Ahead of the second edition of the FAO Science & Innovation Forum, AIRTEA, one of the 12 projects supported by the ACP Innovation Fund, will organise a side-event  on  “Strengthening Science, Innovation, and Agribusiness Linkage: Leveraging Multi-stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) for Resilient and Sustainable Food System“

Strengthening the linkages among research, extension, policy, and the private sector and providing more concerted support for enterprises with high growth potential in the agricultural sector are crucial to accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems.

They will contribute to feeding a growing population, addressing global challenges such as climate change and providing jobs to young seekers. Africa has the most youthful population and according to the World Bank, income from nonfarm wage employment only averages 8% in African countries, compared with 21% elsewhere.

Implemented by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), and the East Africa Farmer Federation (EAFF), the AIRTEA project AIRTEA contributes to achieving sustainable agrarian livelihoods and rural transformation by fostering an inclusive innovation environment.

This side-event aims to:

• Provide a platform to stakeholders in the agri-food system to discuss strategies on how to strengthen science, innovation, and agribusiness linkages for a resilient and sustainable food system;
• Improve understanding of the roles and responsibilities of major stakeholders (academia, policymakers, private sector, development partners) and multistakeholder partnerships in achieving this objective;
• Develop and disseminate a policy brief on this topic, following the discussions that will take place during this side event.

There will be interpretation in English and French.