Dr Victor Afari-Sefa Joins Esteemed World Agriculture Forum Council

Institutional News

Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, Global Research Program Director for Enabling Systems Transformation at ICRISAT, has been nominated to join the prestigious World Agriculture Forum (WAF) Council, a global platform dedicated to advancing agricultural development.

A seasoned Agricultural Economist and Research for Development Practitioner, Dr Afari-Sefa holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Germany. With over 22 years of experience, he excels in research management, program design, monitoring, learning evaluation and impact evaluation (MELIA), and resource allocation. ​ 

Since March 2022, Dr Afari-Sefa has been leading ICRISAT’s Enabling Systems Transformation program, overseeing six R&D clusters that focus on Technology Adoption, Markets, Agribusiness, Nutrition, Gender, and Knowledge Management. From December 2023 to June 2024, he was assigned additional responsibilities as Deputy Director General – Research at ICRISAT. 

His previous roles include Regional Director for West and Central Africa at the World Vegetable Center (2017–2022) based in Benin Republic and Global Theme Leader for Consumption, also ​ at the ​ World Vegetable Center based in Tanzania (2011–2017). His work emphasizes enhancing smallholder livelihoods through agricultural value chain analysis and policy research in an interdisciplinary research context in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. 

 

This nomination recognizes Dr Afari-Sefa's expertise and contributions to the sector, positioning him to play a key role in addressing global challenges like food and nutrition security and sustainable agricultural practices. 

"I am deeply honored to contribute to this important global agenda on agri-food systems. I will do my utmost to serve the Council to the best of my abilities and look forward to collaborating with the WAF Board and fellow Council members on this initiative," shared ​ Dr Afari-Sefa upon accepting the nomination.

Dr Afari-Sefa attended his first WAF Council Meeting virtually on 18 September 2024 on the occasion of 2nd World Agriculture Prize presentation held in Mumbai.

Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, Global Research Program Director-Enabling Systems Transformation, ICRISAT
Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, Global Research Program Director-Enabling Systems Transformation, ICRISAT

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Tahira Carter

Tahira Carter

Head – Communications

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About The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a pioneering International Organization committed to developing and improving dryland farming and agri-food systems to address the challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation affecting the 2.1 billion people residing in the drylands of Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and beyond.

ICRISAT was established under a Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of India and the CGIAR on the 28 March 1972. In accordance with the Headquarters Agreement, the Government of India has extended the status of a specified “International Organisation” to ICRISAT under section 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947 of the Republic of India through Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. UI/222(66)/71, dated 28 October 1972, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

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