📢 Save the date!    📌 Large Language Models for Policy Makers: Exploring RIAPA-AI and PEPA-AI 📆 March 12, 9:00 – 10:00 am EDT 💬 Askar Mukashov (IFPRI), @JMockshell (@BiovIntCIAT_eng), Clemens Breisinger (@CGIARPolicy), and @EliotJonesGarc1 (IFPRI). 🎫 ifpri.org/event/large-langua… @CGIAR @CGIAR_Data

The Eastern and Central African sub-region faces increasing climate variability and agricultural vulnerability. It is therefore imperative that stakeholders in the agricultural value chains are equipped with advanced tools and competencies to respond effectively. This is a key highlight emerging from the Training on utilization of the Africa Agricultural Adaptation (AAA) Atlas tool and PEPA.AI tools this week in Nairobi, Kenya. According to ASARECA Executive Director, Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma (@AsarecaED), while ASARECA is mandated by the governments of 15 its Member States to coordinate the strengthening of the National Agricultural Research Systems to deliver #resilientandsustainable #foodsystems, failure to deploy tools that offer robust evidence-based insights tailored to local contexts has kept institutions in the region procrastinating about challenges whose solutions they have at their disposal. It is for this reason, that @ASARECA in collaboration with @GGGIAfrica , International Food Policy Research Institute (@IFPRI ), the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, the Agricultural Policy Research Center (APRC) and African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) rolled out the training on utilization of the Africa Agricultural Adaptation (AAA) Atlas tool and PEPA.AI tools. “The training provides ASARECA staff and researchers from NARIs practical skills in navigating #AAAAtlasplatform, learn to interpret, and visualize climate data and generate policy relevant insights,” Dr. Baguma noted on October 2, 2025 in remarks to flag off the three-day training in Nairobi, Kenya. “The tools represent a significant advancement in the deployment of modern precision technologies to interpret climate data, generate foresight and inform policy decisions to drive initiatives in climate adaptation and food systems transformation.” The training is funded under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP-XP4) Programme, which is financed by the @EU_Commission and managed by @IFAD. It is co-funded by @GGGIAfrica and financed by the BMGF, and Alliance Diversity and CIAT. @CGIARAfrica ,@ILRI, @CGIARPolicy ,@CGIAR ,@BiovIntCIAT_eng , @GGGIAfrica @gggi_hq ,@GggiUganda ,@IFPRI

The #AfricaAgriculturalAdaptation (#AAA) #Atlas tool and PEPA.AI are good tools which the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (@kalromkulima ) will leverage on to source foresight data for evidence-based decision making for #climateadaptation and #foodsystemstransformation in Kenya, the Deputy Director General in charge of Crops, Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (@kalromkulima ), Dr. Alice Murage, today assured participants at the training on the use of the tool According to Dr. Murage, the #AAA and #PEPA.AI tools are timely as they onboard young people, who are now obviously key determinants to the #AR4D sphere. “KALRO welcomes partnerships such the one between @ASARECA , @GGGIAfrica and @BiovIntCIAT_eng in financing the use of innovative tools,” Dr. Murage asserted. “Climate variability continues to threaten food production across our region, especially for smallholder farmers, women, and youth, who are the backbone of the food system. Since we are in a unique time in history with advances in foresight, artificial intelligence and digital support tools, we must make use of the evidence to act boldly and decisively.” The Director urged stakeholders to ensure data availed through the tools is accurate so as to trickle down decisions that enable farmers to determine when to plant, identify suitable crops and technologies for specific conditions, enable targeted investments by government and partners, ensuring support reaches those who need it the most, leading ultimately, more resilient harvests, higher incomes and improved livelihoods. The training is organized by @ASARECA in collaboration with @GGGIAfrica , International Food Policy Research Institute (@IFPRI ), the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT (@BiovIntCIAT_eng), the Agricultural Policy Research Center (APRC) and African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES). It is funded under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP-XP4) Programme, which is financed by the @EU_Commission and managed by @IFAD . It is co-funded by @GGGIAfrica and financed by BMGF, and Alliance Diversity and CIAT (@BiovIntCIAT_eng), @IFPRI , @gggi_hq, @GggiUganda , @KilimoNews , @ILRI ,@CGIARAfrica

