Farming First is the leading source for the latest insights, news and case studies on agricultural innovation for development.
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Joined March 2009
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Farming First retweeted
How a Data and AI Revolution is Helping Africa’s Farmers Build Resilience and Productivity
In this article, @AKADEMIYA2063’s @dr_racinely looks at how satellite data, machine learning, and predictive analytics are helping transform agricultural decision-making across Africa.
Through Africa Agriculture Watch (AAgWa), remotely sensed satellite data and machine-learning techniques are used to generate crop production predictions for 11 key crops across 47 African countries. Beyond showing current conditions, these tools provide insights into expected production and yields before the harvest season, helping farmers and policymakers anticipate potential challenges linked to climate, pests, diseases, and other shocks.
As Dr. Ly writes: “Predictability is a key element in times of crisis.” AAgWa is helping turn that predictability into actionable information for more resilient and food-secure agrifood systems.
Full piece @farmingfirst: farmingfirst.org/2023/05/how…
Farming First retweeted
As governments around the world grapple with rising migration pressures, the conversation too often centers on border security, climate shocks, and conflict. These factors matter, but they overlook a deeper economic reality: in an increasingly interconnected global labor market, migration is often driven by the search for better jobs and higher incomes. For many young Africans and others from the Global South, migration is not simply an escape from hardship but a calculated investment in economic opportunity.
Investing in agrifood systems will create productive opportunities that enable young Africans to build prosperous futures where they are and reduce the economic pressures that drive irregular migration.
Read more from @DrOBadiane via @farmingfirst👇
farmingfirst.org/2026/09/add…
Farming First retweeted
Addressing Africa’s Employment Challenge Starts with Agrifood Systems
As governments around the world grapple with rising migration pressures, the conversation too often centers on border security, climate shocks, and conflict. These factors matter, but they overlook a deeper economic reality: in an increasingly interconnected global labor market, migration is often driven by the search for better jobs and higher incomes. For many young Africans and others from the Global South, migration is not simply an escape from hardship but a calculated investment in economic opportunity.
Investing in agrifood systems will create productive opportunities that enable young Africans to build prosperous futures where they are and reduce the economic pressures that drive irregular migration.
Read more from @DrOBadiane via @farmingfirst 👇farmingfirst.org/2026/09/add…
Farming First retweeted
Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is vital to food security, livelihoods, and economic growth, yet it remains underutilized and increasingly under pressure.
In this piece, @AKADEMIYA2063’s @DrOBadiane highlights how smart investments, stronger regulations, innovation, and cross-border cooperation can help build a more sustainable and resilient sector.
Drawing on policy innovations from #Mozambique, #Ghana, #Morocco, and #Malawi, the article shows how practical interventions can turn today’s challenges into opportunities for Africa’s blue economy.
Read more @farmingfirst: farmingfirst.org/2025/05/afr…
Farming First retweeted
Strong policy ambition in Africa often fails to translate into outcomes at scale, and the @_AfricanUnion #KampalaDeclaration’s success depends on closing that execution gap.
@aruhweza, @DebisiAraba, and @PascalMurasira make the case: What Africa lacks is sufficient food systems leadership capacity to turn commitments into real change. Evidence from #Tanzania and #Kenya shows that stronger leadership brings people together, aligns interests, and drives collective action.
Evidence suggests that equipping 25,000 cross-sector food systems leaders across Africa over the Kampala Decade would require US$25 million per year. Stronger leadership capacity attracts substantial commercial finance ready to invest in Africa’s agrifood sectors and achieve greater impact. Food systems leadership, therefore, is not an additional cost but a multiplier that determines whether existing investments translate into results at scale.
Full piece @farmingfirst: akademiya2063.org/blog-post.…
@AKADEMIYA2063 @AGRA_Africa @_AfricanFood
Farming First retweeted
Different Contexts, Common Aspirations! This #InternationalYouthDay, we reflect on the barriers that continue to constrain young people's potential across Africa—from poverty and climate change to digital inequalities and limited opportunities.
With nearly 60% of its population under 25, Africa can turn its youth bulge into a demographic dividend. Our “YOUTH AHEAD” report and Kampala Policy Brief offer evidence-based recommendations to help governments empower youth through agrifood systems.
Read Dr. @LButake's Policy-Wise blog for insights on how investing in Africa's youth can "tackle a dual conundrum—achieve continental ambitions on food systems transformation while solving unemployment in Africa."
Full piece @farmingfirst: farmingfirst.org/2024/04/you…
#InternationalYouthDay #KampalaDeclaration @_AfricanUnion
Farming First retweeted
Young #WomenFarmers around the world share a common ambition: to drive change in agriculture. 🌱
For #YouthDay, #WFOGymnasium network members from 🇮🇹 🇧🇷 🇿🇼 tell us about their aspirations for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future of farming 👇
#FarmersInAction #IYWF2026 #YearOfTheWomanFarmer @Confagri_ANGA @zfu_official
Farming First retweeted
📌Happening tomorrow!
Join the #WFO webinar “Women Farmers at the Heart of Food Security” to explore ways to strengthen women farmers' contribution to #FoodSecurity and sustainable agrifood systems.
📅 23 July 2026
⏰ 12:00–13:30 CEST
👉 Register here: ow.ly/jtZC50ZlAJy
#FarmersInAction #IYWF2026 #YearOfTheWomanFarmer #SOFI2026
Farming First retweeted
Africa needs to create over 15 million jobs annually to keep up with youth employment demand.
The 2026 Inaugural Africa Development Impact Forum (ADIF), organized by @ECA_OFFICIAL, focuses on “Bridging the Implementation Gap: Best Practices and Innovative Solutions for Job Creation in Africa.”
@MaMoPanel #YOUTHAHEAD report demonstrates that Africa's agrifood sector provides an important channel for solving the unemployment and underemployment challenges facing the continent’s youth, and strengthening them will reduce poverty and bolster food security.
As @AKADEMIYA2063’s Dr. @LButake notes, the continent sits atop an enviable reservoir of human capital. Diversifying education and training programs, addressing trade barriers coupled with technology infrastructure, and mainstreaming youth involvement to ensure that they participate in shaping policy design and programmatic interventions will move the needle.
Full piece @farmingfirst: farmingfirst.org/2024/04/you…
Youth Ahead: mamopanel.org/resources/yout…
Farming First retweeted
The #WFO has a new President.
Today in Nairobi, our General Assembly elected Daniel Mwendah M'Mailutha of Kenya for the 2026–2028 term.
#WFO2026 #FarmersInAction #FutureFields @kenaff_farmers
Farming First retweeted
SAVE THE DATE 📆
Join us for our joint webinar with the @ISTAseedtesting on: "The Importance of ISTA in Strengthening Seed Systems Africa"
📅 Date: Tuesday, 2 June 2026
🔗 Register: register.gotowebinar.com/reg…
Moderators: Dr @andreas_wais of ISTSA and Dr @YacoubaDIALLO1 of AfSTA.
Farming First retweeted
In our latest piece at @farmingfirst, we explore:
❌ Barriers limiting #WomenFarmers’ leadership
✅ Actions to advance gender equality in #agriculture
💡 Inspiring stories from the #WFO network
Moving from recognition to action is key.
Read more: bit.ly/3NgPZAl
#FarmersInAction #IYWF2026 #YearOfTheWomanFarmer
Farming First retweeted
🫘 Pulses are more than just nutritious seeds.
📽️ Watch to find out how these nutritious seeds help us combat climate change and protect our natural resources👇
#LovePulses #WorldPulsesDay
Farming First retweeted
2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers submissions are now open! 📣
TAP recognizes 40 global innovators who are advancing sustainable, resilient & inclusive food systems! 🌍🌾 Know someone who belongs in this group? Submit their name before March 25, 2026: worldfoodprize.org/tap #TAP2026
Farming First retweeted
Every degree of warming drives more people into hunger. As the world looks to #COP30, WFP is there with a clear message:
1️⃣ Mobilize finance for frontline communities
2️⃣ Invest in resilient, fair food systems
3️⃣ Ensure solutions & financing reach those who need them most
Farming First retweeted
Human, animal, plant and environmental health are all inextricably linked.
This means that to address global health issues, like #AntimicrobialResistance, we must collaborate across all sectors. A #OneHealth approach is key.
But what is One Health exactly?
Farming First retweeted
What innovations can help feed the world’s growing population?
@AfricaRice Director General, @BaboucarrManne8, shares how improving staple crops can boost nutrition and empower women in @farmingfirst Spotlight Series 👇🏾
on.cgiar.org/3L0t6zC
Farming First retweeted
📢 Our program is live for the #COP30 #FoodAgPavilion! Co-hosted with @fao and @CGIARclimate, we'll have sessions on climate-smart farming, soil health, finance, food justice & more.
Explore the agenda and sign up:
🔗 on.cgiar.org/47Z2gkR
Farming First retweeted
🚨 The first funding from @GAFSPFund #BIFT financing window has been allocated to @AfDB_Group!
Up to 1.5 million smallholder farmers across Africa could benefit from the $14 million funding aimed at advancing Africa’s #FoodSystems transformation 👇
bit.ly/3JaKhOm
Farming First retweeted
🌍 29 countries
🌄 102 systems
⌛️ Centuries of knowledge, agrobiodiversity and resilience
🗓️Join us this 31st October to celebrate the new designations that have brought the number of #AgriculturalHeritage Systems to 102.
➡️fao.org/giahs/2025-giahs-awa…
#FAO80
