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From the Senegal River Valley to Nairobi, and from rice fields to photo exhibits—this month’s newsletter highlights how diverse actors are coming together to address food systems challenges with practical tools, shared learning, and bold ideas. Whether through multi-stakeholder dialogues, seed funding, or creative storytelling, this season of engagement reflects the growing momentum behind inclusive and systems-minded transformation.

Explore upcoming events, new opportunities to connect, and partner-led initiatives shaping the path toward healthier, more equitable food systems.

– Communications Team @NFP

Updates and Announcements

Photo courtesy of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya

Food Innovation and Partnership on Display in Kenya

During the recent Dutch trade mission on Sustainable Agriculture to Kenya, Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Reinette Klever witnessed how food innovation—driven by female entrepreneurs—is reducing food loss and improving nutrition. Highlights included NatureLock’s preservation technologies and DSM-Firmenich’s nutrient-smart applications.

NFP is supporting these efforts by connecting Dutch and Kenyan partners to co-develop scalable solutions—from insect farming to cold chain innovations—that strengthen local food systems.

Integrated Soil Salinity Management in the Senegal River Valley
A partnership led by AfricaRice, Deltares, WUR, and MetaMeta, with ISRA Saint Louis and ANCAR, and supported by NFP and NWP, is co-developing field-tested solutions to manage salinity in rice-based systems. The initiative combines local knowledge and technical expertise to strengthen productivity and climate resilience across the Senegal River Valley.

Read More About this Initiative

Young chickens at the Centre d'Impulsion pour la Modernisation de l'Elevage (CIMEL) in Senegal, Image Courtesy of RVO

Turning Manure into Business
To better understand the business opportunities of using organic streams—including manure—in the poultry sectors of Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, a unique study was commissioned in 2023 by LVVN and NFP. Conducted by Circle Economy Foundation with Dr. Makhtar Diouf and Mr. Pevanny Yeo, the study reveals significant untapped circular opportunities. It provides the first system-level overview of poultry sector flows, uncovering where valuable organic material is being lost—and where innovation can make a difference.

Read the Study

Food Systems E-Course: Introducing New Elements and Formats
The sixth edition of the Food Systems E-Course—organised by Wageningen University & Research and NFP—launched on 24 February with over 800 participants from more than 40 countries. This year’s edition introduces updated content and new formats aimed at accelerating transformation in diverse and often fragile food system contexts.

In her opening remarks, Wilma van Esch, Head of Food & Nutrition Security at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted how the course has evolved over six years—continually integrating new perspectives to meet emerging challenges.

Full Details on NFP Connects

Network Event Report: CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program

In a recent session co-hosted by NFP and CGIAR, partners explored what it takes to scale agricultural innovations in ways that are inclusive, effective, and systems-aware. Key takeaways included the need for enabling environments, shared ownership among stakeholders, and blended finance to bridge the “missing middle”—where innovations often stall before reaching full impact.

The event spotlighted insights from the CGIAR Research Initiative on Innovation Scaling, with contributions from research institutes, private actors, and development organisations. Discussions highlighted the importance of adaptive, locally driven approaches that move beyond top-down models.

Read the Full Report

Nutrition for Growth Summit 2025

In the lead-up to the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, NFP and partners are highlighting the urgent need for sustainable financing in food and nutrition systems. During a recent NFP Network Briefing, key stakeholders called for renewed action on long-term commitments and locally led solutions—particularly in fragile contexts where access and equity remain at risk.

The summit offers a moment to align funding with impact, elevate food systems within the nutrition agenda, and ensure accountability to the communities most affected.

Read the Full Article

"One who has eyes is not told where to look"

Invisible Hands Shaping the Food System – Exhibit & Reflections
A photo exhibition developed by Brink for NFP’s World Food Day is on display at WUR (Impulse) through 7 April. The exhibit explores the role of informal markets and food workers in shaping everyday food access—often unseen but essential. It invites reflection on power, visibility, and inclusion across food systems.

See the Online Exhibit

Opportunities

Global Partnership for the True Price of Food – Seed Fund 2025
The True Pricing Seed Fund, launching April 14th, invites partners to co-develop actions that lower the true social and environmental cost of food. Applications will close on 10 May 2025.

Full Details & Application

Register to Join the Biodiversity & Food Systems Community
Biodiversity is critical to building resilient and healthy food systems. This new thematic community will offer a space to exchange knowledge, explore new collaborations, and elevate biodiversity within food systems thinking and practice.

Join the Community on NFP Connects

Events

True Cost Accounting Summit, Rome

The TCA Accelerator, member of the UNFSS True Value of Food Initiative, is organizing a True Cost Accounting Summit, hosted by FAO. This groundbreaking Summit will unite global leaders to identify priority actions for scaling TCA and transforming food systems by 2030.

Dates: April 15-16. Location: Rome, Italy. More Details.

Financing the Future of Food – Learning Events in Kenya
How can finance drive meaningful change in food systems? In 2025, NFP and partners will explore this question through a new series of quarterly Learning Events in Kenya. Kicking off on 4 April in Nairobi, the sessions will bring together public, private, and non-financial actors to unpack transformation scenarios and identify practical entry points for collaboration. Each session aims to foster shared understanding and bold partnerships—building the enabling conditions needed to finance the future of food. Register here.

NFP @ CGIAR Science Week | 7–12 April 2025

CGIAR Science Week is a premier event that brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to accelerate action toward resilient and inclusive food systems. The 2025 edition will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, and offers a platform to explore how science, innovation, and partnerships can help tackle interconnected challenges in food, land, and water systems. NFP will participate in a range of dialogues and sessions, sharing perspectives on partnership building and systems thinking as essential components of transformation. Click here for session details.

Register Now: SeedNL Annual Event 2025

Join fellow seed and food system professionals on 24 June in the Netherlands for a day of exchange, dialogue, and forward-looking action. This year’s event will explore how the seed sector can contribute to climate-resilient and inclusive food systems. Register here.

Mark your calendars! NFP’s World Food Day event returns on 16 October 2025, bringing together partners from across sectors for a day of connection, creativity, and co-creation around food systems transformation. More details—including the theme—will be announced soon.

Arthur van Schendelstraat 500
Utrecht, 3511MH, The Netherlands