Beyond Adaptation: PABRA-ICIPE Unveiling BRAINS Initiative, Pioneering Climate Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa

Studies have shown that Africa is making significant strides in promoting gender equality and policies across different sectors including Agriculture. By closing the gender gap it is estimated that total agricultural output in developing countries will increase by 2.5% to 4 % and reduce the number of hungry people by 12% to 17% globally. This is a call for joint partnerships tabling innovative ideas that will bring agriculture to the forefront of efforts to reduce malnutrition, enhance food security, and generation of income, even more considering women, children and the youth who are vulnerable.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (The Alliance) through the Pan African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) in partnership with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), are poised to revolutionize the agricultural landscape by harnessing the potential of beans, fruit trees and edible insects through their Building Equitable Climate-Resilient African Bean & INsect Sectors (BRAINS) initiative. BRAINS will be implemented across 15 sub-Saharan African countries, directly benefitting five million small holder farmers, 2.5 million consumers and school-age children, and a range of value chain actors. Indirectly, BRAINS will profit 50 million consumers businesses and households.

On Tuesday, 30th January 2024, The Alliance through PABRA in collaboration with ICIPE signed an agreement of the CAD $20million grant which is part of a CAD $78 million development funding by the Government of Canada that was announced by Minister Sajjan during his visits to Ethiopia and Egypt highlighting Canada’s commitment to food security and nutrition in Africa.