While it features real solutions, final content will undergo review by a technical working group and incorporate feedback from a validation workshop planned for December 2020. Please see these as examples only, and not a definitive list.
Solution /Innovation:

Strengthening African NARS institutional capacity for research and innovation through technology transfer for the acceleration of agricultural transformation

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Organization:

International Livestock Research Institute

For more information:

Technical contact:
Roger-Pelle.pngRoger Pelle
Dr. Roger Pelle
Principal Scientist - Molecular Parasitologist, BecA-ILRI Hub
International Livestock Research Institute
R.pelle@cgiar.org
Additional contacts:
Catherin-Ziyomo.pngCatherin Ziyomo
Dr. Cathrine Ziyomo
Senior Scientist - Molecular Breeder, BECA- Hub
International Livestock Research Institute
c.ziyomo@cgiar.org
More info, related website links:

https://hub.africabiosciences.org/media-center/news/587-abcf-2020

https://hpc.ilri.cgiar.org/beca/training/AdvancedBFX2016/content/ABCF_PROSPECTUS_LoRes_0934_28Jan2016.pdf
Categories:
Frameworks and tools, Marketing and value chains, and Sustainable production
Has been implemented in:
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Challenge

The key challenged in the African agricultural productivity include poor disease control, limited access to improved varieties/breeds, limited adoption of improved farm practices, limited advisory services that hinder access to innovative techniques by farmers and effects of climate change. African agriculture is at high risk of climate change affecting most of the agricultural production as it relies heavily on natural resources with limited innovative solutions to adapt to anticipated changes. Some of the challenges that Africa faces in terms of its human capacity include limited number of its scientists trained in relevant disciplines and available to work in NARS institutions, resulting in inadequate human capacity and low adoption of advanced technologies. Another issue affecting African agriculture in is the insufficient well-equipped laboratory facilities with adequate technologies and sustainable resources which can be used for advanced research. Also, significant number of African scientists and NARS institutions lack the capacity to analyze data and translate them into meaningful information and products. This results in limited adoption of cutting age agricultural tools. The challenges have had implications on the ability of Africa institutions to enhance innovation, generation and utilization of technologies and build capacities of the various agricultural value chain actors.

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Solution

One of the main objectives of this project is to significantly grow bioscience capacities in NARS to undertake and apply cutting edge research to generate transformational development outcomes, contributing to national and regional livestock plans, and the SDGs. This project empowers African scientists by building their capacity for the development of new and improved germplasms of crop, forage and livestock genetics, disease diagnostics and vaccine development through training and access to the high-end biosciences’ facility. Through the African Biosciences Challenge Fund (ABCF), the BecA–ILRI Hub trains and provides mentorship to African scientists and students in the application of advanced biosciences in food and agriculture. The program facilitates the NARS scientist’s access to high-end research facilities where they spend up to 12 months at the Hub conducting part of their own research. In addition, the Hub also delivers several 1-2-week annual training courses, all addressing the most current challenges in agriculture. With strengthened agricultural biosciences capacity of the NARS institutions to harness innovations it is anticipated that there will be improvement in agricultural production, productivity and trade, ultimately leading to improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
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Impact

The program has been an effective vehicle for building the capacity of NARS scientists, as many fellows return to their home institutions and embark on impactful research. It hosted over 200 NARS scientists from 23 African countries who have come to the Hub to access research labs, technical training, collaboration, and engagement with specific projects. Fellows benefited from the technical knowledge, the connection with mentors and other scientists and use of technology platforms. Some innovative tools reached the farmers. For instance, new maize varieties resistant to maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) were developed and have been disseminated in South Sudan. A Nigerian researcher has also been able to improve biofortified cassava varieties for resistance to Cassava Mosaic Disease and plant architecture making them more suitable for the intercropping. He is currently conducting field evaluations. Other work have produced molecular diagnostic assays including LAMP assays which have been adapted and validated for animal viruses (Capripox virus and CCPP), and for plant viruses - cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), Uganda Passiflora virus (UPV), and Cassava Brown Streak Virus (CBSV). The fellowship helped scientists to publish scientific papers since 2015, the fellows have published 155 peer reviewed papers in high impact factor journals and many have also completed their PhDs. The ABCF model can be replicated through some of the BecA nodes/ partner organizations in Africa.

Category

Frameworks and tools, Marketing and value chains, and Sustainable production

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