Tanzania is set to host this year’s Annual Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF) Summit scheduled from September 5th to 8th at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Center in Dar es Salaam.
The 13th AGRF summit will provide a platform to reflect on the coordinated large-scale action by the continent’s leading thinkers, policymakers, and innovators to explore the latest breakthroughs and best practices in agriculture and food systems transformation.
Happening at the backdrop of challenges from climate change, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, population growth, and economic downturn among others affecting global food systems, the summit calls for bold thought leadership to accelerate action toward translating food systems pathways and commitments into actionable strategies, investments targeting youth and women, and progress.
“The Africa Food Systems Forum 2023 Summit will be the defining moment in highlighting and unlocking the political, policy, and financial commitments and innovations the continent has made and continues to work towards achieving productive, nutritious, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems in Africa,” reads a statement by AGRF in part.
Recover, Regenerate, Act
The Summit seeks to explore the pathways and actions needed to accelerate this process and steer the continent toward food systems transformation under the theme “Recover, Regenerate, Act: Africa’s Solutions to Food Systems Transformation.”
Recovery calls for decisive strategies and actions to rebuild food systems after multiple crises and shocks.
Regenerate emphasizes the need to regenerate natural capital resources with adaptation practices, innovation, and technology for sustainable food production in a changing climate context.
Act urges urgent action to accelerate food systems transformation through better policies, practices, and investments.
According to Hussein Bashe, Tanzania’s Mnister for Agriculture, more than 3000 participants are expected to be in the summit which is an opportunity for the country to host after its successful participation in a competition to organize the major agricultural event in Africa, (AGRF).
“We invite all Tanzanians to participate in this summit. The application to attend is found online so it’s easy, but for those who will need more information can call +255 755 800 200 directly to the ministry,” said Bashe.
Among the activities aligned is the site visits to innovative projects or agri-business facilities that will allow attendees to experience Tanzanian food systems solutions firsthand.
These will possess a strong process orientation and appreciation of promising agricultural value chains and food systems from blue economy to cash crops and staple crops.
“It is a great opportunity to provide insights and direct experience with real-life initiatives and activities through agri-businesses tourism.”
The summit’s full program can be found here.
