News
Timely news and information about agricultural research in Africa. Collected from a variety of sources, we are also happy to accept your suggestions for relevant research to include.
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APRA present at key conference on Nigerian cocoa industry
March 30, 2020 / News Please note: During this time of uncertainty caused by the #COVID19 pandemic, as for many at this time, some of our APRA work may well be affected in coming weeks but we aim to continue to post regular blogs and
New APRA research published on ‘inclusive innovation’ and urban agriculture
March 23, 2020 / News A new article incorporating APRA research has recently been published online on the ScienceDirect website. The role of technology in inclusive innovation of urban agriculture attempts to address how technology can provide benefits for marginalised groups, such as women food
APRA attends first national rice platform meeting in Ethiopia
March 10, 2020 / News The first National Rice stakeholders’ platform was held on March 9, 2020 with the main objective of formally establishing the stakeholders’ platform, which is expected to: Strengthen coordination and advocacy for rice sector development Facilitate the provision of policy, managerial
APRA to present on rice commercialistion at international conference
March 9, 2020 / News Update: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the conference has been postponed until further notice. APRA researchers are continuing to spread awareness and engagement of their key research activities, this time at the 6th School of Social Sciences International Conference
APRA Tanzania share findings on rice commercialisation and food security at conference
March 2, 2020 / News “Public and private sector investment for agricultural transformation in Tanzania”, was the theme for the 6th Annual Agricultural Policy Conference (AAPC), which took place 12-14 February 2020 at Dodoma Hotel in Dodoma, Tanzania. The conference was officially opened by the
APRA researchers showcase findings at two key conferences
February 20, 2020 / News February has been a very productive month for APRA. Already, researchers in Tanzania have kicked off the 2nd round of APRA surveys on commercialisation pathways for Tanzanian rice producers following the successful data collection training for enumerators at Sokaine University.
APRA Malawi successfully engages with the media
February 17, 2020 / News An engagement and training workshop held with the media in Malawi in 2019 has led to extensive coverage across online media, social media, radio, TV and newspapers. On 31st August 2019, APRA Malawi held a one-day workshop with around 22
APRA to participate in inaugural Agricultural Industry Forum
February 13, 2020 / News The APRA team based at CABE in Nairobi, Kenya, is participating in the planning and inauguration of the Agricultural Industry Forum. The agribusiness event is being hosted by the Agriculture Industry Network, and in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture
APRA research features in publication on Ethiopian rice development
February 10, 2020 / News A new book including APRA Ethiopia research has recently been published by the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). Advances in Rice Research and Development in Ethiopia presents the deliberations from an international conference held in November, 2018 at the
UPDATE: Call for applications: JPS Summer 2020 Writeshop in Critical Agrarian Studies and Scholar-Activism
January 23, 2020 / News UPDATE 5/3/2020: The deadline for applying to the JPS 2020 workshop has been extended to 15 MARCH! Organisers are closely monitoring the #COVID19/#Coronavirus situation. If a change of location is necessary, it will likely move to Cape Town, South Africa
Revision of the National Rice Sector Development Strategy of Ethiopia: a 10-year perspective plan
December 17, 2019 / News A workshop on the National Rice Sector Development Strategy of Ethiopia to guide the national rice research and development interventions for the coming ten years (2020 – 2030) was organised on December 13, 2019, at Debre Zeit in Ethiopia. The
APRA Nigeria board: final report published
November 11, 2019 / News APRA Nigeria have published a final report from the meeting where a new advisory board was created, at Rockview Hotel, Abuja on September 27, 2019. In the report, Prof Aromolaran explains that the purpose of the meeting was three-fold: To
Agricultural commercialisation pathways: teams review latest research findings
November 7, 2019 / News Members of the APRA Work Stream 1 team from Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe met with colleagues from the APRA Data Management Support Team met at IDS on 7-11 October. These studies are using a combination of detailed household surveys
DFID funds programme on Children’s Harmful Work in African Agriculture
October 24, 2019 / News The majority of children’s work in Africa is within the agricultural sector. However, there is insufficient evidence on the prevalence of harmful children’s work across different agricultural value chains, farming systems and agro-ecologies. Furthermore, little is understood about the effects
APRA Nigeria advisory board created
October 7, 2019 / News APRA Nigeria has received a boost following the creation of a new advisory board, at Rockview Hotel, Abuja on September 27, 2019. APRA Nigeria Workstream 1 Research Team (WS1) aims to study the potential opportunities and challenges associated with medium-scale
APRA researcher at Agri4D
October 2, 2019 / News APRA was recently represented by Dr Fred Dzanku, research fellow at the University of Ghana’s Institute of Statistical, Social & Economic Research, as one of eight keynote speakers at the biennial Agricultural Research for Development Conference, Agri4D 2019 held on
Tribute to Ephraim Wadonda Chirwa: Concept Note and Call for Papers
September 26, 2019 / News Malawi Journal of Economics: Special Issue Please note: The deadline for submitting a concept note for this call for papers has now passed. 1. Introduction Following the shocking and untimely loss of Ephraim Wadonda Chirwa on 15 July 2019, the
Ethiopia: revising the national rice research and development strategy
September 17, 2019 / News Ethiopia is reviewing its national rice research and development plan for the next ten years. The National Rice Research and Development Strategy of Ethiopia (NRRDSE) was developed in 2010 and has been guiding the efforts of the country’s rice sector
APRA Malawi engages Media on agriculture commercialisation
September 11, 2019 / News The APRA research team in Malawi engaged with the media on agriculture commercialisation on 31st August 2019 at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe. We invited 22 journalists from the print and electronic sectors of the Malawian media. In addition, there was
African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) 2019 – Accra, Ghana, 3-6 September
August 13, 2019 / News “AGRF is the world’s premier forum for African agriculture, pulling together stakeholders in the agricultural landscape to discuss and commit to programs, investments, and policies to achieve an inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation across the continent.” AGRF is upon us
6th International Conference of African Association of Agricultural Economists 2019, Abuja, Nigeria
August 13, 2019 / News “Rising to meet new challenges: Africa’s agricultural development beyond 2020 Vision” is the theme for the 6th African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) triennial conference, which will take place on the 23-26th September 2019 at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja,
A recap of the JPS Annual Summer Writeshop in Critical Agrarian Studies in Beijing
August 7, 2019 / News What are the structural barriers that hinder the growth of vibrant, well-networked Global South young researchers working in critical agrarian studies along scholar-activist tradition? Can a global network of Global South young researchers working in critical agrarian studies and along
In memory of Professor Ephraim Wadonda Chirwa
July 29, 2019 / News Professor Ephraim Chirwa, the Director of Research-Africa of the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) Programme and a founding member of the Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC), passed away after a sudden illness on the morning of 15 July 2019. An
Analysing the dynamics of change: Using longitudinal, panel and cross-sectional studies to investigate complex social, environmental and technological issues
July 25, 2019 / News Due to financial and capacity limitations, a great deal of development-related research involves conducting single studies at one point in time. These ‘snapshots’ can provide useful insights into the people and conditions examined and the impacts of particular processes and
APRA at the EEA Conference: Analysing the Importance of Rice to the Ethiopian Economy
July 22, 2019 / News APRA engagement at the 17th Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA) Conference on the Ethiopian Economy The Ethiopia Team of the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) Programme of the Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC) participated in the 17th International Conference of the
APRA Contributes to a Pivotal International Conference on the State of the Ethiopian Economy
July 12, 2019 / News The Ethiopia Team of the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) Programme of the Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC) is preparing for their participation in the 17th International Conference of the Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA) on the Ethiopian Economy (https://www.eeaecon.org/), which
Seeing Conflict at the Margins: understanding community experiences through social research and digital narrative in Kenya and Madagascar.
May 8, 2019 / News This month a new website is being launched for a project called ‘Seeing Conflict at the Margins: understanding community experiences through social research and digital narrative in Kenya and Madagascar.’ Their activities and some links are introduced below – for
APRA involved at the event: Towards a Pan-African Transformation: Innovative Approaches to Evidence uptake and use in Africa.
May 3, 2019 / Events News Date: 02 May 2019 – 03 May 2019 CABE Africa (https://www.cabe-africa.org/) are hosting Utafiti Sera, a policy research community of practice, via PASGR (Partnership for African Social & Governance Research). Hannigton Odame of APRA is conducting a presentation: “Charting the
EVENT – APRA Public Debate on the Character of the Agrarian Question in the Contemporary Africa
May 3, 2019 / Events News The event will take place on 14 May 2019, from 13:00-15:00 at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
PLAAS hosting new roundtable: ‘What is the character of the Agrarian Question in contemporary Africa?’
April 30, 2019 / APRA blog Events News The APRA South Africa Hub at the Institute of Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) is hosting a roundtable on the question: ‘What is the character of the Agrarian Question in contemporary Africa? Perspectives from East, West and Southern Africa’?
Consultation, Involvement, and Ownership: Key Messages from a Dissemination event on Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) study.
April 17, 2019 / News On 14 February 2019, in partnership with the Rift Valley Forum, the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) of the University of Western Cape, and APRA conducted a panel discussion to disseminate a new report – ‘Participation, Voice
APRA Annual Review Workshop 2018
January 11, 2019 / APRA blog News From 3–6 December 2018, APRA staff met in Accra, Ghana for the annual APRA review workshop. With the broad scope of the APRA programme – comprising studies being undertaken across six African countries within three work streams – the annual
Journal of Peasant Studies 2019 Summer Writeshop-Workshop in Critical Agrarian Studies and Scholar-Activism: Call for Application
January 9, 2019 / APRA blog News Call for Application The Journal of Peasant Studies (JPS), College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD) of China Agricultural University (Beijing), and Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC) are jointly organizing a new initiative: JPS Annual Summer Writeshop-Workshop in Critical Agrarian Studies
The First National Rice Promotion Event: Is rice getting more attention in Ethiopia?
