CIRAD, AFD and Expertise France step up their partnership on biodiversity-friendly agriculture

Institutional news 25 February 2020
A new framework agreement signed by CIRAD, the Agence Française de Développement(AFD) and Expertise France (EF) at the Paris Agricultural Show on 24 February will boost the impact and scope of their work on farming systems and rural zones that preserve and promote biodiversity in developing countries.
CIRAD, the Agence française de développement (AFD) and Expertise France (EF) signed a novel framework agreement to further the agroecological transition in the global South. Left to right: Hervé Conan, Deputy Director General in charge of Operations, Expertise France; Michel Eddi, CIRAD President Managing Director; Bertrand Walckenaer, AFD Associate Chief Executive Officer © A. Chrétien, CIRAD

CIRAD, the Agence française de développement (AFD) and Expertise France (EF) signed a novel framework agreement to further the agroecological transition in the global South. Left to right: Hervé Conan, Deputy Director General in charge of Operations, Expertise France; Michel Eddi, CIRAD President Managing Director; Bertrand Walckenaer, AFD Associate Chief Executive Officer © A. Chrétien, CIRAD

The move follows the signature of an initial framework agreement between CIRAD and AFD in 2005 and a partnership between EF and CIRAD in 2016. This year, the organizations are joining forces for a new tripartite agreement. The ambitious four-year collaboration is intended to help the three French public organizations respond to the major challenges of agricultural and rural development in the global South and strengthen their impact on the ground.

Working together to support the agroecological transition in the global South

The agreement, signed on 24 February, reflects the three partners' shared objectives and approaches: sustainable agriculture and livestock farming, enhancement of food quality, and the fight against deforestation and for efficient management of natural resources (including water).

"Our three institutions want things for our partners in the global South to change for the better. They expect a lot from us because they are facing complex, difficult situations in which science, expertise and funding are absolutely vital", said CIRAD President Managing Director Michel Eddi, alongside EF Deputy Director General Hervé Conan and AFD Deputy Director General Bertrand Walckenaer.

Bertrand Walckenaer added: "This agreement formalizes the ambition behind AFD, Expertise France and CIRAD’s partnership. It will enable us to do more, together, and tailor our response to the needs of our partners in the global South. Research and expertise are crucial to the success of the agroecological transition in developing countries."

Almost €10M of project funding

The agreement focuses primarily on the development of rural areas and the preservation and promotion of biodiversity in countries in the global South.

Fostering agroecology in these regions is one of the agreement’s four strategic priorities, as are territorial foresight studies centring on demographics and employment, an integrated approach to human, animal and ecosystem health (One Health), and the preservation of biodiversity, particularly in large forest areas.

Projects resulting from this alliance in 2020 will focus in particular on the Sahel region and French overseas territories.

In the short term, this represents nearly 10 million euros of AFD funding.

 

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