Two international soil health initiatives, the Africa Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) and the Mediterranean Soil Health initiative (SOILS4MED), have signed a letter of agreement to advance knowledge exchange on soil health indicators and soil information systems in support of food security and sustainable land management.

AUSO is focused on building a comprehensive soil observatory for Africa, and SOILS4MED is working to harmonise soil health monitoring across the Mediterranean region.

Recognising the pressing need for comprehensive soil data and capacity strengthening to support protecting, restoring, and improving soil health, sustainable land management, and climate change adaptation, under the agreement, AUSO and SOILS4MED will exchange information and knowledge on soil health monitoring and indicator development, and collaborate on capacity strengthening activities and stakeholder engagement. The partnership aims to strengthen soil health monitoring and sustainable land management across both regions, with a particular focus on North Africa as a shared geographic interest.

Media contacts

AUSO – Africa Union Soil Observatory: Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management, Digitalisation & Learning Cluster Lead, babugri@faraafrica.org

SOILS4MED – Mediterranean Soil Health Initiative: Zucca Claudio, clzucca@uniss.it

About AUSO

The African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) aims to establish a comprehensive soil information system for Africa to support the management of African soils. AUSO is being developed under the leadership of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), with support from the EU Horizon programme and in collaboration with 23 consortium partners.

About SOILS4MED

SOILS4MED aims to engage a broad platform of Mediterranean scientists and stakeholders in co-designing scientifically sound, policy-relevant soil health indicator sets and harmonised monitoring strategies across the Mediterranean, with a particular focus on non-EU countries, as an enabling condition for Sustainable Soil Water Management and for the protection, restoration, and improvement of soil health and land conditions in the region. SOILS4MED is being developed under the leadership of the University of Sassari (UNISS), funded by the European Union, European Commission – EU-EC, and in collaboration with 14 consortium partners.

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Speaking during the High-Level Roundtable on Science, Innovation, and Data for Food Systems Transformation at the 4th Africa Regional Food Systems Transformation Meeting in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Cluster Leader for Institutional Capacity and Future Scenarios (ICF) at FARA, highlighted the ongoing strategic foresight study titled “How Will Africa Feed 2.5 Billion by 2050?” being implemented by FARA in collaboration with the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub under a broader continental effort to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, anticipatory governance, and CAADP implementation across Africa.

Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Cluster Leader for Institutional Capacity and Future Scenarios (ICF) at FARA

The study, commissioned by the African Union Food Systems Envoy and supported through the EU-funded “Accelerating Food Systems Transformation through a Scalable Success Model” initiative, examines the structural barriers, leadership choices, and transformation pathways shaping Africa’s agrifood systems toward 2050. It applies horizon scanning, political-economy and institutional diagnostics, systems thinking, stakeholder consultations, and scenario development to assess how different policy and investment choices under CAADP could shape future agrifood outcomes across the continent.

Dr. Ibrahim noted that the study builds on the momentum generated during the December 2025 Nairobi consultation, which brought together AU institutions, Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and partners to co-design a continental foresight system aligned with CAADP. The consultation validated a roadmap for integrating foresight into policymaking, investment planning, and anticipatory governance processes within Agenda 2063 and CAADP implementation frameworks.

He stressed that Africa’s food systems challenges can no longer be addressed through reactive crisis management, fragmented interventions, and short political cycles.

According to Dr. Ibrahim, feeding Africa’s growing population under conditions of climate uncertainty, ecological stress, market volatility, demographic expansion, and geopolitical disruptions will require institutions capable of anticipating disruption, governing complexity, detecting risks early, and supporting coordinated action before crises escalate.

The intervention aligned closely with the broader African Union position articulated by H.E. Moses Vilakati on the importance of institutionalising foresight and anticipatory governance as foundational pillars for food systems transformation, resilience building, and CAADP domestication.

He also highlighted FARA’s broader work with Sub-Regional Research Organisations (SROs) through the Africa Foresight Academy (AFA) to strengthen African capacities in foresight, strategic intelligence, and evidence-based policymaking. Through this growing continental foresight ecosystem, activities have engaged stakeholders across more than 45 countries, supported over 200 institutions, and strengthened the capacities of more than 2,000 professionals in foresight tools and systems approaches.

