AU 2022 Theme - Workshops & Exhibitions

Workshops on the AU Theme of the Year 2022

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This report is the summary of the Exhibition and Workshops on the AU Theme of the Year 2022. As the styles of the sessions varied, so do the styles of the individual summaries.

Readers, authors and organisers might not share all opinions expressed, or agree with the recommendations given. These, however, reflect the rich diversity of the discussions.

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CONTENTS

About the Event

Speech by Her Honour, The Vice President, W. K. Mutale Nalumango Speech by Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, MP Minister of Agriculture Speech by Hon Sylvia Masebo, MP, Minister of Health Excerpt by William Carew - AU ECOSOCC Secretariat - Head FSG MD speech by Glen McGregor

Welcoming Statement by Chimwemwe Nyirenda - CEO Africast

GALLERY: Guests arrival + Tour of Stands by Guest of Honour

GALLERY: Exhibition

GALLERY: Opening Ceremony Exhibition - Day 3

Guest of Honour Keynote Speech by Sylvia Masebo, MP Minister of Health Speech by the Principal Secretary – Ministry of Natural Resources & Climate Change – Malawi, Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama, at the African Union Food Summit, Lusaka, Zambia

Speech by the Head of Secretariat ECOSOCC, delivered by Eric Kramo

GALLERY: Opening Ceremony - Workshop

Workshops Welcome Remarks by host: UNZA Acting V.C Prof. Annie L. Sikwibele

Speech by Mr. Rajandran Ganapathi Country Director ETG Speech by Ms. Geraldine Katwishi, Healit, Zambia

GALLERY: Workshop Session 1

The role that African Philanthropy can fulfil in strengthening resilience for food security and nutrition Panji Kanji (Mary’s Meals)

Transforming Food and Social protection systems to better protect the most vulnerable - Miyoba Mukengami (World Food Programme)

Building resilient Social Agricultural food systems - Dale Lewis (COMACO) Session 1 Open Forum (QnA)

GALLERY: Workshop Session 2

Main Workshop Proceedings: Session 2

The critical role of fish in the first 1000 days of life: for enhanced nutrition in low income householdsMr. Victor Siamudaala

The Nutrition Landscape in Zambia - Ms. Belinda Tembo Session 2 Open Forum (QnA)

ABOUT THE EVENT

The poster exhibition on the AU theme of the year 2022 –“Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development” –was one of the main highlights of and build-up to the African Union Heads of State Summit which took place in Lusaka – Zambia (14th -17th July, 2022) and was sanctioned by the AU-ECOSOCC Secretariat.

This exhibition was aimed at strategically positioning local agroproducers and suppliers to address the nutritional needs of their country and communities, providing climate smart solutions and affordable foods as well as access to non-conventional sales channels. Linking these enterprises, both large and small, provides an opportunity to enhance products and business practices.

The colorful showcase happened on the sidelines of the AU summit at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) and at East Park Mall. The poster exhibition, workshop and B2B networking were aimed to

enable the efforts of all stakeholders involved in food and nutrition to be better coordinated in order to achieve

lasting results and to build The Africa we want!

Despite the economic growth seen in Zambia over the past few years and the country’s stable political situation, severe poverty and unemployment are still rife. In rural areas in particular, 75 per cent of people are affected by poverty.

The agricultural sector is primarily made up of small farms covering up to five hectares, and medium-sized operations with up to 20 hectares, where the main crop grown is maize. There has been far too little focus to date on cultivating diverse and nutritionally rich food crops, proper storage and adding value through locally produced foods, and poor people in particular lack sufficient access to a varied diet.

The link between agriculture and nutrition: Increasing food production to ensure food security is not enough to end malnutrition if special attention is not given to all determinants with a focus to early childhood during the first 1000 days of an individual’s life. This involves ensuring the good health and nutrition of adolescent girls, pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and young children, particularly by promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond with appropriate complementary foods. Agriculture has a key role to play in nutrition-sensitive interventions; however, there is a need to consider the entire food system in determining, designing and implementing agricultural and foodbased interventions to improve.

“Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development”

Her Honour W. K. Mutale Nalumango as she tours some exhibition stands

Guests stand for the National Anthem

Her Honour W. K. Mutale Nalumango as she stands for the National Anthem

SPEECH BY HER HONOUR, THE VICE PRESIDENT, W. K. MUTALE NALUMANGO

developed agro-industry resulting in the export of raw materials; inadequate agricultural finance and credit; and high dependence on one crop, maize, especially by the smallscale farmers.

Despite the economic growth seen in Zambia over the past few years and the country’s stable political situation, severe poverty and unemployment are still on the increase. There has been far too little focus to date on cultivating diverse and nutritionally rich food crops, proper storage and adding value through locally produced foods.

I am greatly humbled to be invited at this important Exhibition organized under the Auspices of the 2022 AU Summit theme “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development”. This theme could not have come at a better time than this when the world is now faced with economic challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic which has transformed the ways in which the world conducts business involving all economic sectors.

The theme underscores the vision of the Pan-African transformative Agenda 2063 – a blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. The 2063 agenda is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete

manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under PanAfricanism and African Renaissance, which seeks for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena

Ladies and gentlemen,

The new dawn Government has prioritized agriculture as a critical sector in the growth and poverty reduction agenda. The majority of the Zambian population derives its livelihood from agriculture, yet the sector has not been fully exploited. The main constraints include; dilapidated agricultural support infrastructure; inadequate delivery of extension services; and natural disasters such as drought and floods due to climate change. Other challenges are low productivity among small-scale farmers; poor land husbandry practices; inadequate value addition due to a lack of a fully

The agriculture and food systems have remained the most critical sectors that will help accelerate a prosperous African future. Farmers have to be equipped with adequate knowledge and sustainable water management systems (especially irrigation). Farmers have to be continuously afforded reliable and efficient access to the best inputs, equipment and financial services by a thriving African agricultural input industry and services business, in order to engage in modern and profitable farming enterprises that attract the continent’s increasingly educated youth.

As the rest of the world is increasingly identifying Africa as the most promising place to provide the additional food that will be needed to feed the rapidly increasing and prospering global population, Agriculture has a key role to play in nutrition-sensitive interventions; however, there is a need to consider the entire food system in determining, designing

Her Honour W.K. Mutale Nalumango, Vice President of The Republic of Zambia

and implementing agricultural and food-based interventions to improve nutrition. Africa’s children are the ones at highest risk of hunger and malnutrition. This situation calls for a dramatic change in the course of current development processes in order to safeguard the future of Africa. African leaders are increasingly expressing their commitment to this cause and have undertaken to ensure the AU and its related agencies endorse effective instruments to spearhead growth on the continent.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The exhibition that I will be launching today, will create a networking opportunity for both big and small businesses to enhance their products and services. I would like to appeal to the agriculture value chain to quickly address the nutritional needs of the African continent. I am informed that the exhibition will also showcase how climate smart solutions, can be applied to ensure costs are minimized in the production process. The continent needs to invest in modern agriculture for increased productivity and exploit the vast potential of Africa’s blue/ocean economy.

We need to continue making the case that agriculture has a unique and critical role in improving nutritional status of the African household. Agriculture has the most direct influence and contact with the majority of households where the undernourished reside worldwide. Beneficiaries of typical agricultural projects overlap with those most affected by undernutrition: the rural poor. Any development activity reaching this population has enormous potential to influence

factors that constrain human capital and well-being, of which nutrition is an essential part.

Ladies and gentlemen, Agriculture and nutrition share a common entry point: “food.” Food is a key outcome of agricultural activities, and, in turn, is a key input into good nutrition. Without agriculture there is little food or nutrition, but availability of food from agriculture doesn’t ensure good nutrition. Evidence shows that nutrition is much more than food availability; it encompasses access to food at the household level, health services and a healthy environment and adequate child caring practices. Most agriculturalists do not consider the main goal of agricultural development to be the improvement of human health and a driver of economic growth in countries.

This exhibition therefore, strategically positions local agro-producers and suppliers to address the nutritional needs of their country and communities, provide climate smart solutions and affordable foods as well as access to non-conventional sales channels. Linking these enterprises, both large and small, thereby providing an opportunity to enhance products and business practices. The future we envision for agriculture is one that is driven by a broad base of dynamic and creative African citizens, contributing to creating inclusive growth, shared prosperity and sustainable development across the continent and making Africa a major player in the global agri-food economy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As I conclude, I want to reiterate that Agriculture is the sector best placed to affect food production and

consumption of nutritious foods needed for healthy and active lives. Physical and economic access to adequate and affordable nutritious food is primarily a function of the agriculture sector, through support to increased production, improved post-harvest storage and processing and reduced transport costs which can lower food prices for the underprivileged.

The new dawn Government will ensure Zambia feeds itself and becomes the breadbasket for the region while increasing its agriculture exports globally. Zambia will be a major a player in the global agriculture supply chain. Ultimately, we envisage increasing agriculture’s contribution to economic growth by not only increasing production for food security but also boosting agroprocessing and manufacturing for both domestic and export markets.

As the Country hosts the AU summit from 12th to 17th July, Zambian Agro-sector needs to leverage on the presence of African member countries to tap and learn from Countries that have a thriving Agricultural base. Africa should now learn to leverage on the natural resources available to them and be the nutritional basket of the world today.

I now declare the AU-pre summit exhibition officially open and I would like to see progressive B to B interactions for enhanced business linkages.

I thank you.

Keynote address by Her Honor W.K Mutale Nalumango giving her maiden speech at the ceremony

HON. REUBEN MTOLO PHIRI, MP MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE - ARTICLE

drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity is anchored on achieving a prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri gave a welcoming note at the AU theme of the year exhibition and recognised the efforts the AU was making in recognizing Agriculture as a key sector in improving nutrition and strengthening food security in Africa. The event was graced by Her Honour the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia Madam W,K Mutale Nalumnago.

The Ministry of Agriculture strives to create a conducive environment for agricultural development by adopting smart and innovative ways to improve production and productivity in the Sector. The Ministry leverages on its Mission Statement which points to facilitating the development of a sustainable and diversified agricultural sector for enhanced income generation, food and nutrition security”. The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment in fulfilling the aspiration of the 2022 AU Summit theme “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food

Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development”.

By enhancing the sector’s competitiveness through cost effective strategies and efficiency improvements, promotion of agricultural and dietary diversification, improving infrastructure and strengthening the regulatory frameworks, the Ministry of Agriculture was on course in fulfilling the mandate of the sector.

In her maiden speech, Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Madam Mutale Nalumango, was quick to note that the AU theme underscored the vision of the Pan-African

Transformative Agenda 2063 – which was a blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse for the future.” The 2063 agenda is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development. The Pan-African

The Zambian Government recognizes Agriculture as a key sector to poverty and hunger in the country and the region. The Ministry of Agriculture implored the local farmers to be equipped with relevant information and sustainable water management systems (especially irrigation). Further, the Ministry of Agriculture is working on ensuring that farmers continuously access afforded and reliable farming inputs, equipment and financial services from a thriving African agricultural input industry and services business, in order to engage in modern and profitable farming enterprises that attract the continent’s increasingly educated youth.”

With Africa gradually gaining the world’s attention as a key provider of additional food to supplement the rapidly growing population, the Ministry of Agriculture will have to play a critical role in nutritionsensitive interventions. Africa’s children are the ones at highest risk of hunger and malnutrition.

The situation calls for a dramatic change in the course of current development processes in order to safeguard the future of Africa. African leaders are increasingly expressing their commitment to ending hunger through a well-coordinated Agricultural framework to ensure that the gains from the AU and its related agencies endorse effective

Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, MP Minister of Agriculture

instruments to spearhead growth on the continent.

The Ministry will continue playing its role of oversight in the sector by ensuring that they support the

agriculture value-chain through production required raw materials, production of exportable agricultural goods, creation of employment with priority to rural areas and

providing food supplements essential for the sustenance of acceptable nutrition standards and levels.

Arrival of the guests, Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri & Hon. Sylvia Masebo

Mr. Nyirenda showing Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri & Her Honour

W.K. Mutale Nalumango, the exhibition stands.

SPEECH BY HON. SYLVIA MASEBO, MP - MINISTER OF HEALTH

temperatures to floods and droughts, building resilience also requires addressing the climate crisis. Food and nutrition are fundamental aspects of humanity. It is for this reason that the New Dawn Government endeavours, to guarantee their security.

Ladies and gentlemen, Good Morning.

I am delighted to be here today, at the AU Theme of the Year workshop, whose agenda has been set under the guise of the AU-Summit taking place in our beautiful country Zambia. It gives me great pleasure to host this workshop and I am particularly delighted that we have stakeholders from different and diverse sectors that all address matters of nutrition, food security and good health.

In achieving good public health, it is paramount that the various sectors work together – and the agriculture sector has an important role to play. For too long nutrition, food security, conflicts, climate change, ecosystems and health have been treated as separate issues. But these global challenges are deeply interconnected. I can think of few issues that affect every man, woman and child through-out the world, and that is what we eat and how it affects our health.

It is a topic that’s never out of the media, with endless variations on whether carbs, fat, sugar or protein are good or bad, or reports on the latest ‘wonderfood’ that will stop cancer in its tracks or help us live longer. Science and innovation have helped us to conquer many infectious diseases and make huge progress in treating life threatening diseases. We are now relying on them to help us tackle the new public health challenge that is diet and lifestyle-related diseases such as overweight and obesity – sometimes described at the greatest public health challenge of our times.

This workshop that I am opening today, will be a culmination of the AU-Summit that has drawn up a timely theme “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent; Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development”. African farmers are on the frontlines of our warming planet from rising

There are global emerging trends which provide impetus for new designs and implementation strategies for food and nutrition security programmes. Global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) have placed top on the agenda “end to hunger “to ensure poverty alleviation and food security as a human basic right. The negative impact of unhealthy diets, food insecurity and foodborne diseases is high and growing in many countries of the world.

Ladies and gentlemen

People through-out the world are eating more industrialized, highly processed foods and less healthy options, notably less fruits and vegetables. We need healthier alternatives to be made available and affordable. I am well aware that nutrition and food safety are among the main priorities in my Ministry and that of my counterpart in Agriculture and a number of policy actions are already in place with action plans, where nutrition is addressed through a multisectoral approach with a focus on the reduction of salt, sugar and trans fats in food production, marketing and labelling, and the promotion of physical activity.

Malnutrition and foodborne diseases

Hon Sylvia Masebo, MP Minister of Health, Zambia

constitute a significant public health problem. In particular, foodborne diseases cause significant illness and death, affecting mostly children and the elderly people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that, every year, food- and waterborne diarrheal diseases kill about 2.2 million people, 1.9 million of whom are children. However, I should point out that these figures underestimate reality, owing to limitations in the surveillance systems especially in third-world countries. Foodborne diseases not only adversely affect people’s health and well-being but also have negative economic consequences for individuals, families, communities, businesses and countries.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The role of private sector and collaboration with government remains important for us to champion good nutrition and health. Empowering communities include action points such as; capacity building, developing and translating of new technologies and approaches to food production, and development of e-commerce and e-platforms to reach and to access markets. We know that building effective multistakeholder partnership from national to grassroots, supported with expertise, can yield greater success in food system transformation. Together, we have a collective obligation to deliver strong outcomes.

With the fragility in the global economy caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that caused disruptions in supplychains, we have learnt to ensure that we become food secure and self-reliant to ensure that basic

foods and supplies are sustained. The United Nations (UN) hosted a Global Food Systems Summit, in 2021, which provided opportunities for a whole-food system-approach, and ensured that all stakeholders were drawn through-out the valuechain, from input supply, farm production, processing, marketing to consumption as the end-user. Therefore, I am encouraged to see a diverse representation at this workshop because no doubt that after the deliberations of this event, we shall be able to promote and sustain matters of nutrition beyond the AU-Summit theme.

I wish to reiterate and emphasize that the attainment of food security and good nutrition requires that we firmly hold hands. The drive should be ignited and driven at the community-level and culminate into National Dialogue to strengthen our transformation efforts. Such dialogues should be founded upon the principles of inclusion and participation, which is key to reformulate the governance of our food systems.

Ladies and gentlemen, We must not remain behind as the world is moving on and our transformation must leave no one

behind- from farmers, consumers, nutritionists and economists- to marginalized communities, women, and young people. Government has committed to do the same. I would love to see all citizens developing smallholder home gardens, where they can get food to supplement their daily diets. Fresh fruits and vegetables contribute to a nutritious diet. I am firmly convinced that, by the end of the workshop, you will strengthen your actions to promote food safety and security, as well as prevent and tackle noncommunicable diseases.

With these remarks, it is now my distinct honour and privilege to officially open the workshop on the AU Theme of the Year 2022

Exhibition and I do hope that after the deliberations, the resolve as a Nation will be to strengthen our ability to grow, process, store and consume our own locally produced food. I invite all stakeholders in the corporate sector and as individuals, to buy our local produce and to join hands with growers to improve the grading and standards of our products.

I thank You.

Mr. Chimwemwe Nyirenda (CEO - Africast) introduces Hon. Sylvia Masebo (Minister of Health) to Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama (Principal Secretary – Ministry of Natural Resources & Climate Change – Malawi)

address recurring issues. One of the anticipated goals for this year’s theme is to utilise multistakeholders approaches, as well as engage in inclusive consultation and dialogue with relevant stakeholders.”

