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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1. The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is promoting Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUS), or “forgotten foods,” to enhance nutrition and livelihoods across Africa. Despite their high nutritional value and adaptability, these crops have received limited attention, and efforts to promote them remain fragmented.

The initiative aims to strengthen coordination by building an evidence based baseline of existing knowledge, fostering regional collaboration, and bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific research. It also supports advocacy for increased policy attention and investment to integrate NUS into food systems.

A key priority identified in the Africa Manifesto on Forgotten Foods is to raise awareness and promote the value of NUS among civil society. As part of this effort, FARA in partnership with FAO-Regional Office for Africa (FAO_RAF), is implementing a project focused on promoting awareness sharing, and building capacity for the integration of NUS into sustainable food systems. The project also aims to assess continental progress in integrating NUS into the current food systems across Africa.

2. This request for Expression of Interest is issued to engage a qualified individual consultant to undertake the assignment in accordance with  the Terms of Reference.
3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested and qualified individual consultants to express interest in undertaking this assignment.
4. Interested Consultants must submit an Expression of Interest of no more  than 10 pages, outlining their proposed methodology, with relevant references from similar assignments,  and detailed CV showing experience from similar work and.  proposed workplan or schedule . Brochures, CVs, and other supplementary materials submitted will not be counted toward   the 10-page limit.
5. The assignment shall be undertaken over a total of 20 working days, within a three month period, commencing on April 20, 2026, to July 20, 2026.
6. The consultant shall be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in FARA’s  Procurement Guidelines.
7. Interested consultants may obtain further information from the Director of Research and Innovation (DRI), Oluwole Fatunbi [ofatunbi@faraafrica.org] or Mr. Richard Kombat at rkombat@faraafrica.org between 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, Tel: +233 302 772823/744888
9. Submissions must be received no later than 14h00 GMT on  Friday, 10^th April 2026, at 14h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888

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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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.

1. The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is coordinating the Africa Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) Project implemented under the grant HORIZON-MISS-2024-SOIL-01, with participation from 23 consortium partners across Africa and Europe. The five-year project aims to support African countries and sub-regions in monitoring soil health, strengthening continental soil governance frameworks, harmonizing soil data systems, and promoting evidence-based decision-making for sustainable land management across the continent. The AUSO project works through 11 National Partners comprising National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and relevant government departments. These institutions serve as the primary national implementing entities and technical focal points for project activities. Under Work Package 1 (WP1) on Project Management and coordination, FARA is required to subcontract a national institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo to formally join the AUSO partnership. The inclusion of the DRC will ensure that the project achieves full geographical representation across all five regions of the Africa Union (AU) including the Island States that are already participating in the implementation project.

Beyond their implementation role, National Partners represent key national stakeholders and embody the project’s formal institution with partnerships with NARIs across Africa. Their engagement facilitates national ownership, policy alignment, technical coordination and sustainability of the project outcomes.  Consequently, the active participation of national partners is central to the overall effectiveness and long-term success of the AUSO project.

To meet these obligations, FARA seeks to engage a reputable and technically competent national institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to serve as the AUSO National Partner. The selected institution will be responsible for implementing project activities at the national level and contributing to the overall success of the AUSO project success within the  DRC.

2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging an institution 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 institutions to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
4. Institutions interested in this call must provide an Expression of Interest no longer than 10 pages, outlining proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. Brochures, CVs, and other supplementary materials submitted shall not be accounted for as part of the 10-page limit.
5. The contract period period shall be for 307 days spread over fifty (50) calendar months, commencing on April 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2030, as outlined in the TOR
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 Director of Research and Innovation (DRI), Oluwole Fatunbi [ofatunbi@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 Monday, 16^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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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.

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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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The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is participating in the FAO-led Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (ACSAM) at the Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, from 3 to 6 February 2026. The conference reawakened a deep reflection on the pathway to Africa’s mechanization through supportive policies and the building of local capacity.

Over the past two decades, agricultural mechanization in Africa has undergone a wavy, uneven transformation. From a landscape dominated by hand tools and animal traction, many African countries have gradually expanded the use of motorized equipment across land preparation, planting, harvesting, and post-harvest processing. The use of more advanced tools in robotics, drones, and remote sensing is gradually increasing.

This growth reflects rising labor constraints, urbanization, and the urgent need to increase productivity and resilience in food systems. Yet, mechanization in Africa today is no longer just about horsepower; it is about sustainability, inclusivity, and alignment with evolving production paradigms.

Evidence-based thinking on agricultural mechanization has been part of the FARAs’ work in the last two decades. Through coordinated research, policy engagement, and continental convening, FARA has helped reposition mechanization as a system-wide innovation challenge rather than a narrow technology transfer exercise. This vision was particularly advanced through the Program of Accompanying Research for Agricultural Innovation (PARI), a 10-year research endeavor in partnership with ZEF, the University of Bonn, and partners across 15 National Agricultural Research Institutes in Africa, which generated rigorous insights into mechanization pathways across diverse African farming systems. PARI’s work demonstrated that mechanization outcomes depend as much on institutions, service models, and user behavior as on machines themselves.

Today, Africa stands at a critical inflection point. The continent cannot afford to devolve the science of its mechanization to other developmental climes with fundamentally different agro-ecological, socio-economic, and cultural realities. While Africa does not need to reinvent the wheel, it must selectively learn from global experiences and deliberately innovate in directions aligned with its natural resource domains, farm sizes, labor dynamics, and cultural practices. Sustainable mechanization in Africa will therefore be endogenous in its scientific foundations and contextual in its applications.

Equally important is compatibility with changing production thinking. African agriculture is increasingly gravitating toward nature-based approaches such as agroecology, regenerative agriculture, climate-smart practices, and soil health restoration. Mechanization must evolve accordingly, supporting precision input use, minimum soil disturbance, residue management, and diversified cropping systems rather than reinforcing extractive or degrading practices. This shift calls for rethinking machine design, power sources, and operational scales.

FARA recently advocated for the inclusion of mechanization of the smallholder system in Africa as a pillar in the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA) a joint research partnership between China and Africa.

The future of African mechanization also lies in advanced science and digital innovation. Remote sensing, artificial intelligence, robotics, unmanned aerial and ground devices, and smart processing technologies that offered unprecedented opportunities to overcome labor bottlenecks, improve decision-making, and reduce drudgery, especially for women and youth. Integrating these technologies into African contexts will require strong research capacity, adaptive testing, and supportive innovation ecosystems.

The long-standing debates must also be resolved with evidence rather than ideology. Concerns about heavy equipment and soil compaction on African soils remain valid in some contexts, but blanket rejection is unhelpful. Similarly, two-wheel tractors may be better suited for certain farming systems and service models, yet questions remain about their ability to support the scale of production Africa will need to meet food, feed, and industrial demand. These are scientific questions that demand African-led research and long-term experimentation.

Ultimately, sustainable agricultural mechanization is a strategic investment in Africa’s future. It requires deliberate financing of science, engineering, and innovation capacities on the continent. FARA, working with its partners, is well-positioned to lead the science and innovation component of this agenda, helping Africa mechanize not by imitation but by informed design, learning, and purposeful invention.

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.

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