Larry R. Beach

African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is a non-profit organization founded in 2003. The non-profit company is based in London, UK. The British company's mission is to improve agricultural productivity in Africa by providing smallholder farmers with access to the best agricultural technology. AATF's goal is to save lives, improve livelihoods, and promote stability in Africa. AATF has developed two projects, the Pod Borer Resistant Maruca (PBR) Cowpea and the Hybrid Rice Project, to improve cowpea productivity and production and increase productivity and competitiveness of rice varieties in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea is one of the most important legume food crops in Sub-Saharan Africa and constitutes the major protein source for people both in rural and urban centres. The use of appropriate technology can boost the productivity of smallholder farmers.