African Union Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and Development’s
About AU SAFGRAD
The African Union Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and Development’s (AU-SAFGRAD’s) goal is to contribute to sustainable food security of smallholder agricultural producers and others chain actors in the semi-arid zone (SAZs) of Africa by helping build their resilience to crises and shocks. The SAZs of Africa occupy a large area that spans from Senegal in West Africa through Tunisia in North Africa, Djibouti in East Africa to South Africa. These zones are among the most challenging areas of the world and will become even more so as a result of climate change. The SAZs of Africa are also vulnerable to conflicts arising partly from natural resource use com petitions and other socio-political causes.
News & Opportunities
The 10th Special session of AMCEN and Africa Preparatory meeting for UNCCD COP16. Abidjan, Ivory coast, 29 Aug. to 6 Sep. 2024
AU-SAFGRAD in collaboration with UNCCD Secretariat, UNEP and the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, facilitated the organisation of the 10th Session of AMCEN back to back with the Africa Preparatory meeting to UNCCD COP16. The meeting was made of 4-day technical session 2-day ministerial consultation. AU-SAFGRAD mainly focused effort in the...
About SAFGRAD
“To lead, coordinate and facilitate the formulation of appropriate policies and programs that would build resilience of rural livelihoods in semi-arid Africa through strengthening of institutional capacities aimed at advancing agricultural research, technology transfer and adoption; enhancement of value chains; management of natural resources; and mitigation and adaptation to climate change and combating desertification as well as other related areas”Read More
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Key Resources
AU SAFGRAD Strategic and Operational Plan (SOP), 2014-2017
The strategic plan (2014-2017) for African Union’s Semi- Arid Food Grain Research and Development office (African Union-SAFGRAD).
The plan describes how it will add value to strengthen the institutional capacities that would build the resilience of rural livelihoods in Semi -Arid Zone of Africa by leading, coordinating and facilitating the formulation of appropriate policies and programmes.
Strengthening the role of science and technology in combating desertification in Africa
Desertification has played a significant role in human history, contributing to the collapse of several large empires, as well as causing displacement and relocation of local populations. It is also the cause of most conflicts arising from natural resources use with attendant loss of lives and properties and large scale emigration.