On the 23rd of May 2024, a representative from APODISSI, a partner of PrAEctiCe, was pleased to attend the online conference, Innovation: Key Enabler for Sustainable Food System Transformation in Africa. This conference was organised by the Director General for Development, Cooperation, and Humanitarian Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Corporation, with co-organisation support from the Director General of International Partnerships of the European Commission and Enabel.
Held in Brussels and online, under the Belgium Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the event foresaw four-panel discussions brought together experts from Africa and Europe, representatives from ministries, agencies, academia, and civil society and was moderated by Ruben van der Laan.
At the outset of the conference, Dr Vincent Martin, Director of the FAO Office of Innovation (OIN), delivered a keynote address emphasising the imperative of backing farmers with community-led innovations, climate-resilient crops, and novel technologies to combat global hunger and food waste.
Subsequently, a high-level panel discussion ensued, focusing on the pivotal role of innovation. It was enlightening to gain insights into the shift toward a more environmentally sustainable, resilient, efficient, and inclusive food system from the distinguished panel. Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, underscored the intricacy of agricultural solutions and highlighted the significance of ensuring that technologies are accessible to farmers.
Innovation in the context of nutrition and food security witnessed a panel of six experts from different fields. The experts emphasised the need for collaboration among researchers, policymakers, businesses, and consumers to prioritise healthy diets and improve food systems. Ms Inge Brouwer, Professor at the Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, identified the key barriers to innovation as reverting to focusing on rural areas, agriculture, and small farms that represent a boundary in addressing the broader issues effectively. Mrs Fanta Toure, the Health/Nutrition Technical Advisor at Action Contre la Faim (ACF) Regional Office for West Africa, highlighted the importance of fortification and leveraging local potential to address the gaps in food security. Accordingly, Jenna, a member of the African youth representatives, called for radical changes involving young people in decision-making to develop a resilient agri-food system.
During the Innovation, Climate and Environment discussion, it was reiterated that Smart agriculture integrates precision and digital agriculture with traditional knowledge and local adaptation, focusing on economic efficiency and sustainable practices.
Africa’s wide variety of crops plays a crucial role in food nutrition and security, with approximately 80% of the continent’s consumption relying on diverse species. Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) promoted agroecological innovations by creating communities of practice focused on healthy soil and food, says Dr Million Belay. However, research and development (R&D) in these areas is limited and needs comprehensive statistics and data. Although there is sufficient production capacity, the scientific knowledge required to scale up the crops needs to be improved.
Dr Hildegard Lingnau, in her presentation on digital agriculture, indicated that artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant potential to enhance productivity and income, empower women, and promote social inclusion and environmental sustainability. However, cooperation and access to digital tools still need to be addressed to avoid leaving behind those who could benefit most. Studies suggest that digital agriculture can significantly reduce the need for fertilisers and herbicides, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve these benefits.
The event concluded with an emphasis on recognising and optimising traditional food practices and crop diversity. It also highlighted the importance of co-creating knowledge and innovation, aligning farmer needs with scientific research, and addressing trade practices and policies influencing local agricultural systems. It was emphasised that collaboration across various sectors and stakeholders is crucial for driving these necessary changes.
