Blog Reinventing agriculture in Africa: CGIAR and the Alliance Pioneer Climate Resilience and Agri-Food Innovation
Discover the future of agriculture at the latest seminar showcasing CGIAR's transformative TAFS-WCA initiative, where cutting-edge innovation meets climate resilience in West and Central Africa!
senegal
On July 30, 2024, the Dakar office of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT hosted its 3rd Monthly Scientific Awareness Seminar, continuing the tradition of hybrid meetings that bring together both onsite staff and online participants. This session was particularly highlighted by Dr. Mathieu Ouedraogo, who remotely presented the CGIAR's initiative for Transforming Agri-Food Systems in West and Central Africa (TAFS-WCA). This meeting, part of a series initiated in 2024 to foster dialogue and share advancements, spotlighted significant progress in agri-food systems and stimulated enriching exchanges on innovative solutions to the agricultural challenges of the region, under the leadership of Climate Action in West and Central Africa.
Monthly Scientific Awareness Seminar: A Collaborative Hub for Innovation and Strengthened Climate Action in West and Central Africa
In West and Central Africa, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is dedicated to transforming food and land systems for enhanced climate resilience and reduced emissions. To support this mission, the monthly scientific awareness meetings serve as a platform for scientists to stay informed, discuss cutting-edge research, and share solutions tailored to the agricultural challenges of the region. These sessions highlight significant advances in agricultural sciences in the context of climate change and strengthen synergies between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. These meetings aimed at sharing scientific experiences and taking advantage of existing projects to share relevant scientific experiences.
The inaugural seminar was launched on April 23, 2024, by Dr. Robert Zougmoré, West and Central Africa Climate Action Lead, with a notable presentation on the AICCRA project (Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa) led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. This ambitious project, supported by a grant from the World Bank's International Development Association, aims to catalyze climate change adaptation and mitigation by integrating innovations for climate-smart agriculture intended for millions of smallholder farmers in Africa. AICCRA activities target Agriculture Centers of Excellence in Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Zambia, with impacts extending to 25 other countries. The results are promising, as nearly 3 million smallholder farmers in Africa have been reached with climate-smart agriculture and climate services, surpassing the original Project Development Objective of 1.5 million.
The second seminar, on May 22, 2024, featured Dr. Issa Ouedraogo who presented the AVENIR project. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and in partnership with MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), AVENIR aims to enhance the socio-economic well-being and resilience of agricultural households in the Tambacounda and Sédhiou regions of Senegal by promoting climate-resilient agriculture and agricultural entrepreneurship.
On July 30, 2024, Dr. Mathieu Ouedraogo presented the TAFS-WCA (Transforming Agri-Food Systems in West and Central Africa) initiative, focusing on Work Package 2, dedicated to enlightened digital agriculture for enhanced climate resilience.
Each presentation at these Seminar at the Alliance office in Senegal not only serves as a showcase for research efforts but also as a forum to discuss practical applications and field successes, thereby facilitating knowledge sharing and the adoption of new technologies. These seminars are key events for all those engaged in the agricultural development of the region, offering fresh and inspiring perspectives on initiatives shaping the agriculture of tomorrow.
Revolutionizing agri-food systems: CGIAR's TAFS-WCA initiative sets new standards in agricultural resilience
Dr. Mathieu Ouedraogo presented the Transforming Agri-Food Systems in West and Central Africa (TAFS-WCA) initiative of CGIAR during his presentation. This ambitious project, active in 22 countries, aims to profoundly transform agri-food systems by focusing on food security, climate resilience, and poverty reduction through sustainable and integrated agricultural innovations.
TAFS-WCA tackles major challenges such as malnutrition, environmental degradation, and the socio-economic impacts of climate change. Through a holistic approach, the project merges cutting-edge agricultural technologies with sustainable land management practices to increase agricultural productivity while conserving natural resources.
A principal goal of TAFS-WCA is to promote gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that innovations benefit all community members equitably, particularly youth and women, who are encouraged to actively engage from the beginning to the end of the project, thus strengthening their empowerment and economic impact.
CGIAR, through TAFS-WCA, strives to develop agri-food systems that are not only productive and resilient but also equitable and inclusive. This initiative is crucial for the future of agriculture in West and Central Africa, aiming for significant and sustainable improvements for the rural communities of the region.
Digital Agriculture: How Work Package 2 is at the Forefront of Climate Resilience
Work Package 2 of the TAFS-WCA initiative, led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, focuses on the integration and implementation of digital agriculture tools to strengthen climate resilience. This ambitious initiative aims to deploy advanced technologies to improve climate risk management and enhance access to essential services for farmers.
The Alliance plays a crucial role in developing climate and meteorological information systems that provide accurate and real-time data. These systems are designed to assist farmers and stakeholders in agricultural value chains in planning and making informed decisions. So far, these initiatives have directly impacted 300,000 farmers, value chain actors, and governmental policymakers, who now use improved climate information and early warning systems to optimize their decision-making.
In addition to information services, the Alliance is working on implementing early warning systems for diseases and pests. These systems are part of a broader set of digital services that support sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems to climate variations.
The Alliance's commitment also includes a significant capacity-building component. Specific trainings are provided to ensure that agricultural communities can effectively use these digital tools. These training and capacity-building efforts aim to maximize the impact of technological innovations and ensure their successful adoption and adaptation by local farmers.
The work of the Alliance in this work package is essential for achieving the goals of the TAFS-WCA initiative, aiming to transform agri-food systems in West and Central Africa. By providing tailored tools and training, the Alliance directly contributes to building more robust and resilient agricultural communities, capable of effectively responding to the challenges posed by the changing climate.
The Team
Issa Ouedraogo
Senior Scientist, Country Representative for Senegal
Robert B. Zougmoré
Director, AICCRA
