As the #ZimbabweSeedBusinessSummit and #SeedRoadmap Workshop progresses, global development partners are spotlighting the specific technological breakthroughs needed to unlock the next level of agricultural productivity. Dr Lawrence Kent, Senior Program Officer at the @gatesfoundation, addressed the summit, commending Zimbabwe for building one of the most robust, public-private-driven seed systems on the African continent—particularly in hybrid maize. However, his core message was a powerful call to action: celebrate the progress, but never sit still. 📌 Key Strategic Insights from the Gates Foundation: 📈 Advanced Genetics: Kent spotlighted revolutionary Seed Production Technology (#SPT). By utilizing female lines that do not produce pollen, SPT completely eliminates labor-intensive manual detasseling—radically driving down seed production costs while securing higher genetic quality and yield. 📈 Diversifying the Portfolio: While Zimbabwe is a regional leader in hybrid maize, he challenged commodity working groups to scale these same genetic and hybridization benefits to under-resourced crops like sorghum and millets, which are critical for climate resilience. 📈 Equitable Delivery & The #Clearinghouse: A robust seed system must deliver technologies to all tiers of farming. He highlighted Zimbabwe’s partnership with the #TAAT as a vital mechanism for matching global scientific innovations with national frameworks to get climate-smart, nutritious varieties into the hands of smallholders. "We encourage you to continue to make progress in these technological and institutional ways. Improved seeds must be made available to all farmers in Zimbabwe, so smallholders can fully benefit." #ZimbabweSeedSummit #AgriculturalTransformation #SeedSystems #Agribusiness #PublicPrivatePartnerships #EngageTAAT #FeedAfrica #Scale4Impact @AfDB_Group @Groupe_AfDB @GatesAfrica @CGIAR @CGIARScaling @IITA_CGIAR @MoLAFWRD_Zim @HeraldZimbabwe @NewsDayZimbabwe @ZiFMStereo @BusinessTimesZW @ZiFMStereoNews @ZBCNewsonline @ChronicleZim @SundayMailZim @farmshopZW @SeedCoZimbabwe @PrimeSeedco @FarmersAfric @ZimTradeAlerts

Speaking at the ongoing #ZimbabweSeedBusinessSummit, Dr @TJKrupnik, Director, @CGIARScaling shared how global research networks are collaborating to transition Zimbabwe's seed sector into an investment-ready model for Africa. 📌 Key Takeaways: 🟣Moving from building a sector to aligning science, policy, and finance so climate-resilient seed seamlessly reaches smallholders, women, and youth. 🟣 Unifying Global Science: Leveraging the #TAATClearinghouse to bring the collective scientific power of world-class centers like @CIMMYT, @ICARDA, @IITA_CGIAR, @ICRISAT, and @BiovIntCIAT_eng directly behind Zimbabwe’s crop priorities. 🟣Engineering an ambitious, evidence-based roadmap that development partners and financial institutions can collectively back. Read on: linkedin.com/feed/update/urn… #ZimbabweSeedSummit #AgriculturalTransformation #SeedSystems #Agribusiness #PublicPrivatePartnerships #EngageTAAT #FeedAfrica #Scale4Impact @AfDB_Group @Groupe_AfDB @GatesAfrica @CGIAR @CGIARScaling @IITA_CGIAR @MoLAFWRD_Zim @HeraldZimbabwe @NewsDayZimbabwe @ZiFMStereo @BusinessTimesZW @ZiFMStereoNews @ZBCNewsonline @ChronicleZim @SundayMailZim @farmshopZW @SeedCoZimbabwe @PrimeSeedco @FarmersAfric @ZimTradeAlerts @MarichoMedia

Speaking at the ongoing #ZimbabweSeedBusinessSummit, Dr @InnocentMus Chief Ag Tech Officer & TAAT Coordinator at the @AfDB_Group delivered a powerful message on the financial execution needed to back Zimbabwe’s 5-Year #SeedRoadmap. He underscored that robust, well-regulated seed systems are the ultimate antidote to climate shocks and rising food import bills. 📌 Key Strategic Takeaways: 🟢 The Impact Blueprint: Through the African Emergency Food Production Facility (#AEFPF), an AfDB facility rapidly transitioned over 100,000 Zimbabwean farmers to certified, high-yield seeds and fertilizers to shield against global supply chain shocks. 🟢 Digital Input Governance: A major highlight is Zimbabwe's pioneering use of secure ICT and digital platforms for input distribution. By embedding digital traceability, the country drastically enhanced transparency and minimized leakage—creating a gold standard that the AfDB is now encouraging other Regional Member Countries (#RMCs) to replicate. 🟢 The TAAT Engine: As the principal delivery platform for the Bank’s #FeedAfrica strategy, TAAT and partners have successfully unlocked 76,000 metric tons of foundation and certified seed across the continent, reaching over 25 million smallholders. 🟢 Driving Agribusiness Wealth: The ongoing formulation of Zimbabwe’s 5-Year Seed Roadmap will crowd in private enterprises, lower local production costs, and position the nation as a completely self-reliant agribusiness hub. #ZimbabweSeedSummit #AgriculturalTransformation #SeedSystems #Agribusiness #PublicPrivatePartnerships #EngageTAAT #FeedAfrica #Scale4Impact @AfDB_Group @Groupe_AfDB @GatesAfrica @CGIAR @CGIARScaling @IITA_CGIAR @MoLAFWRD_Zim @HeraldZimbabwe @NewsDayZimbabwe @ZiFMStereo @BusinessTimesZW @ZiFMStereoNews @ZBCNewsonline @ChronicleZim @SundayMailZim @farmshopZW @SeedCoZimbabwe @PrimeSeedco @FarmersAfric @ZimTradeAlerts @MarichoMedia

