As part of continued efforts to foster greater synergy with national partners in Africa, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, held high-level meetings with key stakeholders in the Republic of Benin to strengthen partnerships and align agricultural innovations with national development priorities.
Accompanied by a delegation, Dr Ehui met with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui; Director of Cabinet, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Orou Hermann Takou, and State Minister for Development and Coordination of Government Action, Abdoulaye Bio Tchané.
Dr Ehui also met with a World Bank Country Office team in Benin, led by Nestor Coffi, the Country Manager, and Nazaire Idrissou Houssou, a Senior Economist.
As part of efforts to explore areas of interest in research and capacity development, Dr Ehui met with Prof. Agossou Bruno Djossa, Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Agriculture, during which discussions focused on youth engagement and academic exchange opportunities.
These engagements gave insights into how IITA’s research efforts can better align with Benin’s agricultural transformation agenda. Discussions covered critical areas such as capacity building for national systems, integrating IITA technologies into national programs, youth engagement, and expanding the reach of climate-smart innovations.
During his meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Dr Ehui emphasized IITA’s commitment to co-develop agricultural innovations with national partners. “Our mission is to support Benin’s agricultural agenda by aligning our research innovations and expertise with the country’s needs through improved varieties, youth empowerment, capacity development, or climate-smart farming practices,” he said.
These strategic meetings highlight IITA’s dedication to strengthening ties with government institutions, academic partners, and development agencies to accelerate agricultural development, improve food security, and scale technologies across the country.
Contributed by ‘Timilehin Osunde
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