Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
– In a landmark ceremony held , 7th December 2023 in the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, 78 exceptional leaders in food systems celebrated the culmination of their journey through the Center for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) programme. This initiative, spearheaded by AGRA and co-implemented by the African Management Institute (AMI) and Policy Link, marked its second graduation, following the inaugural virtual ceremony in 2022 where 68 food systems leaders were conferred with honors.
The 78 graduates, drawn from diverse sectors including the public, private, and civil society, were bestowed with certificates, symbolizing their elevated status as leaders in Africa’s Food Security and Sustainability. The CALA program, a comprehensive 16-month endeavor for senior and emerging leaders in Africa’s agriculture sector, provided a collaborative, hands-on, and tailored experience that has equipped these leaders to tackle the pressing issues facing the agricultural landscape.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA, emphasized the imperative to address post-harvest losses in agriculture. This challenge, she noted, continues to impede the growth and resilience of the agricultural sector across the African continent. Dr. Kalibata underscored the need for innovative solutions and strategic interventions, stating, “Fifty percent of CALA graduates are looking to solve post-harvest losses. If we save the food lost in farms, we won’t be saying that Africa has 300 million people who are hungry.”
Her address resonated deeply with the graduates, who, over the course of the program, honed their leadership skills and acquired the knowledge necessary to address critical challenges in the agricultural sector. The CALA program, designed to empower and nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders, focused on equipping participants with the skills and insights needed to drive positive change in the sector.
The program, tailored for leaders spearheading and directly implementing country-level agriculture initiatives, has equipped the delegates with practical leadership skills for the effective implementation of national flagship programs. Moreover, it has enhanced cross-collaborative leadership across the public, private sector, and civil society.
Selected from a pool of over 1,000 applicants, the 78 individuals represent the continent’s most dynamic leaders in agriculture. Of these, 45% hail from government agencies across the 8 represented countries, 26% from the private sector, and 29% from civil society.
“As leaders in your respective organizations and fields, you have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in aligning your country’s national priorities with regional priorities,” remarked Prof. Jean Jacques Muhinda, Regional Head for East and Southern Africa at AGRA.
The graduation ceremony wasn’t merely a culmination but rather a commencement into a new phase of responsibility. The CALA program, through its immersive curriculum, has not only provided knowledge but has instilled a sense of duty among these leaders to contribute actively to the transformation of food systems in their respective regions.
The graduating leaders, now armed with a wealth of knowledge and a strong network, join the inaugural cohort of 80 delegates in the prestigious CALA alumni community. This community serves as a hub for continued learning, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas. It reflects the commitment of AGRA and its partners to creating a sustainable and evolving network of leaders dedicated to the advancement of agriculture in Africa.
CALA, an AGRA-led initiative, is delivered in collaboration with implementing partners including the African Management Institute (AMI), CALA’s lead implementation and learning partner, and USAID’s Policy LINK. Policy LINK, in particular, has played a pivotal role in leading the design and rollout of the leadership program’s coaching component, contributing to the holistic development of the CALA participants.