AU-SAFGRAD organizes 6-days intensive Training on the Use of Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies for Agri-food systems transformation in Africa’s drylands, from 21st-28th November 2025, in Baghdad.

The African Union Semi-Arid Food Grains Research and Development (AU-SAFGRAD) office, one of the specialized technical offices (STOs) in the department of Agriculture, Rural Development Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), in collaboration with the League of Arab States’ Arab fund for technical assistance to African countries (AFTAAC), organized an intensive six (6) days training on the design, operations and maintenance (DOM) of climate smart agricultural technologies in Africa dry land agriculture.

The training was organized to bridge the technical capacity gaps that exist in the continent in implementing optimal technology solutions as adaptation measures to climate related shocks that negatively impact African agriculture and rural livelihoods. A total of 14 young and early career agricultural experts nominated from 8 Member States benefitted from the training. The fully residential and intensive 6 days training adopted the mixed mode of experts’ presentations and practical (field visits) delivery method.

Sessions were held on greenhouse, hydroponics, aquaponics, irrigation, conservation agriculture, precision farming design, operations and maintenance as well as the policy and institutional supports to encourage scaling of the technologies. The training took place at the Al Mansour Hotel, Baghdad with supports from the Iraq Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of planning.

The closing and certification ceremony was attended by the Coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD, Dr Ahmed Elmekass, the Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Director General of AFTAAC Ambassador Mohad Ladjouzi, and representatives of the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Planning of government of Iraq.

In his remarks, Dr. Elmekass stressed the need to build capacity of technical actors in Africa through strengthening strategic partnership, promoting south-south cooperation and to re-focus attention on African dryland economies considering their high vulnerability to climate shocks and the low adaptation capacity, high incidence of natural resources conflicts, limited livelihood options and high out-migration of the economically active population.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Mure Agbonlahor - Senior Production and Marketing Officer, African Union’s Semi- Arid Food Grain Research and Development office (African Union-SAFGRAD), Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, (DARBE) African Union Commission Email: AgbonlahorU@africanunion.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information Communication Directorate (ICD) Tel. +251-115182014;WhatsApp+251-911-63063 Email: Media@Africanunion.org ; molalett@africaunion.org