Minisiteri y’Ubuhinzi n’Ubworozi yasinyanye amasezerano y’imyaka ibiri n’Umuryango Mpuzamahanga uteza imbere Ubuhinzi (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture: IITA) yo gushyira mu bikorwa porogaramu yo kuvugurura ubuhinzi hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga rigezweho. Muri aya masezerano, u Rwanda rwagenewe miliyoni imwe y’amayero azafasha muri gahunda yo gukuba inshuro 13 umusaruro w’ubuhinzi bitarenze mu 2050. #RBAAmakuru

Hon. @solangeuwituze witnessed the signing of an MoU between @RwandaAgri and @IITA_CGIAR on a youth-focused agribusiness initiative that aims to strengthen Rwanda’s seed sector by promoting youth-led seed enterprises and initiating the operationalization of the FOBASI initiative.

Expanding Nigeria’s Agro-Industrial Footprint: #SAPZ Phase II Tranche II Mission Underway! 🇳🇬🚜 Following the successful design of Phase II Tranche I for 10 states in 2024/25, @AfDB_Group & #TAAT teams are back on the ground! From 23 Feb to 13 March, we are undertaking a critical pre-appraisal mission across 11 additional Nigerian states to design Tranche II. While infrastructure forms the skeleton of these zones, Production and Productivity (Component 2) is the heartbeat. As technical lead, the #TAAT team is focused on ensuring these hubs are fueled by high-performing, climate-resilient agricultural systems. Mission Objectives: ✅ Assess state readiness ✅ Strengthen stakeholder ownership ✅ Position hubs for anchor investors ✅ Identify strategic sites for agro-industrial parks ✅ Align co-financing partners Target value chains: #rice, #maize, #wheat, #sorghum, #millet, #sesame, #cowpea, #groundnuts, #cassava, #OilPalm and #cocoa. #TAATinNigeria #AgroIndustrialization #FoodSecurity #ValueChains #EconomicGrowth #ScalingImpact #SeedSystems #DevelopmentInvestment #SustainableAgric #PublicPrivatePartnership #EngageTAAT #FeedAfrica @gatesfoundation @GatesAfrica @CGIAR @CGIARScaling @IITA_CGIAR @isdb_group @ADB_HQ @RegionalDevNG @FinMinNigeria @agronigeria

The @AfDB_Group has officially approved $16 million for Phase III of the #TAAT. Building on the massive success of Phases I and II—which influenced over $3.18 billion in agricultural investments—this new chapter is set to further revolutionize the continent's food systems. Led by @IITA_CGIAR , #TAAT III will focus on: ✅ Strengthening regional seed delivery systems. ✅ Scaling climate-resilient technologies to millions more smallholder farmers. ✅ Expanding digital e-extension and "Seed Tracker" transparency. ✅ Institutionalizing the #TAATModel within the @CGIAR for long-term sustainability. As we navigate global supply chain disruptions, this investment underscores a commitment to Dakar 2's vision of food sovereignty and a prosperous, resilient Africa. More details: linkedin.com/pulse/african-d… #Agriculture #Innovation #ClimateResilience #Africa #SeedSystems #EconomicGrowth #EngageTAAT #FeedAfrica @gatesfoundation @GatesAfrica @CGIAR @CGIARScaling @IITA_CGIAR @isdb_group @AFSTA_Seed @SeedFed @ReutersAfrica @Better_Seed @EuroseedsEU @ISTAseedtesting @ScienceAlly @ippcnews @AFP @ReutersWorld @_AfricanUnion @AUC_CAADP @WorldBank @WorldBankAfrica @giz_gmbh @IFAD @FAO @WFP @jica_direct_en @ADB_HQ

#TAATinAngola has facilitated the establishment of a #HybridMaize field at a local #FarmerFieldSchool (FFS). 📈 Progress at a Glance: 🌽Capacity Building: Since August 2025, FFS members have completed sessions on seed multiplication, land prep, and advanced field management (including detasseling to prevent self-pollination and maintain genetic purity). 🌽Field Establishment: Two strategic fields are now active—one at the Agroecology Centre (harvesting January 2026) and another at the FFS. #SeedSystems #FoodSecurity #AgriculturalTransformation #Maize #EngageTAAT #FeedAfrica @AfDB_Group @gatesfoundation @GatesAfrica @CGIAR @CGIARScaling @IITA_CGIAR @aatfafrica @isdb_group @AFSTA_Seed @giz_gmbh

Today I participated in a Side Event by FAO, “Harnessing AI, Digital Innovations and STI for Sustainable & Advanced Agrifood Systems" where I shared the achievements and lessons of TAAT, illustrating TAAT's progress in scaling proven agricultural technologies across Africa #WSIS

I’m pleased to take part in the event “Harnessing AI, Digital Innovations & STI for Sustainable & Advanced Agrifood Systems: Digital Agriculture & AI Roadmap & Knowledge & Partnership Gateway,” co-organized by FAO and the International Telecommunication Union.

