BecA conducts research aimed at improving food, nutritional safety and security; income generation for small scale producers; climate change adaptation; environmental sustainability; and increased regional and international trade.

Research at the BecA-ILRI Hub brings together over 40 research institutions, universities, government ministries, regional agencies and non-governmental organizations across 16 countries in Africa, Australia, Europe and USA. The projects, which include national partner-led research projects, are demand driven, responding to the high priority themes identified through the new AU/NEPAD Science and Technology strategy and the CAADP agenda for increasing the productivity of the food and agricultural systems in Africa.

The main driver of the BecA–ILRI Hub is to support and mentor African scientists in the application of biosciences in food security and agricultural development to address priority constraints. This is implemented through mentoring and hosting of African scientists to enable them conduct their own research projects, making use of the research facilities and technology platforms. Research scientists from NARS have access to high-end research facilities, mentorship by the Hub’s faculty consisting of BecA Hub scientists, ILRI Biosciences scientists, scientists from other CGIAR centres, some of whom are hosted at the BecA-ILRI Hub (CIMMYT, IITA, CIP, IRRI, ICRISAT), and through scientists from collaborating advanced research institutions and universities in Europe, Australia and USA.

The BecA-ILRI Hub has strategic and diverse partnerships with renowned international research and capacity building institutes such as the John Innes Centre (UK), Queensland University of Technology (Australia), Cornell University (USA), the International Foundation for Science (IFS), African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), African NARS, sub regional organizations, networks, and many others. Research scientists, trainers, mentors and other experts from the partner institutions, staff at BecA-ILRI Hub, ILRI Biosciences and other ILRI units, other CGIAR centres and programs, together form a solid extended BecA-ILRI Hub faculty that drives the ABCF Program.

The BecA-ILRI hub supports researchers and scientists from national, regional and international agricultural research institutions, universities and the private sector.

The hub provides the following Technology platforms;

1. The Genomics platform
2. The Bioinformatics platform
3. Nutrition analysis and mycotoxin diagnostics Platform
4. Molecular breeding platform
5. Vaccine development Technologies
6. 1400 meter square Plant growth facility
7. The Central Core Unit

Strengthening existing partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders for the development and delivery of products such as improved crop and animal disease diagnostics tools.

In order to increase the impact of bioscience on African communities, the BecA-ILRI Hub is building partnerships with development partners (including non-science partners) for translating research results into innovations of benefit to farmers and other private enterprises in Africa. The Hub also supports African scientists and their partners in designing their research in such a way as to respond to demand and optimize the chances of successful delivery.

Building strategic partnerships with national and international agricultural research institutions to develop pathways to impact for bioscience innovations.

With access to a wide range of international research institutions both within and outside the CGIAR centres, the BecA-ILRI Hub is strategically poised to build networks that will contribute to the increased impact of biosciences on agricultural research in Africa. Existing opportunities to increase co-operation and build synergies amongst the various biosciences networks operating in the sub-regions and the high end facilities which are available to serve all the biosciences networks and regional programs across Africa are being leveraged. Through the expanding network of visiting scientists, “communities of practice” around key food and nutritional security issues, are being formed with alumni who return to their home institutions and who continue to work with the Hub and with fellow alumni from different countries in joint research programs and in the delivery of innovations.

BecA-ILRI Hub is a node for the  Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH).   The CTGHL supports programs that improve livestock-based livelihoods in the tropics.

People in developing countries know that livestock are critical for sustainable development. The world’s cows, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and other farm animals are the mainstay of livelihoods across the developing world. The energy and nutrient-dense milk, meat and eggs these animals produce provide people with basic livelihoods, incomes, food and nutrition.