Background
Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) have proven to be efficient to aligning research, extension, business, policy, agricultural production, and other stakeholders’ activities in dealing with complex sustainability challenges in the agri-food sector. Significant interdependencies and uncertainties in the food system, coupled with multiple perspectives and goals of various actors call for strengthening the capacities and relationships of these actors to address some of the challenges. More specifically, is a need to strengthen the linkages among research, extension, policy, and the private sector to improve the business climate in Africa’s ARD. Additionally, the world bank notes that income from nonfarm wage employment averages 8% in African countries, compared with 21% elsewhere. Therefore, attention should be given to providing more concerted support for enterprises with high growth potential. Given that Africa has the most youthful population with a high rate of young job seekers, support in this area is of utmost importance.

As such, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), and the East Africa Farmer Federation (EAFF), are implementing the project, Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge & Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation & Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA), funded by the OACPS Research and Innovation Programme that is implemented by the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) with financial contribution from the European Union (EU). AIRTEA contributes to achieving sustainable agrarian livelihoods and rural transformation by fostering an inclusive innovation environment with three main outcomes.

1. Increased involvement of women and youth in East Africa in linking multi-stakeholder innovation platforms to practical solutions within national, regional and global food systems.
2. Technologies, knowledge and innovations taken up by the stakeholders involved in the national and regional Agricultural Business Learning Alliance platforms (ABLA).
3. Improved profitability and employment opportunities along agricultural commodity value chains. In this regard, the AIRTEA consortium will convene a side-event during the FAO Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum for 2022 which will take place in October 2022. This concept note outlines the objectives and expected outcome of the side-event. The topic for discussion will be: Strengthening Science, Innovation and Agribusiness Linkage: Leveraging Multi-stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) for Resilient and Sustainable Food System.