On 14th November 2024, a press conference held at the Palace Hotel in Arusha marked the official opening of applications for the highly anticipated Journalist Sustainable Food System Awards. This collaborative initiative, spearheaded by MVIWAARUSHA in partnership with the Island of Peace (IDP) and the Center for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CARI), aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding journalistic efforts in promoting sustainable food systems, agricultural resilience, and environmental stewardship.
The application process, which runs from 14th to 28th November 2024, was launched in the presence of journalists, media professionals, and key stakeholders from the agricultural and environmental sectors. The press conference was an important moment in highlighting the pivotal role that the media plays in advancing public understanding of sustainable agriculture and the pressing issues surrounding food security, climate change, and biodiversity.
Key Highlights of the Press Conference
The press statement was read by Imani Hezron, the Secretary of the Awards Preparation Committee, who outlined the goals and significance of the awards. According to Hezron, the initiative is designed to highlight the vital role that journalists play in shaping the narrative around sustainable food systems and agriculture. He emphasized that the awards aim to encourage and reward media professionals for their contributions to raising awareness about critical topics such as agrobiodiversity, climate resilience, and traditional agricultural practices.
Following the reading of the statement, Damian Sulumo, the Programs Officer at MVIWAARUSHA and the Awards Coordinator, provided additional clarifications. Sulumo explained that the awards would recognize excellence in three specific categories:
- Best Reporting on Agrobiodiversity/Agroecology
- Best Feature on Traditional Seed Systems
- Best Story on Climate Resilience in Agriculture
Each category seeks to acknowledge journalists who have made significant contributions to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and innovations, particularly those that support food security and resilience in the face of climate change.
Sulumo further highlighted the importance of these awards in fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable food systems within the media landscape. “By spotlighting these key issues, we aim to inspire more impactful reporting that will drive positive change in the agricultural sector,” Sulumo said.
About the Awards
The Journalist Sustainable Food System Awards seek to honour journalists who have demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment in covering stories that highlight innovative agricultural practices and environmental sustainability. These awards are particularly focused on the following themes:
- Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology: The award for Best Reporting on Agrobiodiversity/Agroecology will recognize journalistic work that highlights sustainable farming practices, the conservation of biodiversity, and the promotion of agroecological solutions that benefit both farmers and the environment.
- Traditional Seed Systems: The Best Feature on Traditional Seed Systems will recognize articles or features that explore the importance of preserving traditional seed varieties, the role of indigenous knowledge in agriculture, and the resilience of traditional farming systems in a changing climate.
- Climate Resilience in Agriculture: This category aims to reward stories that address the impact of climate change on agriculture and highlight adaptive strategies farmers are using to build resilience and ensure food security in the face of environmental challenges.
Application Process
Journalists interested in applying for the Journalist Sustainable Food System Awards can submit their entries through an online application form, which will be available on the awards website. The submission window runs from 14th to 28th November 2024, allowing ample time for journalists to prepare and submit their best work.
The awards ceremony, scheduled for the first week of December 2024, will recognize winners in each category with prizes and certificates, offering an opportunity to honour outstanding reporting on crucial issues related to sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Conclusion
The Journalist Sustainable Food System Awards represent an exciting opportunity for journalists to showcase their impactful work in the realms of agrobiodiversity, climate resilience, and traditional agriculture. Through this partnership, MVIWAARUSHA, Island of Peace (IDP), and CARI hope to encourage more in-depth, solutions-oriented reporting that will play a vital role in shaping the future of food security and sustainable agricultural practices in Tanzania and beyond.
The awards promise to be an exciting platform for journalists to contribute to one of the most pressing global challenges—creating a sustainable and resilient food system for the future.
For more information on the awards or to apply, journalists can visit the official awards website www.mviwaarusha.or.tz