The webinar opened with warm remarks from the moderator, Mabel Lum Shu, who welcomed participants and set the tone for a highly interactive learning experience. She underscored the importance of creating collaborative spaces where practitioners can co-create, share, and reflect on what works in knowledge partnerships. In her words, “the vibrancy of our community depends on how well we listen, adapt, and innovate together.”
One of the session’s highlights was a presentation by Benjamin Abugri, KM, Digitalisation and Learning Lead at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Facilitator of the KM4AgD CoP. Drawing from field experiences and community engagements, Benjamin presented six practical ingredients for building and sustaining successful Communities of Practice. These included: setting clear goals, establishing a learning plan, assigning a moderator or facilitator, using social media and forums for communication, equipping members with collaboration tools, and supporting emerging communities to maintain momentum. He illustrated how these components have been applied within the KM4AgD CoP to strengthen participation and impact. “By nurturing emerging communities,” he noted, “we spread innovation and sustain momentum within our knowledge ecosystem.”
The keynote address was delivered by Krishan Bheenick, a globally respected Knowledge Management consultant. In a deeply reflective and engaging presentation, Krishan traced the evolution of KM in agricultural development from early institutional frameworks to present-day knowledge ecosystems. Using the “KM Tree” model and an ecosystem-based approach, he emphasised the need for strategic alignment, capacity building, and modular planning within KM networks. Krishan encouraged participants to shift from seeing KM as a support service to recognising it as a strategic driver of transformation. He proposed the development of SMART, modular work packages within CoPs that can be celebrated as collective achievements and used to attract new members and partners.
His presentation also introduced the idea of Information, Communication, and Knowledge Management (ICKM) outputs, categorised as communication products, information products, and knowledge products. These, he argued, should be tailored to different levels of stakeholder engagement: global, regional, national, community, and organisational. This approach, rooted in the principle of subsidiarity, allows for more meaningful engagement and storytelling across the agricultural research and development landscape.
The webinar further benefited from insights shared by several eminent guests, including Professor Andreas Brandner, Executive Director of the Knowledge for Development Partnership (K4DP) and Professor Annette Nabatanzi of the Knowledge for Development Centre at Makerere University Business School. Their reflections highlighted both the global relevance and local nuances of KM practice in Africa, emphasising the need for trust-building, shared learning, and institutional ownership.
A significant milestone during the webinar was the launch of the 2025 KM4AgD CoP Survey Report, presented by Bebel Nguepi of YPARD Cameroon. The report captured emerging trends in KM practice, revealing that while the tools and technologies have evolved, core challenges such as engagement, capacity gaps, and institutional integration remain persistent. Upile Faith Muhariwa (Malawi) served as rapporteur for the session, ensuring that the learning points were well documented.
The technical smoothness of the event was made possible through the expert support of Allan Shaquille Pennaneach and Prince Owusu, who handled the digital logistics and participant engagement with professionalism and precision.
In closing, the session reaffirmed the role of KM4AgD as a dynamic platform for collective learning, innovation, and policy influence. As Africa continues to navigate complex development challenges, the importance of well-structured, inclusive, and collaborative KM partnerships cannot be overstated. By drawing on best practices and adapting to context, the KM4AgD CoP continues to offer a blueprint for how knowledge can be mobilised to transform agriculture and livelihoods across the continent. With FARA, CAADP-XP4 partners (CORAF, ASARECA, CCARDESA, AFAAS), INTERFACES and the CGIAR, the CoP remains committed to inclusive, evidence-based, and sustainable KM practices.
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (Ghana), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has emphasised the need for science-driven solutions and innovation in combating land degradation and building climate resilience.
Speaking at the INTERFACES Status Seminar in Accra , Dr Muhammed highlighted the pressing issue of sustainable land and natural resource management, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where soil erosion, erratic rainfall and diminishing soil fertility threaten ecosystems and livelihoods.
Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (Ghana), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed
The Minister stressed that “science and innovation must drive efforts to address land degradation and promote sustainable development”. He also affirmed the need for scientific research to inform decision-making, implementation and empowerment, rather than remaining confined to academic circles.
Commitment
Dr Muhammed reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening research and development, citing initiatives that support sustainable enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He called on government agencies to enhance communication and collaborative partnerships to unlock private capital and advance the scientific community.
He commended the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) for its continental leadership in agricultural innovation and policy support and assured the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for FARA’s work.
“I commend the five projects that have come together here today for their transdisciplinary approaches that bring together science, policy and community action. By integrating local knowledge with advanced tools such as drone technology, and engaging all stakeholders—from traditional authorities to academia—these projects set a benchmark in participatory land governance,” the Minister said.
Seminar
The seminar, funded by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, was attended by over 120 leading researchers, policymakers and practitioners.
It aimed to foster transdisciplinary exchange on sustainable land management, climate resilience and agricultural innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A section of stakeholders and participants during a research presentation workshop session at the Sustainable Land Management in Sub Saharan Africa Status Seminar 2025
It highlighted four major research projects—COINS, DecLaRe, Minodu and InfoRange—as well as the INTERFACES initiative, which fosters collaboration between institutions in Germany and several African countries.
The seminar also offered a platform to showcase research outcomes and foster dialogue among diverse stakeholders, from scientists to traditional authorities, youth representatives and development partners.
Participants explored how collaborative knowledge development and innovation can bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, building stronger connections between Africa and Europe.
Government plans
Speaking at the event, the Social Sector Policy Advisor to the Vice President, Dr Miriam R. Iddrisu, said the government had outlined a holistic strategy to enhance agriculture and encourage sustainable land use.
She indicated that, aligning with national development priorities and international climate responsibilities, the government’s efforts focus on empowerment, resilience and inclusive economic growth.
Dr Iddrisu noted that the government was dedicated to making agriculture appealing to young people and women through skills training, financial access and technology-driven opportunities.
Social Sector Policy Advisor to the Vice President, Dr Miriam R. Iddrisu
“Government is instituting Women in Agriculture, a dedicated initiative aimed at improving women’s access to land, finance and business development opportunities, advancing gender equity and structural inclusion,” she said.
She emphasised that the government had also placed strong emphasis on empowering small-scale and vulnerable farmers through inclusive planning and targeted assistance, such as the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” poultry project under the Feed Ghana Programme, to boost local poultry production and reduce import dependence, with a focus on supporting smallholder and youth farmers.
INTERFACES Project and leadership
For his part, the Executive Director of FARA, Dr Aggrey Agumya, highlighted the significant progress made by the INTERFACES project in promoting sustainable land management and addressing critical issues related to land degradation, soil health and inclusivity.
Dr Agumya explained that the project, financed by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space, aims to connect individual projects focusing on specific aspects of sustainable land management.
He stressed the importance of bringing issues of soil health, land degradation and erosion to the attention of policymakers and the general public.
Executive Director of FARA, Dr Aggrey Agumya
Highlighting Ghana-specific initiatives, Dr Agumya said, “The project is mainly based in Ghana’s Northern Region, focusing on outreach, knowledge management and capacity development.”
“The project addresses issues of soil fertility management, inclusivity and land tenure, particularly regarding women’s access to land. It also focuses on youth engagement and gender issues related to land management,” he said.
Dr Agumya added that the project’s engagement with traditional leadership was a novel aspect, particularly in the context of land governance. He said the project also partners with local institutions, universities and traditional authorities, recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in land management.
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has disclosed that government is engaging development partners and evaluating proposals aimed at reclaiming lands devastated by illegal mining activities, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
Speaking at the INTERFACES Status Seminar held in Accra, Dr. Muhammed emphasised that reclaiming degraded lands is not a one-off event but a long-term process that requires scientific input, stakeholder collaboration, and sustained investment.
“We are engaging partners to come up with means by which we can reclaim those lands. It needs scientific work and substantial investment. Even if you reclaim the land and do not do it well, they cannot use it for farming because the topsoil—which contains the nutrients—would have been destroyed,” he stated ,referencing farmlands used for illegal mining.
