CIRAD, INRAE and IRD signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Fund for Agricultural Development on 11 May 2026 alongside the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi. CIRAD announced the agreement the following day.
The partners plan a collaboration platform connecting scientific expertise with investment in rural transformation. Its four work areas cover agroecological practices and pesticide reduction, climate resilience and biodiversity, agricultural value chains and rural territories, and knowledge for public policy. A joint technical committee is intended to guide and monitor operations.
The agreement represents an institutional framework rather than an announcement that specific sensors, robots or digital services have already been deployed. Its practical value will depend on the projects, local partnerships and investment decisions that follow.