The AU Theme of this year, “Strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent” intends to increase political commitment and investment in nutrition to

EXCERPT OF SPEECH BY MR WILLIAM CAREW, HEAD OF AU ECOSOCC SECRETARIAT

Wlliam Carew, Head Secretariat AU-ECOSOCC

Delegates following the opening ceremony proceedings

Ms Betty Chabala, Director of Ceremonies

Attendees welcome the Guest of Honour, Her Honour, The Vice President of The Republic of Zambia, W. K. Mutale Nalumango.

SPEECH BY MR GLEN MCGREGOR, MANAGING DIRECTOR, FERT, SEED & GRAIN

Your Honour the Vice President.

Honourable Minister of Agriculture.

Honourable Minister of Health.

Honourable Minister of Livestock and Fisheries

Your excellencies, ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to the Republic of Zambia and permanent representatives to the African Union

Representatives of International and Regional Organisations.

The Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC)

Permanent secretaries.

Heads of the African Union institutions.

Members of staff of the African Union Secretariat.

Distinguished delegates. Members of the press. Invited guests.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

Allow me to begin my speech with reminding all present the main reason we are here. Our theme for this gathering under the umbrella of the African Union is not only appropriate but also functional and direct to the point.

“Our crop specific fertilizers, enhance food security through effective pricing, adding economic value to our farmers and promoting social systems by providing value for money inputs.”

And I quote “Strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent:

Strengthening agro-food systems, health and social protection systems for the acceleration of human, social and economic capital development”end of quote.

Fert Seed and Grain, is a long established agro-input company in Zambia that has for the last ten years worked towards this very theme. We are a regional operation that covers Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and is owned by Maaden, the largest gold mining and phosphate producing company in the world as well as the fastest mining company in the world. Our crop nutritional operations speak to the needs of all, and as a result we have a blending plant here in Lusaka on Rupiah Bwezani Banda Road, South of Lusaka; a blending plant that blends crop specific fertilizers, a critical component in strengthening resilience. Why do I say so? Our crop specific fertilizers, enhance food security through effective pricing, adding economic value to our farmers and promoting social systems by providing value for money inputs.

We are aware of the effects of climate change and, in this regard Fert Seed and Grain has ensured that agro food systems are fully supported through our soil sampling and mapping services country wide. May I point out that this service is free of charge to all our clients. Furthermore, for our clients, this service has over the years, saved them hundreds- if not thousands- of dollars as well as increased crop yield due to correct input application. Without soil testing and mapping, farmers will otherwise apply costly fertilizers in soils that might not need that particular nutrient.

Long term wrong, excessive application of fertilizer has in many cases led to poor soil management

Glen McGregor - FSG General Manager.

and eventually damaged soils, leading to poor harvest poor nutrition, socio-economic ruin at farmer and national level. Through our soil testing programs Fert Seed and Grain is promoting good soil health, social protection systems and ultimately economic capital development for the farmer.

Your Honour the Vice President, honourable ministers, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Despite the global challenges, that have resulted in high fertilizer input costs, Fert Seed and Grain has ventured into cost effective speciality fertilizers that are world class and have tracible results. Our range of speciality products have enhanced

production and, in some cases, more than tripled output and increased the farmers profitability much to the delight of our farmers. We continue to provide free technical support right across Zambia and indeed in the countries that we are represented. As I end, I wish to thank the economic social and cultural council, the African union, Africast and not forgetting the new dawn government under the able leadership of his excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema for this opportunity to be part of this African union exhibition. I trust that we will be able to share more ideas in line with the 2022 theme as we network during our lunch cocktail soon after touring the exhibition

stands.

Madam Vice President, we are honoured that you have been part of this exhibition, and we at Fert Seed and Grain are grateful for the continued government support especially now that we have embarked on a 14 million dollar blending plant south of the Kafue river in Chikankanta. It is our hope with the continued support from your Government to have the plant up and running by 2023 and be able to offer small scale farmers crop specific blends for the FISP program, I wish all participants to have a very successful exhibition

Thank you.

Centre: Glen McGregor, FSG General Manager moments before meeting the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, and the Ministers of Health and Agriculture

WELCOMING REMARKS BY CHIMWEMWE NYIRENDA, AFRICAST CEO

ABOUT AFRICAST

Your honour, Africast is a wholly Zambian owned company founded in 2008. 14 years later, we are a strong brand associated with business events in Zambia or MICE (Meetings Incentives Conferences & Exhibitions

Your honor, It is not only in Lusaka that we bring business gatherings. We have been at the centre of Luapula Province’s development. Bringing Investors & Development to the province while developing a provincial blueprint which gave birth to nationwide provincial expos that have been trending in Zambia. Your Honor, we love what we do, we really do! Leaving a legacy wherever we do business. Working with women and youth in each and every EVENT ecosystem that we create. We have hosted various local and international conferences like the ZITE, E- Learning Africa, UNWTO, more recently LANDLINKED Zambia – A transport & Logistics ANNUAL event for the SADC region.

AFRICAST - GRZ PROPOSED PARTNERSHIP

Your Honour, we want to work with Government in order to add value to MICE in Zambia. We see value in such business gatherings, bringing industry focused businesses and likeminded people together, exchanging business ideas, networking and making MICE an important element of the travel industry.

Your honour, we want to bring the world to Zambia with the support from Government. Using business events that are inclusive of all stakeholders from the private and public sectors. Therefore we look forward to working hand – in – hand with your government!

COVID & BUSINESS EVENTS IN ZAMBIA

Your Honour, in march 2020, the business events industry suffered unprecedented devastation. An industry that primarily depends on human interaction, a multi-billion dollar ecosystem that brings together aviation, hospitality, travel and tourism among others was plunged in extreme uncertainty.

At the same time, our new facility, the KK Wing at Mulungushi and

the new airport KKIA were under construction. For us in the sector, it was impossible to envision where we stand today.

An event such as the one you grace this morning Your Honor, has impact on our people, our businesses, our communities and indeed our economy.

Through your office , we request that the hosting of the African union be the catalyst of igniting the Zambian business events industry .

The sectors potential for job and wealth creation is unparalleled.

THANK YOU’s

Your Honour, we are grateful to be associated with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and AU ECOSOCC, we are grateful to be associated with the AU Summit and the following sponsors

FSG, MERIDIAN, MAADEN and SUPERFERT, ECOBANK, UNICEF, LINE MINISTRIES AND ETG AND HEALIT AND ALL THE EXHIBITORS TO WHOM WE ARE GRATEFUL!

On behalf of my team, the A-Team, once again, I would like to thank Her Honour for accepting to be guest of honour at this important event!

I Thank you!

“Through your office , we request that the hosting of the African union be the catalyst of igniting the Zambian business events industry .

The sectors potential for job and wealth creation is unparalleled.”

Chimwemwe Nyirenda Africast, CEO

Report:

Workshops

From left to right: PSMinistry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr. Anna Songolo, Hon. Sylvia Masebo, Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Her Honour W. K. Mutale Nalumango,

Mr Chimwemwe Nyirenda, Mr. William Carew, Daniel Maimbo FSG, Mr. Glen McGregor, Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama.

GUESTS ARRIVAL & TOUR OF STANDS BY GUEST OF HONOUR

Her Honour The Vice President arrives at East Park Mall for the Official Opening Ceremony.

Mr. Nyirenda shows our Guest of Honour more exhibition stands.

Her Honour The Vice President is welcomed to the FSG stand.

Mr. Chimwemwe Nyirenda (Africast CEO) introduces Her Honour W. K. Nalumango to delegates in attendance.

Her Honour The Vice President, Hon. Masebo and Mr. Nyirenda take a closer look at brochures.

Our Guest of Honour stops by one of the stands to learn more about the company.

Hon. Phiri & Hon. Masebo meet and greet Malawi’s Hon. Ntupanyama.

William Carew (AU-ECOSOCC) shows off his Corteva merchandise bag.

World Fish exhibits products to Her Honour W. K. Nalumango and the visiting delegates.

SELECTED EXHIBITORS

OPENING CEREMONY - EXHIBITION

Delegates and attendees sing the National Anthem.

Her Honour W. K. Nalumango enjoys the traditional dance.

Master of Ceremonies Betty Chabala directs the Opening Ceremony.

Her Honour W. K. Nalumango (centre) flanked by Hon. Phiri (left) and Mr. Nyirenda (right) during the National Anthem.

Mr. Nyirenda (left) & Mr. McGregor (right) just outside the holding room.

The Vice President of Zambia gives a token of appreciation to the traditional dance crew.

GUEST OF HONOUR KEYNOTE SPEECH BY MINISTER OF HEALTH, HON. SYLVIA MASEBO, MP.

The representative of the African Union ECOSOCC, distinguished delegates, invited guests, members of the press, ladies and gentle, it gives me great pleasure to officiate, at the African Union Theme of the Year Workshop, whose agenda has been set under the guise of the African Union-Summit taking place in our beautiful country Zambia.

I am particularly delighted to note that we have stakeholders from different and diverse sectors that contribute to address matters of nutrition, food security and health.

Ladies and gentlemen, Public health, in its totality, can only be achieved when all stakeholders come together in a multisectoral manner and make their respective contribution. For too long, issues of nutrition, food security, conflicts, climate change, ecosystems and health have been treated as separate entities. However, one cannot overemphasise the interconnectedness of these global issues. I can think of few things that affect these global issues for every man, woman, and child throughout the world, other than what we eat and how it affects our health.

You will agree with me that issues of nutrition are never out of the media or public discourse. It is common to read about which particular food is good or bad for one’s health; or report on the latest ‘wonder foods’ that will stop cancers or other ailments or help us live longer. Indeed, over time science and innovation have helped us conquer many infectious diseases. Similarly, huge progress has been made in treating life threatening diseases.

We do, however, have another problem that we need to tackle, that is – diseases or conditions related to diet and lifestyle, such as those associated to overweight and obesity.

of the world.

“I invite all stakeholders in the corporate sector and as individuals, to promote locally produced food and other products and to join hands with growers to improve the grading and standards of our products.”

This workshop that I am opening today, will be a culmination of the AU-Summit that has drawn up a timely theme “Strengthening Resilience Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent; Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Economic Capital Development” The theme brings out global emerging trends which provide impetus for new designs and implementation strategies for food and nutrition security programs. Global commitments under the sustainable development goals top on the gender ‘end hunger to ensure poverty alleviation and food security’ as a human basic right. People throughout the world are eating more industrialised, highly processed food and less healthy options, notably less fruits and vegetables. The negative impact of unhealthy diets, food insecurity and foodborne diseases is high and growing in many countries

On the local front, the theme recognizes the need to forge hands and ensure we have sustained food security and nutrition using all that it takes in our respective sectors. In the health sector, we look at our doctors and nurses, not forgetting other equally important health professionals, as our heroes on the frontline fighting diseases using medicine and other technologies. In a similar manner, the agriculture sector has heroes and heroines –our farmers who brave the efforts of changing climate due to global warming, as they continue to produce the food that we all cherish and depend on for a living. These heroes and heroines deserve special recognition and I wish to pay, a special tribute to them all.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, We need healthier alternatives to be made available and affordable. Good nutrition and food safety are among the main priorities in my Ministry and that of my counterpart in Agriculture. Malnutrition and foodborne diseases constitute a significant public health problem. Both cause significant illness and death, affecting mostly children, women and the elderly.

Hon. Sylvia Masebo, Ministry of Health, MP

The World Health Organization estimates that, every year, food and waterborne diarrhoea diseases kill about 2.2 million people, 1.9 million of whom are children. However, I should point out that these figures underestimate reality, owing to limitations in the surveillance systems especially in the third-world countries. Foodborne diseases not only adversely affect people’s health and well-being, but also have negative economic consequences for individuals, families, communities, businesses and countries.

Ladies and gentlemen, I also wish to acknowledge the role that the private sector continues to play in collaboration with the Government to champion good nutrition and health. We need to encourage progressive partnerships that work together to empower communities in areas of capacity building, developing and translating of new technologies and approaches to food production, and development of e-commerce and e-platforms to reach and to access markets.

Building effective multi-stakeholder partnerships from national to grassroots, and vice versa, supported with expertise, can yield greater success in food systems information.

With the fragility in the global economy caused by the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic leading to disruptions in the supply chains, we have learnt the need to become food secure and self-reliant to ensure that the basic foods and supplies are sustained.

I wish to reiterate and emphasise that the attainment of food security and good nutrition requires that we firmly hold hands. The drive should be ignited and driven at the community level and culminate into National dialogue to strengthen our transformation efforts. Such dialogues should be founded upon the principles of inclusion and participation, which is key to reformulate the governance of our food systems.

We must not remain behind as the world is moving on. Our transformation must leave no one behind from farmers, consumers, nutritionists and economists – to marginalised communities, children, women and young people.

The government of Zambia, under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, is committed to growing the agriculture sector. This

should be a level where all citizens develop smallholder home gardens, and grow fruit and vegetables, to supplement their daily diets.

I am firmly convinced that, by the end of the workshop, you will strengthen your actions to promote food safety, nutrition and food security, as well as prevent and tackle malnutrition in all its forms, including diet related noncommunicable diseases.

By the end of these deliberations, our resolve as a Nation, will be to strengthen our ability to grow, process, store and consume our own locally produced food. I invite all stakeholders in the corporate sector and as individuals, to promote locally produced food and other products and to join hands with growers to improve the grading and standards of our products.

With these remarks, it is now my distinct honour and privilege to officially open the workshop on the African Union Theme of the Year 2022 – Exhibition

I thank You.

Hon. Sylvia Masebo having a conversation with Mr. Chimwemwe

Nyirenda and Hon. Mtolo

SPEECH BY DR. YANIRA NTUPANYAMA, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES & CLIMATE CHANGE – MALAWI

The Guest of Honour Dr. George Magwende, Permanent Secretary (A) Ministry of Health.

In the interest of time I will ride on the protocols recognized before me Distinguished ladies and gentlemen; Members of the press; The Honourable Minister of Health, Honourable Minister, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

It is my honour and pleasure on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Malawi and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to convey my profound appreciation for the invitation to attend this auspicious African Union Food Summit, whose theme is “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African continent, Strengthening Agro-food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.“

Let me commend the government of Zambia for the warm welcome to myself and other delegation members from Malawi and for the well-organised summit that has

incorporated all sectors that are relevant in the food system including fisheries. I am already feeling like I am at home and applauding SADC because of the honour brought by Zambia in this summit.

Honourable Minister, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me underscore, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Malawi as the current Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the importance of this Food Summit to the social economic development and resilience of the Southern African region.

The fisheries sector in SADC countries, comprising marine and inland capture fisheries and aquaculture, generates a variety of benefits, including nutrition and food security, livelihoods, employment, exports and foreign currency, and conservation and biodiversity values that are of global significance hence very critical in nutrition in general.

and poor waste management; and poor social development and decent employment that give rise to increase child labour, gender inequality and poor sanitation and limited access to fish handling, education and health facilities in many fish landing beaches. In aquaculture, many countries are lacking access to finance Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and use poor quality fingerlings and feed. There is also weak participation of the private sector in the aquaculture development.

Honourable Minister, and Distinguished Guests, Allow me to state that as African countries, we need to elevate the importance of aquatic food systems in our quest to improve household food and nutrition security, economic diversification, and creation of jobs especially for the youth and women. We know that fish is important in a several ways, such as:

“In aquaculture, many countries are lacking access to finance Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and use poor quality fingerlings and feed. There is also weak participation of the private sector in the aquaculture development.”

As we are aware, the need to develop resilient food systems in the region has become more important in the recent past considering the impact of climate change and pandemics such as the Covid-19, which have disrupted food supply chains and negatively affected productivity of agri-food systems including fisheries and aquaculture. In addition, we are experiencing overfishing, weak capacity to address issues of monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS); aquatic habitat degradation; pollution from various sources like chemical fertilizers, plastics

- Source of nutrients and minerals: fish has high-quality animal protein and micro-nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamins and amino acids, which are essential for human growth especially in the first 1,000 days of life. These elements are important in

Dr.Yanira Ntupanyama, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources Climate Change, Malawi

addressing the challenges of stunted growth and all forms of malnutrition which are common in sub-Saharan Africa. At the African continent level, it is estimated that fisheries is a key source of protein to over 400 million people

- Livelihoods for households and families: The fisheries and aquaculture sub-sectors in SADC employ about 12.3 million people of which about 27% are women. it generates about USD 24 billion in revenue. In Malawi over 100,000 fishers and fish farmers directly earn their incomes from fishing and aquaculture while nearly 2 million people along the fish value chain derive their livelihoods from ancillary activities like fish processing, trading, boat building, input supply and recreational services. Currently, earnings from fisheries and aquaculture are estimated at USD

200 million.

- Contribution to GDP - fisheries and aquaculture account for 3.5% of the SADC region’s Gross Domestic Product and 9% of the SADC’s agricultural GDP while in Malawi it is over 4%.

- Safety net: whenever there are changes in the economy that negatively affect rural communities like crop failure due to droughts or floods, there is always dependence on the use of natural resources including fish for household income.

- Biodiversity: the benefits need to be realised e.g. aquarium trade

their investments into the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sectors. As we know, Your Honour, there is underinvestment in the subsectors, fisheries and aquaculture investments are less than those made in other agri-food systems.

“Therefore, we need investments in research and development to help create technologies and innovations that will enhance the sustainability of aquatic food systems, otherwise as a continent we will be unable to meet the growing demand for fish and fishbased products for the” growing population on the continent.

However, Honourable Minister, for resilient communities and aquatic ecosystems, we need to embrace ecosystem-based fisheries management approach; improve post-harvest fish processing and handling, and encourage use of fish processing methods that use less fire wood or solar technology. We also need to promote climate-smart aquaculture by constructing deep ponds, use genetically improved fish species that are drought resistant and grow fast; and use good quality feed, hence the need to encourage the private sector to invest in fish feed production and supply. Malawi has been importing fish from Zambia and though we have a fish feed production company by a farmer fish feed is still a challenge

Honourable Minister, The potential that the aquatic food systems have on the African continent will be difficult to harness unless Governments and Regional Economic Communities step up

Therefore, we need investments in research and development to help create technologies and innovations that will enhance the sustainability of aquatic food systems. Otherwise, as a continent we will be unable to meet the growing demand for fish and fish-based products for the growing population on the continent. Reports indicate that by 2030, Africa will require an additional 1.6 to 2.6 million tonnes of fish per year.

This will, therefore, demand identification of various measures some of which are outlined in various global or regional instruments including conventions agreements, protocols, policies, strategies, and plans like:

- FAO Code of Conduct on Responsible Fisheries (CCRF); - Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication

- Pan-African Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Framework and Reform Strategy; SADC Protocol on Fisheries;

- SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan (2016-2026); and SADC Aquatic Animal Health Strategy. Despite the development of these instruments, we still need support for their implementation. Therefore, on behalf of the SADC Member States,

Honourable Minister, please allow me to appeal to various development partners, the private sector, and civil society organisations to join hands with Governments to mobilise additional resources to support reviews and implementation of various national policies, where necessary, for increased productivity of fisheries and aquaculture to support food nutrition and the sector development in general.

Honourable Minister, as SADC Chair, Malawi has for the past year implemented some activities on fisheries and aquaculture: Developed the Malawi 2063 First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP1) that recognizes fisheries and aquaculture.

Reviewed the National Aquaculture Strategy by aligning it to the SADC Aquaculture Strategy

Implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty

Eradication and has established the National Plan of Action Team for implementation of the Guidelines.

Signed the SADC Charter on the establishment of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) in Mozambique which we hope many SADC countries will sign.

Declared Friday of the Second Week of every month a CLEAN-UP DAY for all Malawian citizens, which among other targets fish landing sites. Set the Malawi Chapter of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET) chapters established in some countries.

Joined SADC Member States in celebrating 20 Years of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries.

Celebrated the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) at Mbenji, one of the traditionally managed fisheries which also showcases fish processing and different recipes.

Participated in the development of the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors in SADC Region (PROFISHBLUE)

Participated in an annual SADC Industrialisation Week from 22-26 November 2021 in Lilongwe Organised a Think Tank on Fish in Nutritious and Health Food Systems in the African Great Lakes Region, in Lilongwe from 25th to 26th November 2021 focusing on the role of small pelagic fish species (such as usipa, kapenta and dagaa/mukene) in nutritious food systems

Held a Regional Dialogue towards Building Resilience and Adaptation in Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Southern Africa held in Lilongwe on 21st April 2022 that considered best management options suitable to transitioning the region’s small-scale fisheries and aquaculture resources to resilience, in the face of climate change.

Prepared Technical Guidelines on Hatchery Operations in June 2022. Just developed a Fish based Recipe Book, which I signed last week.

With these remarks, I wish to thank you, Honourable Minister and all the delegates for your attention.

(left)Ecobank Zambia Head Communications ,Marketing and Media Glenda Kamalata, (center) Ecobank Zambia MD, Mr. Charmel Ognin and (right) the vice president Her Honour, Mrs Mutale Nalumango

SPEECH BY ERIC KRAMO ON BEHALF OF WILLIAM CAREW, HEAD OF SECRETARIAT AU-ECOSOCC

Excellencies, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen, all protocol observed.

It is my singular honour to deliver this speech on behalf of the Head of Secretariat of the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Mr. William Carew, who is currently at the African Union MidYear Coordination meeting.

For those who are hearing about ECOSOCC for the first time, the African Union ECOSOCC was established as an advisory organ of the Union, mandated among other things, to translate the AU’s objectives and policies into concrete programs, and to harness the expertise of the African civil society into the work of the African Union.

The relocation of ECOSOCC from the AU in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, and the establishment of a dedicated secretariat here in Lusaka, Zambia in 2019, has provided ECOSOCC with the ability to muster the necessary workforce to function, and has significant augmented its capacity to execute its mandate.

Ladies and gentlemen, given that the theme of today’s workshop is on the

AU’s theme for year 2022, it is most befitting that we accord emphasis to the importance of nutrition, especially in this post-pandemic era.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the theme of today’s event is also relevant in line with Aspiration 1 of the AU’s Agenda 2063 which aims to actualize ‘’a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development’’. Tied to attaining this goal is also the need to provide a high standard of living, quality of life, and well-being for Africans, ensure good health and we-nourished citizens and promote modern agriculture for increased proactivity and production.

nutrition which goes to the heart of our existence, must be tackled with utmost priority. To this end, we must collectively strive to provide opportunities, through dedicated programmes and initiatives and initiatives at the national and continental eves, to address the changes that continue to diminish food production and nutritional buoyancy of our dear continent. This way, we can move forward the food and nutrition of Agenda 2063.

“Today’s workshop pushes us to remind ourselves of where Africa currently stands on this issue, as we have Africa’s deficiency in agriculture production, and nutrition.”

Today’s workshop pushes us to remind ourselves of where Africa currently stands on this issue, as we have Africa’s deficiency in agriculture production, and nutrition. According to a Word Vision report, as of 2020, more than one-third of the continent’s population was reported as undernourished and that margin continues to widen to date. In the whole of Africa, it was reported that about 282 million people were experiencing hunger, more than double the production of any other region in the word. It goes without saying that this depletion in food security and nutrition across Africa also comes with the attendant rise and effect on the health and welfare of the Africa population, especially as regards the fight against diseases and epidemics.

Ladies and gentlemen, the work to bridge this gap requires our collective effort, and the issue of

Ladies and gentlemen, there is a lot to say in this regard, but it is best that I leave it to the distinguished experts who will be taking us through the various sessions today. From the highlights on the program, I can emphatically say that I am optimistic about the outcome and quality of today’s engagement.

I also wish to thank our implementation partners for the able partnership in putting together this workshop. More importantly, I thank you for distinguishing guests and participants for today’s event with your esteemed presence.

May God bless the continent of Africa.

I thank You.

Eric Kramo, AU ECOSOCC

OPENING CEREMONY - WORKSHOP

Bettu Chabala, Director of Ceremonies

Opening Ceremony

Attendees follow Prof. Sikwibele’s speech

Snapshot of Attendees following the proceedings of the workshop

Attendees taking notes

WORKSHOPS WELCOMING REMARKS PROF. ANNIE L. SIKWIBELE, ACTING VICE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

The Permanent secretary, Ministry of Health Dr. George Magwende, the AU ECOSOCC representative Dr. Tupanyama, Government officials present, the workshop organizing committee, distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning!

It gives me great pleasure indeed to welcome you all to the grounds of the University of Zambia (UNZA) on this special day. As the first institution of higher education in the country established in 1965, we are delighted and honored to have been asked to host this workshop on the AU theme of the year 2022: strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent: strengthening Agro-food systems, health and social protection systems for the acceleration of human, social and economic capital

development- which is one of the main highlights of the African Union heads of state summit taking place here in Lusaka from today to the 17th of July , 2022.

Ladies and gentlemen, this theme is indeed timely, and resonates well with the current global challenge of food insecurity. At present, the world is facing the threat of massive hunger and starvation following a spike in food prices attributed to the cascading global events (COVID-19 pandemic and Russia –Ukraine war). Reports indicate that the African continent is badly hit and is particularly vulnerable to these shocks. According to the African renewal magazine of May 2022, about 21% of people on the continent suffered from hunger in 2020, representing a total of 282 million people. The report further indicates that the other region in the world presents a higher share of its population suffering from food insecurity as the African continent. These challenges, fellow delegates require immediate action from all of us.

“You may also wish to know that UNZA is currently involved in the implementation of a 4-year HEALTHY FOOD AFRICA

PROJECT with 17 other partners in Europe and Africa, aimed at improving nutrition in Africa by strengthening the diversity, sustainability, resilience and connectivity of food systems.”

Ladies and gentlemen, the University of Zambia is committed to human capital development in the areas of agriculture, nutrition and food security. Our institution under the school of Agricultural sciences offers programs in human nutrition, food science and technology and agriculture at both undergraduate and post graduate levels. You may also wish to know that UNZA is currently involved in the implementation of a 4-year HEALTHY FOOD AFRICA PROJECT with 17 other partners in Europe and Africa, aimed at improving nutrition in Africa by strengthening the diversity, sustainability, resilience and connectivity of food systems. It is my sincere hope that the deliberations during this workshop will provide answers to the challenges that our continent is facing. These statistics and narratives about Africa being a hungry continent should not be allowed to continue in the midst of vast natural resources that can adequately support resilient food systems and diversified diets. Wishing you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you.

