The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) have joined forces to step up scientific exchanges – in terms of skills and knowledge – between Europe and Africa to boost the impact of agricultural research carried out on the two continents in partnership with some 20 African agricultural research bodies.

With partners from all over the African continent (French, Portuguese and English-speaking), the initiative is designed to co-construct an ambitious research, training and innovation programme. It will be open to other African, French and European partners, notably universities and engineering schools. 

The priorities identified by the partners relate to three major themes:

1. Agroecology, natural resources, and climate change;

2. One Health (ecosystem health, plant and animal health, and human health); and

3. Food security, territories, and rural employment.

The action plan provided for the construction of a portfolio of research, training, and innovation projects, all backed by research or development sponsors, will be rolled out in the first half of 2022.