The 2022 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) calls for urgent action to prevent growing hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition across the world. Most of the countries affected are on the African continent, with the major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition including conflict, climate extremes, and economic shocks, combined with growing inequalities.  

It is against this background that the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)’s Regional Bureau for Southern Africa signed a memorandum of agreement that seeks to foster collaboration between the two institutions.

The collaboration will seek to make an impactful contribution to building resilient African agriculture and food systems, with a specific focus on smallholder farmers, especially women, and youth. This will be achieved through harnessing the continent’s abundant land and water resources, as well as digital technology and innovative climate financing, to ensure food, nutrition, and livelihood security and a reduction of the continent’s food import bill.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Tshilidzi Madzivhandila (FANRPAN Chief Executive Officer and Head of Mission) and Dr. Menghestab Haile (WFP) on 26^th January 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa.