CGIAR Research and Innovation on Root and Tuber Crops: Key in Africa’s Solutions to Agrifood Systems Transformation

Africa’s agrifood systems are at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities as climate shocks and stresses increasingly threaten the continent’s food security, agricultural productivity, and marginalized livelihoods. The International Potato Center (CIP) Root and Tuber Crops research and innovation contribution to the recovery and rebuilding of Africa’s food systems was in the spotlight last week at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF) held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from September 4th to September 8th, 2023.

CIP participation in AGRF 2023 Summit  Arbre à Palabres, first of its kind session, provided an interactive platform to reflect on the pivotal role of root and tuber crops in Africa’s food security. The session also covered the contribution of CGIAR’s research towards building resilience to crisis and shocks through adoption of innovative, climate-smart root and tuber crops technologies. Participants experienced face to face interaction with industry experts including Joyce Maru, Director (a.i) Global Sweetpotato Agrifood Systems Program (CIP), Hannele Lindqvist-Kreuze, Head of Genetics, Genomics, and Crop Improvement (CIP), Mandla Nkomo, Chief Growth Officer for the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy (EiA 2030) Initiative (IITA), and Kwame Ogero, Associate Scientist, Crop and Systems Sciences Division (CIP).