By Andre de Jager

Fast-changing circumstances necessitate a rapid transformation of our global Agri-food systems. Especially in Africa population growth, urbanization, climate change, shifting consumption patterns, human-induced conflicts, and limited resources like water, land, and labour demand a re-evaluation and reorganization of the Agri-food systems to ensure sustainable and equitable food production and distribution within our planetary boundaries.

This need has led to the rise of expertise and technologies for climate response across multiple sectors. Food systems are both contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and highly vulnerable to climate impacts. Activities in the Agriculture sector are a significant source of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions, all three of which are potent greenhouse gases. Conversely, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, along with extreme weather events, directly affect crop yields, food quality, and supply chains.

Research, development organisations, and the private sector in agriculture have long focused on increasing productivity and efficiency through technological advancements such as improved seeds, fertiliser technologies, and advanced management practices, as well as through achieving economies of scale. This approach has seen substantial success in Europe, the USA, and Asia, but to a lesser extent in most SSA countries.

The widely recognised negative impacts of unsustainable agricultural intensification have spurred the development of alternative approaches. The Paris Climate Agreement (2015) and the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) have provided directions towards more fundamental transitions in agri-food systems. The philosophy of regenerative agriculture emerged in the 1980s, alongside movements such as organic agriculture and conservation agriculture. Regenerative agriculture has recently gained renewed traction and is considered a relevant global framework to guide an agri-food transition including the most typical agroecological practices.

Regenerative Agriculture includes a set of farm and land management practices, principles, and processes that restore and rebuild ecosystems' health, resilience, and biodiversity. As a farming approach, it emphasises soil health improvement as the foundation of a sustainable food system, biodiversity enhancement, water management, minimal disturbance, integrated livestock management, crop diversity, carbon sequestration, circularity and optimum use of resources/inputs, as well as the use of renewable energy.

Collaborative efforts between local researchers, international institutions, and private sector players are instrumental in the creation of context-specific technologies and practices. For example, developing crop and region-specific fertilizers can significantly boost productivity and food security. Additionally, R&D has been shown to facilitate the development of efficient supply chains and market linkages, helping farmers access both the inputs they need and markets for their produce. Equally important is to integrate existing local and context-specific knowledge in innovation processes and ensure that we learn with farmers and other actors as they pursue their development.

Energy consumption by agri-food systems is another critical area for innovation. This in a bid to counter traditional agricultural practices, which often rely on fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions and energy inefficiencies. Technologies such as solar panels and biogas systems are being adopted on farms and in food processing facilities.

Solar-powered irrigation systems, for instance, help reduce the carbon footprint of water management. Solar panels and biogas digesters provide renewable electricity and heat, and innovations in equipment, such as high-efficiency cooling systems, are being implemented to lower energy consumption in food storage and processing. At the same time, smart grids are optimizing energy use and reducing waste and costs.

SNV’s vision in agri-food centres on a sustainable and resilient agri-food system – able to deliver food security and adequate nutrition for people in all their diversity in such a way that the economic, social, and environmental bases are safeguarded for future generations.

At SNV, we facilitate these innovation processes as we implement projects across Africa, including Regenerative Agricultural Practices for Improved Livelihoods and Markets (REALMS). Working with the IKEA Foundation and other partners, including governments, Small and Medium Enterprises, Civil Society Organisations and Research Institutes we have, over the last four years, co-created the necessary enabling environment for regenerative agriculture in at least 10,000 farms.

This is part of our practical approaches to developing scalable solutions, which will catalyze widespread adoption. In implementing this project, we have also drawn valuable lessons. Notably, we have learned that while food systems can be transformed through innovation and R&D, impact at scale can only be attained by addressing systemic challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and regulatory barriers.

As such, we are calling upon governments, development partners, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders to foster supportive policy environments that encourage investment in agricultural technology and innovation. This includes streamlining regulations that facilitate the adoption of new technologies and provide financial incentives for startups and businesses that focus on agricultural innovation. By integrating these elements into a cohesive strategy, we can build more resilient and efficient food systems that not only meet our current needs but also enable sustainable growth.

On this note, I am pleased to confirm that we will be at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, where we are eager to showcase our experience in implementing evidence-based agricultural solutions, especially around the realm of regenerative agriculture, while highlighting our successes and shortfalls. We hope that our revelations will help the diverse stakeholders at the conference to enhance their own strategies for accelerating Africa’s food system transformation.

The writer is the director of Technical Expertise at SNV.