b'INTERNATIONAL NEWSGLOBAL SEED WATCHMOU SIGNED TO AID AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, INVESTMENT FOR AUSTRALIAN GRAIN GROWERS, AND SEED PRODUCTION TRAINING PROVIDED IN THE DRC.STATUS AFRICA risks, repairing trade relationships, exploring new market access opportunities or investing in programs to make the industry more The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) andsustainable into the future, we are always supporting the grains the African Union Commission (AUC) have signed a three-yearsector. I am incredibly proud of the work being done by GRDC Memorandum of Understanding to raise agricultural productivityand I look forward to seeing the benefits flow through to producers in Africa through research, technology development, and uptakegoing forward.by farmers. The program will be led by CSIRO, Australias national sci-The partnership agreement will facilitate deployment of agri- ence agency, in partnership with more than 25 grower-based groups cultural technologies to address farm productivity constraints facedfrom across the country, along with the South Australia Research by smallholder farmers in African such as the impact of climateand Development Institute (SARDI), University of Melbourne, change and infestation of pests and diseases. University of Queensland and University of Western Australia.According to Her Excellency Amb. Josefa Sacko, theGRDC Board chair and Queensland grain grower John Woods Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economysays RiskWi$e had been developed to support growers to make and Sustainable Environment, the agreement with AATF is a signinformed, often highly complex decisions at both agronomic and of commitment to drive collective action, coordinated efforts,farm management levels.enhanced collaboration, cooperation, and synergies, that lead to theWoods says the investment had been developed in response realization of the common goals and shared aspirations of Agendato growers in various forums, including GRDCs National Grower 2063: the African we want. Network, highlighting concerns that the risks associated with Dr. Canisius Kanangire, the Executive Director of AATF,The project will focus on five priority area: nitrogen (N) deci-noted that the partnership agreement with AUC will strengthensions, sowing decisions, enterprise agronomic decisions, enterprise efforts towards raising agricultural productivity aimed at improvingfinancial decisions and managing natural resource capital. CSIROs livelihoods of smallholder farmers on the continent. Dr Rick Llewellyn and Dr Lindsay Bell will co-lead CSIROs coor-Given the remarkable results achieved under the previous col- dination of grower group activities, analytics, behavioural science laboration agreement between our organisations, this renewal of ourand farming systems research across Australia.partnership with the AUC will accelerate technology transfer efforts towards getting innovations and products that make a difference to peoples lives into farmers hands for a food and nutrition secureSTATUS DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGOAfrica, said Kanangire.He pointed out that AATFs new Strategic Plan 2023-2027A group of SMEs, cooperatives, and seed producers were trained builds on gains realised over the last two decades with a clearin basic seed production, quality assurance, and business manage-roadmap on scaling technological interventions for impact. ment in the Kasai Oriental Province of DR Congo from 11 to 15 Our roadmap towards delivery of agricultural technologiesJuly. The seed business capacity-building workshop organized by the during the next five years will not only contribute to food and nutri- Strengthening the Supply of Improved Seeds and Improved Public-tion security in Africa but will also engender agricultural transfor- private Partnerships in Central Africa (SISCA) project at the IITAmation and resilient food systems in line with the aspirations of theCGIAR Mbuji Mayi office had representatives from government Africa Union (AU) Agenda 2063, he said. agencies in attendance.He stated that AATF will continue convening strategic dia- Speaking at the opening of the training, a representative of logues on agricultural technology in Africa, bringing various voicesthe provincial Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, to weigh in on the contribution of science, technology, and innova- Jean de Dieu Bajikila Cimanga, appreciated partners supporting tion to agricultural development and how Africa can efficiently andthe Congolese government in agriculture. Cimanga highlighted the effectively leverage it for economic growth and attainment of themerits of the workshop for actors in the seed sub-sector in relation Malabo Declaration, Africas agriculture vision and the agenda 2063. to the provincial governments efforts to combat food insecurity. The workshop covered thematic areas like maize seed production, production and quality assurance of cassava cuttings, and best busi-STATUS AUSTRALIA ness practices. During a presentation on the SISCA project, Seed A new five-year, $30 million national investment by the GrainsSystem Specialist and SISCA Regional Coordinator Pheneas Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to help AustralianNtawuruhunga highlighted the core deliverables and impact of the grain growers better manage risks such as drought and market vola- project since its inception. As part of SISCAs deliverables, on the tility has been launched by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries andone hand, the training is in line with the 2019-2025 action plan on Forestry Murray Watt. Gender Mainstreaming at IFAD, which aims to empower rural Minister Watt says the investment in the RiskWi$e program iswomen and improve the equality and well-being of rural house-one of the largest ever grower-facing initiatives undertaken by GRDC. holds and communities. On the other hand, it aligns with IFADs The Australian grains industry continues to go from strength2019-2021 Action Plan for Rural Youth, which considers the needs to strength and the Albanese Government is committed to back- of young people in terms of opening up business opportunities to ing grain growers, grain producers and grain exporters, Ministeryoung people in the emerging seed sector.Watt says. Whether it is protecting the industry from biosecuritySource: IITA62ISEED WORLD EUROPEIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'