At the beginning of June, a group of about 40 partners from diverse backgrounds met in Entebbe, Uganda to shape the proposal for N2Africa Phase II. We had strong participation from national research organisations, the private sector, local and international NGOs and other international partners. All N2Africa countries were represented. Dr Peter Ebanyat, N2Africa Coordinator Uganda and Makerere University hosted the workshop together with the local IITA office. Participants were charged with contributing ideas to shape the activities of the next phase, and helped to write blocks of text for the proposal. It was an exciting week – with lots of split-out groups on themes and regions – and one very useful session in which the private sector partners were charged with coming up with concrete actions related to "what do you want from N2Africa, and what can you contribute in return?" We were delighted that Charlene McKoin and Vi Shukla from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation were present and gave valuable feedback to align our proposed activities with the foundation’s priorities. AGRA will partner closely with N2Africa in Phase II and Bashir Jama (AGRA Soil Health) and Anne Mbabu (AGRA Markets) participated actively in the discussions. Special thanks to all who have contributed to developing the Phase II proposal will be submitted to the foundation later this week.
In this edition of the Podcaster you will find a report on a "N2Africa Science Paper Writeshop" in Wageningen that was attended by 25 students and staff from many countries, updates on dissemination through schools together with World Vision in Malawi, articles showing strong responses to inoculation of common bean and chickpea in Ethiopia and on current activities there, outcomes of a workshop called and hosted by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in which N2Africa is supporting their ‘Soya Ni Pesa’ initiative in southern Tanzania, proud partners profiling the new industriual autoclave installed with support from N2Africa at the inoculant production plant in Zimbabwe, as well as some announcements of conferences and courses that will be of interest.
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In this edition of the Podcaster you will find a report on a "N2Africa Science Paper Writeshop" in Wageningen that was attended by 25 students and staff from many countries, updates on dissemination through schools together with World Vision in Malawi, articles showing strong responses to inoculation of common bean and chickpea in Ethiopia and on current activities there, outcomes of a workshop called and hosted by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in which N2Africa is supporting their ‘Soya Ni Pesa’ initiative in southern Tanzania, proud partners profiling the new industriual autoclave installed with support from N2Africa at the inoculant production plant in Zimbabwe, as well as some announcements of conferences and courses that will be of interest. |
Hill sides covered with common beans in northern Tanzania |
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Ken Giller