By Nina Mitch
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), have signed a collaboration agreement that will facilitate joint work towards building a market system for the commercialization of research products in Africa.
The agreement will also facilitate the improvement of farm productivity through mechanization to address hard labour and contribute to building an enabling environment for agricultural research and development on the continent.
The MoU will be guided by the core principles and values of the African Union especially the realization of Agenda 2063.
Specific key areas of the agreement include addressing challenges in the production of quality foundation seed, a key area of attention for AATF that is already working with the continent’s small and medium seed enterprises to ease production of quality certified seed.
The two organizations will also focus on strengthening seed certification and variety release policies and processes including the development of the private sector, licensing of new agricultural technologies, and technology stewardship for sustainable use of agricultural innovations and products.
The MoU, signed by Dr. Denis T. Kyetere, Executive Director of the AATF and Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, will ensure that both organizations identify flagship projects from the key areas of cooperation to effectively achieve the intended goals.
Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki welcomed the collaboration saying it would contribute to accelerating Africa’s agricultural transformation.
“As articulated in Agenda 2063, Africa’s sustained growth, competitiveness, and economic transformation requires sustained investment in new technologies and continuous innovation in areas such as agriculture, clean energy, education, and health. This agreement will help contribute to this goal,” said Dr. Mayaki.
Dr. Denis Kyetere said the collaboration provides an opportunity for smallholder farmers to benefit from innovative and value-adding agricultural technologies.
“With the smallholder farmer at the center of decision making, AATF emphasizes the need to get innovations to farmers rapidly and effectively to optimize benefits,” said Dr. Kyetere, adding that the agreement would also facilitate replication of mechanization business models in more African countries as part of transformative agriculture development.