He revealed that several proposals had been received and were currently under evaluation.
Sustainable land management
Dr. Muhammed called for a shift towards sustainable land management and climate-smart agriculture, warning that land degradation has severe economic implications.
Alternative funding sources
He linked the rise in Ghana’s import bill for rice and poultry—from US$500 million in 2016 to over US$3 billion by 2025—to poor agricultural productivity due in part to degraded lands.
“When we spend billions importing what we can produce, it affects the economy, job creation, and livelihoods,” he noted.
He highlighted the role of research in reversing land degradation and promoting responsible agricultural practices. To that end, he announced the launch of Ghana’s first Science and Technology Forum, to be held bi-annually, bringing together academia, research institutions, and the private sector to translate research findings into actionable solutions across sectors including agriculture.
The Minister also applauded the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), based in Ghana, for its leadership in agricultural innovation, capacity building, and knowledge management across the continent.
Commitment
He reiterated government’s commitment to creating an enabling policy environment for the mainstreaming of research-based solutions and building local capacity through partnerships that prioritise knowledge transfer over mere financial aid.
Status Seminar
The Status Seminar 2025, funded by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), FARA and the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, convened over 120 experts from across Africa and Europe to exchange knowledge on inclusive and climate-resilient land management in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Organised under the INTERFACES project, the event highlighted FARA’s role in advancing sustainable land use through capacity building, knowledge management and policy engagement.
It featured key outcomes from projects such as COINS, DecLaRe, Minodu, and InfoRange, showcasing how locally adapted solutions—driven by collaboration among researchers, communities, and policymakers—are helping address critical challenges like soil degradation, gender inequality, and food insecurity.
Gender disparities in land governance
Delivering an address on behalf of the Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Dr. Miriam Iddrisu highlighted the urgency of addressing gender disparities in land governance across Sub-Saharan Africa.
She stressed that sustainable land management and climate resilience are unattainable if women remain excluded from foundational systems such as land governance.
She said while women constitute nearly half of the agricultural workforce, their access to land, credit, and decision-making remains severely constrained.
“This gender gap is not only unfair, it is inefficient and detrimental to economic and environmental sustainability,” she emphasised.
Alternative funding sources
Legal and cultural barriers, she noted, continue to prevent women from owning or inheriting land, with their voices largely absent in land-related policymaking.
As such, called for deeper collaboration among traditional authorities, researchers, civil society, and policymakers to advance inclusive reforms, while reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to thrive in agriculture, with land as a platform for empowerment, productivity and resilience.
Strategic partnerships and FARA’s role
For his part, Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, reiterated the importance of strategic partnerships in turning agricultural research into real-world impact.
“We stand at a crossroads. Our agricultural systems, particularly those led by smallholder farmers, are facing serious threats—from degraded soils and low productivity to climate-related shocks and weak institutional support. Strategic collaboration is no longer optional; it is essential,” he noted, underscoring the power of collaboration in addressing degraded soils, climate change, and food insecurity.
He highlighted FARA’s leadership role in the INTERFACES initiative—driving knowledge management, science communication, and capacity strengthening across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Agumya also celebrated the achievements of INTERFACES Knowledge Management Fellows and reaffirmed FARA’s commitment to building resilient agricultural systems through inclusive innovation, institutional support and youth engagement.
He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Ghana for its sustained support to FARA, including hosting its Secretariat within the CSIR enclave and the recent commitment to provide a dedicated office space to enhance FARA’s operations.
The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region, Ghana, in collaboration with Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS), Germany, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), has officially launched an E-Certificate Programme in Sustainable Land Management.
The ceremony took place at the University’s Auditorium, Multipurpose Building, and was jointly officiated by the Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, and Prof. Wiltrud Terlau, Head of the International Centre for Sustainable Development at H-BRS. The event drew members of faculty, management, and senior staff, including the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong.
