White Gold’ IFC Launches Food Safety Handbook

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PAN AFRICAN AGRICULTURE BALANCED AND AUTHORITATIVE ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020

Africa’s gift: cashew nut ‘white gold’ IFC launches food safety handbook

Q&A: KALRO D-G on the tea sector

Brilliant minds impacting Africa

Why WFP won the Nobel prize

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2 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 COVER STORY

16 AFRICA’S ‘WHITE GOLD’

African countries are the leading producers of raw cashew nuts in the world. Representatives of international organisations and institutions, cashew industry stakeholders and experts met at the 14th African Cashew Alliance conference in Accra, Ghana held virtually for the first time in its history. Deliberations centred on the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the upheavals it has caused on cashew production and marketing in Africa.

REGULARS

06 FOOD SAFETY GUIDE 24 HOPES ON Bt COTTON 43 AGRONOMY PLATFORM

IFC’s 2020 Food Safety Handbook is Kenya and Nigeria join Burkina Faso, Millions of smallholder farmers a guide that lends support to food Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Sudan in Africa stand to increase farm processors and the hospitality industry and eSwatini in embracing growing productivity, incomes and gain from by assisting them in establishing and of Bt cotton after pests, diseases and improved livelihoods following the maintaining food safety standards in collapsed ginneries led to a drastic launch of the Excellence in Agronomy their operations. decline in production. 2030 (EiA 2030) Platform. 50 WFP’S NOBEL AWARD 08 LOCAL FOODS BEST 28 SHEA MARKET AT RISK WFP, which provides lifesaving food Primary custodians must be the first Women have dominated shea (rich assistance to millions across the world educators of their children about the butter from kernels used in cooking, in extremely dangerous and hard-to- nutritive value of traditional food crops cosmetics and medicines) production access conditions, beats an impressive and locally prepared foods, without and sales for centuries in West Africa list of nominees to win the 2020 Nobel introducing prejudice, by including such but the market value chain now faces Peace Prize. foods in home menus. uncertainties 58 BRILLIANCE FROM AFAR 10 TEA SECTOR UPBEAT 34 WEANING OFF COCOA Ethiopia-born, US-based scientist Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Ghana is the world's second- Wondu Wolde-Mariam founded Research Organization (KALRO) biggest cocoa producer after Cote Helica Biosystems, Inc, in his garage Director-General Eliud Kiplimo Kireger d'Ivoire but the country expects an in 1998 and built it into a world-class speaks on the status and future output of 900,000 tonnes in 2020/2021 institution providing testing kits for prospects of the tea sector set for record season, earning $2 billion, but it wants food safety and life science research. production levels. to stop overreliance on cocoa.

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Editor’s Note Focus on Africa’s industrial crops

In this edition of Rootooba, we focus on Programme (WFP)–awarded the 2020 Nobel Africa’s industrial crops, with an in-depth Peace Prize. analysis of cashew, the continent’s “white We recognise that the Nobel Prize, the ninth for Adverse effects gold”, and plans for the sector’s revival in a UN agency since the 1950s, is testament to the Kenya. We also feature a Q&A interview on essential, life-saving work that takes place, every of the COVID-19 tea and special reports on coffee, cocoa and day, across the UN system. pandemic pose cotton. World Food Day 2020 on October 16 coincided a threat to food The International Finance Corporation with FAO’s 75th anniversary and during its security and (IFC) has launched the 2020 IFC Food Safety existence progress has been made in the fight Handbook, an exceptional resource that against poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. agricultural compiles food safety knowledge for large and Agricultural productivity and food systems have livelihoods small food enterprises worldwide, which is also improved. reviewed in this issue. However, currently the widespread effects We also profile eminent Ethiopia-born, US- of the COVID-19 pandemic pose a threat to based scientist Wondu Wolde-Mariam, who food security and agricultural livelihoods, founded Helica Biosystems in his garage confronting the most vulnerable. and built it into an institution of excellence Two billion people do not have regular access providing testing kits for veterinary to enough safe, nutritious food amid persistent diagnostics, food safety and life science inequalities and inefficiencies plaguing our research. food systems, economies and social support Rootooba reflects on the historic month of structures. October 2020 as the United Nations celebrates UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres its 75th anniversary in the middle of the has convened the Food Systems Summit worst public health crisis in a generation, in September 2021 at the next UN General and a looming hunger crisis in Africa and the Assembly. Middle East. The summit will spur actions to rethink food The month witnessed a ringing endorsement systems to play a more positive role in ending of the UN’s efforts to put food security on hunger, reduce diet-related disease, and help in top of the global peace and security agenda, the fight against climate change. with one of its agencies–the World Food

Alberto Leny

4 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Publisher Nkima Cianki Managing Editor Alberto Leny Contributors Verenardo Meeme Wandera Ojianji Dr. David Githang'a Murimi Gitari Marion Wagaki Quainoo Reuben Kundan Pandey Design & Layout Joe-Harris Marere Digital Producer Simon Mukabana Programmes Wilfred Wachira

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The ‘must-have’ food safety guide for food practitioners By Verenardo Meeme and Alberto Leny

Food business operators worldwide edition of the handbook, published no room for complacency or slack standards. are already reaping the benefits of a in 2020, updates the guidelines and Unsafe food poses health risks, and food- unique handbook published by the regulations analyzed in the 2016 borne illnesses can cause considerable International Finance Corporation edition, incorporating new outcomes in economic damage. The Safe Food Imperative, (IFC), a member of the World Bank the food safety landscape. a 2018 World Bank report, estimates that Group. The core team that produced the food safety issues cost developing countries IFC’s Food Safety Handbook: A handbook was led by IFC Food a staggering $110 billion in lost productivity Practical Guide for Building a Robust Safety Specialist Natia Mgeladze and and medical treatment in 2016 alone. Food Safety Management System included Michael Gerard Kelly of the ‘‘A single serious food safety lapse can badly lends vital support to food processors Ireland-based Kelmac Group, Rob tarnish the brands of restaurants, hotels, and the hospitality industry by Kooijmans from Food Safety Experts and food producers and processors, which assisting them in establishing and of the Netherlands, and Mark Nielsen can require years of investment and trust- maintaining food safety standards in a consultant for Small and Medium building to repair,’’ Lozansky says. their operations. Enterprises and Value Chain Solutions The handbook authors recommend it for at IFC. The guide is an exceptional resource those in the food production and processing that compiles food safety knowledge IFC Senior Manager, Manufacturing, value chain who want to develop a new food for large and small food enterprises Agribusiness, and Services Advisory, safety system or strengthen existing ones. worldwide. Tania Lozansky, observes in the They explain the handbook resources will handbook’s foreword that demand for Described by key players in the sector help users implement rigorous food safety safe food is growing, pressuring the as the “industry Bible,” the fourth systems, advance better access to markets, world’s food supply chains, and leaving

6 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Codex Alimentarius—that aim to protect consumers’ health, ensure fair practices in the food trade, and promote harmonization of standards. Chapter 3 introduces useful food safety planning and implementation tools and techniques. Among these is an in-depth guide to developing a dairy sector prerequisite program and another on the establishment of a food safety hazard control plan and system. The methodologies described may be applied to a wide range of food products. Chapter 4 covers food safety management system procedures and documentation, while Chapter 5 addresses food safety training. Chapter 6 offers guides on company management, including food safety policy. It also includes a food safety management review toolkit and a toolkit designed to assist food enterprise management with a broader grasp of the costs involved in non- quality. These costs include production, storage, and contamination issues that lead to food product defects, consumer complaints, actions by food authorities, and food product recalls and withdrawals. The handbook is a key product for streamlining the food sector, and it is inspire improved brand recognition, knowledge of meeting them. welcome news that an updated version has been released. It will certainly play and attain more consistently satisfied Covering salient aspects of food a critical role in contributing to the customers and consumers. safety in an easy-to-follow format, it streamlining of food safety agendas Food safety experts writing in the encapsulates the best of the practical across the globe. new food safety handbook note that knowledge gained over time in the guidelines will also help users supporting food business operators The handbook can be freely professionally maintain and enhance across the sector. downloaded here. food safety in their operations. Chapter 1 is an overview of the Global The handbook cites the Global Food Safety Initiative, other safety Food Safety Advisory Program management system schemes, and implemented by IFC for 15 years as a the most widely recognized standards success story in helping enterprises that a food sector company might in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and implement to manage food safety. Eastern Europe produce consistently It also highlights the role of leading safe food. food safety certification programs. Learning modules incorporating Chapter 2 addresses relevant various global and local food regulations of the European Union safety policies are streamlined in and the United States—together the handbook, with the practical with various provisions of the

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Let us value local dishes and our traditional crops

In my early days of schooling, I once arrived While the pressure may be from fellow schoolmates home for vacation and ranted at my father and friendly neighbours, the primary custodians (may he rest in eternal peace) how the school of young children including parents have sadly, was unfair to serve us githeri in almost all of contributed to this deceptive narrative regarding our daily meals. home-grown or cooked diets. Githeri is a common food preparation regularly While I have no intention of condemning processed in the menus of communities living in the foods since there are indeed several benefits of central and upper eastern regions of Kenya. value addition, primary custodians must be the first It’s a dish that primarily consists of maize educators of their children about the nutritive value and beans, with some variation or addition of traditional food crops and locally prepared foods, of vegetables depending on household without introducing prejudice. They also need to walk preference. the talk by including such foods in home menus. My father wasted no time in firmly responding No child should be made to feel inferior or backward to my culinary protestations with acute because they opted to pack a piece of arrowroot or firmness, stating that githeri was one of the most finger millet porridge, or boiled maize or fried termites as their school nutritious and affordable foods in school. He further went snack. I was delighted to see topics on nutrition in my daughter’s on to expound on the nutritional elements of the meal in textbook, providing traditional food sources as examples. great detail and concluded the matter with finality, that I To supplement such efforts, schools should provide a guide on never raised it again. healthy and nutritious food sources that guardians can use to I can vouch that many of us reading this article who prepare snacks for school going children. partook of the meal in school vowed it was the last githeri Additionally, we must put the same effort in promoting traditional dish they would ever take! food crops, such as green grams, sorghum, sweet potatoes, cassava Fast forward to almost four decades later. My daughter, and yams, as we do conventional crops, through research focused on who loves sugar cane, recently came back from school crop improvement, and favourable policy that promotes adoption distraught that her schoolmates had made fun of her and trade. because she had carried the juicy cane to school as a snack. In any case, most of the crops termed as traditional/ orphaned Since the humiliation, she no longer carries it to school, crops are climate resilient and play a pivotal role towards food and albeit the fact that it remains one of her all-time favourite nutrition security in many African nations. snacks. Their critical role in enhancing human nutrition notwithstanding, While such incidences relating to matters of the taste the number of initiatives focusing on improving and promoting them buds have occurred across generations, one thing that has is a drop in the ocean, compared to those focusing on conventional remained paramount is the need to nourish with quality crops. We must remain true to progress, even in food matters. foods that sustain the proper functioning and steady For the record, githeri remains one of my all-time favourites! growth and maintenance of our bodies.

My concern is the constant brainwashing of our children Dr Charity Mutegi is a food scientist keen on sharing knowledge on by the misleading perception that highly refined sugar and solutions to bring meaningful growth of the agricultural sector in salt-dense foods with exceptionally appealing packaging Africa. are symbols of progression and class.

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- Photos/STEPHEN ODIPO

KALRO Director-General Eliud Kiplimo Kireger Storm in the teapot but future is bright Tea is a mainstay of Kenya’s agricultural sector and a major source of foreign-currency earnings. Kenya is the world’s biggest exporter of black tea, ranked as the world’s third-largest producer of tea, after China and India, and hosts the biggest auction of the crop in Mombasa. Production is expected to jump to 500,000 metric tons in 2020 from 452,000mt in 2019. In this Q&A interview, Rootooba speaks to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Director-General Dr Eliud Kiplimo Kireger (PhD) on the status and future prospects of the country’s vibrant tea sector.

What is the tea sector’s contribution to Kenya’s Gross What competitive advantage does Kenyan tea have in terms of Domestic Product (GDP)? quality, taste over her competitors? The tea sector contributes 4% to Kenya’s GDP. Kenyan tea has various advantages such as high value in sensory What kind of tea is grown in Kenya? and chemical control quality and are free from pesticide residues. Green coloured tea varieties cover over 98% of the total area Are there new policies or guidelines in the tea sector that occupied by tea in Kenya while the purple coloured tea variety stakeholders need to be aware of? cover about 2% of the area covered by tea in Kenya. Yes, for instance, the new tea policy is currently under

10 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 parliamentary review. consumer purchasing power. was 27.35 million against 27.97 million What are the key challenges that tea Data on exports by destinations to kg in 2019, which is a decrease of 2%. producers and value chain dealers 49 export countries show that the How have production, processing are currently grappling with? average auction price in January and marketing activities been The tea sector faces various to August 2020 stood at $2.02 per impacted by the coronavirus? challenges including poor returns, kg, compared with $2.17 in 2019 and Access to some markets has been high production costs, poor road $2.68 in 2018. This means that the a challenge due to the impact of networks, ageing plantations, climate pandemic has affected tea trade. COVID-19 pandemic on commodity change and now the coronavirus Further, the export volume was distribution and trading across the pandemic. 24% lower for the month of August globe. Most of the tea importing and only 4% cumulatively in 2020 What is the prevailing status of countries are still battling with the compared to the year 2019 as per the tea production in Kenya with the effects of the coronavirus, slowing statistics. impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the purchases since March when and what have we lost in terms of Pakistan became the largest buyer the outbreak was first announced in revenue? with 13.73 million kilogrammes (40%), Kenya. followed by UK 3.66 million kg, Russia From the current statistics on The export volumes declined 2.33 million kg, Jordan 1.95 million production and exports way despite the 33% growth recorded in kg, Egypt 1.47 million kg, Yemen 1.43 back to August 2020, there was quantities produced in the reviewed million kg, Sudan 1.34 million kg, India a sustained production of tea in period. Data from the Agriculture 1.03 million kg, UAK 971,000 kg and Kenya as production increased by and Food Authority-Tea Directorate Nigeria 913,000 kg. Although the top 33.59% owing to favourable weather (AFA-TD) indicate that the volume two markets dropped substantially— conditions. However, there have of tea delivered between January by 7% to Pakistan and 14% to Egypt, been depressed prices attributed to and August stood at 375 million Pakistan remains Kenya’s largest higher supply in the first quarter kilogrammes against 281 million kg market, shipping in about 36% of the coupled with the effects of the in the same period in 2019. total production. COVID-19 pandemic on access The top 10 export destinations, most to global markets - supply chain Local sales stood at 2.96 million kg of which are traditional markets disruptions and the global recession, in 2020 against 3.85 million kg in for Kenyan tea accounted for 88% which has impacted negatively on 2019. Cumulatively for the first eight of Kenya tea export volume. Low months in 2020, total tea local sales

The lush green Kenyan plantations that are home to the world’s best black tea.

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A tea picker busy at work in one of the rich tea fields in Kenya’s highlands.

export volumes amid falling prices Table on Kenya’s Tea Production and Exports signals low earnings for farmers in SNo. Year Production Production Production Export Export their second payment and given the (%) (CTC) in (Orthodox) Metric Tons Value (USD)1000 Thousand fact that the prices have been down Metric Tons for the entire period. In the financial year which ended June 2020, farmers 1. 2015 7.6 397 2 443,461 1,368,487 attached to Kenya Tea Development 2. 2016 8.5 471 2 480,330 1,189,741 Agency (KTDA) earned less income 3. 2017 7.7 436 4 415,715 1,250,275 compared with the previous year. 4. 2018 8.3 488 5 474,862 1,390,535 Kenya’s tea exports dropped by 14 5. 2019 7.5 452 7 496,755 1,156,051 million kilogrammes in the eight 6. 2020 See notes months to August compared with below the same period last year, as the demand for the commodity in the Production (metric tons) August 2019 and cumulative (37,200mt and 281,267mt) and August world market remains suppressed. 2020 and cumulative (38,525mt and 375,756mt) in the month of August 2019 to August 2020. Data reported by AFA-TD shows Exports by destination (metric tons), 49 export destinations including UK, Ireland Rep, that export volumes dropped to 323 Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, other CIS, other Europe, Canada, million kilogrammes in the review USA, Afghanistan, India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, other Asia, Egypt, period from 337 million kg in the Somalia, Sudan and others. corresponding period last year. The decline in export volumes highlights Access to some markets is still a quantities produced in the review the effects that the coronavirus has challenge due to the impact of period. The volume of tea delivered had on international trade. Covid-19 pandemic on commodity between January and August, 2020 distribution and trading across the stood at 375 million kg against 281 For instance, Pakistan, registered a globe. Most of the tea importing million kg in the same period in 2019. decline of eight million kilos in eight countries are still battling with the months to August. Egypt, which is How much tea does Kenya produce? effects of the coronavirus, slowing the second major importer of the According to the latest data by AFA- the purchases since March, 2020. commodity, witnessed a decline TD, in 2019, Kenya produced 458,852 of nine million kilos in the review The export volumes declined despite metric tons of tea and exported period. the 33% growth registered in the 496,755 tons (including re-exports).

1212 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 In 2020, production will increase by Branding will help Kenya’s tea KALRO also conducts participatory 30%, but export may decrease due to cement an identity of the place of evaluation of improved tea varieties depressed demand. origin (geographical indication) for diversified tea products with Do we have the potential to produce among the teas in the world market. tea growers in various tea-growing more tea in Kenya? This identity is patentable, resulting regions, develops and releases in enhanced revenue generation improved tea varieties for diversified Yes, by increasing the volume for growers. Most of our teas are tea products. Open day trainings are of production per hectare and currently sold in bulk and to packers organized for farmers each week, expanding areas of production, who will use them for blending other and an incubation centre for cottage especially in the Mt Elgon region teas, which will then package them tea manufacture and training on and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, under their brands. innovative processing technologies, which have huge potential for tea quality control and collection centre cultivation, Kenya is on a trajectory Are there lessons Kenya can learn is under construction at the KALRO to produce more tea. We also have the from other African countries or Tea Research Institute (TRI) in potential of increasing production globally that are commercially Kericho. by replacing the current varieties growing tea? with high yielding varieties. Yes, other countries have embraced What is your advice to people looking to enter the tea enterprise? Is there market to absorb Kenyan value addition in specialty teas and tea? Kenya can take advantage of the Tea business has a bright future country’s high quality attributes because value addition promises Yes, Kenyans’ per capita consumption to capitalize on this segment of the good returns in countries that of tea is about 500gm compared to 2kg market. Other countries like India have embraced it. Further, the in Ireland. If local tea consumption and China also have huge internal availability of a new window for is increased by promoting tea markets which absorb the teas that licensing of cottage tea facilities drinking especially among the they produce. Increasing internal for manufacture of specialty teas youth, which is an untapped market consumption will decrease volumes for niche markets has given room in Kenya, we can increase local per available for the market and increase to additional entrepreneurs in the capita consumption. Other African demand for our teas. category of special interest groups countries that do not necessarily such as women and youths leading produce tea, the Middle East, Asia, What are the untapped to wealth creation and reduction and Europe continue to present a opportunities available in the tea of the black cut, tea and curl (CTC) unique opportunity to be explored. sector? teas the current tea commodity that The tea sector has various Do we need to diversify into other Kenya is largely producing in the opportunities such as branding tea specialties other than the black world market. orthodox tea and do these have our black teas and selling them as One of the main challenges in the market? value added consumer packaged teas, specialty teas (purple tea, tea sector is ageing plantations. We Yes, we do. Specialty teas can be orthodox teas, white teas, green have seen some farmers threaten produced in Kenya with the promise teas, yellow teas, oolong teas, dark or even uproot tea plantations of higher returns. Specialty teas teas, tea extracts), value added tea due to other challenges, such as a (purple teas, white teas, green fortified food products, value added depressed market. What are you teas, yellow teas, oolong teas), tea tea fortified non-food products, and doing to encourage farmers to extracts, value added teas with branding of teas. invest in new plants which might Kenyan brands, value added tea take some time to mature? food products (cookies, cakes, bread, What is KALRO doing to boost The replanting of an old tea land ice cream, alcoholic beverages, non- farmers to produce tea that meets showing low productivity (1,900kg alcoholic beverages), and value global standards to maintain its mt/ha) with high yielding tea added tea non-food products (soaps, top position among tea producing cultivars is such an expensive shampoos, lotions, creams) have countries in Africa? venture that the smallholder farmer great potential for market expansion KALRO has an elaborate mandate to has to be supported, given the low of Kenyan produced tea. boost tea production in the region income currently accruing from as well as produce tea in accordance How important is branding/ tea enterprise. For example, it has with global standards, partnering identity of Kenyan tea, and should been estimated that replantation with stakeholders to educate farmers stakeholders consider secondary costs range between Sh500,000 and through practical trainings, advisory value addition other than just Sh750,000 per hectare depending farm and factory visits upon request. primary production? on age and type of tea cultivar to be

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replaced with seedling types of tea bushes costing more. Since, tea industry is still sustainable so long as the appropriate strategy KALRO-TRI has developed and released some of the highest is put in place with accompanying resources. yielding tea cultivars in the tea growing world (i.e. up to 8,000kg What do the current tea legislative proposals in the country mt/ha), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and portend for the tea sector? Cooperatives is working out a budget for a support package to If they result in a research support package, then they will be the tune of over Sh5 billion to assist the resource poor farmers good for the tea industry. Any industry that does not invest in R4D in replanting programmes. (research for development) is a dying industry. This should not be Some media reports show that the young generation is allowed for the Kenyan tea industry, bearing in mind the number shunning agriculture to focus on other ventures. What is of livelihoods it supports and the amount of foreign exchange it KALRO doing to integrate the youth in the tea sector value generates for our country. chain? What is your parting remark to stakeholders in the tea sector? KALRO-TRI is constructing a model Cottage Tea Processing Value addition is the current model that the tea industry sector facility, which among others will serve as an Incubation Centre is using to help in diversification of tea to other teas, which will for training women and youths in specialty tea processing, enable the industry increase its profitability. product diversification (such as fortified tea beauty products, confectionary, pharmaceuticals, ready-to-drink teas) and This model is being embraced by farmers and groups of farmers value addition. This is an investment segment that is highly who can manage to process up to 300,000kg green leaf (GL) per appealing to the youths and that will only need moderate year to specialty teas in cottage setups. In addition, the tea sector capital. has the potential to generate much more foreign exchange, create more jobs. In conclusion, when tea is taken without sugar and What advice do you give to farmers who plant the cash crop milk, it enhances immunity and therefore human health, leading to promote food and nutrition security, considering that land to a more robust and productive population. Kenyan black CTC tea is becoming finite, yet the population still increases? has similar antioxidant capacity as Chinese and Japanese green The solution is going for high yielding tea cultivars that are teas. Therefore, the sector needs to embrace and at the same time suitable for novel tea products, hence fetching premium prices. tackle the prevailing and emergent challenges with the available This implies that a similar portion of land will give several resources as spearheaded by KALRO. times higher income than the normal black CTC tea. Kenya’s Specialty purple tea at the Tea Research Institute adds value to the beverage.

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COVID-19 hits Africa’s cashew farmers hard By Alberto Leny

African countries, the leading held virtually for the first time in its was extremely important during this producers of raw cashew nuts in history. period. the world, are reeling from the Welcoming delegates to the “The pandemic has left social and devastating economic impact of the conference, African Cashew Alliance economic consequences on all sectors. coronavirus pandemic. President Florentino Nanque said the Cashew producers, processing units, The revelation was made at the world challenge posed by COVID-19 traders, exporters and retailers 14th African Cashew Alliance (ACA) presented a new opportunity to of products and byproducts have Annual Conference, Africa’s premier explore virtual means to achieve witnessed a negative impact on cashew event held from 9 to 11 industry goals. their activities and incomes. The September in Accra, Ghana, amid the Consultative International Cashew threat is still great for countries and upheavals caused by the virus. Council (CICC) President, the Burkina stakeholders involved in the cashew Representatives of international Faso Minister of Commerce, Industry industry around the world.” organisations and institutions, and Handicrafts Harouna Kabore, ACA is a strategic partner of CICC, cashew industry stakeholders, said the deliberations on the theme an inter-governmental organisation experts from the cashew industry- ‘Building a viable cashew value chain of 11 cashew-producing countries wide sector attended the conference to withstand market disruptions’ established in November 2016 in

1616 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Africa has maintained its position as agricultural practices adopted by CICC holds about 42% of the world the largest producer of raw cashew farmers,” he told the conference. production with, unfortunately, nuts, accounting for approximately Processing of cashew in Africa approximately 10% of the share of 57% of the world’s total production. serves as a source of employment this production processed in this Though processing is still a challenge, for thousands of workers, over 65% community space - a value addition cashew contributes greatly to Africa’s of them women. Nearly 200,000 shortfall stemming from: economic growth and stakeholders metric tons of raw cashew nuts • Weakness of technology and can work together to build a were processed in Africa in 2019, innovation. viable value chain to withstand representing about 10% of the unexpected disruptions such as the cashew production in Africa. • Below optimal management of COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions the processing units. Over 40,000 jobs (estimated at 200 jobs of the meeting focused on the per 1000 tons), must be saved through • Lack of know-how well growth of the industry, the changes the joint efforts of governments, sustained over time. being experienced, and learnings development cooperation, and the • Low attractiveness of industrial for a fortified industry, advanced private sector partners. policies to secure private researches, required processing The pandemic has forced some investment. options and adequate policies needed processors to shut down their • Weak market regulation. in Africa. operations, while most have incurred The consumption of cashew Ghana Deputy Minister for additional costs implementing products and by-products in the Agriculture George Oduro, on behalf COVID-19 protocols to remain CICC community remains marginal of Minister Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, operational. despite their nutritional potential said cashew production is a major Market disruptions, either resulting and well-known health benefits. source of income for 1.8 million from inefficiencies in the value chain cashew-farming families in West In spite of the huge potential the or from pandemics such as COVID-19, Africa. Cashew provides them with cashew sector portends, wealth will continue unless African countries their livelihoods especially during creation opportunities and adopt and implement conscientious the lean season. employment for young people and efforts to build a viable, efficient, women in rural areas in production, “With the outbreak of the COVID-19 effective and profitable value chain. processing and trade are yet to be pandemic, farmers have experienced In Ghana, the Tree Crops optimised. declined farmgate prices, greatly Development Authority Act, 2019 affecting production levels and the was passed into law to regulate results of the many years of good

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“Low prices, exploitative conditions imposed by intermediaries or brokers and the government export ban in 2009 have demotivated farmers

have not contracted during the COVID period, yet consumers continue to partake snacks. Market demand for cashew soared during COVID 19 and is a huge market opportunity that continues to expand,” she informed delegates. The Principal Secretary in Kenya’s State Department for Agricultural Research, and West Africa accounts for about Crop Development Prof Hamadi Iddi Boga, 78% of Africa’s 2.1 million tons of raw cashew nuts (RCN) produced and develop the cashew and five Six processing factories shut down annually. Nevertheless, infrastructure other tree crops through the Tree in the previous years were revived like storage warehouses that would Crop Development Authority and to increase processing capacity and increase bargaining power of Africa’s the Planting for Export and Rural create additional jobs. Ghana and market share is not adequate. Development (PERD) programme. other cashew producing countries “Long supply chains and reliance on The aim is to promote the of Africa must build an efficient, one destination, for example Vietnam development of selected tree crops effective and viable cashew industry is risky. We need to adopt boldly a for diversified export earnings, boost to attract and protect investments, private sector focus for processing and production, promote rural economic creating additional incomes and jobs even for financing farmers through growth, improve household African Development Bank (AfDB) processors. ,” said Toda. incomes of rural farmers and Director of Agricultural Finance and She noted that domestic processing create a sustainable raw material Rural Development Ms Atsuko Toda was the way to reduce its dependency base to support the decentralised – in the keynote address, said the on primary exports and insulate from industrialisation drive. African Cashew Alliance’s convening volatility of commodity prices; though Under the programme’s One District role and focus on market outreach lack of adequate financing remained One Factory, a total of 15 million for Africa-branded products is critical the main challenge among other seedlings were produced and to transform the sector. factors for smaller processors. With distributed to farmers of cashew and Currently the supply chain is the onset of COVID, factories have other selected crops. organized so that cashew is produced had to shut down, while others have Ghana’s cashew sector is most in Africa, processed in Asia and had to cut down on staff to save costs. promising in West Africa, production exported to Europe and America In 2019 therefore, it is no wonder that significantly growing in the past for secondary processing and processing in Africa stood at 10% of its decade from 22,000 metric tonnes in consumption. total production. 2009 to an estimated 105,000 MT in “European and US markets for cashew 2020.

18 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 The need to shorten the bridge between processors and consumption markets via safety standards and certifications, market information, marketing strategies and Cashew, Africa’s trade facilitation is key. This is because many processors are not familiar with export market demands. ‘white gold’ crop Three African countries stand out for their policies and programs: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique. Different strategic orientations are being tried on the continent, finds potential adapted to their context (political, production level, elites in power etc). There is something to learn from each of those three countries. By Murimi Gitari A game changer is Côte d’Ivoire which is the largest single Socio-economic, biophysical and technical constraints linked to global producer. CIV has adopted a range of policies production and marketing are blocking African countries from with government funding production research, farmers, realizing full potential of the cashew crop. infrastructure, compensating investors in processing for the price differential with other export-oriented processing Africa accounts for over one-third of the world’s total production of destinations. cashews, exporting an estimated 95% of raw cashew, yet the region’s share is decreasing, producing considerably less than its prospective COVID is an opportunity to think about how the cashew volumes. value chain is structured. Africa is greatly impacted when there are disruptions in the market, such as what has been Cashew is a good crop for investment and development. For Africa to created by the COVID 19 – shutdown of factories, decrease continue being the world’s leading producer and even becoming the in exports, back log of RCN in warehouses and loss of jobs. top exporter globally, strategies, initiatives and programmes need to be developed and implemented, experts say. Relevant agriculture and trade ministries and stakeholders must work together in achieving sustainable cashew production for Africa to start cashing in on cashew farming, often described as the “white gold” on trees due to its lucrative returns on investment.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE 002 1919 ROOTOOBA Highlight topic

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire, Cashew farming in Kenya is mostly Moreover, lack of adequate regulation Ghana, Guinea-Bisau, Mozambique practiced in the coastal belt counties resulted in an influx of brokers who and Tanzania are the dominant of Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa and manipulated the market and exploited cashew producers on the continent. Tana River, and more recently in weak legislation on import and export Cote d’ Ivoire became the largest parts of Taita Taveta and Tharaka of cashew and value-added products. producer and exporter of the nuts in Nithi. The situation was further weakened Africa due to the rapid expansion of The area under cashew production in by the 2009 export ban. production in 2014. the country was estimated at 21,284 Through the Agriculture Food Cote d’Ivoire’s success has offered hectares in 2016 but yields and nuts Authority (AFA), the Kenya Agricultural hope to other African countries quality are diminishing due to ageing and Livestock Organization (KALRO) and cashew production in Africa trees and poor agronomic practices. and development partners including is expected to increase by a million “Low prices, exploitative conditions the EU, the government is supporting hectares over the next four years. imposed by intermediaries or brokers farmers with training, planting This increase will only be realized and the government export ban in materials, seedlings and crop if stakeholders and government 2009 have demotivated farmers from protection products. institutions support the cashew investing in new and high-yielding Over 300,000 cashew seedlings were farmers to overcome the challenges cashew trees,” Prof Boga explains. provided to farmers in Kilifi, Lamu, they face. Reduction of production per acre Makueni, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Tana The Principal Secretary in Kenya’s is also attributed to farmer apathy River and Tharaka Nithi counties in State Department for Crops due to low farm gate prices. Whereas 2019, resulting in a marginal increase Development and Agricultural the factory gate price has been on in the country’s total acreage under Research, Prof Hamadi Iddi Boga, an upward trend, the converse has production. says the socio-economic, biophysical been the case for farmers selling to While reviving the cashew value chain and technical constraints that have middlemen. to transform Kenya into a lead player affected the cashew sector in the Costly farm inputs and lack of in the world cashew nut market, all country are directly or indirectly certified material for cashew farming, stakeholders are being called upon to linked to production and marketing. inadequate developmental research, act together and resolve the systemic “This affects the quantity and insufficient knowledge, technology bottlenecks that have bogged down quality of the nuts that are needed and information transfer to boost the sector. by factories for processing cashew production have also been cited as products,” the PS says. challenges

2020 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 “Synergies among the Ministry in the cashew sub-sector that have led Successful implementation of these of Agriculture, cashew producing to decline of cashew production in the strategies is expected to drastically increase county government, research country,” the PS says. cashew production in Kenya from the institutions, the private sector, Extension officers will be trained on good current 5,000 tonnes in the country to 30,000 development partners, processors agricultural practices on cashew farming tonnes within the next three years, according and the farmers will go a long way in to in turn train farmers after establishing to Prof Boga. reviving cashew farming,” says Prof cashew demonstration plots with the help Cote d’Ivoire is the world’s largest producer Boga. of agriculture officers. Existing cashew of cashew nuts followed by Tanzania. Cote He further added that farmers will orchards will be upgraded through d’Ivoire produced 313,000 tonnes of cashew need to replace their ageing trees selective thinning, top working and nuts between 2018 and 2019 and aims at with new and high-yielding varieties planting new cashew trees. Community increasing its capacity to 1 million tonnes by while government ensures they have nurseries will also be established. 2024. access to quality seeds to revamp Further development centers will Though the country produces over 23% their existing orchids be established and research centers of the world’s cashew supply worth $800 Kenya is also rehabilitating older strengthened for cashew researchers and million, fewer than 7% of raw cashew nuts orchards and introducing new high- technicians to be trained on developing are processed locally. Lack of investment yielding varieties by planting 2.5 improved planting materials, appropriate in processing factories, failure to upgrade million seedlings every year for the methods of multiplication of the planting existing ones and lack of access to working next six years through the ‘Korosho material and good agricultural practices capital means that the country exports ni Maisha’ project. Farmers will in cashew production. nearly all of its productionThis is a scenario receive agronomy and extension The initiative also plans to backstop for Kenya to ponder on as it sets to revive its services support plus capacity cashew farmers to undertake semi cashew sector. building to ensure proper practice in processing of their own nuts, as well as the cashew value chain. link them with medium and large-scale “We have come up with short and processing factories for final finishing, long term strategies with specific packaging and marketing to international focus that will help us get solutions markets. to the already existing challenges

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE 002 2121 ROOTOOBA Highlight topic

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Food Safety +254 728 976 035 is +254 702 328 064 our business +254 202 001 657/58 USA [email protected] USA [email protected] NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE 002 23 ROOTOOBA Highlight topic More African nations join Bt cotton league By Verenardo Meeme

Kenya and Nigeria have joined by genetically altering the cotton manufacture of masks and personal Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, South genome to express a microbial protective equipment (PPEs) Africa, Sudan and eSwatini in the protein from the bacterium known currently in high demand supporting list of African countries embracing as Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt cotton containment measures to curb the commercial growing of Bt cotton. emanates from the scientific process COVID-19 pandemic. A combination of pests, diseases that produces genetically modified Even before the outbreak of the and collapsed ginneries has over the organisms (GMOs). novel coronavirus, farmers in sub- years led to a drastic decline in cotton With research and field tests Saharan Africa had seen the demand production on the continent after confirming that Bt cotton is safe for cotton rise over the years, yet thousands of farmers abandoned and raises on-farm production many had abandoned growing the growing the crop that sustains the levels significantly per hectare, crop due to various factors, among textiles and apparel-manufacturing many governments are encouraging them the collapse of the textiles and sector. farmers to engage in commercially apparel industries. Bt cotton is an insect-resistant growing the crop, a move experts say Cotton farming was once the transgenic crop designed to combat would greatly help revive the sector. backbone of the economies of Kenya’s the bollworm. Bt cotton was created Cotton is a major raw material in the Coast, Eastern, Nyanza and Rift

24 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Valley regions. However, production the sector. The recently opened Kitui countries, Ethiopia has allowed the sharply declined as dejected farmers County Textiles factory (KICOTEC) environmental release of Bt cotton, stopped growing the crop. provides yet another shot in the arm according to the International For the past four decades various for cotton farmers in the Eastern Service for Acquisition of Agribiotech attempts by the government, region. Applications (ISAAA) report. cooperative societies and other These developments are likely to have Cameroon and Malawi are continuing players to revive the sector had come far-reaching positive consequences to test genetically modified cotton in to nought as farmers quit growing for the sector that has been on a confined field trials. cotton in droves. The situation had sharp decline for so many years. Kenya’s Ministry of Industry, been made worse by the shutting Plans are underway to boost cotton Trade and Cooperatives notes down of major textile factories production in the Nyanza region that the Bt cotton variety has an among them Kicomi in Kisumu from 40,000 bales of lint to 70,000 in-built mechanism to protect County and Rivatex in Eldoret, Uasin bales per year and Bt cotton could itself from caterpillar pests, also Gishu County play a key part in this revival. commonly known as the bollworm. This protection comes from a However, after 2013, the government Fibre Crops Regulation and scientific process known as genetic initiated a strategy to revive the Compliance manager John Adhola modification (GM). The in-built sector, raising the hopes of farmers in says the government is committed to mechanism is from a common soil the regions that used to successfully expanding cotton production in the bacterium also knows as Bt, which grow cotton. The revival of Rivatex region to meet local and international stands for Bacillus thuringiensis. was a significant development in market demand. the region as there was now a ready Bt produces a protein that is harmful “The strategy to expand cotton market for cotton supply. to the digestive system of a caterpillar production aims at reviving the pest. When the caterpillar feeds on In yet another boost to cotton farming collapsed industry and creating the Bt cotton plant, its digestive in 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta more economic opportunities in the system is weakened, making it directed that all uniforms for the country. disciplined forces in the country unable to feed and it eventually “Previously, middlemen flooded the would be exclusively made at the dies. However, Bt is very specific and sector, exploiting farmers, making newly-built National Youth Service not harmful to humans and other cotton farming less lucrative. Because (NYS) Textile Centre supported by animals. It has been used in organic of diminished returns, farmers the Chinese government. farming as a spray for over 50 years shied away from growing the crop,” to control insect pests. This was indeed great news for explains Adhola. Kenya’s cotton farmers who could In July 2018, Nigeria commercialized Among the other African now peg their hopes on the revival of

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE 002 25 ROOTOOBA Highlight topic

Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya (left) launches the first batch of Bt cotton seeds, setting the stage for the commercial production of the crop.

Bt cotton, its first genetically earn more from the crop through revitalization of Kenya’s cotton, textile modified crop to be approved as a increased production. It will also and apparel sector. means to revitalize its dwindling boost the manufacturing pillar of the The government targets to have over textile industry. “GM cotton will ‘Big’ 4 Agenda where Kenya seeks to 200,000 acres under commercial Bt cotton revolutionize the nation’s agriculture establish itself as a regional leader in cultivation by 2022, creating over 25,000 and textile sectors,” said National textile and apparel production.’’ jobs for Kenyans along the value chain. Committee on Naming, Registration FAOSTAT data indicates that by 2016, "These job opportunities will be in and Release of Crop Materials out of total area 35 million hectares cultivation, processing or trading in Chairman Chief Oladosun Awoyemi under cotton, globally, 22.3 million locally manufactured garments and at the official announcement of its hectares is on biotech cotton, with 4% clothes," Munya explained. release in Ibadan. percent of global cotton production "Cultivation of Bt cotton by our farmers In February 2019, Nigeria became genetically modified. will guarantee a constant supply of the first country in the world to Bt cotton is currently planted in 15 raw materials to ginneries and cotton approve genetically modified cowpea countries globally covering an area processing industries thus supporting a popular food crop popular in West of 24.1 million hectares. The top value addition and job creation up the Africa. three leading Bt cotton producers value chain." In December 2019, the Kenyan are India (11.6 million hectares), USA ISAAA notes that as the cotton industry Cabinet approved the commercial (5.06 million hectares) and China (2.93 sank, only five out of 22 ginneries farming of Bt cotton hybrids million hectares). remained operational in Kenya as of 2017, following the successful completion Kenya’s Agriculture, Livestock, producing an average 25,000 bales against of field trials conducted over a period Fisheries and Cooperatives Cabinet an annual demand of 200,000 bales. Since of five years, saying: Secretary Peter Munya in March the deficit is covered through imports, ‘‘The commercial farming of Bt released the first batch of Bt cotton the demand for quality locally produced cotton is set to ensure farmers seeds to farmers as part of the cotton is insatiable.

26 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Cotton production has remained very one of the most widely produced cash compared to the conventional cotton that low due to numerous challenges, key crops grown by African smallholder require at least 12 sprays to tame pests. among them pests and low quality farmers, ranking only second in value “With Bt cotton, farmers besides saving seed. Introduction of Bt cotton will after cocoa. money also save time which can be used for address some of these challenges. Despite its economic potential, the doing other things, indirect savings from Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority industry faces a number of risks such reduced chances of poisoning hence less CEO Prof Dorrington Ogoyi says as price fluctuations of both inputs visits to hospitals, higher yields and quality during the October-November short and cotton on the world market, cotton,” Wature said. rains, farmers in the Eastern region changing weather conditions, Dr Waturu explains that the production of would plant Bt cotton as part of pest attacks and pest and disease hybrid seed is technically a very complex an ongoing exercise in which the resistance. All these risk factors undertaking that cannot normally be government has identified 1,000 threaten the sustainability of cotton done on a large scale because it is labour- farmers to receive the country’s first production in Africa. intensive and requires manual cross- genetically modified (GM) cotton The larva of the cotton bollworm is fertilization. Therefore, production of the seeds. the main cotton pest throughout hybrids will be tied to commercialization, The process was slowed down by the Africa, which can cause damage in up where small farmers’ fields will be selected National Environment Management to 90% of bolls when untreated. Due and trained on selfing of the parent lines to Authority (NEMA) request for to strong bollworm pest pressure, produce hybrids. environmental impact assessment. cotton is heavily sprayed with The current planting in Western region and However, the report was submitted chemical pesticides. East/Central Kenya are demonstrations. last month, and Kenyan farmers Unsafe pesticide use poses significant Full-scale commercial planting will will start planting Bt cotton in health hazards for farmers and commence during the April/May 2021 rains commercial demonstration plots workers and generates extensive in the Coastal and Western regions. across Eastern Kenya, Ogoyi tells environmental pollution, according Rootooba. to International Plant Biotechnology Farmers in Busia in Western Kenya Outreach. However, experts say are already growing Bt cotton in more attention needs to be focused their fields in a bid to change their on developing local institutions for fortunes. farmers to take full advantage of the However, some experts have concerns technology. about Bt cotton's safety, especially These include the institutions its consumable products, such as supporting public and private cotton seedcake being integrated into capacity for technology generation, Kenya’s value chain. A concern the technology delivery through government has dispelled, observing markets, extension and regulations, that all safety measures have been and farmer capacities to demand put in place before the crop is allowed services, participate in markets and to go to the farmers. understand the technology they are Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the using. government recently approved the The experts conclude that much commercial release of two of its broader smallholder access to homegrown Bt cotton hybrids. It has improved input packages such as also approved Bt cowpea cultivation, improved seed and fertilizer and the a staple crop that is an important technical advice needed to use them source of protein for many West properly is also largely required. Africans. Kenya Horticulture Research International Plant Biotechnology Institute Director Dr Charles Waturu Outreach is convinced cotton says over 30% of the total cotton represents a crucial source of income production costs goes towards pest for rural populations and national control. Bt cotton requires only economies in sub-Saharan Africa. It is about three applications of pesticides Field tests of the the Bt cotton have shown great potential.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE 002 27 ROOTOOBA Highlight topic

After they are roasted and crushed, the shea nuts are ground into a fine paste by women in Burkina Faso. CIFOR/Ollivier Girard Insecurity, COVID-19 hit women-led shea sector

Women have dominated shea production and sales for centuries in West Africa, managing trees, gathering nuts, roasting and crushing kernels to create rich butter used in cooking, cosmetics and medicines. This women-led shea market value chain now faces increasing uncertainties on various fronts, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso has seen the country “replace Mali” at the epicenter of the Sahel’s security crisis” over the past year, as countries in the semi-arid region engage in increasingly volatile battles against insurgencies with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State. To explore the potential impact of multiple changes affecting domestic and international By Julie Mollins trade in shea, the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) – a multi-stakeholder platform comprised of government, private sector, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, research and women’s shea producer associations – recently organized three online sessions for a “Virtual Shea Lab”. The shea trade has been seen by Europeans as a potentially lucrative investment opportunity from at least the early 20th century, said Andrew Wardell, a principal scientist with the Center for International Research (CIFOR), who delivered one of the presentations during the event.

28 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 producer AAK AB., Indian fats and cosmetics company 3F Industries and the US agricultural commodities trader Bunge Ltd did not establish trading bases or crushing facilities in the country until after 2005. Previously, they operated out of West African ports such as Abidjan, Tema and Cotonou and hence, depended on in-country wholesalers. “Since global demand in chocolate products grew in the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – we’ve seen a big growth in demand for shea nuts for use in chocolate manufacture because it’s much less expensive as a raw material,” Wardell said, explaining that cocoa butter can now be substituted up to 5 percent by a so- called equivalent. Shea butter production process near Chiana, Kassena Nankana District, Ghana. Although the CBE manufacturers CIFOR/Axel Fassio have recently initiated direct “Various historical, political, economic of the country. purchasing from women’s shea producer associations, they remain and social threads are becoming Although prices and the volume dependent on a complex pyramidal entangled and should be addressed of trade in shea nuts have both purchasing network established by to protect the industry as the region increased, profit margins for Bobo Dioulasso wholesalers during confronts a confluence of significant women shea nut producers have the colonial period. crises and changes,” he said. been reduced as an oligarchy of The first significant European wholesalers in Bobo Dioulasso — the The network trading is based on trust, incursions into the shea sector country’s second largest city after the distant kinships, “apprenticeship” of involved so-called Treaties of capital Ouagadougou — continue wholesaler family members and an Friendship and Trade that were to act as intermediaries in bulking- intimate knowledge of local units negotiated with local chiefs by the up for the large transnational of sale — yoruba and cocotassa — French, British and Germans as early corporations, said Wardell, who has and weight loss associated with the as the 1890s. studied the sector for 20 years. drying of shea nuts, he said. In 1924, a colonial superintendent “In Burkina Faso, where 94% of The shea trade in Burkina Faso is of agriculture and forestry in the households collect shea nuts and now divided into two basic strands, Gold Coast Colony – now Ghana – 60% of households sell shea nuts Wardell added. The smaller strand, observed that the collecting of shea or butter, shea is the fourth largest which represents about 10 percent of kernels was entirely done by women, source of government revenues after trade, is a classic agri-food, vertically- but anticipated that would change gold, cotton and livestock,” he said. integrated value chain, driven by “…when it was found out there was “Not only is it the most significant buyers and increasingly governed money to be made from shea kernels,” source of household revenues and by trading standards. This is similar Wardell said. subsistence use for women, but it to the horticultural trade from other sub-Saharan African countries The most significant growth in remains a staple food oil for more such as Kenya with European shea demand in Burkina Faso has than 200 million people across sub- supermarkets. In this scenario, shea occurred over the past 20 years as Saharan Africa.” is typically traded as butter to supply large agri-business firms producing The CBE technology was developed the cosmetics industry. Cocoa Butter Equivalents (CBEs) in the 1960s, although the main have established trading bases and CBE manufacturers, including the The second strand is where 90 crushing facilities in the south-west Danish-Swedish speciality fats percent of the trade now occurs; it involves the unprocessed nuts or

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE 002 29 ROOTOOBA Highlight topic

semi-processed nuts. The nuts are and movement restrictions further term, it is still unclear how AfCFTA will crushed, then they are fractionated frustrate supply chains. help women shea producers in the short to separate the different oils, the GSA could see financial gains term, even without factoring in COVID latter occurring outside the country. through AfCFTA, which came into complications. Now, the coronavirus pandemic poses effect in 2019, Ogo said. “There is only so far the sector can new threats due to lockdowns, which But it remains unclear if women shea expand,” Wardell said. “Women clearly have limited business activities, butter producers will see economic get greater financial benefits from value- led to unemployment and reduced benefits when the free trade added processing of shea nuts into shea incomes, and limited mobility while agreement — which was originally butter, then selling the unprocessed nuts. creating obstacles to free trade, even to be launched on July 1, but has now Even though there are greater volumes as the African Continental Free Trade been put on hold due to coronavirus involved, the women are still getting Area (AfCFTA) agreement moves — is eventually implemented. proportionately very little from the trade ever closer to implementation. in shea nuts.” While negotiations are still underway, “COVID-19 has made the 16 million 55 member countries would remove Research into this area continues at women throughout sub-Saharan tariffs from 90 percent of goods, CIFOR through Globalizations in a Africa who rely on revenues with the goal of boosting trade on nutshell: Opportunities and risks for from shea nuts and shea butter a continent-wide free trade market women shea producers in West African increasingly vulnerable,” Wardell valued at more than $3 trillion, which shea parklands. The project, which is said. would serve 1.2 billion people. supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and The UN Economic Commission for Under the agreement, shea exports the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Africa estimates that the African could increase due to the removal Trees and Agroforestry (FTA), has so far continent will face an immediate of trade tariffs on shea products. supported three master’s students from decline in gross domestic product Currently, tariffs on raw shea butter Nazi Boni University’s Institute of Rural growth from 3.2 percent to 1.8 percent are between 10 and 40% in African Development in Burkina Faso. in 2020 due to COVID-19, but with a countries, Ogo said. Other benefits further adverse impact if it is not would include the increase in “Three draft theses are under review, contained in the short-term, said Ify productive capacity and enhancing one by a student studying the costs and Ogo, regional coordination specialist trade readiness, she said. benefits of certification of shea butter as a for AfCFTA at the UN Deevelopment way of increasing the revenues of women Through the agreement, trade has a Programme and a speaker at the GSA shea producers,” Wardell said. key role to play as a driver of economic Africa Conference 2020. recovery and development, therefore, “Trade is a significant conduit for for Africa, the post-COVID-19 This article is reproduced with the this negative impact through three stimulus package is the actual permission of Forests News under the transmission channels,” she said, AfCFTA and the implementation CGIAR Research Program on Forests, explaining that compressed demand of this agreement, she said, citing Trees and Agroforestry. The author, Julie related to Africa’s most important Wamkele Mene, secretary general of Mollins, has since 2013 served in various trading partners — including the the AfCFTA secretariat. editorial and outreach roles with CGIAR- European Union, China, the United “Under this scenario, trade routes affiliated organizations, including as States and India — are undergoing must be open, so as yet it’s unclear editor of Forests News for the Center simultaneous crises and reducing how the single market would benefit for International Forestry Research imports. women involved in the shea industry,” (CIFOR), editor of Landscape News for Additionally, prices for many of Wardell said. “As well, due to much the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) the commodity exports on which of the work occurring in women’s and news editor and media manager Africa depends are dropping. Finally, collectives and associations, physical for the International Maize and Wheat disrupted supply chains are taking a distancing makes production Improvement Center (CIMMYT). toll, more than half of Africa’s exports untenable.” go to countries that are significantly AfCFTA does not necessarily take affected by COVID-19, while 53 into account historical trade routes, percent of its imports originate from which are not always reflected in such significantly affected countries, official country borders. Although she said, adding that quarantines it may be beneficial over the long

30 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Spirulina superfood

By Dr David Githanga and Prof Jessie Githanga

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), produced in western Kenya around micronutrients like zinc, manganese, a blue–green algae, is one of the the Lake Victoria region. Currently it bio-chelated iron, selenium and richest whole food sources available is produced at the Coast and Gilgil in copper. in nature and has been consumed by Nakuru County. Spirulina is easily digestible, has high man since pre-historic times. Spirulina is environmentally friendly energy, is gluten free, is low in fats and The Mayan Empire,300 to 900 AD, and does not require fertile land, hence fits into most dietary plans. centred in the tropical lowlands of requiring less energy input and The World Health Organization what is now Guatemala, cultivated less water per kilogram than maize named Spirulina as one of the world’s spirulina in their waterways which protein. This means that there will greatest superfoods. were also used to irrigate their crops. not be competition with other food United Nations World Food In the 16th Century, the Aztec in crops. Conference (1974) declared Spirulina ancient Mexico harvested it from Spirulina is a natural food that the best ‘food of the future’ due to their great soda lakes. A number of contains a wide range of important its ability to efficiently synthesize countries today cultivate spirulina nutrients, including proteins, high-quality food concentrate. with China, USA, Japan and India vitamins including A, B12 and folic National Aeronautics and Space being some of the major suppliers. acid and minerals. It has most of Administration (NASA) uses In Kenya, spirulina was initially the known natural antioxidants, Spirulina as a dietary supplement for

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astronauts on NASA missions. absorption, a situation seen in Nutraceutical is a term derived from malnourished children. “nutrient” and “pharmaceutical”. The Individuals affected by HIV/AIDS name was coined in 1989 by Stephen have been known to gain weight DeFelice, founder and chairman of and report feeling better after the Foundation for Innovation in using spirulina. Drugs used for HIV Medicine. treatment have been associated with A ‘nutrient’ is a nourishing food insulin resistance and abnormal fat component while ‘pharmaceutical’ metabolism that results in raised ILRI animal nutritionist Michael denotes a medical drug. cholesterol, including the bad type of Blümmel in his office at the ICRISAT Nutraceuticals are therefore cholesterol. campus in Hyderabad, India (Photo: products derived from food sources Spirulina has been found to mitigate ILRI/Stevie Mann). with extra health benefits in addition these undesired side effects of to the basic nutritional value. antiretroviral treatment. Tribute to ILRI They promote general wellbeing In this era of COVID -19 pandemic senior scientist besides providing non-specific where there is currently no known biological benefits. Spirulina effective vaccine or definitive The International Livestock Research may be taken as supplemented treatment, many experts have Institute (ILRI) fraternity was last nutraceuticals or in its pure form recommended alternative protection month left in mourning following such as a powder, capsules or the measures to enhance the immune the demise of their colleague Michael fresh paste. system and improve general health. Blümmel, a principal scientist and Spirulina is known to have immune The burgeoning interest in natural deputy program leader in the feed boosting, anti-inflammatory and remedies has seen Spirulina touted and forage development program. anti-allergic effects. Free radicals as one of the most effective natural Michael passed away on Tuesday 13 are unstable molecules that are by immunity enhancers. October 2020, after a short illness in products of cell metabolism causing The minor side effects like headache, his hometown in Germany where he illness and aging. nausea and insomnia which occur in was receiving treatment. Overproduction of free radicals a few people are outweighed by the His friends and colleagues at ILRI may cause oxidative damage that multiple benefits. and the broader scientific community eventually leads to many chronic Spirulina provides an opportunity to registered shock and dismay at illnesses like as heart disease, engage in a healthy lifestyle using a his untimely passing, with many diabetes, arthritis, stroke and cancer. natural product that has minimal remembering his thoughtfulness and Spirulina contains antioxidants also side effects. kindness as a colleague and mentor, known as ‘free-radical scavengers’ Further local studies to evaluate the as well as his scientific skills in animal that are known to prevent or slow role of Spirulina in a variety of disease nutrition and feed production. cell damage induced by free radicals. states would provide alternative ‘We will miss Michael not only for Most low-income countries approaches to management of his scientific contributions but for experience significant levels malnutrition and chronic diseases. the calm and caring human being of malnutrition amongst their At a time that many countries are he was’, said ILRI Director-General vulnerable populations. Spirulina, experiencing food insecurity with Jimmy Smith. which is rich in protein and contains the attendant problems of ill health, ‘This loss will reverberate throughout a high proportion of essential amino Spirulina provides new and exciting the world of animal nutrition within acids, vitamins and minerals can be opportunities of significant potential CGIAR and many national partners used to fortify infant feeds and has for trade and food security. as well’, said Shirley Tarawali, been found to be safe in children Dr David Githanga is a paediatric assistant director general at ILRI. She aged 1-3 years. cardiologist and public health added, ‘Michael understood very well Moreover, the absorption and specialist and Prof Jessie Githanga how sound science related to real digestion is good even for those is an associate professor at the issues facing farmers and others on with reduced capacity for nutrient University of Nairobi. the ground.’

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Cocoa wilts in Ghana amid world price glut By Quainoo Reuben and Kundan Pandey

For over seven decades, as the With an annual production of crucial role in this regard. world’s second, and at some point 800,000 million tonnes, Ghana is the This explains why the cocoa sector leading, producer of cocoa, Ghana largest producer of cocoa after Cote remains the most developed has benefited enormously from her d’Ivoire. But between the 1960s and subsector of the agroindustry with cocoa sector. 1970s, the plantations experienced a Ghana earning in excess of $2 billion Ghana is the world's second-biggest major decline and nearly collapsed in in annual foreign exchange while cocoa producer, after its West the early 1980s. also serving as a major source of African neighbour, Cote d'Ivoire. All these years, the cocoa sector has employment and income to about According to the country's Cocoa been the most well-organized, and 800,000 families (according to Board (COCOBOD), Ghana expects properly regulated subsector of AsokoInsight). to output approximately 900,000 the Agricultural industry, with the However, as President Nana Addo tonnes of cocoa in the 2020/2021 Ghana Cocoa Board, established in Dankwa Akuffo Addo indicated at season, up 5.8% from the forecast for 1947 to regulate the sector, playing a 2019/2020.

A farmer dries cocoa pods harvested from the trees on her farm before they are sorted for export as raw material.

34 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 the official inauguration of the Tree have been hit hard. World Bank Crops Development Authority in estimates show that cocoa accounts Between 2009 and 2014, September 2020, there is the need for for 67 per cent of the earning in a “a change in our country’s agricultural cocoa-producing household. agriculture contributed direction and its overreliance on Growing cocoa is labour-intensive. 25.6% of the country’s cocoa”. First, the tree flowers and bears fruit Ghana’s overreliance on cocoa has throughout the year. So, a farmer gross domestic product resulted in the underdevelopment of needs to monitor all the fruits closely (GDP); the chocolate fruit some very potential subsectors of the and cut it using a machete as soon as agricultural industry. they ripen. contributed 17% of the Currently, Ghana’s cocoa farmers face Since the plant is susceptible to pests figure. an uncertain future due to a major and slight changes in the weather, it decline of the commodity’s prices on keeps the farmers on their toes. Most the international market. farmers press all members of their families to keep the farm litter-free The government, known to provide eastern Ghana, which reported the so that they do not harbour fungus a favourable price regime to cocoa disease. Though COCOBOD plans to and viruses. farmers, did not increase the introduce disease-resistant varieties procurement price for the crop nor The sweet white pulp of each pod in these farms, it would take two disburse bonus to cocoa farmers for contains 20 to 30 seeds. These are to five years before the plants start the 2017-18 season. the cocoa beans that need to be bearing fruits. fermented, dried, cleaned and packed Citing the slump in cocoa prices Ghana stands to lose from the ageing into cocoa sacks before selling. in the international market as plantations of cocoa, its “golden fruit”. the reason, the announcement Between 2009 and 2014, agriculture Though cocoa was introduced in the demoralized cocoa farmers, already contributed 25.6% of the country’s country in the mid-19th century, a incurring huge losses due to ageing gross domestic product (GDP); the majority of the farms were planted plantations, re-emergence of diseases chocolate fruit contributed 17% of after the government revived the and pollution due to illegal mining. the figure. sector in the 1980s. To motivate farmers, the government As global cocoa prices are expected A government estimate shows introduced reforms in 1987 and to remain flat, a situation worsened that around 23% of Ghana’s cocoa offered a share of the revenue earned by COVID-19, Agriculture Minister tree stock is over 30 years old or from cocoa exports to farmers. By Owusu Afriyie Akoto has asked unproductive. 2004-05, farmers were receiving farmers to produce more cocoa beans Large tracts of cocoa farms are 70% of the revenue the government to fill emptying coffers. also being rendered unproductive earned from cocoa exports. But this is not going to be easy at a by illegal mining of gold, dubbed To sustain the regime, the government time when the crop faces multiple “galamsey”. Armed with a flat pan as introduced a mechanism to pass on challenges on the domestic front. miners look for gold in streams and the revenue to farmers. Every year, The major problem ailing the farmers other waterbodies, they use mercury, it increases the procurement price is pest attacks and fungal rots on cyanide and other complex chemicals for cocoa by about 10% and offers a cocoa pods. The black pod disease can to extract the mineral. bonus twice a year. spread to other plants and destroy up Heavy metals released during the But over the past two years, the to one-third of the yield. process leaches into the soil of international price of the chocolate The viral disease drastically reduces nearby cocoa farms, reducing their fruit has reduced from US $3,000 a plant productivity and kills the plant productivity. Farmers say it takes tonne to $1,900 due to overproduction. within two to three years. Between 30 years for the land affected by The Bank of Ghana data shows that 2010 and 2014, when swollen shoot galamsey to recover. between February of 2016 and 2017, spread in epidemic proportions, the The government, determined to raise Ghana’s revenue from cocoa exports state ordered felling of all trees on cocoa production to one million dropped by 10%. infected farms. tonnes by 2020, has now deployed Tenant farmers and those with small In 2019, COCOBOD felled trees over the military to restrict illegal gold landholdings, who constitute over 10,000 ha, or 30 per cent of the land mining. But this may not be enough 80% of the country’s cocoa farmers under cocoa, in northwestern and until it revives the ailing farms.

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Chocolate flourishes, cocoa farmers suffer By Alberto Leny

The glut in the international market magazine says most chocolate has spelt doom for the cocoa farmers companies have made profits in 2015 Facts on chocolate of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, who and 2016. • Chocolate consumption has long account for 60-70 per cent of the The net sale of Ferrero Group, based been associated with conditions global cocoa supply. in Luxembourg and Italy, increased such as diabetes, coronary heart While farmers in Ghana have to forgo from US $9.7 billion in 2015 to $10 disease, and hypertension. the increased pay and bonus this billion in 2016. • It is believed to contain high year, those in Ivory Coast will receive Similarly, the net sale of Meiji Co Ltd levels of antioxidants. 36 per cent less for their produce. (Japan) increased from $8 billion to • Some studies have suggested The situation may worsen as the $9.8 billion during the period. Noah chocolate could lower International Cocoa Organization Kwasi Amenyah, Senior Public Affairs cholesterol levels and prevent forecasts that cocoa stocks for 2016- Manager of the Ghana Cocoa Board, memory decline. 17 will be 27 per cent more than the says this is not the first time the previous season. international market has witnessed • Chocolate contains a large number of calories. Experts, however, see a way to revive such a slump in cocoa price. the sector. The price slump comes Since cocoa is a delicate plant and • People who are seeking to lose amid strong demands for chocolate most farmers engaged in the sector or maintain weight should eat around the world, particularly from are either landless or have small chocolate only in moderation. the largest chocolate market in the landholdings, chocolate companies US. should share their profit with them An editorial of Candy Industry in such times of crisis.

36 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Influx of fake chemicals poses risk to cocoa farms

By Quainoo Reuben

Cocoa farmers in Ghana, have increase farmers’ yields. agronomic practices saying, “you can’t appealed to the Ghana Cocoa Board World Cocoa Farmers Organization, ignore experts’ advice and expect (COCOBOD) to check the activities Ghana Secretary Moses Djan Asiedu high yields and premium price”. of agro-chemical producers if it is says the influx of ‘fake’ chemicals is He reaffirms of COCOBOD’s to realise its cocoa target set for the partly due to the weak monitoring commitment to transform cocoa season. of licensed and unlicensed agro- cocoa farming through effective Ghana expects cocoa output of chemical dealers. implementation of the productivity around 900,000 tonnes in the “When weedicides and pesticides enhancement programmes such 2020/2021 season, up 5.8% from the were not introduced on our cocoa as hand pollination, pruning, forecast for 2019/2020, according farms, the farmers could easily rehabilitation, distribution of to the country’s Cocoa Board get other things apart from cocoa. agrochemicals and other equally (COCOBOD). Previously the soil was rich but important interventions. COCOBOD plans to raise $1.3 these days all the bush gifts such as He is urging farmers to willingly billion in syndicated loans to fund mushrooms have disappeared simply embrace the programmes and take cocoa purchases in 2020/21 from a because of the use of chemicals,” he utmost advantage of them. consortium of banks and financial stated. COCOBOD CEO Joseph Aidoo, in an institutions, with the government as COCOBOD Sankore, Ahafo Region interaction with cocoa farmers in guarantor. Officer David Gyebi-Afriyie says the Western Region, said the board would The board has introduced cocoa wrong application of insecticides and establish a cocoa processing factory productivity enhancement fertilizers in farms is undermining in the region, in Sefwi-Wiawso. programmes including supply of efforts to transform cocoa production Processing cocoa locally would not agro-chemicals, subsidized fertilizers, to enable negotiation for premium only add value to the cocoa, but hand pollination and pruning. price. the waste from processing could be However, due to ‘inadequate’ supply Ghana’s cocoa is rated as the best transformed into other products of agro-chemicals, some producers in the world market in terms of its such as fertilizer. have taken advantage of the situation quality and COCOBOD is doing all it COCOBOD had rolled out a number to sell unapproved chemicals to can to maintain this standard. of measures including pruning of unsuspecting cocoa farmers. Gyebi-Afriyie is urging farmers to cocoa trees, mass spraying and hand These unscrupulous dealers could comply with the recommendations pollination to help fight the black derail the government’s effort to of extension officers and adopt good pod disease.

