| Summary: | This report highlights the outcomes of a high-level workshop convened under the EU-funded SUSTLIVES project, which promotes the strategic use of neglected and underutilized species (NUS)—now repositioned as “opportunity crops”—to enhance food and nutrition security, support resilient livelihoods, and contribute to climate adaptation in Burkina Faso and Niger. The workshop was held on September 2 at the Axil Hotel in Dakar, Senegal.
Supported through the DeSIRA Initiative and coordinated by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) with technical leadership from CIHEAM-Bari, SUSTLIVES has made measurable progress in strengthening seed access, developing inclusive value chains, and shaping policy environments conducive to agrobiodiversity-based solutions.
A key outcome of this project—facilitated by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT under Activity 3.4: Strengthening inter-country and international dialogue, scaling up, and creating synergies—was the establishment of a regional, multi-stakeholder platform, the African Opportunity Crops Working Group, aimed at promoting the scaling of opportunity crops across Africa. Following its launch at the 2025 African Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, this subsequent workshop focused on operationalizing the working group and advancing its strategic objectives. The workshop also provided a comprehensive overview of the SUSTLIVES project, highlighting its key activities, notable achievements, and lessons learned to date, while outlining plans for the next phase of SUSTLIVES. This event reinforced the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving sustainable agricultural development and scaling innovative solutions across the continent.
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