Robert Zougmoré: A pioneer of climate-smart agriculture in Africa
African agriculture stands at a crossroads, grappling with challenges such as climate change, low adoption of innovation and ineffective agricultural policies. At the heart of the movement to address these issues is Dr. Robert Zougmoré - Principal Scientist at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and Director of AICCRA (Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa).
He is dedicated to transforming the continent's agricultural landscape amidst the detrimental effects of climate change:
"It is essential that our agriculture becomes more productive while remaining sustainable and resilient," he asserts, emphasizing the importance of an agroecological perspective for Africa's future.
A Journey Rooted in the Earth
Originally from Burkina Faso, Dr. Zougmoré developed a deep interest agriculture early in life. Though his parents were civil servants, they involved him in farming activities during vacations, especially rice cultivation. "This is how I developed an attachment to the land and to agriculture itself," he recalls. This early exposure shaped his academic and professional path.
Graduating from the Rural Development Institute as an agricultural engineer, his thesis on soil sciences propelled him into a career focused on improving African agricultural systems. "I realized that agriculture plays a crucial role in our countries," he emphasizes. Committed to providing concrete solutions to the challenges faced by African farmers, he devoted his life to agricultural research and development.
Beyond academic research, he aims to make agriculture more attractive and economically viable for younger generations. "African agriculture is not yet economically viable enough for farmers to make a sustainable living," he laments. "To solve this, it would be wise to develop innovative business models based on agriculture."
AICCRA: Driving climate resilience through science
As Director of AICCRA, Dr. Zougmoré leads the promotion of climate-smart innovations designed to build resilience for African farmers facing an unpredictable climate: "AICCRA aims to accelerate the impact of CGIAR’s climate research in Africa," he explains. "It leverages innovations developed by the CGIAR system over the past fifty years."
AICCRA pairs climate information with science-based, climate-smart agricultural practices: "We ensure that farmers have access to climate information services so they can make decisions informed by the latest research," he notes. However, access alone isn't enough: "Providing tools is only the first step. Ensuring their effective use on the ground is what makes the difference," he emphasizes. By focusing on practical application, AICCRA helps farmers strengthen their resilience to challenges like droughts, floods, and emerging pests.
Positioning AICCRA within a broader legacy of climate action, Dr. Zougmoré builds on past research programs and taps into CGIAR’s extensive climate action portfolio: "This solid scientific foundation enables us to deliver solutions that are practical and relevant to farmers' needs," he says, underscoring AICCRA’s commitment to sustainable agricultural transformation. More than a research program, AICCRA is a catalyst for a resilient agricultural future across Africa.
The importance of partnerships
For Dr. Zougmoré, partnership is central to AICCRA’s success: "One hand cannot scoop up flour," he says, using a cultural proverb to highlight the need for collaboration among all actors in the support chain for farmers.
AICCRA collaborates closely with National Agricultural Research Services, ministries, the private sector, farmers' organizations, and NGOs. "This collaboration aims to relay developed innovations and make them available to field actors," he explains. "Partnership is crucial if we truly want to achieve the expected adoption goals."
Capacity building is also fundamental. AICCRA offers theoretical and practical training on innovative approaches, decision-making tools, and climate-smart innovations: "These trainings enable partners to better understand and implement these tools and innovations effectively".
This collaborative approach creates a multiplier effect, ensuring that innovations reach end beneficiaries: "By working together, we can maximize the impact of our actions and support farmers more effectively," asserts Dr. Zougmoré. "Partnership is fundamental if we truly want to transform African agriculture."
Towards sustainable and resilient African agriculture
Dr. Zougmoré envisions an agriculture sector that thrives, rooted in Africa's rich agroecological traditions. Reflecting on longstanding challenges, he observes: "African agriculture remains mainly subsistence farming that struggles to achieve food self-sufficiency." Yet, he is ambitious: "I would like to see our agriculture evolve into productive, transformative, and economically viable agriculture."
Dr. Zougmoré stresses learning from global practices without blindly replicating them: "By self-sufficient agriculture, I do not mean intensively mechanized agriculture with excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides," he clarifies. Instead, he sees unique potential in Africa's diverse farming practices: "African agriculture is naturally agroecological and remarkably diverse," he notes, advocating for methods that embrace this diversity rather than overshadow it with industrial models.
Preserving traditional practices is vital for the future: "It is crucial to maintain traditions of diversifying crops and agroecological systems to face climate change. This is how I see the future of our agriculture, and I believe we are gradually returning to these approaches."
Aware that individual efforts aren't enough, Dr. Zougmoré calls for stronger national policy support to catalyze transformation: "I hope that national policies will support this dynamic and allow our agriculture to remain sustainable and resilient," he concludes. "It is time for African agriculture to reach its full potential for the well-being of our peoples."
Extending the uptake and use of climate innovations
Following a successful first phase, AICCRA looks ahead with strategic objectives. "We recently concluded the first phase of AICCRA in 2023," Dr. Zougmoré explains. "We have started additional funding aiming to ensure beneficiaries actually use the innovations."
One priority is extending AICCRA’s achievements to other African countries. "Although we currently operate in six countries, the goal is to gradually extend these innovations through a ripple effect," he specifies.
Developing public-private partnerships is also key. "We aim to strengthen partnerships that will help the private sector sustain these processes," he indicates. "Involvement of the private sector ensures long-term sustainability."
Strengthening gender and social inclusion is another essential pillar. "We want to ensure that women, youth, and marginalized groups have access to innovations to improve their living conditions," he insists. "This is crucial for equitable agricultural transformation."
Finally, AICCRA plans to collaborate with universities to strengthen human capital. "This includes developing academic training modules and university programs," Dr. Zougmoré explains. "These initiatives are essential for training a new generation of experts in climate and agriculture."
Dr. Robert Zougmoré embodies the commitment and passion needed to transform African agriculture. Through his leadership at AICCRA and vision for sustainable, resilient farming, he paves the way for a future where African farmers not only survive but thrive amid climate challenges.
"It is essential that our agriculture remains sustainable and resilient," he reiterates, reminding us of the importance of collective action to realize this vision.
Authors
Fatimata Koné and Theuri Anastacia Wanjiru, Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT
