Project profile — Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa - Phase II

• South of Sahara, regional (100.00%)

• Agricultural development:
Agricultural development (31120) (10.00%)
Agricultural education/training (31181) (20.00%)
Agricultural research (31182) (60.00%)
Agricultural services (31191) (10.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (significant objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

CIDA provided funding to establish a Centre of Excellence in Bioscience in Agriculture (called Biosciences eastern and central Africa). Implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Secretariat, BecA supports Eastern and Central African countries to develop and apply bioscience research and expertise to produce technologies that help farmers to raise their productivity and income, and to increase their market opportunities. It provides a focal point for the African scientific community to address agricultural, health and environmental-related problems of the highest priority for alleviating poverty and promoting development. A second component of the project provides funding to the NEPAD Secretariat to support the establishment of three other networks of Centres of Excellence in North Africa (NABNet), West Africa (WABNet), and Southern Africa (SANBio), within the framework of the African Biosciences Initiative. The definition phase of the project, with an allocation of $4.5 million, was completed in 2007.

N/A

Results achieved as of the end of the project include: with the completion of construction, state-of-the-art laboratory and research facilities, as part of the biosciences network established in East and Central Africa, were made fully operational and accessible to African scientists and students in the region and across the continent. Short- and long-term training provided to African scientists have increased their capacity to conduct research and training in biosciences and related disciplines addressing agriculture, food security, poverty, health and nutrition priorities in Africa. In addition, the establishment of 3 similar networks in West, South and North Africa has enhanced science and technology capacity in Africa, as well as the quantity and quality of biosciences research that is addressing critical issues constraining agriculture in Africa. Overall, these achievements have contributed to improved capacity of scientists and researchers to produce new technologies and products that are accessible and affordable to farmers in Africa’s resource-poor communities, which will improve their livelihoods.

• Proactive disclosure