January 9, 2019 / News Ethiopia’s first National Rice Promotion Event was held on 21 December 2018 in Addis Ababa, to examine the current status of rice research and development in Ethiopia, and to identify key issues that demand interventions. Specifically, the event – and
An Interview with APRA Nigeria Researcher, Thomas Jayne
November 5, 2018 / News In a recent interview for SciDev.net, APRA Nigeria researcher Thomas Jayne discusses the state of agricultural commercialisation in Africa, with specific reference to emerging technological innovations. “There’s a lot more capital moving into agriculture than there used to be,” Jayne
Policy and Advocacy Forum: Empowerment of Women in Agriculture
October 30, 2018 / News On 6 September 2018, APRA Malawi team member Loveness Msofi Mgalamadzi attended the ‘Policy and Advocacy Forum: Empowerment of Women in Agriculture’, held in Lilongwe, Malawi. This one-day meeting was organized by the Civil Society Agricultural Network (CISANET), with support
APRA Nigeria Stakeholder Meeting, Abuja
October 19, 2018 / News On 11 September, APRA Nigeria researchers met with a number of stakeholders at Yar’Adua Centre in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Stakeholders from all sectors relevant to the APRA research programme were represented, including 15 State Ministry officials, 9 industry group representatives
APRA-Afrint Public Seminar, IDS
October 16, 2018 / News On 3 October, the Institute of Development Studies hosted a joint event between the APRA and Afrint projects, bringing together researchers from both fields for a public seminar and launch of the Afrint project’s latest publication. The event kicked off
Food Security: Gender, Geography and Off-Farm Employment
September 24, 2018 / News Eradicating hunger and achieving food security remains a key developmental issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the empirical literature focuses on agriculture-based interventions, although it is well known that rural households undertake a range of income-generating activities to provide
ASAUK Conference 2018
September 5, 2018 / News The University of Birmingham will host the 2018 African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK) Conference, where a number of APRA researchers will form discussion panels across numerous conference streams. Running from 11–13 September, the conference will host 202 panels
Agribusiness Conference in Malawi: ‘No financing, no growth for agribusinesses and value addition’
August 1, 2018 / News On 16-17 July 2018, stakeholders from various sectors in Malawi assembled at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe, to discuss how the financial sector can help to propel agricultural commercialisation and value addition in Malawi. The conference presented an opportunity
APRA in Mozambique: the mechanisation debate
July 24, 2018 / News On 19 July 2018, Lídia Cabral (Institute of Development Studies) and Euclides Gonçalves (Kaleidoscopio, Mozambique) presented findings from the APRA policy studies on agricultural mechanisation and development corridors, respectively, at a conference on ‘Public Policies and Agribusiness’ organised by the
APRA in Malawi: Engaging with District Stakeholders
April 24, 2018 / News Written by Mirriam Matita Image: Extensive farming in central Malawi (CC BY-SA 2.0) On the 17th April 2018 Malawi APRA Country Team Leads Mirriam Matita and Blessings Chinsinga introduced APRA research project to the Ntchisi District Executive Committee (DEC). Bringing together
Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) Official Launch
December 20, 2017 / News The Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) programme officially launched at the second Conference on Land Policy in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday 15th November 2017. APRA is a five-year research programme aiming to analyse pathways to agricultural
Matasa Network Launch Call for Young African Researchers to Become a Fellow
November 15, 2017 / News This week the Matasa Fellows Network is launching a call for young African researchers to apply to become a fellow. Given the major role that the African private sector can play in tackling youth unemployment and underemployment, the chosen theme
South-South Knowledge Sharing on Agricultural Mechanization
November 2, 2017 / News Lidia Cabral, Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies recently presented on Brazil and South-South Cooperation at the conference on “South-South Knowledge Sharing on Agricultural Mechanization” in Ethiopia. The conference was jointly organised by IFPRI, CIMMYT and the Ethiopian Agricultural Mechanization Forum, and took
APRA at IESE in Mozambique
September 18, 2017 / News Two policy studies for APRA on (i) agricultural development corridors and (ii) agricultural mechanisation in Africa are now underway. The research teams will be in Maputo to present preliminary findings from these studies at the 5th international conference of the
The pros and cons of commercial farming models in Africa
June 9, 2017 / News Colonialism brought large-scale farming to Africa, promising modernisation and jobs – but often dispossessing people and exploiting workers. Now, after several decades of independence, and with investor interest growing, African governments are once again promoting large plantations and estates. But
World Development Special Issue: China and Brazil in African Agriculture
February 8, 2017 / News Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aliquam eget diam semper, malesuada nunc sed, convallis ex. Nunc lobortis at magna id cursus. In sodales pellentesque vehicula.