In a historic move to drive continental synergy across the board among key stakeholders in Africa, CGIAR Africa Regional Directors and Center Director Generals from AfricaRice, ICARDA, ILRI, and IITA, and the CEO of CIFOR-ICRAF recently paid a courtesy visit to the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.
The high-level mission led by the CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa and IITA Director General Dr Simeon Ehui met with the AfDB President to discuss potential areas for collaboration and support. The meeting focused on the relevant developments made in One CGIAR Africa, the expanded support for TAAT, and the issues around future transformation initiatives on soil health, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, tree crop selection, agroforestry, water scarcity issues (particularly in North Africa, Sahel, and other dry regions), and advanced livestock genomic solutions in animal health, breeding, and feeding.
Welcoming the CGIAR team, Adesina said it is delightful to see African leaders at the forefront of CGIAR initiatives on the continent, adding that the dire issue of 283 million Africans going hungry every year is a situation that calls for increased collaborative efforts.
Stressing the importance of delivering research results directly to end-users at scale, Adesina called for strategizing efforts towards solutions that are beneficial to millions.
Speaking on the significance of the Regions and Partnerships directorate and its structure for CGIAR in Africa, the CGIAR team highlighted the increased prominence of CGIAR centers on the continent, adding that AfDB’s contribution to the CGIAR reform under the leadership of Adesina, particularly concerning the hosting of Abidjan I and II consultations and the communique signed by AfDB, African Union Commission (AUC), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and CGIAR.
During discussions on the areas of collaboration, including the ongoing planning and discussions towards expanded support to the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) in TAAT3, CGIAR’s role in Dakar 2 implementation, Adesina cited TAAT successes in Ethiopia’s self-sufficiency in wheat led by ICARDA, the adoption of drought-resistant maize led by CIMMYT, and cassava productivity led by IITA. He noted that CGIAR’s contributions were pivotal in enabling regions around the world to feed themselves, emphasizing the role of TAAT in supporting the Feed Africa Initiative.
With the meeting marking a significant step for strengthening collaboration between CGIAR and AfDB towards agricultural transformation and food and nutrition security for Africa, CGIAR and AfDB are progressing on strategic efforts, including support for sustainable, climate resilient agriculture and green economy initiatives in Africa.
Contributed by Timilehin OsundeContributed by
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