The TSARA initiative confirms its commitment to transforming agrifood systems through research and innovation in partnership with Africa (PEER)

The TSARA initiative confirms its commitment to transforming agrifood systems through research and innovation in partnership with Africa

Launched in March 2022, the TSARA Initiative - Transforming Food Systems and Agriculture through Research in Partnership with Africa – including 22 members from African and French institutions across 14 different countries, held its second general assembly on January 25th in Saly, Senegal. Under the co-presidency of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa and CIRAD (France) leaders from 20 African research and training institutions and 2 French institutions shared key advancements, validated the scientific agenda and action plan collaboratively developed by these institutions' teams. The goal is to promote productive, resilient, climate change-adaptive, autonomous, and sustainable food systems, contributing to food security and sovereignty, nutrition, job creation, resource preservation, and overall health. The initiative welcomed three new associate members: AgroParisTech (France), Institut Agro (France), and University of Gaston Berger (France). Additionally, the governance for 2024 was formalized, with INRAE and ISRA appointed as co-presidents for the year, and preparations for the 2025 co-presidency.

TSARA Initiative members zoom

Eight thematic groups under TSARA have been working through webinars since March 2022, bringing together up to 60 individuals from each of the 22 members. These groups assessed the state of scientific knowledge and identified priorities in areas such as soils, water, and forests under climate change constraints; the agroecological transition of agriculture and livestock; the sustainability of food systems; human, animal, and landscape health; and work and employment.

The second general assembly provided an opportunity to review actions taken since the first assembly and highlight collaborative activities among members. This has fostered a strong dynamic of information and exchanges within TSARA through participation in international events, field missions, project sequences, and seminars.

As examples of ongoing initiatives, pilot projects have recently been initiated, including MAHDIA focusing on the Water/Food/Agroecological Transition nexus, involving institutions from Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, France, and the Metropolis of Montpellier. Another project, FAMA – Food And Microbiota in Africa, addresses nutrition from microbiota to public policies, with partners from South Africa, Senegal, and France.

A total of 12 starter or interknowledge projects have been implemented, and 14 have been launched, supported by incentives from INRAE and CIRAD. These include projects like Soil Africao, a research and training network on soil functionality in West Africa, involving partners from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and France, and Employae, dedicated to the Employment/Agroecological Transition nexus, involving partners from Ghana, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and France.

TSARA has committed funds to research projects, incoming and outgoing mobilities, and four jointly financed PhD scholarships (CIRAD INRAE). The resources provided by all partners, both human and financial, aim to strengthen TSARA's collective capacity to secure and succeed in projects at the European, African, and international levels.

The second general assembly also validated TSARA's scientific agenda and action plan aligned with the initiative's objectives to address global [...]

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The TSARA initiative confirms its commitment to transforming agrifood systems through research and innovation in partnership with Africa

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