This toolkit is a selection of TAAT-vetted, climate-smart technologies designed to support the implementation of the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Zambezi Basin (PIDACC-Zambia).
95 results
An economically sustainable integrated cassava seed system! The cassava seed sector has long been dominated by informal practices—non-certified stem reuse, low yields, and high disease prevalence. The BASICS model addresses this by creating a viable commercial seed system for cassava, opening up investment and revenue streams in seed production, distribution, diagnostics, and digital tools. The model has been tested and refined in Nigeria with strong market demand and regulatory support, providing a scalable framework for agribusiness expansion in cassava-producing countries.
Arica rice, the high yield, disease and stress tolerant rice A new generation of high-performing and locally adapted hybrid rice cultivars has been launched since 2013 through breeding programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, which are known as ARICA varieties. This brand of improved germplasm is the successor to NERICA varieties and provides opportunities to rice farmers and traders on the continent because these new varieties are well adapted to the growing environments and have better grain quality preferred by the local market. ARICA varieties are developed and certified through processes establish by a joint breeding task force which ensures strict quality assurance. Genetically, ARICA varieties are not restricted to interspecific crosses, so any line that shows promise regardless of its origin can be picked up line as long as its performance is convincing. Breeders’ assessments of new lines are backed by field data collected over a number of years. The hybrid rice varieties that were released across Sub-Saharan Africa have proven to be an avenue for boosting the levels of rice productivity and profitability at the base of this major food staple value chain.
Aflatoxin-safe fields and crops for safer food in Africa Aflasafe® technology plays a pivotal role in addressing the critical issue of aflatoxin contamination in Africa. Aflatoxins, produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, are highly toxic and cancer-causing poisons that infest staple crops, animal feeds, and processed foods, posing a severe health threat. Aflasafe®, a biocontrol solution developed in Africa, offers a cost-effective and natural alternative to chemical interventions. By reducing aflatoxin levels in food, Aflasafe® not only safeguards human and livestock health but also mitigates economic impacts, making food safer for consumption and trade, improving overall health, and preserving farm animal well-being. This innovative technology stands as a key strategy to combat the silent aflatoxin pandemic, which is responsible for 30% of liver cancer cases in Africa and weakens individuals against other diseases while also stunting children's growth.
Greater yield and uniformity in tilapia farming This practice focuses on cultivating all-male tilapia fingerlings, which are more profitable due to their accelerated growth rate and higher conversion of feed to flesh. This technology is crucial for aquaculture in African countries, offering benefits such as improved growth, higher yields, disease resistance, and adaptability to various environmental conditions.
Efficient rice threshing and polishing for premium quality grains, boosting income and market access in african communities. This technology greatly improves rice processing in Sub-Saharan Africa. It uses advanced machines like motorized threshers and polishers to replace manual methods. These machines can be easily moved near the fields, reducing transportation costs and increasing processing capacity. They work precisely, getting more rice without damage. This raises the quality and value of the rice, benefiting both small and large-scale farmers. Additionally, using these machines creates job opportunities. This represents a significant step towards modernizing rice processing and improving livelihoods for farmers in the region.
Bean Flour Made Easy The technology of producing bean flour and flour products is of paramount significance, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It addresses the challenges posed by the time and energy required for traditional bean preparation, making it more appealing to urban consumers. This innovation not only facilitates the creation of a wide range of processed and ready-to-eat products but also serves as a crucial first step in their production. By using bean flour, homemakers can save substantial time and reduce fuel costs when compared to the traditional method of lengthy boiling. Additionally, it enhances the bioavailability of essential vitamins and micronutrients in food products derived from beans.
Fueling Health with Iron-Rich Beans In Sub-Saharan Africa, poor nutrition, particularly iron and zinc deficiencies, poses significant health challenges. Iron deficiency leads to anemia, developmental issues, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, while zinc deficiency weakens the immune system. The consumption of biofortified high-iron bean varieties enhances micronutrient intake, leading to improved health. Biofortification, achieved through conventional breeding or biotechnological methods, plays a vital role in increasing nutritional value. The recent introduction of biofortified high-iron bean (HIB) varieties represents a promising technology to enhance nutritional security and overall human health.
Excellent natural protection for a wide range of crops, manufactured in France Yukon is an innovative, sustainable fungicide designed to prevent and manage fungal and bacterial diseases in crops. It combines tribasic copper sulfate in its brochantite form, which gradually releases copper ions for consistent and persistent action, with Xanthane, a natural adjuvant derived from fermentation, ensuring excellent leaf coverage and rainfastness. This advanced formulation works at the cellular level to inhibit fungal development stages, including spore germination and mycelium growth, while also limiting bacterial growth. Yukon minimizes environmental impact by using less copper per hectare and is compatible with organic farming practices. Widely adopted in European agriculture, it enhances crop quality and yield, promotes resistance management, and supports eco-friendly farming practices, making it a valuable tool for sustainable agricultural development.
