Nairobi: Agricultural journalists play a crucial role in shaping how Africa understands and embraces innovation in agriculture. Through their reporting, they translate complex science into stories that farmers, policymakers, and investors will need to act on. African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Project Manager Vitumbiko Chinoko said this during the first of its kind World Congress of International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) 2025 held in Nairobi last week.
According to Kenya News Agency, IFAJ is a global non-profit organization representing over 5,000 agricultural communicators in 60 countries and brings together global journalists who shape conversations around sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental stewardship. Chinoko emphasized the importance of journalists in elevating farmers' voices and holding institutions accountable to ensure equitable and transparent progress. He highlighted the essential role media plays in breaking down misinformation and fostering understanding about biotechnology, sustainability, and climate resilience.
Chinoko, one of the keynote speakers at the three-day congress, emphasized that without media, scientific breakthroughs would remain confined to laboratories. He added that AATF acts as a bridge between innovation and impact, enabling equitable access to climate-smart and biotechnological solutions, improved seeds, and mechanization for smallholder farmers across 24 African countries. He noted that with media support, these innovations can travel across borders, inspire confidence, empower communities, and expand reach to more farmers and countries.
AATF considers media a vital partner in accelerating Africa's agricultural transformation and aims to make media engagement a core strategy component. Chinoko stressed the organization's commitment to co-creating communication initiatives, such as farmer-centered documentaries and policy dialogues, to amplify Africa's progress towards food and nutrition security. He expressed optimism that the conference would highlight the realities of Africa's agriculture and the transformative role of technology in making agriculture equitable and profitable.
Dr. Catherine Toure, Director of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Eastern and Southern Africa office, mentioned their support for members of Media, Environment, Science, Health, and Agriculture (MESHA) in Kenya. They facilitated interactive science cafes for engaging researchers and journalists in discussions on scientific issues. She emphasized the importance of journalists as research partners who translate complex policy into relatable stories for the public.
Dr. Toure encouraged congress participants to explore new ideas and collaborations to address food nutrition security in Africa and globally through storytelling. Steve Werblow, IFAJ president, remarked on the historical significance of the congress being held in East Africa, highlighting its potential to foster impactful conversations and collaborations amid global challenges like climate change and increasing demand for food, fiber, and fuel.
Aghan Daniel, Congress Director, noted MESHA's advancements in science journalism across Africa, particularly through media caf©s that bring together journalists, scientists, and communities to strengthen credible science reporting. He emphasized the crucial role of these initiatives in enhancing understanding and fostering progress.
Kenya's agriculture sector, contributing about 21.3 percent of the nominal GDP, plays a vital role in the country's economy. The government has implemented interventions to enhance the performance of priority value chains under the agriculture pillar of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).