From 25 to 28 June 2025, FARA and IDOS, through the INTERFACES Project, had the privilege of attending the 10th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS) in the vibrant city of Prague, Czech Republic. Hosted for the first time in Central Europe, ECAS 2025 was a historic gathering that marked the 10th anniversary of this prestigious forum. Under the theme “African, Afropolitan, and Afropean Belongings and Identities”, the conference brought together a rich diversity of scholars, practitioners and policy makers from around the globe to present and discuss possible solutions to crucial issues. The conference offered a dynamic platform to explore the evolving complexities of African identities across geographic, cultural and political spaces.

The opening ceremony which saw the participation of over 400 participants, was graced by the presence of a representative of the Minister of foreign affairs, Czech Republic, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, the outgoing and incoming presidents of the African Studies in Europe (AEGIS) and many other representatives from universities, development partners and research institutes in Europe, Africa and from across the other continents. The Dean expressed utmost gratitude to the organising team and acknowledged the curiosity and eagerness of participants in deepening their knowledge and exploring growth opportunities. “Our curiosity and drive to understand the world have never been deterred by distance,” he stated. The representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the value of participation from African-based scholars in contributing to collectively understanding African, Afropean and Afropolitan realities. “Issues cannot be tackled if we misunderstand their true complexities and substance”, he highlighted.

Summary of Conference Events and Presentations

The preliminary list of panels for the ECAS 2025 side events revealed a vibrant and diverse programme, comprising 116 thematic panels and more than 900 individual presentations. These presentations were delivered by a wide range of contributors, including scholars, researchers, and practitioners from over 40 countries across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. The programme reflected a strong interdisciplinary orientation and an inclusive academic culture that bridges continents, perspectives, and generations.

A significant number of presentations explored issues related to identity, belonging, and mobility. These discussions engaged deeply with the complexities of African, Afropolitan, and Afropean identities as constructed through migration, diaspora experiences, digital engagement, and generational memory. The notion of belonging—whether physical, cultural, or emotional—is interrogated through various lenses, including student mobilities, gendered narratives, and intergenerational transitions.

Decolonization and epistemic justice emerged as central themes across many panels. Presenters delved into efforts to decolonize African studies by challenging Eurocentric curricula and advocating for the recognition and integration of indigenous knowledge systems. These conversations were coupled with critical reflections on research methodologies and positionality, especially in complex or conflict, prone field contexts.

Environmental justice and climate change were also dominant concerns. Presenters highlighted the intersection of ecological degradation, resource conflicts, indigenous environmental governance, and climate, induced migration. Discussions ranged from the politics of green energy and extractivism to local conservation practices and community, based adaptations to climate stress.

Health and care systems were widely addressed, with sessions focusing on traditional medicine, cancer care, reproductive health, mental wellbeing, and health technologies such as drones. These topics were examined both in terms of access and the social dynamics of caregiving, often linking healthcare to broader cultural and political frameworks.

Political cultures, governance, and conflict, related issues also featured prominently. Panels investigated African political systems, state fragility, populist movements, and responses to global geopolitical shifts. Other presentations explored militarization, peacebuilding, African sovereignty, and citizen engagement, offering nuanced insights into how power is contested and negotiated in diverse African settings.

Digitalization and technology, related themes are gaining increasing scholarly attention, as evident in presentations on digital economies, social media, artificial intelligence, and digital activism. These conversations reflected on how Africans are using technology not only to build livelihoods and identities but also to resist exclusion and articulate alternative futures.

Ms. Cecile Poitevin of Center for Development Research (ZEF)

Gender and feminist perspectives cut across multiple panels, bringing attention to the lived experiences of African women, constructions of masculinity, LGBTQ+ identities, and the gendered dimensions of migration, care, and cultural production. These themes were analyzed in relation to social norms, political agency, and structural inequality.

The arts, culture, and literature panels offered rich engagements with African and diasporic storytelling, creative expression, and the politics of memory. Presenters employed innovative formats such as autoethnography, performance, and visual art to examine cultural production and resistance. These sessions demonstrated how artistic practices serve as powerful tools for narrating identity, contesting colonial legacies, and reimagining belonging.

Urbanization and development were explored through discussions on informality, infrastructure, city, and the evolving dynamics of African urban life. Presentations reflected on how people navigate, contest, and shape their urban environments in the context of global development narratives and local aspirations.

Science to Policy Communication Session

Sometimes, as researchers, we find it challenging to share or communicate our research with policymakers. The use of complex and technical language (jargon), the absence of actionable recommendations and the long and dense formats of research findings sometimes hinder the uptake of research in decision, making.  The ability to bridge the gap between research and policy and between researchers and policymakers is crucial in addressing some of the global challenges confronting the world. This session, organised by the Nordic Africa Institute, delved into the Whys and Hows of Science to Policy Communication, providing practical tips for researchers and communicators on how to impact policymakers. It threw more light on issues such as mapping your target groups, combining texts and visuals and choosing the right channels. This session was a great eye-opener as it laid emphasis on the need to ‘wear the shoes’ of the policy makers and understand that there is a dire need to design publications in formats that are suited to fast paced policy environments where decisions are made quickly.

FARA & IDOS Event on the theme “From agricultural knowledge to innovation and adoption: Empowering smallholder farmers”

Organized by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and moderated by Benjamin Abugri and Theodore Asimeng, this session sought to discuss measures for strengthening innovation systems and adoption among African smallholder farmers. It focused on three main challenges:

• Mainstreaming indigenous knowledge through participatory processes
• Promoting gender, responsive innovations
• Fostering youth, specific solutions
  

  Dr. Theodore Asimeng of German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

As one of the lead papers, Mabel Shu from the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Coordinator of the KM4AgD CoP presented on ‘Bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice through Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in African agriculture’. Her presentation highlighted the growing value of IK in addressing climate, biodiversity, and land management challenges, while noting its continued marginalisation. Findings from a Knowledge Café revealed key pitfalls, such as the exclusion of Indigenous Communities from research and policymaking, and the undervaluing of their contributions. Good practices included inclusive policymaking, community participation, and scientific validation of IK. A case study on the Zai pit system illustrated IK’s practical value. Mabel recommended respectful engagement, legal protections, and stronger partnerships to ensure IK is recognised, protected, and integrated into development efforts.

Mabel Shu from the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Coordinator of the KM4AgD CoP

Other most intriguing presentations were those specifically addressing gender power dynamics and gender-responsive innovations in agriculture. One of them was the session on Gender Power Dynamics and Farmers’ Decision, Making in Sustainable Farm Management in Northern Ghana, that offered great insight into some of the everyday inequalities shaping agricultural practices. The presentation revealed that in many rural Ghanaian communities, gender is not just a social identity but a determinant of access to agricultural resources and authority from childhood through adulthood.

It traced how gendered roles begin early where boys typically inherit agricultural knowledge from their fathers, gaining hands-on experience and eventual decision-making authority over land and resources while girls on the other hand, are often socialized into supporting roles, with limited access to land, fewer agricultural options and constrained mobility. As women grow older, their challenges compound. Access to capacity, building opportunities remains unequal due to sex, segregated training programs and time constraints from household duties. Even in adulthood, men are more likely to control financial resources, prioritize the family farm, and move freely between markets, further reinforcing their dominance in sustainable decision, making.

The session on Gender, Responsive Innovations in Agriculture: Bridging North and Sub-Saharan Africa for Smallholder Empowerment spotlighted the urgent need to realign agricultural innovation with the lived realities of women farmers. Drawing on case studies from Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia, the discussion exposed how entrenched barriers such as insecure land tenure, gender, biased extension systems, and a disconnect between formal knowledge systems and local practices continue to limit women’s agricultural potential. Yet, amidst these challenges, local innovations are emerging with global relevance.

In addition to these, other sessions addressed youth participation in agriculture, bridging the gap between research, policy and practice through indigenous knowledge and features of grassroots agricultural innovation in Africa. Panellists broke down complex issues into simpler ones with the aim of addressing the root causes rather than symptoms.

Local solutions, global lessons

Major takeaways from the session were the following:

• Prioritise women’s land rights and access to agricultural resources
• Tailor extension services to meet women’s unique needs and time constraints
• Promote participatory innovation development that values local knowledge
• Facilitate knowledge exchange between North and sub-Saharan Africa to bridge systems and strategies
• Recognize women’s agency as central to driving sustainable agricultural change
• Farmer gendered social position influences adoption of sustainable practices
• Consider how conflict and insecurity impact gender roles in agriculture

These conversations offered a hopeful reminder that building resilient, inclusive agricultural systems demands more than technical solutions; it requires addressing the deeply embedded social and structural barriers that shape who gets to participate, lead and benefit from agricultural resources.

Overall, the ECAS 2025 demonstrated a robust commitment to interdisciplinary, decolonial, and participatory scholarship. There was a strong emphasis on intergenerational dialogue, community engagement, and the centrality of lived experiences in shaping research. The diversity of voices, themes, and methodological approaches reaffirms the conference’s relevance as a global platform for critical reflection and forward-looking conversations on Africa and its diaspora.

The post From Knowledge to Impact: FARA and IDOS Showcase Innovation for African Smallholders at ECAS 2025 appeared first on FARA Africa.

On June 20, 2025, the Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) Community of Practice (CoP) held its Bi-Monthly webinar under the theme “Best Practices in Building and Sustaining Effective KM Partnerships.” Organised under the CAADP-XP4 Programme, the session brought together KM professionals, researchers, development partners, and institutional leaders from across Africa and beyond to reflect on how knowledge partnerships can be strengthened to support innovation, learning, and policy engagement in agriculture.

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.

Learn more at: km4agd.faraafrica.org

Access Krishan’s Presentation at: https://aaspace.org/items/2d0d2042-39a0-45ee-a81c-19b9eaaaf52f

Join the KM4AgD CoP: https://faraafrica.community/fara-net/km4s3a/km4agd/join

The post Sustaining Knowledge Partnerships for Agricultural Transformation: Lessons from the KM4AgD CoP June 2025 Webinar appeared first on FARA Africa.

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.

Source: Daily Graphic Online

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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.

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.

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.

Source: Business & Financial Times Gh

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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.

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 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).

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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

Watch the side event recording on YouTube

Header photo: A feed calculator app can help feed producers to formulate products tailored to the size, age and weight of an animal. (photo credit: ILRI/K. Dhanji)

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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.

For More Information:

https://aaspace.org/home

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Mr. Benjamin Abugri, Cluster Lead Specialist for Knowledge Management, Digitalization, and Learning at FARA, joined experts from across the continent for a pivotal Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA-NEPAD. The three-day event, held from March 5 to 7, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, marked a major step toward preparing for the 5th Biennial Review (BR) cycle under the Malabo Declaration on Agricultural Transformation.

Dr. Janet Edeme – Head, Rural Economy Division in the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission

The workshop aimed to build the capacity of regional experts on the newly updated BR tools and data systems, focusing on enhanced coordination, improved data quality, and refined indicators.

As a participant and contributor, Mr. Abugri delivered a 20-minute presentation sharing key lessons and challenges supporting several countries across the Southern Africa region (including Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe), particularly under the leadership of CCARDESA, the lead institution for AR4D in the SADC region. These reflections were drawn from extensive engagements during the previous BR cycles and are expected to inform broader continental efforts.

Dr Godfrey Bahiigwa – Director of Agriculture and Rural Development · African Union Commission (Outgoing)

Key Challenges Identified:

• Data Gaps and Reliability: Many countries still face persistent data quality and availability issues.
• Coordination Deficiencies: Weak national-level coordination limits the effectiveness of reporting processes.
• Investment Shortfalls: Low levels of agricultural investment hinder progress towards Malabo targets.
• Limited Youth Engagement and KM Systems: Youth involvement in agriculture remains minimal, and many countries lack formal Knowledge Management (KM) systems.

