2IPS
Stakeholders chart new course to unlock potential of ‘Opportunity Crops’ for food security
By Kingsley Adusei Amakye A three-day conference jointly organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has concluded with a renewed commitment to unlock the potential of Africa’s opportunity crops through stronger policies, research, investment and regional collaboration. The high-level consultation brought together policymakers, researchers, development partners, private-sector representatives, civil society organizations,
FAO urges crop diversification as Africa’s food demand set to rise 50% by 2050
by Kabah Atawoge The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged African countries to intensify efforts to diversify its crops and adopt sustainable agricultural production systems in order to meet a projected 50 percent increase in food demand by 2050. Speaking at the opening of a three-day ‘Regional Consultation on Opportunity Crops in Africa’ in Accra, Dr Chikelu Mba, Deputy
Africa urged to mainstream opportunity crops to boost food security, climate resilience
By Juliet ETEFE African governments, research institutions and development partners have been urged to accelerate efforts to mainstream opportunity crops into food systems as part of broader strategies to improve food security and strengthen climate resilience. The call was made at the opening of the Regional Consultation on Opportunity Crops in Africa, jointly organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation
FAO and FARA Convene a Regional Consultation to Accelerate the Integration of Opportunity Crops into Africa’s Food Systems
Accra, Ghana, 9 June 2026 The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), today opens the Regional Consultation on Opportunity Crops in Africa, a three-day conference taking place from 9–11 June 2026 in Accra, Ghana. The consultation brings together policymakers, researchers, development partners, private-sector actors, civil society,
AUSO and SOILS4MED partner to advance soil health across Africa and the Mediterranean
18 May 2026 Two international soil health initiatives, the Africa Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) and the Mediterranean Soil Health initiative (SOILS4MED), have signed a letter of agreement to advance knowledge exchange on soil health indicators and soil information systems in support of food security and sustainable land management. AUSO is focused on building a comprehensive soil observatory for Africa, and
Feeding 2.5 Billion Africans by 2050: FARA Calls for Anticipatory Governance in Food Systems Transformation
As Africa confronts the challenge of feeding a projected population of nearly 2.5 billion people by 2050, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) has called for a shift from reactive food systems management toward anticipatory governance systems capable of helping institutions prepare for long-term risks, uncertainties, and structural transformation. Speaking during the High-Level Roundtable on Science, Innovation, and
FARA and AICS Explore Partnerships for Agrobiodiversity and Opportunity Crops in Africa
written by ‘Wole Fatunbi The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) hosted a partnership brokerage discussion with the team from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Accra Office, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, to explore strategic collaboration for advancing agricultural transformation in Africa. Welcoming the delegation, FARA’s Executive Director, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, reflected on the longstanding cooperation between
Can Africa Truly Produce Enough Rice to Feed Itself? Insights from the 10th CARD General Meeting in Madagascar
By Wole Fatunbi, PhD The 10th General Meeting of the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) is taking place from 9–12 March 2026 in Antananarivo, Madagascar, bringing together governments, research institutions, development partners, and private-sector actors committed to transforming Africa’s rice sector. At the opening of the meeting, Prof. Wole Fatunbi, Acting Director of Research and Innovation at the Forum
Perspectives on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Africa: a Potent Pillar for Resilient Agriculture and Food System
By ‘Wole Fatunbi, PhD The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is participating in the FAO-led Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (ACSAM) at the Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, from 3 to 6 February 2026. The conference reawakened a deep reflection on the pathway to Africa’s mechanization through supportive policies and the
AUC Commissioner Calls for the Mainstreaming of Foresight in Africa’s Food Systems and Policy Frameworks
Nairobi, Kenya – 10 December 2025 By Bridget Kakuwa, Benjamin Abugri & Molalet Tsedeke Africa has taken a decisive step toward strengthening the resilience and long-term sustainability of its agrifood systems with the official opening of the Africa Continental Foresight Consultations for Resilient Agrifood Systems in Nairobi. The high-level consultations convened policymakers, researchers, development partners, and practitioners from across the
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