Date: July 8, 2024
Venue: African Union Commission (AUC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – July 8, 2024: In a pivotal moment for Africa’s agriculture research and innovation, H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) at the African Union Commission (AUC), hosted Dr. Aggrey Agumya, the Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), for a high-level meeting on July 8th, 2024. This crucial engagement took place at the AUC headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the future of Africa’s agricultural research and development was at the forefront of discussions.
Commissioner Sacko warmly welcomed Dr. Agumya to the AUC, expressing her commitment to reinforcing the strategic partnership between the AUC and FARA. The meeting was a platform to highlight the progress and achievements of FARA-hosted programmes of the African Union and align on key areas for future collaboration.
From left to right, CAAPs and FARA M&E Coordinator Anselme Vodounhessi, FARA Executive Director Dr. Aggrey Agumya, AUC DARBE Commissioner H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko and FARA Ag. Director for Research and Innovation
Significant updates included (i) the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA), the Africa fertilizer and Soil health Action Plan (AFSH-AP) and the Nairobi Declaration of May 2024, with detailed discussions on preparations for implementation, funding, and roadmap development; (ii) the Common Africa Agro Parks (CAAPs) Programme, where discussions focused on recent progress, ongoing consultations, and engagements with funders. The strategic importance of CAAPs for agricultural transformation in Africa was underscored as a critical initiative.
(iii) the African Seed and Biotechnology Partnership Platform (ASBPP), where discussions focussed on the Partnership for Integrated Seed Systems in Africa (PISSA) and the platform efforts to mobilise investments in PISSA; (iv) the involvement of FARA in the process of crafting the Post-Malabo agenda and in its implementation including the CAADP research and innovation strategy; (v) the Africa climate smart agriculture initiative which is currently in early stages of conceptualisation.
The high-level dialogue included H.E. Commissioner Sacko and senior advisors from AUC, key personnel from FARA, including Dr. Aggrey Agumya, and Dr. Wole Fatunbi and Mr. Anselme Vodounhessi from FARA. Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to driving strategic initiatives that will lead to sustainable agricultural transformation across Africa. HE Commissioner Sacko, emphasized her determination to strengthen Africa organizations to lead the realization of the vision for Africa agricultural development, i.e., CAADP.
Commissioner Sacko emphasized, “This meeting marks a significant step forward in our collaborative efforts with FARA. Together, we are committed to addressing the critical challenges and leveraging opportunities to transform agriculture in Africa.”
This engagement underscores the AUC and FARA’s unwavering commitment to enhancing African agricultural research and development. It signifies a strengthened partnership to foster sustainable agricultural practices and promote economic growth across the continent.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
About FARA:
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex organization for agricultural research and innovation in Africa. It is a technical organisation of the African Union Commission and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) on matters concerning agriculture research and innovation. It provides a continental platform for advancing the deployment of science, technology and innovation towards achievement of the national, regional and continental food systems and agriculture transformation targets. FARA’s mission is to contribute to the sustainable improvement of food security, incomes, resilience and environmental management in Africa through the improvement of agricultural systems’ productivity, competitiveness, markets and agricultural ecosystems.
About AUC-ARBE:
The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) at the African Union Commission (AUC) is responsible for driving the African Union’s agricultural and rural development agenda. The department focuses on enhancing food security, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering economic growth through agriculture and rural development.
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