The organisation further referenced the continental guide on quality foresight for food systems transformation, developed to support rigorous, participatory, policy-relevant, and actionable foresight processes capable of moving institutions beyond one-off studies toward sustained foresight systems embedded within governance and planning processes.

Dr Ibrahim further emphasised that while Africa has generated significant innovation in agriculture and food systems, including climate-smart technologies, resilient seed systems, biotechnology applications, digital advisory platforms, and sustainable land management practices, major constraints remain in scaling innovation due to weak financing systems, fragmented partnerships, weak science-policy interfaces, and limited institutional coordination.

He also highlighted the growing importance of integrated data systems, AI-enabled agricultural analytics, geospatial intelligence, climate-risk modelling, early warning systems, and digital extension services in strengthening evidence-based policymaking and improving resilience to future food systems shocks.

He reiterated FARA’s consistent call for stronger coordination among governments, research institutions, regional bodies, private-sector actors, development partners, and non-state actors to build integrated transformation ecosystems capable of delivering sustainable and scalable transformation of agrifood systems across Africa.

He concluded by emphasising FARA’s position that the future of African food systems will depend not only on technological advancement but also on the ability to combine innovation with inclusion, local intelligence, indigenous knowledge systems, and institutional resilience.

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The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) hosted a partnership brokerage discussion with the team from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Accra Office, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, to explore strategic collaboration for advancing agricultural transformation in Africa.

FARA’s Executive Director, Dr. Aggrey Agumya (right) and Ag. Director of Research and Innovation, Prof. Wole Fatunbi (left)

Welcoming the delegation, FARA’s Executive Director, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, reflected on the longstanding cooperation between the Government of Italy and FARA, particularly through the landmark Sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Programme (SSA CP), which contributed significantly to agricultural innovation across the continent.

AICS Program Manager, Filippo Acasto (right)

The AICS team, led by Program Manager Filippo Acasto, presented two important initiatives: SuSTLives (Sustaining and Improving Local Crop Patrimony in Burkina Faso and Niger for Better Lives and Ecosystems) and AgrEcoNUS+ (Agroecological Transition and Community Resilience through Neglected and Underutilized Species in Africa).

Both initiatives seek to strengthen agrobiodiversity and resilient food systems through neglected and underutilized species (NUS), while advancing food sovereignty, ecosystem sustainability, and equitable market opportunities in the Sahel and beyond. The projects are implemented through a broad consortium of European and African partners with support from the European Union, AICS, and SWISSAID.

While FARA is not part of the implementation consortium, its role as a trusted convener and weaver of partnerships that make science work for agricultural development in Africa remains critical. FARA stands ready to support these important initiatives as discussions progress.

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With the Presidency endorsing Nigeria’s hosting of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) and the 10th FARA General Assembly, a first joint mission to Abuja has reaffirmed government commitment, kick-started local preparations, opened new partnership pathways, and set the stage for a high-profile continental gathering on agrifood systems transformation from 27–30 July 2026.

Preparations for the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) and the 10th Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) General Assembly gathered significant momentum following a first host-country mission to Abuja by a FARA delegation, which engaged senior government officials, strategic institutions, diplomatic missions and prospective partners ahead of the continental event, scheduled for 27–30 July 2026 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria.

The event is being co-organised by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), CORAF, and the Federal Government of Nigeria, working through the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN). The Abuja mission confirmed that Nigeria is not only ready to host the event but that key ministers, acting on the President’s approval, are already mobilising political, institutional and technical support for its successful delivery.

Held under the theme “Innovations and Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa,” AASW9 will convene policymakers, researchers, farmers, agribusinesses, investors, development partners, youth, innovators and private-sector leaders to shape Africa’s agrifood transformation agenda. Its four sub-themes will focus on emerging agricultural technologies and innovations; climate-resilient agrifood systems; nutrition, health and urban food systems; and enabling impact at scale through policies, financing, capacity, institutions and inclusion.

“The mission confirmed that political support for AASW9 is firmly in place, while strategic institutions in Nigeria are already stepping forward with ideas, partnerships and practical commitments.”

During the mission, the FARA delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, who reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for the event and welcomed efforts to position AASW9 as a platform for tangible agricultural impact. He nominated Ministry directors to serve on the Local Organising Committee and emphasised the need to prioritise agricultural research, particularly in response to climate-related pressures affecting the Sahel. He also agreed to support publicity for the event through a short promotional video and encouraged efforts to secure a presidential clarion call to mobilise Nigerian researchers and institutions behind the conference.

FARA delegation with the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development

The mission team subsequently met the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, who confirmed that political support had been secured and that Nigeria was ready for the event. He encouraged stronger private-sector participation, pledged support for the resource mobilisation drive via an official letter, and directed his team to begin preparations for the exhibition. He also proposed NASENI as a potential field-visit site, encouraged engagement with institutions such as ECOWAS and FAO, and indicated his readiness to support publicity with a short video message. The Minister further expressed interest in ensuring that the conference contributes practical, context-specific technologies and innovations for animal husbandry.

FARA delegation with the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari and Team

The delegation also met the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, who welcomed the decision to bring AASW9 to Nigeria and noted his familiarity with previous editions of the event. He affirmed the country’s readiness to host and proposed concrete contributions to the Local Organising Committee, including the participation of the Permanent Secretary and the possible inclusion of the Federal Ministry of Finance. He also suggested Niger and Nasarawa as possible field-visit locations and proposed a spoken-word performance by the Ministry of Art and Culture as part of the opening attractions.

FARA delegation in meeting with the ARCN and Local Organizing Committee

The ministerial engagements were complemented by strategic planning sessions with the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), during which the draft composition and terms of reference of the Local Organising Committee were reviewed and strengthened. The discussions also expanded stakeholder mapping, identifying around 135 private-sector institutions for future engagement, sponsorship and collaboration.

FARA delegation with NESG representatives

Beyond government engagement, the Abuja mission broadened the event’s partnership base. The delegation held discussions with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) on the potential co-organisation of a foresight side event, business-to-business sessions, and technical support for briefing notes, rapporteuring, and the final conference report. The Brazilian Embassy expressed interest in supporting preparatory activities and in exploring an Africa–Brazil Day and technology fair in collaboration with EMBRAPA. The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) also pledged support for the Local Organising Committee and indicated readiness to exhibit technologies at the event.

FARA delegation at NADF

FARA delegation at TETFund

Further interest came from major Nigerian public institutions. TETFund signalled initial willingness to consider a Platinum sponsorship package, subject to a formal proposal, and expressed interest in jointly organising a side event on emerging technologies and in exploring a longer-term knowledge partnership with FARA. The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) also discussed possible platinum sponsorship and technical collaboration, as well as the launch of a national baseline study during AASW9, and requested FARA’s support as international reviewers for one of its reports.

FARA delegation at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria

The visit to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre enabled the team to assess the venue and establish preliminary contact with management, while booking arrangements continue via the appropriate government channels. The mission also paid a courtesy call on the Ghana High Commission in Abuja, underscoring the event’s continental and diplomatic significance and opening further discussions on collaboration around ARIFA and related engagement.

“From ministerial backing to emerging sponsorship prospects and technical partnerships, Abuja has signalled that AASW9 will be a platform for action, not just dialogue.”

Taken together, the mission’s outcomes indicate that the conference is shaping up to be more than a scientific gathering. AASW9 is being positioned as a pan-African science-to-policy-to-business platform, capable of linking innovation, investment, partnerships and practical solutions to transform agrifood systems. The event will feature high-level plenaries, ministerial parallel sessions, side events, exhibitions, agribusiness and investment engagement, science-policy dialogue and networking opportunities for stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

Registration is ongoing and is expected to attract participants from across the Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) community and the wider agrifood ecosystem, including farmers, researchers, extension actors, agribusinesses, financiers, processors, insurers, development agencies, country pavilions and technology providers. Organisers are encouraging early registration among delegates, side-event conveners, exhibitors and sponsors seeking to be part of what is expected to be one of the continent’s most significant agrifood gatherings in 2026.

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This call forms part of the NDICI AFRICA/2023/447‑700 programme, which aims to strengthen science–policy interfaces, promote evidence-based advocacy, and advance the integration of agroecology into national and regional agricultural strategies across Africa. Selected projects will contribute directly to improving food system resilience, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and policy engagement.

