As part of its effort to accelerate the transformation of food systems in Africa, Nestle’ has announced its partnership with African Food Prize.Inline image
The partnership would also build greater climate change resilience.
The Africa Food Prize is said to award USD 100,000 to individuals and institutions that are pioneering agricultural and food systems transformation in Africa.
The Prize puts a spotlight on uniquely impactful agri-food initiatives and technological innovations that can be replicated across the continent to increase food security, spur economic growth and development, and eliminate hunger and poverty in Africa.
It is interesting to note that the Africa Food Prize is hosted by AGRA, an African-led and Africa-based institution that puts smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives.
AGRA is headquartered in Kenya and works in 15 African countries.
This year, Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, a plant geneticist from Ghana, was awarded the prestigious prize during September’s AGRF summit in Kigali, Rwanda.
Danquah was celebrated for his outstanding expertise and leadership in establishing the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) and developing it into a world-class center for the education of plant breeders in Africa.
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Speaking on the initiative, Chief Executive Officer of Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa, Nestlé S.A. Remy Ejel, said: “Transforming agriculture to be more productive and sustainable is key to reducing hunger and improving livelihoods for the long term. We aim to support and amplify efforts that spearhead regenerative agriculture and food systems to enable better productivity, better nutrition and better incomes for people in Africa.”
Commenting on the partnership, president of AGRA, Agnes Kalibate said: “We are happy to be partnering with Nestlé to recognise Africa’s best in food systems.
“The Africa Food Prize is a great opportunity to shine a bright spotlight on Africa’s outstanding minds, giving the rest of us a chance to learn and replicate their good work that is moving us closer to sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 on Zero Hunger.”
It is worthy to note that Nestlé’s partnership with the Africa Food Prize builds on its years-long work in Africa to improve the continent’s nutrition and agriculture.
In early 2022, Nestlé launched an innovative income accelerator programme, aimed at addressing child labor risks and closing the living income gap for cocoa-farming communities in Côte d’Ivoire.
