By: Bridget Kakuwa, Benjamin Abugri & Alida Nadinga
October 15 – Sally, Senegal—The vibrant discussions of the CAADP-XP4 Consortium echoed through the halls of the Rhino Resort Hotels & Spa as representatives from across Africa gathered for a crucial Joint Portfolio Review and Planning Meeting from October 13 to 15, 2024. The air was charged with anticipation as stakeholders aimed to finalize strategies for the project’s final year, focusing on sustainable agricultural development and the integration of pressing issues such as agroecology and digitalization.
In opening remarks, Mr. Amine Belhamissi, IFAD Technical Advisor, set the tone for the meeting by stressing the need for clarity in communication. “We need to know the SROs’ priorities. It appears that you know what your priorities are, but you have not clearly communicated what we need to know,” he stated. His call for establishing robust communication channels resonated with the audience, underscoring the importance of collaboration for collective success.
Dr. Emmanuel Njukwe, Director of Research, CORAF.
Dr. Emmanuel Njukwe, Director of Research of CORAF expressed gratitude to the consortium members for their contributions, celebrating the shared commitment to impactful agricultural initiatives. “By fostering partnerships and focusing on emerging issues like agroecology and digitalization, the CAADP-XP4 consortium is ensuring Africa’s agricultural future remains resilient and adaptable to global challenges,” said Dr Njukwe Emmanuel, Director of Research and Innovation of CORAF. “The no-cost extension will give us the time and resources needed to maximize the project’s impact and prepare for a successful transition beyond 2025.
Prof. Oluwole Fatunbi, Acting Director of Research and Innovation. FARA
Adding to the spirit of collaboration, Prof. Oluwole Fatunbi, Acting Research and Innovation Director at FARA reflected on the power of joint efforts. “Our collective work must push us to engage more actively in continental frameworks, ” he said.
Dr. Lillian Lihasi, AFAAS
The meeting also provided a platform for Dr. Lilian Lihasi of AFAAS to advocate for unity in purpose. “If you want to go far, you must move with others,” she remarked. “We believe we can only be as strong as our weakest link. Mobilizing resources together is essential as CAADP-XP4 ends; our deliverables will speak for us and pave the way for our next steps.”
Dr. Baitsi Podisi, CCARDESA
Dr. Baitsi Podisi from CCARDESA emphasized the importance of inclusivity, acknowledging the significant strides made despite challenges. “CCARDESA is committed to the CAADP-XP4 mandate,” he stated. “We have learned immensely from our interactions with regional partners. Gender is a key area for us, and I applaud the Gender Technical Working Group for its achievements. We must push for deliberate recruitment of women and affirmative action.” Dr. Podisi also said, “We are excited to launch the soil initiative in the CCARDESA region, and we have also reinforced our alignment with the post-Malabo agendas, ensuring that our work translates into real benefits for SADC Member states.”
Mr. Benjamin Abugri, speaking on behalf of FARA’s Director of Research and Innovation as part of closing remarks, highlighted the necessity of visibility for the consortium’s efforts. “As we approach the final year, it’s essential that we prioritize all key deliverables,” he urged. “Aligning our strategies with agroecology and digitization is crucial. Our achievements must be visible—they serve as proof of our existence for future projects.” Said Mr Abugri.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Moses Odeke, Acting Programme Director from ASARECA, reinforced his commitment to the meeting’s decisions. “Failure is not an option; we must succeed in this venture,” he asserted, thanking CORAF for its role in the gathering. His playful invitation to a “revenge visit” to his country added a lighthearted note, exemplifying the camaraderie developed during the meeting.
The meeting yielded a strong collective resolve to enhance resource mobilization and strategic partnerships. The path forward for the CAADP-XP4 Consortium appeared bright, with members expressing optimism about leveraging their collaborative successes to drive innovation and sustainable agricultural practices across the continent.
As the meeting came to a close, the CAADP-XP4 Consortium emerged with a set of pivotal outcomes that will shape its final year and ensure the sustainability of its initiatives. Participants reached a consensus on the strategic need for a one-year no-cost extension, allowing more time to finalize essential tasks and incorporate emerging priorities such as agroecology and digitalization into the project framework.
