Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice

29-30 November 2012. Sydney. This event included a high-level Forum (leadership dialogue) for officials from Africa and Australia, together with international experts on global food security. The main purpose of the Forum was to officially launch the Australian International Food Security Centre (AIFSC) and strengthen its collaborative partnerships.

The Forum brought together a selection of notable high-level Africans, Australians and internationals from government, research and development, and private enterprise to:

• launch the AIFSC strategy and acknowledge the range of national and international partnerships
• enable discussion to inform the AIFSC strategy outcomes for improving food security across Africa
• showcase Australia's expertise in research for development and policy development for improved global food security
• showcase Australia's quality agriculture through a short social program.

The Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign 

Affairs, announcing the new fund 

at the opening of the forum. 

Photo M Gyles ACIAR

The conference provided an opportunity for:

• networking with key African and international decision makers
• fostering new connections with Australian researchers and the AIFSC
• contributing ideas that will be streamed/recorded for wider distribution
• improving your personal knowledge on key issues and players involved in food security
• connecting with a large number of international representatives at one event, away from everyday distractions and time zone issues
• being part of conference legacies to be generated by distribution of conference records to multiple organisations
• side meetings for one-on-one business with a special focus
• witnessing firsthand some of Australia’s finest agricultural research capabilities
• enjoying the dramatic beauty of Sydney and its surrounds, including a showcase of Australian agriculture.

Australia-WECARD/CORAF food security talks

Australia-Africa food security talks

30 Aug 2012 | By Danielle Frazzetto

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Australian and African scientists are discussing the next stage of a 15-million dollar partnership funded by Australia that aims to improve food security in Africa.

The partnership operates through the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development based in Senegal with the ultimate goal of ending hunger in the region.

Listen to the full radio interview

African agricultural managers learn from Australian experience

Gerrard Toscan from his Darlington Point farm describes to 
the participants the maize storage systems which have the capacity 
to keep his grain pest and disease free.

11 June 2012. A delegation of African agricultural managers have visited farms, research institutes and industry organisations in the Murray Irrigation Area of NSW to learn about management of maize and rice, under a University of Sydney program funded by the Australian government.

The group of 10 African mid-career professionals working in the industry are visiting the University of Sydney for four weeks to complete a course in post-harvest management of maize, rice and legumes.

Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, is leading the training funded by AusAID as part of the Australia Awards in Africa initiative.

Coming from nine African countries - Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Togo and Uganda - the 10 participants in this first cohort of the program work for a variety of organisations, including government departments of agriculture, universities and agricultural research centres.

"The program examines post-harvest management and handling of grains in both Australia and Africa, and actively allows participants to apply this knowledge to their own workplaces. We want to strengthen their management, planning, problem solving, communication and outreach skills, making our participants real agents of change in their home countries," said Associate Professor McConchie.