Strengthening collaborations in Niger

ICRISAT engages donors and partners to accelerate change in Niger's agri-food systems

On his first official trip to Niger, Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General-Research (DDG-R), ICRISAT, called on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Indian Ambassador to Niger, donors, and partners and held talks to accelerate the ongoing agri-food system transformation in the region.

Meeting with the Minister: The DDG-R called on Dr Alambedji Abba Issa, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Niger, and thanked him for supporting ICRISAT’s work and for the productive partnership to advance Niger’s food security.

The Minister appreciated the long-standing partnership between ICRISAT and Niger and commended ICRISAT’s efforts in transforming the drylands for better crop production, better nutrition, and enhancing food security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Strengthening ties with USAID: Along with the ICRISAT team, the DDG-R visited the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Niger and met Dr Asta Zinbo, the Acting Director of USAID mission in Niger, and Dr Idrissa Issoufi, Acting Office Director Agriculture, Resilience & Private Sector.

We help people grow their own food and help make farming profitable. We do this by providing better farming technologies and techniques, including affordable processing equipment, better linkages to markets; helping build new agribusinesses, and much more.
"We lay special emphasis on including women and youth in the programs to build job opportunities and empower them in decision-making,said Dr Kumar speaking of ICRISAT’s strategy for improving food security and overcoming poverty and hunger.

The DDG-R also thanked USAID for supporting ICRISAT’s work in the region and both agreed to explore avenues for strengthening their cooperation.

(4th and 5th from left) Ms Asta Zinbo, Acting Director of USAID mission in Niger; Dr Idrissa Issoufi, Acting Office Director Agriculture, Resilience & Private Sector USAID Niger with ICRISAT staff (left to right) – Prof Hamidou Falalou, Country Representative-Niger; Dr Gumma Murali Krishna, Principal Scientist & Cluster Leader; Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General-Research; Dr Traore Bouba, Scientist and Dr Clarisse Umutoni, Scientist.
(4th and 5th from left) Ms Asta Zinbo, Acting Director of USAID mission in Niger; Dr Idrissa Issoufi, Acting Office Director Agriculture, Resilience & Private Sector USAID Niger with ICRISAT staff (left to right) – Prof Hamidou Falalou, Country Representative-Niger; Dr Gumma Murali Krishna, Principal Scientist & Cluster Leader; Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General-Research; Dr Traore Bouba, Scientist and Dr Clarisse Umutoni, Scientist.

Strengthening South-South collaboration: The DDG-R also met His Excellency Mr Rajesh Agarwal, the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Niger. Their discussion revolved around strengthening South-South Cooperation to develop agriculture in Niger through the exchange of technology, knowledge and skills. His Excellency stated that Niger needs local solutions and ICRISAT has a significant role to play in food security in Niger.

“We are looking for opportunities to work with ICRISAT to transform agriculture in Niger,” said His Excellency Mr Rajesh Agarwal.
His Excellency Mr Rajesh Agarwal, the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Niger (center) with the ICRISAT team.
His Excellency Mr Rajesh Agarwal, the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Niger (center) with the ICRISAT team.

Unlocking the potential of digital technologies: Mr Ibrahima Guimba, the Director General of ANSI (Agence Nationale pour la Société de l'Information) and his team discussed with the ICRISAT team the role of digital technology in transforming agriculture and accelerating impact in rural communities. Both institutions agreed to strengthen collaboration to see how to make better use of digital agriculture tools to combat hunger and poverty.

"Together, we can make Niger a model of Digital Agriculture in Africa," said Mr Guimba.

 

Mr Aminoulaye Mounkalia, ANSI (far left) and Mr Ibrahima Guimba, Director General of ANSI (fourth from left) with the ICRISAT team.
Mr Aminoulaye Mounkalia, ANSI (far left) and Mr Ibrahima Guimba, Director General of ANSI (fourth from left) with the ICRISAT team.

The DDG-R also met the Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) team in Niger and discussed the need for strengthening collaboration and expanding the area of collaboration. Dr Arvind Kumar visited Niger from 28 July to 2 August 2022. He ended his tour with a visit to the ICRISAT research station at Sadoré, where he met ICRISAT staff.

 

Banner image: From left to right: Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General-Research, ICRISAT, meets Dr Alambedji Abba Issa, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Niger, along with Dr Hamidou Falalou, ICRISAT Country Representative-Niger.

This work aligns with SDG 17
This work aligns with SDG 17

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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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East and Southern Africa:  Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe

West and Central Africa: Mali, Niger, Nigeria

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