By Ahmed Emam

Africa can accelerate agricultural transformation, create more jobs and raise smallholder farmer incomes by scaling agricultural innovations and strengthening the systems that connect research, technology, finance and markets, Cameroonian agriculture advocate Matchouo Fossi Émile Christian has told DNE Africa.

Christian, director of The African Farming Foundation (TAFF), said Africa’s biggest agricultural challenge is no longer a lack of innovation but the difficulty of moving promising technologies from research institutions and pilot projects into widespread commercial use.

“Africa does not have an innovation deficit; it has a scale-up deficit,” Christian said.

He argued that African countries need to overhaul regulatory, financial and market systems so agricultural innovations can become commercially viable businesses while delivering tangible benefits to farmers.

Africa needs to scale agricultural innovation

According to Christian, agricultural innovation will have a greater impact when governments and investors focus on adoption at farm level rather than simply supporting the development of new technologies.

He called for policies that make it easier for innovations to move from laboratories and research projects to farmers and agribusinesses.

In biotechnology, Christian advocated for science-based, risk-proportionate and predictable regulatory frameworks. He also urged greater harmonization of regulations across regional markets to reduce unnecessary delays in bringing agricultural technologies into commercial use.

African countries should simultaneously strengthen local research capacity, technology transfer, intellectual property systems and private-sector participation.

Such measures, he said, could allow biotechnology to contribute not only to higher agricultural productivity but also to job creation, new businesses and greater value addition.

Rice investment must deliver results for farmers

Christian also urged policymakers and investors to assess the more than $1.54 billion in rice investment commitments in West Africa based on their impact at farm level rather than the size of capital announced.

He said successful rice development requires an integrated approach that connects improved and locally adapted seeds with irrigation, mechanization, agricultural extension, post-harvest infrastructure, processing and dependable markets.

Smallholder farmers should be incorporated into commercially viable agricultural value chains rather than being treated merely as beneficiaries of new technologies, he said.

Christian also highlighted mechanization-as-a-service models, which enable farmers to access agricultural machinery through rural service providers without having to purchase costly equipment themselves.

He said the success of agricultural investments should ultimately be measured through indicators such as productivity, production costs, farm-gate prices, value addition and net farm income.

Climate-smart agriculture requires more than resilient seeds
Christian warned that distributing climate-resilient crop varieties on their own is unlikely to deliver significant results unless farmers also have access to information, appropriate farming practices, finance and markets.

He recommended a “technology-plus-knowledge” approach that combines improved crop varieties with agricultural extension services, farmer field schools, climate information, digital advisory tools and locally adapted production practices.

Agricultural technology delivery systems should also prioritize farmers in drought-prone and underserved regions rather than concentrating new innovations in areas where distribution is easier, he said.

Africa needs more youth agrifood entrepreneurs

Christian said Africa must also rethink youth-focused agricultural programs, arguing that training alone is not enough to help young people build successful agrifood businesses.

He called for dedicated financing for young agrifood entrepreneurs, including credit guarantees, patient capital and innovation grants.

He also advocated for rural incubation and acceleration programs that connect young entrepreneurs with buyers, processors, cooperatives, financial institutions and regional markets.

According to Christian, greater attention should be given to young innovators operating outside Africa’s major urban technology hubs. Strengthening innovation ecosystems in rural areas and secondary cities could help spread entrepreneurship and employment opportunities more widely.

Closing Africa’s agricultural innovation gap

Christian outlined a broader agenda for agricultural transformation across Africa, emphasizing the need to close the gaps between research and markets, technology and adoption, investment and farm-level impact, and youth innovation and enterprise growth.

The ultimate goal, he said, should be to ensure that agricultural innovation translates into tangible economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities.

“Africa’s agricultural transformation will become truly inclusive when innovation is converted into productive assets, profitable businesses, decent rural employment and higher incomes for smallholder farmers,” Christian said.