Cross-Cutting Lessons:

• Strengthening national data systems and coordination mechanisms is critical.
• Boosting agricultural investment and infrastructure remains a priority.
• Fostering youth engagement and integrating KM into national digital policies are essential for sustainable impact.
• There’s a growing need to mainstream KM systems and align them with national policy frameworks.

Strategic Recommendations:

• Robust Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems at the country level.
• Establishing National Knowledge Management Partnerships and Communities of Practice (CoPs).
• Encouraging peer learning and collaboration among African countries.
• Leveraging networks such as CAADP-XP4, KM4AgD CoP, YPARD, and the Agricultural Journalist Network for shared learning and capacity strengthening.

“The challenges and lessons we identified may well be common across Africa. They provide a solid foundation as we prepare for the 5th BR and the commitments under the Kampala Declaration,” Mr. Abugri noted.

FARA’s Commitment

Representing the CAADP-XP4 Consortium (FARA, AFAAS, CCARDESA, CORAF and ASARECA), Mr. Abugri reiterated FARA’s commitment, alongside the SROs and AFAAS, to support the rollout and scaling of the BR training at both regional and country levels. FARA remains ready to play a central role in supporting national and regional efforts to improve agricultural transformation through evidence-based learning, knowledge sharing, and innovation systems strengthening.

The event was a critical milestone in building continental momentum for the next (5^th) Biennial Review, promoting accountability, and aligning efforts toward achieving Africa’s agricultural development goals.

With special appreciation to Ms. Bridget Kakuwa, ICKM Officer for CCARDESA.

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In a move poised to transform the landscape of African agricultural knowledge sharing, leading research and innovation partners concluded the “Second Workshop to Operationalize the African Agricultural DSpace Repository” this week. The three-day workshop, hosted at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus in Addis Ababa from December 11 to 13, brought together partners from CGIAR and the CAADP-XP4 network. Representatives from FARA, CCARDESA, AFAAS, CORAF, ASARECA, and CGIAR experts led by ILRI worked in concert to strengthen the African Agricultural Research and Innovation Institutions Space (AARIISpace).

The event was not merely a routine meeting of technical experts. Instead, it signaled an important step in building a robust digital platform for sharing, curating, and disseminating agricultural knowledge. The workshop served as a pivotal checkpoint, enabling partners to gauge their progress since the signing of the Knowledge Management Partnership Framework at the African Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW8) in Durban. It also laid out concrete plans for using metadata standards, integrating Indigenous Knowledge, and applying AI-driven analytics to bolster AARIISpace’s capabilities.

“By mid-2025, we expect to configure, launch, and roll out AARIISpace to a wide array of regional and national stakeholders,” said Michael Victor, Head of Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management at ILRI. “This workshop underscores our collective commitment to building a sustainable, scalable, and inclusive platform that democratizes access to agricultural research and innovation.”

Echoing these sentiments, Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management, Digitalization and Learning Lead Specialist speaking on behalf of the CAADP-XP4 Consortium, highlighted that AARIISpace “will be a cornerstone of ensuring inclusive, sustainable, and scalable impact” on the continent’s agricultural sector.

The workshop’s successes rest on a strong three-year foundation of partnership and innovation. During this period, over 50 practitioners have obtained Knowledge Management certifications through the Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) Challenges and conferences. Strategic policy dialogues and sessions—such as the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) workshop in Malawi and knowledge management training in Johannesburg—have honed the partners’ collective expertise. Knowledge-sharing fairs in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia have further spotlighted best practices and cutting-edge research outputs, while policy validation exercises have ensured that emerging strategies remain closely aligned with stakeholder needs.

In short, the workshop was the latest milestone in a vibrant ecosystem of collaborative activities. Participants leveraged ILRI’s decade-long experience with CGSpace, a proven repository platform, to shape the AARIISpace framework. The proposed common vocabularies, standardized metadata, and next-generation functionalities are all geared toward making African agricultural knowledge more accessible and usable than ever before.