Prof. Anne Lungowe Sikwibele, Acting Vice Chancellor, UNZA

SPEECH BY MR. RAJANDRAN GANAPATHI, COUNTRY DIRECTOR - ETG

Thank you very much, local organizing committee and host for inviting us (ETG) to be part of this 4th session of the AU Summit being held here in Zambia.

The Permanent Secretary Dr. George Magwende, The Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Anne Liunguwe Sikwibele, The Head Secretariat AU ECOSSOCC representative Mr. Eric Kramo, Speakers of the workshop, Invited Guests or should I simply say all protocols observed. It is my honour and privilege to be here on behalf of ETG Zambia and to be part of the 4th session of the AU Summit.

ETG is proud to be part of the AU community and indeed part of this year’s AU Summit where various issues regarding food production and nutrition have been addressed and are being discussed. Honorable Minister, ETG is a company that was established in 1967 and has since developed into a global player now being present in 28 countries in Africa and globally in 48 countries.

ETG’s objective has always been to improve the livelihoods of millions

of farmers around Zambia and the region. The company is involved in various activities of food production, Agro processing, marketing and distribution. Recently, the company embarked on the introduction of a “One Stop Shop” concept, an idea that you may have heard about but this time being actualized through the various depots and networks that have been set up in Zambia and the region.

Seed, fertilizer chemical and farming implements are now being made available closer to the farmers, reducing the cost of transport and reducing time wastage.

As you may be aware, ETG is probably the only company in Zambia and the region that is involved in the entire value chain of food production. ETG not only provides inputs but also provides a market to the farmers. Currently, we are the biggest buyers of crops such as soya beans and pigeon peas in the country. Through other ETG sister companies, value addition and nutrition are now a reality through various processing companies that fall under the ETG

umbrella. Parrogate Zambia (edible oil manufacturing) , Supra Animal feed and VAMARA group are a living testimony. ETG is aligned to policies that focus on the Government’s policy of diversification.

Investments made in the past ten years in Zambia for example bear testimony that indeed ETG is committed to improving food supply and nutrition in Zambia and the region. The challenge now is for the local farmers to produce enough to support demands of raw materials into the industries such as Freshpikt who are in constant demand of tomatoes, sugar beans and groundnuts.

ETG remains committed to working with the farmers by not only improving their income but also providing quality inputs such as improved seed materials, biodegradable chemical fertilizers and the market.

ETG’s ultimate goal is to change the lives of poor farmers by improving their yields. This will ultimately lead to increased food production.

I thank you all.

“One Stop Shop” concept, an idea that you may have heard about but this time being actualized through the various depots and networks that have been set up in Zambia and the region.”

Rajendran Ganapathi, ETG Country Director, Zambia

REMARKS BY GERALDINE KATWISHI, HEALIT ZAMBIA – EVENT SPONSOR

Good morning, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, all protocol observed. Healit Zambia is a medicaltechnology company born out of the desire to democratize healthcare using advanced technology.

We focus on proving products at the foremost cost benefit multiplied by quality benefits. As a team we are motivated by the belief that we

are making a long-term contribution towards advancing the health care industry and responding to global health challenges.

We currently offer covid-19 PCR and antigen testing with certification through the Ministry of Health as a key stakeholder. Our laboratory is situated at plot No 6, Lubu Road Lusaka.

Our processing time from sample collection to certification has been reduced to a maximum 80 minutes for your convenience.

We are very delighted to be part of the sponsors of the African Union theme of the year 2022 – Exhibition.

I thank you.

“We focus on proving products at the foremost cost benefit multiplied by quality benefits. As a team we are motivated by the belief that we are making a long-term contribution towards advancing the health care industry and responding to global health challenges.”

Geraldine Katwishi, Healit, Zambia

Healit marketing collateral

WORKSHOP SESSION 1

Delegate articulates himself during Q & A

Delegates follow proceedings

Victor Mensa (Victor & Victors) leading workshop proceedings

Delegates follow proceedings

Dale Lewis, Panji Kajani & Miyoba Mukengami receive their appreciation tokens.

Delegate show engagement during the Open Forum

THE ROLE THAT AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY CAN FULFIL IN STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE FOR FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

SESSION 1

MAIN WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

By Mr. Panji Kajani, Country Director, Mary’s Meals International

Mr. Panji Kajani used the School Feeding Programme as a case study to demonstrate how African Philanthropy can fulfil in strengthening resilience for food security and nutrition. This emanated from the strong documented evidence on the positive impacts of the School Feeding Programme on Human capital development and Social security systems for the future generation. He pointed to the need for delegates to understand and appreciate the impacts of the programme on the children’s food and nutrition security outcomes and their general wellbeing. Mary’s Meals International believed in home grown solutions to sustainably secure the realisation of human capital development potential for today’s children, as such the organisation feels philanthropists within the African continent can play a bigger role to that cause. It’s therefore imperative to create opportunities and an environment that will motivate African philanthropists to sponsor such initiatives.

The Country Director presented global nutrition statistics for the period 2015 – 2017 that confirmed a worsening food and nutrition security situation. The chronic malnutrition rates particularly for stunting were significantly higher in Africa relative to the rest of the world. Earlier studies had also indicated that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was home to the most food insecure households. The aforementioned situation

resulted in poor nutrition and human capital development outcomes for most of the children in vulnerable households. In the case of Zambia, if the country’s stunting levels had remained at 45 % the losses in terms of productivity would have been to an extent of U$ 775 Million over a ten-year period. It was from that context that Marys Meal’s International wished to respond and change the narrative for the future. Among the main causes identified by the organisation and its partners included poverty, conflict, climate factors, limited or lack of investments in agriculture and unstable markets. The organisation’s vision is based on the desire that every child receives one daily nutritious meal in their place of education and that those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things. The concept was informed by the encounter of the organisation’s founder with a 14-year-old Malawian family breadwinner during the 2001/2002 hunger crisis that affected the poorest households. The Country Director stated the organisation’s key values for action as confidence in the innate goodness of people, dignity for human life and good stewardship of resources entrusted to us. African philanthropy therefore begins with the call for good stewardship that God had instructed to the human race and forms the foundation for program support.

The delegates were further informed that the organisation works in

partnership with host governments as principal policy holders in the delivery of nutrition and other related interventions to address the problem of food insecurity.

The strategy is to work with communities and make long-term commitment to the nutrition needs of the most nutritionally vulnerable children. The nutrition commodities given to the children are based on foods sourced from local farmers with an established relationship that is more than commercial. The integrated community skills transfer augmented the desire for programme sustainability. By design the programme fitted well and contributed to the development of resilient nutrition and food security for households, community and nations at large.

Mr. Panji Kajani shared the independently verified 5-year impact study in Malawi and Zambia 2014 – 2019 that demonstrated School Feeding reduced child hunger, increased access to education and improved the general child wellbeing. Furthermore, verified data from health centres neighbouring schools had confirmed a positive correlation between School Feeding and improved nutrition indices for

Panji Kajani, Country Director, Mary’s Meals

school going children. The other documented impacts were early schooling seeking behaviours as coping mechanisms for the most food insecure households and development of ready market in the Agriculture food systems. He indicated that the programme had developed working partnerships with Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) and other food processing companies e.g. SEBA foods in Zambia thus making effective long-term commitments

in the agriculture value chains. He reiterated that much more would be needed if the School Meals programme were to be expanded to all schools to reach the next child waiting and such an operation would require massive support for home grown food production and distribution systems. He later emphasised the need to vigorously motivate African philanthropy as there is plenty of money in Africa, and people with more than they need.

The Country Director concluded by saying that” Everybody is a potential philanthropist, everybody has a duty to preserve human dignity and family life, we are all stewards and must play a role. We want to enable the African philanthropist to support food security and nutrition”.

Delegates follow the workshop proceedings attentively.

TRANSFORMING FOOD AND SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS TO BETTER PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE

MAIN WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

By Mr. Miyoba Mukengami, Senior Programme Associate, World Food Programme (WFP)

Mr. Miyoba Mukengami gave a brief background about World Food Programme (WFP) operations in Zambia that dated back to 1967. The organisation had evolved from a humanitarian United Nations (UN) agency to a Developmental oriented institution whose priorities are aligned to the National development plans and outcomes. He stated that the institution’s five strategic outcomes are informed by the Zambian government’s developmental goals and were outlined as:

- Crisis management that involves partnerships with the Government of the Republic of Zambia and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to manage the welfare of refugees and reaching out to the most affected households due to COVID-19.

