Shadrack Agaki’s Post

We were at the Africa Food Systems Forum (#AFSF24) in Kigali recently, which left us with much to reflect on. One major takeaway was the urgent need for collaboration and a greater investment in food systems leadership to truly drive transformation. In our latest blog by Alex Rees, we explore what it means for the future of food systems,e specially in #Africa. Read it here >> https://lnkd.in/dHCE_dBd

‘We must accelerate efforts to transform food systems!’  This is the clear message I’m hearing all around  the Africa Food Systems Forum attended by almost 6000 people in Kigali this week. The curious thing is that this isn’t new. The question is how? Particularly given Africa recognises a big performance gap on agriculture and food systems transformation over the past decade. And the changes needed in food systems have so many dimensions, climate challenges, big needs for healthy food, empowering women and youth, improving soils, need for appropriate mechanisation and much more. The precondition for food systems transformation is leadership. Speakers refer to a crisis in leadership. But stop short of calling for intentional change and investment in food systems leadership. So let’s change this. But how? The African Food Fellowship is empowering a dynamic generation of food systems leaders in Rwanda and Kenya. And we wish to work with others to support thousands of food systems leaders across many countries in Africa. Let’s be ambitious. Reach out to me, reach out to Wasafiri, reach out to WUR. Let’s collaborate to make change happen. Food systems leadership matters! Debisi Araba Jennifer Baarn African Food Fellowship Thomas Schmedding Thomas Caffrey Osvald Nico Janssen Priya Motupalli Boaz Blackie Keizire Boaz Blackie Keizire Nico Wilms-Posen Maren Lieberum Joost Guijt Stella Odhiambo

“The ultimate aim is to establish a long-term, adaptable methodology for addressing challenges in South Africa, beginning with food safety and expanding to other issues that affect the well-being of our nation," said Ravi S Pillay, multi-stakeholder partnership facilitator and GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science) faculty member. In a statement CEO of Empire Partner Foundation, Joanna Jacqueline Govender said: “With a proven track record in implementing social impact solutions, we understand that lasting change requires a collaborative approach, uniting the expertise of industry, academia, and government. https://lnkd.in/dMurG5aF

Policy-making stands as the cornerstone for envisioning and implementing our collective future. Yet, navigating the complexities and the complicated nature of this process demands a deep understanding of its dynamics. Encouraging young individuals to actively participate in shaping policies necessitates a concerted effort across sectors to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge. The ongoing initiative by the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub to mentor and build the capacity of young leaders in global food systems is commendable. The support extended by the German Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN further underscores the importance of such programs and should encourage more partners to join in this grand effort to transform food systems. This initiative aims to empower young people, enabling them to leverage their voices, expertise, and networks to drive the transformation of food systems. Recognizing the pivotal role of leadership, the emphasis placed on this aspect within the program offers promise for meaningful change. This message was emphasized in the keynote speech by Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel and Stefano Fotiou. As emphasized in "Why Nations Fail," effective leadership is paramount for the success of any endeavor. Leaders not only initiate action but also inspire others, serving as visionaries for progress. With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) facing setbacks in implementation, fostering youth engagement could serve as a catalyst for local, national, and global action. As young leaders convened in Accra, Ghana, in their first day of a workshop on food systems leadership, there is anticipation that this gathering will ignite a passion for transformation. It is hoped that this event will catalyze innovation and mark the beginning of a movement towards transforming Africa's food systems, aligning with the aspirations of Agenda 2063 of the African Union. Just as Ghana played a pivotal role in igniting the flame of independence, this workshop holds the potential to reignite the spirit of Pan-Africanism through collaborative efforts in food systems transformation. However, amidst our focus on Africa, it is crucial to acknowledge the interconnected nature of global challenges and opportunities. Efforts to connect young leaders from Africa with their counterparts in other regions will facilitate knowledge exchange, foster social learning, and promote collective intelligence. As a recipient of the global food systems leadership program, I am eager to continue engaging in collaborative endeavors aimed at positively transforming food systems in South Africa, Africa, and beyond. Together, let us strive to ensure food security for all and safeguard our planet's boundaries, keeping the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C within reach. #SDGs #Transformation #YouthLeaders #UnitedNations #FAO #Accra Ghana#GermanGovernment #SouthAfrica#SAgski

Am honored to be included among these esteemed group of food system leaders from across Africa by The Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) as an example of 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 in Africa’s food systems and the driving force that turns vision into action. Our work at Shambapro remains important for transformation of Africa's food systems, however difficult, and cannot be successful without collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations who are fully committed to making sure that the continent produces more good food, helps reduce the foreign food bill, creates more good jobs and wealth for young Africans and leaves enough to export to the rest of the world in order to earn our nations much required forex reserves to power the rest of our economies. #agriculture #foodsystems #Africa AGRA

