The Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) has called for a fundamental shift in Africa’s agricultural research system, urging governments, research institutions and development partners to place farmers at the centre of innovation to accelerate the continent’s drive towards resilient and sustainable food systems.
The appeal was made during the opening session of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW) and the 10th FARA General Assembly, in Abuja from July 27th to 30th under the theme: “Innovations and Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa.”
Delivering PAFO’s partners’ statement, the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Babafemi Oyewole, said Africa’s agricultural transformation would only succeed if scientific research is driven by the realities and experiences of farmers rather than remaining confined to laboratories and research institutions.
Speaking on behalf of more than 250 million farmers represented through PAFO’s regional and national member organisations across 50 African countries, Oyewole described the gathering as timely, coming as the continent begins implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035).
He noted that Africa is contending with mounting challenges, including climate change, soil degradation, escalating production costs, geopolitical uncertainties, volatile markets and persistent food insecurity, stressing that addressing these issues requires stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, development partners and farming communities.
According to him, farmers should no longer be viewed merely as beneficiaries of research outcomes but as co-innovators whose indigenous knowledge, practical experience and continuous adaptation to changing climatic conditions should shape research priorities, technology development, validation and deployment.
Oyewole observed that while Africa has generated numerous agricultural innovations, the greatest challenge remains ensuring such technologies reach farmers at scale.
He lamented that many research outputs remain within academic institutions and pilot projects, while millions of smallholder farmers continue to face limited access to quality extension services, digital advisory platforms and practical training needed to improve productivity.
He identified farmer organisations as one of the continent’s most effective channels for expanding the adoption of proven technologies, noting that organised farmer networks can rapidly deliver innovations to producers while providing researchers with valuable feedback from the field.
The PAFO chief therefore called for stronger institutional frameworks that would allow farmer organisations to participate actively in setting research agendas, testing innovations under real farming conditions and assessing their impact on productivity, resilience and rural livelihoods.
He further urged African governments and development partners to prioritise investments in climate-resilient crop varieties, sustainable soil health, regenerative agriculture, affordable mechanisation, resilient seed systems, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and value addition, while strengthening extension systems to ensure these innovations reach farmers.
Highlighting PAFO’s growing collaboration with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Oyewole said the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both organisations in January 2026 demonstrates a shared commitment to bridging the gap between agricultural research and farmers.
He added that PAFO’s representation on the FARA Board further reinforces efforts to ensure farmers’ voices are reflected in the governance and strategic direction of Africa’s agricultural research agenda.
Reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to working with FARA and other stakeholders, Oyewole said Africa’s food systems can only become more resilient, inclusive and prosperous through partnerships that effectively connect scientific innovation with practical application, policy implementation and farmers’ needs.
He concluded that the prosperity of African agriculture ultimately depends on the prosperity of its farmers, urging stakeholders to build an innovation ecosystem that is farmer-centred, science-driven and focused on delivering measurable impact across the continent.
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