Grant Focus Areas

Proposals should address one or more of the following:

• Agroecological principles: biodiversity, soil health, recycling, synergies, resilience, and co‑creation of knowledge
• Policy advocacy for recognition of agroecology in national systems
• Agroecology’s role in food and nutrition security
• Gender-responsive and socially inclusive agroecological approaches

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be members of the RMRN/RCoE Consortium, PANAP, or RUFORUM networks
• Be based in Africa through citizenship or institutional affiliation
• Demonstrate capacity to conduct applied or community‑based research and comply with ethical standards

Grant Amount

Up to EUR 5,000 per proposal. A maximum of 10 proposals will be selected.

How to Apply

Submit the following through the RUFORUM Information Management System (RIMS):

• Technical Proposal
• Detailed Budget
• Work Plan
• CV(s) of key researchers
• Proof of network affiliation

 Submission Portal: https://rims2.ruforum.org/         Application Deadline: 30 March 2026

Download Full Call Details

For further information: Please contact: cgs@ruforum.org

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The 10th General Meeting of the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) is taking place from 9–12 March 2026 in Antananarivo, Madagascar, bringing together governments, research institutions, development partners, and private-sector actors committed to transforming Africa’s rice sector. At the opening of the meeting, Prof. Wole Fatunbi, Acting Director of Research and Innovation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), chaired the 21^st CARD Steering Committee session, reaffirming the continent’s ambition to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2030, when the CARD program winds up. The CARD was launched at the fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TCAD IV) in Yokohama, Japan, in 2008. It aims to double rice production from 14 million tons to 28 million in the first 10 years, and its Phase II aims to raise it to 56 million metric tons by 2030 to meet the projected need. All in the drive for rice sufficiency in Africa. While rice production in Africa has risen significantly, there is still a significant gap to fill to achieve self-sufficiency.

Rice has emerged as one of the most important staple foods in Africa and is now central to the continent’s food security agenda. In West Africa alone, more than 240 million people depend on rice as a major dietary energy source, reflecting its growing role in urban and rural diets[1]. The rapid population growth, urbanization, and shifting dietary preferences have accelerated rice consumption across the continent, making it one of the fastest-growing food commodities in Africa (FAO, 2023)[2]. In West Africa alone, more than 240 million people rely on rice as a primary source of dietary energy, reflecting the crop’s central role in regional food systems; with higher consumption areas in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Gambia, per capita annual consumption which is at “Asian levels” of about 90–120 kg or higher

Despite its strategic importance, Africa remains heavily dependent on imported rice. Estimates suggest that about 40% of the rice consumed in Africa is imported this may even be higher (≥ 60%) depending on the region, reflecting a significant gap between domestic production and demand. Sub-Saharan Africa has consequently become the world’s largest rice-importing region, importing over 22 million tons of rice annually (USDA, 2025). This dependency places substantial pressure on national foreign exchange reserves and exposes African food systems to volatility in global commodity markets.

The economic implications are considerable. Africa is estimated to spend between US$6 billion and US$9 billion annually on rice imports, depending on global price fluctuations and consumption levels[3] . These imports represent resources that could otherwise be invested in strengthening domestic agricultural production systems. The challenge facing Africa’s rice sector is not primarily technological but structural, socioeconomic, and infrastructural. Over the past decades, national agricultural research systems and international centers have developed improved rice varieties, including high-yielding and climate-resilient cultivars.  However, the adoption of these technologies remains constrained by systemic factors, including weak rural infrastructure, fragmented markets, policy inconsistencies, and limited investment in agricultural value chains.

The Nigeria rice story provides a compelling example of both the potential and the fragility of the rice-sector transformation in Africa. Historical records indicate that Nigeria was largely self-sufficient in rice production in the early 1960s, producing approximately 360,000 tons annually, which was sufficient to meet domestic demand at the time[4] .  However, as population growth accelerated and policy attention shifted toward the petroleum sector, domestic rice production failed to keep pace with rising demand. By the early 2000s, Nigeria had become one of the largest rice importers in Africa. In response, the Nigerian government introduced several policy initiatives to revitalize domestic rice production. Programs such as the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) and the Anchor Borrowers’ Program (ABP) expanded farmers’ access to credit, fertilizers, and improved seeds. Evaluations of these programs suggest that they significantly increased rice production and stimulated investment in rice value chains, including the establishment of modern milling infrastructure across the country[5] .

These interventions contributed to a substantial expansion of domestic rice milling capacity, with more than 150 rice mills established across Nigeria during the period of rapid sector growth. However, recent developments suggest that sustaining these gains remains challenging. Rising fertilizer prices, climate variability, insecurity in farming regions, and disruptions in paddy supply have reduced the operational capacity of several rice mills in the country. Consequently, many mills reportedly operate below their installed capacity, illustrating the importance of consistent policy support and sustained investment in agricultural production systems.

Nigeria’s experience reflects a broader continental pattern. Africa possesses vast agroecological potential for rice production, including an estimated 190 million hectares of inland valley ecosystems suitable for rice cultivation, yet only a fraction of this potential is currently utilized[6] . Meanwhile, average rice yields across Africa remain relatively low, typically between 2 and 2.5 tons per hectare (t/ha), significantly below the global average (3.4 to 4.6 t/ha) and far below yields achieved in Asia (3.37 to 5.0 t/ha)[7].

The discussions at the CARD meeting in Madagascar highlight the importance of coordinated continental action to address this challenge. Africa already possesses the scientific knowledge, natural resources, and human capital required to transform its rice sector. What is required now is the alignment of science, policy, and investment. Strategic investments in agricultural research, efficient seed systems, irrigation infrastructure, and functional markets will be essential to unlocking Africa’s rice production potential.

Regional integration frameworks, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), also offer new opportunities to strengthen intra-African agricultural trade. Countries with comparative advantages in rice production can supply neighboring markets, thereby enhancing regional food security while stimulating economic growth.

If these efforts are sustained, Africa can significantly reduce its dependence on imported rice and move toward greater food sovereignty. The deliberations at the CARD meeting therefore serve as an important reminder that Africa’s future rice security will depend not only on technological innovation but also on coherent policies, resilient markets, and sustained political commitment.

Note: Wole Fatunbi is the Ag. Director of Research and Innovation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). Opinions in this article are solely those of Wole Fatunbi and do not represent the position of FARA and its partners.

[1] AfricaRice. 2019. Rice Sector Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Achievements and Opportunities. Africa Rice Center, Abidjan.

[2] FAO. 2023. Rice Market Monitor. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

[3] CARD. 2019. Coalition for African Rice Development: Phase II Strategy for Rice Self-Sufficiency in Africa.

[4] FAO. 2001. Increasing Rice Production in Nigeria: Lessons from the Past. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

[5] Iliyasu, I., Lawal, S., & Mohammed, A. 2020. Evaluation of Nigeria’s Growth Enhancement Support Scheme and Anchor Borrowers’ Programme on rice production. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension, 24(3), 45–60.

[6] AfricaRice. 2022. Smart Valleys and Rice Sector Development in Africa. Africa Rice Center.

[7] FAO. 2023. Rice Market Monitor. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The post Can Africa Truly Produce Enough Rice to Feed Itself? Insights from the 10th CARD General Meeting in Madagascar appeared first on FARA Africa.

The Guide was developed under FARA’s leadership in partnership with the Foresight4Food Initiative and the University of Oxford, with valued support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Speaking at the launch, FARA’s Executive Director, Dr Aggrey Agumya, emphasised that Africa’s agrifood systems are navigating intensifying climate variability, demographic shifts, technological change, evolving trade dynamics, and geopolitical uncertainty. These interconnected pressures require a move beyond reactive planning toward structured, long-term, systems-based thinking.

He noted that foresight is no longer optional, but a strategic necessity for effective implementation of the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agenda and broader continental development priorities.

The Quality Criteria Guide provides a practical framework to enhance the rigour, inclusivity, transparency, and policy relevance of foresight processes. It establishes standards to strengthen the design, implementation, evaluation, and institutional embedding of foresight within decision-making systems across national, regional, and continental levels.

FARA expressed its sincere appreciation to IDRC for its catalytic funding support and confidence in advancing high-quality foresight practice in Africa. The organisation also acknowledged the intellectual collaboration and methodological rigour contributed by the Foresight4Food Initiative and the University of Oxford.

The launch signals not the conclusion of a project, but the beginning of a broader continental effort to institutionalise foresight as a permanent feature of Africa’s development architecture.

The Quality Criteria for Food Systems Foresight in Africa is now available for download:

https://aaspace.org/items/d29bdfae-08e4-4b5f-9c47-ac5a942b1dd9

FARA encourages policymakers, researchers, regional bodies, and development partners to adopt and institutionalise these criteria to strengthen resilient, inclusive, and future-ready African food systems.

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By Benjamin Abugri, Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Israel Fugah & Shaquille Pennaneach

Following the successful TAAT Wheat Compact planning meeting, partners from across Africa convened in Adama, Ethiopia, from 25–27 February for an implementation-focused workshop aimed at translating research outputs into practical, farmer-ready guidance. Hosted by the Government of Ethiopia through the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR), the meeting underscored Ethiopia’s leadership in advancing wheat self-sufficiency and regional knowledge exchange.

The workshop marked a decisive shift from planning to delivery. The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) led the development of structured outreach and extension materials designed to accelerate the adoption of improved wheat technologies across national systems.

Organised under the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme, the Wheat Toolkit Finalisation Workshop focused on harmonising Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) messaging and producing standardised, farmer-friendly extension tools for deployment through national extension services. The initiative responds to the urgent imperative to boost domestic wheat production through improved agronomy, strengthened seed systems, and coordinated value chain partnerships.

Transforming research into knowledge that farmers find accessible

The workshop brought together national focal persons, agronomists, researchers, and technical partners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, as well as ICARDA, national research institutions, and TAAT technical teams. While ICARDA continues to lead wheat research and technology development, FARA, through the TAAT Capacity Development and Technology Outreach (CDTO) Compact, concentrates on ensuring that these innovations are effectively translated into accessible, scalable solutions for farmers.

Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim presented the mandate of the CDTO Compact and its role in expanding agricultural innovation through structured capacity development and outreach systems. Mr. Benjamin Abugri facilitated sessions on designing high-quality extension materials, emphasising clarity, farmer-centred messaging, climate-smart practices, incentive structures, and practical, actionable guidance. Discussions also explored tools for scaling technologies, standardised frameworks for outreach manuals, and harmonised communication formats to ensure cross-country consistency.

Working in country clusters, participants analysed production constraints, communication bottlenecks, and institutional support gaps. The exercise culminated in consolidated recommendations on technical backstopping, coordination mechanisms, and strategic communication approaches required to sustain and expand wheat productivity gains across participating countries.

From Innovation to Impact: Field Learning at the Lume Innovation Platforms

A major highlight of the workshop was a field visit on 26 February to the Lume Innovation Platform in the East Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region. The site offers a compelling demonstration of how coordinated research, extension systems, and farmer-led adoption can translate scientific advances into measurable production gains.

Since 2018, wheat cultivation in the area has expanded from approximately 150 hectares to about 7,200 hectares by 2025. Participants cited this rapid transformation as a practical illustration of how science-based innovations, when effectively disseminated and supported by robust extension systems, can directly contribute to national food security objectives.

During the visit, participants interacted directly with farmers and extension agents, observing improved wheat varieties, irrigation practices, and enhanced agronomic management techniques. The field experience reinforced a central message of the workshop: technology alone does not drive agricultural transformation—systematic adoption, supported by coordinated outreach and institutional alignment, makes the difference.

Developing the wheat extension toolkit

The final day of the workshop focused on transforming technical research into practical communication tools that farmers can readily apply. Participants worked on developing clear, farmer-friendly materials—including flyers, leaflets, and pictorial guides—that translate research findings into straightforward field instructions.

Draft national Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) guides were reviewed, covering the full wheat production cycle: land preparation, seed selection, fertilisation, pest and disease management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Emphasis was placed on clarity, sequencing, and usability.

Country teams then developed prototype extension leaflets designed to:

• provide clear, step-by-step farming guidance
• Use minimal text and clear visuals.
• support national extension officers, and
• enable translation into local languages.

The workshop concluded with a clear continental action plan: FARA will coordinate the harmonisation and finalisation of wheat outreach and extension materials to guide large-scale adoption of improved technologies across participating countries. These materials will be prepared for printing, translation, and digital dissemination through national agricultural advisory systems.

Strengthening the FARA–ICARDA partnership

The back-to-back workshops reaffirmed the complementary roles of ICARDA and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). ICARDA leads the development of improved wheat technologies and generates the underlying research evidence, while FARA ensures that this knowledge is effectively translated, communicated, and embedded within national agricultural innovation systems.

In the coming months, the two organisations will work closely with participating countries to finalise and package the wheat technology toolkits, producing a range of extension and outreach materials to support scaling, adoption, and long-term sustainability. These efforts will also contribute to the rollout of TAAT III, further strengthening the link between scientific discovery and farmer uptake across the continent.

As part of the development of the country-specific Wheat GAP Toolkits, participants identified five priority areas that should be clearly emphasised in the outreach and extension materials to be produced. Across all countries, representatives agreed that farmers and extension agents particularly require practical guidance on seed varieties and recommended seeding rates, fertilizer application, irrigation timing, planting calendars, and appropriate storage technologies. These priority themes will shape the key messages to be communicated through the various training and dissemination platforms.

By aligning research, capacity development, and communication, the TAAT Wheat Compact is supporting countries in advancing toward wheat self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on imports, and strengthening food security. The Adama meetings demonstrated a fundamental principle: agricultural transformation is not achieved solely through improved seeds, but through improved systems that ensure knowledge reaches and is adopted by the farmers who feed the continent.

The post Bridging Research and Adoption: FARA Expands Wheat Technology Uptake Across Africa appeared first on FARA Africa.

By Benjamin Abugri, Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Israel Fugah [1], Bishaw Zewdie & Muhammad Imtiaz [2]

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), working closely with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and national agricultural institutions, has finalised a two-day regional planning workshop to boost wheat production and productivity across Africa. The meeting, held from 23 to 24 February in Adama, Ethiopia, is part of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Wheat Compact, an African Development Bank–supported initiative designed to scale up proven agricultural technologies and lessen the continent’s heavy reliance on wheat imports.

Wheat remains a strategic crop for food security, income generation, and import substitution across many African countries. Rising demand, climate variability, and rising import bills have made it urgent to expand domestic production through improved varieties, better agronomic practices, and stronger seed-delivery systems.

The annual planning meeting, therefore, functioned as a coordination and learning platform to review implementation progress, share experiences, and collectively define priority actions for the upcoming year.

Broad Regional Participation

The workshop brought together technical experts and national focal persons from six participating countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, alongside TAAT technical teams, CGIAR researchers, and implementation partners. Country presentations examined production trends, seed systems performance, farmer reach, and lessons learned in scaling climate-resilient wheat technologies.

Dr Zewdie Bishaw, ICARDA

In the opening session, ICARDA TAAT Wheat Compact team coordinator, Dr Zewdie Bishaw, introduced the overall objective of the meeting: to review progress and jointly plan priority activities for the effective implementation of the Compact in the coming year. He also emphasised the importance of documenting the success stories of the Compact in target countries. The TAAT Wheat Compact partner, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), presented Ethiopia’s wheat self-sufficiency initiatives and the importance of science-based research in transforming national wheat systems. Plenary discussions also examined cross-cutting issues, including extension delivery, policy support, data reporting, and climate resilience.

Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim, FARA

FARA participated in the workshop as part of the TAAT Capacity Development and Technology Outreach (CDTO) Compact, represented by Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Cluster Leader for Capacity Development and Future Scenarios and TAAT-CDTO Compact Leader; Mr Benjamin Abugri, Cluster Leader for Knowledge Management, Digitalisation and Learning; and Mr Israel Fugah, Data and Outreach Consultant. Their involvement focused particularly on enhancing knowledge exchange, monitoring and learning, and ensuring that lessons from participating countries are documented and shared across the continent.

FARA–ICARDA Partnership for a Food-Secure Africa

The workshop emphasised the complementary roles of ICARDA and FARA in progressing wheat productivity. ICARDA conducts research and develops technologies, including improved varieties and agronomic practices. At the same time, FARA focuses on capacity building, knowledge sharing, learning systems, and scaling across national agricultural research and extension systems.

Through this collaboration, research outputs are converted into practical knowledge for farmers, extension services, and policymakers. The method ensures that innovations progress from pilot projects to widespread adoption, thereby increasing yields and strengthening national food systems. Participants stressed that coordinated action among research institutions, governments, and regional organisations is vital for achieving sustainable wheat self-sufficiency in Africa.

By the end of the meeting, partners agreed on priority interventions, country-specific action plans, and follow-up mechanisms for the 2025/2026 crop season. The outcomes are expected to strengthen coordination and speed up the expansion of improved wheat technologies across participating countries.

 Next Step: From Planning to Packaging

Following the planning workshop, participants will immediately move on to a second regional workshop from 25 to 27 February, where FARA will facilitate the packaging and dissemination of wheat Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) developed by the TAAT Wheat Compact by the TAAT-CDTO Compact. The upcoming sessions will focus on translating research knowledge into practical extension materials and farmer-friendly guidance to support widespread adoption.

Together, the two consecutive workshops exemplify a deliberate shift from planning to implementation, connecting science, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination, and strengthening the expanding partnership among NARS, ICARDA and FARA to improve wheat productivity, reduce import dependence, and bring Africa closer to a food-secure future.

[1] Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

[2] International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

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(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)

1. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Ex-Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4) Project is a flagship initiative under the Development-Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) initiative, funded by the European Union and managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Implemented by a consortium of leading regional and sub-regional organizations—FARA, AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA, and CORAF, the project seeks to strengthen agricultural research and innovation systems across Its overarching goal is to achieve a science-led, climate-relevant transformation of agriculture, in alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework.

The CAADP-XP4 project has delivered critical interventions across five key output areas: strengthening the capacities of implementing organizations, establishing multi-stakeholder partnerships, formulating climate-relevant policies, enhancing knowledge management, and improving planning, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Throughout its implementation, the project has driven initiatives that contribute meaningfully to Africa’s agricultural transformation, including the development of innovative climate resilient solutions, the promotion of gender equity and youth inclusion, and the strengthening of institutional capacity at regional and national levels.

As the project approaches its completion, the Endline Survey represents a critical milestone in assessing its outcomes, overall impact, and key lessons learned. Building on the baseline study conducted in 2020, the survey is designed to measure progress against established indicators, with particular emphasis on gender equity, youth empowerment, and institutional capacity strengthening. The findings will be instrumental in finalizing the 2024 CAADP-XP4 Report, which will serve as the definitive documentation of the project’s achievements and contributions to agricultural development in Africa.

The findings will play a pivotal role in informing and finalizing the 2024 CAADP-XP4 Report, which will serve as the authoritative record of the project’s achievements and its contributions to advancing agricultural development across Africa.

The consultancy responsible for conducting the endline survey will employ a rigorous and methodologically sound approach that ensures full comparability with the baseline study and alignment with the project’s logical framework. The primary objective of this assignment is to design and implement a comprehensive endline evaluation of the CAADP-XP4 Project, systematically assessing progress against planned outputs, outcomes and impacts as articulated in the project results framework.

The evaluation will generate robust evidence on performance, effectiveness, and contribution to intended development results, enabling measurement of change over time and validation of the project’s theory of change.

2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a five (5) member team of consultants to carry out the functions set out in the Terms of Reference.

Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.

3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
4. Consultants interested in this call are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) not exceeding ten (10) pages. The EOI should clearly outline the proposed methodology, relevant references demonstrating execution of similar assignments, experience in comparable sectors or thematic areas, evidence of technical capacity and a proposed implementation Brochures, Curricula Vitae (CVs), and other supplementary documentation may be attached; however, these annexes will not be count toward the ten (10)-page limit.
5. The consultancy will be conducted over a three-month period, commencing early April 2026 and concluding no later than 30 June The total effort is estimated at approximately 20 man-days for the lead consultant and 17 man-days each for four mid-level experts.
6. The consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.
7. Interested consultants may obtain further information from FARA’s Lead Specialist M&E, Anselme Vodounhessi [avodounhess@faraafrica.org], during the following hours: 9h00 to 15h00 GMT.

Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.

8. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [recruitment@faraafrica.org] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No. 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Thursday, 5^th March 2026, at 14h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888
9. FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.

 Executive Director of FARA

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