PROSSIVA Opens Annual Review and Planning Meeting, Marking Transition to Scaling

Today in Abuja, partners of the PROSSIVA project are convening for the Annual Review and Planning Meeting, a three-day engagement that marks an important moment in the programme’s journey. Beyond reviewing progress, this year’s meeting formally opens PROSSIVA’s next phase, a transition from research-led work to the scaling of verified seed innovations across Africa. It is a moment of alignment, bringing together implementing partners and the Project Advisory Committee to reaffirm a shared vision and sharpen delivery targets for the years ahead.

Discussions over the coming days will reflect on progress made in Year 3, with particular attention to step-change innovations across cassava, yam, and banana that are ready to move beyond validation into wider application. This collective review provides the evidence base needed to make informed decisions on what to scale, where, and how, ensuring that future efforts build directly on research outcomes that have demonstrated value on the ground.

The meeting will also provide space for frank conversations around delivery risks, dependencies, and performance expectations. By identifying practical mitigation measures and agreeing on clear metrics for success, PROSSIVA partners are laying the groundwork for effective implementation at scale.

The programme’s evolving focus (from generating knowledge to extending reach) will be further emphasised later in the week during the Yam Advocacy Summit led by the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). The summit, themed Driving a National Agenda for Yam Value Chain Transformation through Improved Seed Technologies, positions improved seed systems firmly within national development conversations.

Contributed by Isaac Ajayi