Revenue Diversification Pathways in Africa through Bio-Based and Circular AGRIcultural Innovations

Short title: DIVAGRI

Funding reference number: 101000348

Project period: Jun 2021 – May 2025

Project budget: 8.994.694 €

Research focus:

Focus 2 (since 02/2024): Sustainable Objects, Urban Structures, Materials and Processes
Focus 4 (until 01/2024): Design of Sustainable Objects and Urban Structures

Structural unit:

Robert Schmidt Institute

Project management:

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Michael Schleicher

Funding:

European Union (EU - Horizon 2020)

Over its four years, the project is developing seven bio-based technologies with matching business solutions for implementation in existing African agricultural and food systems.

In many rural areas of Africa, subsistence agriculture is dominant; that is, the production goal is largely self-sufficiency to ensure the livelihood of a family or a small community. In many areas, this livelihood is at risk due to inadequate water supply, lack of technical expertise, and uncertain sources of income for the farms. Often, this situation is exacerbated by unsustainable agriculture. The consequence is the migration of the population from rural areas to urban areas.

Climate change in particular has a negative impact on agricultural production in water-scarce regions of Africa. Efficient water use within agriculture is thus a key factor in strengthening rural areas. The establishment of a circular bioeconomy holds considerable potential for the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of agricultural structures. Smallholder farmers play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of food security, poverty alleviation, and climate change. The DIVAGRI research project, therefore, targets smallholder farmers in rural sub-Saharan Africa, who account for 80 percent of all farms in the region and contribute up to 90 percent of food production in rural areas.

Coordinated by the Robert Schmidt Institute at Wismar University of Applied Sciences, the project brings together a total of 21 European and African partners, including universities, companies and NGOs. It is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme with around 9 million euros.

Project coordinator: Wismar University of Applied Sciences: Sebastien Clerc-Renaud