STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CO-OPERATION IN WEST AND CENTRAL … · 2006. 10. 10. ·...

WECARD/CORAF

WECARD/ CORAF

WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN COUNCIL FORAGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

(WECARD/CORAF)

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCHCO-OPERATION IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

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Contents

Part I: Strategic axes for the sub-regional co-operation inagricultural research and development

1. Introduction2. Review of the sub-region’s agricultural sector3. Agricultural economy of the sub-region4. National agricultural research systems (NARS)5. Analysis of constraints, and challenges6. Priority areas for sub-regional co-operation7. Operational tools and mechanisms for validating

and co-ordination of initiatives8. Strengthening research-extension-farmer

linkages9. Institutional and organizational framework for

implementing the sub-regional priorities10. Resource mobilization for collaborative

research11. Recommendations and conclusions

Part II: The strategic action plan for the sub-regional co-operation in agricultural research 2000 to 2003

12. Introduction13. Promotion of agricultural policy in the sub-

region14. Improving cash crops production, and

competitiveness15. Strengthening peri-urban agricultural systems

in the sub-region16. Enhanced food availability through improved

grain legumes production17. Development of a sustainable irrigated

agriculture in the Sahel18. Banana/plantain production for food, and income19. Root and tuber crops production for food

security and poverty alleviation20. Management of natural resources, and production

systems21. Conservation and sustainable utilization of

plant genetic resources for food andagriculture

22. Integrated cereal production systems23. Livestock research for improved food security

and income24. Promotion of biomathematics for improved

agricultural research quality

Part III: CORAF/WECRAD work programme, and budget for 2000 to2003

25. The funding plan

Bibliographic references

Annex I: Methodological Approach

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Annex II: Definition of Development Objectives and PriorityAreas for Research

Annex III: Determination of the sub-regional researchpriorities

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Part I

Strategic axes for the sub-regional co-operation in agricultural research and

development

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1

Introduction

1.1 Strategic overview: Agriculture is the most importanteconomic sector in the countries of West and Central Africa.It offers employment to the majority of its populations,contributes to their food security and export earnings, andsupplies raw materials to the agro-industries. Agriculturalresearch, as seen through the National Agricultural ResearchSystems (NARS) of the region, is basically geared towards theprime objective of improving the peoples' living conditions.According to several authors, the food requirements of theregion will increase threefold in the course of the next threedecades. During that period, it is anticipated that theavailable areas of arable land per capita will be reduced bymore than half whereas the region's sustainable developmentwill be contingent on the achievement of an agriculturalproduction growth rate of about 4% per year.

This calls for increase in agricultural productivity based onthe sustainable development of natural resources. For severaldecades, governments of countries in the sub-region and theirpartners have been supporting agricultural research as a meansof responding to major developmental challenges facing thecountries. In this regard, the NARS of the region have beenconducting research on a variety of agricultural products,production factors and systems. However, the impact ofresearch results is slowly felt presently in many productionsystems in the overall economy.

Most of these research institutions are presently facingpersistent financial crisis due to reductions in budgetaryallocations by governments and grants from donors. For thisreason, many NARS have been trying to participate in sub-regional co-operative research networks and programs. Suchcollaborative research activities are expected to ensureefficiency gains which should benefit individual countries.However, sub-regional co-operation in agricultural researchhas been in existence since colonial times. It has become evenmore desirable in present funding circumstances. In spite ofthe remarkable progress achieved in sub-regional co-operationwith the establishment of these mechanisms, their potentialimpact is still compromised by certain factors e.g.:

♦ Lack of a research strategy thus leading to a situationwhereby scarce resources are not concentrated on the mostcrucial constraints:

♦ Lack of a holistic approach involving all research partners;♦ Weak co-ordination between regional networks, and lack of

harmony in their activities, thus sometimes leading toduplication of efforts

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♦ The difficulty of co-ordination, by NARS, of theirresearchers' participation in sub-regional co-operativeresearch.

♦ Lack of a mechanism for financing research activities ofregional interest.

1.2 Objective of the Document: To meet the major challengesfacing agriculture, research and development in West andCentral Africa, the WECARD/CORAF General Assembly held inAccra in 1998 passed a resolution on the development of astrategic document for agricultural research co-operation forthe sub-region. This plan covers a period of 15 years (1999 to2014).

This document, produced from the various national, zonal andsub-regional consultations, is intended to:. identify priorities for regional co-operation in

agricultural research;. establish a framework for negotiation and dialogue with

the various agricultural research, and developmentpartners;

. propose a sustainable funding mechanism for regional co-operation.

1.3 Institutional Context: The collaborative researchactivities have been intensified considerably, following thecreation of International Centers. There are currently no lessthan 300 co-operative research networks in the sub-region. Itis worthy to note also that strategic plans or programs havebeen prepared and adopted by governments in most of thecountries in the sub-region.

The international scientific community, and the ConsultativeGroup for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), alsoestablished the Global Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR)to facilitate communication and exchanges of ideas. In thecontext of globalisation, GFAR is built on representativeinstitutions from geographical zones, from national to theinternational levels, through sub-regional and regionalchannels. In this context, therefore, and in order to beproperly part of the global research in agriculture, theWECARD/CORAF stakeholders decided to develop a new strategyfor research co-operation in West and Central Africa. Therecognition of the importance and global integration of theseregional and sub-regional bodies constitutes a substantialprogress in the fight against hunger and poverty. However,several steps need to be taken to establish a more effectiveand efficient system for smooth collaboration among all thepartners operating in sub-region.

1.4 Planning Context: This consisted of preparing a strategicplan for agricultural research cooperation in the West andCentral African sub-region under the aegis of WECARD/CORAF.

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The 22 countries of the sub-region constituted the basicframework for this planning. A participatory approach wasadopted (see Methodological Approach in Annex I), also takinginto consideration the strategic plans of the variouscountries, and the views of scientific and financial partners.

1.5 Guiding Principles for the Regional Co-operation: Theguiding principles for the regional co-operation include thefollowing:

1. Regional co-operation should promote an efficient andeffective use of resources in order to lift obstaclesto the improvement of agricultural production and thereduction of the effects on natural resourcedegradation.

2. The NARS should be considered as basic structures foreffective and sustainable regional co-operation inagricultural research.

3. Regional co-operation is expected to complement and notto replace efforts made by the NARS.

The Western and Central Regions of Sub-Saharan Africa coverthree zones: the Sudan-Sahelian zone, the wet sub-tropicalWest zone, and the wet Central zone. For reasons ofconvenience these zones would be designated as follows:

. Sahelian zone

. Wet Coastal zone

. Wet Central zone

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2Review of the sub-region's Agricultural Sector

2.1 General characteristics: The sub-region, which comprises22 countries, covers an area of 11.5 million squarekilometers, and has a population of 260 million of which morethan 65 million have agriculture or agriculture-relatedactivities as their main occupation.

Sahelian West Africa: This zone is composed of nine countries;namely Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau,Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. These countries alsoconstitute the membership of the Permanent Inter-StateCommittee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS).Coastal West African Zone: This zone comprises Guinea-Conakry,Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria(and Liberia).The Central African zone is made up of Central AfricanRepublic, Gabon, Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo.

2.2 Physical and Socio-economic Characteristics ofAgriculture: The Sahel is characterized by climaticfluctuations marked by frequent variations in the rainfall.The frequency and distribution of rainfall in this zone is socrucial in the daily lives of over 40 million people in thiszone. As a result of this water scarcity rain-fed agricultureis not practicable in up to two-thirds of the area. The zonehas the following rainfall distribution belts: the Sahel zonewith less than 350 mm of rainfall at the northern border ofthe pluvial zone, the Sudan-Sahelian strip with 350 to 600 mmof rainfall, the Sudan zone with 600 to 800 mm of rainfall andthe Sudan -Guinea zone, with an average annual rainfallexceeding 800 mm. Agricultural production in the sahel ishighly dependent on annual fluctuations between dry years(intense drought) and the so-called "wet" years (a relativelyabundant rainfall). Shorter rainy periods have, however,marked the last 20 years in the Sahel. Climate changes areexpected therefore to continue to be a major factor that maynot be ignored in the formulation of a realistic sustainabledevelopment strategy for the Sahelian zone. In the course ofthe coming decades, any improvement in the standard of livingfor most of the Sahelian population, arising from asubstantial increase in agro-silvi-pastoral production, willpre-eminently depend on a satisfactory management of theavailable water resources.

The total area of the sahelian zone (Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissauand Northern Cameroon) is about 530 million hectares and iscomposed of purely desert land at 60%, range land at 28% (150million ha) and farmlands at 12% (62 million ha). Irrigatedfarming is practiced on 13.9 million ha (22% of the arablelands), and this mainly in Chad (40%), Mali (29%) and Niger(12%). Rain-fed agriculture is possible in less than 50% (31

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million ha) of the entire area of arable land with an annualrainfall of 600 mm with a probability of 0.9. Potentialproduction is further reduced by poor quality and structuralfragility of the soils: low fertility (especially in terms ofphosphate and nitrate contents), low organic matter, and poorwater retention capacity. Thus, more than 40% of such areaswith a relatively abundant rainfall are not cultivable orappropriate for permanent cropping. The best soils, whichreceive at least 800 mm of rainfall a year, are shared almostexclusively by four countries: Chad (31%), Burkina Faso (23%)and Senegal (13%) (Dioné, 1991).

In 1989, an area estimated at 25% (15.6 million hectares) ofall the arable lands in the Sahel was developed. However, itcannot be concluded, on the basis of this estimate, that thereis an abundance of agricultural lands in the Saheliancountries, and so they may increase their production byexpanding their farms. The most important point is not theproportion of available lands used as pastures and farmlands.It is rather the extent to which the population densities arebalanced by the long-term stocking capacity of the lands inthe different agro-climatic zones, in view of the prevailingproduction systems. It can therefore be concluded that, apartfrom the area of land cultivated, it is the low productivityattributed to poor soil quality and the traditional productiontechniques that limits the stocking capacity of the Sahelianagro-silvi-pastoral sector. The natural plant cover thereforebecomes, at the same time, the most vulnerable and the mostexploited resource of the Sahelian eco-system.

On the other hand, the countries of the coastal zone occupy anarea of about 602 million hectares, of which about 61 millionha are cultivated (i.e. 10% of the total area), 326 million haare covered by forest and about 1.1. million ha are irrigated.The zone extends from the coast to the savanna, records about1500 mm of rainfall a year, and is characterized by a longrainy season (270 days) and a shorter dry season (<12O days).The soils are fragile and highly susceptible to degradation.The sub-humid part (or the wet savanna) covers the area thatreceives between 1,500 and 900 mm of rainfall, with a dryseason spanning 120 to 180 days, and a rainy season covering151 to 270 days each year.

According to the United Nations Food and AgricultureOrganization (FAO), about 62% of lands in the coastal zone areappropriate for agriculture but the sector's potential islimited by such factors as pests and diseases, obnoxiousweeds, high soil acidity, leaching, erosion, etc. The forestsare being depleted at very rapid rates, partly as a result ofincrease of the cultivated area. In the 1980s the rate ofdepletion was 3.7 million ha per year. However, the mostrecent FAO estimates put the figure at 5 million ha per year.The rate of deforestation, in terms of forest depletion, istherefore estimated at 0.5% per year and has even reached 2 to

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5 % in certain countries in the zone.

Similarly the proportion of lands used for purposes other thanagriculture has increased at the expense of forests,reforested lands and virgin lands. The fauna and florahabitat, which occupied 64% of the lands at the beginning ofthis century, has been reduced to a little more than one-thirdof the initial area. Several plant and animal species areendangered as a result of the destruction of their habitat.There has been increased degradation of natural resources inthe zone over the last three years.

As in many parts of the globe, deforestation has contributedto climate change in the west coastal zone. For examplerainfall patterns have shifted in quantity and duration inthe zone. Côte d'Ivoire has one of the highest rates ofdeforestation in Africa, and it has experienced a continualdecrease in annual rainfall, and the northern desertencroachment south wards. Soil erosion, traditional farmingmethods and the decrease in rainfall have since 1970 broughtabout a continual loss of bio-diversity in terms of geneticsand medicinal plants, with a decline in production output inmany countries of the zone. Loss of soil fertility andacidification of top soils constitute a major agro-ecologicalconstraints in the zone. The traditional slash-and-burn methodof farming and reduction of the fallow period have resulted ina more pronounced process of soil degradation.

The majority of farmers in the rural sector of the coastal aresmall-holders even though cash crops are also produced bylarge-scale farmers in some of the countries. The main foodcrops are root and tubers crops (cassava, yams, potatoes,etc.) and some cereals (rice, maize and sorghum). Theindustrial produce comprises export products such as robustacoffee, palm oil, coconut, cocoa and para rubber (hevea).Cotton is also a major cash crop cultivated more especially inthe savanna region.

Herds of small trypano-tolerant ruminants (sheep, goats, etc)are bred in the savanna of this zone. Although fishing is animportant activity in some of the countries (e.g. Ghana andGuinea), crop and livestock production remain the principalsource of foreign exchange for countries of the zone. Thissector employs 62.1% of the working population of the zonewith about 73.4% in Guinea and 49.3% in Ghana. By supplyingthe local industries with raw materials and producing consumergoods, agriculture has direct impact on the performance of thenon-agricultural sector of the economy of several countries inthe zone. Agriculture plays a crucial role in guaranteeingfood security at national and household levels.

There is a complementary economic relationship of mutualbenefit between the coastal zone and the Sahelian belt. Thevast Sahelian grassland favours livestock (ruminant)

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production, whereas the Coastal zone, with many urban outlets,provides the market for the livestock. On the other hand, theCoastal zone also provides summer fattening possibilities forthe cattle when the pasture fields of Sahel dry-up. Whereasthe Sahel environment is conducive to cereal production, thecoastal region is most appropriate for the production of rootcrops, tubers, banana and plantain. The crops from one zonefinds market in another.

The Central Africa zone covers about 25% of the area of sub-saharan Africa. It is a region of big rivers (Congo, Ogoué andChari) and great lakes (Chad and Kivu). The relief variesconsiderably, with mountainous zones (Mount Cameroon, MalaboPeak and the volcanic chain of Tibesti); hills in the greatlakes region and the forest belt of the Mayombe stretching fromGabon to the South of Chad through Democratic Republic of Congoand Central African Republic. Some Sahelian vegetations arelocated in Northern Cameroon.

2.3 Population: With a total population of 40.2 million and anaverage population density of 7.5 per km2 in 1988, the whole ofthe Sahel zone could still be considered as virtually under-populated. However, this general picture obscures the vastgeographical disparities in population distribution withpopulation densities (number of inhabitants per squarekilometre) ranging from 1.9 in Mauritania to 4.7 in Chad, Maliand Niger and between 26 and 36 in Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissauand Senegal and reaching 75 and 90 in The Gambia and CapeVerde respectively. Even in these countries, the population isalso distributed integrally between the different climaticzones: with almost zero in the desert regions, the populationdensity increases towards the South, reaching its maximumlevel in the Sahel-Sudan zone (350 - 800 mm) and decreasing inthe rainiest zone (Sudan region). At least 80% of thepopulation live on 25% of the total territory in the Southernpart of the Sahel with population densities ranging between 60and 100 persons per square kilometre in certain areas, therebyresulting in an extremely high demand for arable land and woodresources in the framework of traditional production systems.Apart from the climatic effects on desertification, it is nowwidely acknowledged that the main cause of natural resourcedegradation is the negative synergy between the unproductivetechniques and the pressure exerted by human beings andanimals. Two other demographic factors, population increaseand urbanization, also complicate the management of theSahelian bio-type. In the first place, as in the case of theentire Sub-Saharan Africa, population growth rates of theSahelian countries are among the highest in the world. Thus,the Sahelian population, which was estimated at 40 million in1988, is expected to increase by 50% by the end of thiscentury and will increase twofold by the year 2010. Secondly,the rapid and unplanned urbanization intensifies the risk ofpopulation growth which eventually has negative effects on

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development. From 1.3 million in 1960, the urban population ofthe Sahel virtually increased sevenfold within 27 years (atthe rate of almost 7% per year) to reach about 9 million (28%of the total population) in 1987. The high tendency towardsurbanization is mainly due to the influx of immigrants fromthe rural areas which is also attributed to what is perceivedas an ever-increasing socio-economic disparity between therural and urban areas. The slackness of production and theattendant decrease in real income in the rural areas, combinedwith effects of drought and unproductive development projectscontribute to rural-urban migration. Also contributing to thisphenomenon in the Sahel are the over-concentration of socio-economic facilities in urban centers, and this is particularlytypical of the capital cities which alone account for 40% ofthe total urban population of this zone. Rapid urbanizationconstitutes a determining factor which does not only deprivethe rural households of the majority of their adult labour-force but also exerts high pressure on the demand foressential commodities, thereby reducing available naturalresource reserves, e.g. in the exploitation of fuel wood, ordepletion of foreign exchange as in food importation. In theabsence of a real improvement in the major urban productionactivities (industry, manufacturing sector and traditionalservice activities) rapid urbanization process resulted in ageneralized unemployment with the attendant deterioration ofliving conditions and the social climate in the peri-urbanareas.

