This unique workshop was convened by Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) on the 5-7th May in Nairobi and Naivasha, Kenya. It brought together scientists based in sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom to foster scientific collaborations with the potential to create new pathways out of poverty for African farming families by addressing issues related to biotic stress in crop plants. 

In addition to learning about agriculture in Kenya, the participating scientists were given the opportunity to describe their own areas of expertise and explore with other workshop participants possible collaborations that could contribute to the advancement of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa for the benefit of smallholder farmers. The goal of this workshop was to catalyze new research partnerships among high-caliber scientists in the US, UK, and Africa who could then compete for funding through calls for proposals such as the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development (BREAD) program, and BBSRC. 

The participants were given opportunities to tour regional laboratories and facilities, visit local farmers, and attend workshop discussion sessions in Nairobi and Naivasha. The open and interactive approach adopted through poster chart sessions, open market place, discussions and presentations highlighting crop biotic stress research programs was a key factor to the success of the workshop. 

Given the scientific research already underway in the three places, US-UK-Africa partnerships are a strategic mechanism to harness science to improve the livelihoods of Africans.  Participants were carefully selected from a large number of applicants, with an emphasis on scientific excellence and common interests.