This year’s Africa Green Revolution Forum, attended by over 3000 African and International Agriculture and Nutrition leaders – including heads of state and ministers – featured a strong Nestlé presence, led by R&D Abidjan and RSA Sub Saharan Africa.
Headlining on a panel entitled “Healthy Diets – From Aspiration to Reality”, featuring stellar figures in the world of nutrition such as World Food Prize laureate David Nabarro and Africa Food Prize laureate Ruth Oniango, Nestlé R&D Abidjan Centre Head Joëlle Abega-Oyouomi profiled the Centre’s work in valorizing African raw materials into nutritious, fortified cereal products suited to African tastes and pockets.
Meanwhile, in “Raising Food Safety and Quality Standards", a panel event opened by African Union Rural Economies and Agriculture Commissioner Josefa Sacko, Nestlé RSA Sub Saharan Africa Regional Head John Bee outlined the West African Grains Improvement programme, reducing aflatoxin contamination in locally sourced grains so that they can meet our stringent quality and safety standards; while generating extra income for tens of thousands of farmers, at least half of them women.
According to Joëlle, “this is the first time Nestlé has been invited to this prestigious event, and we were one of the only private sector actors to represent this time, which positions us as a clear leader in providing safe, nutritious food for African individuals and families”.