The consortium collectively agreed on a detailed final work plan that integrates both existing and new priority areas, ensuring that the project remains relevant to current agricultural needs. Additionally, a structured approach for project closure was outlined, complete with timelines for report submissions and preparations for the European Commission audit, all in alignment with the latest guidelines.
The discussions culminated in the formulation of a forward-looking sustainability strategy that emphasizes resource mobilization and strengthens partnerships with key stakeholders, particularly One-CGIAR.
This strategy aims to enhance synergies among consortium members and formalize working arrangements under the AARIEIs framework. Furthermore, a comprehensive joint program plan was established to guarantee that all deliverables are met before project closure, ensuring the consortium’s efforts leave a lasting impact on agricultural research and development across Africa. With these outcomes, the CAADP-XP4 Consortium is well-equipped to advance its mission and foster continued collaboration in the years to come.
An expert in the field of agriculture, Dr. Wole Fatunbi, has identified low household income, poor social capital, low educational level and Nigeria gross domestic product (GDP) as the factors responsible for food insecurity affecting Nigeria while also stating that the Federal government is not sincere with the allocation of the countries budget for agriculture.
Dr. Fatunbi of the Forum of Agricultural Research In Africa (FARA) Ghana stated this while delivering a keynote address during the 2024 National Soil Summit held at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IART) Ibadan.
While speaking at the summit with the theme Soil Information Management: Challenges, Perspectives and Possibilities for Sustainable Land Use and Food Security, he maintained that the Federal government needs to take proactive measures to tackle food shortages and develop partnership for capacity building.
While enumerating the factors that will boost food security, Dr. Fatunbi stated that partnership for capacity building on soil information science, promotion of the research of experts, enhancement of the existing political will to have soil information system are capable of boosting food security.
Other factors according to him, include the establishment of national soil information system, supporting tools from the soil information system and the development of the policies of researchers for data sharing and data use.
The Chief host, Vice Chancellor Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Prof. Simeon Bamire who was represented by the Dean, faculty of agriculture Prof. Akeem Tijani stated that proper education on the importance of soil to healthy crop, advocacy and concrete actions in the field are the best way to maintain healthy soil and that water management strategies formulation and implementation as well as soil survey and land evaluation remain the best way to achieve soil information system.
“The role of IART as an institution with national mandate for soil research over years has contributed to developing improved soil management technologies affordable and adaptable to agro-ecologies of Nigeria.
“The potentials of the institute in research for development has endeared the government and private organisations to rely on her services in the area of soil and agro chemical testing / validation, soil and water management strategies formulation and implementation as well as soil survey and land validation” he remarked.
While welcoming the experts in the field of agriculture to the summit the Director of IAR&T, Prof. Veronica Obatolu emphasised that soil is experiencing a yearly decline despite the availability of improved technologies.
This, according to her has led to increased food insecurity, environmental challenges and economic crisis, she however added that addressing the ongoing issues affecting sustainable land use and agricultural development in the country is crucial at this moment.
“Soil often overlooked is the unsung hero of our ecosystem, it provides 95 per cent of our food, filters our water and regulate the climate, yet soil degradation affects over 33 percent of global land, affecting human health, food security and economic stability” she stated.
Prof. Obatolu disclosed that the summit represents a pivotal moment in various stakeholders’ innovative collective journey to enhance soil health and fertility and to promote sustainable agriculture practices and to foster resilient ecosystem and communities.
In his remark the Minister of Agriculture who was represented by the Oyo State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Florence Kakulu commended the leadership of IAR&T, especially Prof. Veronica Obatolu for working in the line of the ministry to achieve food sufficiency and urged her to continue working with other sister institutions and collaborate with the Federal Government to achieve food sufficiency.
She said the theme of the summit is in tandem with the Federal Government plan to boost food sufficiency in the country and urged Nigerians to utilise any little space within their homes to plant domestic crops.
The summit was supported by Indorama, GIZ, Soil values, SASAKAWA Africa Association and OCP.
African Union Commissioner, Ambassador Josefa Correia Sacko was honoured in Fez, Morocco by the Moroccan Association Baouabate for her exceptional commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience on the continent.
The African diplomat was honoured on the Moroccan National Women’s Day. She stressed that this recognition is an important stage in her professional career and is testimony to the tireless and selfless work she has devoted to transforming agriculture in Africa.