Enhancing Cassava Resilience: Targeted Biocontrol with a Beneficial Wasp Biological control of the cassava mealybug (CM) involves introducing natural enemies, such as the parasitoid wasp Anagyrus lopezi, to manage CM populations without chemical pesticides. This method has been successfully implemented in over 20 countries, reducing mealybug populations by about 90% and protecting cassava crops, thereby saving farmers significant amounts of money.
Protect crops using natural pest allies for sustainable pest control in Africa The biological control of insect pests with natural enemies is a crucial agricultural innovation, especially in regions like the Sahel in Africa. In the Sahel, the millet head miner and the invasive Fall Armyworm are major threats to food security, causing significant crop losses. This technology leverages natural enemies to combat these pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides, ensuring sustainable food production, and helping farmers protect their yields. It's an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach that contributes to food security and the well-being of farming communities.
Safeguarding Poultry Health Biosecurity is essential in poultry farming to prevent disease introduction and spread. It involves preventive measures to reduce risks, such as external disease entry, internal transmission, and disease carryover. Diseases can lead to severe consequences, justifying the need for strong prevention. Regional collaboration among poultry producers enhances the effectiveness of biosecurity practices.
BSFL proteins for sustainable local fish and chicken feed production A major challenge for fish and chicken farming in sub-Saharan Africa is the lack of a consistent and reliable supply of feed throughout the year. The rising cost of feed, which makes up 60-70% of total production expenses, adds to this problem. At the same time, about 30-40% of food produced today is lost or wasted, leading to large amounts of organic waste and animal manure that harm the environment if not properly managed. The traditional way of producing and consuming goods also creates issues for the economy, ecosystems, and society. To address these challenges, Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae composting offers a smart solution. This technology tackles two key problems: managing organic waste and reducing the high cost of animal feed in the region. BSF larvae turn organic waste into valuable protein feed for animals and nutrient-rich fertilizer, cutting down on waste sent to landfills and reducing environmental harm. The larvae are highly efficient at transforming organic by-products into protein-rich feed, providing a more sustainable option for fish and chicken farming. By reusing agricultural waste, BSF technology supports a circular economy that benefits both the environment and the economy.
Cage Culture: Dive Deep for a Sustainable Leap! Cage Systems for Fish Culturing is a method of aquaculture where fish are grown in floating cages in water bodies like lakes or rivers. The cages protect the fish, allow for controlled feeding, and make it easy to harvest the fish when they're ready. This technology is a cost-effective way to grow fish in a natural, safe, and controlled environment.
From planting to certification—seed production made simple. The Cassava Seed Field Multiplication Protocol is a standardized agricultural method that enables the field-based production of high-quality cassava planting material. It combines clean seed sources, agronomic best practices, regulatory compliance, and digital tools to support certified cassava seed production by seed companies, farmers, and institutions.
Quality cassava cuttings close to the fields African farmers commonly use cassava stem cuttings for planting due to their accessibility and ability to cover large areas. However, distributing these cuttings poses challenges, as they lose viability during storage, leading to increased transportation costs. This limitation affects the supply of disease-resistant cassava planting material, particularly in remote areas with poor road connectivity. Seed-bulking farms, scattered across communities, offer a solution by multiplying planting materials closer to fields, reducing production and transport costs, and reducing reliance on limited-coverage seed companies. These farms accelerate the spread of improved cassava varieties, providing pest and disease-free planting materials and fostering community-based enterprise development, ultimately improving the income and productivity of farmers and processors.
Growing Prosperity: Climbing Beans for Food Security & Income Growth Climbing Bean with High Yield and N Fixation Technology improved bean varieties in Eastern and Southern Africa, by increasing yields compared to bush types beans, contributing to food security and higher incomes for farmers. These improved climbing bean varieties are resistant to common pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions. They can withstand various environmental stresses, enhancing their adaptability to different conditions. The technology promotes higher biological nitrogen fixation in climbing beans, reducing the cost for farmers and enabling cultivation in nitrogen-depleted soils. The adoption of these climbing bean varieties by small-scale farmers in Africa not only addresses hunger and malnutrition but also significantly improves their livelihoods.
Efficient Harvesting, Smarter Fleet Management Combine harvesters are versatile agricultural machines capable of performing multiple harvest operations in a single process. They come in various sizes to cater to different farming needs, handling crops like wheat, maize, rice, soybean, and more. Efficient management and fleet selection are crucial for optimizing performance and minimizing costs. These machines significantly reduce grain losses and labor expenses, making them essential for wheat farming and increasing production in labor-scarce areas.
Boost Your Yield and Cut Costs with Community-Sourced Sweet Potato Vines. The technology, "Community-based Multiplication of Sweet Potato Vines and Cuttings," aims to enhance the availability, quality, and accessibility of sweet potato planting material in rural communities. It employs a community-based approach to multiply vines and cuttings on a medium to large scale. This not only improves the quality control of planting materials but also reduces their retail prices. The approach is particularly beneficial for smallholder farmers with limited infrastructure and market access. By involving agricultural specialists and leveraging community investments, the technology enables better maintenance of hybrid and resistant crop varieties and offers protection against pests and diseases. Overall, it provides a more reliable and cost-effective supply chain for sweet potato planting materials, leading to increased crop yield and resilience.
