AATF

25/05/2026

IN THE NEWS: and of strengthen collaboration to enhance public understanding of biotechnology in Kenya

https://www.aatf-africa.org/aatf-and-nba-strengthen-collaboration-to-enhance-public-understanding-of-biotechnology-in-kenya/

22/05/2026

Dr. Jean Baptiste De La Salle Tignegre represented AATF at the International Seed Federation Congress.

He notes that the journey of pest-resistant cowpea from laboratory research to the fields of smallholder farmers in West Africa demonstrates the transformative power of long-term partnerships in agricultural innovation.

Developed through collaboration between African scientists, national research institutes, regulators, farmers, seed companies, international universities, and development partners, the pod borer-resistant (PBR) cowpea is helping farmers tackle one of the region’s most devastating crop pests — one capable of causing up to 80% yield loss.

Since its release in Nigeria and Ghana, the genetically modified variety has delivered measurable impact: increasing yields, boosting farmer profits, and reducing insecticide spraying from up to 10 applications per season to just two. The innovation is improving farmer incomes, protecting human and environmental health, and strengthening food security for millions of people who depend on cowpea as a staple crop.

The success of PBR cowpea shows what is possible when public and private partners work together to move scientific breakthroughs beyond the lab and into the hands of farmers — creating scalable solutions for food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural development across Africa.

VIEW THE FULL SESSION ON THE CHANNEL WORLD SEED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6fpYwbiGgM&list=PLqS3dniUklKAgbfJYVxBLO_JPn-sNPnQb&index=30

Despite groundbreaking agricultural innovations, too many solutions remain locked in research facilities, never reaching the smallholder farmers they’re mean...

21/05/2026

is at the @worldseedfed taking place in Lisbon, Portugal.

Despite groundbreaking agricultural innovations, too many solutions remain locked in research facilities, never reaching the smallholder farmers they’re meant to serve. But through the power of collaboration , AATF and partners successfully introduced a genetically modified, pest-resistant cowpea variety across West Africa- .

— a vital staple crop in the region — has long been threatened by destructive pests like the , a caterpillar that attacks flowers and burrows into pods, destroying seeds and causing yield losses of up to 80%.

In response, West African scientists spent more than a decade developing -which was approved in Nigeria in 2021 and later in Ghana in 2024.

As part of the gains, Farmers have also been able to cut insecticide use dramatically — from eight to 10 spray applications per season down to just two — reducing production costs while benefiting both environmental and human health.

Dr. Jean Baptiste De La Salle Tignegre, West Africa Regional Representative for the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), emphasized that farmers were involved throughout the process.

“From the very beginning, we include farmers’ preferences, and through the development, we have farmers and end users come and select the variety they like,” he said.

PIC: Dr. Jean Baptiste De La Salle Tignegre Tignegre (left), Regional Representative for West Africa at AATF, and Devex Editor Tania Karas (right). (Photo courtesy by: Rui Elias / ISF)

13/05/2026

What happens when who traditionally rely on , now have access to ?

Dr. Daniel Kyalo W***y, Senior Manager over the Resource Mobilisation and unit spoke to on why ‘Mechanisation Is Not Just ; It Enhances ’

https://sciencenigeria.com/mechanisation-is-not-just-convenience-it-enhances-productivity/

Dr. Daniel W***y. Across Africa, smallholder farmers produce the bulk of the continent's food, yet they often operate with limited access to modern tools. In this interview with Science Nigeria, the senior manager of the resource mobilisation and sustainability unit at the African Agricultural Te

11/05/2026

AATF Board Trustee Prof. Saudin J. Mwakaje was honored to receive the Tanzania National Intellectual Property Office (BRELA) Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Advancing Intellectual Property in ,” in recognition of his role in advancing and in Tanzania.

The award was presented to him on 8 May 2026 by the Hon. Minister of Industry and Trade, Hon. Judith Salvio Kapinga.

Prof. Mwakaje said: “This recognition is truly humbling and inspires me to continue supporting innovation, creativity, and intellectual property development for the benefit of our people.”

The recognition also reflects the growing momentum around , research , and at University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). READ MORE HERE: https://www.udsm.ac.tz/news/prof-saudin-mwakaje-wins-national-ip-award-udsm-deepens-innovation-and-commercialization-drive

29/04/2026

Did you know? Every uniform worn by a soldier of the Kenya Defence Forces begins its journey somewhere unexpected…

Not in a military base. Not in a factory.

But here… in a quiet Kenyan village- Mpeketoni in Lamu County, where farmers are growing an improved cotton species called that is thriving the trade while producing fabric that makes uniforms for the Kenyan military.

FULL STORY HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS6mxvg0y0Q

14/04/2026

“If only we could access the seeds…”

farmers believe in their potential to produce enough cotton to meet local demand—and even supply export markets if the seeds and relevant resources could be made available to them.

This is a cotton farmer’s plea to the Government of Kenya.

➡️ Join us in this inspiring journey re-discovering the potential of Kenya's Cotton Industry: Hear Farmer Paul's testimony.

13/04/2026

Farmers in Mpeketoni, Lamu county, stopped growing because of low yields, pests and unreliable market.

That has now changed courtesy of new seed - .

➡️ Join us on this inspiring journey of reviving the Cotton industry in Lamu, Mpeketoni

13/04/2026

*AATF mourns the passing of its Implementing Director, Dr. Eugene Robert Terry*

We, the Board of Trustees, Management, and Staff of AATF, extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Eugene Terry as we mourn his passing with profound sorrow. Dr. Terry was our founding Executive Director, whose vision gave life to AATF and shaped its journey from the very beginning.

He was more than a pioneer of our organization; he was a visionary leader whose passion and dedication helped shape the future of agricultural development across Africa. His work touched countless lives and continues to nourish communities across the continent.

His legacy lives on in the millions of farmers and communities whose livelihoods have been transformed through his vision and leadership, and equally in the generations of scientists and African professionals whose careers have been shaped, strengthened, and given purpose through AATF, creating meaningful, value-adding employment while advancing innovations that serve farmers across the continent.

As we reflect on his life, we remember Dr. Terry as a remarkable leader who lived a life of purpose and served humanity for decades. Those among us who had the privilege of interacting with him recall being deeply inspired by his clarity of thought, intellectual depth, and unwavering commitment to transforming African agriculture.

During our formative years, he established our operations and organizational structure in Nairobi, Kenya, laying a strong and enduring foundation. His strategic leadership and vision were central to shaping our mission of facilitating public–private partnerships to improve access to agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers across Africa.

Through his leadership, we have grown into a leading organization, bridging the gap between technology developers and farming communities, a testament to his enduring vision and commitment.

In this moment of loss, we stand with his family, friends, and the global agricultural fraternity, and pray that they find comfort in the profound impact he made and strength in the legacy he leaves behind.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Dr. Canisius Kanangire
Executive Director, AATF

10/04/2026

What if we told you that Cotton farming makes a major comeback!

Driven by improved food technology and the construction of a modern cotton ginnery that promises them a guaranteed market, farmers in Mpeketoni, Lamu County, are all smiles…

➡️ Watch the inspiring full documentary here: