The Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) Leadership Forum recently held a forum to equip over 40 delegates with strategies to lead food system innovations effectively. The forum was held during the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024, under the theme From Local Fields to Global Impact: Leading Food System Innovation in a Digital and Climate Era.
Participants at the forum had the chance to connect with leading innovators and thought leaders to collaborate on cutting-edge technologies and developments in agriculture. Attendees were also introduced to the principles of Action Learning, enabling them to design impactful projects aimed at addressing real-world food system challenges.
The CALA Leadership Forum also served as the inaugural meeting for incoming CALA Cohort 4 delegates, inspiring them to initiate relevant and impactful projects that contribute to food systems transformation. CALA also called upon all leaders, stakeholders, and partners in the agricultural sector to take bold and immediate actions towards transforming Africa’s food systems.
Speaking at the forum, AGRA President, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, remarked, “Young people need to push themselves harder to do more and be problem solvers. That is what CALA is about, nurturing the next generation of problem solvers. Use us as your platform to do more. We look forward to seeing your project and being part of your success.”
Jonathan Said, Vice President, Centre for Technical Expertise, AGRA, emphasized the need to address the leadership gap in the agricultural and food systems transformation across Africa. “Empowering key actors in the continent with practical insights and strategies to lead innovation and implement transformative food systems solutions is essential to achieving Africa’s food security agenda,” he noted.