This meeting was organized by AU‑SAFGRAD (the African Union’s Semi‑Arid Food Grains Research & Development office). It served as a key strategy session aimed at operationalizing the newly launched CAADP Kampala Strategy (covering 2026–2035), which is Africa's post‑Malabo framework for transforming agriculture through science and innovation.
It is important to strengthen joint African action to address the risks and challenges facing the region, as well as the optimal and effective exploitation of the vast and diverse economic and natural resources possessed by the African continent, to achieve intra-African economic integration and address the new global reality. Egypt develops agriculture through several axes, including: horizontal expansion through the reclamation of approximately 4 million acres to support the production of strategic crops and reduce the food gap therein, as well as vertical expansion through the development of new varieties with high productivity, early maturity, low water requirements, and tolerance to climate change.
Egyptian state's efforts include adopting modern technologies to develop irrigation systems and increase the efficiency of water resource use by building giant agricultural wastewater treatment plants. This is in addition to supporting the transition to healthy and safe food systems, reducing loss and waste by expanding the scope of the National Silos Program and diversifying import sources for strategic grain commodities. This is in addition to strengthening and expanding the social protection network through the "Takaful and Karama" programs and launching the presidential "Decent Life" initiative, which aims to alleviate the burden on citizens in the most needy communities in rural areas and urban slums, representing more than 60% of the Egyptian population.
The Ministry of Agriculture and its scientists from the Agricultural Research Center and the Desert Research Center are fully prepared to provide the necessary expertise and all means of support to cooperate with our brothers from the African continent, harnessing all capabilities to ensure the success of this cooperation and achieve food security. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt
The workshop was attended by: the Director of the African Union Office for Research and Development at the African Union Commission; the Executive Secretary of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa; the Executive Secretary of the Arab Fund for Technical Support to African Countries; Dr. Adel Abdel Azim, Head of the Agricultural Research Center; Dr. Saad Moussa, Supervisor of External Agricultural Relations; and representatives of African Union bodies and organizations.
Objectives of the Meeting
Translate the Kampala Strategy into a concrete Action Plan: Participants focused on identifying R&D priorities, setting targets, defining implementation pathways, and establishing an M&E (monitoring & evaluation) framework .
Engage key stakeholders: A broad range of actors from national agricultural research centers, CGIAR institutes, regional bodies like FARA, and AU entities (e.g., SAFGRAD, AUC) were consulted to ensure ownership at all levels.
Mobilize support and funding mechanisms: The meeting also explored ways to build strong public–private partnerships, secure donor engagement, and tap into new financing instruments to support agricultural research in Africa.
Key Themes Covered
Strengthening R&D infrastructure up to 2035.
Enhancing tech transfer—including mechanization, digital agriculture, AI, climate-smart practices.
Establishing robust institutional frameworks and governance for implementation and monitoring.
Formulating resource mobilization strategies.
This event marked the first major consultative workshop aimed at driving the shift from high‑level commitment—to the Kampala Strategy—toward tangible, on‑the‑ground action across Africa. The ultimate goal: to build sustainable, resilient, and innovation-led agri-food systems across the continent.
Lovin Kobusingye (Uganda National Women Fish Organization)
Kofi Kisiedu Acquaye (YPARD)
Jenniffer Wairimu Waruingi (Kenya Youth)
Dr. Jennie Van der Mheen (WUR) University
Dr. Laura Altea (EWA BELT )
Representative ARC Egypt
Panel 6: Institutional Collaboration and Policy Engagement for Kampala Delivery
Moderator: Dr. AKwesi Ntiamoah Atta-Krah, Senior advisor to the Regional Director for Africa
Dr. Uffelen, Gerrit-Jan van (WUR)
Dr. Aliou Faye (ISRA, Senegal)
Representative ARC/Cairo University
Dr. Moyo Siboniso, ILRI Deputy Director General
Panel 7: Resource Mobilization and Public-Private Partnerships
Moderator: Dr Kwaku Antwi (FARA)
Dr. Oyewole Babafemi (PAFO – Farmer/PPP links)
Dr. Tapsoba François (EWA Scientific Board)
Peter Claver Anyeembey (Ministry of Agriculture, Ghana)
Dr. Mohammed Ssemwanga (AGRENES-Private Sector)
Representative Cairo University
Representatives from AFTAAC
Representative ARC Egypt
Key Outcomes & Next Steps
Drafting of an AU-SAFGRAD Action Plan.Outlining thematic priorities, institutional roles, performance indicators, and implementation timelines.
Governance Frameworks Initiated. Draft TORs for coordinating bodies, partnership agreements, and M&E systems were proposed for adoption at continental and regional levels
Resource Mobilization Framework Drafted. Including proposals for public–private funding, donor coordination, and engagement with “Team Africa” financing mechanisms
Research Priorities Finalized.Soil health, digital/agri-tech, AI, mechanization, climate-smart practices and value-chain R&D were signed off as flagship areas
Partnership Agreements Under Development.Including a roadmap for AARIEIs (Africa‑wide Agricultural Research & Innovation Excellence Institutions) aligned with Kampala goals
RUFORUM-Led Capacity Support Planned.RUFORUM to roll out training programs aiding national implementation efforts
19-21 May 2025. Brussels. AGROECOLOGY Partnership Valorisation Workshop and Kick-Off Meeting. Organised by the Agroecology Partnership. The Partnership is funded by Horizon Europe and unites the European Commission and 72 partners across 26 Member States, Associated Countries, and Third Countries.
Valorisation Workshop & Kick-Off Meeting of the 1st co-funded call projects, The 1st co-funded call “Fostering agroecology at farm and landscape levels” resulted in the selection of 19 projects with a total funding of €37 million. A kick-off meeting of the 1st co-funded call projects was held on May 20-21 (2025) in Brussels. The meeting was organised back-to-back with a valorisation workshop, aimed at discussing the utilization and application of research projects funded under H2020 whose results are of benefit for the AGROECOLOGY Partnership.
Webinars organised by the Agroecology Partnership
12 June 2025. Legume-cereal intercropping for sustainable agriculture across Europe
Organised by the Agroecology Partnership. The Partnership is funded by Horizon Europe and unites the European Commission and 72 partners across 26 Member States, Associated Countries, and Third Countries
28 May 2025. Conversation on Agroecology: Monitoring agroecological transition – from theory to practice
26 May 2025. Conversation on Agroecology: Agroecology living labs to transform food systems
Tiffanie F. Stone from the Aarhus University in Denmark
Tiffanie F. Stone presented a critical review developed by an interdisciplinary team of research in work package 7 of the Agroecology Partnership describing key characteristics and possibilities of transformative agroecology Living Labs (LL). Sustainable transition and innovation theories, and literature on agricultural knowledge and innovation systems were reviewed and connected with three core components of transformative agroecology LL: 1) aligning methods with agroecology principles, 2) utilizing place-based transformation approaches and 3) supporting a paradigm shift to participatory knowledge production. The team then identified three seeds of transformation which hold potential for supporting transformative agroecology LL as a new participatory paradigm at the science-policy-society nexus in Europe.
Ana Allamand brought LLs concept to practice, highlighting common challenges and opportunities when implementing LLs and suggesting tools to address these challenges and maximise LL potential and impact. She also explored how to plan for LLs long term viability (beyond limited funding) to leverage them in the long run to sustain agricultural and food systems transformation.
Prof. Per Kudsk presented the outcomes of the EU-funded IWMPRAISE project, which explored practical, sustainable solutions for weed control through Integrated Weed Management (IWM) across Europe. Learn how innovative, low-input strategies can reduce herbicide reliance, support biodiversity, and improve resilience in farming systems.
This conference discussed the latest advancements, opportunities and risks associated with biotechnologies, and to examine how biotechnologies can drive agrifood systems transformation, ensuring equitable access and delivering meaningful impacts at all levels.
Objectives
Highlight past achievements, recent advancements and future trends in biotechnologies and their transformative potential for achieving efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
Explore how biotechnologies, including low-tech tools and advanced innovations, such as genome editing and synthetic biology, can empower small-scale producers, processors, traders and retailors to enhance food security, improve nutrition, and build resilience to climate challenges.
Share good practices in integrating digital technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and bioinformatics, to advance research, improve access, and scale biotechnological innovations.
Discuss the experience in development of policies and legislation to ensure the safe, equitable, and responsible application of biotechnologies, addressing risks and building public trust.
Foster global collaboration by connecting policymakers, scientists, civil society organizations, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders to drive inclusive biotechnological solutions, ensuring no one is left behind in the transformation of agrifood systems.
"Biotechnology is not a substitute for traditional knowledge, but instead it is a valuable complement. It must be accessible to those on the front lines of agrifood systems: farmers, rural communities, and stewards of the environment. Responsible governance, appropriate regulatory frameworks, public trust, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to ensure that no one is left behind in this era of rapid transformation." QU Dongyu FAO Director-General
The panel highlighted some of the recent advancements such as synthetic biology, microbial metabolic engineering, molecular data science, analytics, computational methods including Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to development and application of biotechnological solutions.
Welcome and opening Address, Dr QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO
Vincent Martin, moderator
Science-based approaches to support food security, better nutrition and food safety in the context of transforming agrifood systems - Mr. Carlos Goulart, Secretary of Animal and Plant Health at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Brazil
Biotechnologies as catalysts for agrifood systems transformation and its role in achieving multiple SDGs - Mr Víctor Manuel Villalobos Arámbula, Former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mexico
Role of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in development and application of Biotechnologies - Mr Sanwen Huang, President, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), Hainan, China
Application of biotechnologies for smallholders - Mr Papa Abdoulaye Seck, Former Director General, Africa Rice Center and Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senegal
Taking stock of the past achievements, status and recent breakthroughs in biotechnological research and development - Ms Louise Fresco Professor & Former President, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands: She stressed the promises of biotechnology 1.0 and biotehnology 2.0
The panel discussion highlighted some of the recent advancements such as synthetic biology, microbial metabolic engineering, molecular data science, analytics, computational methods including Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to development and application of biotechnological solutions.
Looking at the future: International cooperation and partnerships for promoting biotechnologies for efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems - Ms Jelena Begovic, Chair, Board of Governors, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy and Former Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Government of Serbia.
Application of synthetic biology and microbial metabolic engineering for food security and nutrition - Ms Claudia Vickers, Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Molecular data science - Analytics and computational methods, including AI, applied to genome, protein sequence, and small molecule data - Mr Justin Gerke, Sr. Data Science Manager, Corteva Agriscience, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Exploring the Future of biotechnologies: Integrating foresight across UN and Beyond - Mr Chris Earney, Head UN Futures Lab/Global Hub, UN Futures Lab/Global Hub Executive Office of the Secretary General at the Unities Nations, New York, USA
Biotechnologies at work for smallholder farmers: Lessons of the past, challenges and opportunities of the future - Mr Ajay Vir Jakhar, Chairman, Bharat Krishak Samaj, Indian Farmers Forum, New Delhi, India: Phylantropic organizations should not influence policy
Role of private sector in promoting biotechnological solutions: Increasing investments and engagements - Mr Michael Keller, Secretary General, International Seeds Federation, Nyon, Switzerland
Atrium side event: Extract: Evaluation of transgenic cowpea with combined resistance to the Legume pod borer and cowpea weevil - Mr Jerry Nboyine, Principal Research Scientist (Entomologist) at CSIR - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale. Ghana
The session focused on some recent and specific biotechnological innovations including gene editing, synthetic biology, DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, cell based products and its wide range of novel solutions for resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
Biotechnologies to the most vulnerable communities: Participatory action research with indigenous peoples and peasant communities, and advice on public policies and programs - Ms Georgina Catacora-Vargas, Member of the IPES-Food panel, and professor at the Academic Peasant Unit ‘Tiawanacu’ of the Bolivian Catholic University, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Revolutionary gene editing technology for affordable and accessible solutions in agrifood systems - Mr Brad Ringeisen, Executive Director, Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI), Berkeley, California, USA (On-line)
Application of the latest DNA sequencing technologies and bioinformatics methods to advance scientific understanding of crop genetics and interaction with their environment - Mr Mario Caccamo, Chief Executive Officer and Director, National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Biotechnological and food innovation – How plant and cell- based products will transform our agrifood systems? - Mr Bruce Friedrich, President and Founder, The Good Food Institute, Washington, D.C., USA
Molecular biological research for development of stress tolerance and resilient crops - Mr. Yasunari Fujita, Food Program, Program Director, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Japan
Role of structural and functional changes in the genome, diversity and population’s structure - adaptation to natural environmental variations or human-induced changes - Mr Yves Vigouroux, Director, DIADE Research Unit (Diversity - Adaptation - Plant Development), Institute of Research for Development (IRD), Montpellier, France
Delivering the benefits of biotechnology tools to farmers: Facilitating the transfer of appropriate biotechnology applications to farmers - Ms Margaret Karembu, Director, International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA), Africa Center, Nairobi, Kenya (On-line)
The presentation focused on topics such as next generation genomics, molecular breeding, gene editing and synthetic biology for sustainable crop production systems.
The session provided a platform for interactive dialogue on the latest biotechnological applications in animal breeding, conservation of genetic diversity, improvement of feed efficiency and product quality, and the development of next-generation vaccines.
FAO Webcast 45 applications were received and 6 were selected for presentation
+ 2:05:00Intervention from Ms Louise Fresco: "South - South collaboration is really important" "Vasilov vs Lisenko in Russia: we are go to be evidence driven" "Only a fully rounded individual can bë a good scientist
The session highlighted some practical examples from the United States and China on product development, localization and commercialization, and safe and appropriate use of technologies to help meet agricultural challenges and consumer needs.
Role of Agricultural education and extension to promote development and localization of biotechnologies: Pathways for promoting biotechnologies in South Africa - Ms Lerato Bame Tsalaemang Matsaunyane, Research Team Manager: Farmer Support, Commercialisation and Enterprise Development, Agricultural Research Council – Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (VIMP), Pretoria, South Africa (On-line)
Biotechnologies to enhance the conservation and use of African tree germplasm - Ms Alice Muchugi (Theme Leader, Tree Genetic Resources and Biodiversity, World Agroforestry, Kenya)
Applying genomics to enhance the use of nutritionally important underutilized crops and trees species: African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) Initiative - Ms Alice Muchugi, Theme Leader, Tree Genetic Resources and Biodiversity, CIFOR-ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya
Platforms to enable knowledge transfer and bioeconomy development - Mr. Julius Ecuru, Manager, BioInnovate Africa at ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya
Case 2: Importance of information sharing under the Convention of Biological Diversity: Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) - Ms Wadzanayi Mandivenyi, Biosafety Clearing House Manager, Biosafety Unit, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Canada
This session highlighted accessible and affordable biotechnological innovations for climate change adaptation, and discuss specificity of some regional initiatives, and opportunities of plant microbiomes research and the development of microbial pro- and pre-biotic products for a more sustainable agriculture.
Biotechnologies for adapting to climate change: Improving resilience of smallholders in Africa - Mr Sylvester Oikeh Manager Biotech Maize seed system AATF, Nairobi, Kenya (On-line)
Developing next-generation plant breeding technologies to accelerate the creation of resilient and diverse crops, particularly in response to climate change - Ms Ying Shao, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Plantik Biosciences, Paris, France
The session highlighted some selected cases from Sweden, Switzerland, Nigeria, USA and Canada. The discussions focused on application of biotechnologies in livestock herd health management, plant breeding, high-quality and high yielding varieties of seeds and scaling efforts.
Development of Nigeria’s seed sector by improving access to high-quality, high-yielding varieties for smallholder farmers and promoting agronomic practices that support food security and rural livelihoods - Mr Moses Igyuve, Value Seeds Ltd, Nigeria
Examples covered economically important tropical crops, recent developments in biological nitrogen inhibition (BNI) and converting waste into biofertilizers.
Facilitating transition of biotechnologies from the research to adoption enabled through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) roadmap in South Africa - Ms Maneshree Jugmohan-Naidu, Director: Agricultural Biotechnology, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Pretoria, South Africa
Scaling biotech products and response under real-world farmers’ conditions - Mr David Spielman, Director, Innovation Policy & Scaling Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, USA
Transforming agricultural waste into bio-fertilizer and outreach to rural women farmers in Uganda - Ms Elizabeth Kabakoyo, Founder, Glowish Agro Solutions, Uganda (On-line)
This session highlighted the policies for equitable access and responsible application of biotechnologies by addressing consumer concerns and ensuring integration of ethical considerations.
Policy and regulatory affairs for biotechnologies: Experiences from Africa - Mr Francis Nangayo, Senior Manager and Head, Regulatory and Policies, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Nairobi, Kenya.
Policies and regulations of agricultural biotechnologies in Malawi – stakeholder relations and communications - Ms Lilian Chimphepo, Chief Environmental Officer (Biosafety Registrar), Environmental Affairs Department, Malawi
Policy enablers for regulating agricultural biotechnologies in Africa - Mr Samuel Timpo, Principal Programme Officer – Biosafety, Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors and editors of the special issue presented evidence on the medium-term effects of rising fertilizer prices and their implications for global demand, highlighting the disproportionate effects on smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries. The discussion will also cover issues related to the role of targeted subsidy programs, integrated soil fertility management, and site-specific nutrient approaches.
A panel of fertilizer experts discussed how these insights can support policymakers seeking to mitigate price volatility, strengthen soil health, and ensure resilience in agricultural production, particularly during adverse weather events and economic shocks. This seminar offers critical perspectives for researchers, policymakers, and agribusiness leaders working to build more sustainable and equitable food systems in an increasingly uncertain world.
Introduction and Opening Remarks Ruth Hill, Director, Markets, Trade, and Institutions, IFPRI
Christopher Barrett, Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, US
A synthesis of recent evidence on the policy dimensions of fertilizer, soil health, and economic shocks Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI (Presentation)
Country and cross-country policy experience: A conversation with the authors
Jaweriah Hazrana, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Arizona State University
Pauline Chivenge, Senior Scientist, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Panel Discussion: How do we build resilience to future shocks in international and domestic fertilizer markets?
Moderated by Charlotte Hebebrand, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI Peter Odhiambo Owoko, Head, Policy Coordination, Directorate of Agricultural Policy Research and Regulations, State Department for Crop Development & Agricultural Research, Kenya
Latha Nagarajan, Director, Sustainable Opportunities for Improving Livelihoods with Soils (SOILS) Consortium, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
Shamie Zingore, Director of Research and Development, African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI)
National plant protection organizations (NPPOs) are responsible for carrying out specific functions established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) at the national level. By fulfilling these responsibilities, NPPOs contribute to the overarching goals of the IPPC: preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests and facilitating safe trade.
This e-learning course is designed to support plant health professionals, particularly those working within an NPPO, by enhancing their understanding of the organization's objectives and operations, as well as their own responsibilities within it.
Ms Sarah Brunel - Implementation and Facilitation Unit Lead, IPPC Secretariat, FAO
Ms Cristina Petracchi - FAO elearning Academy, FAO
Mr Saliou Niassy - Coordinator, African Union Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC)
Ms Temarama Anguna – Kamana - CPM Bureau Representative, Southwest Pacific and Head of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Cook Islands
Ms Mweene Kambombi - National Phytosanitary Evaluation Coordinator and Plant Health Inspector, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI)
Mr Claude Bragard - Professor and Plant Health Specialist, Catholic University of Louvain
Background:
High-quality, accessible, and inclusive capacity development is essential for building strong, sustainable phytosanitary systems. That’s why the IPPC Secretariat — in collaboration with the FAO elearning Academy and with support from the European Union — has developed the IPPC Plant Health Campus.
The content is aimed at national plant protection organizations (NPPOs), NPPO staff, phytosanitary capacity evaluation (PCE) facilitators, plant health partners, stakeholders and students, with the overall goal of strengthening national phytosanitary capacity.
This new multilingual platform provides free, certified e-learning courses, practical guides, and capacity development tools developed to support the learning needs of plant health professionals, national and regional plant protection organizations, academic institutions and plant health stakeholders globally.
This e-learning course outlines the process that countries can follow to gain access to new markets for exporting plants and plant products, while minimizing trade disruptions and preventing pest introductions. It covers international agreements and standards relevant to exporting plants and plant products, emphasizing the importance of phytosanitary measures.
Participants will learn how to collaborate with national stakeholders and within their national plant protection organization (NPPO) to facilitate market access while protecting biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems.
ACAT is the foremost forum that focuses on game-changing novel agricultural technologies, ideas, and policies that foster agricultural transformation on the continent. The Conference is an agriculture technology transfer platform that promotes innovative and practical solutions to catalyse more efficient, inclusive, and resilient agriculture in Africa.
It brought together government representatives, industry thought leaders, policymakers, technical experts, private institutions, farmers, women and youth across the globe to discuss and define practical actions and solutions to the challenges of technology access and use faced in the agriculture sector in Africa.
This panel session explored how a user-centered design approach
can revolutionize the development and deployment of Science, Technology, and
Innovation (STI) in agriculture, with smallholder farmers and other key stakeholders
as integral members of the innovation team.
Sequence 1: How can we better understand and prioritize the specific needs of smallholder African farmers to ensure that technological solutions are truly impactful and sustainable?
Dr. Milindi Sibomana, Chief Agriculture Officer, One Acre Fund
Ms. Margaret Awinja, Coordinator, Western Region Farmers Network
Mr. Anthony Kioko, CEO, CGA
Prof. Maggie Gill, Board of Trustees Member, AATF
Dr. Kayode Sanni, Project Manager and Director of The Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa (AHyRA), AATF
Sequence 2: How can we create effective partnerships between researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, and farmers to design scalable farmer centric agtech solutions?
Prof. Richard O. Oduor, Research, Innovation and Outreach, Kenyatta University
Prof. Hlami Ngwenya, Head of Research Chair, Communication for Innovation Center for Sustainable Food Systems and Development, University of Free State
Prof. Bernard Slippers, Board of Trustees Member, AATF
Prof. Firew Mekbib, Chair, National Variety Release, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Dr. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Director, Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)
09/10 Building robust digital infrastructure in rural areas
This session explored a two-pronged approach: establishing resilient and accessible infrastructure for present impact and proactively developing the robust and interconnected infrastructure required to harness the transformative potential of AI, robotics, precision agriculture, and data analytics.
Sequence 1: How can digital solutions be leveraged to accelerate the adoption and
application of agricultural innovations?
Dr. Bellancile Uzayisenga, Plant & Microbial Biotechnology Programme
Coordinator Senior Principal Research Fellow, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal
Resources Development Board, (RAB)
Mr. Deo Massawe, CEO, Bank of Kigali (BK) TecHouse
Mr. Emmanuel Assiak, Chief Investment Officer, Fund for Export Development
in Africa (FEDA)
Dr. Ndambe Magnific, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, RICA
Sequence 2: What are the key challenges and opportunities in deploying digital tools in remote rural areas, and how can these challenges be overcome?
Mr. Pierre Kayitana, General Manager, Zipline Rwanda
Mr. Gabriel Macharia, Data Management Officer, AATF
Mr. Paul Kwengere, Board Member, International Trade Council
Mr. Faissal Sehbaoui, CEO, AgriEdge
09/06 Digital divide and promoting Ag-tech literacy
This panel addressed the critical issue of farmers’ voices to the forefront and exploring practical solutions to promote tech literacy and the adoption of farmer-centric agricultural technologies.
Sequence 1: Bridging the Gap - Farmers and Tech Developers in Dialogue
Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala, President, EAFF
Mr. Pacifique Nshimiyimana, Founder & CEO, Real Green Gold Ltd
Mr. Naboho Wiledyo, Farmer, People’s Republic of Burkina Faso
Mrs. Tigist Endashaw Bealem, Consultant - Climate Action Policy Advocacy,
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Sequence 2: Interactive workshop and reporting
What are the effective training and education models for Ag-Tech solutions in
Africa?
What are some practical strategies for enhancing access and affordability of
digital tools for farmers?
The role of youth in championing digital literacy among older farmers?
Day 2: Theme: Enabling Environment: Investment and partnerships
for Ag-Tech Solutions
10/06 : Enabling Environment: Investment and partnerships for Ag-Tech Solutions
This session explored strategic investments across a range of vital linkages,
markets, credit facilities, capacity building, and other essential support services.
Keynote Address: Investing in the Future of African Agriculture - H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, AATF Goodwill Ambassador & Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Panel 1: Charting a Collaborative Roadmap for Quality Partnerships:
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director, AATF
Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, ILRI
Dr. Yuichiro Asai, President & CEO, Asai Nursey, Inc
Dr. Sheila Obim, Executive Director, Alliance for Science
Prof. Jean Jacques Muhinda, Regional Director East & Southern Africa, AGRA
Panel 2: Building the Ecosystem: Infrastructure, Finance, and Capacity
Hon. Tesi Rusagara, Minister of State for Resource Mobilization and Public Investments,
Rwanda.
Ms. Brenda Gunde, Lead Global Technical Specialist ICT4D, Sustainable Products, Markets and Institutions Division, IFAD
Dr. Stella Simiyu (picture), Director Regulatory Affairs & Stakeholder Relations, CropLife Africa Middle East: see video @ 42:27 - 46:38 She answers the question: How do we foster a PPP that works for the farmers?
Ms. Katie Taft, Communications and Engagement Lead, Gates Ag One
Mr. Hannington Namara, C.E.O Equity Bank Rwanda
10/06 : Developing sustainable business models for Ag-Tech
This session explored diverse investment opportunities, innovative financing mechanisms, and policy frameworks that can unlock the widespread development and adoption of impactful Ag-Tech.
Sequence 1: For sustainable Ag-Tech to thrive across diverse African markets, what are the primary investment hurdles and the resulting opportunities once these are addressed?
Dr. Eugene Mutimura, CEO, National Council of Science and Technology, Republic of Rwanda
Dr. Jonga Munyaradzi, Seed Production Manager, AATF
Dr. Said Rutabayiro Ngoga, Division Manager for Technology Innovation, Rwanda Information Society Authority
Ms. Martha Haile, Founder, Abze
Sequence 2: How can we foster a new generation of innovative agripreneurs who can drive sustainable agricultural development and economic growth?
