Advancing nutrition in agriculture and food systems in Africa
Ahead of the 12th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), Professor Thomas briefed the Commissioner on recent and upcoming engagements with Global Panel members in Africa, notably the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and former President of Ghana, H.E. John Kufuor.
Professor Thomas highlighted key outcomes of the preparatory African Leaders for Nutrition meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on 15 March 2016. She also briefed the Commissioner on the engagement of the Global Panel with the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture & Food for Development at the House of Commons in London on 16 March for the launch of the policy brief “Managing Food Price Volatility: policy options to support healthy diets and nutrition in the context of uncertainty”.
The Global Panel’s schedule of upcoming events was welcomed by Commissioner Tumusiime, particularly the launch forthcoming “Foresight Report on Future Diets.” The African launch of the Foresight report is planned to take place at the next African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) in Nairobi, Kenya (5 to 9 September 2016).
Commissioner Tumusiime advised the Global Panel to prepare a project proposal for encouraging African youth to invest in nutrition-sensitive agribusinesses along the value chain. The Global Panel welcomed this suggestion.