Sasakawa Africa Association Calls for New Approach to Scaling Agricultural Innovation in Africa

The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has called for a fundamental shift in how agricultural innovations are expanded across Africa, urging governments, research institutions, development partners and the private sector to focus on scaling proven solutions that can reach millions of smallholder farmers.

The call was made during a high-level dialogue held alongside the 9th Africa Agricultural Science Week and the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in Abuja, Nigeria. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, extension specialists, agribusiness leaders, development organisations and farmer representatives to discuss strategies for accelerating agrifood systems transformation across the continent.

Moving Beyond Innovation to Large-Scale Impact

Addressing delegates, SAA Managing Director Emiko Mutsuyoshi said Africa already possesses many successful agricultural technologies and development models. The priority now is to create systems that enable these innovations to reach farmers at scale.

She emphasised that agricultural transformation requires greater investment, stronger partnerships and better coordination among stakeholders to ensure proven technologies generate lasting improvements in productivity, food security and rural livelihoods.

Building Integrated Innovation Ecosystems

Participants agreed that simply developing new technologies is no longer enough to transform African agriculture.

Instead, discussions focused on the need for integrated innovation ecosystems that connect agricultural research, extension services, financial institutions, markets, government policies and local organisations. Such coordinated systems are expected to improve the adoption of proven innovations while ensuring farmers receive the technical support, financing and market access needed to sustain productivity gains.

Proven Models Deliver Results

SAA Nigeria Country Director Dr. Godwin Atser highlighted the impact of integrated agricultural programmes, noting that regenerative agriculture initiatives implemented through partnerships with governments and development organisations have reached more than 20 million farmers across several states.

Delegates also identified successful projects that demonstrate how coordinated investments can improve agricultural performance. Among them was the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), which combined agricultural extension services, improved seed systems, mechanisation, market development and institutional collaboration to increase productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.

Collaboration Essential for Agrifood Transformation

The dialogue concluded that achieving sustainable agricultural growth will require stronger collaboration between governments, researchers, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector.

Participants stressed that expanding access to proven technologies, strengthening agricultural extension systems, improving access to finance and developing efficient markets will be critical to increasing food production and building resilient agrifood systems across Africa.

Accelerating Agricultural Development Across Africa

As African countries work to improve food security and strengthen climate resilience, stakeholders agreed that scaling existing innovations offers one of the fastest pathways to agricultural transformation.

By creating integrated innovation ecosystems that connect technology, finance, markets and policy, Africa can accelerate the adoption of climate-smart farming practices, improve smallholder productivity and support sustainable economic growth across the continent.