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| African Crop Science Society | |
|---|---|
| Name | African Crop Science Society |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Accra, Ghana |
| Type | Learned society |
| Focus | Crop science, agronomy, plant breeding |
African Crop Science Society
The African Crop Science Society is a continental learned society focused on applied crop science, plant breeding, agronomy, pest management and postharvest technology in Africa. It brings together researchers from institutions such as University of Ibadan, University of Nairobi, Makerere University, Cairo University and University of Ghana to address challenges linked to food security, climate variability and rural livelihoods. The Society convenes researchers, extension specialists, and policy actors from organizations including International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, FAO and African Union to synthesize evidence and disseminate innovations.
The Society was established in the late 1970s amid mobilization by scientists from Nigeria Agricultural Research Council, Ghana Agricultural Research Institute, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and universities such as University of Pretoria and University of Dar es Salaam. Early meetings attracted delegates affiliated with Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, United Nations Environment Programme and regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States and Southern African Development Community. The formative decade saw collaboration with international centers including IRRI and CIAT and links to conferences like the World Food Conference and initiatives such as the Green Revolution debates. Over subsequent decades the Society expanded networks to include professionals from Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, South African National Research Foundation and National Cereals Research Institute.
The Society's mission aligns with mandates of institutions like International Fund for Agricultural Development and World Bank projects on agricultural development. Objectives highlight promotion of research across crop systems studied at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Zambia Agricultural Research Institute and Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute; facilitation of knowledge exchange among members from University of Malawi, Université Cheikh Anta Diop and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; and advocacy for evidence-based policy in forums such as African Union Development Agency and NEPAD. The Society emphasizes capacity building in partnership with donors such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and programs like Feed the Future.
Governance features an elected Council comparable to bodies at Royal Society and American Society of Agronomy, with officers drawn from institutions including University of Zambia, University of Ibadan, University of Pretoria and Makerere University. Membership categories mirror professional societies like International Society for Plant Pathology and include student affiliates from universities such as Sokoine University of Agriculture and Obafemi Awolowo University. Regional chapters coordinate activities across zones covered by Economic Community of Central African States, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and Economic Community of West African States. The Secretariat has engaged staff formerly associated with African Development Bank and liaison offices that interact with agencies such as United Nations Development Programme.
Programs encompass thematic working groups on crop improvement, similar to panels at Global Crop Diversity Trust meetings, and training workshops held with partners like CIMMYT, ICRISAT and International Food Policy Research Institute. Field trials and on-farm demonstrations have been implemented in collaboration with National Agricultural Research Organisation and Institute of Agricultural Research (Nigeria), addressing crop varieties developed at IITA and seed systems linked to Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. Capacity-strengthening exchanges include fellowships patterned after programs at University of California, Davis and mentorship schemes involving researchers from CSIR (South Africa). The Society runs awards and student competitions akin to prizes at Royal Society of Biology and supports policy dialogues with African Union Commission and FAO.
The Society publishes a peer-reviewed journal modeled on regional journals such as Journal of Agricultural Science and coordinates proceedings similar to conferences organized by International Crop Science Congress. Its flagship journal features articles on research from CIMMYT, ICRISAT, IITA and universities including University of Ghana and University of Ibadan; special issues focus on topics raised at biennial conferences held in cities like Accra, Nairobi, Lagos and Addis Ababa. Conference programmes have included plenaries with speakers from World Bank, FAO, CGIAR centers and panels drawn from African Union, NEPAD and national ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture (Ghana).
The Society maintains formal and informal partnerships with CGIAR centers including CIMMYT, ICRISAT, IITA and CIAT; with continental initiatives such as AGRA and African Union agricultural programs; and with donor agencies like USAID, European Union and DFID. Collaborative projects engage universities such as Makerere University, University of Nairobi and University of Ibadan and research institutes like Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. The Society has interfaced with global entities like UNEP and World Bank on climate-resilient agriculture and with nongovernmental organizations including Oxfam and World Vision on dissemination.
Contributions include dissemination of improved varieties linked to IITA and CIMMYT breeding programs, influence on regional seed policy dialogues at ECOWAS and SADC, and capacity development for researchers from Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. The Society’s conferences and publications have amplified research on staple crops such as maize, sorghum, millet and cowpea, shaping agendas at institutions like International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and informing programs at Ministry of Agriculture (Nigeria) and Ministry of Agriculture (Kenya). Recognition includes collaborations that informed policy briefs submitted to African Union Commission and contributions to assessments used by FAO and World Bank in agricultural programming.
Category:Agricultural organizations Category:Scientific societies