The West Coastal zone has a population of nearly 200 million,about half the population of sub-Saharan Africa. Populationdensities increase from the northern to the southern parts.Population in this zone is expected to increase by more thanthree times by year 204O.

Compared to the West coastal zone, the population of CentralAfrican zone appears to be a little less than 15% of thepopulation of Sub-Saharan Africa and is distributed over 25% ofthe area. The demographic landscape is unequally distributedbetween the countries and even within the countries. Itsdensity varies from 45 persons per Km2 in Central AfricanRepublic to 15 persons per Km2 in Democratic Republic of Congoand 25 persons per Km2 in Cameroon. As in many other Africancountries there is a high concentration of the populations inthe urban areas: more than 60% of the population in DemocraticRepublic of Congo, 48.2% in Gabon and 38.4% in Central AfricanRepublic. The rate of urbanization in the entire regionremains high. Whereas in 1970, one person out of four ruraldwellers lived in the urban area, it is projected that theratio will be 1 to 2 by the year 2000.

Concurrently with the urbanization process, the States arebeing depopulated rapidly and the production zones are beingdeserted. As in the Sahelian region, the rural dwellers give upagriculture and migrated to the urban centres as they are

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attracted to facilities offered by the big towns (better livingconditions, real or potential job opportunities, etc).

Certain population trends are increasingly reflected in anincreasing demand for foods habitually consumed in urban areas,such as bread, rice, vegetables and fresh and canned fruitswhile the demand for traditional foodstuffs (roots, tubers,plantain and cereals) increases slowly.

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3Agricultural Economy of the Sub-region

3.1 Importance of Agriculture Sector: The economies ofcountries in Sahel are heavily dependent on agriculture oragriculture-related activities. In 1987, agriculturerepresented between 35% and 60% of the total GDP of all thecountries in the zone, with the exception of Cape Verde (19%)where the agro-ecological conditions have been rigorous, andSenegal (22%), which is more urbanized and industrialized. Thesector employs 80 to 90% of the working population, except forMauritania (69%) and Senegal (52%). In addition to theprovision of the staple foods for the people of the zone,agriculture accounts significantly for major foreign earnings;57% of export earnings of the entire sahel, and 60 to 98% ofexport returns for all countries in the zone with theexception of Niger (13%); data was not available for CapeVerde. The agricultural sector is also the largest consumer ofnatural resources.

The agricultural sector's contribution to the Gross DomesticProduct (GDP) of the coastal zone was estimated at 33% in1991. The Annual Gross Domestic Product between 1980 and 1991increased at the rate of 1.8% with a 4.9% increase for Benin.The increased production of the major crops observed in theearly 1990s was mainly as a result of the extension of thecultivated surface. However, there was a big differencebetween the potential output and the actual output realized bythe small-holders. In the case of coffee, the differenceconstituted a factor of 8 (250 kg/ha as against 2,000 kg/ha). From 1970 to 1990 the zone imported large quantities ofagricultural produce, especially wheat and meat, with theexception of Ghana and a few other countries.Previously, countries in the zone were self-sufficient andthey complemented local food production with wheat, rice andmeat imports. However, urban populations have risentremendously, resulting in increased food requirements.

The economies of the Central African countries are scarcelydiversified. Foreign exchange earnings are mainly derived frommineral ores and cash crops. Of all the countries in the zone,Cameroon has a most diversified economy. Although oil wasdiscovered there in 1978, agriculture is still the key sector;it occupies 80% of the working population, generates 45% of thecountry's foreign exchange earnings and accounts for 15% of thegovernment revenues. Small-holders supply 90% of theagricultural produce mainly composed of subsistence crops andlivestock products basically intended for domestic consumption,as well as coffee, cocoa (the world's 5th exporter, with 6% ofthe global market), cotton and rubber for export. Oil palm,fruits and vegetables are other traditional export products inthe zone whereas Cameroon used a substantial portion of its oilearnings to finance several investments in agriculture, the

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agricultural and industrial sectors benefited slightly from thereinvestment of oil and mineral proceeds in Gabon, PeoplesRepublic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo. Agriculture remains the dominant economic sector in CentralAfrican Republic. Forestry activities produce 42% of theregional GDP and account for 58% of the export earnings.Coffee, timber and cotton also generate significant exportearnings. Cotton and coffee account for 40% of the exportearnings while the quota from forestry products is estimated atabout 18%. It should be noted, by way of comparison, thatdiamond and gold mining generates 20% of the export earnings. In the same context, livestock breeding, hunting and inlandfisheries provide for the national consumer needs in animalproteins. In the People's Republic of Congo, the share ofagriculture in the GDP has been a little below 12% since 1979and the sector's contribution to the country's exports is lessthan 1%. The same applies to the forestry sector whichproduced more than 40% of the value of exports in the early1960s and now scarcely accounts for 4%.

Gabon's agriculture has been characterized by the same trend asthat of the People's Republic of Congo. Its share of the GDPis estimated at 4.5%. However, the contribution from theforestry sector has decreased considerably. There has been anoticeable decline in manufacturing activities in all theCentral African countries. This situation is partly due to theslump in economic activity following the shattering ofcommodity prices, as well as the competition fostered byproducts from Nigeria, the narrowness of local markets and thelow per capita income. In the specific case of DemocraticRepublic of Congo, the situation is also due to the lingeringpolitical strife in the country

3.2 Production Systems, Production and Productivity: Thedominant cropping activities in Sahel zone comprise theproduction of following cereals; millet and sorghum, maize,irrigated rice, and two cash crops, cotton and groundnuts. Thedrought of 1965-1973 caused massive decreases in productionfor all the crops (2.8% a year for cereals and 4.6% a year forgroundnuts); cotton production, however, had an annualincrease of 7.3%. During the period following the drought(1973-80) the production level for groundnuts continued todrop by 4.8% each year. The 1980s offered some moreencouraging signs, judging by the impressive annual rates ofincrease (of course from a low base) obtained by all theprincipal crops for the 1980-89 period. However, this renewedoptimism had to be moderated. This observed increase inproduction did not find expression in productivity gainsrealized through the optimal use of lands and labour force butwas mainly attributed to the combined effects of an increasein annual rainfall and the expansion of cultivated areas. Atany rate, that was a precarious situation, since the rainswere definitely expected to be insufficient again in thecoming years and the land resource base was limited and

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threatened. It is difficult to change this situation so longas the crop and animal production systems in the Sahel areextensive by nature and that they use few external inputs andare heavy consumers of natural resources per production unit.Thus, in 1986, the average fertilizer consumption in the Sahel(4.7 kg/ha) represented only 55% of the average consumption inSub-Saharan Africa, 8% of that of South-East Asia and 7% ofthe average consumption in all the low-income countries of theworld. There is also an increasing demand for pasture lands.The increasing human population has increased pressure onarable lands; fallow periods have been drastically reduced oreliminated, thus resulting in a further 3% decrease in soilfertility each year in many areas. Consequently, there hasbeen a decline in the productivity of the livestock sector aswell as a low output for the rain-fed cereal crops, estimatedaround 0.3 ton/ha in the Sahel zone, 0.5 ton/ha in the Sahel-Sudan zone, 0.7 ton/ha in the Sudan zone and 0.9 ton/ha in theSudan-Guinean zone.

From the era of independence up to 1980, the governmentalpolicy of the coastal West African zone was geared towards thedevelopment of food-processing industries. In most of thecountries in the zone, the authorities favoured the creationof private enterprises in the food processing sector to boostemployment in the peri-urban areas. Production, processing andtrade were the main sectors targeted for economic activities.However, most of the producers were and are still small-holders, who practice subsistence agriculture. Small-holdersinvolvement in commercial farming also exists, and they areengaged in production, for food markets, such produce as fruitsand vegetables and export crops as in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana,Nigeria and Guinea. Some of the important export crops includecotton, palm produce (palm oil), para rubber (hevea). Largepublic and private plantations are also exist, e.g. oil palmand rubber in Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana, Coconut in Côted'Ivoire and export fruits such as pineapples and banana inCôte d'Ivoire.

Most of food-processing activities in the coastal zone are doneby small-scale enterprises using simple, and sometimes informaltechnologies. However, a number of private enterprises ofvarying standing are also engaged in food processing in Ghana,Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria in respect of breweries, flour-mills,oil-mills, and preserved fruit and fruit juice canneries, anddairy foods. Some of the processing plants are owned bynationals (e.g. in Nigeria and Ghana), whereas most of those inCôte d'Ivoire belong to multinational companies. The privatesector in Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria also operates in certainfields that provide services to producers. Most of theseactivities were intended to produce substitutes for imports inorder to save foreign exchange. The export trade in most ofthe countries is concentrated on cash crops.

The cropping activities in Central African zone consist in the

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production of following root and tuber crops some cereals(basically maize, rice) and other crops. Crop and livestockproduction are at small-scales. Very little food processingactivities are going in the zone (with the exception of a fewin Cameroon).

3.3 Objectives of the Agriculture SectorIncreasing production: Agriculture is the principal activityand the main source of raw materials for industries. It is alsothe chief client of suppliers of simple tools (farm tools) andservices. Agricultural production has continued to be labourintensive, and demanding on natural resources. Adding value toproduction and its processes via research co-operation whilereducing risks to environment is a principal goal of thepresent document. Increasing production and economic gainswould involve, among other factors, coupling of target-orientedand strategic researches to production-consumption (human &industrial consumption) continuum .

Alleviating Poverty and Improving Food Security: Agriculture,being the major industry of the zone, and of the West andCentral African sub-region, can ensure stable jobs, and improvethe well-being of the people of the sub-region where there is aconsist and well-established production-consumption continuum.There is, however, a need for development strategies to putrural populations, the agricultural production base, into theequation. This should ensure food security, reduce poverty, andrural-urban migration. Statistical projections from variouscountries in the sub-region predict that even with a 4%increase in agricultural production, food security may not beensured if the current rate (3%) of population growth is notreduced. It is for these reasons that other measures have to betaken to guarantee food security in addition to those aimed atdeveloping agricultural production and reducing populationgrowth rates.

Association of subsistence farming with the production of cashcrops, and production of non-agricultural products can also goa long way to ensuring food and economic security.

Creating jobs: The low rate of skilled labour absorption by theindustries in the sub-region calls for a more criticalexamination of the potential role of the agricultural sector inthis respect, especially in respect of post-harvest activities,and transformation of agricultural products. Agriculturalproduce transformation sector can add significant value toemployment generation, increase the value of produce, andincrease the shelf life of such produce. These measures areexpected to significantly increase the rate of employmentgeneration by the agricultural sector.

Management of Natural resource: Increased agriculturalproduction should not be at the expense of the environment,

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i.e. increased forest depletion and wide life loss, soildegradation, among others. Environmentally sustainableproduction systems should ensure stable agricultural growth forfuture generations, while at the same time producing optimallyfor the present. Environmentally sustainable systems alsoreduce the rate of climate change. Future research should focuson the production of a technologies that discourage slash andburn one of the negative effects of shifting cultivation. Theslashing destroys the forests, whereas the burning deforms thestructure of soils, rendering them vulnerable to abioticfactors. Environmental management practices should beparticipatory, and should be accompanied by the awarenesscampaigns to the rural communities.

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4National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS)

One of the glaring features of the national systems is theirfragmentary nature, which is generally characterized by theexistence of research institutes, faculties and universities ofagriculture, non-governmental organizations, the privatesector, farmers' organizations, etc. Each of these institutionsappear to be on its own, with little central co-ordination ofcommon activities. The vast capacities in the universities arepoorly mobilized to pursue their researches along the countriesstrategic plan. So also are the NGOs. The private sectorresearch, if any, is channeled along their specific commercialinterests. This section examines these and other problems(human and material resources) in the individual zones.

4.1 Structures of the NARS: The NARS of the sub-region arecharacterized by high fragmentation and the dominance ofAgricultural Research Institutes, with less involvement ofUniversities, farmers' organisations, NGOs, the private sector,etc. The National strategic plans are most often elaboratedwithout the input of these other components of the NARS; theresearches conducted by the universities and other researchorganisations need to conform to the outlay of the nationalstrategic plans.

In the Sahel, for example, NARS of Burkina Faso, Mali andSenegal have the most integrated structures. The agriculturalresearch institutes of these countries mobilize between 55 and81% of the country's human resources, and 73 to 96% of thefinancial resources in the agricultural sector. Hence, theyplay a dominant role in the orientation and management ofagricultural research at the various national levels. The NARSof Gambia, Cape Verde and Niger are more fragmented. Budgetaryallocations to these countries' agricultural researchinstitutes account for nearly 60% of the NARS resources. Theremaining 40% comes mainly from development agencies engagedin agricultural research as a result of the deficienciesinherent in the agricultural research institutes.

In the coastal West Africa, the NARS of Nigeria is themost fragmented with about sixty research institutions,most without requisite material resources for research.The NARS of Ghana are the least fragmented, whereas thatof Côte d’Ivoire are relatively comparable to theGhanaian NARS.

Unlike the case of the Sahel Zone, the agriculturalresearch institutes are accorded a modest status and theycover only 58 % of the researcher-years. Most of theinstitutes are well specialized. In general, they are

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defined as autonomous public administrative, industrialor commercial institutions and are placed underministries in charge of Research and Agriculturerespectively.

Similarly, the NARS of the countries of Central African zoneare similarly fragmented. There is, however, no predominanceof agricultural research institutes. In Cameroon for example,the four agricultural research and training institutionstogether account for 84% of the researcher-years. In Congo,the most important national institution covers only 10 %of the researcher-years. Gabon and Central AfricanRepublic present relatively similar scenarios. In Gabon,about fifteen units share most of the researcher-yearswhile those of Central African Republic are shared amongabout twelve institutions.

The predominance of agricultural research institutes isattributed to the fact that, by virtue of their potential rolein the quest for food security, the countries have laid muchemphasis on the development of the agricultural researchinstitutes. They have, on average, 72% of the agriculturalscientists, and 77% of the available funds for research in thezone. The human and financial resources of the other NARSinstitutions are inadequate. In general, the institutes arepublic administrative establishments or public industrial andcommercial entities.

4.2 Human resources: The NARS of the sahel zone have setthemselves a target of about 1015 researcher-years. The numberof potential researcher-years is relatively proportional tothe level of the GDPA. Out of the thousand potentialresearcher-years, about 77% are focused locally and the restare externally oriented. In most of the NARS there is a highconcentration of scientific potential in and around thecapital cities. Moreover, 48% of the researchers are in cropproduction and 18% in animal production, with the rest inforestry, food-processing and socio-economics.

The NARS in the West coastal zone have about 2,300 researcher-years. Nigeria alone accounts for 52 % of the researcher-yearswhile Côte d’Ivoire has a relatively low estimate. In theanglophone countries of the zone, nationals are in charge ofalmost all the researcher-years whereas the degree ofnationalization of the scientific potential is a lower in theother countries.

As regards distribution per extensive research sectors,subsistence crop production and industrial production mobilizea greater majority of local and foreign researchers. In theother research sectors, food-processing research, productionsystems and social science are well represented. In theanglophone countries, the distribution of researcher-years is

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generally more balanced.

According to FAO, the NARS of Central African zone had about938 researcher-years in 1990/91, of which 81% were covered bynationals and the rest by external agents. This ratio variesfrom country to country. There is currently a high degree ofnationalization in most of the countries. As in the otherzones, the researchers are concentrated around the capitalcities. The greater part of scientific potential is mobilizedin the food and industrial production sectors. Thedisadvantaged sectors are those engaged in research onnational resource management, production systems and socialscience.

4.3 Financial resources: The annual expenditures of NARS inthe sahel zone are estimated at a total of 70 million dollars,distributed as follows :♦ 17% from local sources allocated for personnel expenses and

representing about 0.34 % of the GDPA.♦ 42% as subsidies covering operating costs and capital

expenditure as well as educational grants for studies abroad♦ 12% as loans granted by the World Bank for the creation of

infrastructures and researchers’ training abroad

According to FAO, during the 1989/91 period, the gross annualexpenditures on agricultural research activities of NARS inthe coastal zone were estimated at about 92 million dollars,distributed as follows :♦ 52 from local sources♦ 30 from external subsidies♦ 10 from loansThe national expenditures represent 74 % of the overalloutlays. For the 1989/91 period, the gross expenditures of theNARS of the Central African zone amounted to 59 milliondollars, distributed as follows:♦ . 30 of national origin♦ . 19 from foreign grants♦ . 10 from loans

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5Analysis of constraints, and Challenges

Soon after independence most of the countries of the sub-region began to experience a decline in agriculturalproduction, especially with the heightened exploration ofsolid and liquid minerals in some of the countries. Theagricultural production-consumption continuum appeared to havebeen tampered with, coupled with continued populationincrease. Political instability in the newly independentcountries appeared to have also contributed to the decline inproduction.

This section examines some constraints, and challenges thatface the agricultural research sector, and means of turningaround the situation for the better.

5.1 Increasing food production to meet an ever-increasingdemand: In 1960, there were few market opportunities, apartfrom the domestic markets solely oriented towards farmconsumption. However, with the population growth rate of thelast three decades, the rural and urban population hasincreased considerably within a period of two generations. This situation has resulted in a high demand for food, therebycreating market opportunities for local products. Feedingurban areas constitutes a great challenge, considering that,during the last three decades, the rate of increase in foodproduction in certain zones scarcely reached the annual rateof increase in the rural population. The moderate growthrecorded is mainly due to increases in the cultivated surface.Millet, sorghum and maize have continued to be the staplecereals consumed in the Sahel zone, whereas root crops, tubersand plantain constitute the principal food products of thecoastal and Central Africa zone.

Most of the population of the peoples of West and CentralAfrica dwell in the coastal West Africa, a situation thatportrays that the high food needs in the zone. However,several factors jointly complicate the food problems in thiszone. These include, among other factors, rapid urbanizationresulting in the change in modes of consumption, and in thestructural demand for food. Thus, the demand for rice andwheat increases annually, while demand for traditional cereals(millet, sorghum and maize) continues to decrease. Thedifference between domestic production and consumptiontherefore tends to increase regularly in most of the countriesin this zone as a result of the inadequacy of resources forproducers in the zone. Broadening the production base,reduction of the cost of inputs, and of post-harvest wastes,and produce transformation could increase food availability.

5.2 Adopting a more rational and effective strategy forirrigated farming: Even an appreciable increase in rain-based

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food production would not help towards addressing foodproblems of the zone in the course of the coming decades. Thefood-security measures envisaged should integrate riskmanagement as a means of coping with the agro-climaticuncertainties. The steady increase in rice and wheatconsumption widens the gap between the domestic food supplyand demand structures, thereby creating possibilities forincreased dependence on imports. These two factors point tothe fact that it is expedient to reconsider seriously thepriority to be given to development of irrigated farmingpotential which is not adequately exploited at present,especially in the vast sahel zone. Considering the factorswhich account for the disappointing results recorded in thepast, with respect to the development of irrigated farming, itwould be advisable to conduct research on profitableirrigation techniques, the diversification of irrigated cropsin an appropriate system of crop rotation, a betterredefinition of the role of the private and public sectors(agriculture, agro-industrial enterprises, distributors andtraders, etc.) in irrigated land management, commercializationof factors and production, credit management, as well asproduct processing and marketing.

5.3 Diversifying production systems: The diet of the majorityof the people of the sub-region is not satisfactory in bothquality and quantity. The fact that the main diet lackssufficient proportions of proteins, vitamins and essentialions – a current sign of malnutrition in virtually most thesocial groups – calls for diversification of the productionand consumption processes. Cowpea, and other food legumes,fruits and vegetables (which are in greater demand in urbanareas) are products that could be best suited for suchdiversification. Research in this field should lay emphasisnot only on the transfer of available results but also on thedevelopment of food markets, processing, preservation andtransport.

5.4 Strengthening synergic relations upstream and downstreamin the principal food sectors: Unlike the chief cash cropssuch as cotton, groundnuts, cocoa, para rubber, etc., thetraditional food sectors are characterized by such weakness asthe non-existence of linkages that guarantee a vertical co-ordination between activities upstream and downstream, andproduction-consumption continuum. The food crop sector lackssupport services structured upstream(multiplication/distribution of seeds, allocation ofagricultural credit and other inputs). The cost oftransportation alone represents more than half of the totalunit price of food products supplied to consumers. Thusfluctuations in the cost of petroleum products needed fortransportation, for example, induces dramatic changes in foodcosts, with food prices rarely going down. Under thecircumstances, it is imperative to ensure that agriculturalresearch deals with crop development problems under the

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framework of a global strategy. This should help reduce thefinal unit price for consumers.

5.6 Maintaining competitiveness on the world market: Cotton,for example, is one of the agricultural produce with thehighest export competitiveness potential on world markets forproducers in the sub-region. If there are positive signs of aprobable increase in the demand for cotton at theinternational level during the next fifteen (15) years, it isbecause of the prospects of increase in revenues for theindustrialized countries. There is, therefore, the necessityto rebuild stocks, and rapidly develop the potentials that arecurrently under-utilized in the textile sector in cotton-producing countries of sub-Saharan Africa. To benefit from theexport opportunities offered to the cotton-producing countriesin the sahel zone, producing countries working in a team, areexpected to improve and maintain the quality of products, andshould exploit the possibilities of additional gains inproductivity via the reduction of produce processing costs,and the control of market price. Apart from research in thesetechnical sectors, it would be expedient to ensure thesustenance of added value by getting beyond ginning, andencouraging the development of cloth mills. These steps applyto the other cash crops (cocoa, rubber, oil palm, etc.).

5.7 Re-conquering competitiveness on regional oil and oil-cakemarkets: As a result of the harsh competition between variousoilseeds such as soybean, sunflower and rapeseeds in most ofthe markets of developing countries, the prospects for oil andgroundnut cake are relatively low. However, there are goodprospects for certain products such as confectionery groundnutwhich could constitute an interesting market for the groundnutsector.

Moreover, it is possible to reverse the general trend from theregional point of view, especially for the coastal countrieswhose demand for vegetable oil increases much faster than inall the world markets, and where consumers obviously continueto give preference to groundnut oil. The increase inproduction of small ruminants and fowls for urban and coastalmarkets increases the demand for animal feeds and groundnutcake. These eventual market opportunities necessitate a closeexamination of the principal factors influencing thecomparative advantage of the groundnut–producing countries, toenable them to compete with the palm-oil producers in Asiathat recently closed the gap created as a result of the lossof the sub-region’s share of the regional markets forvegetable oil. In this regard, the relevant research shouldendeavour to regenerate and maintain the quality andproductivity of groundnut-producing lands in addition torestoring different qualities for Sahelian products so as tosatisfy the consumers’ ever-increasing preference for non-saturated fats.

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5.8 Developing new cash crops selectively: One of the majorproblems facing countries of the sub-region stems from thefact that the countries depend greatly on one or the sameagricultural product(s) for export, a situation which does notaugur well for the stability of the economies of suchcountries. Changes in market demands of such producecritically affects the stability of an undiversified economy.To end this vicious circle, the agricultural developmentstrategies should envisage practical options aimed atdiversifying and or increasing cash crops productions. Westand Central Africa in general together constitute an importantzone for crop varieties. In fact, the non-traditional cropssuch as certain horticultural products (fruits, vegetables,forest fruits, pot plants, etc), which are currently notcovered by agricultural research and development programmes,could provide immense possibilities that are worth exploringespecially since they can help increase income. However,these new agricultural sectors necessitate research not onlyon varieties but also on modern production, processing andmarketing techniques. Exporting such products entails qualitycontrol and considerable efforts in the marketing sector.

5.9 Developing the potential comparative advantage of regionallivestock markets: Urbanization and improved income contributeto the high demand for livestock products (meat, dairy foods,poultry) in the region, particularly in the coastal countriessuch as Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. For example,importation of livestock by Nigeria is virtually equivalent tothe GDPA for neighbouring Niger. These markets offer theSahelian stock-breeders a good opportunity to appropriateportions of the regional markets in the zone. A full advantageof such regional markets should be taken. Therefore, researchis expected to focus on the following: animal health and feedproduction, crop-livestock integration, creation of additionalmarkets for agricultural by-products such as groundnut,cotton, sorghum, maize and millet for the industrialproduction of feeds.

5.10 Agricultural research and environmental protection:Preserving and developing the production capacity of naturalresources primarily entails meeting the challenges inherent inthe two major problems which are closely linked, i.e. rapidpopulation increase, and technological backwardness. Over-exploitation of natural resources, the extensive agriculturalproduction systems currently practiced and an increasingpopulation pressure are generally cited as the main causes ofenvironmental degradation. The efforts made so far to developthe crop and animal production systems that negatesenvironmental concerns can no further be allowed. There isevery need to protect the natural resource base.

Recently large-scale production systems are being developedaround towns and cities especially in the sahel (suburbanlivestock farms, vegetable gardens, etc.). In this context, the

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research envisaged is expected to go beyond one factor ofproduction or only one sector and contribute to thediversification of production systems on the farms.Furthermore, it would be expedient to choose and promote arational approach allowing for an optimal combination ofintensive and extensive production systems depending on theavailable factors of production, i.e. whether they will be moreor less abundant or scarce. It is necessary to bear in mindthe ultimate objective which consists in improving andsustaining the available limited resources as much as possible.

Some improvement at the technical level could bring about anappreciable increase in productivity and therefore reduce thescope of practices leading to the depletion of naturalresources. The action for a new environmental balancetherefore entails an offensive on two fronts: a strategicpopulation control, on the one hand and, a transformation tolarge-scale farming systems, and sustainable exploitation ofnatural resources on the other hand.

Another challenge facing countries of the sub-region in termsof environmental protection concerns the political,institutional and juridical reforms to be initiated to bringabout socially acceptable forms of natural resourcemanagement. A genuine participatory management of suchresources by the local communities is the sole alternative foreffective environmental development. The land tenure reformconstitutes a precondition in this regard.

5.11 Reducing Poverty: Most of coastal West Africa andCentral Africa zones have abundant rainfall, lush vegetationand great bio-diversity all of which should be conducive for abuoyant agriculture. However, a number of agriculturalproduction constraints such as acid soils, pests and diseases,among other factors, that militate against production. Thereis also a poor mobilization of resources from non-agriculturalsectors for the development of the agricultural sector. Thus,production is much still at the peasant and subsistencelevels, with traditional tools. The current research strategyis expected to focus on linking knowledge-based systems whichwould involve stronger linkage between research, extension,and farmers in a production-consumption continuum. This isexpected to add value to production, and increase the well-being of the people.

5.12 Adapting to developments at national, regional andinternational levels: In this context, another challenge to bemet by countries in the sub-region in the coming decadesconsists of political and institutional adjustments to be madein encouraging private sector initiatives for sustained andequitable growth. The market liberalization process alreadyinitiated is expected to address the concerns expressed.

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Countries of the sub-region should contribute to the effortsundertaken to boost the creation of viable markets in theregion and benefit from the prevailing complementarilyeconomic atmosphere between coastal West African zone and theSahel.

5.13 Other constraints militating against agriculturalproduction in the sub-region include:

- the reduced size of family farms that are parceled outinto several plots, which means loss of time for thefarmer and eventually inhibits the adoption ofagricultural mechanization; and land tenure system

- the rudimentary nature of the farm implements :Mechanization is timidly attempted and is experimented infew big plantations with relative success.

- lack or inadequacy of inputs to agricultural productprocessing and packaging which limits the possibilitiesof delivering supplies in time and space. This alsoreduces farmers’ income and affects their motivation toproduce;

- inadequate training and supervision of farmers :extension services are still insufficient in terms ofquality and quantity;

- the little interest expressed in farming by publicauthorities.

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6Priority areas for sub-regional co-operation

The procedure comprised identification of the majordevelopment objectives of the sub-region, transforming theconstraints into research projects, using the indicatorsavailable for the sub-region or elsewhere, and definingresearch methods and the modalities for their implementationin order to achieve the expected results (see details inAnnexes II & III). It covered the following stages :

- the sectors constituted the first entry point.“Sector” means the whole set of functions (production,processing and marketing) and stakeholders involved inthe process that leads to the transformation of anagricultural product into one or several finishedproducts used by the human society (Manichon, 1996).Depending on the given cases, such sectors adequatelyprovided for the quantitative and qualitative needs ofthe rural and urban populations of the zone. The studyof each segment made it possible to identify the mainlimiting factors, the strengths and weaknesses.

- Environment is the second entry point for the sub-regional analysis. The zoning procedure used dependedon the variability of the physical, economic and socialfeatures of the zone and this made it possible tounderstand the diversity of the natural resourcemanagement processes as well as the principlesgoverning them. Note, however, that zoning was notnecessarily agro-ecological. Relations between thevarious agents, their modes of organization and thepressure they exert on space facilitated a generalunderstanding of its use and of the results achieved.

- The analysis of policies constituted the thirdentry point. The focus here was on matters concerningmacro- and micro-economic policies, pricing, credit,and the land management policies. This set of policies,as well as market operation and organization ofextension activities, helps to influence the behaviourof stakeholders and their relations in the event ofuncertainties and unexpected circumstances.

Sub-Saharan Africa in general, and West and Central Africa inparticular, have to meet three major challenges that permeatethe development objectives of the zones:

- improving the populations’ income so as to reduce

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poverty in the region. In this context, the developmentof certain agricultural sectors could contribute to theachievement of this objective;

- enhancing the competitiveness of agriculturalsectors on the world market so as to strengthen theregion’s position and provide security for the people’sincome;

- sustainable management of the natural resourcebase with a view to assuring future generations of someproduction prospects.

As part of its activities, agricultural research intervenesthrough two approaches. These are the sectoral approach, whichdeals especially with constraints within the sector’s segmentsupstream, downstream and at the production level; and thesystem-approach which covers the entire farm/enterprise of theproducer, and all the products and natural resources of thefarm/enterprise. For the sub-regional priorities, theWECARD/CORAF General Assembly adopted two approaches; thesectoral approach and the system-approach, with transversalthemes for this strategic framework.

On the question of specifying the concepts of system-approach,sectoral approach and the transversal themes adopted for thedefinition of priority areas for regional co-operation, anexplanatory note will be issued to facilitate the formulationof the research projects. In fact, the two approaches areessential for the achievement of the development objectivesadopted for the sub-region, i.e. :

• poverty alleviation ;• food security ;• improved income for the populations ;• sustainable natural resource management ;• enhanced competitiveness of agricultural products.

The main theme on the collection, evaluation, preservation anduse of genetic resources comes within the framework of takinga better position vis-à-vis globalization. Africa is animportant centre of diversity for numerous plant and animalspecies. Hence, it is essential that the NARS take actions inrespect of this thematic concern for future generations.

The various levels of extensive consultations based on anumber of criteria (see details Annexes II & III) finally ledto the definition of the following priorities (see table 1

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below) for the sub-regional co-operation in agriculturalresearch and development. As stated earlier, the criteriaconsidered included the contribution of the commodity/themeto: food security, sustainable management of naturalresources, poverty alleviation, employment creation andimprovement of revenue, promotion of private investments inrural areas, and promotion of agricultural produce export.

Table 1: Priority areas for sub-regional co-operation inagricultural research in West and Central Africa

Sectoral approach System-approach

CottonGrain legumes

Oil palmMeat, milk, fish

Maize, rice, millet, sorghumCoffee, cocoa, para-rubber

WoodBanana/Plantain

Fruits and vegetablesRoots & tubers

Rain-based cerealfarming systems

Rain-based cottonfarming systems

Irrigated systemsPeri-urban systemsForest systems

Agro-pastoral systemsAgro-forestry systems

Transversal themes

Genetic resource management

The agro-forestry sector also takes into account the two-foldeconomic and environmental function of trees in the productionsystems, namely :

i) supplying products for consumption and or forsales to generate income e.g. wood, fruits, fodderand medicinal plants ; and

ii) environmental functions: water and soilconservation, improving soil fertility, developingbio-diversity, etc.

Research support components such as information andcommunication, biotechnology, biometrics and aspects oftechnology transfer were also considered as priority areas forco-operation.

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7Operational tools and mechanisms for validating

and co-ordinating initiatives in West andCentral Africa

7.1 Operational tools: In West and Central Africa,agricultural research is organized by several stakeholderswhose operational consistency and synergy for the benefit ofthe NARS are not always guaranteed, and sometimes leading to aduplication of efforts, and inappropriate mobilization ofhuman and material resources. A number of the sub-regionalnetworks, programmes and projects therefore operate in thisentity without any clear linkages between them, and more oftenthan not, not taking into account the real needs of the NARS.This section examines a rational approach to co-ordination ofthe sub-regional initiatives on research co-operation.

WECARD/CORAF had, prior to the development of the currentdocument, created a number of mechanisms for the sub-regionalresearch co-operation, and strengthening of the NARS. Thesetools and mechanisms comprise:

i) collaborative research networks/bases-centres;ii) regional research centres and programmes;iii) regional projects and poles.

These co-operation tools are being rationalized and harmonizedwith the other tools (centers, networks, etc.) in the sub-region. The essence of this rationalization is to make themmore strategic, have sharper focus, and resource efficient.

The regional research programming process, and the currentstrategic framework is expected to provide an opportunity forenhanced development of the existing tools (WECARD/CORAF,regional institutions and the IARCs) by adapting them to thesub-regional research priorities and creating favourableconditions for productive interactions.

The adopted research priorities, therefore, imply establishingan operational mechanism capable of meeting requirements ofthe new framework for co-operation as well as rationalizingthe various activities in West and Central Africa. Tostrengthen partnerships, integration of the various networksin the sub-region in the implementation of this strategy wouldbe vigorously pursued.

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7.2 Monitoring and Evaluation: The policy environment foragriculture and agribusiness influences the functioning ofnational research systems. Therefore, a mechanism forverifying how effectively generated technologies are used, and the evaluation of their impacts should be put in place.The various sub-regional research cooperation tools (projects,networks, base centers, poles, etc.), to be used for theimplementation of this strategy would develop a well-conceivedmutually acceptable plan for monitoring and evaluation of eachactivity. Such framework, to be submitted to the ExecutiveCommittee of WECARD/CORAF through the Secretariat, wouldinclude well described verifiable indicators (and means orverifying them), logical framework, and intermittent reports.The Scientific and Technical Committee would rigorously reviewensure such reports to ensure success. The cost of monitoringand evaluation (whether an in-house or external) would beincluded in each project, and data from monitoring andevaluation would be provided as stated in the project.

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8Strengthening research-extension-farmer

Iinkages

During this strategic planning process, a detailed study (in

sampled 6 countries) was concurrently commissioned by

WECARD/CORAF to examine research-extension-farmer relations.

The goal was to ensure that all actors are included in the

implementation equation of the current strategy (detailed

report is elsewhere). The general objective of the study was

to highlight and recommend the technical, economic and

institutional conditions that may be conducive in

strengthening the development of linkages between research,

extension and farmer organizations.

Prevailing, social, political and institutional factors in

specific countries affect these linkages. The structure of

producer organisations determines the relationship with

research systems. In any case, these producer organisation

have not, for example, achieved sufficient autonomy to take-

over research funding activities.

The following factors that encourage linkages would be

encouraged in the implementation of this strategy:

• The commitment of farmer organizations; ability to identify

their production and marketing constraints, and willingness

to co-operate with research

• The scientific potential and the regionalization of research

in most of the countries constitute a propitious mechanism

for bringing about a rapprochement between researchers,

extension agents and farmer organizations.

• Improvement of research financial stability

• The encouragement of the presence of representatives of

producers among research-related decision-making

authorities.

Strengthening research-extension-farmer linkages would also

require

• The will to orient research activities towards development

needs ;

• Capacity-building for farmer organizations with a view to

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making them reliable partners;

• Strengthening networks for sub-regional collaboration;

• A change in researchers’ attitude towards farmer

organizations, especially by refraining from treating them

as objects of research.

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9 Institutional and Organizational Framework for

implementing regional priorities 9.1 Name: This sub-regional, non-profit making organisation,is composed of NARS from West and Central Africa, and shall becalled le Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Rechercheet le Développement Agricoles (CORAF), in French, and West andCentral African Council for Agricultural Research andDevelopment (WECARD), in English. The logo shall bearCORAF/WECARD or WECARD/CORAF as the case may be. 9.2 Mission: To improve the effectiveness, relevance andefficiency of agricultural research in West and Central Africaby contributing to :

• the development, consolidation and strengthening ofNARS;

• co-operation between the NARS, development partners,regional and international bodies, private sectors, NGOsand users of research results;

• the development and consolidation of the status of thesub-region on the international scene.

9.3 Development objectives

• Poverty alleviation ;• Food security;• Improved income for the populations;• Sustainable natural resource management ;• Improved competitiveness of agricultural products.

9.4 General objective: WECARD/CORAF is entrusted with thetask of implementing and organizing a lasting and efficientframework for agricultural research co-operation, and co-ordination in West and Central Africa.

9.5 Specific objectives

1. Develop a sub-regional approach to scientific andinstitutional co-operation, using the priorities andstrategies defined by the National AgriculturalResearch Systems (NARS) as a base;

2. Enhance research efficiency and effectiveness bypooling resources and organizing their mobilization ;

3. Promote the use and distribution of researchresults ;

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4. Promote and facilitate scientific activities/co-operation by setting up appropriate operational tools ;

5. Develop permanent information and communicationsystems between NARS and partners ;

6. Upgrade the scientific expertise of the NARSthrough training and scientific exchanges.

9.6 Governing Organs: The following are the currentgoverning organs of WECARD/CORAF:

• General Assembly, the Supreme Decision-making Organ ;• Executive Committee, the Organ empowered to monitorand follow up decisions of the General Assembly ;

• Executive Secretariat, the Organ that implementsdecisions of the General Assembly and the ExecutiveCommittee ;

• Scientific and Technical Committee. 9.6.1 The General Assembly (GA), the supreme decision-making body. Role

• Appoints the Chairman of WECARD/CORAF who alsopresides over the Executive Committee;

• Elects members of the Executive Committee ;• Appoints the Executive Secretary on therecommendations of the Executive Committee ;

• Approves programmes, biennial budgets, the annualprogress report of the WECARD/CORAF, as well as thestatutes of the governing organs ;

• Validates proposals and priorities ;• Appoints senior staff of the Executive Secretariat onthe proposal of the Executive Secretary.

Composition The following are members of the General Assembly:

• Representatives of NARS of the sub-region;• Regional and international agricultural researchinstitutions operating in the sub-region but withoutvoting rights ;

• Development partners without voting rights. Operation The General Assembly meets every year in Ordinary Sessions andmay hold Extraordinary Sessions as and when necessary. 9.6.2 The Executive Committee monitors and follows up

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decisions of the General Assembly. Role

• Proposes to the General Assembly a list of threecandidates pre-selected for the post of ExecutiveSecretary ;

• Monitors and evaluates activities of the ExecutiveSecretariat ;

• Reviews and approves programmes and annual budgets ofWECARD/CORAF;

• Examines the annual progress report to be submittedfor adoption by the General Assembly.

Composition

• Nine NARS representatives elected by the GeneralAssembly.

Mandate

• Two years, renewable once for NARS representativeswith a renewal of 50% of the membership at eachGeneral Assembly Session;

Operation The Executive Committee meets two (2) times a year in OrdinarySessions and may hold Extraordinary Sessions as and whennecessary. Chairman Role• Co-ordinates activities of the Executive Committee;• Chairs Executive Committee and General Assembly Meetings;• Represents WECARD/CORAF before partners or is represented

either by a member of the Executive Committee or by theExecutive Secretary.

Mandate• Two (2) years, renewable once. 9.6.3 The Executive Secretariat, implements decisions ofthe General Assembly and the Executive Committee. Composition

• 1 Executive Secretary• 1 Scientific and Technical Co-ordinator• 1 Administrative and Finance Officer• 1 Information and Communication Officer

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Mandate• These officials are appointed for a 4-year mandate

that is renewable once ;• However, the staff may be increased, when necessary,

upon the decision of the General Assembly. Executive Secretary Role : Under the supervision of the Chairman of WECARD/CORAF,the Executive Secretary• Supervises activities of the Executive Secretariat ;• Implements decisions emanating from the General Assembly and

the Executive Committee;• Manages the human and financial resources of WECARD/CORAF;• Ensures the effective management and smooth functioning of

the Executive Secretariat;• Prepares the statutory meetings of WECARD/CORAF;• Supervises the formulation of programmes of activities,

budgets and progress reports to be submitted to theExecutive Board and the General Assembly;

• Sees to the smooth flow of information ;• Reports to the Executive Committee The Scientific and Technical Co-ordinator Role : Under the supervision of the Executive Secretary, theScientific and Technical Co-ordinator:• Co-ordinates Scientific and Technical activities of

WECARD/CORAF ;• Submits draft annual programmes and consolidated bi-annual

chronograms to the Executive Secretary ;• Prepares bi-annual and annual reports on scientific

activities;• Runs the Secretariat of the Scientific and Technical

Committee;• Sees to the quality of the content of scientific

publications in collaboration with the Scientific andTechnical Committee

The Administrative and Finance Officer Role : Under the supervision of the Executive Secretary, thisOfficer :• Prepares draft annual and bi-annual budgets and financial

reports of WECARD/CORAF;• Carries out the administration and financial management of

the Executive Secretariat;• Assists with the autonomous management of the scientific co-

operation institutions of WECARD/CORAF;• Assists the NARS in preparing budgets and estimates for

WECARD/CORAF39

joint research programmes ;• Countersigns WECARD/CORAF accounts together with the

Executive Secretary. The Information and Communication Officer Role : Under the supervision of the Executive Secretary, thisOfficer:• Assists the NARS to set up integrated information and

communication systems;• Develops and strengthens sub-regional information systems ;• Supervises the production of the WECARD/CORAF scientific

journal in collaboration with the scientific co-ordinator ;• Sees to the publication, regular and rapid distribution of

journals, reports and other documents produced byWECARD/CORAF.

9.6.4 The Scientific and Technical Committee: It is aconsultative organ of WECARD/CORAF. Role :

• Examines and advises the Executive Committee on thescientific quality and relevance of researchproposals and programmes ;

• Assists the Secretariat with its scientificfacilitation functions ;

• Evaluates all the scientific co-operation activitiesimplemented by WECARD/CORAF ;

• Prepares and organizes bi-annual scientific meetings and evaluates scientific activities.

Composition: Eight (8) experts from the NARS and theinstitutions of the partners.

• 4 representatives of the member NARS of WECARD/CORAFreputed for their scientific and technical expertise;

• 1 representative of the advanced researchinstitutions ;

• 1 representative of the regional and internationalorganizations ;

• 1 representative of users of agricultural researchresults ;

• 1 representative of development partners. Mandate

• Two years, renewable once ; 50% of the membershipare changed at each renewal period ;

OperationMeets at least two (2) times a year in Ordinary Sessions and

WECARD/CORAF40

may hold Extraordinary Sessions as and when necessary.

WECARD/CORAF41

10Resource mobilisation for collaborative

reseacrh

The effective mobilisation and use of material and humanresources is a key element in the management of agriculturalresearch. Diversification of funding sources, and appropriatemobilisation of scientists and other experts are expected topave way for greater successes in agricultural research anddevelopment in the sub-region. Such factors as structuraladjustments, demand-driven research, quality of researchresults, amongst others, affect resource mobilisation.

10.1 Funding of research: A successful utilization ofmobilized resources for agricultural research is expected togenerate returns that would benefit both public and privateconcerns. Investments on training, research facilitiesdevelopment, etc. are targeted to institutional development,whereas operational spending provides the enabling platformfor the generation of indigenous knowledge and facilitate theinflow of new technologies. Sub-Saharan African countries,which are tropical, cannot import tailor-made technologiesfrom abroad to substitute for domestic research. Fundingindigenous research, therefore, would encourage a knowledge-based development since it should create a pool ofagricultural technology from existing knowledge, locallygenerated knowledge, and technology inflows.

10.2 Financing NARS: This issue has been dealt with in manystudies and publications including those of FAO and SPAAR in1993. The available data indicate that in 1989/91, externalfinancial resources constituted the principal source offunding, with public funds scarcely covering personnelexpenses while the funding potential from the private sectorremained marginal. Many national systems had increased publicspending on agricultural research in the 1970s, principally tospur rural growth. But this spending was not sustained, and inthe 1980s/1990s fiscal stress soon stepped-in with theaccompanying reduction of operational funding (funding wasmainly for salaries), less capital per scientist, abruptchanges in programme, staff and management, and eventual dropin productivity.

High inflation, a rise in public sector deficit and increases

in the ratio of debt service to exports are indices of fiscal

stress. The internal causes of fiscal stress within a national

research system include the approach of a country to work on,

and over-spending in all regions and on all goods even where

WECARD/CORAF42

there is little expected returns. Another prominent cause is

duplication of stations, laboratories, facilities, and even

programmes. CORAF/WECARD in this respect, therefore, provides

opportunities for the NARS of the sub-region to optimise

resource utilisation. However, policy makers at the national

level need to come to terms with the necessity of adequately

funding research.

Confidence building measures, based on profitability of

agricultural research and sustainability, need to be developed

to reassure policy makers, and justify investments. The high

cost of research and the long delays before obtaining research

results should not induce policy makers to give research

priority over other types of investments with more rapid and

more visible effects. However, the onus lies in proving that

agricultural research could be an effective instrument for

achieving developmental goals, and then highlighting adequate

and objective evidence that the research system is efficiently

and effectively focusing its efforts in this direction. This

confidence-building exercise would ensure a sustained ,

coordinated funding support. This goes beyond accountability,

in the sense of demonstrating output, value-for-money, and

impact of research. This requires that NARS leaders and policy

makers share a common specific vision of how research may be

channeled towards achieving national goals and objectives.

According to Tabor (1998, in Tabor et al, 1998), the ability

to formulate articulate and gain consensus on such a vision,

and to translate it into demonstrable reality, increasingly

determine whether agricultural research funding has been set

at a level commensurate with the development challenges posed

for it.

10.3. Mechanisms and sources of funding for agricultural

research: Research in general, and agricultural research in

particular, are considered as sovereign activities for any

country whose agricultural sector is of prime importance to

its economic and social development, as often reflected in

their health, education and security. However, depending on

each country’s level of development, non-public research

activities can be developed with different modes of funding.

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10.4: Traditional mechanisms and sources of funding for

agricultural research

10.4.1 Public research financed through public funds:

Financing research with public funds of local origin is the

most classic case where the mode of funding consists of making

provision for such funding in the State budget, often through

the budget of the Ministry in charge of the project. The fund-

raising procedure may vary according to the status of the

research institutions concerned.

There are some variants, with the emergence of funds set up by

the State to promote co-ordination, research sectors

considered as being neglected or to finance prospective

research, which can often be mobilized in the form of tenders

from researchers and institutions in order to encourage

competition.

10.4.2 Funding with research proceeds: Research activities

generate results and products or services (basic seeds,

vaccines, seedlings, soil, water and plant analyses, patents,

etc.) which can generate funds to finance directly the

research process. The levels of such revenues vary from one

NARS to another and even within a NARS or institution in the

sub-region, depending on the research sectors. However, these

sources are still marginal (less than or equal to 15%) in

funding research and represent, whereas the National

Agricultural Research Institute of Ethiopia announced 39% in

1991. Depending on the status of the research institutions and

countries, these receipts may not be directly used by the

institutions, in which case they have to be paid back to the

public treasury. Such a practice does not encourage the

institutions to make efforts to increase their receipts even

if they have the capacity to increase earnings.

10.4.3 Financing research with external funds: The development

of agricultural research systems have been the priority of

many development assistance agencies, including bilateral,

multilateral, private agencies, and development banks. The

priority given to agricultural research financing by these

agencies is as a result of the conviction that broad-based

agricultural growth could be the cornerstone for overall

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economic development, and could have high returns. There is

also the recognition of the transferability of research

findings across countries. Therefore, countries or group of

countries usually seek donor support as grants, concessional

and non-concessional loans, technical assistance and other

kinds of aids to complement to national budgetary allocations,

and to advance into new areas. Such funds are usually

channeled through projects designed to strengthen the NARS in

its entirety or the National Agricultural Research Institute

or as part of development projects with an applied research

component, generally on adaptive research. These projects may

also be targeted for the development of a given

commodity/them, or for the development of a research programme

such as production systems.

Using the World Bank (1996) data as a guide, loans to

agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa have tended to increase from

6% in 1981-84 to 50% in 1993-96. In the future, however, donor

funding is expected to provide new resources for research, and

not simply a substitute for domestic funds. This vision is

expected to lend a platform for the development of more

community based demand-driven programmes, ensures

sustainability, and donor co-ordination. In any case, it is

extremely important that donor support continues. Donor

support in injecting vital resources into agricultural

research at critical periods to provide high and sustainable

benefits cannot be overruled. In any case the issues addressed

in agricultural research, such as food security, poverty

eradication, environmental conservation, all have global

implications. In the future, however, rationale for donor

support needs to be carefully assessed to ensure realisation

of the set goals. This would be via the careful examination of

the following; response of research to development objectives

(see the section on priority setting of this strategic

document), respond to the needs of the stakeholders (farmers,

agribusiness, and consumers), and finally, that the research

contributes to capacity, comparative advantage and added value

to research system. Long-term donor support programmes should

be such that successive projects build on the previous.

However, overall financial plan of the host government should

indicate increases from public funding as donors'

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contributions decline.

10.4.4 Financing public research with funds from the private

sector: Many of the countries have large, poor farming

communities from whom it is impossible to solicit research

funds, even if they are the ultimate beneficiary of research.

However, multinational companies and big national enterprises

contribute some resources which are generally derived from

taxes and levies that governments impose on products at their

first selling point which is commonly referred to as the

check-off point. As a matter of fact, some private research

funding possibilities are under-exploited for one reason or

the other, ranging from legal to administrative.

It is, however, expected that future as the research systems

evolve they would eventually rely less on public and foreign

funding, but would be financed more by private benevolent

organisations, companies and producers (farmers and farmer

organisations). Changes in tax laws can also stimulate

private-sector voluntary contributions, and increase cost

recovery from producers via input tax (e.g. on land, water,

fertiliser), or commoditiy taxes as in export duties.

Many of the countries in the sub-region have little or no

private research capacities to substitute for government

research if public funding declines. Furthermore, most private

research are not permanent, and are directed towards specific

commodities of interest to an enterprise.