“Professional recognition is essential to motivate and strengthen the team’s confidence, we create stronger bonds and drive a cycle of overcoming and growth, which is a motivating factor,” she emphasised.
During the 10th edition of the ‘Fez Gate’ Trophy, which aims to honour exceptional women and men in the Cherifian Kingdom, the ‘Bouabate Fes’ association awarded a dozen personalities for their actions, each in their field.
According to the organisation’s president, Leila Bennis, these personalities pay tribute to all the Moroccans who fight every day for a strong and prosperous Kingdom.
‘Our Association honours them, celebrates their achievements and their performances,” she said.
Several prizes were awarded to personalities from different fields of activity, including the ‘Woman of the Year’ trophy to the former Minister and President of the Guelmim Oued-Noun region, Mbarka Bouaida, for social entrepreneurship and the media trophy to journalist Khadija Sansar.
In the ‘Art and Culture’ and ‘Magistracy’ sections, the trophies were awarded respectively to the artist-painter Houda Gueddar and Malika Ibnou Zahir, President of the Chamber of the Court of Cassation, and the Jury’s special prize was awarded to the EUROMED University of Fez.
On the sidelines of the Biashara Afrika 2024 Forum, Mr. Anselme Vodounhessi, Coordinator of the Common African Agro-Parks #CAAPs Programme, held a high-level discussion with His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou, Champion of the AfCFTA, on the development of #CAAPs zones in Africa within the AfCFTA framework.
During the meeting, His Excellency Issoufou underscored the significance of the #CAAPs programme in addressing Africa’s agricultural challenges, specifically pointing out that the continent spends over 70 billion euros annually on food imports. He reaffirmed his support for the #CAAPs agenda and committed to advancing it under the AfCFTA, recognizing it as crucial for Africa’s economic independence in the agro-industrial sector.
A key topic of discussion was the development of a #CAAPs Zone for Livestock in the Tri-Border Region of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. His Excellency stressed the urgency of this initiative, given its potential to strengthen local economies, improve food security, and mitigate regional tensions.
His Excellency emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration to ensure the success of the #CAAPs initiative in unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential through the AfCFTA framework.
We are pleased to invite you to the DeSIRA CONNECT Days Western Africa, Central Africa & Madagascar, which will occur from September 24 to 26, 2024, at the ISSER Conference Hall, University of Ghana, Accra.
This event is organised by the European Commission through the DeSIRALIFT initiative and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).
About the Event:
The DeSIRA CONNECT Days bring together African and European organisations involved in research and innovation for sustainable agriculture and various stakeholders in the region and Africa, including NGOs, farmer organisations and policymakers.
This three-day event is designed to share lessons and outcomes from DeSIRA (Development-Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture) projects and explore pathways for scaling innovations in agricultural and food systems.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a series of dynamic activities to present their projects; jointly reflect on key topics including participatory innovation with civil society and the private sector and mechanisms for responsible innovation; discuss the role of research in agricultural innovation, education, knowledge and job creations as well as in policy making.
The event is the second in Africa after the one organised last July during the Science and Partnerships for Agriculture Conference – SPAC – in Kigali, Rwanda.
It will provide participants with insights on innovation mechanisms and scenarios for a climate resilient agriculture – healthy for the planet and the people – to build a long-lasting impact on food security, poverty alleviation, and socio-economic and gender-balanced inclusion while protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.
The DeSIRA Connect Days will feed the broader agenda of EU-Africa and other international initiatives, policies and strategies in support of sustainable agriculture and food systems
For more information, updates, and the full event program, please visit the DeSIRA website or contact us at [email protected]
Virtual Registration
You can join us online by pre-registering for the event via the Zoom Link below
Media representatives are invited to join us for the opening and closing ceremonies on Tuesday 24th at noon and Thursday 26th at 1 pm. For specific requests, please contact [email protected] copying [email protected] and [email protected].
The DeSIRA Initiative aims to promote innovation in agricultural and food systems to support sustainable transitions and improve resilience to climate change in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Through participatory research and multi-stakeholder engagement, DeSIRA projects drive innovation to enhance food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) coordinates agricultural research for development (AR4D) across Africa. Established in 1997, FARA unites fragmented agricultural research systems to strengthen them under a shared agenda. Based in Accra, Ghana, it supports continent-wide initiatives like the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and represents Africa in global forums.
