Cotton Research Institute
The Cotton Research Institute (CRI) is a leading research institution located in Cotonou, Be
Agroecology
Title: Africa Regional Centres of Excellence - ArcX: Agroecology Component.
Main Objective: Strengthen Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs) in agroecology across sub-Saharan Africa to accelerate the transition towards productive, resilient, and sustainable food systems by integrating agroecological principles with scientific and local knowledge.
Specific Objectives:
- Strengthen the scientific, technological, and institutional capacities of sub-regional organisations (SROs) and RMRNs/RCoEs in agroecology;
- Enhance the contribution of RMRNs/RCoEs to transformative, high-quality agroecological research;
- Improve cross-sectoral and inter-regional coordination to tackle science, technology, and innovation challenges in Africa’s green transition.
Starting Year: 2024-25
Implementation Duration: 38–46 months
Areas of Impact:
- Data collection & sharing: Document and disseminate agroecological practices through open-source platforms;
- Decision-support: Produce scientific and policy analyses for informed strategic planning;
- Capacity development: Deliver targeted training and strengthen professional networks;
- Innovation support: Develop and scale up innovative agroecological solutions;
- Global engagement: Integrate African agroecology into international frameworks and global fora.
Target Groups: Scientific community (economists, agronomists, food-system experts, etc.), data and information managers, international organisations, private sector, universities, local communities, regional economic communities, continental bodies, African farmers, and citizens.
ArcX Partners: See ArcX Partners card and the ArcX Partnership Map.
Component Coordinator: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).
Leading Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE): Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF)
Scientific and Technical Support from EC - DG JRC: DG-JRC Directorate D (Sustainable Resources) Unit D5 (Food Security) and Unit D4 (Economics of the Food System).
Available Resources
06
May
GLF AFRICA 2026: STEWARDING OUR RANGELANDS
But what are rangelands? In short, they’re lands that are grazed by livestock or wildlife and mainly stewarded by pastoralists.
- Nairobi, Kenya and online
21
May
Carbon Africa 2026
The climate is shifting. So is agriculture. Carbon Africa 2026 is a landmark two-day conference dedicated to exploring the future of farming in South Africa.
- Stellenbosch, South Africa
22
Sep
8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists
Africa stands at a critical juncture where the convergence of technological innovation, digital transformation, and strategic trade partnerships offers unprecedented opportunities to revo...
- Nairobi, Kenya
15
Sep
Africa FARMTECH Expo Nigeria & Western Africa Edition
The Africa FarmTech Expo Nigeria & Western Africa is the pan-African trade show targeted at commercial and medium-scale farmers; agribusiness, food and feed processing and packaging c...
- Lagos, Nigeria
01
Jul
CIRAWA Agroecology Conference
Agroecology and Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
- Accra, Ghana
12
May
NAMPO Cape Show- Sustainable practices and agricultural efficiency
Grain SA’s NAMPO is one of the largest agricultural exhibitions under private ownership in the southern hemisphere and it takes place annually, just outside of the town of Bothaville, in ...
- Bothaville, South Africa
15
Jul
Africa FarmTech Expo- Crop production and sustainable growth
The Africa FARMTECH Expo Kenya Edition is the pan-African trade show targeted at commercial and medium-scale farmers, animal feed & food processing and packaging companies and other s...
- Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI)
ZARI is the main Government department under the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for agricultural research. It is mandated to carry out public-good and farmer demand-driven research in soils, crops, plant protection, and farming systems, and to provide agricultural advisory services.
Young Professional for Agricultural Development (YPARD)
Agri-food systems are the interconnected processes of food production, distribution, and consumption, shaped by socio-economic and political factors.
University of Nairobi (UoN)
The University of Nairobi, a body corporate established by an Act of Parliament Cap 210 of the Laws of Kenya is the pioneer institution of University education in Kenya and the region.
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Vision
An inclusive and engaged research-intensive African university that inspires creativity through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery and citizenship; enhancing the lives of its students and staff, advancing a more equitable and sustainable social order and influencing the global higher education landscape.