The Technology Validation Committee
This is the TAAT Technology Validation Committee, which has responsibility for vetting and validating the technologies we offer in our e-catalogs.
An automated pre-validation step, based on Scaling Readiness, is used to confer the status of "Pre-validation" for technologies that are ready to scale: both in terms of maturity of the idea, and maturity of the level of use. But for a technology to be fully validated it will need to be reviewed by the Validation Committee which will decide, case-by-case whether technologies can be validated and promoted by TAAT.
To offer validated technologies in the e-catalogs, we recognize the need for flexibility in some cases, and in all cases the need for fairness and impartiality.
This is why the automated vetting needs to be validated by a committee of highly experienced specialists with in-depth knowledge of agricultural technologies and innovations, but neutral in terms of technology production.
The remit of the committee is to ensure that the information submitted in the database is trustworthy and to confirm (or question) the results of the Scaling Readiness score.
Members of the Committee
Dr. David Bergvinson
Dr. Bergvinson is the Senior Advisor to Dev.Global and Founder of BeSustainable.io to deliver science-based solutions to empower farmers. David’s knowledge of Dryland Agriculture (DG of ICRISAT), Digital Agriculture (initiated at BMGF in 2012) and weather insights (Chief Scientist for aWhere) enables him to work with diverse partners to deliver resilient and nutritious food systems across Africa. David's diverse experience in crop improvement, agronomy, pest and disease management, and policy formulation is now being leveraged to scale Regenerative Agriculture in Africa and North America to empower farmers to adapt to climate change and market variability while preserving soils and biodiversity in farming systems.
Dr. Stephen Mugo
Dr. Stephen Mugo is an expert in seed systems and sustainable agriculture with over 40 years of experience across Africa. Since 2020, he has been an independent consultant and Director at the Center for Resilient Agriculture for Africa (CRA-Africa), supporting projects in multiple African countries.
He previously served as CIMMYT Africa Regional Representative and Kenya Country Representative (2014–2020) and was a Principal Scientist and Maize Breeder at CIMMYT (1998-2020). Dr. Mugo has led major maize breeding projects focused on drought tolerance, insect resistance, and high yield, contributing to the release of over 30 improved varieties.
He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics from Cornell University and degrees from the University of Missouri, USA and the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Mugo is committed to advancing resilient agriculture and empowering smallholder farmers across Africa.
Dr. Chiji Ojukwu
Dr. Ojukwu is Managing Director, Africa Projects Development Centre (APDC) Abuja, a youth-run organization for youth and women empowerment through training and incubation in agribusiness and creative arts. He is skilled in policy analysis, strategic planning, international development finance, and programme management.
He served at the African Development Bank (AfDB) for 21 years rising to the position of Regional Director for seven Southern African and Indian Ocean Island Countries before retiring in 2018 as the Director, Agriculture & Agroindustry Department. Dr. Chiji led the approval of the AfDB Feed Africa Strategy and spearheaded the establishment of key flagship programmes, including the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), the ENABLE Youth Programme, the Leadership for African Agriculture (L4Ag) Initiative, among others, which have fostered agricultural transformation and brought many African youths and women into agriculture as a career choice. Since retiring from the AfDB, Dr. Chiji established the APDC in Abuja, where the Centre has empowered over 3,000 youths and women in agribusiness and the agro-food sector and over 100 women in the Fashion and Creative Arts industry (Fashionistas) and employs close to 60 youths.
Dr. Chiji Ojukwu has a BSc. in Agriculture from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and MSc. and PhD. in Development Economics & Project Planning from the University of Bradford, UK.
Dr. Eugene Terry
Eugene Terry joined the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, in 1973 as a Plant Pathologist with the Root and Tuber Crops Improvement Program rising to the position of Director Internationals and Training. He was invited to join the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) in 1987 to lead the transformation of this regional Rice Testing Association into a full fledged CGIAR Research Centre.
Eugene retired from the position of Director General of WARDA to join the Rural Development and Agriculture Division of the World Bank in 1997. He was then invited in 2003 to take on the position of Founding (Implementing) Director of the African Agriculture Technology Foundation dedicated to the development and transfer of Agricultural technologies for African Farming systems.
Eugene has served on various Advisory boards of directors dedicated to providing guidance and leadership in agricultural research, development and training for African agricultural scientists.
H.E. Rhoda Tumusiime
H.E. Rhoda Tumusiime is a distinguished leader with over 30 years of expertise driving transformative development across Africa, with a focus on rural advancement, agricultural innovation, gender equity, and sustainable economic growth. She holds a Master’s Degree in Economics, Planning, and Managing Rural Development and served as Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union from 2008 to 2017. In this role, she oversaw critical sectors, including crop agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, land, water, environmental conservation, climate change, disaster risk reduction, and rural development. Her strategic vision and commitment to addressing Africa’s food and nutrition security challenges have been instrumental in shaping policies that enhance resilience and self-sufficiency across the continent.
With a proven track record of securing multi-million-dollar funding for impactful development projects, she has driven high-level policy initiatives and fostered powerful international partnerships, advocating for systemic change at global forums such as the G8 and G20. Known for her dedication to youth and women’s empowerment in agribusiness, she champions the establishment of incubation and innovation centers to foster inclusive growth. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of HOPE (Household Opportunities for Poverty Eradication), an organization that supports environmentally sustainable, and agriculture-based innovations in Ugandan communities. She also holds board positions in several international organizations, bringing her deep strategic insight, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the sustainable transformation of global food systems.
Latest technologies
Edible Sweetpotato Leaves for Food Security Private Sector: Nutusweetleaves, the consumption of sweetpotato leaves as a nutritious relish, presents a market and business opportunity by turning an underutilized crop into a dual-purpose product. Leaves are rich in vitamin A, iron, calcium, and antioxidants, and can be sold fresh, dried, or processed into value-added products. Disease-free, improved vines ensure a consistent supply, while proper harvesting and cooking practices maximize nutritional benefits. Seed multipliers, resellers, and food processors can benefit from producing, distributing, and developing products from the leaves, generating income while supporting food security and climate-resilient agriculture. Government: Nutusweetleaves supports nutrition-sensitive agricultural programs and food security initiatives by providing a dual-purpose crop that addresses vitamin A, iron, and other micronutrient deficiencies. Its drought tolerance and ability to provide edible leaves during dry periods make it an important crop for seasonal food gaps. Integrating this technology into homestead and community gardens, providing clean planting material, and training farmers on conservation and harvesting strengthens household nutrition, reduces hunger periods, and promotes climate-resilient farming systems. Development Partners: Nutusweetleaves contributes to improving household and community nutrition by providing nutrient-rich leaves that complement roots, particularly benefiting children, pregnant and lactating women, and vulnerable households. Homestead and community garden production ensures year-round availability, even under drought conditions, while capacity building for farmers and extension workers supports proper cultivation, harvesting, and nutrition-sensitive preparation. By integrating this technology into food security, nutrition, and climate adaptation programs, development partners can enhance dietary diversity, empower women smallholders, reduce food waste, and strengthen climate-smart agriculture practices.
Solar Irrigation The sun’s energy at the service of your harvest. The Solar Pump is a solar-powered irrigation system that uses photovoltaic (PV) pumps to lift water and irrigate crops, offering an economical and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-powered pumps. It combines solar pumps (SIPS) with water distribution systems such as drip, sprinkler, or simple hose, and can be combined with tailored financing models to improve access for smallholder farmers. Typically operating on direct current (DC) without an inverter, it is particularly suitable for off-grid rural areas.
Tubewell The Shallow Groundwater Tube well is a simple and economical technology for exploiting shallow groundwater (up to 20 m), particularly suited to floodplain areas with sedimentary formations. It involves manually drilling or jetting a narrow hole fitted with a PVC pipe (50 or 63 mm), from which water is pumped using a small, low-power pump powered by fuel or solar energy. This solution provides small farmers with efficient access to water for irrigation during the dry season, covering up to 1 ha, and also meets agricultural and watering needs. Easy to implement, inexpensive, and compatible with solar pumping, the technology increases water autonomy, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and supports sustainable and resilient agriculture, provided that local hydrogeological conditions are well understood.