The E-Certificate Programme is the outcome of a strategic partnership between the two universities, aimed at delivering short, specialised courses at UESD. The courses, which will run for six weeks to three months, include modules such as Land Information Management Systems and Evolution of Traditional Governance Structures, Climate-Smart Land Management, Gender and Land Rights and Sustainable Land Use Planning. The programme is open to students, alumni, and practitioners in the field.
In his remarks, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and UESD Coordinator of the INTERFACES Project, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah, outlined the roadmap that guided the development of the curriculum. He acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Peter Asare-Nuamah and other collaborators from H-BRS and partner institutions across Africa and Europe. He further noted that the programme will be hosted on UESD’s Learning Management System, making it accessible to policy practitioners, students, and professionals in land governance across the region and beyond.
Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson (Vice-Chancellor, UESD)
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nyarko-Sampson, commended the team for successfully launching the programme, describing it as a major step in UESD’s mission to lead in sustainability-focused education and innovation. He expressed optimism that the programme will attract a high calibre of applicants interested in advancing sustainable land management practices.
Prof. Wiltrud Terlau, Head of the International Centre for Sustainable Development at H-BRS
Prof. Wiltrud Terlau also expressed her delight at the collaboration, stating that the initiative exemplifies the importance of transdisciplinary knowledge co-creation and capacity building in sustainable land use and governance, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa. H-BRS actively partners with Universities around the world, especially in Africa, to promote capacity building and sustainable development through education and research. It works on sustainability, transdisciplinary research, and international cooperation, such as the collaboration with UESD).
Written by Tezira Lore, Communication Officer, ILRI
Stronger institutional partnerships and knowledge co-creation will accelerate the digital agricultural revolution towards global food security, according to speakers at a side event on digital agriculture during the inaugural CGIAR Science Week that took place in Nairobi, Kenya from 7–11 April 2025.
Digital agriculture is the use of digital tools to collect, analyze, and share data and information in agriculture to increase food production efficiently and sustainably.
Discussions at the side event focused on how CGIAR centres and partners from the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme ex-Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4) consortium are using digital platforms for knowledge sharing, learning, and engagement, and how best to leverage these platforms in the CGIAR Research Portfolio 2025–2030.
Poko Alida Nadinga from the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and Michael Victor from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) co-facilitated the session.
Opening remarks
In his opening remarks, Ram Dhulipala, interim director of the CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator, stated that in this age of digital innovation, it is only through partnership can we co-create knowledge.
On his part, Silim Nahdy Mohammed, executive director of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), lauded the shared commitment to harness the power of knowledge co-creation and collaborative partnership for digital empowerment and cultural revolution in Africa.
In a series of short presentations, partners from the Forum for Agricultural Research In Africa (FARA) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) highlighted digital innovations in agricultural knowledge management and learning.
Knowledge co-creation
Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management, Digitalization, and Learning Specialist at FARA, presented on the knowledge management partnership of CGIAR and CAADP-XP4 that led to the development of the African Agricultural Research Innovation and Education Space (ARIESpace) repository, a DSpace-based knowledge management system for African agricultural knowledge, based on best practice from CGIAR’s CGSpace repository.
“The power of co-creation and collaboration is at the centre of this digital innovation. We are focused on enhancing local ownership, facilitating adaptive learning, and building sustainable systems.” — Benjamin Abugri
He called for investment in interoperable systems, scaling up capacity for evidence and informed decision making, and institutionalizing communities of practice.
ICTforAg Learning Network
Andrea Gardeazábal Monsalve, who leads digital monitoring and innovation at CIMMYT, presented on collaborative innovation in digital agrifood systems through a learning network that is providing farmers with access to knowledge.
The ICTforAg Learning Network is a collaborative platform developed by CIMMYT under the CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation to strengthen stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange in digital agrifood systems.
“We have learnt that mentorship works but it needs incentives like recognition and visibility.” — Andrea Gardeazábal Monsalve
The next steps are to onboard more communities of practice and innovations, launch multilingual onboarding kits, expand mentorship to national partners, track knowledge flows with better analytics and pilot flexible engagement formats.