Prof. Alfred Bizoza, Professor, University of Rwanda
Mr. John Agboola, Foundation Manager, AGCO Corporation
Mr. Peter Wamboga-Mugirya, Director for Communication and Partnerships, Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development (SCIFODE)
Dr. Nomathemba Mhlanga, Country Representative, FAO
10/06 Researchers Dialogue Session Title: Integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern technology solutions
This session examined the synergies between indigenous ecological knowledge—deeply rooted in local cultures and ecosystems—and innovations such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, and digital platforms.
Sequence 1: Collaborative Pathways to Next-Gen Agriculture
Mrs. Gift A. Kadzamira, Director General, National Commission for Science and Technology Rwanda
Dr. Omar Mukama, Lead GCP inspector of Clinical Trials, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority
Dr. Allan Liavoga, Technical Advisor, North American Millers Association
Ms. Bakang K. Kgasudi, PhD student, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sequence 2: Interactive workshop and reporting - Bridging Wisdom and Technology
What core elements of traditional farming must be safeguarded and integrated?
How can digital agriculture enhance, rather than replace, local practices?
What governance mechanisms can ensure ethical knowledge sharing?
Day 3 : Last Mile Delivery: Commercialization and Scaling of
Ag-tech Solutions
11/06 Commercialization and Scaling of Ag-tech Solutions
The panellists analysed the persistent barriers hindering access in rural communities and explore how strategic, multi-sectoral partnerships, empowered by cutting-edge technological advancements in logistics and information flow, can revolutionize delivery.
Project Showcase: Climate Smart Remote Sensing Project in Rice Value Chain Project
- Dr. Kayode Sanni, Project Manager and Director of The Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa
(AHyRA), AATF
Opening Remarks & Setting the Stage
Mr. Sam Ngabire, Coordinator, Home Grown School Feeding Project, Ministry of Education,
Republic of Rwanda
Keynote Presentation: Overcoming Last Mile Hurdles -Ms. Mildred Nadah Pita, Head of
Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability, Bayer
Panel Discussion: Building Robust Partnerships Among Stakeholders (Public, Private,
NGOs) for Sustainable Scaling of Ag-Tech Solutions
Mr Shavda Tree Onov. CEO of East Africa Agro Limited
Prof. Karimbhai M. Maredia, Professor and Director of International Programs, Michigan State University - "The importance of South-South, North-South partnerships for technology transfer"
Mr. Momar Dieng, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer, AIMS Global Network
Dr. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Director, Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)
Mr. Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, Country Director, Rwanda, IFAD
Panel Discussion: Beyond the Pilot, Scaling Ag-Tech Solutions
Mr. Amath Pathé Sene, Managing Director, Africa Food System Forum (AFSF)
Ms. Zoë Karl-Waithaka, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group
(BCG) - Inclusive business models
Dr. Mel Oluoch, Director for Strategic Partnerships, Sasakawa
Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Director General, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal
Resources Development Board (RAB)
Path Forward: Dr. Oliver Kamana, Permanent Secretary, MINAGRI
The Alliance for Cowpea Improvement in Africa (ACIA) is an Africa-focused community of cowpea experts. It responds to the demands of African farmers and consumers for cowpea that is safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable.
Cowpea is a delicious and nutritious food crop, one widely featured in African cuisines and widely grown on African farms. The mission of ACIA is to ensure this versatile and resilient crop reaches its full potential to support healthy diets and sustainable, productive farms.
Kira Everhart-Valentin of Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One) Prof. Muhammad Lawan Umar - Cowpea breeder, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Nigeria Francis Onyekachi, Manager Product Stewardship and Quality (AATF) He presented the progress on gene edited cowpeas Dr. Jean Baptiste Tignegre - African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)
11/06 Licensing and IP: access to proprietary traits and germplasm
This session delved into the complex landscape of intellectual property (IP) and licensing concerning proprietary traits and germplasm – foundational elements for agricultural innovation and productivity gains in Africa. Access to these protected resources holds immense potential for developing climate-resilient crops, enhancing nutritional value, and improving yields for African farmers. However, navigating the legal, ethical, and economic considerations surrounding IP and licensing is crucial to ensure equitable access and foster sustainable agricultural development in Africa.
While the private and public seed sector share the same goal of developing improved varieties, there are
important differences that must be considered when developing appropriate IPR for cultivars developed
in the public sector. Public breeding often focuses on crops with high social returns to investment but
low private returns, such as small grains, perennials, cover and soil building crops, root and tuber crops,
and tree crops. Public breeders often focus on long arc research, that is, research in which the payoff
may require many years of work, often by many individuals. After development and proof of concept by
the public sector, the new products are commercialized by the private sector with little return of funding
to the public side. In many cases the public breeding sector collaborates with the private sector to
commercialize public cultivars, and considerations must be made to facilitate this technology transfer. (See: University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016) Intellectual Property Rights and Public Plant Breeding Recommendations, and proceedings of a conference on best practices for intellectual property protection of publicly developed plant germplasm)
Sequence 1: How can intellectual property and licensing frameworks be structured to enable access to proprietary traits and germplasm while still incentivizing innovation?
Dr. George Smith, Senior Associate Dean for Research, MSU
Dr. Damaris Odeny, Plant Geneticist, International Crops Research Institute for the SemiArid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Dr. Deogracious Protas Massawe, Principal Research Coordination Officer, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology.
He presented: the Tanzania Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) Innovators are trained on the various aspects of IP, enabling them to identify protectable aspects of their inventions. This safeguards their innovations and gives innovators a competitive advantage at the market. The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) is managing a credit window(1 M USD) under the national fund for advancement of Science and technology (NFAST) to support commercialization of Innovations in collaboration with CRDB bank foundation and the World Bank. The establishment of this special commercialization fund in collaboration with CRDB Bank Foundation to accommodate market penetration of research and innovation products. This special window will serve to: (i) Promote commercialization of research and innovation products in Tanzania; (ii) Attract more financing opportunities within and outside Tanzania for supporting; commercialization of research and innovation products; (iii) De-risk innovators and unlock them to commercial funding from commercial banks. (the call opened on 5th May 2025)
Ag-Tech Frontier: Mechanizing the Last Miles: A viable, all-terrain machine to unlock rural food production - Mr. Eric Lane, Co-Founder and Principal, Prosparity Systems
Sequence 2: From Ownership to Access — Making IP Work for African Farmers. What practical steps are needed to ensure African researchers and farmers benefit from protected germplasm and traits, especially in the context of climate resilience and food security?
H.E. Ambassador Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, AATF Board
Ms. Keziah Chomba, Legal Officer, AATF
Dr. Nyagatare Guillaume, Principal, University of Rwanda, College of Agriculture
"Let's put Intellectual Property Rights in the social context of Africa, and not from an individual gain perspective"
11/06 : Leveraging Ag-Tech for Sustainable Agriculture
This dialogue empowered young people to create, adopt and scale Nextgen AgTech solutions for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future in Africa. This youth dialogue amplified the voices of young farmers and inspire a new generation of agricultural leaders.
Sequence 1: Collaborative Pathways to Next-Gen Agriculture
Mr. Norman Mugisha, CEO, Afrifarmers Market
Ms. Mildred Nadah Pita, Head of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability, Bayer
Mr. Henry Lagat, Lead, Generation Africa, AGRA
Mr. John Agboola, Foundation Manager, AGCO Corporation
Sequence 2: Interactive workshop and reporting
What are the most effective ways to educate and train young farmers on AgTech in a way that resonates with them?
How can governments and other stakeholders create a more enabling environment that supports youth engagement in Ag-Tech?
How can we foster more effective collaboration between different stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize impact?
11/06 Private Sector Dialogue: Commercialization and Scaling of Climate Smart and Modern Ag-Tech to the last mile
This private sector dialogue discusses effective
strategies for commercialization of climate-relevant agricultural technologies and
innovations in Africa.
Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma, Executive Director, ASARECA
Ms. Julian Barungi, Program Officer Policy, ASARECA
Dr. Joshua Okonya, Program Officer, Agricultural Technology and Innovation,
ASARECA
Mr. Federico Tonelli, Director of Development & Partnerships, Asili Agriculture
Ms. Iheoma Okpara Chienyenwa, Plant Operations Manager, The Rwanda
Fertilizer Company Ltd
Mr. Innocent Namuhoranye, Chairman, National Seed Association of Rwanda
(NSAR)
Mr. Didace Mparirwa, Head of Agriculture and Livestock Cluster, Private Sector
Federation (PSF)
Dr. Geoffrey Ongoya, Technical Manager, Koppert Biological Systems
Ms. Stella Kimani, Chief Operations Officer, Acre Africa
Ms. Sidonie Paques, Climate Finance Investment Lead, The Global Green
Growth Institute (GGGI)
Day 4 : Cultivating a sustainable future with AgTech Solutions
This subtheme explored practices for product integrity preservation to benefit farmers, enterprises, and consumers while creating regenerative and distributive products that work within the planet’s ecological limits.
Opening Remarks & Setting the Stage - H.E. Ambassador Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, AATF Board
Keynote Address - Dr. Chris Holdgreve, CEO, Global Stewardship Group (GSG) & Executive Director, Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) Stewardship for Transgenetic Plant Technology; Plant breeding Innovation (PBI) such as genome editing and other breeding innovations.
12/06 Stewardship: Cultivating a sustainable future with Ag-Tech Solutions
This session delved into practices that safeguard product integrity, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of innovations.
Panel Discussion: Stewardship & Sustainability in Action
Prof. Johnnie Van Den Berg, Program Manager: Integrated Pest Management,
North-West University, South Africa He mentioned Nigerian Farmer’s Success Story with Bt Cowpea
Dr. Olusegun Adedayo Yerokun, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs,
RICA
Prof. Emmanuel Ikani, Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension and
Liaison Services, Zaria, Nigeria
This report outlines actionable recommendations for reforming the global governance architecture for food and nutrition in light of today’s pressing challenges, including conflict, climate change, and post-pandemic financial pressures.
It calls for a “common commitment” among governments and food systems actors to recognize food security as a universal public good, intrinsically linked to climate governance.
This vision involves building a robust foundation of knowledge, prioritizing prevention and resilience, and establishing clear frameworks of measurement and accountability. By positioning food security as central to global justice, it urges the integration of fragmented frameworks to ensure investments reach those who need them most.
