PMIL scientists, Dave Hoisington, Jamie Rhoads, Rick Brandenburg and Patrick Okori participated in the Feed the Future Innovation Labs partners meetings recently held in Lilongwe, Malawi. Seventeen of the 24 Innovation Labs were represented, along with several staff from USAID (Washington and regional missions) and many regional partners.
The four-day event discussed current research progress by the USAID-supported programs in the region and how to enhance their impacts. The meeting was opened with addresses by Dave Hoisington, Innovation Lab Council Chair; Rob Bertram, USAID Chief Scientist; Virginia Palmer, U.S. Ambassador in Malawi; and Allan Chiyembekeza, Malawi Minister of Agriculture.
Presentations were made by regional missions, Innovation Labs and USAID-supported regional projects. The Innovation Labs Council met with USAID staff one morning to discuss several issues related to the administration of the Innovation Labs. One afternoon was spent meeting with several professors from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) to discuss strategies for the university to become a Center of Excellence.
Finally, participants had the opportunity to visit several research sites including the USAID 
Integrating Nutrition and Value Chains (INVC) program, the Chitedze Research Station and LUANAR, where they learned how farmers in local villages are benefitting from adopting new farming and food preparation technologies, saw crop research being conducted by the Innovation Labs with the Malawian Agricultural Research Program, and learned about the capacities of LUANAR to partner in Feed the Future research programs.
Notes from the meeting, Powerpoint presentations, photos and more detailed information can be found on the Agrilinks site.