The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) designed the AGriDI project and was awarded a Euro 4.2 million grant from the Innovation Fund of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) financed by the European Union (EU). The project contributes to implementation of ECOWAS and national policies and strategies related to Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and ICT as well as the African Union’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024. Outputs support roll–out of the Africa Continental Free Trade area.
The mandate for AGriDI is to make competitive sub-awards for agri-based digital innovation projects in West Africa. Digitizing agriculture is an opportunity to transform agriculture and boost employment for youth entering the labour market. There is need for coordinated efforts of public and private sector actors to unlock the potential of digital technologies, including big data analytics and machine learning, block chain, robotics and drones. The AGriDI project benefits from synergies with the African government-led PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund that icipe is also managing.
The project aims at creating a conducive environment for agri-based digital innovations, especially for women and youth farmers, and accelerating inclusive green growth in the targeted countries of West Africa. This will be achieved through multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs).