Accra, Ghana, 28 May 2026

The Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development Community of Practice convened its third bi-monthly webinar of 2026, issuing a strong call to reposition Indigenous Knowledge as a credible, strategic and underutilised resource for transforming African agriculture.

Held under the theme “Demystifying Indigenous Knowledge and Myths in Advancing African Agriculture,” the webinar brought together researchers, knowledge management practitioners, extension actors, policymakers, development organisations, farmer-facing institutions and agribusiness stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. The session was hosted by the KM4AgD Community of Practice within the broader CAADP-XP4 knowledge management partnership framework, with FARA and its partners supporting the continent’s agricultural knowledge, learning and innovation agenda.

The webinar attracted 515 registered participants from 58 countries, highlighting growing continental and global interest in knowledge co-creation, Indigenous Knowledge systems and agricultural transformation.

Participation summary

The highest number of the registered participants were in Africa, led by Nigeria with 105 participants (20.4%), and followed by Ghana with 54, Kenya and Uganda with 39 each and, Ethiopia with 32. Other countries represented included Cameroon, Malawi, South Africa, Benin, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone, among others.

The age profile showed a strong intergenerational mix. Participants aged 35–44 formed the largest group at 29.7%, followed by those aged 45–54 (24.1%) and 25–34 (23.5%). This suggests the discussion engaged both experienced professionals and younger agricultural knowledge actors likely to shape the future of knowledge systems, digital agriculture, research uptake and policy engagement across the continent.

The webinar addressed one of the most persistent tensions in African agricultural development: the tendency to dismiss farmers’ knowledge, community practices and local ecological intelligence as superstition, rather than examining them as knowledge systems shaped by observation, experimentation, adaptation and intergenerational learning. The webinar emphasised that Indigenous Knowledge has long informed seed selection, soil fertility management, weather prediction, pest control, water conservation, food preservation and community resilience across Africa, yet it is often misunderstood or marginalised because it is perceived not to be conceived and documented in formal scientific language.

Delivering the keynote presentation, Dr Benjamin Bilalam Jabik, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the National College of Defence Studies, Ghana, argued that local knowledge should be understood as social capital and as a systematic body of knowledge developed through lived experience, intimate environmental understanding and community practice. His presentation emphasised that Indigenous or local knowledge systems are not inherently superstitious; rather, they become vulnerable to misinterpretation when not viewed from their ecological, cultural and historical context.

A central message of the session was that context matters. Dr Jabik illustrated this with examples of the movement and presence of migratory birds being interpreted differently across societies. While one society may ascribe an unsupported predictive meaning to a natural sign, another may use the same ecological observation to guide practical decisions about seasonality. The difference, he explained, lies in whether the belief is grounded in repeated observation, community validation, practical relevance and contextual truth.

The session also challenged African research and development institutions to move beyond extractive or externally driven models of innovation. Indigenous Knowledge, participants noted, should neither be uncritically romanticised nor unfairly dismissed. It should be documented, interrogated, validated where necessary, and integrated with scientific knowledge in ways that protect communities, strengthen evidence, and improve agricultural outcomes.

Dr Jabik identified several areas in which local and indigenous knowledge continues to contribute meaningfully to agricultural resilience. These include agroforestry, soil management, intercropping, mixed cropping, crop rotation, traditional composting, water harvesting, biodiversity conservation, seed preservation and seasonal forecasting. His presentation highlighted the use of biological indicators, such as animal behaviour, bird migration and flowering patterns, to guide planting and climate-sensitive decisions.

The discussion underscored both the depth and urgency of the issue. Participants asked how to prevent the loss of Indigenous Knowledge, document farmer innovations more systematically, integrate local knowledge into curricula, and balance Indigenous crop varieties with improved varieties amid growing food security pressures.

A contributor from the policy and food security space warned against treating Indigenous Knowledge and improved technologies as competing agendas. Africa, participants agreed, must preserve local breeds, practices and ecological knowledge while also using improved varieties and scientific innovation to meet rising food demand. The webinar’s core message was clear: the future of African agriculture lies not in choosing between Indigenous Knowledge and science, but in building responsible bridges between them.

Another contribution from agricultural extension officer highlighted documentation as a central challenge. Scientific knowledge gains credibility because it is recorded, tested and shared, while Indigenous Knowledge often remains embedded in memory, practice and oral transmission. Participants therefore called for deliberate systems to document, validate and share local agricultural knowledge before it disappears with ageing knowledge bearers.

The discussion also highlighted the links between the effects of climate change on Indigenous Knowledge systems. Participants noted that some ecological indicators communities use for weather prediction and seasonal planning are becoming less reliable as climate patterns shift. Rather than making Indigenous Knowledge irrelevant, this heightens the need to study how these systems are evolving, how communities are adapting, and how scientific climate information can be combined with local indicators in meaningful ways.

In his closing reflection, Benjamin Abugri of FARA said the webinar should not end as a one-off conversation. He encouraged participants working on Indigenous Knowledge system to connect with the KM4AgD Community of Practice so their work can be documented, amplified and developed into future knowledge products, policy briefs, journal articles and learning engagements.

The session closed with consensus on four priorities: recognising farmers and local communities as legitimate knowledge bearers/holders; documenting and managing Indigenous Knowledge before it is lost; creating practical frameworks for co-creating knowledge between communities and scientists; and embedding local knowledge systems in African agricultural education, innovation and sustainability.