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38 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 ROOTOOBA News issue 001 14 Kenya’s coffee fiasco a big lesson for Africa By Alberto Leny

Kenya produces amongst the finest in the amount of coffee produced on in recent years. It tended to decrease coffee in the world, whose quality farms across the country. through the 1969-2018 period, ending brings to mind the country’s equally Kenya’s coffee production is expected at 41,375 tonnes in 2018. famous tea, wildlife and athletes. to hit its lowest since independence Agricultural experts recollect that However, the accolade of a major to 650,000 bags of 60 kilogrammes in during the peak years when Kenya producer of one of the world’s most 2019/2020, according to a forecast by was one of Africa’s top producers, a beloved beverages has over the the US Department of Agriculture. coffee tree produced up to 30kg of years been tainted by the challenges The drop marks a substantial blow of coffee cherry a year. Today, the yield dogging Kenya’s coffee farmers, 13.3% especially since the production has dropped to an abysmal 2kg per many of who continue to languish in for 2018 stood at 750,000 bags of 60kg. year, lowering the country’s rank poverty. among the continent’s 12 leading In 2018, coffee production for Kenya coffee producers. Scores of farmers have abandoned was 41,375 tonnes. From 25,000 metric growing the crop as the coffee tonnes in 1961, 50,000 tonnes in 1965 Kenya is a member of the African sector continues to face numerous to a high of 130,000 tonnes in 1989, Fine Coffees Association (AFCA), a problems including a massive decline production fluctuated substantially regional non-profit, non-politicall

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group founded in July 2000 has taken a debilitating toll on the President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed representing the coffee subsectors country’s coffee subsector. a task force led by Prof Joseph Kieyah in Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic The coffee industry is crucial to and then Principal Secretary for Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya’s economy. Over 700,000 Agriculture Dr Richard Lesiyampe to Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, smallholder farmers with five million review the entire coffee value chain Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. direct dependants organized into and identify production, processing Like other regions, economies and cooperatives producing 60% of the and marketing areas that require livelihoods on the African continent Kenyan coffees depend on the coffee intervention. have been negatively affected by the subsector. The balance comes from The 19-member task force identified, coronavirus pandemic. plantations (small, medium and among other things, that the current “COVID-19 is impacting our region, large). laws governing the coffee subsector our industry, the coffee supply Smallholder coffee farmers in are restrictive and do not allow chain and the financial health Kenya had for a long time wanted to farmers to freely participate in the and performance of the members, market their coffee directly to buyers coffee value chain and enjoy their and coffee industry at large, in overseas, and to create a business rights. unprecedented ways,” says AFCA relationship with their buyers but “We also realized that the delay in Executive Director Samuel Kamau. lacked the necessary linkages to do coffee payments resulted in farmers Several virtual meetings have been so. borrowing expensive loans which held with members, including an In response to this desire, they ultimately lower their earnings and extensive survey on the COVID-19 came together through cooperative at the same time dissuaded youths situation. These programs are aimed societies and established Kenya from growing coffee altogether,” the at supporting members navigate Cooperative Coffee Exporters in team noted in their report compiled the new coffee environment and 2009 to explore end-to-end farming, by the 19-member team. ensure that the disruptions from the processing and marketing of their The report singled out the youth pandemic are mitigated. produce. for not being interested in farming “The virus has dealt a blow to all the The formation of KCCE was the coffee with the average age of coffee initiatives that the coffee industry farmers’ vehicle to international farmers being 60 years. It was also has achieved over the last few years. relationships through the direct established that there are serious In the blink of an eye, it is no longer sales approach also referred to as institutional weaknesses in key easy to have a specialty cup of coffee the “second window”, which was as the café culture received a body introduced in Kenya in 2005. The blow with the implementation of second window operates alongside social distancing,” reports Kamau. Kenya’s traditional coffee auction The annual AFCA conference attracts system. producers, buyers, roasters and Corrupt cooperatives officials other participants under the radar claiming to represent farmers, of African coffee. The 2020 AFCA exploitive middlemen and brokers conference was held just before the alleging to be marketing agents and pandemic in March in Mombasa, a lack of policies to cater for the Kenya. interests of farmers, have been the Participants engaged directly with bane of coffee farming in Kenya, producers, exporters and value contributing to the farmers unending chain actors who are often absent woes. from other industry events and Amidst this background, available discussions. data shows that the amount of coffee The Kenyan coffee fiasco offers a produced in the country has gone lesson to other African countries down to just above 40,000 tonnes who have overtaken Kenya on last year, from 130,000 tonnes in the the harmful effects of the cost of 1990s. Income earned has also gone mismanagement and corruption that to Sh15.18 billion from Sh50.6 billion.

40 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 The coffee value chain in Kenya is dominated by smallholder farmers at the production and primary processing level. institutions that deal with the coffee is a strategic commodity. We take stagnated for two decades. subsector. pride in that the global spread of Over the same period Africa’s share President Uhuru’s concern for the coffee growing originated from the in the total value of global exports coffee sector was prompted by the continent, in Abyssinia. fell by a greater proportion from 21% massive decline in the farmers’ “However, coffee industry in 1990 to only 9.4% in 2016. This is not fortunes and the recognition of the development in Africa has been good news for African countries. contribution of the coffee sector slowed down by many challenges In Kenya, the subsector experienced to the growth of economies and - rising costs of production, coffee a downward trend in production, livelihoods price volatility, low domestic coffee falling from a high of about 130,000 State Department for Crop consumption, low youth involvement metric tonnes in the 1988/89 crop year Development and Agricultural in coffee production and impact of to about 44,000 MT in 2018/2019. the global warming.” Research Principal Secretary Prof Interestingly, and notwithstanding Hamadi Iddi Boga notes that the Prof Boga told the AFCA conference the decline in production, Kenya’s coffee subsector has made significant that coffee is the most traded coffee continues to fetch premium contributions to the growth of many commodity globally after petroleum prices in international markets, national economies. and grew from 95.4 million bags largely because of its high quality, He points out that coffee farming in 1988/1989 to 168 million bags in said Prof Boga. 2018/2019. and trading has immensely The government recognizes the contributed to the livelihoods of over Nevertheless, this coffee growth has importance of the coffee subsector in 12 million people across the entire not been proportionately attained the promotion of the country’s overall African continent as a source of among the African coffee producing development agenda, particularly foreign exchange to many countries, countries. This has resulted in the the “Big Four” Agenda that has food contributing significantly to their continent’s global coffee share security as one of its pillars. GDPs. declining from 17.6% in 1990 to 10.8% Kenya has initiated a number of “For many of us in Africa, coffee in 2016 as production has broadly

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“COVID-19 is impacting our region, our industry, the coffee supply chain and the financial health and performance of the members, and coffee industry at large

African Fine Coffees Association Executive Director Samuel Kamau.

institutional, legal and support the Kenyan government has in the sector through value addition,” Prof services interventions intended recent past formulated facilitative Boga notes. to reverse the negative trends in coffee regulations, the cooperative The reforms are expected to assist the coffee industry and ensure policy, coffee industry policy and increase incomes, create employment sustainable coffee farming in the established the Coffee Cherry opportunities and stabilize coffee country. Advance Revolving Fund. prices. “We have developed a comprehensive Research is also central towards the Deep reflection on the issues reform agenda to address the development of a competitive and confronting Kenya’s coffee subsector challenges in the coffee sector. The consumer focus coffee products, will help other African countries strategies include productivity with the state committing to fund avoid the pitfalls that befell the enhancing and domestic coffee the research activities aimed at full nation, leading to a dramatic decline consumption strategies.” revitalization of the coffee sub sector. in production and the sorry plight of The Ministry of Agriculture, In Kenya like in most African coffee dejected farmers. Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, growing countries, save for Ethiopia, The sector will require to prioritize is paying significant attention to the domestic coffee consumption is a addressing global coffee prices and youth agenda which the PS says has dissimal 5%. “We have an ambitious tighten grower-buyer relationships a correlation with value addition and programme to promote domestic for the sustainability of the the domestic coffee consumption. consumption for a trickledown effect production of high-quality coffee in To revitalize the coffee industry, to trigger youth- driven growth in the Africa.

Science may never come up with a better office communication system than the coffee break...

~Earl Wilson

42 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Agronomy platform uplifts smallholders By Wandera Ojanji

Millions of smallholder farmers initiative aims at supporting Middle East. It is home to Brazil, in Africa and the Global South agricultural productivity growth in India and China, which along with stand to increase farm productivity, the Global South. Indonesia and Mexico are the largest incomes and gain from improved The ongoing ‘One-CGIAR’ reform Southern states in terms of area and livelihoods following the launch of process provides the opportunity population. the Excellence in Agronomy 2030 (EiA for an agronomy initiative to EiA 2030 is an initiative of nine CGIAR 2030) Platform. address the productivity, climate centres: AfricaRice, the International EiA 2030, a Consultative Group and environmental challenges in Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), on International Agricultural the Global South while enhancing the International Maize and Wheat Research (CGIAR) initiative, was smallholder farmer’s livelihoods. Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the launched during the 2020 African The Global South is made up of Africa, International Potato Center (CIP), the Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Latin America and the Caribbean, International Center for Agricultural online summit last September. The Pacific Islands, and the developing Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), agronomy research and innovation countries in Asia, including the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF),

A smallholder farmer proudly displays quality tomatoes harvested from her farm.

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EiA 2030 is premised on demand- driven agronomic solutions to develop recommendations that match the needs and objectives of the end users

International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Central Africa Hub Director Dr Bernard Vanlauwe.

the International Crops Research agronomic gain for millions of Demand driven impact at scale Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics women, men and youth smallholder through targeting of context specific (ICRISAT), the International Institute farmers with positive impact on food and integrated interventions are key of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the security, income and health under to achieving larger impact at scale International Rice Research Institute climate variability. and prioritization of the developed (IRRI). “We have achieved a lot in delivering investments. CGIAR is evolving, consolidating its agronomic gain at a scale for EiA 2030 is proposed as a central partnership, knowledge and assets. sustainable intensification of channel to answer these demands EiA 2030 represents the collective smallholder farming systems in and bring coherence in global resolve of CGIAR’s agronomy the Global South. But we can do efforts to address the challenges of programmes to transform the world’s more, better, faster, and cheaper agricultural productivity. food systems through demand- and through a coordinated research and Agronomy has evolved with the data-driven agronomy research for development effort in the context of availability of technology such development. the One CGIAR,” says IITA Research as data science, remote sensing, Sustainable intensification,for Development Director for Natural geo-spatial analytics and decision agronomy and agro-ecology are the Resource Management Bernard support tools. EiA 2030 is suited to key science domains in the new One Vanlauwe, the implementation lead champion this new era of agronomy CGIAR strategy. EiA 2030 will be of the EiA 2030 Platform. based on data driven approaches driven by science, data and evidence The initiative could not have come and tools applicable at scale on the with particular focus on assessing at a better time. Demand from ground. what works where, for whom and private and public sector partners EiA 2030 will combine big data why. for agronomy has increased over the analytics, new sensing technologies, EiA 2030 was created to galvanize past decade. Diversified demands geospatial decision tools and farming an integrated framework to focusing on productivity to broader systems research to improve spatially identify, diagnose and resolve impact goals such as climate change explicit agronomic recommendations yield-limiting factors using data- adaption, mitigation and sustainable in response to demand from scaling driven solutions and innovations intensification. partners. to scale for smallholder farmers. These longer-term outcomes cannot EiA 2030 science will integrate It responds to public and private be delivered by multiple time limited the principles of sustainable initiatives investing in sustainable and dispersed projects, it requires a intensification informed by climate intensification of these systems. longer term and better coordinated change considerations, behavioural Through EiA 2030, CGIAR sees effort. economics, and scaling pathways at

44 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 A researcher explains agronomy features to a group of smallholder farmers. EiA 2030 was created identify, diagnose and resolve yield limiting factors. national and regional levels. farming systems. Senior Program Officer Christian Witt Site-specific variability across diverse Speaking during the launch, Dr says the initiative is a cornerstone farming systems is a major challenge, Vanlauwe, who is also IITA’s Director for One CGIAR. “It is ingenious to requiring evidence on what works, for Central Africa stated: “EiA 2030 have a platform like EiA 2030 that where, for whom, and why. A better is premised on demand-driven looks at solutions that have worked understanding of food production agronomic solutions to develop in different settings on other crops systems to overcome adoption recommendations that match the and whether they can be applied in barriers and enable the application needs and objectives of the end users.” a different setting and on different crops,” Witt says. at scale of research and development EiA 2030 will use agronomy as the for sustainable agriculture. entry point to address modern CIMMYT Director General Martin EiA 2030 has set four goals aiming day challenges of productivity, Kropff says the initiative’s goal is at sustainable intensification in sustainability and climate change. to become the leading platform for the Global South: increased yields/ It will also embrace key systems next-generation agronomy in the profitability for key crops in Sub- research topics while avoiding the Global South, responding to public Saharan Africa and South Asia, challenges encountered by the and private sector demand. improved resource use efficiencies earlier system of CGIAR research It would also increase efficiencies in areas with relatively good soils programmes. in the development and delivery and weather, increased yield EiA 2030 embraces the 10 elements or of solutions through increased stability in areas affected by climate principles of agro-ecology -- diversity, collaboration, cooperation and variability, and improved soil health synergies, efficiency, resilience, cross-learning between CGIAR in addressing soil degradation. recycling, co-creation and knowledge centres and within the broader EiA 2030 is designed to respond to sharing, human and social values, agronomy research and development the five global challenges - nutrition, culture and formal traditions, ecosystem, including agroecological food security and one health, responsible governance, circular and approaches. poverty reduction, livelihoods and solidarity economy. To increase efficiencies in the jobs, gender equality, youth and Vanlauwe explains that the focus on development and delivery of social inclusion, climate adaptation agronomy is driven by the fact that solutions, EiA 2030 will address and greenhouse gas reductions, the science of integrative soil and soil market failures and organization and environmental health and management accounts for spatial and deficits. biodiversity. temporal variability towards targeted Dr Vanlauwe explains that EiA 2030 Through a two-year incubation advisories accounting for yield, would be delivered through four phase funded by the Bill & Melinda profitability, risk and sustainability key modules of Organize, Transform, Gates Foundation, the project and the diverse requirements of end- Innovate and Deliver, driven by will demonstrate the added value users. demand, science and data of demand-driven research and Farmers commonly take 10-20 EiA 2030 will position its research and development. The approach decisions relating to their production development agenda in the context will make use of novel data and systems on a seasonal basis and each of specific public-private demand analytics and increased cooperation decision interacts with other farming and develop solutions in partnership among centres supporting a One system components. with scaling partners and national CGIAR agronomy initiative aiming Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation agricultural research institutes. at sustainable intensification of

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The Global Landscapes Forum discussed the ‘The food, climate and biodiversity ‘triple challenge’ and One Health in the Greater Virunga Landscape’ - one of the most biodiverse landscapes in the world, if not the most biodiverse. Humanity united to rescue nature The world’s largest biodiversity conference recently took place in Bonn, Germany. Rootooba Managing Editor Alberto Leny attended the digital Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) and reports on expert presentations that covered crops, mixed, diverse agricultural/agrarian landscapes, biodiversity conservation, and the development of more resilient food systems

A united global front formed to act policymakers, banks, private CIAT, CIFOR, CIRAD, Climate Focus, on the crisis facing humanity from corporations, indigenous peoples and Conservation International, Crop the degradation of biodiversity is local communities resolved to “build Trust, Ecoagriculture Partners, the gathering momentum in the wake of back better” to restore the Earth. European Forest Institute, Evergreen the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) The GLF is led by the Centre for Agriculture, FSC, GEF, GIZ, ICIMOD, held on October 28 and 29 in Bonn, International Forestry Research IFOAM – Organics International and Germany. (CIFOR) in collaboration with its co- the International Livestock Research During the forum, scientists, founders UNEP and the World Bank Institute (ILRI). environmental practitioners, and Charter Members who include The GLF came hot on the heels

46 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 of the United Nations Summit on and human health. ILRI, which Parks in Uganda, with a possibility of Biodiversity on September 30, where works to secure better lives through expanding to the Mt Hoyo Reserve in Heads of State and Government livestock in developing countries, the eastern Democratic Republic of committed to “urgent action recently became a GLF Charter Congo (DRC). on biodiversity for sustainable Member. The ‘triple challenge’ is the imperative development.” “This new ILRI-GLF partnership to simultaneously deliver a stable Humanity across the globe has – coming at this moment when climate, recovering biodiversity and broadly accepted that our societies humanity is crossing planetary healthy food for 10 billion people regardless of geographical are boundaries while tackling both by 2050. This event explored the intimately linked with and depend climate change and a global pandemic implications through a deep dive on biodiversity. – is particularly opportune,” says ILRI into the case of the Greater Virunga Biodiversity is essential for people, Director-General Jimmy Smith. Landscape. including through its provision “The health of people, animals and In the Virunga landscape this triple of nutritious food, clean water, landscapes is inextricably linked,” challenge looms large, as does medicines, and protection from he added. “Only by adopting a ‘One the risk of disease transmission extreme events. Health’ approach, which unites these between both wildlife and humans. Biodiversity loss and the degradation three components, will we ensure the The One Health approach essential of its contributions to people health of each, thereby stopping the in exploring how to negotiate and jeopardize progress towards the spread of deadly zoonotic diseases balance these challenges. Sustainable Development Goals and sustaining landscapes. The ‘Food Forever: Biodiversity (SDGs) and human wellbeing. The Another key session featured the role for Resilience’ session, hosted by evidence of these connections is of diverse agricultural landscapes in the Global Crop Diversity Trust, clear, a communique at the end of the biodiversity conservation and food recognized that our global food UN Biodiversity Summit stated. system resilience. systems depend on agrobiodiversity The COVID-19 pandemic has further It highlighted the need for recognition – that is, the vast diversity of crops, highlighted the importance of the of the contributions of mixed, diverse trees and livestock that underpins relationship between people and agricultural/agrarian landscapes – our entire agricultural system, nature. not only to biodiversity conservation, make it less vulnerable to pests and diseases, and contribute to landscape “We are reminded that when we but also to the development of more restoration and resilience in the destroy and degrade biodiversity, resilient food systems to respond to midst of the climate crisis. we undermine the web of life and challenges like those that the world increase the risk of disease spillover is currently facing. The delegates noted that SDG from wildlife to people. Responses Discussions also focused on ‘The Target 2.5 pledged to ensure the to the pandemic provide a unique food, climate and biodiversity ‘triple conservation and sustainable use opportunity for transformative challenge’ and One Health in the of all our agrobiodiversity by 2020. change as a global community. An Greater Virunga Landscape’ - one of “However, even though we have investment in the health of our the most biodiverse landscapes in the made significant strides towards planet is an investment in our own world, if not the most biodiverse. hitting the target, we are still far from implementation.” The GLF future,” the summit concluded. Containing three World Heritage plenary ‘Harnessing the power of These concerns were reiterated at the Sites (Virunga, Rwenzori Mountains nature: Financing diversity – the GLF, the world’s largest knowledge- and Bwindi Impenetrable National smallholders’ perspective’ recognized led platform on integrated land use, Parks) one Ramsar Site (Lake George that agricultural supply chains are dedicated to achieving the SDGs and and Edward) and one Man and the leading driver of deforestation Paris Climate Agreement. Bisophere Reserve (Queen Elizabeth globally, contributing to the National Park) the Greater Virunga The conference deliberated on depletion of biodiversity and natural Landscape is recognized as an area of five cohesive themes of food and ecosystems. livelihoods, landscape restoration, global importance. The debate placed smallholders at rights, finance and measuring Virunga National Park forms the the heart of the discussion, while progress. backbone of this landscape and exploring the innovative financial connects to the Volcanoes Park in A session hosted by ILRI discussed instruments needed to spark a bio- Rwanda together with the Mgahinga mainstreaming biodiversity in forest economy, grounded in the rights and Gorilla, Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori management and a one health expertise of local communities. approach for environmental, animal Mountains, and Semuliki National

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48 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Global Panel defines food systems change By Rootooba Reporter

The Global Panel on Agriculture feeding the population into one that and Food Systems for Nutrition nourishes people. last month launched its new The COVID-19 pandemic report, Future Food Systems: For has also exposed systemic weaknesses people, our planet, and prosperity. and fragility in food systems, which The report, produced by an were already increasingly threatened independent international team by climate change and worsening of leading experts, makes concrete environmental degradation. recommendations on the practical The report, funded by the Foreign, next steps which need to be taken Commonwealth and Development to begin a process of food systems Office (FCDO), sets out how to turn transition to protect human and the situation around, to promote planetary health. and protect human and planetary It calls for urgent action, by leaders health, jobs and prosperity as well as and decision-makers across the preventing intergenerational cycles Global Panel Co-Chair and former world, to transform food systems so of poverty and inequality. President of Ghana John Kufuor that they deliver sustainable, healthy FCDO Parliamentary Under- diets to all. In commending this report to Secretary of State Wendy Morton The product of two years’ work, governments worldwide, he welcomed the report, saying: “Poor this report distils the latest scientific added: “The situation looks bleak, quality diets are a key driver behind and policy expertise on transforming but the Global Panel believes that all forms of malnutrition and the food systems. the situation can be reversed with biggest contributor to the global It spells out who needs to do what renewed political will, sustained disease burden”. in governments, the private sector, commitment, and leadership.” While it recognises the cost of development partners, civil society, An estimated 3 billion people ensuring that every individual is and citizens, so everyone has access today cannot afford healthy diets. able to eat a healthy diet every day to available and affordable healthy More than 200 million children under will be significant, the report shows diets, that are desirable and delivered five face a life with insufficient food. that the costs of not acting will be sustainably, within planetary immeasurably higher. Sub-optimal diets are also creating boundaries. escalating pressure on healthcare More importantly, it describes The report is aimed primarily systems. At least 11 million the benefits to decisive action in at decision-makers in low- and people die every year from diet- terms of millions of new jobs, a middle-income countries, but related illnesses, including stroke, reduced economic burden of ill they alone cannot turn global cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. health and reduced costs to health challenges around. In a highly systems, and substantial gains from Food systems are also a key interconnected world, high-income avoiding global damage from climate contributor to environmental countries also need to act without change. damage. At the same time, they delay, particularly where their own are threatened by the environmental decisions have worldwide impacts. damage to which they themselves Kufuor emphasised how “our are contributing. food systems are fragile, are The agricultural innovation that damaging our environment, and has made incredible advancements in causing malnutrition, ill health, and food production now needs to re- premature death.” articulate the 20th-century vision of

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WFPWFP winswins NobelNobel PeacePeace PrizePrize amidamid faminefamine fearfear By Alberto Leny In a ringing endorsement of the political landscape, with serious All these issues featured prominently United Nations’ efforts to put food implications for liberal democracies during the UN General Assembly last security on top of the global peace and socio-economic growth. month and have also been debated at and security agenda, the World Food Public trust in traditional institutions the UN Security Council. Programme (WFP) was last month remains sceptical. However, it is not That is the reason UN Secretary- awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. all gloom. WFP’s Nobel award offers General António Guterres has It was indeed a befitting reward as the UN an opportunity to place convened an international Food the global organization celebrates global dialogue back on track. Systems Summit next year. its 75th anniversary confronted with The award also highlights the UN’s The UN chief says the summit great challenges, including the worst attention to global concerns on will be a great opportunity for the global health crisis in its history, with food systems as a huge contributor international community to align severe economic and social impacts. to climate change, in terms of public sector, private sector, and Relations between countries are greenhouse gas emissions and everything that needs to come into severely strained, threatened by deforestation. place, to make sure that food systems the sharp rise of populism on the really deliver for all.

50 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 WFP, which provides lifesaving food in countries without conflict. which was launched last month, assistance to millions across the Norwegian Nobel Committee Chair would address these issues. world, often in extremely dangerous Berit Reiss-Andersen said the UN Since inception in 1901 named in the and hard-to-access conditions, beat agency was recognized “for its efforts will of Swedish industrialist, inventor an impressive list of other deserving to combat hunger, for its contribution and arms manufacturer Alfred nominees to clinch the Nobel Peace to bettering conditions for peace in Nobel, the prize has been the subject WFPWFP winswins NobelNobel PeacePeace Prize. conflict-affected areas and for acting of controversies, due to its political Headquartered in Rome, WFP was as a driving force to prevent the use nature. established in 1961 and is the largest of hunger as a weapon of war and The prize is awarded to those who PrizePrize amidamid faminefamine fearfear humanitarian organization in the conflict”. have “done the most or the best world. WFP last year assisted 97 A strong affirmation of the critical work for fraternity between nations, By Alberto Leny million people in 88 countries, many link between peace, politics and for the abolition of or reduction of of them in Africa. socio-economics, the award has a standing armies and for the holding Its efforts focus on emergency strong bearing on the current volatile and promotion of peace congresses”. assistance, relief and rehabilitation, situation in Kenya – a polarised Notable winners include Nelson development aid and special political environment, economic Mandela, Barack Obama and operations. Two-thirds of the work is hardships and a looming food Kenya’s very own Wangari Maathai, in conflict-affected countries where security crisis amid a pandemic. recognised for her contribution to people are three times more likely to It is to be hoped that the Building sustainable development, democracy be undernourished than those living Bridges Initiative (BBI) final report, and peace.

A UN World Food Programme (WFP) helicopter delivers much-needed supplies to people in Udier, South Sudan. Photo UNICEF/Peter Martell

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WFP Executive Director David Beasley said the award had “turned the global spotlight” on the 690 million people suffering hunger globally, every one of [them] has the right to live peacefully and without hunger,” adding that climate shocks and economic pressures have further compounded their plight. “And now, a global pandemic with its brutal impact on economies and communities, is pushing millions more to the brink of starvation.” He said the Nobel Peace Prize was not WFP’s alone, noting that the UN agency works closely with government, organizations and private sector partners whose passion for helping the hungry and vulnerable equals ours. Nobel Committee Chair Berit Reiss-Andersen, announcing the award virtually, said the UN agency was recognized “for combating hunger, in conflict-affected areas “We could not possibly help anyone without them. We are an operational agency and the daily work of our staff Nobel died in 1896 and he did not leave “world’s first responder” on the each day is driven by our core values an explanation for choosing peace frontlines of food insecurity. of integrity, humanity and inclusion.” as a prize category. His will further “The women and men of the “The Nobel Peace Prize … is a specified that the prize be awarded WFP brave danger and distance humbling, moving recognition of the by a committee of five people chosen to deliver life-saving sustenance work of WFP staff who lay their lives by the Norwegian Parliament. Since to those devastated by conflict, on the line every day to bring food its inception, the prize has been to people suffering because of and assistance for close to 100 million awarded to 107 individuals and 28 disaster, to children and families hungry children, women and men organizations. uncertain about their next meal,” across the world”, he said, “people Praising WFP’s work, the Nobel he added. whose lives are often brutally torn Committee chair highlighted its He drew attention to the plight of apart by instability, insecurity and role in boosting resilience and millions of people going hungry conflict.” sustainability among communities around the world, amid fears that UN General Assembly President by helping them to feed themselves. the COVID-19 pandemic could Volkan Bozkir described the award as The COVID-19 crisis has added to worsen food security for millions valuable recognition of WFP’s work, global food insecurity, she noted, more. as a "critical pillar of the multilateral highlighting that there will likely be “There is also a hunger in our world system, which serves as a vital lifeline 265 million “starving people within for international cooperation. for millions of the world’s most a year”. Only the international WFP feeds that need, too”, he vulnerable people." community can tackle such a said operating above the realm of "In addition to providing food aid challenge, she insisted, before politics, with humanitarian need to people in nearly 90 countries, highlighting the fact that WFP driving its operations. WFP is a key partner in the fight had helped millions of people in The UN chief also called on against COVID-19, transporting extremely dangerous and hard-to- everyone for greater solidarity, to humanitarian staff and supplies, reach countries affected by conflict address not only the pandemic, but and helping with the procurement and natural disaster, including other global challenges. “We know and delivery of such crucial items Yemen, Syria and the Democratic that existential threats such as as personal protective equipment People’s Republic of Korea. the climate change will make the (PPE), ventilators and oxygen UN Secretary-General Guterres, hunger crisis even worse”, he said. concentrators”. hailing the award, said WFP is the

52 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Secretary-General António Guterres (second from right) with David Beasley (right), WFP Executive Director, serving meals at the reception area for newly arrived refugees at the Imvepi settlement in Uganda. UN Photo/Mark Garten

The head of WFP's sister agency, the conflict-induced hunger. There are 2,000 billionaires in the world Food and Agriculture Organization He recalled his April briefing to the with a collective net worth of $8 trillion (FAO) focusing on food and 15-member Council, where he warned and he called them off the side-lines. WFP agricultural development, said that the world was on the verge of needs $4.9 billion for one year to keep 30 the award was "a much deserved a hunger pandemic. Heeding the million people from dying. “Humanity is recognition of the untiring efforts of warning, donors and countries – facing the greatest crisis any of us have generations of humanitarian workers large and small – took extraordinary seen in our lifetimes.” – David Beasley worldwide to defeat hunger." measures to save people’s lives, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu spending $17 trillion in fiscal stimulus United Nations a multiple said the Nobel Prize also "turns the packages. Nobel Peace Prize winner eyes of the international community WFP, too, is going all out to reach 138 WFP’s Nobel Peace Prize win is testament towards the millions of people who million people this year, the biggest to the essential, life-saving work that takes suffer from or face the threat of food scale-up in the agency’s history, he place, every day, across the UN system, insecurity. said, noting that 85 million people which has been the recipient of the award "This prize is a new engine driving the have been reached so far. However, going back to the 1950s food security issue to the forefront, challenges remain. 1954: Office of the United Nations High underlining the importance “We’re doing just about all we can Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) of international solidarity and do to stop the dam from bursting. 1965: The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) multilateral cooperation." But, without the resources we need, 1969: International Labour Organisation A few weeks earlier, the WFP a wave of hunger and famine still (ILO) Executive Director had warned that threatens to sweep across the globe”. 1981: UNHCR again the global hunger crisis largely caused Recalling Security Council UN by conflict and now compounded resolution 2417 (2018) that called for 1988: United Nations Peacekeeping Forces by COVID-19, was moving into a effective early warning systems, the 2001: Then Secretary-General Kofi Annan dangerous phase. WFP Executive Director said “I’m (Ghana) and the United Nations Briefing the UN Security Council here to sound that alarm ... the threat 2005: International Atomic Energy Agency on September 17, Beasley said that of famine is looming yet again.” (IAEA) and Mohamed ElBaradei (Egypt) without resources, a wave of famine Acknowledging that governments’ 2007: Al Gore (US) and the UN could sweep the globe, overwhelming reserves are depleting, he said 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate nations already weakened by years of will be a make or break year. “I Change (IPCCC) instability. urge you: do not walk away from 2020: The United Nations World Food “This fight…is far, far, far from over,” our commitment to humanitarian Programme (WFP) he warned during a virtual debate on assistance. Do not turn your backs on the world’s hungry.”

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Biodiversity loss stings bee farming in Africa By Murimi Gitari The world is experiencing a dramatic extinction episode due to biodiversity loss, with enormous risks to nature and humanity. The loss of pollinators including bees and other insects due to excessive use of pesticides has serious implications on food security and food safety, which has negatively affected bee farming in Africa.

As the global community struggles “Associated with this loss are the top honey-producing countries could to address the many causes of the risks of famine and social unrest, earn almost $100 million annually with biodiversity crisis, governments potentially more serious but increased investment and innovation in and people around the world are harder to quantify. In the case of bee farming, which faces a number of responding in solidarity to the urgent biodiversity loss, this means taking challenges. common threat against nature and comprehensive worldwide effort Ethiopia leads in honey production with sustainable development. to appropriately value, protect, and 45,300 tonnes annually, but exports less According to the report Financing restore nature,” says Henry M Paulson than 1,000 tonnes as many farmers do not Nature: Closing the Global Jr, Chairman, Paulson Institute, meet international standards. Tanzania Biodiversity Financing Gap launched which published the report together is second with 8,000 tonnes followed by on 17 September, the worldwide loss with The Nature Conservancy and Kenya (4,000) tonnes, Rwanda, Uganda of pollinators well underway due to the Cornell Atkinson Center for and Zimbabwe. Sustainability. excessive use of pesticides, would The demand for honey in the market lead to an estimated drop in annual Africa has favorable natural climatic is rapidly increasing but lack of agricultural output of around US$217 conditions that are suitable to bee information to bee farmers, very low billion. farming. It is estimated that Africa’s

54 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 skills development and inaccessibility who have ventured into bee farming are said to be more harmful to to modern bee keeping technology is lack adequate skills and the basic African than European bees with hindering growth. The few farmers knowledge to manage and handle the continent not following suit in who can afford to invest in bee bees and their products. banning these pesticides. farming are not able to access the With no extension service providers Propagating bees into farms increases market due to lack of support from to help, bees migrate to trees and rocks yields and crop productivity, as they the government. where honey and other products are ease pollination. A third of the fruits, The huge potential for bee farming destroyed by the elements. nuts and vegetables we consume are as an agricultural enterprise that However, the control of pests in a result of benefits derived from bee can contribute to food security and farms using pesticides is arguably a pollinators and bees pollinate 80% of income generation remains largely major contributor to diminishing bee all crops. untapped in Kenya and other populations. To illustrate the impact Many farmers around the world hire African countries. Policy makers and of pesticides on biodiversity loss and commercial beekeepers to bring bees researchers need to develop strategic food safety concerns, the European to their farms to facilitate pollination. plans to support apiculture farmers. Union in 2008 banned Kenya from Bee pollinators, especially honeybees Traditionally famers practiced bee exporting honey due to excessive use are important to agricultural success. farming using traditional beehives, of pesticides in farms. Honeybees are valuable pollinators which exist to date, but yield low Rampant misuse and overuse of in agricultural economics. Blue returns compared to modern chemicals in farms is a big threat to berries, watermelon and almonds bee keeping methods such as bees, are a risk to food security and harvests entirely depend on bees for Langstroths that provide high yields increasing use of pesticides greatly pollination. and pure honey. damages fauna. Honeybees collaborate with native The cost of honey per kilogramme Chemical manufacturers have bees during bloom or flowering ranges from $6 to $11 in Kenya, five refuted these claims saying their season to provide pollination to most times higher than petrol. Previously products undergo all necessary tests fruit crops. Bees provide a service a men’s only practice, new methods to ensure they are not harmful to that boosts harvests in terms of have seen women and the youth bees. They attribute the destruction yields and quality, creating value venture into the bee keeping of bees via infected flowering plants for farmers to boost the global food agribusiness. to farmers spraying crops without supply. Bee farming is affordable and proper directives on use of chemicals. With minimal resources required attractive to both smallholder and Parasites have also contributed in beekeeping, governments should commercial farmers. The National to the destruction of bees. A tiny encourage farmers to pursue this Farmers Information Service parasite known as Varroa destructor intensive and environmentally estimates that only 20% of Kenya’s mite attacked bees in Europe and friendly, profitable agricultural honey-producing potential of 100,000 the United States, eating the bees’ practice. tonnes is currently being tapped. hive tissue and infecting them Last year, the Slovenia Beekeepers Bee products include honey, with several different viruses that Association organized a World propolis, beeswax and other value- malformed their wings. Beekeeping Conference focusing on added products with honey used Thankfully, the US National Institute global beekeeping challenges. Experts by pharmaceutical companies of Health recently announced discussed pollination, pesticides, and to manufacture medicine, while a breakthrough in engineering the importance of using bee products beeswax is used in the production bacteria that protects the bees from in nutrition and apitherapy (a branch of cosmetics, shoes, furniture and this parasitic disease by triggering an of alternative medicine that uses candles. Honey bee venom, a bee immune reaction to the deformity honeybee products). product, is used to desensitize people caused on the wings. The European The assurance of the quality with allergic bee stings and other Union has also announced a raft of and safety of bee products, the insect stings. special assistance for the bee industry development of sustainable Several factors have contributed to in its 2020 agriculture programme methods for managing Varroa the falling numbers of bees in Africa due to numbers of bees falling faster mites, transferring knowledge on and globally. Very few farmers have than ever because of this disease. beekeeping, managing bee foraging ventured into the agribusiness of The EU has also banned the use sources, and promoting bees and bee bee farming in Africa, with NGOs of neonicotinoids used on farms products also featured. mostly taking the lead. The few in member states. Neonicotinoids

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To encourage the early participation of the private sector, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will release seven million bags of space through competitive commercial leases. Warehouse receipting cuts post-harvest loss By Verenardo Meeme

Kenya has become the fourth country embracing the warehouse receipt Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya in Africa after Ethiopia, Rwanda system (WRS) to overcome these said the Kenyan Parliament passed the and South Africa to have a fully challenges. Warehouse Receipts Systems Act, 2019 in functioning commodity exchange. The government announced reforms June last year, providing a legal as well as a Other African countries including in May to address the perennial regulatory framework for development and Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda are challenges facing agricultural regulation of a warehouse receipt system embracing the warehouse receipt production and trade. Experts say and establishment of the Warehouse Receipt system (WRS) concept to tame these inadequacies have contributed Council. post-harvest losses and health to the country losing one-third of “To encourage the early participation of complications brought about by poor farmers’ produce, stifling grower the private sector, the National Cereals and handling of grains. profitability. Produce Board (NCPB) will release seven Here are examples of African Responding to the challenges facing million bags of space through competitive countries implementing the farmers and grain traders, the Kenya commercial leases. The release of designated commodity exchange system: government through the Ministry storage space to the private sector will proceed speedily to be completed by Kenya of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives has inaugurated December 2020,” he said. Kenyan smallholder farmers have a Warehouse Receipt Council with Warehouse receipt system is a process for long faced inefficiencies in the the help of its development partners through which owners of commodities, who supply chain due to poor post- to help strengthen market price may be producers or dealers, deposit their harvest handling leading to low volatility. commodities in certified warehouses and farm gate prices and exploitation by are issued with a document of title called market intermediaries. They are now

56 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 a warehouse receipt as proof of collateral to secure loans from banks and adhere to quality guidelines ownership. or other financial institutions. while handling food crops. According to the Alliance for a Green Results from WR profitability Still, a considerable number of Revolution in Africa (AGRA), about calculations in a study conducted farmers has not yet embraced the 13,000 smallholder farmers trained in Malawi showed that between warehouse receipt system thus on post-harvest management have 2011 and 2018 storage of maize and missing out on the benefits that come transacted about Sh100 million soybeans with warehouse receipt with the it said Trade State Minister worth of grain on WRS, where 19,000 financing resulted in profits for 54% Michael Werikhe during a media tour metric tons of maize have been sold. and 63% percent of clients. of a warehouse facility in Uganda. “WRS portends increased income for However, storage of pigeon peas He agrees with Kyarasiime that smallholder farmers. For instance, using WR, with or without financing, public awareness about the system Mwihoko self-help farmers’ group and storage of maize and soybeans is crucial for effective uptake and in Nakuru County increased income without financing resulted in losses participation. This could be achieved by 11% (the equivalent of Sh24,975) for the majority of WR clients. These through the involvement of the by storing ten metric tons of maize losses may be attributed to both the private sector. for six months,” notes AGRA Kenya long duration of storage, especially The Economic Policy Research Country Manager John Macharia. for pigeon peas, and the high cost of Centre's Agriculture Yearbook for 2019 Munya says among the key benefits financing experienced in Malawi. study finds that deposits through of using the WRS is flexibility IFPRI Malawi Associate Research the warehouse receipt system have in the sale process. Through the Fellow Dennis Ochieng who grown a little over the years from system, farmers are not forced to participated in the study says 2010, although still below 30% of the sell in distress at harvest when preliminary findings show that storage capacity of warehouses in the prices are low. This boosts lending, providing farmers with market country. promoting aggregation of produce by information increased their According to Ms Kyarasiime, the smallholder farmers, and improving awareness of commodity exchanges process to license warehouses will price discovery. and significantly decreased maize begin in January 2020, starting with “WRC is critical towards boosting sales. at least seven, gradually adding structured trade and smallholder While there was no significant on more across the country. At access to credit in the long run, notes effect on maize prices, sales prices least 18 types of grain produce are Sarah Ochieng, International Finance for soybeans increased significantly being considered under the current Corporation (IFC) Programme over the prices received by control arrangement. Manager, Kenya Competitive farmers. However, this was not Tanzania Enhancement Programme. associated with increased use of In Tanzania, the crops that have been commodity exchanges or other types “Therefore, a fully functioning successfully incorporated into the of structured markets by farmers. receipt warehouse linked to a proper warehouse receipting system include commodity trading system will Uganda cotton, cashew nuts, coffee, maize, enhance clarity for players in the In Uganda, the success of the rice, sesame, sunflower and pigeon agricultural value chain to trade in a warehouse receipt system peas, says Tanzania’s Minister for structured market.” fundamentally depends on how Agriculture Japheth Hasunga. The WRS is funded by the farmers handle the primary WRS aims at boosting the government of Kenya, Bill and production process, says Uganda agricultural sector and is in line with Melinda Gates Foundation, The Warehouse Receipt System Authority the government's pledges to farmers, Rockefeller Foundation, Department Executive Director Deborah he adds, according to the Warehouse for International Development Kyarasiime. Receipts Regulatory Board, an (DfID) and United States Agency for She adds that ensuring that critical institution established under the International Development (USAid). quality controls are put into Warehouse Receipts Act No. 10 of Malawi consideration at the plant care stages, 2005. In a research published earlier this and during harvest and post-harvest With a mission of regulating and year, the International Food Policy are key drivers in the success of the promoting the WRS that ensures Research Institute (IFPRI) notes that warehouse receipt system. a fair and sustainable accessibility the WRS allows farmers, traders, WRS, Kyarasiime says, will shield to formal credit and commodity processors and exporters to use farmers from post -harvest losses marketing systems, the storage receipts issued from commodities and optimize returns on investment capacity starts from 20kg upwards. stored at certified warehouses as but they must consistently follow

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Wondwossen (Wondu) Wolde-Mariam Brilliant minds impact Africa from a distance Africa has produced brilliant scientists in top academic and research institutions in all corners of the world. Their contributions to scientific knowledge and development of research and innovation in various disciplines are recognised in numerous peer-reviewed journals or through entrepreneurial enterprises they have built to last. Rootooba profiles one such outstanding African scientist/ entrepreneur born in Ethiopia, Wondwossen (Wondu) Wolde-Mariam, who built Helica Biosystems (California, USA) from scratch into an institution of excellence providing testing solutions for food safety and life science research.

58 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 African scientists have conducted home of origin? groundbreaking studies that This question was always at the back have greatly contributed to the of Wondwossen (Wondu) Wolde- advancement of knowledge, Mariam’s mind as he pursued a This opportunity education and professional growth rewarding academic career in the globally. USA that catapulted him to the apex resonated well with me Despite these remarkable of his profession in just two decades as I had always been achievements of top-notch scientists after he left his birthplace in Ethiopia born in Africa, one of the biggest 50 years ago. passionately learning concerns remains what has been Wondu was born in Addis Ababa and about hunger and termed the “brain drain”. attended St Joseph School, renowned Fears abound that African nations’ for producing many generations malnutrition, and food failure to harness and retain its best of scientists and engineers. His safety and security. homegrown academic brilliance has favourite subjects in school were seen it lose out to the advantage of biology, physics and chemistry, maths conscious nations in the developed and history. world, who have welcomed these In 1970, he relocated to the US on well-educated incredible skills and scholarship and earned multiple talent with open arms. degrees in biology, microbiology and Inc, which he founded in his garage The continent meanwhile continues immunology as well as technology in 1998 and focused it on providing to face myriad problems in its management. He then worked in testing kits for veterinary diagnostics, national institutions of higher the US medical diagnostics industry food safety (mycotoxin assays) and learning, although there has been and a teaching hospital for 20 life science research. commendable success in the years, engaged in life science assay Core technology is ELISA. Core establishment of international development and clinical laboratory products are a full line of mycotoxin research centres throughout the management. ELISA kits for testing agricultural continent. Having always had a thirst for products, foods, and beverages. Still there is much to be done and to building his own company, Wondu Secondary products are C-Reactive redress the situation; governments set out to start Helica Biosystems, Protein ELISA kits for the need to substantially increase pharmaceutical industry. funding for scientific research. An African Science Academies conference held in Nigeria some three years ago heard that Africa’s funding of research and development (R&D) is estimated to be 0.45% of the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), far below the global average of 1.7%. The dilemma facing many African scientists who have relocated from their home countries to exploit academic and professional opportunities offered in foreign countries and at the same time apply it to benefit their origins continues to weigh down upon them. How do I balance the benefits of work in my adopted home country, which has enabled me to achieve academic and professional growth, and at the same time channel this gift for a Wondu with one of his colleagues at Biosciences East and Central Africa (BecA) on lasting contribution to Africa, my the International Livestock Research Institute ILRI campus.

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Wondu partners closely with scientists at the Nutrition and Food Safety Platform, BecA Hub at the ILRI campus in Nairobi.

Among these initiatives, the optimally by balancing technical fungi that cause cancer and other mycotoxin business grew the fastest excellence with social responsibility metabolic conditions affecting major and became the most satisfying work without being limited by mundane organs such as the liver and kidney. by far from both the business and corporate culture. “The challenge I The notion that one could get cancer humanitarian aspects. faced was balancing the business by consuming agricultural products While applying what he learned with the socially responsible work,” intrigued him and influenced during his past scientific work and Wondu told Rootooba in an interview Wondu’s thinking to go along this lab management to establish Helica, recently. direction in order to help protect he built this new venture with a Helica operates at a world-class level our food supply and interrupt unique scientific and business model. with ISO 13485:2016 certification carcinogenesis due to aflatoxin and Earlier in his career, before setting up and supplies mycotoxin tests on other mycotoxins. Helica, Wondu was an R&D scientist every continent.“I had known about The confluence of his educational and also engaged in laboratory aflatoxin as a potent carcinogen since background, work experience, management in commercial the 1970s but did not pay attention and humanitarian perspective in laboratories. to it until 20 years ago when Helica contributing to food safety and started development of test kits He set up AIDS testing labs during security led him to direct Helica to be based on an immuno-assay platform the early days of the epidemic, a provider of unique diagnostic tools in response to market demand,” he conducted numerous seminars on in support of aflatoxin mitigation explains. AIDS awareness, and promoted the campaigns worldwide. value of testing. “This opportunity resonated well In 2004, he received a call from a with me as I had always been He also developed numerous person in Kenya who was looking for passionately learning about hunger assays in clinical immunology and test kits to detect aflatoxin due to an and malnutrition as well as food infectious diseases with emphasis in outbreak of aflatoxicosis that had safety and security.” cellular immunology. killed many people. From this early Mycotoxins are natural toxins beginning, his company managed Wondu structured Helica to function that are metabolic by-products of

60 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 to establish strategic alliances with Many African scientists like Samuel • Over 100 academic papers published institutions in Kenya. Mutiga, PhD at BecA were able to citing research performed with Helica The first engagement was with expand the scope of their mycotoxin kits - a large number of them from Biosciences East and Central Africa studies because Helica provided research conducted in Kenya, Ethiopia, (BecA) on the International Livestock kits at a substantial discount,” says and other African countries. Research Institute ILRI campus at Jagger Harvey, PhD, previously • The test kits allowed public authorities Kabete on the outskirts of the capital senior scientist and Wondu’s main and the grain industry in Kenya to city Nairobi, from where research facilitator at BecA. monitor aflatoxin in milk, maize, and surveillance work was being “This is indeed the opposite trend sorghum and other cereals at conducted throughout Kenya. for many research consumables in affordable prices. Wondu partnered with BecA sub-Saharan Africa, where they can • The work that started with surveillance in supplying kits and offering be significantly more expensive than of aflatoxin in agricultural products consultation so the scientists could prices back in developed countries, extended into development of assays do the maximum possible work in rather than less expensive. for detecting aflatoxin in urine (to their field surveillance efforts. This The technical team at Helica was determine exposure of humans and collaboration also included scientists always available and responsive to food animals to aflatoxin), making from Cornell University Plant help with validations and trouble Helica the only supplier of such tests Pathology Department directed shooting. Furthermore, Helica worldwide. by Dr Rebecca Nelson and is still provided funds to directly support “It has therefore been a humbling ongoing. African researchers in their research experience to have played a small role "Wondu and Helica Biosystems' at the Hub.” in expanding awareness of the aflatoxin support of the mycotoxin research Harvey reveals that while their lab threat to society at large and aiding in platform at the BecA-ILRI Hub had high-end analytical chemistry mitigation efforts taking place by starting helped us expand the evidence base equipment such as LC-MS/MS for with affordable testing,” says Wondu. on mycotoxin contamination of multi-mycotoxin analysis and to He acknowledges that there are many food in feed in sub-Saharan Africa. validate the wide range of ELISA- challenges in developing solutions based and other testing kits that to existential issues that are mostly we used, the support from Wondu technical and financial in nature, but he enabled them to analyse thousands does not profess to know enough of the more samples a year than they local specificities to make any elaborate would have otherwise been able to suggestions. collectively achieve. “However, from top of mind, these Harvey commends Wondu for this challenges can be overcome by being support, adding that he has always courageous, realistic and pragmatic. been passionate and dedicated to Imagine a future with new technologies and supporting developing country their applications in African countries?” he scientists and national systems in poses. their efforts to ensure a safe harvest Wondu encourages scientists and other for all. researchers to discover and encourage new Wondu liked this collaborative opportunities, while constantly learning model with the BecA-ILRI Hub and and maintaining an independent mind with subsequently extended this type of original ideas. partnership to several universities in “Don’t listen to cynics but focus on what Kenya, Ethiopia and many more on can be done instead of what is lacking. The the African continent. Represented challenges and deficiencies will dissipate by another strategic business partner, when focusing on the opportunities. Sorela Supplies in Nairobi, Helica had its kits approved by the Poisons “There are ways that technologies can Board of Kenya, which allowed access be shared and adapted on the African to all major institutions in Kenya, continent in creative ways. The term “new both public and private. normal” also applies here because we have Wondu is very much an outdoors person to consider new thinking and new tools These endeavors have so far yielded who spends his leisure time on hiking and to transfer technology and build business the following fruits: biking trails. ventures.”

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On entrepreneurial challenges that you do not want to hear and industry through Sorela. shared from experience as take keep you in balance. Also it’s good The eminent Ethiopia-born scientist home lessons for entrepreneurs to develop skills in people and is now figuring out a new path on the with similar initiatives and plans, financial management, building an African continent at what he believes Wondu says it is a complex area and organization, and developing a global is a critical and transformational requires many years of preparation market,” he adds. time in his life. in advance. One paramount skill is the ability His passion for science has convinced One has to develop depth in technical to execute on clear ideas and well- him that Africa’s hopes lie in the and market knowledge, have an developed plans while being able continent’s majority population aptitude for business and a higher to pivot as conditions change. of young people, urging leaders than average tolerance for calculated Networking is an important skill and, of African nations to nurture the risk, he adds, noting that these of course, there are many digital tools youth through the advancement of qualities are important. for that. academics in science and innovation. “Every individual is different and a However, according to Wondu, the “African leaders have enormous general statement cannot possibly be most important networking skill responsibilities in guaranteeing made. I developed myself technically is “people skills” that cuts across their future success to keep this in the immunoassay area but kept cultural barriers. One should also continent moving forward into the myself open to many fields of have a bigger goal, something bigger future. Nothing is more urgent than application, such as clinical, food than the business itself that helps the future of hundreds of millions of safety, and life science research. This humanity. young people and quality education resulted in the many steps of the “That will focus you and allow you is the key to opening the future,” says evolution in my career. Immuno- to make contributions to society. Wondu. assay is a laboratory technique Strategic alliances are exceedingly He urges policymakers to fund and that applies antibodies as probes important to build and sustain give science, technology, engineering for detecting a variety of specific than just managing companies/ and mathematics (STEM) top molecules. institutions that you just see as priority from early primary school “One cannot necessarily plan in suppliers and customers.” so that current generations can advance a sequence of developments. Wondu operated Helica for over 20 be competitive in the present and However, one can learn and adapt years and sold it to Hygiena last future world. to new situations and be able to use year. He says he enjoyed developing Wondu is very much an outdoors the tools available and also learn/ and manufacturing ELISA kits, but person who spends his leisure time apply additional tools to address the more importantly making these kits on hiking and biking trails. He enjoys challenges. available to developing countries travelling and exploring unique “It’s a constant learning process. including Kenya at affordable prices places and cultures around the world. One should also be able to build an is deeply satisfying. A lifetime football fan who played in organization built around the right His work with aflatoxin kits to his younger years, he stays tuned to people who share the vision and facilitate surveillance work in Kenya the English Premier League, Spanish values. The learning organization resulted in dozens of publications La Liga, French Ligue 1 and African makes all the difference in your and a very rewarding experience, football tournaments broadcast in success. which also grew into additional the US. Wondu’s advice for every African research in Bolivia, Ethiopia, India, During the lockdown working from scientist is to be diligent in their work, Malaysia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. home in the “new normal” of the be able to develop and synthesize a On the commercial side, he built COVID-19 era, gardening has become vision that they would like to fulfill a great relationship with Sorela a favourite activity, a well-cultivated one day, and then laser focus the Supplies and has been supplying growth from his impressive scientific efforts in the direction of realizing Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), career. the vision. Government Chemist, University “It’s also important to have a partner of Nairobi, KEMRI, icipe, KALRO, (spouse, friend or colleague who ICRISAT, various cereal and milling cares!) who can tell you things establishments and now the dairy

62 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Ten finalists win food systems vision award By Marion Wagaki

Ten finalists have been nominated be shared among the winners at a Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, and the US, were for the top ‘Food System Vision Prize’ ceremony in December. chosen among 76 semi-finalists. launched last year by The Rockefeller The ten finalists in the ‘Food System They were selected based on their potential to Foundation in partnership with Vision Prize 2050’ were selected from inspire real, positive and bold transformation SecondMuse and OpenIDEO. more than 1,300 applicants from of a specific food system that is actionable, The Rockefeller Foundation launched 110 countries, all seeking to develop concrete and believed to be attainable by the award “in recognition of the a vision of the regenerative and 2050. These visions aim to tackle challenges sobering need to replace dystopian nourishing food system that they tied to six themes - environment, diets, narratives with positive futures that aspire to create by the year 2050. economics, culture, technology, and policy. activate real change in food systems Aiming to amplify the discourse on A distinguished panel of judges, including across the world.” the state and the future of the world’s food system leaders from academia, civil Organizations, universities, many food systems, the award seeks society and the private sector reviewed the institutions, companies, cooperatives to empower communities globally semi-finalist submissions on actionable and partnerships from around to develop actionable solutions and solutions for the food systems of tomorrow the world were invited to create become protagonists in their own and selected the ten finalists. “inspiring, compelling, and actionable food future. “The inspiring visions they have put forward visions of the world’s food systems The leading ten finalists from paint a picture of a more hopeful future food by 2050”. A hefty $2 million prize will Canada, China, India, Kenya, the system – one that is equitable, sustainable

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and can transform our planet and nourishing food system [Lead and sustainable urban space, improve the diets and health of Organization: Darkpore Media where access to nutritious people across the globe,” says The Africa Ltd]. food is a reality for everyone Rockefeller Foundation President Dr • From Mama’s Kitchen to [Lead Organization: African Rajiv J. Shah. Metropolitan Beijing: This Population and Health Research Here are the Top 10 finalists for the vision from Beijing, China Center-APHRC]. ‘Food System Vision Prize 2050’: imagines a plant-based • Stone Barns Center R&D • 7Gen Food System: Led by the dietary transformation for the Lab for an Ecological Food Sicangu Lakota people, this world’s most populous nation, Culture: This Vision from the Vision for the Rosebud Indian contributing to reductions in Hudson Valley in New York, Reservation of South Dakota, greenhouse gas emissions and U.S. seeks to bring about a USA, outlines a regenerative pollution [Lead Organizations: new food culture—rooted agricultural system that creates Good Food Fund of the China in the ecological, nutritional economic opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation and communal potential of tribal members; increases the & Green Development organic agriculture—through accessibility of locally produced, Foundation]. groundbreaking culinary nutrient-dense foods; and • kwayeskastasowin experimentation [Lead re-establishes the Lakota as wahkohtowin: This vision Organization: Stone Barns primary stewards of the lands from Canada’s Prairie Center for Food and Agriculture]. [Lead Organization: Sicangu Provinces aims to create a “These visions are a great example of Community Development just and sustainable agrifood the importance of—and opportunity Corporation]. system while addressing the for—innovation during a crisis. This • Arakunomics: Focusing on the process of decolonization is even more urgent given the severe regions of Araku, Wardha, and and reconciliation between stresses placed on food systems as a New Delhi, India, this vision Indigenous and settler result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” empowers tribal communities populations [Lead Organization: says The Rockefeller Foundation and seeks to ensure The Prairie Food Vision Senior Vice President of the Food environmental sustainability, Network]. Initiative Roy Steiner. “We look fair profits for farmers, and • Lima 2035: This Vision for Lima, forward to seeing how they move food and nutrition security for Peru imagines a regenerative their ideas from vision to action.” all [Lead Organization: Naandi and nourishing food oasis by In September, the finalists advanced Foundation]. 2035, with the aim of securing to a three-month “virtual accelerator” • Eat Right India: This Vision climate-resilient running phase during which they received from New Delhi, India looks water for all in Lima’s fragile support to further refine their to create a national movement desert environment [Lead visions and find pathways for towards healthier diets through Organization: International implementation and impact. a systems-based approach of Potato Center and Grupo The accelerator will focus on reducing food waste; improving Alimenta]. stakeholder engagement, storytelling, hygiene and sanitation across • Re-rooting the Dutch Food communications, and action planning the value chain; and increasing System: This Vision from through virtual programming, one- access to and affordability the Netherlands outlines a on-one mentorship and customized of healthy foods [Lead transformed, circular Dutch support. Organization: Food Safety and food system that safeguards Each finalist is eligible to become a Standards Authority of India, natural resources, promotes a Top Visionary and to receive a prize Ministry of Health and Family healthier and more sustainable of $200,000. Top Visionaries will be Welfare, Government of India]. plant-based diet, and recycles announced in December. unavoidable losses and wastes • Food Innovation Nervecenter: “Visions teams took a systems [Lead Organization: Wageningen This vision from Lagos, Nigeria approach to include diverse University & Research]. identifies six key food challenges voices while incorporating social for the region, from food • Restoring Nairobi to “A Place and environmental priorities. waste to ageing farmers, and of Cool Waters”: This Vision These finalists give us reason for outlines a multi-faceted plan to for Nairobi, Kenya aims to optimism, offering exciting and build a more regenerative and develop a more equitable, just tangible possibilities to transform

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food systems, from production to “This is even more urgent given 33 consumption, to ensure a healthy the severe stresses placed on food and sustainableHis research future shows thatfor peoplegrowing systemsLal spearheaded as a result research of the COVID-19 and ourcrops planet,” on healthy says soilsSecondMuse produces pandemicdemonstrating and we that look soil forward organic to The ‘Food System Vision Programmore Manager from less: and more Food food System seeingmatter how and they carbon move is crucialtheir toideas Prize’ is an invitation Visionfrom Prize less Lead land area,Maria less Balcazar use of fromsustaining vision to and action,” enhancing he notes. the “Soils of the world Tellez.agrochemicals, less tillage, less Thequantity Rockefeller and quality ofFoundation’s food for organizations water and less energy. production. must be part of any “Systems change means going rationale in launching the ‘Food across the globe to beyondAs a soils few alsoorganizations provide essential working SystemsHis findings Vision arePrize’ especially was based on agenda to address in silos.environmental This prize supports services suchvisions therelevant recognition in tropical that regionsregions ofacross develop a vision of rootedas in retaining local communities, rainwater, filtering while thethe globe developing lack a positive world, visionwhere for soil the theclimate regenerative change, and as buildingpollutants a global and network providing for teams habitat futuredegradation of their foodhas contributed systems. to for all manner of organisms, a downward spiral of poor soil well as food and water to connect, learn and gain inspiration “Available visions have proven to nourishing food system it is all the more important health, low agricultural yield, from each other,” concurs OpenIDEO for societies to manage soils beenervated ineffective environment in driving and,action and security,” said Lal. “I Food Portfolio Lead Matt Ridenour,. sustainably. engagementultimately, weakto respond resilience to ofclimate think there is now a APHRC Kenya’s vision ‘Restoring change,rural livelihoods.disruptive technologies, NairobiSoil essentialsto “A Place of Cool shifting diets, and increasing resource general awareness I believe soil is a living thing. Waters” through a regenerative, demands,” explains the foundation. Starting in 1970 at the That’s what soil health means, transformative, human-centered of soil carbon, an International Institute of Throughsoil is life. its Every motto living ofthing ‘Envision. food system’Tropical aimed Agriculture to develop (IITA) a more in Believe.has rights. Build’, Therefore, The soilRockefeller also awareness• 10 billion people that will soilinhabit the equitable,Nigeria, just Laland began sustainable addressing urban Foundationhas rights. Asis long convinced as you are that Earth by 2050 the issue of soil erosion and space, where access to nutritious humanityconsuming has the naturalmore resourcesknowledge, isn’t• 60% just more a mediumfood will be neededfor degradation in sub-Saharan food is a reality for everyone. technology,– food, water, social elements intelligence, – coming and by 2050 to meet the food Africa. plant growth.” Dr Kimani-Murage, who resides humanfrom thecapacity soil, you than owe ever it before:to soil requirements of a growing global He found that deforestation and to put something back, to give in Nairobi, was the APHRC’s lead “All of which can be harnessed to population agricultural cultivation exposed something back, whatever you applicant having done many create a food system that nourishes • 700+million people will have the soil to the harsh tropical can.” studies among Nairobi’s urban all people, grows the global economy, diabetes by 2050 if no action is climate, causing severe erosion. Lal’s investigation revealed that poor and documented different and protects a thriving environment.” taken to change eating habits vulnerabilitiesWhat’s more, of the removing urban thepoor plant – low soil carbon and organic hunger,residue malnutrition, at harvest morbidity robbed the and matter combined with harsh tropical climates and nutrient- mortality.soil of nutrients, organic matter and organic carbon, making it depleting farming practices harder and harder each season posed a major barrier to reaching for farmers to grow a viable crop. the soil’s productive potential. ROOTOOBA Highlight topic

Malnutrition is linked to growth and poverty By Dr David Githang’a

A story in the Daily Nation of 22 April maize prices, ensure ‘aflatoxin-safe’ grain 2020 left me alarmed and greatly while discouraging immoral grain trading disappointed. In brief, it stated that that is a national threat; hence the need to Treasury had stopped plans of a securitize maize now! When wrong behavior lucrative maize deal that was in the is rewarded, most people will do what is easy offing. instead of what is right. Lack of ‘securitization’ of maize in Some have argued that poverty creates Kenya partly led to this recurrence of malnutrition and vice versa, but this I would unconscionable profiteering. consider to be an academic argument. Maize accounts for over half of the We need to move our population from smallholders’ land devoted to food dependence on a single cereal by all available crops and nearly all small holders means that include proactively promoting, grow some variety of maize to eat enabling and rewarding dietary diversity. and market. Food-based approaches to nutrition require My recent research work in Makueni long-term commitments. rather than the traditional protein– County revealed that poverty was the On the positive side, they are sustainable energy deficiency and micronutrient nexus between aflatoxin exposure since they are part of the development deficiencies that cause anaemia and and malnutrition. We know that process that leads to long-term economic goiter (Underwood et al 1999). poor nutrition shadows over half of growth. Hidden hunger in early life leads to children’s deaths globally. The intricate connection between social, stunting, lower cognitive abilities, It is common knowledge that cultural, political and environmental factors lethargy, poor attention, greater aflatoxin effects are most with food security at household level is severity and rates of infections. exaggerated in children, women, the beyond the scope of Wanjiku. Sub-optimum educational progress, immunocompromised and the poor. Other additional health determinants physical work capacity and life Even though Africa has the highest include safe water, green energy, ecological expectancy result in reduced proportion of arable land, it has food production models and getting rid of individual lifetime productivity. the highest proportion of starving ‘toilet nomadism’. That people are the primary unit of people among the five continents. Underwriting the human capital upfront is development is often forgotten. The cumulative and nonreversible cheaper compared to delayed interventions The stated newspaper article hidden hunger leaves 40% of children through treatment of diseases and economic points out our focus on hunger stunted in sub-Saharan Africa, with subsidies. Kenya having 26% of its children (quantity) than nutrition (quality Dr David Githang’a is a consultant paediatric under five years stunted. and nutritional balance) besides cardiologist and public health specialist. He highlighting our insatiable desire to The world is now focused on has special interest in aflatoxins and their make a quick buck. nutrition-driven poor immunity, effects on the health of populations. cognitive development, physical We have the knowledge and growth, reproductive performance technology to enable us revamp large and work productivity concern scale maize farming that can stabilize

66 ISSUE 002 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Upcoming GLOBALG.A.P events in Nov-Dec 2020

GLOBALG.A.P. GLOBALG.A.P. CAPACITY BUILDING CAPACITY BUILDING & FARM ASSURER & FARM ASSURER WORKSHOP WORKSHOP LIVESTOCK (POULTRY) LIVESTOCK (RUMINANTS)

23-26 November 2020 23-26 November 2020

ONLINE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM & INTERNAL INSPECTOR TRAINING

10-11 December 2020

https://onlineacademy.globalgap.org/

The checklist for the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard v5.2 has now been translated into Swahili, marking a particularly large milestone in GLOBALG.A.P. developments in East Africa.

Read more about it on: https://www.globalgap.org/de/newsartikel/IFA-Standard-Now-Available-in-Swahili-Language/ ROOTOOBA Highlight topic

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