Private sector R&D to advance the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! While public institutions remain the primary source of agricultural R&D in Africa, the private sector is playing an increasingly important role. In South Africa, Pannar Seed develops hybrid seeds across different agroecological zones, while SASRI supports sugarcane R&D through public-private partnership. In Kenya, Kenya Seed Company is advancing crop improvement, while agritech startups like #TwigaFoods and #iProcure support data-driven innovations. ATOR insights: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

Emerging Technologies for Resilient Agrifood Systems! The black soldier fly (BSF) industry is growing quickly in #Kenya, with around 1,200 active producers. BSF larvae offer a high-quality and affordable alternative to traditional feed ingredients, and cost 15% to 30% less than standard feed options. Many smallholders benefit doubly by feeding larvae to their animals and using the leftover frass as fertilizer for their crops. Annual sales of BSF products in #Kenya are approximately US$3 million. Using BSF protein helps farmers produce more meat, milk, and eggs, boosting local food security, and reducing dependence on expensive imported ingredients. ATOR insights: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

The 14th GASL MSP Meeting (June 8, Dakar), organized by @FAOLivestock & @MASAE_sn, provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and coordinated action on sustainable livestock transformation and One Health, aligned with #IYRP, #IYWF & #IYC2024. Our 17th @ReSAKSS #ATOR shows that genetic improvement (AI, embryo transfer), feed innovations (Brachiaria grass, BSF larvae), digital tools (iCow, KAZNET), climate-smart practices (rotational grazing, low-methane feeds), index-based insurance, and thermotolerant vaccines are transforming livestock systems across Africa. Strategic investments in these innovations demonstrate how multistakeholder partnerships can help advance the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration. [Chapter 9]: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

Agricultural mechanization: Experiences from Asia! In #NortheastThailand, two-wheel tractor adoption grew from ~40,000 units to 1.25 million, supported by local fabrication, reverse-engineering of imported machines, and demand from high-value aromatic rice producers. In #China, local governments coordinated cross-regional combine harvesting services, with support including operator training, seasonal harvest calendars, team formation, communication networks, and toll waivers. Policy insights: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

Gender & youth inclusion in agricultural mechanization! Women constitute ~50% of the agricultural labor force in Africa, yet remain disproportionately excluded from mechanization benefits due to barriers including limited access to land, credit, and gender-blind extension services. Addressing this imbalance requires purposeful efforts to design and deliver gender-inclusive mechanization pathways. Interventions may include establishing women-led or women-preferred mechanization service hubs, ensuring subsidized access to equipment, and promoting ownership models tailored to women’s landholding and financial capacity. In #Benin, supporting mechanization services through existing cooperatives that facilitate the sharing of machinery and equipment has successfully improved access to mechanization for vulnerable groups. In #Tanzania, the promotion of smaller machines, such as two-wheel tractors, has generally improved women’s access to mechanization technologies. Policy Insights: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

#WorldEnvironmentDay2026 Interlocking Africa's Bioeconomy and Climate Change Agendas for Climate Action! Africa's bioeconomy can ignite economic transformation and help to combat the rising challenge of climate change, delivering new jobs, food security, improved nutrition, and environmental resilience for Africans across the continent. Our 16th Annual Trends and Outlook Report explores the challenges posed by the climate crisis for Africa's agrifood systems and the opportunities offered by a transition to a bioeconomy to mitigate and adapt to its adverse impacts. Transitioning to a bioeconomy would require clear strategies aligned with climate change targets and priorities. This would entail creating a conducive environment to enable emerging companies to innovate, providing the training and education needed to drive a bioeconomy transition, and cooperating across borders. Policy insights: resakss.org/node/6907

Policy implications for AI & geospatial tech under the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! Developing dedicated AI and geospatial technology policies tailored to the agrifood sector provides a clear roadmap for integrating advanced technologies, outlining strategic priorities, regulatory frameworks, ethical considerations, and investment plans. Tailored policies can address data access for smallholder farmers, digital literacy, and deployment of precision agriculture tools. Strengthening regional collaboration and data-sharing initiatives is also essential, as challenges like climate variability, cross-border pests, and food insecurity transcend national boundaries. ATOR insights: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

Scaling aquaponics under the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! Large-scale adoption of aquaponics in African countries requires governments, international organizations, and the private sector to design well-structured policies that address financing, training, infrastructure, and market access gaps. National policymakers should embrace aquaponics as part of agricultural and food policies, prioritizing low-income and resource-poor smallholder farmers with support from extension programs. ATOR insights [Chap 11]: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

AI-driven farmer support to advance @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! Digital Green's FarmerChat AI-chatbot cuts extension costs per farmer from an estimated US$35.00 to US$0.35. The platform leverages location-based data to improve the relevance of extension advice, better equipping extension officers to deliver climate adaptation insights. ATOR insights: resakss.org/sites/default/fi… @digitalgreenorg

Biotechnology to advance the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! Biotechnology presents a transformative opportunity for Africa to address pressing challenges in food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural productivity. The continent’s rich biodiversity, diverse agroecologies, and fledgling scientific capabilities position it to benefit from a broad suite of biotechnological applications: from genetic engineering and genome editing to biofertilizers and diagnostics. The African countries that have adopted GM crops have witnessed significant yield and income increases. In South Africa, the introduction of GM maize, soybean, and cotton helped raise farmers’ incomes by more than $1 billion, increasing annual crop yields by 32%. Nigeria’s farmers now grow GM maize and GM cowpea –varieties that have been improved to resist infestation and destruction by insect pests, therefore requiring fewer or even no pesticide applications. ATOR insights: resakss.org/sites/default/fi…

Precision agriculture tools such as drones, satellite imaging, GPS-guided machinery, and smart irrigation systems are enabling more efficient use of water, fertilizers, and other inputs while increasing yields. At the same time, climate-resilient crops developed through biotechnology and conventional breeding are helping farmers better withstand drought, salinity, pests, and diseases. The latest @ReSAKSS #ATOR explores how emerging technologies can accelerate Africa’s agrifood systems transformation. More: resakss.org/node/6931 @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration #Agenda2063

How can Africa leverage technological innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation? Rapid population growth in Africa continues to exert immense pressure on existing food systems, straining resources and exacerbating food insecurity. Building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems will require system-level approaches and integrated solutions. Combining biological, digital, engineering, ecological, and institutional innovations is increasingly essential for sectoral transformation, as demostrated in the 17th @ReSAKSS Annual Trends and Outlook Report (#ATOR). Learn more: resakss.org/node/6931 @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration #Agenda2063

Strengthening inclusive agrifood systems under the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! The 17th @ReSAKSS #ATOR highlights the growing role of digital advisory services in delivering context-specific agronomic information and advancing sustainable land management across Africa. A key example is the AgriPath Project, whose @farm_better platform combines geolocation tools and the WOCAT database to provide tailored recommendations to smallholder farmers across multiple countries. 📍Catch up with @AKADEMIYA2063’s Dr. @DebisiAraba at the AgriPath Symposium 2026 (May 27–28, Nairobi), where policymakers, researchers, innovators, and investors will explore what works in designing and scaling digital advisory systems for Africa’s agrifood transformation. 🔗 ATOR insights: resakss.org/node/6931 🔗 agripath.net/symposium @icipe #AgriPathConsortium @SwissDevCoop @giz_gmbh

Designing efficient governance systems under the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! Strong institutional frameworks, effective regulations, and sustained capacity-building investments are essential to adopting and scaling innovations that deliver lasting impact. Policies that strengthen biosafety systems, protect intellectual property rights, support data governance, and encourage research and development can create an enabling environment for innovation across Africa’s agrifood systems. ATOR insights: resakss.org/node/6931

Digital technologies to advance the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration! Mobile platforms, blockchain, and AI are increasingly being applied in agrifood systems to address challenges across the value chain, enabling market access, financial inclusion, and extension services. In #Kenya, platforms such as M-Farm and DigiFarm demonstrate how digital solutions can bridge information asymmetries and improve incomes. ATOR Insights: shorturl.at/BZBgr

The @_AfricanUnion#KampalaDeclaration targets a 45% increase in agrifood output by 2035. The latest @ReSAKSS #ATOR examines how AI-based weather forecasts, biophysical data, and crop modeling can help achieve this ambition. Chap. 16: resakss.org/node/6931

The @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration calls for building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. Precision agriculture, remote sensing, smart irrigation, and stress-resistant crops can drive productivity gains while protecting natural resources. @ReSAKSS 17th #ATOR demonstrates how these technologies can accelerate the Kampala Agenda. ATOR [Chap. 15]: resakss.org/node/6931

Institutional and regulatory reforms are essential for inclusive seed system transformation under the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration. The @ReSAKSS latest #ATOR [Chap. 13] highlights how coherent policies can foster access to quality seeds for smallholders across Africa. Learn more: resakss.org/node/6931

Overcoming consumer skepticism about insect-based products is a key focus of the insect farming industry. Companies like @AspireFG, @Jimini_s & @insectipro are extending shelf life, improving safety & preserving nutritional quality through innovative drying techniques & modified atmosphere packaging. These innovations enable insect companies to market insect powder & whole insects globally over extended periods. Chap. 10 of @ReSAKSS latest #ATOR explores how insect farming can become a sustainable pathway for Africa's agrifood systems. More: resakss.org/node/6931 @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration

How can technology be leveraged to accelerate Africa's agrifood systems transformation and advance the @_AfricanUnion's Kampala Declaration and Agenda 2063? "The latest Annual Trends and Outlook Report demonstrates that the 'technology frontier' is not a single breakthrough, but rather the integration of biological, digital, engineering, ecological, and institutional innovations within a supportive political economy," @DrOBadiane! Learn more: shorturl.at/4fuBA Explore the ATOR: resakss.org/node/6931