Posted on :Thursday , 29th February 2024

To create better crop varieties that cater to the unique requirements and conditions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, a group of scientists and agricultural professionals from three continents have come together.

In order to create better crop varieties that cater to the unique requirements and conditions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, a group of scientists and agricultural professionals from three continents have come together.

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation, Nigeria's Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ghana's Savanna Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI) and other African research organizations are brought together by the partnership (AATF). The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations, and Australia's national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), are additional collaborators (Gates Ag One)

Sub-Saharan Africa will account for over one-fourth of global population by 2050. According to modelling, if African nations had complete access to the newest agricultural breakthroughs, their production could grow by two or three times, enabling them to fulfil the rising demand for food. For example, the partnership seeks to combat pest and disease outbreaks that pose a threat to crop yields.

In sub-Saharan Africa, economic growth and agricultural growth are closely correlated. Compared to other industries, agricultural expansion is thought to be 11 times more successful at eliminating poverty.

70% of the food in Africa is produced by the 33 million smallholder farmers across the continent, yet they frequently lack access to the resources necessary for their success. In many nations, hardly 10% of smallholder farmers have access to the newest varieties of seeds or planting materials.

In order to meet the unmet needs of smallholder farmers in the area, the alliance is dedicated to collaborating to expedite agricultural research and development.