CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Launches Groundbreaking Open Learning Portal for Global Agronomy Education

Innovative platform provides agronomy-focused courses and resources to empower learners and drive agricultural transformation.

Nairobi, Kenya – 17 September 2024 –The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative (EiA), a collaborative agronomy effort launched four years ago by the CGIAR's ten centers, is proud to announce the launch of the Open Learning Portal. The Open Learning Portal acts as a comprehensive hub for agronomic solutions across CGIAR, offering a variety of micro-courses and collaborative tools. Its mission is to empower learners globally by delivering accessible, flexible, and impactful educational resources. All courses on the platform are free and open to everyone.

"We are thrilled to launch the Open Learning Portal, which marks a significant milestone in our efforts to advance agronomy globally," said Bernard Vanlauwe, Leader of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative. "This platform will provide CGIAR colleagues, partners, agricultural educators, researchers, and students, as well as the general public interested in agriculture and potential new learners, with the essential tools and knowledge needed to tackle pressing agricultural challenges and drive positive change."?

Developed in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and with contributions from other CGIAR Centers, this education platform is set to revolutionize agricultural education. The CGIAR centers supporting the EiA represent a global force for agricultural transformation and include AfricaRice , Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT , International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) , International Potato Center (CIP) , International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) , International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) , International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) , International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) .?

The portal's comprehensive curriculum includes courses on critical topics such as climate change, gender equality, and the integration of digital tools in agronomy. Designed to be flexible, these bite-sized courses allow students, educators, and researchers to learn at their own pace.?

"We believe that everyone, regardless of their background, should have access to quality education," said Anilyn Maningas Head, IRRI Education. "The Open Learning Portal democratizes knowledge, fostering a more inclusive and equitable agricultural sector."?

This platform is designed to transform agricultural education through digital solutions and e-learning resources. The Open Learning Portal serves as a one-stop hub for agronomic training for the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative and agronomy stakeholders and ecosystem, featuring micro-courses and collaborative tools. By equipping learners with the necessary tools and knowledge, the portal aims to empower individuals to address pressing agricultural challenges and drive positive change.?

The portal features a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as climate change, gender equality, and the integration of digital tools in agronomy. These bite-sized courses are designed to be flexible, making it easy for students, educators, and researchers to learn at their own pace.?

Some of the new micro-courses available include:?

• Introduction to Causes and Drivers of Climate Change?

• An Integrated Approach to Adaptation Planning?

• Introduction to Tools and Approaches of AKILIMO?

• Good Agronomic Practices in Cassava Systems?

• Introduction to Human-Centered Design??

By harnessing advancements in data and technology, the Open Learning Portal is set to transform agronomic education and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future. We invite you to explore the platform and see how it can elevate your educational journey and agronomic practices.?

For more information and to access the portal, visit https://learn.eia.cgiar.org/ .?

Access the launch slides and watch the video here to learn how to sign up for the courses.?

About the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative?

The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative was launched in 2020 to improve outcomes for smallholder farmers amidst climate change. EiA is supported by the CGIAR Big Data Platform and will combine big data analytics, new sensing technologies, geospatial decision tools, and farming systems research to come up with scalable agronomic innovations for agricultural development. The initiative is not only responding to demand from the public and private sector but will also help increase efficiencies through stronger collaboration and cross-learning among CGIAR centers and within the broader agronomy R&D ecosystem. Follow the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative (EiA) on?Facebook ,?LinkedIn ,and?Twitter , and for updates and information.?

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