IITA received a delegation from Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Mali on 4 April. The visit’s objective was to understand better the different activities financed by the Norwegian government and executed by IITA in Mali and Niger for the Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies (CSAT) project and Ghana, Niger, and Mali, for the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) project. Norad Director General Bard Vegar Solhjell led the delegation.

IITA-Mali, through the CSAT project, is an important partner in implementing Norway’s agricultural cooperation programs in Mali. The visit followed a first field visit of CSAT activities in September 2021, led by May-Guri Saethre, Norad’s special advisor for climate change and food security activities in Mali and Niger.
Coordinators of the two projects shared insights with the Norad delegation, showcasing the evolution and impact of the projects.

IITA Sahel Africa Hub Director Tahirou Abdoulaye explained how the Institute and its partners are working to improve rural livelihoods through a detailed presentation of the achievements of the CSAT projects. IITA Molecular Entomologist Rousseau Djouaka highlighted the BSF project, especially IITA’s strategy for the bio-circular economy (BCE), whose objective is to reduce, reuse, and recycle organic waste.

The project uses black soldier fly larvae to produce a range of poultry and fish feed products and high-quality compost to fertilize the fields.
A presentation of local products produced to promote youth and women’s entrepreneurship development of the CSAT project and a demonstration of the BSF mobile unit also marked this visit.
Abdoulaye thanked Mr Solhjell and the delegation, noting that the visit was an indication of the Norwegian government’s support in tackling climate change and food security, which IITA is committed to fighting daily.
Contributed by Fatoumata Dolo
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