The webinar’s success reinforces the KM4AgD Community of Practice as a continental public-good platform for knowledge exchange, peer learning and evidence-informed agricultural transformation. It also underscores the growing importance of knowledge management within Africa’s evolving agricultural agenda and the need to make research, policy and practice more inclusive, context-responsive and grounded in African realities.

As the discussion showed, Indigenous Knowledge is not a relic of the past. When properly understood, documented and integrated, it remains a living knowledge system with practical value for climate adaptation, food security, biodiversity conservation, soil health and resilient livelihoods.

The message from the KM4AgD Community of Practice was unmistakable:

Africa’s agricultural transformation will be stronger when farmers are treated not simply as beneficiaries of science, but as co-creators of knowledge, innovation and sustainable futures.

[1] Benjamin Abugri is the Lead Specialist for Knowledge Management, Digitalisation and Learning at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa and Lead Convener of the KM4AgD Community of Practice Webinar Series

[2] Benjamin Bilalam Jabik (PhD), Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the National College of Defence Studies, Ghana

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The Forum convened 64 African university rectors from more than 30 African countries alongside over 70 Brazilian university leaders, policymakers, researchers, development institutions, multilateral organizations, and strategic partners. The gathering reflected a shared commitment to strengthening South–South cooperation grounded in solidarity, reciprocity, horizontal partnerships, shared knowledge production, and a common vision for inclusive and sustainable development.

Representing FARA and the broader African Union agricultural research and innovation ecosystem, Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Institutional Capacity for Future Scenarios Cluster Lead Specialist, participated in high-level engagements and panel discussions focused on advancing partnerships between African and Brazilian institutions in agricultural research, biotechnology, food systems transformation, innovation ecosystems, scientific mobility, postgraduate training, and institutional capacity development.

A major highlight of the Forum was the launch of the CAPES Move Africa initiative, through which the Government of Brazil announced an investment of R$47.4 million (approximately US$9.4 million) to support 2,600 scholarship opportunities for African Master’s and PhD students through academic exchange and postgraduate mobility programmes.

The initiative includes:

• 800 Master’s exchange opportunities
• 500 PhD exchange opportunities
• Two rounds of selection totaling 2,600 scholarships
• Academic mobility periods ranging from 2 to 10 months

The Forum underscored the strategic role of universities, science, technology, and innovation as critical pillars for Africa’s and Brazil’s shared development aspirations.

Discussions emphasized the need to strengthen academic and scientific networks, expand physical and virtual mobility, promote collaborative research and innovation, support youth employability and entrepreneurship, and deepen cooperation in priority areas such as tropical agriculture, food security, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, energy transition, blue and green economies, and inclusive innovation ecosystems.

The Forum also provided an important opportunity for engagement with His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose leadership continues to reinforce Brazil’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with African countries in education, science, food security, innovation, and sustainable development.

His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Participants reflected on President Lula’s strong reaffirmation of the deep historical, cultural, and human ties linking Brazil and Africa, and his call for renewed collaboration based on mutual respect, shared prosperity, and common development ambitions.

Drawing from his personal experience as a beneficiary of the PEC-PG/CAPES scholarship programme for both MSc and PhD studies in Brazil, Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim highlighted the transformative impact of sustained Brazil–Africa scientific cooperation and the importance of long-term investment in Africa’s next generation of scientists, innovators, researchers, and institutional leaders.

Dr. Ibrahim also reflected on his scientific engagement in Brazil, including research collaboration with EMBRAPA, globally recognized for its leadership in tropical agricultural research and innovation. He emphasized that Brazil’s remarkable transformation in tropical agriculture offers valuable lessons for Africa in areas such as seed systems, biotechnology, climate-smart agriculture, innovation delivery, agribusiness development, and agricultural modernization.

He further emphasized the importance of leveraging emerging Brazil–Africa partnerships to strengthen African Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) institutions, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), universities, innovation platforms, and regional research networks as part of broader efforts to advance agrifood systems transformation, scientific capacity, and scientific sovereignty across the continent, in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Particular emphasis was placed on the Agricultural Research and Innovation Fellowship for Africa (ARIFA) as a strategic framework for deepening scientific mobility, institutional collaboration, postgraduate training, innovation transfer, and long-term partnership building between African and Brazilian institutions, including EMBRAPA and leading Brazilian universities.

The strong participation of the Association of African Universities (AAU), under the leadership of its Secretary-General, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole, further reinforced the importance of coordinated continental engagement, institutional collaboration, and inclusive internationalization in advancing Africa–Brazil academic, scientific, and innovation partnerships.

AAU’s engagement at the Forum underscored the growing recognition that sustainable Africa–Brazil cooperation must be anchored in strong university systems, continental networks, shared knowledge production, and long-term institutional partnerships capable of supporting Africa’s broader development and transformation agenda.

Dr. Abdulrazak also used the Forum to position FARA’s upcoming 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) and 10th General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, as strategic continental convening platforms for advancing partnerships in agricultural science, biotechnology, climate resilience, innovation systems, food systems transformation, and South–South cooperation.

Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Institutional Capacity and Future Scenarios Cluster Lead Specialist

As part of this growing partnership agenda, discussions were initiated on organizing a dedicated Africa–Brazil Parallel Session and ARIFA Side Event during AASW9 to further strengthen institutional partnerships, scientific exchange, innovation collaboration, and long-term cooperation between African and Brazilian stakeholders.

The Brazil–Africa Rectors Forum demonstrated the growing importance of science diplomacy, collective institutional action, and strategic South–South cooperation in shaping a shared future of innovation, resilience, inclusion, and sustainable development between Africa and Brazil.

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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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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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