Boost efficiency in animal sample extraction and improve target amplification Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Animal Health technology suite offers a range of advanced diagnostic tools designed for precise pathogen detection, with a focus on avian diseases like avian influenza. Key components include Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Kits, which provide highly sensitive detection for early disease identification; VetMAX Master Mixes for accurate PCR amplification; MagMAX Core Extraction Kits that streamline DNA/RNA extraction from diverse samples; and the QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System for high-throughput, rapid diagnostics. Supporting SDGs 3 (Good Health) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), this suite enhances disease management, minimizes losses, and promotes responsible production. Targeting veterinary labs, researchers, and farms, the technology can be distributed through resellers or direct partnerships with clinics and development agencies. With flexible pricing based on kit and sample volume, it offers high ROI potential from reduced animal losses and improved productivity. Thermo Fisher’s technology stands out for its speed, precision, and accessibility, making it ideal for regions in Africa to strengthen animal health and agricultural resilience.
CBT: Nurturing Crops, Conserving Soil, and Cultivating Resilience In dryland farming, having enough water is a big challenge. Changes in rain due to climate change can risk our food supply. To improve crop growth and strength in Africa’s dry areas, it’s important to catch as much rainwater as possible and reduce water running off the surface. The Contour Bunding Technique (CBT) uses small walls placed carefully along the curves of the field to create small water collection areas. These walls stop the water from running off, help catch more rain, store more water, allow water to sink deep into the ground, and prevent soil from washing away and ditches from forming. This is a simple but professional way to explain the concept.
Enhance crop productivity, reduce labour costs, and increase incomes with Hello Tractor - the digital platform revolutionizing agricultural mechanization in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the rental of mechanized agricultural equipment like sensors, robots, and tractors to farmers by service companies and private owners is increasing. However, small-scale producers face challenges in accessing these technologies due to information gaps, high costs, and operational risks. Phone applications and data systems offer solutions by enabling contractors to make informed decisions, increase cost-effectiveness, and accelerate business growth. Hello Tractor, a power equipment sharing application, exemplifies this innovation. It connects tractor owners and smallholder farmers, facilitating collaborative consumption through a marketplace where farmers can request and pay for services via SMS and mobile wallets. Data supports various functions, including credit scoring, market intelligence, risk management, and flexible loan repayment structures tailored to crop production seasons and cash flows.
Low-cost fodder system for livestock The "Cut-and-Carry Fodder Systems" technology offers a transformative method for feeding animals by collecting and providing feed directly to confined livestock, an approach known as zero grazing. This system stands as an efficient alternative to traditional grazing, reducing feed wastage and maximizing the use of available vegetation resources. While it demands more labor and local vegetation, it brings several crucial advantages: Enhanced Feed Management, maximizing Crop Residues, improved Farm, asset Management and adaptability in Grazing Methods. In essence, the "Cut-and-Carry Fodder Systems" technology not only provides a more efficient way of feeding livestock but also offers the opportunity for faster growth, better resource utilization, and improved management of farm assets, contributing to increased productivity and profitability in livestock farming.
Disease-Resistant Cassava Cuttings for Higher Yields Disease resistant cassava varieties plays a critical role in overcoming the challenges faced by cassava farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cassava, a vital food crop in the region, is frequently plagued by devastating viral diseases, such as cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak disease, which harm the leaves, reduce photosynthesis, and result in significant yield losses, sometimes leading to complete crop failure. In essence, disease resistant cassava varieties are instrumental in safeguarding cassava production, ensuring food security, and improving the livelihoods of farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. These varieties represent a sustainable and efficient approach to combat viral infections that threaten cassava crops, making them a vital technology for the region.
Resilient and Nutrient-Rich OFSP for Better Agriculture The technology of "Drought and Virus Tolerant Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato" holds paramount significance in Sub-Saharan Africa. It addresses critical agricultural challenges by providing cultivars of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) tailored to combat drought, heat stress, and viral infections. These specially bred OFSP varieties offer rapid harvest maturity, completing their growth cycle within 90 days, which is particularly beneficial in regions with uncertain rainfall patterns towards the end of the growing season. Furthermore, the introduction of OFSP varieties resistant to a range of viruses and destructive insects has significantly bolstered crop resilience. This technology not only enhances food security but also contributes to economic sustainability for communities in the region.
Boost yields, and income with advanced maize. TEGO is an innovative agricultural solution designed to address the challenges of drought resilience and food security in maize cultivation. By integrating advanced breeding techniques, genetic traits for drought tolerance, and climate-smart agricultural practices, TEGO technology offers a comprehensive approach to improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. Key features include the development of maize hybrids with enhanced drought tolerance and high yield potential, promotion of sustainable farming practices to conserve natural resources and mitigate environmental degradation, and provision of training and extension services to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt to changing climatic conditions. TEGO technology represents a promising solution for enhancing resilience to drought and climate variability, thereby contributing to food security and livelihoods in agricultural communities worldwide.
Load more…
The PDF will have all the pitch brochures in this toolkit.
Please wait while the PDF is being created....
Toolkit PDF ready: