Partners widen their support for smallholder farming

November 11, 2020

The Crawford Fund has been part of the ACIAR Alliance for Agricultural Research and Development for Food Security since it’s creation in 2014 and our most recent report was posted to explain the impact of the work on demand led breeding (DLB).

We are pleased to report that the Fund has recently extended our involvement in the Alliance to December 2027. A release on the collaboration is here.

In the past, the Alliance has focused on Sub-Saharan African, but as explained in the attached release, there will be a future focus in the Indo-Pacific region as well.

“The Alliance can now plan new programmes building on our existing collaboration. These will focus on research supporting sustainable farming practices and innovation. Together, we can improve food security, crop quality, productivity and income for smallholders and their customers,” said the Fund’s CEO, Dr Colin Chartres. 

The DLB programme enables continuing development for professional breeders in national agriculture research systems and universities. State-of-the-art education modules and materials present the best public and private sector practices for breeding new crop varieties.

Over 400 scientists have been involved in the programme so far, creating a community of practice in demand-led breeding across Sub-Saharan Africa. 

“This success has been possible because the Alliance partners share convictions on several crucial topics”, Colin emphasized at the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.

“In all our work – our training, mentoring, NextGen activities and public awareness –  the Fund relies on collaboration and partnerships in with Australian and overseas .”

“In line with the United Nations’ SDG 17, we believe in the power of partnerships to achieve greater impact. We are also all committed to scientific innovation as a key to improving smallholders’ food security and livelihoods,” Colin concluded.