The 2024 Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report was launched recently with a compelling message from IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui. During the launch, Dr Ehui highlighted IITA and CGIAR’s essential role in driving agricultural innovation, improving food security, reducing poverty, and tackling the growing challenge of climate change globally.
Speaking at the launch in Washington, Dr Ehui said CGIAR, through its 14 centers, has been instrumental in advancing agricultural research for decades.
“We are at the forefront of pioneering innovations transforming agriculture worldwide,” he said, pointing out how CGIAR’s efforts are centered on five key impact areas—climate adaptation, environmental health, gender equality, nutrition, and poverty reduction.
He underlined that these goals align closely with global efforts to combat food insecurity and to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
CGIAR’s contributions, according to Dr Ehui, are vital in addressing these challenges through targeted innovations that enhance total factor productivity (TFP)—a measure of how efficiently agricultural inputs are used to produce outputs.
According to Dr Ehui, CGIAR has been transformative in developing new crop varieties, digital farming tools, and climate-smart technologies. These innovations have changed the landscape of agriculture, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change.
He cited examples of disease- and drought-resistant crops and biofortified crops like vitamin A-rich cassava, which have revolutionized food production in sub-Saharan Africa. These innovations reduce input costs and help farmers adapt to the challenges posed by several factors, including climate variability.
Dr Ehui emphasized the importance of strong regional partnerships and how IITA uses its deep-rooted presence in Africa to build a network of partners sharing the vision of a food-secure Africa.
“At IITA, we are committed to improving food systems across the continent by focusing on genetic innovations, resilient agrifood systems, and scaling agricultural technologies. Our work at IITA and CGIAR is supported by a network of collaborations with national governments, research institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector,” he added.
Through these partnerships, IITA and other CGIAR centers’ research is adapted to meet local needs, ensuring that agricultural innovations are scalable and sustainable. “Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in delivering these technologies to the last mile,” he said, adding that these collaborations allow IITA and CGIAR to address the unique challenges facing smallholder farmers.
Highlighting four key messages during his presentation, Dr Ehui mentioned how CGIAR centers are advancing agricultural productivity through innovation, bridging the gap between innovation and adoption by smallholder farmers, contributing to the SDGS, and providing policy support for sustainable agricultural growth globally.
While stressing that effective policy frameworks are crucial for unlocking the full potential of agricultural productivity tools, Dr Ehui called for strategic investments in agricultural infrastructure, research, and capacity-building initiatives. He also emphasized the importance of digital tools and precision farming technologies in driving long-term agricultural growth, adding that without targeted financial commitments and policy support, these innovations could fail to reach the last mile—smallholder farmers.
As the 2024 GAP report features the importance of increasing agricultural productivity, Dr Ehui’s message offered a roadmap on how the global community can work together to ensure that the world’s food systems are productive, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.
He urged global leaders and stakeholders to commit to collective efforts in building resilient and sustainable food systems. “The future of global food security is in our hands,” he declared. “Through collaboration, commitment, and innovation, we can cultivate a world where food security is a reality for all.”
Contributed by ‘Timilehin Osunde
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