The conference actively solicited and obtained input from all stakeholders - scientists, farmers, trade specialists, policy makers and the private sector – and serves as a unique forum to bring these together. Key priorities are: · develop a strategy for the next decade to exploit banana research for African economic growth, · strengthen research partnerships to overcome production bottlenecks, · focus research on meeting the challenges ...

Since the programme was launched in 2004, there have been six complete rounds of funding with interest steadily increasing. Applications have been from 46 of the 53 African countries (including island nations). In total, 490 pre-proposals have been received and from these, 21 African Fellowships have been awarded to scientists with an average age of 39. Of these, one quarter were from women scientists. The Fellowships are ...

Projects should be based on research targeted at a problem which is of benefit to small-scale African farmers, directed at crop or livestock systems, provide technology to increase food security and /or household income and demonstrate a clear path from research to application. Projects will focus on a scientific research problem that needs to be urgently addressed because it is a constraint to agricultural production and hence the practical improvement of rural livelihoods. Proposals should provide ...