AGRIIP: A Bold 10-Year Mission to Reimagine African Agriculture
2 October 2025 – The JR Biotek Foundation today unveiled the Agri-Innovation & Impact Project (AGRIIP), its most ambitious initiative yet: a historic 10-year mission to re-centre Africa’s indigenous crops, empower millions of farmers and scientists, and build a climate-resilient, food-secure continent.
At its heart, AGRIIP is more than a program. It is a movement, a promise to:
- Lift 10 million farmers out of extreme poverty.
- Empower 10,000 scientists to co-create real-world solutions.
- Safeguard and restore 30 indigenous crops.
- Catalyse 1,000 sustainable ventures led by Africans, for Africa.
“Africa’s future depends on our ability to connect farmers, scientists, and culture in new ways. AGRIIP is about restoring pride in our indigenous crops, co-creating solutions to climate change, and ensuring prosperity for the communities who feed the continent,”
— Dr Carol Ibe, Executive Director & Founder of JR Biotek Foundation and AGRIIP Program Strategy Lead
At the heart of AGRIIP is a bold promise:
- 10 million farmers lifted out of extreme poverty
- 10,000 scientists empowered to co-create solutions
- 30 indigenous crops safeguarded and restored
- 1,000 sustainable ventures catalysed across Africa
A movement with many pillars
AGRIIP brings together people, knowledge, and creativity through six interconnected departments:
- Program Strategy & Delivery – ensuring coherence, accountability, and equity.
- Fellowship & Innovation – training 10,000 scientists through innovation bootcamps and entrepreneurship fellowships.
- Country Operations & Field Coordination – embedding farmer–scientist partnerships in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and beyond.
- People, Culture & Storytelling – amplifying farmer and fellow voices globally through exhibitions, films, podcasts, and art.
- Roots of Resilience Summits – annual anchor convenings showcasing farmer innovations and indigenous knowledge.
- Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships – mobilising resources and alliances with governments, donors, and investors.
Why Indigenous crops?
For centuries, Africa’s traditional crops sustained health, culture, and livelihoods. Yet many remain undervalued, underfunded, and increasingly threatened by climate change. AGRIIP aims to re-centre these crops within Africa’s food systems, adding value so farmers increase their incomes, youth find opportunities in agri-entrepreneurship, and nations progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, and 13).
“To them, the soil was not just dirt. It was life, heritage, survival. AGRIIP is about listening to these voices and turning knowledge into solutions.”
— Dr Carol Ibe
Where science meets culture
AGRIIP’s power lies in its ability to bridge science, innovation, and cultural heritage:
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The Roots of Resilience Summits and the JR Biotek Art Gallery honour resilience and crop heritage through exhibitions, art, and storytelling.
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The Fellowship & Innovation Program equips young African scientists with entrepreneurial tools to translate research into real-world ventures.
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Field teams work hand-in-hand with farmers and research institutions, ensuring every solution is practical, relevant, and demand-driven.
“Too many discoveries remain trapped in journals. Real impact happens when we bridge the gap between lab and land.”
— Prof. Mark Tester, Professor of Plant Science, KAUST & AGRIIP Supporter
“Art is not decoration. It is protest, memory, and possibility. By weaving art into agriculture, AGRIIP makes resilience visible and unforgettable.”
— Obi Nwaegbe, Nigerian Artist & AGRIIP Cultural Partner
A call to action
AGRIIP is not just an initiative. It is a collective mission. JR Biotek Foundation invites partners, funders, and supporters to join this movement to reimagine African agriculture.
Ways to get involved:
- Donate / Sponsor – support farmers, fellows, and exhibitions.
- Partner – collaborate as a university, NGO, government, or investor.
- Volunteer – share skills in science, storytelling, farmer engagement, or fundraising.
- Engage – participate in Roots of Resilience Summits and art exhibitions.
“We’ve achieved so much with so little. Imagine what’s possible with the support this work truly deserves.”
— Dr Carol Ibe
“The vision is clear, the people are ready, and the future is now.”
— Dr Rebekah Sacher, Board of Director, JR Biotek Foundation
About AGRIIP
The Agri-Innovation & Impact Project (AGRIIP) is a 10-year initiative powered by the JR Biotek Foundation (a registered US nonprofit, 501c3). AGRIIP will unite 10,000 scientists and 10 million farmers across Africa to create climate-resilient, demand-driven innovations, safeguard 30 indigenous crops, and catalyse 1,000 sustainable ventures.
🌍 Learn more & get involved: www.agriip.com
📧 Contact: admin@agriip.com | comms@agriip.com
