Smart Food Africa Initiative Champions Millets and Pulses for Healthier, Climate-Resilient Food Systems

The Smart Food Africa initiative, led by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), made a powerful debut in Zimbabwe at the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program-Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP) meeting held on 30 October 2024 in Harare.

Launched to coincide with the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security, this initiative aims to transform the continent’s food systems by prioritizing nutritious, climate-resilient crops that support both health and sustainability.

The high-level event featured key partners—including the Government of Zimbabwe, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), the Centre for Agriculture and Food Policy (CAFP), and the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD)—all committed to making millets and pulses staples in African food systems to address malnutrition, reduce poverty, and confront climate challenges.

Notable speakers included Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim & Deputy Director General-Research, ICRISAT; Dr Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director, FARA; Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, CEO, FANRPAN; Dr Rebbie Harawa, Africa Director, ICRISAT; Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, Global Research Program Director, Enabling Systems Transformation, ICRISAT; Dr Tobias Takavarasha, Chairman, CAFP; and Kofi Kisiedu Acquaye, Africa Coordinator, YPARD.

These leaders emphasized the urgent need for policy support, strong partnerships, and greater awareness to successfully incorporate climate-smart crops into diets.

“The Smart Food initiative empowers communities to make resilient, nutrient-rich crops like millets and pulses part of daily life. These crops not only strengthen food and nutrition security but also hold the potential to improve health and stimulate local economies,” said Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim & Deputy Director General-Research, ICRISAT. “In leading this transformation, we are laying the necessary groundwork for sustainable, climate-smart food systems across Africa.”

Throughout the discussions, panelists and delegates emphasized the need for a multi-pronged approach to collaboration—engaging governments, research institutions, the private sector, and farmers to promote climate-resilient crops like millets and pulses. Partners were urged to leverage shared knowledge, resources, and supportive policies to strengthen food security and sustainability.

“FARA is committed to championing the Smart Food initiative, and we call on our partners to join us in integrating climate-smart crops into school feeding programs. Together, we can provide nutritious food for children, strengthen local agriculture, and encourage a healthier, more resilient future for our people,” said Dr Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director, FARA.

The event highlighted essential lessons and recommended steps to advance the Smart Food initiative which include:

1. Revitalizing Small Grains for Climate Resilience: Millets and other small grains are crucial for resilient food systems in Africa’s arid regions. Policies must support reversing the decline in small grain production to improve nutrition and food security.
2. Expanding Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: Stronger partnerships among governments, the private sector, and research institutions are vital. Expanding the network to include more organizations will help scale up the production and use of these crops.
3. Evidence-Based Advocacy for Policy Influence: Reliable data and research are necessary to inform policy decisions, understand value chain structures, and address industry challenges.
4. Boosting Local Awareness and Demand: Community-level campaigns can increase demand for millets and pulses, supporting local producers and developing stronger markets for climate-resilient crops.

Source: Krishak Jagat