Meetings of the beneficiaries of the research grant programme of the Crp - the Collaborative Research Programme of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Icgeb) - an advanced research institute tackling innovative issues in food security, sustainable agriculture, and biotechnology - were held in Cape Town from 5 to 7 November, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as part of the Mattei Plan.
Icgeb has its headquarters in Trieste and two peripheral offices in South Africa and India. The Cape Town event, the first to bring together research grant recipients from across the continent, aimed to promote collaboration and networking between scientific and governmental institutions in Africa
Participants included 37 researchers from 16 countries, including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo.
The meeting provided a platform to strengthen collaborative ties and knowledge exchange between Crp beneficiaries in different areas of scientific expertise.
In particular, the B-Inoc Africa project (Bioinoculants for Food Security in Africa) specifically funded by Maeci under the Mattei Plan for Africa aims to accelerate innovation and technology transfer to develop microbial bioinoculants, promoting resilient agricultural production and accessible food processes, in order to improve food security on the continent. The project also supports several initiatives including the promotion of entrepreneurship to realise potential in the agriculture and food sectors, and the creation of economic opportunities through capacity building, research, entrepreneurship and international collaborations, contributing to sustainable development.
Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italian Ambassador Alberto Vecchi met with Icgeb Director General Lawrence Banks, Icgeb Cape Town Director Luiz Zerbini and African researchers.
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