By:
Robert Kwaku Annor
The Alliance of Bioversity
International and CIAT and the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) have signed a
new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration on farmer-centred
agricultural research and innovation and support the development of sustainable,
inclusive and resilient agri-food systems.
The agreement was signed on
September 1, 2026, during the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) in Kigali
by Alliance Director General Juan Lucas Restrepo Ibiza and WFO Secretary
General Andrea Porro.
The renewed partnership
builds on years of cooperation and will connect the Alliance’s research and
innovation capabilities with WFO’s global network of farmers’ organisations.
Under the agreement, the two
organisations will strengthen farmer-centred and science-based approaches to
transforming agri-food systems while ensuring that agricultural research
responds directly to the challenges and priorities identified by farmers.
The partnership will also
seek to improve farmers’ access to innovation as well as climate and
biodiversity finance, helping producers benefit from emerging technologies,
research and financing opportunities.
Another area of cooperation
will be fostering stronger collaboration among WFO members, research
programmes, start-ups and other innovation actors to encourage the development
and adoption of solutions relevant to farmers.
The Alliance and WFO said
the partnership reflects a shared commitment to placing farmers at the centre
of agricultural research, innovation and transformation.
