Leveraging research & innovation for agricultural transformation in East & Southern Africa

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Consultative Group On International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) are playing a pivotal role in shaping food and land systems in East and Southern Africa, particularly in the face of climate change. CNBC Africa recently sat down with Namukolo Covic, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at CGIAR and the ILRI Director General’s Representative to Ethiopia, to delve into the efforts being made to leverage research and innovation for agricultural transformation in the region. CGIAR, the largest group of publicly funded research institutions globally, is focused on promoting the transformation of food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Covic highlighted the alignment of CGIAR's goals with those of CAADP, emphasizing the organization's involvement in the drafting of the CAADP strategy and action plan. By intentionally aligning their work with CAADP's focus on food security, poverty alleviation, and climate-resilient agriculture, CGIAR is driving efforts to address the challenges faced by agri-food systems in a changing climate. One of the key strategies employed by CGIAR is to collaborate closely with national and regional agricultural research institutes. In countries like Ethiopia, CGIAR works hand in hand with local research institutions to undertake joint research projects. Additionally, the organization is actively engaging with regional bodies such as the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) to strengthen research partnerships and accelerate progress on the continent. Covic highlighted the importance of research in influencing policy decisions, citing examples of CGIAR's involvement in the development of the CAADP strategy and action plan and collaboration with the African Union on food safety guidelines for informal markets. By embedding research experiences into the design of policy instruments, CGIAR aims to ensure that its work has a positive impact not only at the policy level but also on the ground in African countries. As the conversation turned to financing mechanisms for agricultural investments in East and Southern Africa, Covic emphasized the need for innovative solutions to address the financing challenges faced by smallholder farmers. With limited access to traditional finance due to lack of collateral, CGIAR is exploring alternative models of financing to support smallholder farmers. The organization is currently working on a science program focused on scaling impact and finding new ways to bring finance to farmers in the region. In conclusion, the partnership between CGIAR and CAADP is driving agricultural transformation in East and Southern Africa through a strong focus on research, innovation, and policy engagement. By working collaboratively with national and regional research institutes and advocating for innovative financing mechanisms, CGIAR is at the forefront of efforts to build climate-resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agri-food systems in the region.