• Building prosperity through entrepreneurship and partnerships
    Feb 17 2025

    Welcome to Roots to Foods, where we explore innovative solutions at the intersection of food, business, and social impact. In this special episode, Building Prosperity through Entrepreneurship and Partnerships, we sit down with two visionary leaders driving change in global food systems: Sarah Farley, Vice President at the Rockefeller Foundation, and CD Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation & Global Head of Social Impact at PepsiCo Inc.

    Join us as we discuss how strategic collaborations, innovative funding models, and entrepreneurship can create sustainable prosperity—boosting livelihoods, strengthening food security, and fostering inclusive economic growth. Tune in for insights on how partnerships are shaping the future of food and development in Africa.

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Oceans of Opportunity: Unlocking the Potential of the Blue Economy
    Dec 16 2024

    Welcome to RootsToFoods, the podcast exploring food systems, entrepreneurship, technology, and climate adaptation. I'm your host, Ovidiu Bujorean, Sr. Technical Director at AV Ventures, the impact investing arm of ACDI VOCA.

    Our oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface, yet their full economic potential remains largely untapped. From sustainable aquaculture to innovative financing and transformative partnerships, the blue economy offers opportunities to drive economic growth, combat climate change, and create livelihoods—all while protecting marine ecosystems.

    In this episode, we’ll unpack the practical steps needed to unlock these opportunities. We’ll look at challenges, innovative solutions, and real-world success stories that can inspire action across industries and communities. Let’s set sail on this fascinating conversation!

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Celebration of World Food Day
    Oct 16 2024

    In this special World Food Day episode of the Roots to Food podcast, we explore critical issues surrounding global food security and sustainable agriculture. Featuring expert guests, Ambassador Mark Green, President and CEO, The Wilson Center and Katherine (Katie) Meighan, Chief Legal and Governance Officer; Associate Vice-President External Relations Department Ai, IFAD - United Nations.

    The episode dives into how we can address food insecurity, climate change, and economic challenges through innovative approaches in the agricultural sector.

    The conversation touches on how to close the growing food gap in developing countries, emphasizing the need for better access to nutritious food. The guests also discuss the impact of climate change on food systems and share practical, climate-smart solutions that help farmers adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

    Be sure to share and join the conversation using #RootstoFoodPodcast!

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Scaling Agribusiness Ventures: Opportunities And Challenges In Taking African Agriculture To The Next Level
    Sep 25 2024

    Welcome to another episode of the Root to Foods podcast!. The session, titled “Scaling Agribusiness Ventures: Opportunities and Challenges in Taking African Agriculture to the Next Level,” explored the vast potential and significant hurdles involved in expanding African agribusiness. As Africa looks to transform its agricultural sector, scaling up operations and integrating advanced technologies are critical. The session, featuring a panel of experts including Dr. Mima Nedelcovych, Chairman of AfricaGlobal Schaffer, Hon. Mr. Matthew Miller, Director of Agribusiness Investments at U.S. DFC, Eren K., Chief Investment Officer at the African Development Bank Group, Mrs. Colleen Zamba, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Republic of Malawi. Dele Odufuye, Vice President and Country Director at Cavista Holdings, and Mr. Ovidiu Bujorean, Sr. Director of Investments, Innovative Finance at ACDI/AV-Ventures.

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • From Food Insecurity to Thriving Agribusinesses – The Case for a U.S.-Africa Strategic Agribusiness Partnership
    Aug 29 2024

    Welcome to another episode of the Root to Foods podcast!. In this episode, we’ll delve into "From Food Insecurity to Thriving Agribusinesses – The Case for a U.S.-Africa Strategic Agribusiness Partnership." As we confront the pressing challenges of food insecurity and agricultural instability, it becomes increasingly clear that forging strategic partnerships between the U.S. and Africa could be a game-changer. We examined how these collaborations can not only address the immediate needs of food security but also build resilient agribusinesses that drive sustainable growth.

    Join us as we uncovered the potential for transformative change, discuss successful case studies, and envision a future where strategic partnerships pave the way for thriving agribusinesses and food security across the globe.

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Women-Focused Agritech Innovations
    Jun 17 2024

    Welcome to another episode of the RootsToFoods podcast.

    In this episode, we delve into the technologies, tools, and services designed specifically to empower women farmers and entrepreneurs. Our discussion will highlight how these innovations improve women’s access to crucial resources like information, finance, market opportunities, and enhance their roles in decision-making processes. From mobile apps that democratize market data to platforms that facilitate micro-loans, we're unveiling the women who are making a real difference.

    We’re also showcasing several case studies of successful women-focused agritech projects. These stories not only illustrate the positive impacts on women's empowerment but also demonstrate how these innovations support climate-smart agriculture practices, ensuring sustainability and resilience in farming communities.

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Scaling Up AgriTech Ventures Across The Africa Continent With CHATGPT
    Apr 8 2024

    Welcome to Roots to Foods. In today’s episode, "Scaling Up AgriTech Ventures Across The Africa Continent, we have an extraordinary guest today: ChatGPT from OpenAI. With its vast knowledge and insightful analysis, ChatGPT will help us understand the current landscape of AgriTech ventures in Africa, the opportunities for scaling up, and the challenges that lie ahead.

    Join us as we uncover the innovative solutions and inspiring stories at the intersection of agriculture and technology on the African continent.

    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • Scaling Up AgTech Ventures with Ayodeji Arikawe, CEO of Thrive Agric
    Mar 26 2024

    Join us on our this episode as we dive deep into the heart of agricultural innovation with Ayodeji Arikawe, the visionary CEO of Thrive Agric. Together, we explored the challenges, triumphs, and groundbreaking strategies behind scaling up AgTech ventures across the African continent. Discover how technology and agriculture converge to create sustainable solutions for food security, economic growth, and how Thrive Agric is leading the charge. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on the RootsToFoods Podcast. Tune in to gain valuable insights into transforming challenges into opportunities in the AgTech landscape.

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins