Situation of SAFGRAD Project (Research and Development of Food Crops in the Semi-Arid Zones)

Abstract

The African Food Grain Research and Development (AFGRAD) program began in 1977 as a multi donor initiative to advance food crop production in semi-arid Africa, established by African Heads of State. By 1978, SAFGRAD was operational in 26 African nations, coordinating research on key food crops (maize, cowpea, sorghum, millet, groundnuts) with international partners (IITA, ICRISAT, Purdue University) and bolstering National Agricultural Research Services (NSAR) capacity. By 1987, SAFGRAD transformed into a regional center, administering collaborative crop research networks (e.g., WECAMAN, RENECO) primarily funded by USAID, CRDI, and IFAD, to improve research effectiveness and promote technology adoption across Sub-Saharan Africa.