Bio4Africa Project

BIO4AFRICA Project is set on developing, adapting, and introducing bio-based solutions fit to the environmental, economic, and social specificities of the African rural context. Following a multi-actor approach, with a zero-waste ethos and without compromising food security, we aspire to offer African rural communities the means for securing, increasing, and diversifying their income.

The Bio4Africa Project is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) initiative funded by the European Commission and implemented by 25 partners based in Africa and Europe, wheeled in Ghana by the implementation of a living and innovative laboratory. The BIO4AFRICA project is coordinated by CIRAD in Montpellier France. https://www.bio4africa.eu/

We explore opportunities for increased: (i) feed adequacy and quality at farm and community level through the production of improved fodder for ruminants (cows, goats, sheep etc) and proteinaceous feed for monogastrics (pigs, chicken). (ii) income diversification for farmers and livestock producers with products of diverse potential: (iii) commercialization products, nutraceuticals, bioplastics, additives in potable and cosmetics (iv) improvement of biogas production systems) relevant to urgent socio-economic African challenges (iii) profitability and improved environmental sustainability of small-scale farming by exploiting common local grass species and leguminous crops as well as agricultural and livestock waste as feedstocks. (iv) nutrients circularity and energy security by exploiting bio-based technology combinations for energy savings, solid fuel and soil conditioner production.

To respond to the most urgent community needs and contexts in rural Africa, the Bio4Africa project value proposition is to bring on board small-scale, low-cost, simple and robust technologies with already proven specialities that can be plugged to local forage agri-food systems and crop waste management.