CASSAVA HAS POTENTIAL TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, CREATE JOBS AND ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY

On 15 October 2024, the National Agricultural Marketing Council visited a new cassava venture in uMkhanyakude, northern KwaZulu-Natal, dubbed “Project White Gold”. The project has been initiated to grow the local economy and promote social transformation. The project was started Ms. Ndabezinhle Mabaso and Mr. Markus Froelich, the founders of AVCO Foods. The “White Gold” project is a catalyst for economic opportunities and social inclusion in rural KZN. By establishing a vibrant cassava value chain, the project creates jobs, skills development, and uplifts marginalized communities.

OUR DAILY BREAD

Nelson Mandela stated at his inauguration: “Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all”. The Marketing Act of Agricultural Products, Act 47 of 1996 (MAP Act), brought an end to single channel marketing and the control boards in the agricultural sector. Role-players, however, realised the importance of reliable information for the functioning of a free market. Subsequently, the oilseeds, winter cereals, sorghum and maize sectors co-operated to establish the SA Grains Information Service (SAGIS), in November 1997.

TRANSFORMING AFRICAN AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS: INSIGHTS FROM THE 2024 FANRPAN POLICY DIALOGUE

FANRPAN hosted a 2024 High-Level Regional Multistakeholder Policy Dialogue held in Malawi, in Lilongwe on 6 – 9 August 2024. The dialogue was aimed at discussing pathways for transforming African agrifood systems, focusing on developing actionable strategies and policy frameworks. The dialogue focused on policy actions, climate action, and food and nutrition security.