🌍 Reflecting on Food Security at the Anan Eminent Speaker Lecture by African Development Bank Group 🌱 Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the Anan Eminent Speaker lecture hosted by the African Development Bank, where President Michael D. Higgins delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking lecture on the pressing food security challenges facing the world today. His words brought much-needed perspective, and I’m excited to share a few key insights that deeply resonated with me. 1️⃣ Absence of Authenticity and Honesty in Leadership President Higgins emphasized that a lack of authenticity and honesty among leaders is a major obstacle in addressing our continent’s challenges. However, this doesn’t only rest on the shoulders of our leaders—each of us must commit to being authentic and honest in our approach to solving problems. This calls for active, engaged thinking, creating solutions tailored to our unique realities rather than mimicking others. True innovation means achieving new, impactful results, not just replicating old outcomes. We need to become "progress-hungry" citizens and stakeholders, fully committed to transforming our continent. 2️⃣ "Globalization from Below" for Food Security President Higgins also highlighted that food security should be driven by "globalization from below." This means that instead of relying solely on top-down global policies, communities and local voices should lead the way, ensuring food security solutions are equitable, inclusive, and locally adapted. Empowering communities and fostering ground-up initiatives can build resilience and strengthen our food systems. 3️⃣ The Persistence of Bad Ideas Lastly, President Higgins’ remark that “Bad ideas don’t necessarily die; they reappear down the road through policies” was particularly striking. It reminds us to critically evaluate policies and the ideologies driving them, to ensure we’re moving forward, not just recycling past mistakes. We must be vigilant, so ineffective or harmful policies do not hinder progress. Africa is undoubtedly on the path to liberation, with each challenge we face pointing toward a brighter, self-reliant future. The agricultural sector holds vast potential to reshape the global food system. Achieving the 2030 Agenda means fostering a sustainable, resilient food system that can feed everyone, everywhere. 🌍 Together, let’s #CultivateChange and make food security a global reality. #AfricaForward #FoodSecurity #2030Agenda #InnovationInAgriculture #AuthenticLeadership #LocalSolutions

Interested in learning more about the policy innovations and structural changes to enhance youth participation in Africa’s Agrifood Systems? Download The Malabo Montpellier Panel’s latest report YOUTH AHEAD: https://shorturl.at/fmvCO The report provides examples of successful and emerging interventions being implemented across Africa to empower youth and facilitate a thriving environment for their leadership and engagement in sustainable food systems transformation.

🌍 Africa’s Food Future Depends on 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗅 🌱 When we think of Africa’s food systems, we often talk about innovation, sustainability, and impact. But at the heart of it all is 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽—the driving force that turns vision into action. From farm to parliament, from village to global stage, the leaders we’re building at CALA are rewriting the rules of agriculture and food security. They are the trailblazers tackling climate challenges, scaling digital agriculture, and creating food systems that work for everyone. We’re not just talking about growth; we’re talking about transformation—because Africa’s food future demands it. But don’t just take our word for it—hear it from the CALA delegates themselves: Sugra Mahmood Kelvin Odoobo Rachel Ajambo Nditani Maluwa Rachel Moges 🚀 Continue to follow our journey as we cultivate the next generation of game-changers in Africa’s Food Systems. #FoodSystemsLeadership #InnovationInAgriculture #FutureOfFood #CALA #LeadershipRevolution #AfricaRising #BoldAction

I am 🌱 Thrilled to share some exciting news! 📣 I have been awarded a prestigious opportunity by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, FAO, and the UN Food System Coordination Hub as one of the Global Food Systems Youth Leaders from Africa. 🌍 This incredible honor not only acknowledges my dedication to sustainable development but also presents a unique chance to delve deeper into the intricacies of global food systems. It is a testament to the belief that each of us is an antenna for creative thought, echoing the wisdom shared by Rick Rubin in his book, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being." Rubin's insights remind us that innovation is a continuous process, deeply intertwined with the rhythms of nature. As I embark on this journey, I am inspired to tune into these natural rhythms, learning to decipher subtle signals and insights from diverse perspectives. Throughout this experience, I aim to apply Rubin's philosophy by sensitively tuning my creative antenna, ensuring that valuable data isn't lost amidst the noise of everyday life. With a keen focus on negotiations and policy advocacy in the food system and climate change space, I am eager to bridge global initiatives with grassroots action, shaping a brighter future for food security and sustainability. Join me on this transformative journey as we harness the power of creativity and collaboration to address pressing global challenges and pave the way for a more resilient and equitable world. 🌟 #GlobalFoodSystems #YouthLeadership #Sustainability #PolicyAdvocacy #ClimateAction Dr. Nicole De Paula Stefanos Fotiou World Food Programme

[ICYMI] In a unified stance, parliamentarians from 20 African nations are urging the African Union and member states to adopt a bold and inclusive approach to transforming agrifood systems over the next decade. With CAADP and post-Malabo initiatives facing challenges in national implementation, Jeremy Lissouba, Secretary General of African Food Systems Parliamentary Network, notes that the 10 per cent agriculture budget allocation, while a victory, is insufficient to meet the continent's needs. CNBC Africa's Tabitha Muthoni spoke with Lissouba, SG, African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN) for further insights at the Africa Food Systems Summit 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda. AFS Forum #AFSForum2024 #InnovateAccelerateScale https://brnw.ch/21wMYAq