Feasibility and Scope for a Cassava Crop Improvement Trust
Donor: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Duration: July 2009- February 2010
Purpose: The project aimed to investigates the scope and feasibility of a grant making mechanism to support strategic cassava genetic improvement research in Africa. It is envisaged that this mechanism will catalyze action, and mobilize human and financial resources to promote the use of advanced science and technology tools and products for this purpose.
The specific objectives of the study were to
(1) examine the cassava situation in Africa and set the vision for its development, (2) undertake a review and stakeholders consultations to identify and prioritize technical challenges and opportunities for cassava development in Africa,
(3) identify market, institutional challenges and opportunities for cassava development in Africa,
(4) design and layout the functions, characteristics and management of an intermediate African organization that will empower key R&D players; finance investments and catalyze activities in cassava crop improvement and define its relationships with key stakeholders, and
(5) outline and recommend grant making mechanisms for cassava genetic improvement in Africa and
(6) define the strategy, priorities and Programs and pipeline projects for the grant making mechanism. The Africa Innovations Institute has been fully responsible for the overall management and direction of the project and has worked with national, regional and international cassava R&D institutions and other stakeholders in implementing the project.
The institute collaborated with the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT, Cali, Colombia), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria), the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), The Donald Danforth Plant Science Centre (DDPSC) and African NARS namely Uganda, Kenya, Cameroun, Nigeria, Ghana, Nigeria and DRC Congo.
The project has successfully carried out objectives 1-6 and reported on their findings and recommendations to the donor.
