A new partnership between the leading African organization for agricultural research for development (AR4D), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and WorldFish will focus on improving the lives of the 80 million people in sub-Saharan Africa dependent on aquatic agricultural systems.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed today at the Celebrating FARA event in Johannesburg, will allow the two organizations to collaborate on the joint goals of feeding Africa’s population and enabling agriculture to play a critical role in the economic transformation of the continent.
The MoU is a formalization of a long-standing relationship and will initially focus on the development of a new aquatic agricultural systems (AAS) platform. The multistakeholder platform will allow the sharing of experiences, best practices, advice, promote integration and systems thinking and foster the development of funding proposals.
WorldFish leads the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) which seeks to reduce poverty and improve food security for many small-scale fishers and farmers depending on aquatic agriculture systems by partnering with local, national and international partners to achieve large-scale development impact.
Based on the belief that new approaches to agricultural research are needed if sustainable improvements in agricultural productivity, poverty reduction and food security are to be achieved, AAS embraces an approach that ensures science and innovation are specifically designed and implemented to address the needs of the poor.
Stephen Hall, Director General, WorldFish: “As an international, nonprofit scientific research organization, WorldFish harnesses the potential of fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty. Like FARA, we place agricultural science at the center of social and economic transformation.”
Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director of FARA: “The signing of this MoU has a special significance, signed in the African Union’s designated Year of Agriculture and Food Security. It will better able us to create an enabling environment for the sustainable application of science for agriculture and is even more opportune given that it follows the recent launch of FARA’s new Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A).”
FARA and WorldFish have a long-standing and productive relationship. In May 2013, FARA, NEPAD and WorldFish conducted a joint workshop focused on Development Alliances that Unlock the Economic Potential of Aquatic Environments in Africa.
About WorldFish
WorldFish is an international, nonprofit research organization that harnesses the potential of fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty. Globally, more than one billion poor people obtain most of their animal protein from fish and 800 million depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. WorldFish is a member of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
About CGIAR
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partners.
About FARA
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organisation responsible for coordinating and advocating for agricultural research-for-development. (AR4D). FARA serves as the technical arm of the African Union Commission on matters concerning agriculture science, technology and innovation.
For more information or to request an interview:
contact: Toby Johnson, Senior Media Relations Manager
Mobile Tel: +60 175 124 606
Email: t.johnson@cgiar.org
Web: worldfishcenter.org
Photography: flickr.com/photos/theworldfishcenter/