On the first day of the webinar, the focus was on regenerative agriculture. Professor Jan Hoinkis from HKA was a panellist and focussed on the topic area of soil health, water, energy, and the environment. The session’s panel included host, Professor Majaliwa Mwanjalolo, RUFORUM Secretariat, keynote speaker Professor Rattan Lal from Ohio State University, Dr Regis Chikowo from the University of Zimbabwe, Professor Tongoona Pangira from the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement in Ghana, Dr Lakpo Koku Agboyi from CABI in Kenya, Professor Jan Swanepoel from the University of Free State in South Africa, and Dr Mildred Ssemakula from Makerere University in Uganda.

Day two focussed on Africa’s blue economy and sustainable use of marine and freshwater resources. Nicholas Outa, a PhD Scholar at Maseno University, gave a talk about the priorities for future aquaculture in Africa. He discussed the importance of climate-smart aquaculture systems to improve resource efficiency, enhance the capacities of local communities, and explore novel feed sources.

He said, ‘Robbing Peter to pay Paul by using fishmeal to produce fish in aquaculture is unsustainable, making aquaculture a ‘capture fisheries in disguise. ‘
The panel consisted of Keynote speaker, Prof. Emmanuel Kaunda from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Malawi, Dr Hikka Ndjaula from the University of Namibia, Prof. Harvey Bootsma from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Prof Ibisime Etela from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

The primary objective of the webinar was to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, encourage cooperation, and enhance the comprehension and implementation of agriculture among the scientific community. Participants comprised researchers, scientists, academics, development partners, policy-makers and government officials, industry representatives, non-profit organisations, professionals, and graduate students. The virtual events garnered more than 200 attendees.