10.4.5 Non-traditional alternative mechanisms and sources of

funding for agricultural research: Various levies, duties and

taxes are imposed on agricultural products. The designations

used vary from one country to another. Thus, some fees are paid

on products at their first selling point. Depending on the

countries and the producers’ organizational status, the fee is

fixed by the farmers themselves or by the State and the scale

is revised periodically. The funds realized may be used

directly in financing research as well as activities for

promoting the product. It is obvious that this type of levy

particularly concerns marketed products and has very little or

WECARD/CORAF46

nothing to do with the subsistence productions realized by

small-scale farmers. Export crops such as cotton, groundnut,

coffee, tea and horticultural export products, animals, etc.,

are more liable for such levies and taxes. Products processed

by local industries could also be taxed to generate funds for

research. In this case, the economic aspects of the cost of

products and their competitiveness at the national and

international level should be taken into account.

10.4.5 Other non-traditional alternative sources of funding:

There is a wealth of documentation on numerous mechanisms for

funding research. However, these mechanisms are either not

amply used or are not practiced at present in the sub-region.

They include :

- Reconverting debt to finance research: this

mechanism deserves to be examined for the purpose of

funding activities for improved management of natural

resources ;

- Development Funds, Endowments and Foundations:

this mechanism is being studied in certain NARS.

10.5 Funding Agricultural Research on a long-termbasis

Long-term donor support planned on successive projects being

built on previous ones would succeed where there are

comprehensive reforms carried out in the NARS. In this

context:

• The development-oriented agricultural research institutions

should be redefined according to the scope and nature of the

needs of users (farmer organizations, private sector,

extension agents, States, etc…) that could be translated

into research requirements and prerequisites for developing

knowledge. They should develop into genuine national

agricultural research systems helping to mobilize the

majority of researchers from national institutions and any

other organization possessing the capacity for research and

training.

• They should be adapted to the real possibilities offered by

the State, with respect to funding research, by mobilizing

all the possible national sources and re-opening

WECARD/CORAF47

complementary avenues for external aid. Some countries have

made efforts in this direction by streamlining their

research centres.

• The need to encourage greater control of expenditures;

promote effective use of available resources, and develop

sustainable funding mechanisms.

This ideal is essentially contingent on a better approach to

the programming of research activities based on the

formulation of genuine research – development projects.

• To guarantee the security of complementary funds solicited

from donors, research institutions must show dynamism and

efficiency. Such dynamism implies research results

development and capitalization, rigorous and transparent

management, the use of new information and communication

technologies and the establishment of an effective lobbying

system. It is gratifying to notice that certain NARS have

already embarked on this process by adopting various

autonomous statutes vis-à-vis government assistance.

• The impact of research on development should be highlighted

especially through follow-up and evaluation mechanisms and

periodic external audits.

• Research must increasingly meet an inevitable requirement

which consists in the social demand translated into

developmental priorities. The approach adopted by certain

NARS towards more practical research should be encouraged so

as to generate a spin-off effect.

• Research projects conducted at the regional level should be

supported by national teams and institutions presenting a

comparative advantage in order to achieve economies of scale

and also create multiplier effects.

10.6 Human resource mobilisation The quality and availability of human resources the levels of

technology generation. Although a number of countries in the

sub-region made impressive gains in human resource development

between 1970 and 1990, research capacity is currently being

undermined by unfavourable remuneration, and wage erosion (or

loss of salary purchasing power.

WECARD/CORAF48

At the beginning of the implementation of structural

adjustment policies (1980s to 1990s) in countries of the sub-

region, wage erosion and devaluation led to a situation where

the remuneration of agricultural research staff (and also

staff in other public enterprises) fell short of what could

meet essential living expenses. This resulted to poor staff

moral, and in many instances a situation often referred to as

'Brain-Drain'. This situation led to the exodus of qualified

research staff to other non-research activities to supplement

meager salaries, or worst still, to other professions, or

countries overseas. These critically reduced research

capacity. This trend can, however, be reversed by offering

attractive salaries, and the ability to give significant

rewards to deserving professionals.

WECARD/CORAF49

11 Recommendations and conclusions

11.1 Recommendations: The following recommendations wereformulated at the end of zonal and regionalconsultations of the strategic planning exercise, andadopted by the WECARD/CORAF General Assembly (GA)held in Bangui, July, 1999

• Strengthening the status of WECARD/CORAF in thesub-region

WECARD/CORAF is the product of the political will ofthe NARS of the sub-region. Having adopted thisstrategic frame, the GA's recommends thatWECARD/CORAF ceases to be a club of certain Directorsof Research Institutes, but must open-up to othercomponents of the national research systems.

• Developing priority research themes in the sub-region and co-ordinating collaborative research

! The GA having adopted the priority themes foragricultural research co-operation, recommendedthat working groups on each theme beestablished for the purposes of reviewingresearch needs and formulation of projects.

! Efforts should be increased in harmonising allresearch co-operation tools existing in thesub-region to ensure greater integration andfocus, more fruitful partnerships, avoidance ofduplications, and more productive use ofresources. In this regard, therefore, the GArecommends that previous networks/projectsharmonisation actions initiated with certainIARCs should be pursued with renewed vigour,and increased partnerships sought. It is atthis price that research would be able to re-construct confidence and justify investments

! The WECARD/CORAF GA also recommended theestablishment of a transparent mechanism forthe establishment of competitive funds, andparticipation in the calls for proposals. The

WECARD/CORAF50

questions such as Who proposes? Who initiates?and How to implement? should be clearlyanswered to prevent WECARD/CORAF from becominga mere transmission system.

• Establishing collaboration of research with farmerorganizations

Following the growing State disengagement phenomenonas well as the implementation of the decentralizationprocess in most of the member countries ofWECARD/CORAF, and, in order to establish researchprogrammes targeted for development, it is important:

! to ensure that projects are formulated,implemented and monitored and evaulated;

! strengthen the teamwork capacity of the variousstakeholders’.

• Funding collaborative research activities! Given that WECARD/CORAF activities have generally

been financed for several years by the same foreignpartners the GA recommended that the member Statesshould continue increasing their contribution tothe funding of WECARD/CORAF activities so as toenhance its autonomy, and improve quality ofownership.

! A mechanism for diversification of funding sourcesshould be devised.

11.2 Conclusions: West and Central Africa constitute avast and very diversified region. The zone is plaguedby numerous constraints.• The region’s natural resource management capacity

has greatly deteriorated ;• With regard to the competitiveness of agricultural

sectors, the region’s contribution to the worldmarket continues to decrease ;

• There is no coherent policy on the collection,evaluation, use and preservation of geneticresources in the sub-region.

WECARD/CORAF51

This strategic framework formulated from the nationalstrategic plans of the WECARD/CORAF member countriesis intended to help reverse the current trend. Thatwould only be possible with the effectiveparticipation of all the partners operating in thesub-region. To meet the agricultural research anddevelopment challenges that faces the sub-region, theNARS representatives proceeded to reform thegoverning organs of WECARD/CORAF with theparticipation of all the partners.

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Part II

The Strategic Action Plan for the Sub-regionalCo-operation in Agricultural Research

(2000 to 2003)

Draft

WECARD/CORAF53

12Introduction

The major objective of this plan of action is to underscoremeans of translating the sub-regional strategic plan foragricultural research co-operation into activities inaccordance with WECARD/CORAF’s mission and goal as facilitator and co-ordinator of agricultural research co-operation. Thisis expected to re-invigorate the sub-regional research co-operation, ensure greater efficiency, and coherent continuityof the various activities. This document would also be a blue-print on which sub-regional collaborative projects,identification and mobilisation of resources for the sub-regional priority agricultural researches would be based.

CORAF/WECARD's mandate is the task of co-ordinating andfacilitating a lasting and efficient framework foragricultural research co-operation, and co-ordination in Westand Central Africa. In the light of translating the sub-regional strategic plan into action, therefore, CORAF/WECARDis guided by its defined objectives which are the following:

1. develop a sub-regional approach to scientific andinstitutional co-operation using as a base thepriorities and strategies defined by the NARS;

2. enhance research efficiency and effectiveness bypooling resources and organising their mobilisation;

3. promote the use and distribution of researchresults;

4. promote and facilitate scientific activities/co-operation by setting up appropriate operational tools;

5. develop permanent information and communicationsystems between NARS and their partners;

6. upgrade the scientific expertise of the NARSthrough training and scientific exchanges.

The various sub-regional co-operation tools (networks,centers, research projects) are responsible for the actualexecution of projects in accordance with the laid down rules,with the facilitating and co-ordinating role of WECARD/CORAF.In addition to the building of confidence to justifyinvestment on agricultural research, WECARD/CORAF would alsocontinue its role in the forging of productive partnershipsand strategic alliances on behalf of the NARS.

Agricultural research co-operation in West and Central Africais a prerequisite to ensured food security, and a base forrural development and industrial growth. Research co-operation

WECARD/CORAF54

offers an opportunity for the mutual and innovativeexploitation of comparative advantages of the partners, andleads to the creation of a whole greater than the sum total ofthe parts. The creation and efficient management of suchpartnership geared towards the achievement of this goal has to be both strategic and target-oriented. At the nationallevel, agricultural research co-operation within a true NARSwould include the research institutes, universities, agro-industries, non-governmental organisations, farmers'organisations, and other users of technology working togetherto demonstrate a common will in a common cause channelledtowards improving the wellbeing of the population. At the sub-regional level, the interactions of the various NARS, theinternational centres, advanced research institutes, sub-regional research establishments and investors are expected tomultiply the values of the partnerships at the nationallevels. The present strategic framework is aimed atobjectively involving all these stakeholders with a principalaim of identifying and optimally exploiting comparativeadvantage of each partner so as to strengthen member nationalsystems. Whereas sub-regional research co-operation is notexpected to replace national programmes, such co-operation isexpected to add value to national initiatives.

This sub-regional collaboration should be governed byprinciples understood and accepted by all, with each partnerdemonstrating a deep sense of commitment in a common course.Such principles should include common interest, equity,solidarity, transparency, and durability.

Framework for actionThis framework for action is a result and culmination of adetailed consultative process involving all stakeholders. Thisparticipatory process included a methodology workshop, fifteennational workshops, three zonal workshops, and one sub-regional meeting (with representations from NARS, IARCs, ARIs,Farmers' organisations, donors, etc). An electronicforum/workshop was also organized according to therecommendations of the Bangui 1999 WECARD/CORAD GeneralAssembly to further increase the margin of stakeholderparticipation. The electronic workshop was based on the themesalready adopted by the stakeholders (see The West & CentralAfrican Strategic Plan for Agricultural Research Co-operation)at the Bangui General Assembly. This framework for action istherefore a result of views and recommendations emerging fromthese workshops. This document also took into consideration anumber of existing projects, and partnerships in the sub-region.

WECARD/CORAF55

The present framework for action focuses on the following:! Agricultural Policy! Cash crops (cotton, para-rubber, cocoa, oil palm)! Cereals (maize, millet, rice & sorghum)! Livestock/Fisheries! Grain legumes (cowpea & peanut)! Natural resource management! Peri-urban agriculture! Genetic resource! Irrigated systems! Fruits & vegetables (banana/plantain)! Root & tuber crops (cassava, sweet potato & yam)! Information and Communication (as described in a separate

text)

WECARD/CORAF56

13Promotion of Agricultural Policy in the sub-regionRationale:Inappropriate policies have constrained farmers' access toinput and output markets, stifled productivity growth anddevelopment of the agricultural sector in the sub-region. Inaddition, incomplete or missing credit and insurance marketshave inhibited farmers' adoption of new technologies andprevented them from fully exploiting market opportunities.While economic reform and structural adjustment programmesthat have been implemented in most of the countries in theregion since the early 1980s have helped to ease some of theprevious bottlenecks (e.g. overvalued exchange rates, pricecontrols, excessive taxation and inappropriate subsidies etc)and encouraged export of agricultural commodities, newproblems have been thrown up in terms of equity, foodsecurity, social welfare and appropriate role of the statevis-a-vis the private sector. Under this situation, researchis needed to address policy issues and to come up with optionsthat can guide policy makers in deciding on appropriatepolicies to implement to provide the necessary economicincentives to producers to improve technology adoption,increase output and productivity. Increased capacity buildingis also important to develop the capability for policyanalysis and informed policy decisions in many of thecountries in the region.

Main research activitieso. Impact of market liberalization on food security,

agricultural growth and environmental degradation.p. Determination of appropriate policy strategies to support

the development of efficient input and output markets,agricultural support services and rural infrastructure.

i. Market analysis for specific cash and foodcrops to determine constraints and newopportunities

ii. Policy options to ease market entry barriersto smallholder farmers

iii. User fee options to promote improved supportservices and rural infrastructure

iv. Policies to promote intra-regional trade inagricultural products and unhindered transferof germplasms across borders.

q. Determining the appropriate role of public and privatesectors in agricultural research, service delivery andtechnology dissemination

i. Implications of private sector and farmers’organizations involvement in service delivery

ii. Appropriate role of public research innatural resource management and conservationof bio-diversity

iii. Influence of biotechnology and intellectual

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property rights on food production and theappropriate role of public and private sectors

r. Policy options to promote balanced and efficient use oforganic and inorganic nutrient sources to improve soilfertility and sustainable land use.

s. Determination of appropriate policies to promote agro-processing and other post harvest activities in ruralareas to increase value added and to generate ruralemployment.

t. Identification of appropriate policies to promotesustainable development of peri-urban agriculturalactivities and to minimize environmental pollution.

u. Evaluation of socioeconomic, institutional and policyfactors limiting technology uptake, particularly withrespect to food production.

v. Impact of alternative property rights regimes (forcropland, rangeland, water etc.) on agriculturalinvestment, technology uptake and sustainable land andwater management.

i. Utilization of common pool resources byheterogeneous users and implications forsustainable land management

ii. Implications of absence of land markets forland conservation investments and technologyadoption

w. Determination of policies and institutional arrangementsto promote capacity building

i. Mechanisms to improve capacity of nationalinstitutions to plan and undertake policyanalysis

ii. Mechanisms to strengthen farmers’organizations to improve their participationin decision making and service delivery.

iii. Mechanisms for information management andknowledge sharing

The strategies to be used to implement these activitiesinclude but not limited to the following:

o. Development of an inventory of on-going work in researchinstitutions and policy networks in the sub-region inorder to prevent duplication and encourage informationand knowledge sharing.

p. Use of participatory research methods in implementationof any envisaged work in order to allow stakeholders haveinput into the research process, and to ensure that theinterests of clients are considered.

q. Encouragement of joint research efforts involving policyanalysts from different institutions – international,regional and national – in order to promote knowledgesharing and capacity enhancement.

r. Creation of a policy network to focalize policy work inthe sub-region or in the alternative act as a bridge toeffectively link the existing policy networks.

WECARD/CORAF58

Expected outputso. Information on options available to policy makers to make

markets function more efficiently and to promotesmallholder farmers’ participation in market-orientedagricultural production.

p. Information on economic incentives and strategies toimprove agricultural growth and food security and reduceenvironmental degradation.

q. Information on policy and institutional strategies toenhance technology adoption.

r. Enhanced policy analytical capacity in nationalinstitutions.

s. Methods, models and databases made available to policyanalysts in the sub-region.

Partners

NARS, REPA, SADAOC, CILSS, ECAPAPA, IFPRI, IITA, ILRI, WARDA, ISNAR

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14Improving Cash crops production, and competitivenessRationale:The cash and perennial crops adopted as priority areas forresearch co-operation are cotton, coffee, oil palm, cocoa, andpara-rubber. These crops represent important economicactivities in the sub-region, contributing to both rural andnational economies. Cotton is adapted to the drier conditionsin the guinea savanna and Sahel, whereas coffee, oil palm,cocoa, and para-rubber are adapted to humid conditions in thecoastal zone. However, profitable production of these crops isfraught with a number of constraints that also reduce theircompetitiveness.

Main activities on Cotton:Cotton germplasm improvement programmes in the sub-regionselect mainly for cottonseed and fiber yield and technologicalfactors. The main problem is a low yield ceiling of around1200 kg of fiber per ha. Among the factors contributing tothe poor performance are very close parental lines with littlegenetic diversity.

Germplasm improvement programme;Actions needed to improve cotton varieties in the regioninclude:• The rehabiliation and enrichment of existing cotton

germplasm collections (e.g. Bouake research station in Coted’Ivoire and Kolokopé in Togo).

• The creation of new collections in other countriesespecially in Central Africa zone

• The creation of a gene bank• The development of regional projects for developing new

genetic material of high variability in order to selectimproved varieties that are high yielding, precocious,drought and disease/insect resistant.

Expected output:• Identification, isolation and characterization of relevant

genes;• Development of genetic variability and gene banks;• Development of the relevant techniques and technologies;• Developed indigenous capacities on biotechnology.

Agronomy/crop production programme; The existing gap in cropyield on station and in farmers fields is largely a result ofthe poor technical understanding, the use of inputs intendedfor cotton on food crops, and competing labor demands. Betterresearch-extension-farmer linkages are needed including onfarm trials. Credit facilities should also be made availablefor food crops as well as cotton.

WECARD/CORAF60

Expected output:• Improved adoption and use of new technologies by producers;• Increased awareness by governments on the input needs of

farmers• Adequate credits and securities to producers.

