Dialogue on Nutrition and Agricultural Research Spans African Continent
The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) and The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) have convened the Agribusiness & Food World Forum in Cape Town, South Africa.
Beginning with a two day symposium for students pursuing agribusiness careers, the Forum is framed by three overarching themes – The Talent Factor, Noble Ambition of Feeding the World, and Africa Agribusiness' Age of Opportunity. Approximately 500 multi-sector leaders representing over 30 countries are registered to attend. Participants will discuss current and new models for raising the professionalism of agribusiness and developing a sustained talent pipeline to responsibly feed the world, today and in the future.
"Each year, the IFAMA World Forum is a highly anticipated event. We are excited to partner with The Corporate Council on Africa this year in order to increase participation from the private sector and draw on CCA's expertise in the African agribusiness sector," says Don Vondriska, Executive Director of IFAMA.
"Agriculture and agribusiness are projected to grow from $313 billion USD today to $1 trillion USD in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030," says Stephen Hayes, President and CEO of CCA. "With this projected growth and Africa's agricultural sector employing at least 65 percent of the continent's labor force, IFAMA's partnership with CCA to bring its annual World Forum to Africa is a significant contribution to strengthening agribusiness on the continent."
Over 60 industry and academic leaders will speak at the Forum on topics ranging from entrepreneurship to transformative technologies. The 2-day, research-based symposium for students and academic scholars includes a unique student case competition. Tatevik Avetisyan, a PhD Student at Michigan State University who is participating, comments: "The Competition will give us a great opportunity to apply our knowledge and skills to evaluate an existing managerial issue in the global food and agribusiness industry and show analytical and problem solving skills. It is both encouraging and challenging to know that there will be over 20 student teams participating in the competition from around the world."
The Forum also includes workshops and plenaries tailored to the private sector and NGOs and a pan-African trade exposition of agribusinesses operating successfully across Africa. The highlight of the closing dinner will be the recognition of the Honorable Professor Ruth Khasaya Oniang'o, who will receive the Distinguished Service Award for her influence on the development of nutrition training and agricultural research and development throughout Africa. Far beyond her home country of Kenya, Professor Oniang'o has participated in international activities which have helped to generate decisions that have shaped and furthered global food security and nutrition.
Professor Oniang'o is a past member of Kenya's parliament and served as Professor of Food Science and Nutrition and Director of Graduate Studies at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology. The first nutrition professor in Kenya (and arguably in all of sub-Saharan Africa), she received undergraduate and master's degrees from Washington State University, Pullman, Washington and received her Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
IFAMA President, Thad Simons comments: "Professor Oniang'o's firm grasp of African food and nutrition issues has allowed her to serve as Africa's voice at many international forums and as an advisor to many. Her leadership in the creation and continued oversight of the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development has provided an avenue for the publishing of scholarly research and served as a capacity builder for budding academics across the globe. She embodies all of the Continent's vast promise."
