Empower Climate-Resilient Smallholder Agriculture by Investing in African Research and Innovation

“Empower climate-resilient smallholder agriculture by investing in African research and innovation” recommends three strategies for more effectively investing in smallholder-centered research and innovation that advance climate-resilient agriculture.

The brief is highlighted in this op-ed by co-authors, Jean Claude Rubyogo and Hellen Keti.

This publication emerges from a partnership among the UN Foundation and 15 African researchers and innovators:

  • Abdou Tenkouano, CEO, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF)
  • Abdulsamad Isah, Lead Research & Extension, Extension Africa, Nigeria
  • Ajay Panchbhai, Regional Breeding, Seed Systems and Product Management Lead – Africa, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Kenya
  • Atu Bilaro, Maize & Rice Breeder, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Tanzania
  • David Karanja, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Organization (KALRO), Kenya
  • Dorothy Nampanzira, Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
  • Gloria Phekani, Managing Director, Milele Agro-processing Limited, Malawi
  • Hellen Keti, Director, Abosi Top Hill Farmers’ Cooperative, Kenya
  • Hussein Shimelis, Director, African Center for Crop Improvement (ACCI), Professor and Chair of Crop Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Jean Claude Rubyogo, Director, Pan-AfricaBean Research Alliance (PABRA)/Bean Program Leader, Alliance Bioversity-CIAT
  • Mateete Bekunda, Lead, One CGIAR Mixed Farming Systems Initiative, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Uganda
  • Mbaye Diop, Research Director, Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA), Senegal
  • Milindi Sibomana, Chief Agriculture Officer, One Acre Fund, Rwanda
  • Moses Odeke, Head of Programs, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)
  • Oumar Baba Samaké, Co-founder, EcoTech Mali
  • Christine Negra, Senior Advisor, United Nations Foundation, USA – Coordinating author