- Strengthening the National Nutrition programme and strategies to ensure the implemented programme are impactful and reach the most vulnerable

- Support to Small Holder Farmers for improved production and access to the markets

- Promotion of effective and efficient delivery mechanisms of Social protection programmes through institutional capacity strengthening

- Demand driven services that include food and medical supplies logistics support in times of emergencies.

He explained to the delegates that in additional to the national development key result priorities, the strategic outcomes were further

guided by:

- The adverse effects of climate change on the Smallholder Farmers production and productivity

- The inability of the more than 100,000 refugees at Matampala camp to cope with food insecurity due to lack of access to land and production inputs

- The disrupted supply chains for inputs and food caused by COVID-19 restrictions that led to food and nutrition insecurity for vulnerable households.

In line with the AU theme “Strengthening resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African continent”, the WFP had positioned itself by working with the national government to promote food security and social protection through a food systems approach, with the fundamental elements being targeted interventions that influence the whole stages of the agriculture value chain. Within the Farm to Market concept, the organisation had enhanced the production capacities of Small Holder Farmers (SHF) and facilitated market access through establishment of viable commodity aggregation systems. The market for agro-commodities had further been enhanced by facilitating efficient distribution networks e.g. Cold chains for Dairy producers and processing zones for other agricultural commodities.

At the level of consumption, he mentioned that WFP had developed partnerships with the Ministry of Health and the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) to

promote appropriate attitudes and dietary practices at household levels with an observed positive deviance on the consumption trend of highly nutritious foods.

In the area of social protection, Mr. Mukengami stated that WFP had designed interventions that are aligned to the National Systems on Social Protection and are aimed at uplifting the percentage of citizens living above the poverty datum line. SHF have been particularly targeted to ensure attainment of sustainable and viable food systems that not only guarantee food security but also lead to improved livelihoods. He highlighted that arising from the organisation’s recognition that agriculture is the main economic stay of most vulnerable populations in the country, WFP works with government and its partners to ensure:

- SHF are facilitated to access appropriate technologies to improve productivity and production

- SHF are supported to access input financing using concept of Village Savings group

- SHF are effectively linked to extension services

- Enhancing Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (ZIAMIS) to ensure

Miyoba Mukengami, Senior Program Assistant, World Food Program (WFP)

integration of risk management (weather based index insurance) and hedge against weather based risk He explained that in the area of financial services, the institution supports vulnerable populations to have strengthened access to financial services to increase incomes and resilience to climate shocks. The empowerment packages are delivered through Village Savings Group concept as well as enhanced access to input credit for SHF. Through the outlined interventions beneficiaries have been able build productive assets and incomes for

investment in nutrition and create leverage for diversified livelihoods. The targeted empowerment of women is one of the main programme components based on the premise that women who are economically empowered contribute more to their families, societies and national economies.

The delegates were informed of the other areas of strategic focus for WFP as climate services and Home Grown School Meals. He clarified that climate services in the form of dissemination of real time agromet

climate information, improved knowledge and awareness on the choice of input and decision on best agronomic practices by SHF. He pointed out the benefits of Home Grown School Meals that serve as a safety net and facilitate local development, and improve the health and nutrition outcomes for learners.

The Senior Programme Associate ended the presentation by stating the WFP’s transformative drive “Moving from saving lives to changing lives”.

Delegates following the workshop proceedings

BUILDING RESILIENT SOCIAL AGRICULTURAL FOOD SYSTEMS

MAIN WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

By Dr. Dale Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO)

Dr. Dale introduced the Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) as a pioneer in conservation based market solutions that particularly addresses the concerns of Small Scale Farmers, optimises natural resources management and promotes interests of human nutrition and health. He mentioned that the journey began with conservation activities for elephants that eventually evolved into management of soil microorganisms for improved soil health and crop production. The concept emerged from the fact that Small Scale farmers resorted to poaching due to poverty and hunger amongst other reasons. Therefore, COMACO believed that with improved farming practices that delivered key nutrients to the Crop as a result of increased soil microbial activity, the attained food and income security would discourage the urge for poaching among Small Scale Farmers. With the implemented intervention the organisation had been able to transform the livelihoods of 2000 former poachers through health soils that facilitate improved food and nutrition security. He informed the delegates that COMACO had engaged about 230,000 Small Scale farmers in Eastern, Central and Muchinga provinces, who are actively involved in the production and supply of raw materials for processing into IT’S WILD products ranging from peanut butter, rice, organic honey and assorted nutritious snacks. The approach is based on farming

systems that preserve the natural forests integrated with agroforestry which in turn provides refuge for wildlife, protecting the watershed and significantly contributes to carbon sequestration. The project emphasises the basic soil microbiology linked to the nutrient cycle of the three major and most limiting nutrients for crop production particularly Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus. He mentioned that owing to the great benefits of Gliricidia Sepium on the soil health and ecosystem, the tree species is actively promoted among Small Scale Farmers. The Small Scale Farmers are encouraged to incorporate Gliricidia sepium leaves onto their fields with compost for subsequent breakdown by soil microorganisms. The derived documented benefits from the conservation practices included;

- Reduced need for costly inputs - Restoration of soil fertility

- Improved food and income security

- Reduced incidences of crop pests and diseases

Dr. Dale further stated that consumers stand to enjoy enormous health and nutrition benefits by consuming IT’S WILD products as they are free from inorganic pesticides and chemicals, nutritionally dense and eco-friendly. He reminded the participants of the fact that True doctors to realise a healthy population are the Small Scale farmers, who with the help of soil microbes produce and supply nutritionally diverse and dense foods for the general population.

He clarified that the extra cost that accompanied the conservation based production systems in the first few years, are outweighed by the accrued advantages. He encouraged consumers to compensate the farmer’s production costs through willingness to pay a premium price for IT’S WILD products. He appealed to Zambia consumers to purchase the programme’s conservation products and help drive the desire to reach more farmers.

The COMACO’s growth and development drive hadn’t been short of challenges in its 19 years of operation. Prominent on the list of challenges is the issue of stiff competition from relatively cheaper products that are conventionally produced and financing of the programme’s core operations. In the quest to replace rural poverty with a range of solutions that takes care of critical issues such as planet survival, climate change and global warming, there was a need to mobilise more resources and scale up conservation production practices coverage across the country. He concluded by stating the conviction that the right decision was made to conserve the environment whilst uplifting the lives of Small Scale Farmers.

Dale Lewis, CEO, Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO)

SESSION 1 OPEN FORUM (Q&A)

Q1. Richard Kachongo: How premium is the price for the commodities in the market you are creating as COMACO?

Answer by Dr. Lewis: Prices are determined by demand and supply. COMACO meets and adds slightly more to the market prices. This has constrained the organisation but it has stuck to its commitment

Answer by Miyoba: Small holder farmers are disadvantaged as they are willing to sell their products at any price. One of the strategies is aggregation. What this does is to enable farmers to bulk their commodities and aggregate them with an aggregator (warehouse). An invoice is given when the price goes up (locally and

internationally), the commodity can then be discharged. Diversification also comes in handy, so they can leverage on other products while waiting for prices to stabilise.

Q2. Is it possible to add milk to the school meals as it were in the past?

Answer by Panji: The choice of the food / menu is dependent on so many factors 1) simplicity; it must be simple to attain and to prepare 2) must respond nutritionally to the demands 3) Must be easily sourced. Milk does not fit in the plan for so many reasons. It doesn’t provide holistic nutrients needed for growing school going children, it is not easy to handle and it is costly etc.

Answer by Miyoba: School milk program was piloted and challenges arose among them the cost, supply, handling, intolerance (diarrhoea) etc. Of course milk is highly nutritious, more than cereal based meals, but because of the challenges it is associated with, it is not cost effective as there are so many wastages for instance if it doesn’t finish.

Q3. Aaron Mwanza (Kumwanachi foundation): Dr. Dale, how can we bring our stakeholders to see how Kumwanachi foundation can work with COMACO?

Dr. Dale: We wish COMACO can be everywhere. It is easier to replicate. Ideas are welcome, partnerships are welcome. COMACO is willing to go into franchise, as long as the initial idea of COMACO is stuck to.

