Memorandum of understanding with IFAD, because science is vital

Institutional news 12 May 2026
Alongside the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, CIRAD, lNRAE and IRD have signed a memorandum of understanding with IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), a specialist agency of the United Nations. The agreement covers the creation of a platform for collaboration putting innovation and scientific excellence at the service of investment in transforming rural areas.
L to R: INRAE Chairman and CEO Philippe Mauguin, IFAD President Alvaro Lario, CIRAD CEO Élisabeth Claverie de Saint Martin, and IRD Scientific Director Jean-Christophe Avarre signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday 11 May 2026 © CIRAD, S. Della Mussia

L to R: INRAE Chairman and CEO Philippe Mauguin, IFAD President Alvaro Lario, CIRAD CEO Élisabeth Claverie de Saint Martin, and IRD Scientific Director Jean-Christophe Avarre signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday 11 May 2026 © CIRAD, S. Della Mussia

On Monday 11 May, the IFAD President and the CEOs of CIRAD, INRAE and IRD signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), alongside the Africa Forward Summit.
This partnership reflects a shared belief that agricultural research has a central role to play in the sustainable transformation of food systems in Africa.

It centres on four main lines of work:

  • Developing agroecological practices and reducing pesticide use;
  • Boosting climate resilience and protecting biodiversity;
  • Supporting agricultural value chains and rural territories, including fragile and post-conflict zones;
  • Producing knowledge to support evidence-based public policy.

This partnership is an extension of years of fruitful collaboration. The MOU is proof of our firm belief that research and science are vital for tackling the challenges facing rural communities and converting solutions into large-scale investments.
Alvaro Lario
IFAD President

A quadripartite technical committee will steer and monitor the joint operations.
By providing their complementary expertise, the partners hope to help build science-based solutions to challenges surrounding food security, the resilience of rural territories, and agroecological transition.

We are honoured to make our scientific teams available for our joint projects, to ensure that IFAD's values are embodied in projects that improve smallholders' livelihoods.
Élisabeth Claverie de Saint Martin
CIRAD CEO

(Re)watch

Jyotsna Puri, Associate Vice-President - Strategy and Knowledge Department, IFAD, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony held to mark CIRAD's 40th anniversary on 25 June 2024.
In particular, she highlighted the fact that a critical mass of knowledge was vital for science to truly be able to inform action in terms of agricultural development policy and food systems transformation.

See also