Opening and keynote speakers
H.E Mr. Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Ambassador of Brazil to the European Union
Ms. Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission
Presentation of selected findings from the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security Report
Ms. Sara Roversi, President, Future Food Institute, Commissioner
Mr. Amir Abdulla, Former Executive Deputy Director, World Food Programme, Former Coordinator, Black Sea Grain Initiative, Commissioner
Panel Reflections
Moderated by: Ayooshee Dookhee, Manager, Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, Kofi Annan Foundation
Ms. Emmanuelle Gallet, Councilor, Development and Humanitarian Policy, Permanent Representation of France to the EU
Ms. Cecilia D’Alessandro, Policy Officer, Sustainable Food Systems and Climate Action, ECDPM
Mr. Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit, Sustainable Agri-food Systems and Fisheries, INTPA, European Commission
The themes of the congress are designed to align with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the overarching goal of aiding decision-making, as well as the global discussions and negotiations scheduled for the following United Nations Conference on the Ocean (UNOC3).
Aligning the themes of the Congress with the Ocean Action Panels of UNOC3 will foster greater coherence between the scientific deliberations at the One Ocean Science Congress and the international and national commitments, initiatives, and discussions that will take place at UNOC3.
The initiative aims to accelerate agricultural innovation and collaboration across the Global South. The launch also featured the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICRISAT and DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative) - a Government of India initiative focused on strengthening South-South cooperation through capacity building and development partnerships.
An emerging modality of engagement being spearheaded by the Global South comprise of various models of Triangular Cooperation as a hybrid collaboration of the North and the South, strongly embedded on principles of ownership, horizontality and partnership that has the potential to emancipate countries from debilitating dependence and encourage them to expand capacities for sustainable future. The important issue of enhanced development cooperation, along with development financing has been articulated at multiple levels by member governments including from the Global South, G7 and others. The G20 during the Indian presidency in 2023 emphasized the need to enhance North-South, South-South and Triangular Cooperation (TrC) and the Brazilian G20 presidency in 2024 made trilateral cooperation one of its priorities.
A cursory study of TrC projects demonstrates value addition,
enables home-grown innovations in developing country pivots to test for scale and replication, and builds
better trust among all stakeholders on account of participative decision making.
03/06 Special Session on Agriculture as Driver of Growth in the Global South in
partnership with ICRISAT
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of livelihoods, employment, and food security across the Global South. The sector contributes significantly to GDP and employs a large share of the population,
particularly women and youth. However, the potential of agriculture to drive sustained, inclusive growth is often underutilized due to structural challenges such as low productivity, climate vulnerability,
land degradation, and limited access to finance and technology. Key issues:
Examining the transformation of agriculture into a highvalue, technology-driven sector including the role of agri-tech, precision farming, and digital infrastructure.
Revisiting Cross-country knowledge sharing through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and policy frameworks and institutional innovations supporting rural transformation
Speakers:
Special Address by Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary-DARE & Director General, ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University and Director General, RIS
Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, India
Ms Ama Brandford-Arthur, SSTC Global Technical Coordinator, Department for Country Operations, IFAD, Italy @2:53:31
Ms Archna Vyas, Director, Gates Foundation, New Delhi
Ambassador Ashraf Rashed, Chairperson, COMESA Committee of Elders, Egypt
Professor (Dr) Govind Raj Pokharel, former Vice-Chairperson, National Planning Commission, Nepal
Professor Joseph Keiyah, Deputy Director, KIPPRA, Kenya
03/06 Action Labs on Successful Case Studies and Sectoral Specificities of Triangular Cooperation
Action Lab I: Agriculture, Health, SMEs, Entrepreneurship and Digital Solutions
Co-Chair: Mr Chaman Lal Dhanda, Head, Triangular Cooperation, India Component, GIZ, India
Co-Chair: Dr Saravanan Raj, Director, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), India
Ms Dima Al-Khatib, Director, UNOSSC, New York US (Online)
Mr Manuel Mera, Director Social Protection, CIPPEC, Argentina
Dr Manuel Gonzalo, Research Professor, The Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI), Argentina
Dr Beatriz Muriel, Executive Director, INESAD, Bolivia
Ms Temwa Disi, Founder, Temwanani Agri Food's Enterprise, Malawi (Online)
Dr Jayanta Choudhury, Professor, Nagaland University, India
Mr Anal Raj Bhattarai, CEO, N.R.N Nepal Development Fund, Nepal
04/06 Valedictory Session: Preparing for Future Global South Partnerships
In the fractured multilateral space, this high-level panel charted the path for future global partnerships in general, and in/of the Global South in particular.
Co-Chair: Mr Dammu Ravi, Secretary, Economic Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India*
Co-Chair: Mr Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS International, India
Key Takeaways: Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University and Director General, RIS
Dr Sabyasachi Saha, Associate Professor, RIS
Dr Dushni Weerakoon, Executive Director, Institute of Policy Studies, Sri Lanka
Dr Posh Raj Pandey, Chair Emeritus, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment, Nepal
Dr Carlos Correa, Executive Director, The South Centre, Switzerland
Professor N. R. Bhanumurthy, Director, Madras School of Economics, India
Vote of Thanks: Dr Sushil Kumar, Assistant Professor, RIS
DAKSHIN – Global South Centre of Excellence
DAKSHIN - Global South Centre of Excellence emanates from an announcement made by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during the 1st Voice of Global South Summit in January 2023.
DAKSHIN stands for Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative. It endeavours to assist relevant stakeholders and partners in the identification and implementation of scalable and sustainable solutions that can transform the economies and societies of countries of Global South.
22 January 2025. Sustainable Agriculture and Agro-Ecological Approaches in the Global South.
Panel 5: Gender, Youth and Inclusive Research Systems 
