AWARD through the World Agroforestry Centre and African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) sign an agreement on institutional strengthening in gender-responsive agricultural research and capacity building to enhance food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

The agreement was signed by AATF’s Executive Director Dr. Denis Kyetere and ICRAF’s Director Tony Simmons. AWARD’s Director Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg represented Mr. Simmons at the signing ceremony that took place Wednesday 18 November 2015.

“AWARD is interested in looking at African institutions and how we can partner with them to help them gain the technical skills of how to incorporate gender into their research processes. We need African scientists who are skilled in asking questions that will illuminate the gender impacts of their research products,” says AWARD’s Director, Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg.

”The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) will help provide us with a committed approach to working more closely together, which will allow us to reach our common goal of realizing positive impacts on smallholder farmers, especially women. Each side will create many significant activities, such as organizing joint events which highlight both institutions at regional and international events,” said Dr. Denis Kyetere, African Agricultural Technology Foundation’s Executive Director.

The MOU paves the way for common initiatives by both institutions to equip top women scientists to accelerate agricultural gains in Sub-Saharan Africa by strengthening their research and leadership skills. In the agreement, AATF will make available to AWARD female agricultural scientist’s its Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) platforms to advance their interests in research and development in the sub Saharan region.

In more concrete terms, the sort of instruments and interventions that are covered are jointly fundraising for events designed to facilitate implementation of joint activities in countries where AATF and AWARD have a mandate; jointly conducting trainings and mentorship programs as well as jointly contributing to communications and public awareness. In addition, the partnership would see AWARD help AATF structure a mentorship program into its system that could support both AATF and its partners. This would be based on the tool developed by AWARD that has had great success and satisfaction for users.

African Agricultural Technology Foundation’s mission is to access, develop, adapt and deliver appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) through innovative partnerships and effective stewardship along the entire value chain. Our vision is a prosperous and a food secure Africa.

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