Int’l pro-poor organization urges youth-led Agritech solutions for Africa’s food systems

   Ahead of the 2023 Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF-2023), slated for Dar es Salam, Heifer International, a leading global pro-poor organization, has urged an increase in innovative financing and support for youth-led transformative solutions to improve African food systems.

   Heifer, working to end hunger and poverty in low- and middle-income countries, said in a press statement Thursday that by leveraging innovative capital, young innovators would be empowered to see agriculture as a viable career path and sector to scale technology products that build systems and markets.

   The organization added that this approach would lead to solutions that enable more productive market systems that transform food systems.

   The AGRF 2023, taking place September 4-8 in Dar es Salaam, is Africa’s leading venue for agriculture stakeholders to come together and agree on practical actions to transform food systems and end hunger.

   This year’s summit will convene more than 3000 attendees from over70 countries. More than 350 experts and policymakers will speak on ways that Africa can build back better food systems and strengthen the continent’s food sovereignty – with youth and women at the centre.

   “We believe that the gathering of vital stakeholders for Africa’s agricultural development at the AGRF 2023 is a critical opportunity to share our knowledge and experience in leveraging innovative funding and strategic partnerships to build more-resilient and sustainable food systems,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President, Africa Programs, Heifer International.

   Ifedi added: “The summit also presents an exciting opportunity for us to show the critical role that young innovators and technology are playing in helping Africa’s smallholder farmers increase their productivity and incomes, catalysing improvements across the agricultural value chain and improving food systems.”

   Heifer International announced that it would host a side event during  the summit on Sept. 4 to bring together youth innovators, policymakers, experts in finance and technology, and other stakeholders to discuss leveraging innovative capital for youth in agriculture.

   “A second Heifer-hosted event will be the Pitch AgriHack/AYuTe Showcase on Sept. 6, promoting ICT innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture by identifying and amplifying efforts of young innovators using technology to reimagine farming and food production across the continent,” the statement added.

   The release explained that these events hosted by Heifer International were designed to align with the summit’s theme of “Recover, Regenerate, Act: Africa’s Solutions to Food Systems    Transformation,” focusing on building back better food systems and food sovereignty with youth and women at the centre.

   Source: Heifer International