The training of stakeholders in the use of the #AfricaAgriculturalAdaptation (AAA) Atlas tool and PEPA.AI has today kicked off in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi. The training is aimed at enhancing utilization of #foresightdata decision support tools for evidence-based #climateadaptation and food systems decision-making in Eastern and Central Africa. It is organized by @ASARECA in collaboration with @GGGIAfrica , @IFPRIPolicy, the @BiovIntCIAT_eng , the Agricultural Policy Research Center (APRC) and African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES). The @CGIAR AAA Atlas tool is a digital platform developed to empower decision-makers, policymakers, and various agricultural stakeholders with climate adaptation capabilities. While the tool delivers essential data-driven insights that strengthen climate resilience strategies with emphasis on developing nations and identifying context-specific adaptation approaches for local needs, the utilization of this tool by decisionmakers including state and non-state actors in the agricultural value chain is still low. This is the reason @ASARECA and partners are promoting the use of this AAA Atlas by technical leaders in the NARES in ECA. This activity is funded under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP-XP4 ) Programme, which is financed by the @EU_Commission and managed by @IFAD . It is co-funded by @GGGIAfrica financed by BMGF, and Alliance Diversity and CIAT.

@ASARECA and partners under the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (@CGIARAfrica ) Project (aiccra.cgiar.org/), are holding a stakeholder consultation and validation workshop for the #RegionalClimateSmartAgriculture(#CSA) #ScalingStrategy. The strategy is a regional framework that galvanizes joint actions and priorities for #CSA in the sub-region. The Strategy is spearheaded and developed by @ASARECA to support sharing of knowledge with National Agricultural Research Institutes (#NARIs) on evidence-based data for the scaling up of CSA technologies and practices. It is organized under the auspices of the AICCRA project with a focus on identifying climate- and gender and social inclusion-smartness of CSA packages. The @CGIARAfrica project is funded by the @WorldBank

As stakeholders from Eastern and Central Africa make final contributions to the Eastern and Central Africa Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy, it is emerging that @ASARECA Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance #ACSAA is poised to make a better contribution to Scaling of the Strategy. Formed in 2021 by the National Agricultural Research Institutes, #ACSAA is a regionally coordinated body designated by @ASARECA Member States to convene and coordinate joint action on Climate Smart Agriculture (#CSA) best practices. Explaining the function of the Alliance at Golden Tulip Hotel Nairobi today (September 29, 2025), ASARECA Programme Officer for Technology and Innovation, also ACSAA coordinator, Dr. @joshuaokonya, noted that the Alliance was formed to harness complementarities and remove duplication of efforts through coordination to enhance the scaling and adoption of CSA initiatives. “With a total of 952 members to date, the Alliance has committed to join efforts to mobilize resources to finance the implementation of regional and national CSA scaling strategies, support domestication of CSA strategies, support establishment of national chapters of CSA alliances, and document existing CSA initiatives in the member countries among other functions,” Dr. Okonya explained. @ASARECA and partners under the Accelerating Impacts of @CGIAR Climate Research for Africa ( @CGIARAfrica) Project (aiccra.cgiar.org), are holding the #CSA stakeholder consultation and validation workshop from September 29 to October 1, 2025 to enrich the strategy as a regional framework for joint actions and priorities for #CSA in the sub-region. The Strategy is developed by @ASARECA to support sharing of knowledge with National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) on evidence-based data for the scaling up of CSA technologies and practices. The workshop is organized under the auspices of the @CGIARAfrica project and contributes to @AICRRA’s project focus on identifying climate - and gender and social inclusion-smartness of #CSA packages. The @CGIARAfrica Project is funded by the @WorldBank

