By Joyce Ojanji
Dr Ousmane Badiane, a renowned agricultural economist and policy expert, has been appointed as the new ambassador of African Agricultural Technology Foundation starting March 2023.
Dr. Badiane, who is the current Executive Chairperson of ACADEMIYA2063, is a respected expert in the field of agricultural economics, with over three decades of experience working on food security, agricultural development, and poverty reduction in Africa.
He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kiel in Germany. He has served in leadership positions at the International Food Policy Research Institute, the United Nations Development Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, among others.
“I am honored to have been selected as an ambassador to AATF, an organization that has made significant contributions to agricultural development across Africa. I look forward to working with AATF to promote the use of innovative technologies that can help farmers increase their productivity and improve their livelihoods,’’ said Dr. Badiane.
AATF Board of Trustee Chairperson Dr. Aggrey Ambali noted that AATF hope to leverage Dr. Badiane’s experience in academic and as a practitioner in international agricultural development to advocate for and generate high level of awareness and understanding of the AATF mission and inspire actions in support of AATF’s core mandate and objectives.
As the AATF ambassador, Dr. Badiane will help raise Africa’s voice on agricultural technology and lead global advocacy efforts for Africa’s agricultural transformation through innovative agricultural technologies across the globe.
The appointment will also support AATF’s endeavour in its current and new projects to realize the goal of delivering appropriate technologies to African farmers for increased income, food, and nutrition security.
In December 2022, AATF also appointed former Nigeria president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Africa’s Ambassador for Agricultural Technology.
Dr. Goodluck and Dr. Badiane efforts will advocate for the advancement of Africa’s agricultural goals and economic growth through the application of innovative technologies and enhanced investment in agriculture.
