The African Development Bank has offered a €5 million grant as additional funding to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). This support aims to enhance food security and promote climate-resilient farming practices throughout Africa.
On March 13th in Abuja, Dr. Abdul Kamara, who serves as the Bank's Director General for Nigeria, and Dr. Simeon Ehui, the Director General at IITA, formally signed the grant agreement. This significant event marks an important step forward in the TAAT-II initiative during its second phase.
Financed by the Federal Republic of Germany via the Bank’s Transition Support Facility Donor Contributions Window, this grant aims to back significant agricultural initiatives within the framework of TAAT-II. Earlier, on July 15, 2022, the Bank Group’s Board of Directors sanctioned $27 million to initiate this vital second stage, strengthening endeavors to revolutionize agriculture throughout the continent.
The TAAT initiative stands as a cornerstone project within the Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy, led by IITA alongside collaboration with CCGIAR—the premier international hub for agricultural innovations globally—alongside various national research systems and significant players from the private sector.
This initiative adopts a regional strategy for boosting agricultural output by swiftly providing established technologies to numerous farmers spanning the entire continent. In an earlier stage (TAAT-I), funded at $40 million by the Bank, these innovations were effectively introduced to over 20 million farmers in more than 31 African nations through various advancements in crops, animal husbandry, and fisheries. Such interventions have improved food stability, augmented farm earnings, and fortified the sector’s adaptability against challenges.
Expanding upon the successes of the TAAT-I initiative, TAAT-II seeks to amplify agricultural advancements throughout Africa. This program will furnish nations with essential resources required to boost output and stimulate economic progress.
The €5 million grant will back significant initiatives within the TAAT-II program, such as expanding educational efforts for farmers to boost output, enhancing the skill set of local agriculture organizations, and advocating eco-friendly cultivation methods designed to fortify resistance against environmental shifts.
This funding will specifically aid Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, and Rwanda through promoting knowledge exchange, providing cutting-edge farming methods to small-scale producers, and building a stronger, more autonomous agriculture industry throughout these nations.
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Kamara reinforced the Bank’s dedication to transforming agriculture in Africa: "TAAT is more than just an agricultural project; it is a groundbreaking endeavor that keeps embracing advanced technologies to aid Africa in achieving self-sufficiency in food."
This financial support represents a crucial move towards ensuring Africa’s food security, with investments in technology, skill development, and financial strategies being essential for the initiative’s success.
TAAT-II holds greater significance as it expands upon previous achievements to amplify its reach. The African Development Bank believes this initiative will broaden Africa's productive capacity, enhance food security, and generate economic prospects for countless individuals."
Dr. Ehui stressed that the grant will make a significant difference precisely where it is required, underscoring IITA’s crucial role as an implementing partner, guaranteeing that African farmers can directly benefit from top-tier agricultural advancements.
"This investment will enable CGIAR to expand successful technologies, enhance seed systems, and provide farmers with climate-resistant solutions. We are dedicated to collaborating with the African Development Bank and our partners to guarantee that smallholder farmers, who are central to Africa’s food supply, reap the benefits of these developments," Ehui stated.
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