The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) honoured three research and farming institutions from Brazil, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe, the first conferred under a new FAO Awards programme.

The Champion Award and Partnership Award were presented by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu at a ceremony held during the Organization’s 170th Council meeting on June 13th, 2022. The Council is FAO’s highest governing body meeting in between the full Conference which takes place very two years.  

The Netherlands' Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and the Foundations for Farming (FfF) of Zimbabwe, shared the $10 000 Partnership Award.  

The FfF “has engaged with local communities and relevant stakeholders to improve people’s lives by responding to their needs and rights,” the Selection Committee noted. It pointed to how initiatives led by the FfF demonstrated evidence of impact, helping nine million Zimbabweans achieve household food security for less than $1 per week and how FfF has developed its Pfumvudza concept which involves farming significantly less land and increasing natural soil fertility, and improved management and farming standards.

Dr. Matthew Mbanga, our alumna gave a short acceptance speech where he started by saying “first and foremost, thank you to our Heavenly Father,” in Shona (Zimbabwean language). We are very thankful for Matt's life and ministry in Zimbabwe. Huge congratulations for him and for the organization!

You can read more about Foundations for Farming HERE.

The announcement of the winners could be find on the FAO Awards WEBSITE.

The complett FAO news release is HERE.