Key Takeaways
- The AfDB and IITA have launched a $16.61 million initiative to enhance climate-resilient food production across Africa.
- Since its inception in 2018, the TAAT program has benefited nearly 25 million farmers and improved yields significantly.
- TAAT-III will reach an additional 14 million farmers in 37 vulnerable countries, focusing on sustainable and scalable agricultural solutions.
Funding for Agricultural Transformation
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to initiate the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III). This agreement enhances efforts to modernize agriculture across Africa by expanding the use of proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and fostering partnerships among various stakeholders.
TAAT has been a significant influencer in agricultural innovation since its launch in 2018, impacting nearly 25 million farmers and enhancing productivity across major staple crops. The program has successfully introduced climate-resilient agricultural practices across more than 35 million hectares of land. Through collaboration with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and other regional partners, TAAT has achieved crop yield increases of up to 69 percent and generated over $4 billion in agricultural value. Countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have seen notable increases in staple crop productivity and resilience against climate challenges.
Nigeria has notably benefited from these initiatives, especially under the Wheat Compact, where the adoption of improved heat-tolerant wheat varieties has led to yield increases from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Assessments supported by the program have also informed national policies aimed at increasing access to certified and climate-resilient seeds.
Abdul Kamara, Director General of AfDB’s Nigeria Country Department, emphasized at the signing ceremony that TAAT-III focuses on scaling innovations more rapidly. He stated that this phase reinforces the systems delivering innovations to help countries enhance productivity and better align agricultural transformation with the Bank’s strategic priorities.
TAAT-III, funded through the African Development Fund, aims to consolidate previous gains while introducing a sustainable, private sector-focused delivery model. The initiative is set to enhance the distribution of seeds and technologies, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusiness, and expand digital tools, including technology catalogs and real-time monitoring systems.
Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, highlighted that TAAT-III will facilitate the delivery of science-based solutions that enhance farmer yields and livelihoods. The program has also been integral in supporting the AfDB’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility by enabling rapid deployment of improved seeds and technologies during recent global food supply disruptions.
Through its third phase, TAAT-III is anticipated to benefit an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and food security in Africa.
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