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06-08 August, 2024 | Lilongwe, Malawi
Concept Note
The objectives of the 2024 Policy Dialogue are to:
- Explore policies to boost agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience.
- Discuss digital tech, innovation, and research in agri-food system transformation.
- Analyze policy impacts on smallholders, rural communities, and marginalized groups.
- Promote regional collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.
Agriculture is vital to socio-economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but faces interconnected challenges. Climate change threatens productivity and food security, particularly impacting smallholder farmers. Despite progress, food insecurity persists, perpetuating poverty and hindering growth. Unsustainable practices further degrade the environment and weaken system resilience.
A shift towards sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agriculture is necessary. This requires strategic policies addressing both immediate needs and long-term sustainability goals.
The 2024 FANRPAN High-Level Regional Multi-stakeholder Policy Dialogue aims to discuss pathways for transforming African agri-food systems, focusing on developing actionable strategies and policy frameworks.
This policy dialogue will explore pivotal themes essential for the sustainable development of the continent’s food systems:
1. Improving and Increasing Production Sustainably
• Explore policy strategies to enhance agricultural productivity while minimising environmental impact.
• Discuss sustainable intensification practices, such as agroecology, integrated pest management, and organic farming.
• Address soil health, water management, and agrochemical use challenges in sustainable production systems.
• Highlight circular food systems and examine policies to promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and nutrient recycling in agri-food production and consumption.
2. Building Resilience in Agriculture and Food Systems
• Analyse policies and interventions to build resilience against climate change, extreme weather events, and market shocks.
• Examine adaptive strategies for smallholder farmers, including crop diversification, resilient seed varieties, climate-smart livestock systems, and insurance schemes.
• Review community-based adaptation approaches that empower local communities to develop and implement resilience strategies tailored to their needs and contexts.
• Discuss policy frameworks for disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and social safety nets in rural communities.
3. Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems
• Analyse policies and programs to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture and improve dietary diversity.
• Explore linkages between agriculture, food systems, and nutrition outcomes, focusing on maternal and child health.
• Discuss policy approaches to address food insecurity, malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations. • Unpack the One Health principles to address the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
4. Cross-Cutting Issues
• Highlight policies supporting agricultural research, innovation, and technology adoption while ensuring gender-responsive approaches to address disparities in access and adoption rates.
• Examine the role of extension services, farmer education, and knowledge-sharing platforms in disseminating best practices, specifically focusing on reaching women, youth, and marginalised groups to ensure inclusivity.
• Discuss policy incentives for private sector engagement, investment, and collaboration in agricultural innovation ecosystems.
• Address capacity strengthening at institutional and individual levels to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of agri-food system interventions.
The policy dialogue will bring together representatives of regional economic communities (RECs), international and regional institutions, government representatives, nongovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, international, regional, and national research organizations, universities, farmer organisations, the private sector, civil society, the media, and other stakeholders.
LISTEN TO THE Event Speakers
H.E. Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera
President of Malawi
H.E. Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera
President of Malawi
Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is the incumbent President of the Republic of Malawi. He was sworn into office on 29th June 2020.
Hon. Sam Dalitso Kawale
Minister of Agriculture, M.P
Hon. Sam Dalitso Kawale
Minister of Agriculture, M.P
Country Coordinator at Purpose Driven Malawi/Peace Plan and works for Minister of Agriculture at Malawi Government, Ministry of Agriculture and National Executive Committee Member at Malawi Congress Party
Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila
CEO and Head of Mission FANRPAN
Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila
CEO and Head of Mission FANRPAN
Is an experienced applied research, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, policy advocacy specialist in the area of food systems, agriculture and natural recourses (FANR) with a total of more than 25 years working experience. Six (6) years of these is at an executive management level. Currently, as a CEO and Head of Mission of FANRPAN, Tshilidzi is vested with the key responsibility to provide overall strategic leadership and guidance to the organization.
Dr Theo De Jager
Board Chairman, FANRPAN
Dr Theo De Jager
Board Chairman, FANRPAN
Specialties: Agriculture, farmer development, land reform, Farming in Africa, climate change and climate smart agriculture
Prof Cecilia Onyango
University of Nairobi
Prof Cecilia Onyango
University of Nairobi
Over twenty years experience in research and capacity building in the areas of crop physiology, postharvest handling of fresh produce, food safety, nutrition, utilization and conservation of underutilised/neglected crops; and eco-efficient bioresource management.
Dr Greenwell Matchaya
ReSAKSS-ESA
Dr Greenwell Matchaya
ReSAKSS-ESA
Dr. Greenwell Matchaya is an experienced and results oriented Senior Economist with over 10 years of international experience. Major strengths include innovativeness, team work, program management, team leadership, projects development and implementation in the area of international development resulting in contributing to changing scores of trade and agricultural development policies in more than 16 countries. A successful manager of projects valued in millions of US$ resulting in capacity strengthening of hundreds of policy makers in more than 20 African countries. A team player mentoring diverse staff with PhDs, MScs, and BScs engaged in policy research at continental, regional and country levels. Experienced and well-trained in quantitative analysis with expertise in stakeholder/private sector engagement. Organized many forums with stakeholders leading to strengthening partnerships between stakeholder constituencies. Has further expertise in law, climate change adaptation, and digital technology from over 8 SADC countries. Interest and expertise in computer programming with Python, expert in economy-wide modelling with General Equilibrium Modelling Package (GEMPACK), Economic analysis with STATA, Python, Microfit, and SPSS.
