Accra, Ghana – The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) welcomed stakeholders from across the continent to Accra for the Regional Meeting for Africa on the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP). The gathering, held under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), focused on strengthening capacity development to address Africa’s agricultural challenges.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, lauded participants for their commitment to advancing TAP’s agenda despite the busy end-of-year season. “Your choice to prioritize this meeting is a testament to your unwavering dedication to improving African agricultural systems,” he remarked.
Dr. Agumya thanked the FAO for partnering with FARA to host the event. He also reflected on his personal association with TAP, tracing its evolution from concept to operationalization. “I was privileged to witness TAP’s journey from its inception at the G20 meeting in Paris in 2011 to its official launch in 2012 during the G20 Chief Agricultural Scientists’ meeting in Guadalajara, Mexico,” he shared. He credited FAO’s leadership for transforming the idea of TAP into a globally recognized initiative.
A central theme of the meeting seeks to address the capacity challenges that hinder agricultural development in Africa. Dr. Agumya highlighted the paradox of underutilized resources in agriculture. “While funding is often cited as a constraint, many countries face difficulty absorbing available resources due to capacity gaps. These gaps are not just about numbers but also about fragmentation within the agricultural sector,” he explained.
He pointed to an imbalance in Africa’s research ecosystem: “National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) receive 75% of research funding but possess only 25% of the research capacity. Meanwhile, universities hold 75% of the capacity but receive just 25% of the funding.” Dr. Agumya called for greater integration between universities and research institutes to unlock Africa’s potential in research and innovation.
The timing of the workshop was noted as particularly significant, coming just ahead of the launch of the CAADP-Kampala roadmap. Dr. Agumya commended TAP for engaging the African Agricultural Research and Innovation Institutes (AARIEIs) in validating the next phase of its strategy. “This roadmap belongs to all of us. Its successful implementation will be crucial in scaling up TAP’s tools and methodologies across the continent,” he emphasized.
He reaffirmed FARA’s commitment to addressing capacity challenges in Africa’s agricultural sector. “By harnessing the research capacity in our universities and aligning it with national priorities, we can drive the transformative change needed to meet Africa’s agricultural goals,” he said.
About TAP
The Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP) is a G20 initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural capacity development worldwide. Focusing on fostering collaboration and innovation, TAP has become a key partner in addressing the systemic challenges facing agriculture in Africa.
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