A new book by Deogratias Niyonkuru from Burundi, offers a large number of ideas and food for thought about the condition of African smallholder farmers. One key message: Farmers are not sufficiently involved in the decision-making processes that concern their future. The book will be presented at a GRIP meeting on 12 January in Brussels. Read on

Cabo Verde has reported almost no harvests for the 2017-18 agricultural season because of a severe drought. According to the Cadre harmonisé analysis, some 28 000 people (5.3%) are currently facing food insecurity. Following a call for assistance from the Cabo Verde government, several partners mobilised additional support to address the crisis. Read more Read on

Conflict, drought and food price inflation are the main causes of food insecurity in Nigeria. The Boko Haram conflict has displaced massive numbers of people and has put more pressure on food resources in the northeastern part of the country, where violence is leading to a decline in agricultural production and is depriving farmers of stable incomes. Nutrition interventions need to be extended across the country, and involve related issues, such as maternal nutrition. Read on

COP23 opened in Bonn, Germany, on 6 November. Africa, which is extremely affected by climate change, is at the centre of the discussions – a fact highlighted by the creation “Africa Day” during this edition, which is organised jointly by the AfDB, the African Union, UNECA and NEPAD. The continent’s core concern is its ability to put the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), which were announced at COP21 in Paris, into operation from a financial perspective. This issue was discussed in the West African context at a side event organised on 9 November by CILSS, ECOWAS, UEMOA, BOAD and OIF. Read on