@AsarecaED, @sdbaguma has today hailed Climate Smart Agriculture experts from @ASARECA Member States for their resolve to address impacts of #climatechange on agriculture through various #CSA initiatives. Speaking during the stakeholder consultation and validation workshop for the Eastern and Central Africa #CSA scaling strategy at Golden Tulip Hotel Westlands Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Baguma said. “Your presence here today is a testament to the importance of #CSA work in the region. Together, we have the opportunity to shape a strategy that will guide Eastern and Central Africa region in scaling Climate Smart Agriculture technologies, leveraging climate information services, and mobilizing resources to support sustainable agriculture.” Dr. Buguma urged the participants to embrace collaboration, innovation, and urgency while dealing with Climate change. “The challenges are real, but so is our collective capacity to drive meaningful change. This workshop marks a significant step in our collective journey to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change to agriculture and food systems in Eastern and Central Africa,” he noted. @ASARECA and partners under the Accelerating Impacts of @CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (@CGIARAfrica ) Project (aiccra.cgiar.org/), are holding the #CSA stakeholder consultation and validation workshop from September 29 to October 1, 2025 to enrich the strategy as a regional framework for joint actions and priorities for #CSA in the sub-region. The Strategy is spearheaded and developed by @ASARECA to support sharing of knowledge with National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) on evidence-based data for the scaling up of CSA technologies and practices. The workshop is organized under the auspices of the @CGIARAfrica project and contributes to @AICRRA’s project focus on identifying climate - and gender and social inclusion-smartness of #CSA packages. The @CGIARAfrica Project is funded by the @WorldBank

Pressure to sustainably grow more food is skyrocketing as the world’s population grows. @BiovIntCIAT_eng’s @JMockshell shares why it is time to incentivise & invest in helping farmers scale agroecological and nature-based solutions 👇🏾 bit.ly/4g0B0mA @MongabayOrg

🌍🌱 In light of #COP16Colombia on biodiversity and #COP29 on #climatechange, invest for farmers to adopt regenerative #naturebasedsolutions is key. 👩‍🌾💰 This op-ed by @JMockshell highlights that the transition to #agroecology is a key climate solution. news.mongabay.com/2024/11/he…

🍌 #Bananas are under threat, as the #FusariumTR4 disease spreads. 🌎 In #Colombia, research proves the importance of prevention to protect livelihoods and food supply, identifying high-return solutions to #ProtectOurBananas. Discover how!👇 journals.plos.org/plosone/ar… @JMockshell

Great insights into the #AgroecologyInitiative #INALL exchange visit between #Zimbabwe and #Kenya currently underway in @OfficialMakueni led by @DNRC2023 with @BiovIntCIAT_eng @CGIAR @CIFOR_ICRAF and @IITA_CGIAR.

⏰Tomorrow! Join us at 9:30AM EDT for 'Against the grain: Could farmers feed the world and heal the planet?' An open online event with @IFPRI, @CGIARenviro with top experts💬@RogerThurow @kinyanjui001 @JMockshell @c_fadda. Register today!👉🎟️ bit.ly/Grain-

Join us on Tuesday to hear perspectives from farmers highlighting how the practices of agroforestry, agroecology, and regenerative #agriculture can provide food to nourish humanity while also protecting the #environment. 🌎 🎟️ bit.ly/Grain- @CGIAR

Addressing the International Conference of Agricultural Economists. We are strengthening the agriculture sector with reforms and measures aimed at improving the lives of farmers. x.com/i/broadcasts/1kvKpbDmB…

Starting now - “The contribution of the CGIAR to the #transformation towards #sustainable agri-food #systems” ⁦@Jo_Swinnen⁩ ⁦@birner_regina⁩ ⁦@Ruth_Meinzen_D⁩ @simeonehui⁩ ⁦@CGIAR⁩ ⁦@icae2024⁩ ⁦⁩ ⁦@IFPRI⁩ ⁦@BiovIntCIAT_eng⁩

Systems transformation 2 is going @icae2024 Two excellent presentations from Sunil and Kahid from @IFPRI

Join us for a stimulating panel at #ICAE2024: 'Urban Food Systems and Dietary Transition in Africa. Hear diverse perspectives on current challenges. August 4 | 1:30PM-3PM | NASC Complex. #MeetinDelhi #FelixAsante

📢 Attending #ICAE2024 this week? Don’t miss the chance to meet our experts and engage with cutting-edge insights! ✨ Join us in advancing the transition to sustainable #foodsystems. Check out our sessions and presentations here 👉 alliancebioversityciat.org/e… @IAAEAgEcon