Rigorous Technology Validation Process! Every technology in the TAAT e-catalogs e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/c… is carefully validated✅ ●Tested, credible, and market-ready ●Climate-resilient solutions to grow your business and connect to profitable markets Share your business needs with us — let’s connect you with the right technology! #TAAT4That #ScalingInnovations #Partnership #JoinACLBC #FeedAfrica @AfDB_Group @gatesfoundation @GatesAfrica @CGIAR @CGIARScaling @IITA_CGIAR @isdb_group @MastercardFdn @AFSTA_Seed @SeedFed @ReutersAfrica @Better_Seed @EuroseedsEU @ISTAseedtesting @ScienceAlly @ippcnews @AFP @ReutersWorld @_AfricanUnion @afaasinfo @AUC_CAADP @ccardesaa @CORAFNews @ASARECA @SAA_africa @WorldBank @WorldBankAfrica @giz_gmbh @IFAD @FAO @WFP @jica_direct_en @AfriAgribusCons @AsnetKenya @EAGrainCouncil @eyunati @TJKrupnik @mfregene77 @InnocentMus @EnockChikava @simeonehui @CGIAR_EMD

🌱🌍 Making food systems resilient means taking a systems approach - and that means recognizing and working with all the people who make up our food systems. Together, we can create solutions that endure. From earlier this year at @WEF. #FoodSecurity

“Food security and agricultural development are at the heart of Africa’s progress,” said @AfDBPresident Sidi Ould Tah, highlighting the crucial role of science in agri-food systems. Speaking at the High-Level Plenary session at #UNGA80, he affirmed the @AfDB_Group's commitment to working with all partners to advance #FoodSecurity in Africa.

TAAT, a flagship of AfDB’s Feed Africa Strategy, has demonstrated what transformation looks like in practice – supporting millions of farmers to access proven technologies, creating pathways for resilience, higher yields, and improved livelihoods. #afsf2025 #foodsecurity

Kicked off the #AFS2025 in Dakar with a High-Level Side Event- Aligning CGIAR & TAAT innovation pathways with CAADP. It's critical that we realign our efforts and deepen partnerships to make ag. transformation the driver of Africa’s prosperity. #foodsecurity

Agricultural drones are changing the way farmers work across Africa and beyond. These flying tools are not just a cool gadget. They are powerful tools in precision agriculture. Farmers are now using drones to monitor crop health, check soil conditions, and even spray fertilizers and pesticides with pinpoint accuracy. In Nigeria and Kenya, drone service startups are helping smallholder farmers save time and cut costs. Instead of walking across large fields, farmers can use drones to scan entire farms in minutes. Drones capture real-time images that show where crops are weak or where diseases might be starting. This means farmers can act faster and avoid losing their harvest. In Nigeria, rice farmers using drone spraying technology reported up to 30% savings on chemical use and better crop yields. These tools also help with mapping land and planning irrigation systems. This level of precision boosts production while protecting the environment. The future of farming is not just about bigger tractors — it is about smarter decisions. Agricultural drones are making that future real today, one flight at a time. Farming is becoming more efficient, more sustainable, and more exciting than ever before. 📸: DroneX

The @CGIAR pays tribute to @AfDB_Group Pres @akin_adesina for his extraordinary contribution to Africa's agriculture and to CGIAR via initiatives such as #FeedAfrica & @Taat_Africa delivering impact for millions of farmers in Africa. ➡️ bit.ly/458HFcm

At #AfDBAM2025, senior management spoke of challenges & opportunities in delivering development solutions. I mentioned Elisabeth Tano, a beneficiary of our AFAWA program that has disbursed $1.2 B for Africa’s women entrepreneurs. More on Tano’s story👀🎥: youtu.be/hh8B4zE-rbc

Are you in? Leaders, experts in the agriculture space, like @AfDB_Group Dir. for Agriculture & Agro-Industry Dr. Martin Fregene, are on "X Spaces" to discuss ways to #FeedAfrica. What works and Africa's agricultural potential. Now, on #AfDBXSpace: bit.ly/3RQ9b6v

Today, we focus on #TAAT Improved varieties – solutions that enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability. 🚜💡From crops to livestock and fish. Together, we’re building a more resilient food system. ❓Which technology excites you the most? Tell us in the comments! e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/g… #TAAT4That #crops #livestock #fish #ImprovedVarieties #EngageTAAT to #FeedAfrica @GatesAfrica @IITA_CGIAR @AkemChrys @aatfafrica @AfricaRice @BiovIntCIAT_eng @Cipotato @ICARDA @ICRISAT @IITAYOUTHAGRIP @ILRI @FARAinfo @WorldFishCenter @WorldVegCenter