Opportunities & Threats

Food security and livelihoods in Africa face many risks as a result of global climate change, shifts in market trends and policy environments, and burgeoning populations, among other factors.

Consequently, agricultural production and agricultural research take place in an ever-changing environment. On the one hand, numerous opportunities arise from economic growth and increasing trade relationships, and income increases demand for high-quality raw and processed products. On the other hand, pests, diseases, and drought pose a continuous threat to food security and the livelihoods of many.

R4D goal

We identify and quantify opportunities and threats beyond research planning in the commodity systems-based projects—the possible developments of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, and its future challenges and prospects; we assess global and regional developments; and we examine and analyze the environmental, social, and economic dynamics that impact food security and livelihoods. Our work serves as an early warning system, strategic guide, and assessor of all our research-for-development activities.

The program emphasizes the forecast and assessment of agricultural risks, which are based on biotic and abiotic stresses. Our biosciences are directly linked with our stakeholders through this program.

The program also assesses economic and social dynamics, present and past, and forecasts the impact of agricultural research on livelihoods across the continent.

R4D outputs and outcomes

We identify biotic and abiotic stresses, in particular emerging crop diseases, and changing environmental conditions, like for example climate change, and its effect on our mandate crops. Thus, our outputs deal with diagnosing biotic and abiotic stresses, early warning systems, information and awareness design, and options for risk mitigation.

With the local government and partners, we improve the livelihoods of 30 rural communities in northern Nigeria through the project Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in Borno State (PROSAB), where we transferred improved agricultural technologies such as new and improved soybean and Striga-resistant maize and rice varieties and management practices; developed new products and markets; improved market access through new knowledge; developed a more enabling policy environment; and enhanced capacity of stakeholders.

With partners such as the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), we introduced interventions in selected SSA countries that included disease-resistant cassava varieties and practices to increase food security, producer and consumer wealth, and better science-based approaches.

With CAB International (Global Plant Clinics) and regional and local partners, we build the capacity of national systems in plant diagnosis and plant healthcare and disease management. This has led to providing extension workers and farmers with more knowledge about diseases and management options, and at the same time, gaining scientific knowledge from the ground on disease prevalence and severity.

In addition, to support R4D work, we determine the impact of primary change drivers such as global food prices and climate change on agricultural systems in SSA through impact and risk assessment; developing and improving impact assessment tools that bridge primary production systems and market/commercialization stream; and generating knowledge for research planning, advocacy, rural development, policy development, risk management, innovation, and market development.

Our economists and social scientists research on market dynamics and social changes that affect agriculture in Africa, at the same time forecasting the impact of our technologies under the different conditions. This impact is assessed in terms of economic wealth, but also with respect to health and the social well being and distribution of wealth from agriculture in particular among the most vulnerable groups in African societies.

The program's potential impact is not immediate. We provide knowledge to researchers about directions and targets that lead to better allocation of research resources, and hence higher research impact based upon program findings. In recent years, impact assessment is becoming more and more important to account for and attract donor investments. In some cases, the program can have a more immediate impact, in particular when directly supplying information to development partners and the private sector.

Projects

There are no active projects.

Opportunities and threats documents