Delegates at the workshop

WORSHOP SESSION 2 PROCEEDINGS: OPEN FORUM

A moment during the workshop discussions on the AU theme of the year 2022

Mulima Wamuyima (Africast),Victor Siamudaala (World-Fish), Belinda Tembo (NFNC)-pose after-receiving their gifts

Snapshots from the Q&A session of the workshop.

delegates taking a moment to digest the information at the workshop

Report:

Workshops on the AU Theme of the Year 2022

MAIN WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

By Dr. Victor Siamudaala, Country Director, Zambia and Southern Africa, World Fish

Dr. Victor Siamudaala gave a presentation on the impact and benefits of fish and the critical role fish plays in the first 1000 days of life in low income households. He indicated that World Fish is a member of ICGAR which is composed of 413 research organisations that create innovations in the aquatic ecosystem. World Fish is based in Asia, Africa and part of the Pacific and has four member African countries namely Egypt, Malawi, Zambia and Nigeria. He explained that World Fish has three key main areas of interests namely Climate resilience and Environmental sustainability, Social and Economic inclusion, Nutrition and Public health using aquatic goods and ecosystem. In Zambia, World Fish works with International Water Institute, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and International Potato Center which formed a consortium in 2021 for the purpose of integration to enhance the talent and resource mobilisation and capability in designing and coimplement solutions. He indicated that their role in the AU Summit’ theme was to give emphasis on the importance of fish and fish based diets in the first 1000 days of life, which is the most critical period in child development especially on cognitive development. The period of human development is susceptible to nutritional deficiencies and if not taken care of the adverse effects would be lifelong and irreversible. He posed a challenge to parents who usually disciplined their children

for poor academic performance, to reflect if they ever did provide adequate and appropriate foods for optimal physical and cognitive development. If the answer was to the contrary, then they were simply punishing the innocent child for the decisions and choices that entirely depended on them. He then discussed the important sources of micro nutrients and high quality protein, and singled out fish as a super provider of such nutrients including the sardines that most people consider to be poor man food and subsequently shun them for fast foods. Despite being fancied by the most affluent communities’ fast foods nutritionally inferior compared to the sardines.

Dr. Siamudaala further indicated that many people shun eating sardines i.e Kasepa for Socio-economic status reasons and yet they have very rich sources of proteins and essential micronutrients particularly Zinc, Iron and Calcium. He therefore emphasised that fish in all its types should be included in the diet for women of child bearing age. He mentioned the need to promote fish consumption among pregnant women and children below the age for the benefit of favourable foetal development, and young child’s bone and brain development. He further added that problems of micro nutrient deficiency were quite high in Africa and stand at 34% of the population living below the poverty datum line. The problem of poverty was expected to escalate with the recent outbreak of COVID-19, which

is estimated to push about 31 million people under the poverty datum line. He stressed that the poverty stricken section of the population are vulnerable to shocks created by COVID-19 and climate change as such struggle to meet their nutritional needs. According to studies the majority of these people live in remote or rural areas and usually face cycling and intergenerational poverty that takes a significant toll on issues of cognitive and human capital development. In Sub-Saharan Africa stunting levels were averaged at between 40 - 41%, with the levels in Zambia at 35%. He further pointed to the fact that the problem of Stunting was more prominent in African countries that do not practise diverse food production and consumption. He commended the School Feeding Programme initiative by Mary’ Meals International as a timely and appropriate intervention to address the problem of Stunting.

To solve the current and emerging nutritional challenges there is need for production and consumption based interventions and thus World Fish and its partners works to promote aquatic food systems so as to enhance production and consumption of fish and fish

Dr. Victor Siamudaala,Country Director, World Fish

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF FISH IN THE FIRST 1000 DAYS OF LIFE: FOR ENHANCED NUTRITION IN LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS

products. He re-echoed the remarks of the Permanent Secretary Natural Resources and Climate ChangeMalawi on upscaling investments in the aquatic food ecosystems that currently stands at ten times less than what goes into other agro food sectors.

Dr. Siamudaala indicated that in terms of inclusion for enhanced child nutrition, World Fish has introduced fish powders which may be given as soup to children with remarkable nutritional benefits. In addition, World Fish has developed fish based recipes for use in School

Feeding Programmes as well as recipe booklets which are used by model mothers to counsel fellow mothers on the importance and benefits of fish based diets. The implemented programmes have helped to create public awareness on the importance of aquatic food diets. The organisation has partnered with National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) to develop capacity among community care givers.

In responding to challenges of Climate change, he explained that World Fish had worked with relevant stakeholders to develop and promote

Climate resilience production systems for African farmers. The package includes real time Climate Information System and Integrated farming systems to build resilience and encourage Polyculture, where individual farmers are encouraged to raise different species of fish in one pond and formulation of feed skills to help farmers reduce the cost of production. Development of model markets, fish processing skills transfer and linking of farmers to markets had helped to address the constraint of disorganised market structure.

From left to right: Dr. Ben Chishala, Mulima Wamuyima, Victor Siamudaala, Belinda Tembo, Panji Kajani, Miyoba Mukengami, Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama, Victor Mensah.

THE NUTRITION LANDSCAPE IN ZAMBIA

MAIN WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

By Ms. Belinda Tembo, Senior Nutritionist, National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC)

She introduced her presentation by mentioning that adequate and appropriate nutrition is a prerequisite for a well-nourished and healthy population that is able to contribute positively to the nation’s socioeconomic development. The National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) is mandated by the Government to coordinate national nutrition programmes and to advise the government on nutrition matters. She then discussed the nutrition landscape in the context of the AU summit’s theme and stressed the need to build resilience in the food and nutrition sector for human development. She reminded the delegates that there is a greater drive for profits and wealth by companies involved in the agri-business sector with very little attention on critical nutrition aspects. To change the narrative more awareness should be advocated for across the stages of the agriculture value chain. She then listed the NFNC core values that included; team work as issues of nutrition are multifaceted and complex, hence, the importance for synergies for all the relevant sectors. She added that health and nutrition conditions that were considered to be for the poor communities were also experienced in wealthier households owing to limited awareness on nutrition concerns.

The most common nutrition problems were underweight, stunting and wasting especially in children below the age of five. She then indicated that they are emerging

nutrition related problems referred to as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that included Hypertension, Type II diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, Colon cancers and have become serious Public Health concern.

She elaborated that Malnutrition is mainly a result of poor diet that could be in the form of too little or too much of a particular nutrient required by the body for normal function and development. The three most common forms of malnutrition included hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiency), overweight and stunting. The consequences are likely to be increased disease burden, cyclic poverty effects, delayed physical human development and economic development. She stated that NFNC utilises the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) conceptual framework to analyse the immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition. Among the identified causes are inadequate access to food, inadequate care for children and women, poor sanitary and hygiene practices, and inadequate dietary intake. She pointed out the need for multisectoral interventions to address the issue of malnutrition. Chronic malnutrition if left unchecked could create problems of human capital development and economic development stagnation.

The National Policy and Legal environment should be responsive

to nutrition programmes and practices as such the 8th NDP which had inputs on multisectoral nutrition support programmes.

The NFNC is equal to the task to ensure coordination of programmes across sector Ministries and that adequate resources are allocated for smooth programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation. NFNC had also embarked on an ambitious nutrition education and awareness campaign that integrates a diversified work force and implementation procedures for food based dietary guidelines; Eat well campaign and A good food logo.

Belinda Tembo, Senior Nutritionist, National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC)

SESSION 2 OPEN FORUM (Q&A)

Q4. By Thandiwe Zulu, from UNZA: Women are forced to go into sex transactions during fish trading, and this is creating a public health problem. What is World Fish doing about it?

Ans by Dr. Siamudaala: There is need to document the extent of the problem and then work with well vested organisations that can curb this problem. There is need to determine the drivers of such vices.

Q5. By Daliso Mvula: What efforts are being made with regards to sustainable fishing methods?

Dr. Siamudaala: World Fish works closely with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to ensure sustainable fishing methods are employed. Overtime, the symptoms of unsustainable fishing have been the focus, but now changing to look at other areas such as deforestation etc.

Q6. Ms. Belinda, is there any awareness being carried out in universities as diets in universities

are mostly junk and unhealthy? Belinda Tembo: Eat well campaign is mostly on social media, hoping to catch the young generation (including students). 60% of the population are young people, and the vast majority of these are on social media.

Q7. By Kapatamoyo: Are there any guidelines on cooking methods? People overcook food, especially fish.

Ms. Belinda: The commission is intensifying nutrition education/ awareness. This is being done in the eat well campaign but more needs to be done.

Dr. Siamudaala: Overcooking fish can destroy / lead to the loss of essential nutrients.

Q8. By Emmanuel Hasowela from Levy Mwanawasa Medical University: A number of people are eating breakfast meal, yet most nutrients are in the bran. Is there any action to address this?

Ms. Belinda: There is the eat well campaign being implemented by World Food Program (WFP), targeting

the entire population. There is still need to intensify education on food choices, since production is demand driven. If consumers demanded healthier food, the producers would respond accordingly.

Q9. By Dr. Chiza Kumwenda from UNZA: Speaking of the first 1000 most critical days, how do you engage the communities to ensure good nutrition in the first 1000 most critical days?

Dr. Siamudaala: World Fish specifically works with communities, fish traders , model mothers etc, all at community level to ensure good nutrition in the first 1000 most critical days.

Q10. How can WFP and NFNC partner with TOPE finance?

Ans: The doors of NFNC and WFP are open. TOPE finance is free to visit at any time, to see how best they can partner with other organisations.

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