AFRICA – In a bid to accelerate the transformation of food systems in Africa, strengthen the continent’s food security and build greater climate change resilience, Nestle has partnered with Africa Food Prize hosted by AGRA.
AGRA headquartered in Kenya and works in 15 African countries, is an African-led and Africa-based institution that puts smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives.
The Africa Food Prize awards US$ 100,000 to individuals and institutions that are pioneering agricultural and food systems transformation in Africa.
The Prize puts a spotlight on uniquely impactful agri-food initiatives and technological innovations that can be replicated across the continent to increase food security, spur economic growth and development, and eliminate hunger and poverty in Africa.
Nestlé will contribute CHF 100,000 (US$101,000) to the Africa Food Prize, which will be awarded in 2023 to the main award and to a special category focusing on innovations that advance regenerative food systems.
Remy Ejel, Chief Executive Officer of Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa, Nestlé S.A. said, “Transforming agriculture to be more productive and sustainable is key to reducing hunger and improving livelihoods for the long term.
“We aim to support and amplify efforts that spearhead regenerative agriculture and food systems to enable better productivity, better nutrition and better incomes for people in Africa.”
Nestlé’s partnership with the Africa Food Prize builds on its years-long work in Africa to improve the continent’s nutrition and agriculture.
The company has taken great strides to expand access to affordable nutrition in many communities, for example, by fortifying Maggi bouillon cubes with iron in Central and West Africa.
It is also pioneering regenerative dairy farming with the establishment of the first net zero dairy farm in Skimmelkran, South Africa.
In early 2022, Nestlé launched an innovative income accelerator program, aimed at addressing child labor risks and closing the living income gap for cocoa-farming communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
Recently, Nestlé announced an investment of CHF 1 billion (US$1.01 billion) by 2030 under the Nescafé Plan to transition to sustainable coffee farming, including in Côte d’Ivoire.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA said, “We are happy to be partnering with Nestlé to recognize Africa’s best in food systems.
“The Africa Food Prize is a great opportunity to shine a bright spotlight on Africa’s outstanding minds, giving the rest of us a chance to learn and replicate their good work that is moving us closer to sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 on Zero Hunger.”
Submissions for next year’s Africa Food Prize will be open from January 2023 and the entries will be evaluated by a judging committee comprising some of Africa’s greatest food system leaders.
The winners will be announced at the AGRF, Africa Food Systems Forum, in September.
This year, Dr. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, a plant geneticist from Ghana, was awarded the prestigious prize during September’s AGRF Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.
Dr. Danquah was celebrated for his outstanding expertise and leadership in establishing the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) and developing it into a world-class center for the education of plant breeders in Africa.
Nestlé Purina PetCare’s UNLEASHED Accelerator launches 4th global search for most innovative start-ups
In other related news, Unleashed – a program powered by Nestle’s Purina Accelerator Lab that helps grow disruptive pet care start-ups – has launched its fourth edition calling for the next generation of pet-care businesses to apply by November 30th.
Open to new entries from the Middle East and North Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and across Europe, the 2023 program is designed to drive the growth of participants, supporting the development of innovative new pet-care products, in particular data enabled pet owner and vet services, sustainable novel nutrition and well-being technologies.
It aims to bring relevant and new products and services to the forefront of the industry, providing an enriching life for pets and their owners.
By the end of the 2023 application process, up to nine chosen start-ups will be accelerated for 20 weeks by Unleashed Champions and industry experts.
This will include a thorough and structured, fully funded mutually agreed project of up to CHF 50,000 which will help to drive growth.
From its inception in 2019, Unleashed has been the driver of pet-care innovation and has helped to grow and connect the pet start-up ecosystem, providing impactful solutions for pet owners.
Unleashed has had over 600 applications from 50 countries, accelerated 18 start-ups and has a roster of success stories.
Previously backed entrepreneurs from the MENA region include: PawPots, a Lebanon-based subscription service provider of fresh gently-cooked meals for dogs and cats and Vetwork, a Cairo-based pet care at home veterinary platform operating in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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