Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

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    Africa Manifesto and Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods
    (FARA, 2021) FARA, GFAR, CAADXP4
    The Africa Manifesto and Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods presents a continental framework for promoting the production, utilization, conservation, and commercialization of forgotten foods in Africa. The document argues that Africa's increasing food insecurity is linked to an overreliance on a limited number of staple crops and the gradual abandonment of traditional food systems. Forgotten foods are identified as valuable resources with significant nutritional, medicinal, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits that can contribute to food security, poverty reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. The manifesto highlights the limited research, policy attention, extension support, and market development devoted to forgotten foods and calls for coordinated action among governments, research institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and farming communities. It proposes strategic interventions including awareness creation, research and innovation, participatory breeding, sustainable seed systems, conservation of genetic resources, market development, capacity strengthening, policy advocacy, curriculum integration, and resource mobilization. The document serves as both a policy advocacy instrument and a strategic roadmap for integrating forgotten foods into Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda, while contributing to the achievement of food and nutrition security, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development goals.
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    Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa
    (FAO, 2024) FAO, FARA
    The Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa is a comprehensive reference resource documenting 100 forgotten food crops prioritized by stakeholders across Africa. Developed by FAO and FARA, the publication provides detailed information on botanical classification, agroecological suitability, agronomic requirements, nutritional composition, traditional and medicinal uses, and value-addition opportunities for a wide range of indigenous African food species. The compendium was produced as a response to the United Nations Food Systems Summit and the Global Manifesto on Forgotten Foods, providing evidence-based information to support the integration of forgotten foods into African food systems. It contributes to efforts aimed at improving access to nutritious foods, promoting sustainable consumption patterns, strengthening nature-positive food production systems, advancing equitable livelihoods, and enhancing resilience to shocks and climate-related challenges. Designed as a practical sourcebook, the publication serves researchers, nutritionists, policymakers, development practitioners, and other stakeholders seeking to promote, conserve, research, and commercialize Africa’s forgotten foods as part of broader food systems transformation initiatives.
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    Demystifying Indigenous Knowledge systems as Superstition in Advancing African Agriculture
    (FARA, 2026-05-28) Benjamin B. Jabik (PhD)
    This presentation examines the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in advancing sustainable agricultural development in Africa and challenges the tendency to dismiss local knowledge as superstition. The author argues that Indigenous Knowledge represents a systematic, experience-based, and context-specific body of knowledge developed by local communities through long-term interaction with their environment. Using qualitative and ethnographic approaches, the presentation distinguishes Indigenous Knowledge from myths and superstition by emphasizing its practical utility, ecological specificity, cultural grounding, and intergenerational transmission. The discussion highlights the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in agricultural resilience, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, seasonal forecasting, agroforestry, soil fertility management, and sustainable farming systems. The presentation further advocates for integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into agricultural research, policy, curriculum development, and innovation systems in Africa. It concludes that documenting, investing in, and institutionalizing Indigenous Knowledge can contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural transformation, climate resilience, and locally driven innovation across the continent.
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    Letter of Agreement between the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) Horizon Europe Project and the Soil Health Monitoring and Information Systems for Sustainable Soil Management in the Mediterranean Region (SOILS4MED) PRIMA Project
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA, AUSO, Soils4Med, UNISS, EU
    This Letter of Agreement (LoA) formalizes collaboration between the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) Horizon Europe Project and the SOILS4MED PRIMA Project on knowledge exchange, soil health monitoring, soil information systems, sustainable land management, and capacity building. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between African and Mediterranean institutions working to improve soil health governance, food security, and climate resilience. The agreement outlines areas of collaboration including joint research initiatives, exchange of scientific information, organization of conferences and training programs, strengthening National Soil Information Systems (NSIS) in Africa, policy engagement, and development of soil health indicators and monitoring methodologies. The LoA further defines mechanisms for intellectual property management, collaborative agreements, data sharing, acknowledgment procedures, confidentiality requirements, and governance arrangements supporting long-term cooperation between the two projects. Annex I provides a detailed framework governing background intellectual property, access rights, use conditions, and acknowledgment requirements for datasets, methodologies, soil information system architectures, mapping tools, and training materials exchanged under the collaboration.
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    FDN 12 Status of Agricultural Innovations, Innovation Platforms and Innovations Investment in Zambia
    (2016-01-21) Christian Chomba, Moses Mnwale and Godfrey MWILA
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    FDN 10 Status of Agricultural Innovations, Innovation Platforms and Innovations Investment in Togo
    (2016-01-21) Bédibètè BONFOH, Alpha Todje and GBAKENOU Koffi Inyese (2016).