FARA sets aside $23m for agricultural research

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) has earmarked US$23m for agriculture research in Africa. The move was announced by the forum’s Executive Director, Prof. Monty P. Jones, on the sidelines of the just-concluded regional forum meeting of African agriculture ministers in Kampala, Uganda. “For the next three to five years, we shall give up to 23 million dollars to help in research extension as well as promoting new innovations through higher education,” Jones said in an interview. He added that, through a different forum, Strengthening Capacity and Agriculture Research and Development in Africa (SCARDA), another US$15m would be provided to strengthen capacity in national universities. Jones commended Rwanda for properly managing FARA programmes, describing it as a “model FARA country”. Rodney Cooke, the Director of the Policy and Advisory Division at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), called for more practical means of agricultural production, saying that Africa is now more into academic practice. He reiterated the need for a private-sector led research and building capacities of African universities. Delegates at the conference called on African ministers in charge of higher education to create a conducive and friendly environment for women and girl’s education and career advancement at all levels. Ends

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FARA sets aside $23m for agricultural research