Experts from the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) have underscored the imperatives of scaling agricultural technologies across Africa through the Innovation Platform model. 

This was highlighted at the Second edition of the Science and Partnerships for Agriculture Conference (SPAC), a congregation of global leaders and partners in agriculture seeking to address pertinent issues affecting agricultural productivity and sustainability in Africa.

Hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the 2024 SPAC took place from July 29 to July 31, 2024, at the Lemigo Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.

The event featured a series of important discussions focused on enhancing agricultural research and technological innovation, fostering partnerships to transition food systems in the context of climate change, soil health, and biodiversity challenges in African agriculture, and ensuring productivity and sustainability.

At the TAAT side event titled “Leveraging Africa’s Networks of Innovation Platforms (IPs) to Scale Agricultural Technologies—Experience from TAAT Ecosystems,” Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim, the convener and leader of the TAAT Capacity Development and Technology Outreach (CDTO) Compact, highlighted the crucial function of Innovation Platforms in generating economic and social benefits for stakeholders.

He articulated that IPs empower stakeholders to recognize and leverage their unique strengths, thereby maximizing their potential. His presentation included an in-depth analysis of TAAT’s Regional Technology Delivery Infrastructure and its incorporation into Agricultural Innovation Systems, featuring interactive exercises and Q&A sessions designed for IP stakeholders from Rwanda.

He explained that IPs enable stakeholders to identify and capitalize on their respective niches, thus optimizing their potential. His presentation included a detailed examination of TAAT’s Regional Technology Delivery Infrastructure and its integration into Agricultural Innovation Systems through immersive exercises and Q&A sessions tailored to IP stakeholders from Rwanda.

Dr Chrys Akem, the TAAT Programme Coordinator, provided an insightful overview of the TAAT initiative, tracing its evolution since its inception.

He emphasized the crucial contribution of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, in advocating for the mission of TAAT, thereby establishing it as a prominent global partnership for agricultural transformation.

Dr. Akem also elaborated on the vision for Technologies for Global Agricultural Transformation (TGAT), which seeks to expand upon the successful models developed by TAAT.

Furthermore, Mr. Ibrahim Maigari, CEO of RiceAfrika, contributed to the dialogue by sharing insights from the private sector. He elaborated on how RiceAfrika addressed productivity challenges and utilized environmentally sustainable production technologies in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

His initiatives were acknowledged by the World Economic Forum, which highlighted the significance of the ‘nudge effect’ in promoting advancements in agricultural practices.

Ma’amun Dau Aliyu, Executive Director of the Hadejia Jama’are Basin Development Authority in Nigeria, spoke about managing over 40,000 hectares of gravity irrigation projects He identified challenges in reorganizing farmers and using innovation platforms to address resistance to new technologies among rice farmers, achieving modest but notable gains

Mr Mpendulo Absalom Dlamini, Chief Commissioner of the Economic Development Commission for Southern Africa in Eswatini, highlighted the importance of high-level advocacy and translating research results into actionable policies He emphasized the need for stakeholders, particularly policymakers, to engage actively in implementing research-driven solutions

Dr Tang Erasmus from the TAAT Rice Compact provided a comprehensive review of Rwanda’s rice sector, noting a 52% sufficiency rate and the remainder’s reliance on imports He discussed the framework for successful planning and implementation of IPs, focusing on multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Dr Norman Kwikiriza of the International Potato Centre (CIP), leading the TAAT Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Compact, highlighted the development of IPs for OFSP, which benefit over 500,000 people He emphasized the nutritional value of OFSP, rich in vitamin A, and its importance for addressing nutritional deficits.

Mr Yarama Ndripaya, TAAT Country Engagement Expert and East Africa Regional Leader, contributed valuable insights into identifying IPs and stakeholder mapping in Rwanda He outlined initiating and developing IPs, from design to policy influence, providing a roadmap for scaling technologies in the region.

The event concluded with several key action points: developing an action plan to establish six innovation platforms for OFSP and rice technologies, addressing challenges related to land and seeds, and engaging stakeholders through consultative meetings and social media.

The participants also recognized the TAAT model as a potential global standard for agricultural transformation, with a commitment to developing a roadmap for training stakeholders and establishing additional IPs, including one focused on youth engagement.

Overall, the side event underscored the significance of Innovation Platforms in scaling agricultural technologies and fostering food system transformation. The discussions and presentations reaffirmed TAAT’s potential to evolve into a global model, reinforcing the value of collaborative approaches in agricultural development.