CGIAR Launches Pioneering East Africa Scaling Hub to Transform Regional Agriculture


    Nairobi, Kenya, December 4, 2024 

 In a bold step towards sustainable agriculture and food security, CGIAR today launched the East Africa Scaling Hub, a collaborative initiative designed to revolutionize farming practices and food systems in the region. The launch event, held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) offices on Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, brought together a dynamic mix of scientists, innovators, and development partners committed to co-creating solutions for some of the most pressing agricultural challenges of our time.

The East Africa Scaling Hub is a landmark project, marking CGIAR’s first hub of its kind in Africa. It embodies the organization’s strategic commitment to scaling agricultural innovations across six regions and 13 countries, supported by an impressive $45 million annual investment for the next six years.

The hub is designed to tackle three interconnected priorities: Developing technologies and practices to build resilience against climate shocks, creating equitable and environmentally sound pathways from farm to market and then strengthening food security while addressing environmental challenges.

    Two prominent figures in agricultural research graced the event to share their perspectives on the hub's transformative potential:
Dr. Inga Jacobs-Mata, Executive Director for Water, Growth, and Inclusion at the International Water Management Institute, emphasized the crucial role of water resources in achieving sustainable agricultural systems that benefit communities and ecosystems alike.
Dr. Timothy Krupnik, Transitional Director of Scaling for Impact at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, highlighted CGIAR’s innovative approach to delivering scalable solutions that empower farmers and drive regional agricultural growth.

East Africa faces mounting challenges from climate change, population growth, and resource depletion, all of which threaten agricultural productivity and livelihoods. The East Africa Scaling Hub aims to address these challenges by fostering collaboration between research institutions, governments, private sector players, and local communities.

"By bringing together diverse expertise and resources, the hub will catalyze innovations that not only enhance agricultural productivity but also safeguard the environment and uplift rural economies," said Dr. Jacobs-Mata.

The event served as a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and the unveiling of CGIAR’s vision for inclusive agricultural growth. Attendees had the opportunity to explore potential partnerships and witness the unveiling of new technologies that promise to transform the agricultural landscape.

As the hub officially opens its doors, it signals a new era for East Africa’s agricultural sector, one that prioritizes resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity. The East Africa Scaling Hub is poised to become a beacon of innovation and hope for millions of farmers across the region.

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