He holds a PhD from University of Leeds in the UK (with a fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA), an MA in Economics (University of Leeds), an MSc in Development Economics from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Oslo), Bachelor of Laws (Universiteit van Suid-Afrika -Pretoria) and a BSc (UNIMA- Malawi). He is an author of more than 40 peer reviewed research items in international journals and book chapters.
Ms Sithembile Mwamakamba
Director - Policy Research and Analysis at FANRPAN
Ms Sithembile Mwamakamba
Director - Policy Research and Analysis at FANRPAN
Sithembile coordinates FANRPAN’s climate smart agriculture policy research and advocacy projects. Her work focuses on enhancing the research to policy and practice interface to help raise investment in, and policy support for climate-smart agriculture. she manages a portfolio of programs that include projects on Irrigation Water Management, Post-harvest Management, and Climate Smart Resilient Agriculture.
Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi
Professor of Climate Change, Food Systems and Health
Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi
Professor of Climate Change, Food Systems and Health
I have experience in research, development, capacity building and building partnerships across academia, public and private sectors, civil society, and communities in the global South. I conduct multi- and transdisciplinary research covering sustainable and resilient food systems, global environmental change and the water-energy-food nexus. My goal is to work on research and development that is dynamic, transformative, informs policy and achieves real-life impacts within poor communities. My experience straddles research and academia, international research for development and capacity development for the global South.
Tendai Gunda
Regional Representative @ SUN Movement
Tendai Gunda
Regional Representative @ SUN Movement
As the Regional Representative for Anglophone Africa at Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, I lead and support the implementation of the SUN strategy and action plan in 20 countries. I have over 17 years of experience in program management, spanning both humanitarian and development contexts, and I hold a Program D Pro certification and a Master's degree in Nutrition and Health.
My core competencies include coordinating, building capacity, and leading multiple stakeholders from different sectors to deliver high-impact nutrition interventions and policies. I am passionate about becoming a leader, expert, and pace-setter in public health nutrition and influencing policy to address important and ignored nutrition issues in the developing world. I am also proficient in report writing, African affairs, and budget management.
Ms Chikondi Chabvuti
Advocacy Advisor @ CARE
Ms Chikondi Chabvuti
Advocacy Advisor @ CARE
With over three years of experience as the Regional Advocacy Advisor at CARE, one of the leading humanitarian organizations in the world, I lead and coordinate the advocacy efforts of the organization in Southern Africa, focusing on climate change, women's rights, and humanitarian response. I have a master's degree in environmental science from the University of Malawi, and a strong background in gender and climate change, climate justice, and humanitarian preparedness and response.
In my role, I work with a diverse team of experts and partners to promote social and environmental justice, empower vulnerable communities, and influence policies and practices that affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the region. I have also developed expertise in gender and food security issues, and have contributed to multiple regional and global campaigns and initiatives on these topics. I am passionate about using my skills and knowledge to advance the causes of sustainable development, human rights, and resilience building.
With over three years of experience as the Regional Advocacy Advisor at CARE, one of the leading humanitarian organizations in the world, I lead and coordinate the advocacy efforts of the organization in Southern Africa, focusing on climate change, women's rights, and humanitarian response. I have a master's degree in environmental science from the University of Malawi, and a strong background in gender and climate change, climate justice, and humanitarian preparedness and response. In my role, I work with a diverse team of experts and partners to promote social and environmental justice, empower vulnerable communities, and influence policies and practices that affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the region. I have also developed expertise in gender and food security issues, and have contributed to multiple regional and global campaigns and initiatives on these topics. I am passionate about using my skills and knowledge to advance the causes of sustainable development, human rights, and resilience building.Resources and Presentations
DAY 1 RECAP - Bonani Nhyodo
DAY 1 RECAP Bonani Nhyodo
Presentation - Cecilia Onyango
Presentation-Cecilia Onyango
Pathways to SFS - T Mabhaudhi
Pathways to SFS - T Mabhaudhi
Plenary - F Nangayo
Plenary - F Nangayo
Parallel Plenary Session - F Nangayo
FNangayo_Parallel_Pannel Discussion
Unlocking food system transformation under an uncertain climate - Sika
Unlocking food system transformation under an uncertain climate
Plenary Session 12 - Tendai Gunda
Plenary Session 12- Tendai Gunda
SADC DRR Presentation
SADC DRR Presentation
Plenary Session 7 Keynote - T Mabhaudhi
Plenary Session 7 Keynote T Mabhaudhi
Plenary Session 6 Keynote - Sika
Plenary Session 6 Keynote - Sika
Plenary Session 11 - Duncan Samikwa
Plenary Session 11 - Duncan Samikwa
Gallery of the Event
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