Resilient Agriculture and Food Security
OVERVIEW
From May 20 - 24, 2025, Global New Orleans hosted “Resilient Agriculture and Food Security” for participants from countries across Africa and Haiti. The program explored strategies to enhance food systems, promote sustainability, and support agricultural innovation through visits and exchanges with local leaders in Louisiana’s agricultural, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Meetings were held with the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the ByWater Institute, as well as visits to the Sankofa Community Development Corporation and cultural institutions such as the Historic New Orleans Collection. The program emphasized collaborative approaches to agricultural resilience in the face of climate and economic challenges. The group also engaged with local community members during a coffee and networking event at St Noir Café hosted by Global New Orleans.
PARTICIPANTS
Mure AGBONLAHOR
Senior Officer, Agricultural Production and Marketing Department, African Union Commission
Hamza BECHIHI
Secretary-General, Souk Ahras Chamber of Agriculture
Wanderley RIBEIRO
President, Angolan Agriculture Livestock Association (AAPA)
Salimata TRAORE
Professor and Researcher, Thomas Sankara University
Fayçal BIANRIF
Farmer and Agricultural Entrepreneur
Salimata TOH
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AgriBanana
Vilaire GUERRIER
Senior Manager, External Cooperation Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, National Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR)
Juliana MWANGI
Plant Health Inspector, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Ibrahima Khalil SABALY
Program and Technical Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Equipment, and Food Sovereignty (MARE)
Mohamed SECK
Chief Executive Officer, MAS Agri
Lucas MALEMBO
Founder and Managing Director, Malembo Farms
Lydia MHORO
Assistant Lecturer, Sokoine University of Agriculture
Nadia FARHAT
Chief Engineer, Horticulture and Deputy Director, Agricultural Communication and Information, Agricultural Extension and Training Agency (AVFA)
Mouna MECHRI
Chief Engineer, National Institute of Field Crops
