The CGIAR Sustainable Farming Program (SFP) exists to help smallholder farmers — especially women, youth, and vulnerable communities — build resilience, improve food security, and enhance farm efficiency through integrated, science-backed solutions.
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Driving the Future of Sustainable Farming
Africa's food systems are at a defining moment. Feeding a growing population while responding to climate change, soil degradation, rising input costs, and evolving market demands requires practical solutions, stronger partnerships, and sustained investment.
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At the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026, the Sustainable Farming Program (SFP) will showcase how science, innovation, digital technologies, and partnerships are helping transform agricultural productivity and resilience across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
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Throughout the week, SFP will convene policymakers, researchers, investors, development partners, private-sector leaders, and farming organizations to explore solutions that improve soil health, strengthen climate resilience, accelerate digital agriculture, and support sustainable farming at scale.
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From virtual pre-launch and high-level policy dialogues to innovation showcases and technical sessions, SFP's engagement demonstrates how research is translating into practical solutions that farmers, governments, and partners can adopt today while building the resilient food systems of tomorrow.
Throughout the Forum (1–4 September): Meet the SFP Team
SFP colleagues will be available throughout the Forum for:
· Bilateral meetings
· Partnership discussions
· Media interviews
· Speaking engagements
· Collaboration opportunities
Whether you are exploring new partnerships, seeking technical expertise, or interested in scaling sustainable farming solutions, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
For partnership enquiries, media requests, speaking opportunities, or to notify the team of sessions or side events involving SFP, please contact:
Barbra Muzata-Sehlule
Communications Lead, Sustainable Farming Program
B.Muzata@cgiar.org
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Be among the first to explore SFP's updated research framework and integrated Areas of Work for 2026–2030. The session will bring together CGIAR leadership, national partners, donors, and researchers to discuss how the Program is strengthening collaboration to deliver sustainable farming solutions at scale.
Improving Africa's food systems requires reducing vulnerability to global fertilizer market shocks while strengthening long-term soil fertility and productivity.
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This high-level dialogue brings together leaders from government, research, finance, industry, and development to examine practical pathways toward resilient nutrient management. Discussions will explore integrated soil fertility management, innovative nutrient sources including green nitrogen and biofertilizers, policy reform, investment opportunities, and scalable approaches that increase productivity while reducing dependence on imported fertilizers.
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The session contributes to the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Strategy (2026–2035) and the African Union Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan by connecting science, policy, and investment around sustainable nutrient management.
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Convened by: Sustainable Farming Program (SFP), Policy Innovations Program (PIP), GIZ, BMZ, IFDC, OCP Africa, AGRA, African Development Bank, AgDevCo, Gates Foundation, and Clim-EAT.
Healthy soils and resilient food systems cannot be achieved at scale without changing how public finance supports agriculture. The recent fertilizer price and supply shocks have further exposed the vulnerability of input-dependent production systems and the need to improve nutrient use efficiency and diversify nutrient resources. Too little investment reaches the farmers and communities that restore ecosystems and build long-term resilience. By linking soil information to public agricultural spending, governments can target support where it is most needed.
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This session explores how robust soil evidence, field-based perspectives, and repurposed public agricultural support can inform policy, finance, and practice while advancing inclusive outcomes for all. Particular attention will be given to practical agronomic responses to Africa’s fertilizer crisis, including integrated soil fertility management, that strengthen resilience while reducing dependence on imported fertilizers. Speakers will discuss how evidence-based policies can strengthen resilience, improve productivity, and support integrated soil fertility management while reducing dependence on imported fertilizers. The SFP will showcase its work in agronomy and soil health, bringing SFP together with ICRAF, CIFOR, Soil Values, and IFDC.
An invitation-only networking reception bringing together partners, donors, government representatives, and collaborators attending AFSF to strengthen partnerships and share SFP's strategic direction for the years ahead.
Join us for an invitation-only networking reception bringing together partners, donors, government representatives, and collaborators attending AFSF to strengthen partnerships and share SFP's strategic direction for the years ahead.
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Every Innovation Was Once a Pitch
Every breakthrough technology begins with an idea. Turning that idea into impact requires collaboration, investment, and the right partnerships.
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This interactive session showcases emerging innovations with the potential to transform food systems. Through a series of live innovation pitches, participants will discover solutions spanning artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, geospatial technologies, climate-smart irrigation, biological innovations, and precision farming.
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Designed to encourage dialogue between innovators and investors, the session creates opportunities for co-development, strategic partnerships, and investment in technologies that can accelerate sustainable agricultural transformation across the continent.
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This session brings together scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, governments, and development partners to explore the next generation of technologies shaping Africa's agri-food systems.
El Niño: From Data to Action Turning
El Niño Intelligence into Climate-Resilient Food Systems for Africa
The 2026 El Niño is expected to bring significant rainfall variability across East, West and Southern Africa, increasing risks for agricultural production, food security, and rural livelihoods. For governments, farmers, businesses, and development partners, seasonal forecasts alone are no longer enough. Building resilience requires timely climate intelligence, science-based decision support, and coordinated action that enables farming communities to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to climate shocks.
This session explores how the CGIAR Sustainable Farming Program (SFP) and in collaboration with CGIAR Climate Action is translating climate intelligence into practical action through integrated agronomy, digital advisory services, artificial intelligence, and understanding production impacts. Rather than showcasing individual tools or country case studies, the session presents a connected approach to resilience—demonstrating how weather and climate information, monitoring on crop health and associated exposure and harnessing digital technologies, rapid-response anticipatory action protocols, and locally adapted agronomic solutions work together to support better decisions before, during, and after climate shocks.
Participants will gain insights into how the newly developed ENSO tool can help government agencies, extension officers are already helping farmers across Africa improve productivity, reduce risk, and strengthen resilience, while creating opportunities for governments, national agricultural research systems, development partners, and the private sector to scale climate-smart agriculture.
Session Objectives
• Present the latest outlook for the 2026 El Niño and its implications for Africa's food, land, and water systems.
• Demonstrate how climate intelligence can be transformed into actionable decisions through digital advisory services, AI-enabled decision support, and integrated farming systems.
• Showcase practical, science-based solutions that are strengthening resilience and improving farmer preparedness across Africa.
• Highlight how integrated approaches—from climate information and agronomy to rapid-response mechanisms—work together to support resilient food systems.
• Explore partnership and investment opportunities to scale climate-smart solutions that help farmers anticipate, absorb, and adapt to future climate shocks.
This session offers a forward-looking perspective on how science, technology, and collaboration can move Africa from early warning to early action, building more resilient, productive, and sustainable food systems in an increasingly uncertain climate
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