challenges in Africa. Recognising agriculture as one of its key priorities, the AATB Programme has made significant strides through its Food Security Programme by means of capacity development programs, food security initiatives, lines of financing, trade financing, and insurance and guarantee solutions. This demonstrates the Program’s commitment to helping achieve the SDG 2 goal of ending world hunger. By leveraging sustainable practices and collaborative efforts with its member organizations, the AATB Food Security Programme ensures that member countries in Arab and African regions have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

Nigeria, for example, is the largest producer of cassava in the world, producing approximately 60 million tons annually, and the country contributes to about 20% of global production. This high production volume presents an excellent opportunity for Nigeria to trade cassava and its derivative products with Arab countries such as Egypt, which are high consumers of this highly nutritious tuber. The export of raw cassava, as well as processed products such as cassava flour, starch, gari, and tapioca, can significantly benefit both Nigeria and Arab nations. This trade can help diversify Nigeria's export base while providing consumer countries with essential food products and raw materials for their industries.

During the roundtable discussion at the fourth AATB Board of Governors Meeting held in Tunisia. Ismael Nab, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Guinea, highlighted the vital role of the AATB Program in fostering South-South cooperation in tackling food security issues. He emphasised that Guinea Conakry faces challenges such as low productivity due to infertile soil, significant post-harvest wastage, and inadequate infrastructure. The minister emphasised that food security is not just a national issue but a humanitarian one, citing examples of countries like Vietnam and India, which produce surplus rice and export the excess. He advocated for South-South cooperation and other collaborative efforts where countries can share expertise and best practices to address food security challenges. According to him, agriculture is the future, and through partnerships, world hunger can be eradicated. He also suggested that countries in West Africa could form strategic partnerships with those in North and Southern Africa to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.

Trade rules should be incorporated into the overall arsenal of methods used to fight food insecurity. While some regions are affected by drought and other extreme weather conditions, the focus should be on those regions that already produce food and create trade tariffs that allow them to trade within the continent, and in Arab countries.

Changing these tariffs for basic food commodities in Africa and Arab countries, while providing financing support to improve existing food-producing capacities can significantly address food insecurity. Smallholder farmers should also be integrated into the overall value chain. Therefore, access to financing and the elimination of intra-African trade barriers are crucial steps toward solving the problem of food insecurity. Arab countries can collaborate with African nations to harmonise trade rules and reduce barriers, facilitating smoother and more efficient agricultural trade between regions.

Organisations also have a role to play in alleviating food security concerns. For example, Afreximbank has a range of initiatives to mitigate food security concerns in Africa. One such initiative involves financial instruments to de-risk agriculture, enabling broader participation. The bank's food security initiative in collaboration with the programme, the African Union, and other organisations aims to enable farmers to produce food effectively. The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) also plays a significant role in addressing global hunger through its comprehensive sector support programmes such as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group's comprehensive US$10.54bn Food Security Response Programme (FSRP), by facilitating the import and export of food commodities, ensuring that countries facing food shortages have access to vital resources. These initiatives focus on empowering smallholder farmers by offering access to necessary resources and markets, thereby increasing agricultural productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.

South-South Cooperation, exemplified by the AATB Food Security Programme, is a powerful strategy for addressing food security challenges in Africa. By focusing on enhancing trade, improving infrastructure, and fostering innovation, Arab and African countries can collaboratively overcome barriers to food security, ensuring a more prosperous and food-secure future for all.

Collaboration to drive transformative change in Malawi's seed system

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The backbone of CISANET’s incredible achievements is its alliance with AGRA, whose financial support propels its vision to new heights. (Image source: AGRA)

The Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET) has partnered with AGRA to begin a remarkable transformation through its dynamic Seed Monitoring Committees (SMCs)

Equipped with a deep understanding of the intricacies of seed production and distribution, SMCs act to ensure that only the highest quality seeds find their way into the hands of farmers. Their work involves monitoring seed quality according to established national standards in a bid to protect farmers from substandard seeds.

Yet their impact doesn’t stop there. Their commitment to excellence extends to every corner of the nation, especially the rural areas, where smallholder farmers are the heartbeat of agriculture. Through collaboration with seed producers and distributors, the SMCs establish plans to ensure a timely availability of certified seeds around the country.

“It is in these remote regions that the spark of transformation ignites, as smallholder farmers gain access to superior seed varieties, unlocking the door to bountiful harvests and financial prosperity,” said CISANET’s programme officer, Thokozani Guta.

The backbone of CISANET’s incredible achievements is its alliance with AGRA, whose financial support propels its vision to new heights. AGRA’s funding fuels an array of groundbreaking initiatives, from the comprehensive training programmes that empower SMC members with unrivaled expertise, to the establishment of robust monitoring mechanisms that strengthen the very foundations of the national seed system. The result is a dynamic force of change, a transformative seed system that propels smallholder farmers towards a future of food security and enriched livelihoods.

The impact of CISANET’s involvement rises beyond immediate improvements in seed quality and availability. With every seed sown, a ripple of collaboration radiates throughout the nation, converging farmers, seed producers, government agencies, and research institutions in a shared space of knowledge, innovation, and growth.

It is here that Malawi’s agricultural landscape transforms into a vibrant tapestry of progress, where ideas are nurtured, and boundaries are shattered. Through this collaborative approach, CISANET kindles the flames of agricultural growth, lighting the path toward a prosperous and sustainable future for the country’s smallholder farming households.

Ugandan parliament approves supplementary budget

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Musasizi moved the motion to approve the request. (Image source: Parliament of the Republic of Uganda)

In order to facilitate the transfer of funds from rationalised government agencies to the receiving institutions, Uganda's parliament has approved a supplementary budget amounting to US$154,237

The supplementary expenditure schedule No.2 for the financial year 2024/2025 was presented by the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Henry Musasizi 6 February. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries will receive US$4202.96 for recurrent expenditure and US$334.18 for development.

Musasizi said that the funds will implement projects under the Dairy Development Agency, National Agricultural Advisory Services, Cotton Development Organisation and Uganda Coffee Development Agency. On the other hand, the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Authority has been allocated US$295.62 for development, US$110.41 under statutory to cater for contract gratuity and National Social Security Fund for staff as well as US$1131.07 for recurrent expenditure.

The National Planning Authority, National Identification Registration Authority and Ministry of Water and Environment equally benefited from the US$154,237 supplementary. “Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No.2 will be funded using unreleased resources that had been appropriated to the rationalised votes,” Musasizi said. The House suspended Rule 153 to allow the supplementary request to be approved without its estimates being committed to the Budget Committee.

This followed a a motion moved by the Government Chief Whip, Dennis Hamson Obua. A section of lawmakers however, opposed the motion, with Jonathan Odur, UPC of Erute County South highlighting that suspending Rule 153 would be unconstitutional. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa guided that the funds in question are already available, saying that approval of the supplementary request is aimed at completing the process of rationalisation of government agencies. The parliament has passed several Bills, merging several government agencies following the government’s policy on Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditures (RAPEX).

Encouraging progress in Eritrea's food safety measures

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According to regulatory reports, two guidelines were developed to ensure quality assurance for vegetables and potato seeds. (Image source: Ministry of Information Eritrea)

The Regulatory Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture reported significant progress in agricultural inspections conducted in 2024

Tekleab Misghina, director of General of Regulatory Services, stated that the department, through regional inspectors, has worked diligently to ensure the safety of animal and plant-based food products before they enter the market. Efforts were also made to maintain a proper food processing chain and prevent cross-contamination across 18 food and processing plants.

Mr. Tekleab further noted that around 23 tons of obsolete agro-chemicals were safely disposed of in collaboration with relevant government institutions, with an additional 140 tons awaiting disposal. The Seed Release Committee, overseen by the Regulatory Services, conducted inspection tours of various farmlands to verify the quality of basic seeds under multiplication.

According to regulatory reports, two guidelines were developed to ensure quality assurance for vegetables and potato seeds. The department also conducted salinity inspections on irrigation farms in Forto-Sawa and Dige, confirming that no salinity issues were detected.

Tekleab emphasised that the department organised extensive awareness campaigns, including meetings, workshops, and conferences, attended by approximately 2,700 participants.

Desert Control chosen for UNWFP programme

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The WFP Innovation Accelerator supports bold and transformative solutions to address food insecurity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Leader in soil and water conservation technology, Desert Control AS has been selected to join the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) Innovation Accelerator SPRINT Programme

Our participation in this programme aims to pilot the innovative Liquid Natural Clay (LNC) technology in Iraq, focusing on sustainable food production and efficient water resource management. Funded by a grant from the WFP Innovation Accelerator, the six-month pilot will be executed in collaboration with Desert Control’s regional partner, Soyl and the WFP Iraq Country Office. The project will target the enablement of agricultural cultivation under harsh desert conditions at a site managed by the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Forestry and Combating Desertification. The initiative aims to demonstrate LNC's capacity to improve soil health, reduce water consumption, and convert low-value agricultural land into fertile areas suitable for high-value crops.

"Iraq has been grappling with environmental challenges such as drought, desertification, and water scarcity, which jeopardise food production and community livelihoods," said Ole Kristian Sivertsen, CEO of Desert Control. "Being part of the WFP Innovation Accelerator Programme enables us to develop a blueprint for drought response and resilience, utilising our innovation to transform degraded land into fertile soil. By enhancing agricultural productivity under water-limited conditions, we empower communities to manage their resources sustainably and contribute to global food security."

The WFP Innovation Accelerator supports bold and transformative solutions to address food insecurity. Its SPRINT Programme (Sustainable Product Innovation & Technology) offers seed funding, hands-on project management and access to WFP’s expert networks. Desert Control’s involvement aligns with WFP’s mission to eradicate hunger and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).

"By leveraging innovative solutions like Liquid Natural Clay, we aim to tackle the root causes of food insecurity while building resilience in regions most affected by climate change and resource scarcity," said Bernhard Kowatsch, head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator. "We look forward to Desert Control and Soyl joining our programme to explore the potential of this technology to unlock sustainable food production."

Kashif Shamsi, group CEO of Mawarid Holding, parent company of Soyl, expressed: "As a group deeply committed to the conservation of natural resources, we are honored to work with Desert Control and WFP as the implementation partner for this groundbreaking initiative. This innovation programme holds immense potential to create lasting impact, transforming how communities in arid regions can sustainably cultivate their lands and achieve food security, which can become a global blueprint for solutions to end hunger."

The project plans to demonstrate the innovation’s impact on agricultural crops, including olive trees, pistachio, and windbreak varieties in sandy soils, with performance monitored against designated control areas. Success metrics encompass reduced water usage, improved tree survival rates, and observable plant and ecosystem health enhancements.

"Through participating in this programme, we aim to demonstrate how marginal land and sandy soils can be transformed into productive agricultural land, contributing to food security and sustainable economic development," Sivertsen added. "Our mission is clear: soil health leads to healthy plants with less pressure on natural resources, which support healthy food, healthy people, and, ultimately, a healthy planet. We aim to make earth green again by delivering innovations that secure the future of humanity and the resources we depend on, and we are proud to work with the WFP team to drive meaningful impact on this mission."

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