AgroTutor Academy
Satish Nagaraji, ICT for Development Specialist at CIMMYT, shared on AgroTutor Academy, a WhatsApp-based learning management system that delivers bite-size courses to farmers, taking advantage of a mobile phone app that many farmers and extension workers use daily.
The innovative platform is a component of the ICTforAg Learning Network that enables extension services, local organizations and projects to create and host courses to engage with target audiences and build their capacities, using WhatsApp as a delivery channel.
“It’s not a WhatsApp group but it’s a learning management system. It can be used in any language, which means language is not a barrier.” — Satish Nagaraji
The network provides support on onboarding of knowledge partners, course ideation and structuring, course dissemination and tracking of the learners’ progress through analytics.
Panel discussion
A brief panel discussion to reflect on the presentations brought in additional perspectives.
‘At the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, one of the apps we have is the Fisher Friend Mobile App. It has gone through 54 iterations over the last 10 years or so, all based on the needs of the fishermen, state governments and other stakeholders. I think the reason for its success has been that element of co-creation, feedback and continuous improvement. So, any of these learning modules cannot be static.’ — Soumya Swaminathan, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation
‘If you want to get these things to the farmers and to the next generation, you’ve got to have the farmers here in the room.’ —Matt Manning, DevGlobal
‘KM [knowledge management] is not just about creating. It’s about the learning, the loops, the interaction… The value of knowledge does not decrease when it is shared or consumed; we want “tariff-free” knowledge sharing. We should remember that knowledge is not power; sharing is power.’ —Peter Ballantyne, ILRI and CGIAR
‘FARA is an enabler for national institutions to make sure that knowledge is available because national institutions have been struggling with three problems: availability, accessibility and useability of knowledge. Funding for research is reducing so focus on scaling for impact.’ —Boniface Akuku, World Bank consultant
Nairobi, Kenya — April 9, 2025 | 14:30 – 16:00 EAT | CR6, CGIAR Science Week Venue
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the African Agricultural Research, Innovation and Education Institutions (AARIEI), including ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF and AFAAS, with technical support from CGIAR-ILRI are pleased to announce the official launch of the Africa Agriculture Space (AARIEI Space) Repository during the upcoming CGIAR Science Week side event titled:
“Synergies for Accelerating the Digital Agriculture Revolution through Knowledge Co-Creation and Collaborative Partnerships”
📍 Innovation Showcase | CR6 Room | Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Event Details: https://events.cgiar.org/synergiesforacceleratingthedig
The AARIEI Space Repository (https://aaspace.org/home) is a cutting-edge digital knowledge repository powered by DSpace, developed to strengthen Africa’s agricultural knowledge ecosystem. As a collaborative initiative among key AARIEI partners, it provides a scalable and interoperable infrastructure for managing and sharing knowledge resources across African research and education institutions.
Backed by the experience of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in managing the CGIAR-wide CGSpace platform, this initiative is a cornerstone of the broader strategy to bridge knowledge gaps, promote best practices, and ensure last-mile knowledge delivery across the continent.
What to Expect at the Launch
Live Demonstration of the AARIEI Space platform and its features
Insights into the KM4AgD Framework and its integration with AARIEI efforts
Strategic reflections from leaders and experts from FARA, ILRI, CIMMYT, and other CAADP-XP4 partners
Interactive discussions on digital knowledge sharing and partnerships for inclusive agricultural development
This side event will feature thought-provoking contributions from speakers, including:
Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director, FARA
Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management Lead, FARA
Michael Victor, Head of Communications & Knowledge, ILRI
Andrea Gardeazábal Monsalve, MEL Manager, CIMMYT
Satish Nagaraji, ICT for Development Specialist, CIMMYT
Join us as we unveil this bold step toward enhancing institutional knowledge mandates, accelerating digital agriculture, and creating a truly connected African agricultural innovation system.