Looking forward, the partners have sketched an ambitious roadmap. They have reaffirmed their commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding guiding their collaboration, extending joint activities through 2025. High on the agenda is the publication of the inaugural Africa Knowledge Management Report, as well as expanding KM4AgD Communities of Practice. Embracing subsidiarity principles, the partners plan to encourage national-level Knowledge Management policies and strategies, ensuring that insights flow smoothly from research labs to rural fields.

To cap it off, the partners aim to jointly develop funding proposals and host a global Knowledge Management Share Fair focusing on KM4AgD and AI in Africa. This event would provide a global stage for showcasing how homegrown African innovations in digital knowledge management can accelerate agricultural development.

As the workshop drew to a close, CGIAR and CAADP-XP4 Partners expressed gratitude to all participants for their dedication, expertise, and energy. The stage is now set for AARIISpace to become a beacon of agricultural innovation. However, the initiative’s full realization will require collective effort, including financial and human resources, and the sustained engagement of governments, private sector actors, and farmer organizations.

With the foundation firmly laid, the next phase of collaborative action promises to translate this synergy into tangible improvements for farmers, researchers, and policy-makers across the continent. This will ultimately cultivate a richer, more equitable harvest of knowledge and innovation for Africa’s agricultural future.

Ms. Bridget Kakuwa is Information, Communication and Knowledge Management Officer at the  Center for Coordination for Agriculture in Southern Africa (CCARDESA)

Mr. Benjamin Abugri is Lead Specialist for the Knowledge Management, Digitalization and Learning Cluster at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

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A pressing need for systematic knowledge exchange between CGIAR and African Regional Research Institutions has driven the creation of the Ukama Ustawi’s Learning Alliance (UULA), a dynamic partnership designed to bridge research findings and on-the-ground application. This ambitious initiative took center stage at a recent Solutions ShareFair in Addis Ababa at the ILRI Campus from 10-11 December, 2024 where diverse stakeholders convened to co-create practical solutions and strengthen Africa’s agrifood systems.

The UULA is anchored in the CGIAR-CAADP-XP4 Knowledge Management Framework and aims to enhance information flow among National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), extension workers, farmers, and policymakers. By ensuring research is not only accessible but also actionable, the Learning Alliance aspires to transform data-rich but often underutilised academic insights into tangible outcomes that address Africa’s pressing agricultural challenges.

The Solutions Share Fair aimed to highlight agricultural innovations introduced by CGIAR and its partners in Ethiopia over the last three years, assemble a targeted portfolio of solutions suited to Ethiopia’s specific agrifood conditions, and strengthen partnerships among stakeholders as CGIAR’s new research agenda takes shape. These objectives underscore the importance of multi-level engagement—from NARS to extension services and from local policymakers to regional authorities. Through the Learning Alliance, partners like CCARDESA, ASARECA, CORAF, AFAAS, and FARA demonstrated how integrated efforts can spur innovation, increase resilience, and promote sustainable development.

“Ukama Ustawi has been instrumental in connecting the CGIAR with the CAADP-XP4 network, including AFAAS, ASARECA, and other regional partners,” said Dr. Namukolo Covic, a CGIAR leader closely involved with the Learning Alliance. “The Learning Alliance serves as a network for improving Knowledge Management and ensuring that valuable research is practical and usable. This approach ensures that agricultural insights are translated into interventions that directly benefit communities.”

Dr Covic also acknowledged Mr Abugri’s recent honour: “I would like to congratulate Benjamin for winning the International Knowledge Management Award 2024., bestowed upon an international organisation as well as an outstanding personality by a jury constituted under the auspice of the Association Knowledge Management Austria. He truly exemplifies the best in knowledge acquisition and sharing.”

Mr. Benjamin Abugri, a Knowledge Management Specialist from FARA, officially opened the meeting and spoke on behalf of the CAADP-XP4 Consortium, emphasizing the focus on farmers as key drivers of agricultural transformation. He highlighted the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies, fostering inclusive collaboration, and using platforms like Dgroups to share knowledge. He also underscored strong ties with CGIAR, events like MITA for knowledge exchange, and alignment with the African Union’s CAADP Malabo agenda and Soil Initiative to ensure food security and sustainability.

Ms. Nora Hanke-Louw, Deputy Head of Office for IWMI South Africa, delivered an insightful presentation on the Ukama Ustawi (UU) initiative. She provided an overview of its impact at the initiative level. She highlighted previous Share Fairs in Southern Africa, showcasing UU’s regional reach and commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

Despite the wealth of agricultural research produced across the continent, much remains confined to academic journals. Recognizing this, the Solutions Share Fair provided a platform for dialogue, enabling stakeholders to discuss and refine innovations that address Ethiopia’s unique agrifood challenges. Participants worked together to curate an evidence-based, context-specific portfolio of solutions, each informed by local knowledge and inclusive of farmers’ voices. The share fair showcased Innovative technologies around Livestock feeds, seed breeding, Climate Smart Friendly and regenerative agricultural equipment and machinery, Innovations around capacity-strengthening efforts to reach women, youth, and the private sector; Gender led innovations on small ruminants such as goats in Ethiopia, a Geo Agro App that tests the Soil PH for Farmers, solar powered innovations that can be purchased in a cooperative or through the bank among others.

In addition to high-level experts, Share Fair’s panel discussions included representatives from government ministries, the private sector, and farmer organizations. Mr. Elias Awol, CEO of Smallholder Irrigation Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, underscored Ethiopia’s dedication to scaling solutions that enable smallholder farmers to adopt new technologies and farming practices. Discussions also touched on issues such as solar panel maintenance for irrigation and gender mainstreaming, as women often provide significant agricultural labor yet face barriers to resource access and decision-making.

As the event concluded, Michael Victor, Head of Communications, Advocacy, and Knowledge Management at ILRI, moderated conversations about the future and how to link current initiatives with the Scaling for Impact Science Program to ensure long-term sustainability and real-world benefits.

Mr. Michael Victor, Head of Communications, Advocacy, and Knowledge Management, led a panel discussion exploring key strategies to scale impactful science programs. The panel addressed essential questions, including the elements needed to scale impact effectively, how CGIAR can engage partners to assess national innovation demands, pathways for scaling innovations in the CCARDESA region, and a direct request to CGIAR from the demand side. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration, robust mechanisms, and strategic pathways to enhance food systems and drive sustainable solutions.

Prof. Nieyidouba Lanien, Programs Coordinator at CORAF, emphasized their region’s focus on sustainability and innovation. “We work on initiatives that support farmers using an innovation platform approach and adopt methods such as TAAT (Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation) to ensure present and future resilience,” he said.

“The principle of subsidiarity, scaling, and reaching the last mile—the farmer—guides our work,” said Mrs Bridget Kakuwa -Kasongamulilo speaking as a panelist. “We focus on farmers because they are the key. It’s not enough to have cutting-edge technologies; we must ensure that these innovations are effectively adopted, integrated into policies, and aligned with African Union initiatives, including CAADP Malabo, to guarantee food security and sustainability.” She appealed to the CGIAR  to use the SROs Network as entry points into member states since the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) mandate them to coordinate Agricultural research at the regional level.

Looking ahead, the Ukama Ustawi’s Learning Alliance will continue to foster dialogue, integrate local and indigenous knowledge, and champion the flow of proven technologies to communities that need them most. By harnessing collaborative energy, knowledge, and resources, the Alliance and its partners are laying the groundwork for a robust, equitable, and climate-resilient African agrifood system.

For the farmers whose livelihoods depend on timely, accurate, and context-specific information, and for the research institutions seeking to make an impact beyond the laboratory, the UULA and events like the Solutions Share Fair offer renewed hope that knowledge can—and will—be transformed into action.

Ms. Bridget Kakuwa is Information, Communication and Knowledge Management Officer at the  Center for Coordination for Agriculture in Southern Africa (CCARDESA)

Mr. Benjamin Abugri is Lead Specialist for the Knowledge Management, Digitalization and Learning Cluster at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

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