Russia-Africa collaboration in the area of soil science

The Russia-Africa Collaboration in the area of Soil science is a new undertaking by the Eurasian Center for Food Security based at the Lomonosov Moscow State University, The World Bank and The Regional Universities for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to bring together varied expertise from Russia and Africa to collaborate in neglected yet critical disciplines in Africa. This consultative meeting was part of the wider World Bank undertakings to broker partnerships for global collaboration and RUFORUM’s effort to undertake avenues for institutional transformation so as to facilitate network universities transform to meaningfully contribute to agricultural, national and regional development in Africa. The Eurasian Center for Food Security and Lomonosov Moscow State University together with the RUFORUM network universities from 13 African countries discussed Africa’s challenges in soil science, resources available in Africa, what can be done and shared experience of excellence from Russia. A joint perspective for collaboration between RUFORUM, The World Bank and the Eurasian Center for Food Security was launched with Soil Science as the anchor point for intervention.