Partners involved:NARS, CIRAD

WECARD/CORAF61

15Strengthening peri-urban agricultural systems in the

sub-regionRationaleFast growing urban populations give rise to increased foodneeds; urban perimeters are also increasingly encroaching onotherwise rural areas. Many rural communities are transformingfast into semi-urban towns. These thus gives rise tosignificant agricultural activities in the precincts of citiesand in peri-urban centres, mostly within 50 km of urbanperipheries. As it were, most of food produced from urban andperi-urban areas are mainly targeted for urban consumption(except those specially produced for export). The proximity ofcity markets, and availability of agricultural inputs leads toan intensification of agricultural production in peri-urbancentres. Similarly, biodegradable organic wastes from urbancentres are available for incorporated as organic fertilisersby farmers in peri-urban areas. However, the competitionbetween agricultural land use and urban land use makes peri-urban agricultural activities precarious, and subject to quickchanges. Intensification of agricultural systems in urban andperi-urban centres jeopardises long-term sustainability of thecity environment. Therefore, peri-urban agriculture is a majorresearch stake in relation with the booming urban development,creating new challenges for providing food for the burgeoningurban population, employment generation, and preservation ofthe city environment.

Main activitiesSustainable urban and peri-urban agricultural systems (UPUAS)

• Maintaining cultivated soil fertility in urban andperiurban areas :

" Agroforestry (biomass transfer, domestication ofspecies, use in vegetable and animal systems)" Introduction of legumes" Use of urban organic wastes

• Promoting integrated agricultural systems" Integrated cropping and animal systems" Diversification of crops within vegetable/staplecrop systems" Improved varieties, germplasm and races to decreasedisease rates

• Legislative and planning aspects for land and environmentpreservation

" Land use rights" Resource/urban planning" Legislative aspects of keeping animals in the cities

• Improving added value through processing and marketing" Market information systems and marketingassociations" Technologies for cassava processing in urban areas

The strategies to be used would include the following:

WECARD/CORAF62

• Development of a comprehensive inventory of majorstakeholders conducting research on peri-urban and urbanagriculture

• Improving communication mechanisms between local, regionaland international initiatives on urban and peri-urbanagriculture

• Development of strategic alliances with networks/projectswith common interests on peri-urban systems.

Expected output ! Increased capacity of analysis and intervention for

researchers and public authorities on urban and peri-urban agricultural systems

! Information exchanges among research agents working oncommon questions posed by urban and peri-urbanagricultural systems

! Methods to maintain long-term soil fertility anddiversified output from urban and periurban farmsdeveloped and made available in selected cities of thesubregion

! Legal solutions to make interests of differentstakeholders in the cities less conflictual tested inselected cities of the subregion

! New market opportunities for urban and periurban farms inselected cities

PartnershipsNARS, CIP, ICRAF, AGRISUD (Congo), IRD, KIT, DLO, NRI, CIRAD,IITA

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16Enhanced food availability in West & Central Africa

through improved grain legumes productionRationale:The grain legumes adopted as priority for the sub-regionalresearch co-operation are groundnut and cowpea, two importantsources of dietary protein and oil for human and livestockconsumption in the sub-region. These two crops are capable ofproducing significantly in marginal environments, with lowsoil fertility and under soil drying conditions. In spite ofthe significance of these crops in food security in the sub-region production is still by small-holders. As in many othersectors, the crops' production constrains include inadequateproduction inputs (fertilisers and pesticides), inappropriaterisk management in the legumes-cereal association, orrotation, unavailability of good quality seeds, and theinappropriate use of technology (research results).Commercialisation and popularisation of industriallytransformed products of groundnut, for example, can stimulateincreased research and their production. Groundnut isespecially well placed in the international market, and thesub-region needs to re-gain its competitive advantage in itsproduction. On the other hand, cowpea production in the sahelfinds significant markets in the more humid zones of the sub-region.

Main activities:Research co-operation would be focused on the following areas• Crop improvement both quantitative (productivity

enhancement) and qualitative (meeting with sanitary andtechnology standards)

! Characterisation and selection of improved plantingmaterials with special emphasis on

" Tolerance to drought" Resistance to common diseases and pests" Production of groundnut varieties varieties

adapted to requirements of the market requirements

• Cultural techniques! Focus on the constraints in application of technology,

including fertiliser usage, pesticides and fungicideapplication, mechanisation, irrigation techniques.

! Increased grain and pasture production! Development of a harmonious crop-livestock integration! Development of a sustainable integrated pest management

techniques• Post harvest technology & marketing

! Development of techniques for the proper conservationof seeds; improvement of groundnut seed quality toincrease the value of industrially transformedproducts.

! Special attention would be given to traditional

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transformation techniques used by the rural communitieswith the aim of adding value to these techniques, andthe rural industries arising therefrom.

! Socio-economic issues, including market opportunitiesand competitiveness of grain legume products.

The strategy to be used to realise these goals include the useof multi-disciplinary teams, multi-institutional partnerships(involving all relevant stake-holders operating in the sub-region - research institutes, universities, NGOs, producerassociations, the industrial sector, etc.)

Expected output• Appropriate crop husbandry and rotation methods involving

cereals and grain legumes that will enhance sustainableproduction are developed and disseminated. Improvedunderstanding of nutrient (especially nitrogen andphosphorus) cycling.

• Improved varieties are made available through an efficientbreeding production, control and distribution systems;varieties resistant to pests and diseases (Striga andAlectra for cowpea, Aspergillus for groundnut), drought andheat; varieties answering the requirements of processors andconsumers

• Integrated pest management (IPM) technologies are developedand made available to farmers.

• Integrated crop/livestock systems are developed anddisseminated.

• Appropriate technologies are developed for diversificationand improvement of groundnut and cowpea end-products on boththe domestic and international markets.

Proposed PartnersNARS, GGP, ICRISAT, CIRAD, IITA, Peanut CRSP, Cowpea CRSP,FAO, West African cowpea Research Network, ILRI, AGC (Africangroundnut council).

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17Development of a sustainable irrigated agriculture in

the Sahel

RationaleThe present weak contribution of irrigation to food securityneeds to be strengthened with a determination to increase thetotal area irrigated from the present 3% (i.e. 1,300,000hectares) in humid tropics, and 3.5% (or 600,000 hectares) inthe Sahel, of the cultivated surface. In the humid tropicsirrigation represents only 4% of cereal production, and 14% ofcereal production in the Sahel. This marginal contribution ofirrigation to food production is even currently on thedecline, largely as a result inadequate policies, poorprioritisation/lack of necessary skills for the management ofirrigation schemes by the farmers' organisations, lack ofprivate sector participation, and rising costs ofinstallation.

Main ActivitiesAgricultural research co-operation on irrigation in the sub-region would be focused on the following within the next fouryears

• Availability, characterisation, mobilisation andsharing of the irrigation water resource (includingclimatic effects on water availability)

• The distribution of water in installations, andintensified agricultural production; plan of occupationand allocation of soils, crop water requirements, watersupply service, impacts of water management onproductivity, commodities development, transformationand marketing

• Technical, social and financial systems management;choice of technologies adapted to natural resources andhuman, socio-economic environment; irrigationinfrastructure and equipment management (includingwater management, Irrigation and drainage networksefficiency, modelling and simulation of water transfersand of users needs

• Intensive studies on the management of soil degradationas a result of irrigation, soil fertility in relationto irrigation

• Development and promotion of sustainable irrigatedcropping systems; Economics of irrigated plots,technical and economic reference on problems in adiversification context, opportunity and profitabilityof investments, performance indices, simulation ofscenarios, water costs

• Promotion of professional management of irrigatedschemes by farmers

The strategy to be adopted for the realisation of these goalswould include, multi-institutional partnerships, networking,

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and multi-disciplinary approach involving irrigation experts,agronomists, socio-economists, agro-climatologists and withfarmers' organisations. Expected output

• Tools for decentralised resources management developed(including plan of occupation and allocation of land;programs of the mobilisation and allocation of thewater resources and negotiations with ruralcommunities).

• Adapted technologies, and management tools in respectto the natural resource, objectives of the concernedpopulations and socio-economic environment would beproposed.

• Methods and practices to sustainable protection andrehabilitation of degraded soils.

• Development of decision making tools for sustainablemanagement of irrigation by in context ofdiversification, opportunity and profitability.

PartnersNARS, CIRAD, IRD, WARDA, IWMI, ICARDA, CEMAGREF

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18Banana/Plantain production for food and income

RationaleDespite their increasing importance as food and cash crops,biophysical and socio-economic baseline information onplantain and banana is not available in the sub-region.Improved varieties resistant to major pests and diseases needto be introduced to improve yields, and economic value.Although fruits are produced throughout the year, the majorbanana/plantain harvest comes in the dry season when mostother starchy staples are either unavailable or difficult toharvest. They thus help in bridging food supply gap sometimesreferred to as the “hunger gap”. The main constraints ofproduction include the narrow genetic base of the cultivars,low yielding varieties, and high susceptibility to diseases.Up to 10% to 35% post harvest losses are observed duringhandling and transportation of the produce. These alsoconstitute great constraint to production, and causesignificant economic loss.

Main activities! Collection of Musa baseline information (biophysical and

socio-economic baseline information)! Collection, characterisation, conservation and sustainable

use of Musa germplasm; reinvigoration existing gene banksand creation of new ones; introduction and evaluation ofimproved varieties

! Use biotechnology and conventional breeding techniques forthe creation of new varieties

! Integrated pest management for sustainable plantain andbanana production; main focus would be on weevils andnematode pests, and on such diseases as Black Sigatoka andthose caused by viruses

! Development of crop and soil management techniques forstable plantain production; studies on these would befocused on adding value to traditional crop managementpractices, weed control and soil fertility management(including crop-Musa associations)

! Activities focused on the development of new technologiesaimed at reduction of post-harvest losses, includingprocessing techniques.

Expected outputs! Sub-regional database on Musa baseline information created

and stored in MGIS! Highly productive hybrids resistant to pests and diseases

developed, including technologies capable of sustainingproduction all year round

! Relevant capacity developed, including scientists, farmersand extension agents.

! Integrated pest management technologies developed

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! Indigenous Musa germplasm conserved in gene banks; NARSscientists trained in germplasm collection, characterisationand conservation.

! Development testing and dissemination of rapid in vivotechniques to produce clean planting materials

! Technologies for processing plantain and banana developedand transferred to relevant actors.

PartnersNARS, CRBP, IITA, INIBAP/IPGRI, CIRAD, FAO, MUSACO

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19Root and Tuber Crops production to ensure food

security and poverty alleviation

RationaleCassava, yams, and sweetpotato constitute root/tuber crops ofimportance as source of food, and income in West and CentralAfrica. Cassava is the single largest source of caloriesproduced throughout tropical Africa. West and Central Africaaccount for about one-third of cassava production in Africa.Cassava is more tolerant of poor soils than most root/tubercrops, and for this reason it is often planted last in thecropping sequence, just before the land reverts to a fallow. Production requires relatively little labour compared to yams(yam production costs are high - costly planting materials andlabour use). As population pressure leads to increasing use ofmarginal lands, the area planted to cassava is expanding. Thecassava crop, once established, is known to withstand drought.A major source of expansion of areas planted with sweetpotatohas been in valley bottoms. However, the sweet taste ofsweetpotato is not a desirable quality of staple foods.

Main Activities! Development of improved varieties: Improved high yielding

varieties resistant to pest and diseases are key toincreased productivity and sustainable agriculturalpractices. The use of advanced technologies for continuedgenetic improvement of these crops is the foundation fortheir technological transformation.

! Collection, preservation and exchange of germplasm ofcassava, yams, sweetpotato, (and also cocoyam and the otherminor indigenous root crops that may become substitutes inthe future).

! Multiplication and distribution of planting materials tofarmers; access to adequate planting materials isconstrained by bulkiness, high distribution costs, lowmultiplication rates and perishability of plantingmaterials. Capacity (training for non-degree and degreeprogrammes) of partners to develop, multiply and distributeplanting materials would be strengthened

! Utilisation and commercialisation: Development anddissemination of appropriate technologies at the householdlevel so as to increase consumption, especially in thecritical 'hungry periods', and expand local markets. Newand improved food processing and utilisation technologieswould be developed and transferred to increasecommercialisation of these crops and open up additionalmarketing opportunities for expanded production bysmallholders.

! Cropping systems, crop management practices and theenvironment: Development of necessary tools which would aidsmallholder farmers to improve their crop managementpractices so as to realise the full benefits of new

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varieties. Thus, participatory on-farm research to develop'best practices' would continue; more critically, thecapacity to translate, package and disseminate the resultsof this research to increasing numbers of smallholderfarmers must be expanded throughout the region through newpartnerships.

! Ecologically sustainable plant protection (ESPP):Characterisation of new virus variants (includingthe'cassava brown streak virus' causing 'cassava brownstreak disease') and their potential agronomic and economicsignificance. Development of strategies for control ofparasitic nematodes and root/tuber rots. Identification andcharacterisation of termite species causing crop damage.Development of a package to contain the newly emerging rootmealybug on cassava in parts of the sub-region.

! Review of quarantine regulations to facilitate exchange ofimproved germplasm while at the same time limiting spread ofpathogens to new areas.

! Standardisation of surveys of pests and diseases that shouldlead to development of distribution maps of pests anddiseases in the WECARD region, thus facilitating theimplementation of quarantine regulations.

Expected Outputs! Increased availability of basic seed of improved varieties

and prototypes of tools, etc. for eventual increase and/orfabrication locally for users

! Improved availability of more appropriate technology(equipment and varieties to facilitate more adoption andusage).

! A cadre of well trained higher scientific staff andtechnicians to strengthen the capacity of the NARS toconduct agricultural research

! A body of new root crops research data and relevanttechnical information and new technologies that will makeimpact on the output and use of these crops in the region

! Enhanced level of regional collaboration that would useregional research resources synergistically

PartnersNARS, IITA, CIRAD

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20Management of natural resources and production

systems

RationaleThe West and Central African sub-region has a diverse agro-system ranging from the oasis system of the Sahara through thevarious levels of the Sahel Savannah to the equatorial forestsof the humid zones. These natural resources base need to besustainably managed to ensure continued productivity. However,population pressures are increasing leading to reclaim of moreland from forests, and uncontrolled exploitation of naturalresources. Climatic changes, especially changes in the patternand quantity of rainfall, have further increased the tempo ofnatural resources degradation, and limited their productivity.These have resulted in loss of soil fertility, distortion ofproduction, accelerated disappearance of vegetation,significant degradation of the ecosystem/environment, and thusa food insecurity situation.

Main activities! Conservation and management of water resources (reduction of

the frequency of risks from climatic changes via improveduse of rain water (efficient water use in farmlands;sustainable management of inland valleys).

• Water conservation and use; identification andadaptation of existing techniques for rain waterconservation and utilisation.

• Water use efficiency• New approaches on inland valleys management• Agro-climatic management techniques for risk reduction

in production systems• Studies and identification of new drought adaptation

strategies! Soil fertility conservation and management: Several

technologies exist already, but a sub-regional mechanism forexploitation of these results needs to be worked-out. Themain activities would concentrate on the following:

• Integrated management of soil fertility• Determination of soil degradation indicators• Evaluation of performance of technologies geared

towards regeneration of degraded soils! Management of forest resources, and agro-forestry systems

• Forest management and biodiversity conservation• Genetic improvement of forest species• Non-woody forest products; domestication of wild fruit

trees• Identification, development and adaptation of agro-

forestry technologies for sustainable crop andlivestock production (including structure and operationof agro-forestry parks)

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• Studies on the dynamics of natural forest formations• Socio-economic and policy constraint studies on

forestry management (including customary rights in landmanagement, and policy implications)

! Intensification of production systems; this includesstrengthening production capacities, and access to naturalresources, production techniques.

• Sustainable resource exploitation, and management ofinnovative techniques for crop and livestock production

• Issues bordering on land management (decentralisation,community management, and contractual management)

• Natural resource management in respect of crop-livestock integration.

! Socio-economic and socio-institutional aspects in ruralsettings (including socio-cultural involvement/implicationsin natural resource use)

• Studies on the temporal and spatialdynamics/progressive changes in the land ownership andoccupation.

• Behavioural changes vis-à-vis natural resourcesutilisation

• Identification of constraints, and development ofnecessary tools to assist in decision-taking in respectof natural resources conservation (including culturalperspectives)

Strategy to be used would include: Natural resourcesmanagement research activities would be organised in thefollowing three distinct zones; Sahel, Savannah and humidforest zones. This would create opportunities to examinetogether similar agro-ecology of the humid coastal West Africaand the humid Central Africa, and also capture the variousinterfaces in the Sahel/Savannah area. Networking, formationand strengthening existing partnerships, and the involvementof all relevant stakeholders in these activities. Capacitydevelopment continue to be an integral part of NRM research.

Expected output! Awareness needed for sustainable management of natural

resources (including socio-cultural implications) wouldbe created; and necessary tools to aid decision-taking bypolicy makers would be developed.

! Existing natural resources managementtechniques/experiences in the sub-region would bepublished, and distributed to relevant stakeholders. Thiswould encourage exchange of experiences, and betterutilisation of research results.

! New research perspectives, involving non-traditionalactors (e.g. farmers/rural dwellers), would be developed.These new actors would play major roles in identificationof constraints, planning and implementation of the

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research agenda.! New technologies on plant adaptation to drought developed! Optimal use and improved productivity of inland valleys

PartnersNARS, CERAAS, Jachere project, CILSS, CIRAD, CRESA/Niamey and Yaoundé, FAO/ Forestry Division, ICRAF, ICRISAT, IRD, IDRuagadougou, IPR/Katibougou, CIRES/University Abidjan, IITA,WARDA

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21Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant

Genetic Resources

RationaleWestern and Central Africa are home to a rich and diverseflora. There is considerable inter- and intra-specificdiversity of crops, herbaceous and forestry species. Somegenera encompass all the morphological forms: weeds, creepers,shrubs, trees including Dalbergia, the African ebony. A numberof species are endemic to the sub-region, and these includemillet (Pennisetum spp), sorghum (Sorghum spp), cowpea (Vignaunguiculata), voandzou (Vigna subterranea), African rice (Oryzaglaberrima), fonio (Digitaria exilis) and yams (Dioscorea spp),among others. Such endemic species have specific geneticconstitutions that confers on them resistance to diseases andpests, ability to produce in marginal soils, and resistance tosome environmental hazards such as drought. These species arealso consumption preferences (culinary and organolepticqualities) of the population, and they probably hold the key tofood security and sustainable development in the sub-region.The genetic base of these crops is, however, being seriouslyeroded. Forest ecosystems of the sub-region, especially thoseof Central Africa, contain about 70% of African tropical rainforests. Apart from arid areas, coastal reefs and marine islets, these forests harbor several types of biotopes, withflora of about 10,000 species of vascular plants, 80% of whichare endemic, especially members of the familiesDioncophyllaceae, Hoplestigmataceae, Medusandraceae,Melianthaceae, Octoknemaceae and Scytopetalaceae. In the Sudanzone, one finds rather monotypical endemic genera such as theButyrospermum paradoxom (shea tree), Parkia spp., Irvingiagabonensis, Tamarindus indica. The continued erosion of thegenetic resource base of our indigenous species is lack ofawareness of the significance of plant genetic resource by thedecision takers, poor development of national plant geneticresource programs, weak regional collaboration, lack orinappropriate conservation facilities, climate change and human activity (extension of arable land, urbanization, bushfires, forest exploitation, over grazing etc…).

Main Activities• Training of national program staff and development of

regional training capacity,• Strengthening of selected national plant genetic resource

centers to undertake sub-regional responsibilities,• Development of modern tools for germplasm characterization,• Exploration and collecting of germplasm of endangered,

neglected and traditional cultivars,• Undertaking of germplasm characterization (agro-

morphological and molecular)• Elaboration of legal mechanisms for regional gene-bank

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management and exchange of germplasm in the sub-region,• Creation of public awareness and information dissemination

at national and sub-regional level,• Carrying out of eco-geographic surveys of endemic and

endangered species• Strengthening National Programs in respect of plant genetic

resource conservation (Elaboration of national policy,strategy, funding and coordination mechanisms),

• Strengthening of links between national, regional andinternational institutions

• Development and standardization of documentation systems• Collection and documentation of indigenous knowledge on

conservation and use of plant genetic resources.

Expected outputs• Operational national programs with trained personnel in the

field of plant genetic resources management.• Germplasm of threaten species collected, characterised,

evaluated, documented and conserved,• Existing germplasm at national level characterised,

evaluated, documented and stored under optimal conditions• Functional region gene-banks created,• Better mechanisms for exchange of plant material and

information between national programs established,• Sustainable use of the PGR through added value.

Main Activity on Groundnut Germplasm! Collection, maintenance and conservation of groundnut

germplasm in West & Central Africa (Rejuvenation ofaccessions of the gene bank)

! Characterisation of germplasm (Description of the botanical,agronomic and potential economic characteristics ofconserved germplasm)

! Identification of genetic traits of economic importance,through multi-disciplinary germplasm screening andmultilocation evaluation

! Distribution and exchange of collected germplasm! Provision foundation seed of superior groundnut cultivars! Training of professional and technical staff involved in

germplasm conservation, varietal identification and seedmultiplication

! Application of GIS to describe variety distribution in WCA.! To disseminate widely the technical information provided by

the project Expected Outputs! A working collection of groundnut accessions assembled,

recorded and conserved (including a simplified groundnutdescriptor provided)

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! Working collection rejuvenated using international standard! Gene bank management information system established! Short- and medium term storage facility fully renovated and

refurbished at Niamey! A catalogue of comprehensive characteristics and

documentation of accessions conserved in the WCA published! Also to publish a catalogue of promising germplasm

identified through screening and regional testing; publish aseed catalogue of varieties suitable for production in WCA

! Genetic material and passport information and evaluationdata available to recipients.

! Status report on quarantine procedure in the region! Printed germplasm catalogues and computer-based, machine

readable catalogues produced, using the above mentioneddatabase

PartnersNARS, IPGRI, IITA, GGP, WARDA, ICRISAT, ICRAF, CIRAD, FAO,Crop Networks

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22Integrated cereal production systems for increased

food security

Rationale:Rapidly increasing populations lead to increased demand forfood and fodder. The cereals, maize, millet, rice and sorghumconstitute major sources of calories intake by urban and ruralcommunities, and the stover forms a critical input intolivestock production. The constraints facing production ofthese crops include: soil fertility (includingunavailability/high cost of fertilisers), water management(including drought), pests and disease, and lack of improvedcultivars for different agro-ecological zones. Otherconstraints include inadequate exchange of genetic materials,grain quality (storability), processing and utilisation (foodand feed), and poor marketing systems. There is also the needto step-up activities in respect of exchange of information,and capacity building.

Main Activities• Genetic enhancement of the cereals including the use ofmolecular marker techniques(genetic resources; improvedvarieties and hybrids; conservation, evaluation,documentation, dissemination, and utilisation);development of environment specific breeding approaches

• Alternative/new mechanisms of seed production vis-à-vistraditional seed systems

• Integrated pest and disease management (includingStriga, yellow mottle virus and the blast fungus)

• Sustainable soil fertility enhancement; integratedmanagement of acid soils and iron toxicity

• Water management (improved management options formoisture/drought stress); development of profitable landand water use systems preventing soil degradation; wateruse efficiencies for crops grown in the Sahel.

• New cropping systems; sustainable intensification ofcereal systems along the gradients between rural andperi-urban areas.

• Promotion of cereal production through development ofnew harvesting and processing technologies, and policysupport programmes (see agricultural policy section)

The strategies to be used for the realisation of this goalinclude

" enhancement of partnership with producers(includingfarmer participatory identification, and evaluation ofimproved technologies)

" Enhanced dialogue/integration of research with thedevelopment sector (NGOs and Development Organisations)

" Improved co-ordination between and within networks andprojects

" Joint research planning through clearly shared

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responsibilities in conduct, execution and impactassessment involving all partners

" Enhanced information exchange" Mechanisms for improved co-ordination of research

(priority setting, resource allocation, utilisation ofoutputs) by networks/regional institutions/research anddevelopment partners

" Harmonisation of sub-regional networks on cereals inorder to increase the economies of scale inorganisation of activities, and in human resourcedevelopment

" Increase synergies of research efforts across crops,and exploitation of spill-over effects of researchmethods and technologies from one crop to another

" Efficient utilisation of funds for research" Foster within country co-ordination across these

commodities, and production systems

Expected outputPearl millet & sorghum! Genetic resources: Establishment of regional gene

bank and assembly of regional and core collections.User-friendly documentation of regional geneticresources. Enhanced utilisation of genetic resourcesin development of improved crop cultivars.

! Genetic enhancement: Risk to farmers is reduced bybreeding genetically diverse open-pollinatedvarieties, seed parents and hybrid cultivars thatare stable, high-yielding both for grain and stover.

! Appropriate seed production mechanisms identifiedand extended through farmer organisations, NGOs andthrough training.

! Identified methods for control of insect pests,Striga and downy mildew extended to farmers

! Improved technologies that increase and sustainnative soil fertility identified and extended tofarmers.

! Integrated genetic and agronomic techniques toalleviate moisture stress

! New cropping system opportunities with alterationsin crop maturity and plant stature identified andtested on-farm

! Improved processing and preparation technologies(including mechanisation of dehulling step) toincrease substitutability of the crops for importedfood grains.

Rice! Yield and productivity gap analysis for upland

rice-based production systems completed anddocumented

! Morpho-physiological traits for weedcompetitiveness of contrasting genotypes

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characterised and screening tools developed; use ofmolecular markers and quantitative trait loci(QTLs) in the determination of weed competitivegenetic components in respect of drought andacidity tolerance

! Molecular marker-based selection methods developedfor routine application; detailed breedingstrategies for priority environments, andrecommendations for follow-on technology generationresearch formulated for implementation

! Field tested water-shed management simulationsdeveloped; regional GIS-based drought probabilitymaps to guide varietal targeting in research anddevelopment will be available; GIS database formangrove rice production system compiled.

! Models predicting trait interactions in specificrainfed rice growing environments will be madeavailable, and frontier production modellingstudies at scheme level tested and proposed foradaptation to Sahelian conditions.

! Impact assessment of the adoption availabletechnology (including varietal adoption, andharvester technologies) will be completed; alsoassessment of impact of training on sustainableproduction systems

! Intensification and processes and constraints tosustainability in lowland rice-based croppingsystems will be characterised; and comparativeadvantage studies for some countries completed, andtools and technology transferred to relevantanalysts and policy makers.

! Decision support tools for integrated pest,disease, and weed management, and also for soilnutrient management will be developed (includinguse of fertilisers).

! Best-bet scheme level water managementinterventions for lowland systems will becharacterised, and resource flows contributing tocrop production processes will be documented andmodelled at field and scheme levels for key sites.

! Economic study of rice and rice seed sectors willbe completed, and derived policy analysis matrixcompleted

! Improved map of blast variability will be madeavailable, and the relationship betweenpathological and molecular variability of thefungus understood

! Production of map for rice gene loci! Studies on the potential for and constraints to the

emergence of a regional and integrated rice marketcompleted and published

Maize

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! Striga tolerant/resistant inbred composts, syntheticand hybrids identified and/or developed; agronomictechnologies aimed at reducing Striga seed bankdeveloped

! Tropical heterotic pools as donors sources developed! Drought tolerant inbred, composites, synthetics and

hybrids would be developed;! Varieties tolerant to Aluminium and Manganese toxicity

developed! Inbred, composites and hybrids efficient in phosphorus

uptake developed; also developed would be newtechnologies involving Mycchorizal association cropmineral nutrition

! Technologies designed for alleviating acid soiltoxicity developed

! Inbred, composite hybrids and synthetics tolerant toborers developed; also developed would include habitatmanagement techniques which reduces borer damages, andvarieties with tolerance to weevils

! Grain storage technologies relevant to the adaptable to the sub-region developed, and tested; this wouldinclude integrated storage pest management technologies

! Varieties with high protein and high oil contentdeveloped, including varieties suitable for variousindustrial needs

! Maize quality standard established

Existing partnersNARS, CORAF maize, WECAMAN, WARDA/Rice, ROCARS sorghum,ROCAFREMI Pearl millet, Genetic resources network for West andCentral Africa, CIRAD, SAFGRAD, ICRISAT, INSAH, INTSORMIL, IRD(former ORSTOM)

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23Livestock research for improved food security and higher

incomes in West and Central Africa (Agro-pastoral/Livestock/Aquaculture)

RationaleLivestock production is central to the livelihoods of mostfarming communities in West and Central Africa, accounting fornot less than 17% of the gross domestic product in manycountries. In addition, the demand for foods of animal originis increasing, and likely to continue to do so, as a result ofhigh population growth, rapid urbanization and increases inincome in the region. Livestock production occurs on acontinuum from extensive, pastoral systems in drier areas,through mixed crop-livestock systems to intense productionoften associated with urban centres. It is apparent that thesesystems are evolving and that mixed crop-livestock farming inparticular is increasing. Apart from providing immediate cashincome for the farmer, the integration of livestock with cropproduction offers great possibilities to promote systemsustainability, through the production of manure for improvedsoil fertility and reduction of degradation under traditionalgrazing management practices. In peri-urban areas, dairy, smallruminants, poultry, pig and in some cases fish farmingenterprises are important activities that need to beconsidered. Coastal regions have unique opportunities for deepsea fishing. In general, the productivity of the existinglivestock population is low due to many biotic, social andeconomic constraints. Biotic constraints include inadequatefeed and nutrition, diseases and inadequate animal health care,unimproved genotypes and high reproductive wastage. In additionthere are a number of socio-economic and policy factorsrelating to issues such as land tenure, product pricing, creditand input supplies, poor linkages between research-extensionand farmers and inadequate in-service training for scientistsand technicians. Most of these constraints can be alleviatedand productivity improved through the development of strongresearch support programs for the generation and transfer oftechnologies to farmers in the different agro-ecological zonesof the region. Recognizing that the challenges andopportunities posed by different systems will vary, livestockresearch will be addressed in the context of peri-urbansystems; crop-livestock/agro-pastoral systems; aquaculture andfisheries and biodiversity.

Main activities

Peri-urban livestock productionLivestock collaborative research activities addressing thisparticular production system will be carried out as acomponent of the overall regional activities to increase peri-urban market oriented agricultural production. Major topics

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identified are:

• Identification and assessment of poultry, dairy and smallruminant peri-urban production systems in the context ofsocio-economic, policy and systems analyses.

• Study of the production-supply-consumption continuum ofpoultry, small ruminant and dairy products includingprocessing of peri-urban products and policy implicationsespecially in respect of consumption and waste disposalneeds of city populations.

• Increasing peri-urban dairy, small ruminant and poultryproduction through appropriate technologicalrecommendations including utilisation of appropriate breedsand improved feeding strategies (utilisation of forages,crop residues, agricultural and agro-industrial by-products).

• Epidemiological survey and subsequent development ofeconomically viable animal health control packages forpoultry, small ruminant and dairy production (including thedevelopment of diagnostic tools and consideration ofzoonotic diseases) in peri-urban systems.

• Integrated fish farming in irrigated systems (includingdevelopment of specific breeding techniques for fishfarming).

Agro-pastoral/crop-livestock systems• Study of the driving forces from pastoral through agro-

pastoral to crop-livestock production systems;identification of constraints and opportunities fortechnological and policy interventions

• Evaluation and development of available (includingindigenous) and alternative technologies relating tofeed resources development and utilisation such asidentification and introduction of promising new foragespecies (eg. Legumes; multipurpose trees etc.),enhanced utilisation of crop residues and agro-industrial by-products and integration of promisingforage species into crop-livestock production systems.

• Evaluation of the impact of the access to resources ondegradation of farmlands

• Development of efficient and sustainable technologiesand policies to promote, sustainable management ofrangelands, restoration of degraded rangelands andtheir utilisation to increase livestock productivity(including the exploitation of indigenous knowledge).

• Epidemiology studies on important livestock diseasesincluding the socio- economic impact.

• Animal health recommendations including selection forresistance to endo-parasites and development of ethno-veterinary programmes to exploit the value oftraditional animal health practices.

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• Assessment and evaluation of the major socio-economicand policy constraints to livestock production andmarketing and implications for technological uptake.

• Assessment of benefits from crop-livestock integrationand evaluation of nutrient recycling options such asfallow options for increased soil fertility.

• Validation of existing technologies for sustainablelivestock production

Fisheries and aquaculture• Identification of techniques and sustainable management

strategies for water resources, by riverinecommunities/fishing communities (this would includetechniques for fish production from river basins andlakes) including the social and economic implications.

• Aquatic ecosystem studies, including populationdynamics of fish and other sea products of economicvalue

Biodiversity

• Characterisation (including molecular and phenotypiccharacterisation), conservation and improvement ofpoultry and ruminant genetic resources and evaluationof the performance of local and exotic breeds under thevarious production systems, with emphasis on therelationship between productivity and environment.

• Breed inventory in the various production systems.• Genetic improvement and conservation.• Socio-economic evaluation of indigenous genetic

resources as compared to exotic/cross breeds.• Promotion of biotechnology for conservation of

indigenous and exotic breeds.

Capacity buildingAmong the strategies to be used in the realisation of thesegoals is the development of strong and reliable institutionallinkages and partnerships, and well co-ordinated networkingamong the various stakeholders (including the end-users oftechnologies). In this respect, institutional capacitybuilding through training and the exchange of information,especially (but not exclusively) in the context ofparticipatory research will be important to strengthen NARScapacity for livestock research.

Expected outputs• Understanding of the factors influencing the evolution

and interaction of livestock production systems in Westand Central Africa, leading to the identification ofappropriate opportunities for technological and policy

WECARD/CORAF84

interventions to improve productivity.• Recommendations for strategic feed production and

nutrition packages for poultry, dairy and meatproduction from cattle and small ruminants in peri-urban and mixed crop-livestock systems.

• Data on the physical, productive and adaptablecharacteristics of indigenous poultry and ruminantlivestock for regional databases on livestock diversityand the promotion of its conservation.

• Policy recommendations on critical socio-economic andpolicy issues that influence livestock production,processing and marketing.

• Comprehensive inventory of available technologiesrelating to livestock production in various systemswithin the sub-region developed and appropriatedissemination channels identified

• Relevant human resources developed to promotetechnologies and policies for sustainable livestockproduction

• Strong collaborative partnership between NARS and otherresearch and development institutions within the region

PartnersNARS, CIRDES, ITC, ILRI, IITA, ICRISAT, EISMV, CIRAD, FAO.

WECARD/CORAF85

24Promotion of biomathematics for improved agricultural

research quality

RationaleThe whole of agricultural research spectrum from basiclaboratory and station research through adaptive and appliedmulti disciplinary research on farmers’ fields and withinproduction systems involves making inference from observeddata. At each of these stages, biometrics can play animportant role by introducing appropriate designs, datacollection, management, analysis, summary, interpretation andpresentation. Many researchers in several NARS do not haveadequate access to proper technical advice on experimentaldesigns, data analysis, interpretation and presentation inappropriate formats to all concerned stakeholders. Thisabsence of biometrics expertise may result in a poor qualityresearch, a waste of scarce resources, difficulty in analyzingand publishing the research results, and above all in thegeneration of misleading results. Failure to provide thatsupport and to help raise the researchers skills in the use ofbiometrics could result in a decline in research quality.

Main activitieso. Designing a strategy for increasing the awareness of

stakeholders, research managers and researchers of theimportance of biometrics in agricultural research

p. Development of a directory of biostatisticians working inagricultural research in the region.

q. Establishment of a network, and networking on biometrics.Goals of the network would include: provision of supportto researchers in terms of their research activities;promotion of communication and exchange of biometricsinformation; promotion of continuing education inbiometrics and statistics for researchers;

r. Training: - In country training courses and regionaltraining courses on experimental design and data analysistools in collaboration with international centres andadvanced research institutes. Such activities wouldemphasise practical applications of biometricstechniques.

Expected outputso. A better understanding of the role biometrics/statistics

in agricultural research by stakeholders, researchmanagers and researchers themselves.

p. A network on biometrics is establishmentq. Researchers understanding of biometrics is increased, and

biometrics units of national systems are strengthenedthrough training;

r. Increased research quality and efficiency.

Partners

WECARD/CORAF86

NARS, ENSEA ( Ecole Supérieure de Statistique et d’EconomieAppliquée in Abidjan, and Departments of biostatistics),WARDA, IITA, ICRISAT, ICRAF, ILRI, THE UNIVERSITY OF READING,CIRAD, IRD, CTA

WECARD/CORAF87

PART III

CORAF/WECARD’ Work Program, and BudgetYears 2000 – 2003

WECARD/CORAF88

24The funding plan

Introduction: The major objective of this work program andbudget is to translate aspects of the sub-regional strategicplan for agricultural research and co-operation intoactivities in accordance with CORAF/WECARD mission and mandateof facilitating and coordinating a framework for scientificand technical partnership in West and Central Africa. Thefunding plan for some of the existing projects, base centerspoles and networks are elaborated in separate documents.Similarly, new funding plans are to be formulated for otherprojects in relation to this strategic document, as the casemay be. The funding plan described herein will therefore cover:

o. Strengthening CORAF/WECARD organizational capacity byimproving its Governance and Implementing tools : theGeneral Assembly, the Executive Committee, the ExecutiveSecretariat, Network and Other operational units;

p. Definition of human resource needs, and implementation of financial, accounting and administrative rules andprocedures already defined and adopted by the ExecutiveCommittee ;

q. Implementation of the new policy of information andcommunication and the strategy for greater ownership byCORAF/WECARD members;

r. Research and technology transfer partnership, at Sub-regional, regional and international levels.

Capacity building

Institutional Support : During the 12th CORAF Plenary held inBangui (6 to 12 July). The Directors expressed the need tomove a step further in the member States financial support toCORAF. Whereas it was noted that all NARS were not on the samelevel of advancement in both institutional and financialviability, it was decided that financial support from Statesshould continue to be gradual as was initiated during theAccra Plenary of 1998. In that respect therefore, it wasdecided that :

• States would be expected to continue paying air fares oftheir representatives (CORAF Directors) to the annualGeneral Assembly.

• Each country would also be expected to pay the lodging andsubsistence allowance of its representative (Directors)during the annual General Assembly.

• A member state not financially able to pay its way isexpected to indicate this early enough to the CORAF/WECARD

WECARD/CORAF89

Executive Secretariat so as to enable the Secretariat budgetfor and search for enabling funding.

• The Directors also expressed the need to sensitise allcomponents of NARS (NARIs, Universities, NGOs, etc.) todevelop a veritable and more credible representation.

• Name change : The organisation hitherto known as 'Conférence

des Responsables de Recherche Agricole en Afrique de l'Ouestet du Centre', CORAF is now to be known as West and CentralAfrican Council for Research and Development (WECARD), or inFrench, Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Rechercheet le Developpement Agricole (CORAF). Logo should alwaysbear the two acronyms - WECARD/CORAF. This change is toreflect the new dispensations in the sub-regionalcollaboration in agricultural research.

• The annual meeting usually referred to as the Plenary is nowto be known as the General Assembly (GA)

• Executive Committee of WECARD/CORAF should be composed onlyof NARS members. IARCs and ARIs may be invited toparticipate in ExCo meetings only when need forclarification on common issues is required from the relevantinternational centre.

• Membership of the WECARD/CORAF Executive Committee is now toincrease from 8 to 9.

• Periodicity of General Assembly: The General Assembly shouldcontinue to be held annually to encourage continuedinteraction of members. The financial burden of the GA onthe general WECARD/CORAF budget is expected to be reducedsince member States are expected to pay their entireparticipation (air travel, lodging and subsistence) at theWECARD/CORAF General Assembly.

• Whenever possible, scientific meetings are to be organisedweek/days preceding the GA.

The expected financial support would facilitate theimplementation of these decisions. In accordance with theCORAF/WECARD statutes, therefore, the Executive Secretariatusually organises the following statutory meetings; annualGeneral Assembly, Executive Committee, Scientific andTechnical Committee, and other non-statutory meetings. Thebudget for such meetings usually will include the following:Conference Rooms, document, local and internationaltransportation, subsistence allowances, miscellaneousexpenses. In respect of the General Assembly, the hostinginstitution may cover part of the costs.

The Executive Secretariat

WECARD/CORAF has made significant efforts in strengthening theSecretariat in the last three years. The different budgetarylines are as listed below :

WECARD/CORAF90

a. Core staff Salaries and Benefits :• Chief Executive (1)• Professional Staff : Scientific Coordinator (1),

Information and Communication (1), ScientificEditor (1), Accountant (1), Computing (1)

• Support Staff : Assistants (2), Secretary (2), Librarian (1), Assistant Editor (1), Drivers (2),Security (2).

b. Staff travel : monitoring tours, NARS events,

international conferences (FARA, SPAAR, ICW, MTM,GFAR)

c. Technical meetings : Seminars and Workshop organizedby the secretariat on specific topics (training ortechnical issues) involving networks or/andprojects.

d. Consultancies : the small size of the SecretariatStaff implies the appointment of consultants fromtime to time to assist the staff.

e. Administrative Costi. Utilities : communication, computing,supplies;

ii. Audit fees: CORAF/WECARD account is annuallyaudited and certified;

iii. Office equipment and Vehicles: computers,photocopiers, printers, etc.

Sub-Regional, Regional and International Cooperation

Facilitation and Scientific Coordination of Existinginitiatives : that is a regular task of the Secretariatto support activities not adequately funded.

f. Network (commodity and thematic networks), and thesub-regional projects support, monitoring andevaluation

g. Impact Assessment - Policy Strengthening : INSAH isin charge of implementing the topics for the Sub-region. CORAF/WECARD plan to organize trainingworkshops and studies on the topics is recognized tobe an essential part of any research activity.

h. Agricultural policy analysis. A network (REPA) hasbeen created to facilitate the implementation ofthis program. The enabling funds are still expected.

i. Agribusiness network “INTERFACE” : New networkrecently created, needs support to startimplementing its program as recently defined.

j. Sustainable funding initiative (SFI) : Followingdecisions of the last African Agriculture ResearchWeek to finalize Regional Competitive Funds Projectin accordance with the AfDB.

WECARD/CORAF91

New initiatives k. Soils Fertility Initiative : Public awareness

Workshop to be held in close partnership with theCoordinating team from the World Bank. Specificsupport to NARS to extend the project in the line ofConakry deliberations.

l. Gender Equity : very new topics to be consider bythe Sub-region as a matter of urgency;

m. AIDS/HIV : New topics to be proposed as a new areaof reflecting to build partnership.

Information and Communication

n. Editing :Newsletter : Coraf Action Quarterly Newsletter needsconsolidation;Regional Scientific Journal : implement the finaloption of transforming some national scientificjournal to a sub-regional one.

o. Data bases Creation and management, including website update – NARS support

p. Training : Scientific Writing, Web Pages creationand management

q. Coordination

Implementation of Small grants (FAC) and The RegionalCompetitive funds (EDF)

Calls for proposals has to be organized by end of July for thesmall grants program funded by the French Cooperation. The TORhave defined and adopted by CORAF/WECARD Executive Committee.The postponement is related to the on-going planning andpriority setting process.

The Regional Competitive Funds sponsored by the EU is subjectto the mobilization of the EDF 8 funds.

ESTIMATED COST

The total estimated cost is 44.337.656 FF

Or 6.333.950 US $

Part of this amount is already identified within the EDF VIIIFunds. Details of the financing Plan are shown in thefollowing tables.

Duration : 3 Years.

WECARD/CORAF92

WECARD/CORAF93

Activity Title : 1.StrengthenCORAF/WECARDorganizational capacity

Estimatedduration :3 years

Estimated Cost (FF) 1 US $ = 7 FF

Summary ofObjectives/Activities

ObjectivelyVerifiableIndicators

Means/Sources ofverification

Item Yr 00 -01

Yr 01 -02

Yr 02 -

WECARD/CORAF94

GOAL : NARS in West andCentral Africa jointefforts to promote realscientific partnershipamong them and with theother actors to maximizeefficiency in thesustainable exploitationof agriculture resourcesin order to alleviatehunger and povertythrough the provision ofa mechanism of sub-regional co-operation.

• Increase and sustainmembership includingUniversities, NGO andPrivate Sector;

• Promote collaborativeactivities, e.g.Projects, Networks,Centers of Excellence

• Number of membersparticipating inGA

• Financial andMaterialContribution toimplementingactivities

Core staffSalaries andbenefits

19. PersonnelCosts

20. StaffTravel(+Excomembers)

Functioning

21. TechnicalMeetings

22. GA andExcomeetingsandRegionalFora

23. Consultancies :Admin.andFinancialAudits

24. AdministrativeCosts

Sub-Total/Yr

Sub-Total 1 :

10.872.010

1.092.500396.500

201.660470.000

200.850

1.040.500

3.402.160

1.200.000420.000

220.000510.000

220.000

1.000.000

3.570.000

1.320.000450.000

240.000550.000

240.000

1.100.000

3.900.000

WECARD/CORAF95

PURPOSE : ImproveCORAF/WECARD Governanceand Implementing tools

• GA meets annually• Executive Committee

meets at least 3times per year

• Transparency andaccountability inhuman resourcesmanagement as well asadministrative andfinancial.

• Proceedings• Training organized• Rules and

procedures wellestablished andaccepted

• Annual Audit andAccountcertification.

• • • •

Outputs :• Framework For

scientific andtechnical partnershipin W & C Africacreated

• Strengthened, andopened NARS

• Scientists trained

• Number of Projectsinvolving two or moreNARS

• Number of projectsinvolving NARS, ARIsand IARCs

• Available andaccessibleinformation

• Technicalworkshops

• Annual report• External reviews• Proceedings• Publications• Technical reports• Amount of

resourcesmobilized.

• • • •

WECARD/CORAF96

Activity Title : 2.Information andCommunication

Estimated duration: 3 years

Estimated Cost




Item Yr 00 - 01 Yr 01 -02

Yr 02 -03

GOAL : Build a Sub-RegionalInformation andCommunication System tofacilitate partnershipwithin and among NARS; Makeavailable and accessibledeveloped technologies atnational, regional andinternational level foreffective dissemination andvalorization

• Launching of thepilote phase ofimplementation ofthe informationsystem

• Effectiveparticipation ofpilote sites

• Mid-term report• Number of data

provided to thecentral website

7.In sitevisits 8.Trainingworkshops 9. Data basesdesign 10. InternetConnectivity 11.Communicationcosts 12.Consultancies 13. Edition 14. Technicalequipment 15.Miscellaneous Sub-total/Yr TOTAL 2 :

4.849.646

80 000 784 855 120 000

36 000 105 840 100 000 443 534 240 000

20 000

Sub- Total :1.930.229

80 000 534 822 60 000 36 000 105 840

75 000 465 710

50 000 15 000

Sub-total 2:1.423 372

80 000 561 563

0 36 000

105 840 50 000

589 642 50 000 15 000

Sub-total 3 :

1. 488 045

WECARD/CORAF97

PURPOSE :• Who is doing what and

where ?• What expertise exist and

where ?• Inventory of research

outputs ;• Inventory of existing

tools : national,regional, international;

• Assessment of partners :strength, weakness andneeds.

• Consensual Policyand strategy.

• Data collected andanalyzed

• Survey• Evaluation

• Compendia ofexperts andprograms;

• Compendia ofexistinglaboratories andcenters

• Report• Publication

• • • •

WECARD/CORAF98

Outputs :• National focal points

and websites areestablished

• A sub-regional website

is established and CD-ROM copies areproduced

• Electronic fora are

launched • Coraf Action Newsletter

is strengthened • A Regional Scientific

Journal is launched

• National focal

points are active• Databases are

created• Frequency of

connections• CD versions of the

website aredistributed

• Participation of

variousstakeholders

• Increasing number ofparticipants

• Regularity of

publication

• NARS are supported

• Training Workshopsare organised

• MOU is signed with a

national institutionfor publication

• Regularity ofpublication

• Progress reports • Online access to

data bases• Connection

statistics• Number of CDs

distributed • Number of messages

sent / Archives• Number of

subscriptionsregistered

• Number of issues

published per year• List of technical

equipment providedto NARS

• Workshop reports • MOU signed• Number of issues

published per year

WECARD/CORAF99

Activity Title: 3.TechnologyDevelopmentand Transfer

Estimatedduration : 3 years

Estimated Cost




Item Yr 00 - 01 Yr 01 -02

Yr 02 -03

WECARD/CORAF100

GOAL : • translating the Sub-

regional strategicplan into activitiesin accordance withWecard’s mission andgoal as facilitator.This is expected tore-invigorate the sub-regional research co-operation, ensuregreater efficiency,and coherentcontinuity of thevarious activities to:

Contributing to povertyalleviation; Foodsecurity; Preservationof natural resources ;

• Strategic

Plan and Planof Actionedited andadopted byWECARD/CORAFconstituencies;

• Fundsavailable,proceduresdefined andapplicable;

Productionimproved inquantity andquality;

• Monitoring and

evaluation

• Impactassessmentstudies

• Technicalreviews,

• Administrative andfinancialaudits.

Networks and Projects

Budgets are adoptedby theirconstituencies andvalidated by CORAForgans. Manageddirectly byCoordinating Units.

New Initiatives (Newdemands)

16. Soils FertilityInitiative17.Gender :sensitization andanalysis workshops –Gender capacity atthe CORAF Secretariat19.AIDS/HIV :sensitization andimpact analysis

Sub-Total 3. :Sub-total III :

11.400.000

2.500.000

500.000

500.000

3.500.000

2.750.000550.000

500.000

3.800.000

3.000.000600.000

500.000

4.100.000

WECARD/CORAF101

PURPOSE :19. Develop a sub-regional

approach to scientific andinstitutional co-operation using as a base thepriorities and strategiesdefined by NARS;

20. enhance research efficiencyand effectiveness by poolingresources and organizingtheir mobilization;

21. promote the use of anddistribution of researchresults;

22. promote and facilitatescientific activities/co-operation by setting upappropriate operationaltools;

23. develop permanentinformation andcommunication systemsbetween NARS and theirpartners;

24. Upgrade the scientificexpertise of the NARSthrough training andscientific exchanges

• Networks, projectsand Centers ofexcellenceworking;

• Number ofpersonnel trained;

• Quantity andquality ofinformation flow.

• Development of aninventory of on-going work inresearchinstitutions andnetworks;

• Duplicationavoided;

• Annual reports• Scientific and

technicalPublication

• Surveys• Evaluation and

audit

WECARD/CORAF102

Outputs : • Promotion of appropriate

agriculture Policies andnatural resourcesmanagement

• Improving cash cropsproduction andcompetitiveness

• Strengthening peri-urbansystems

• Increase food securitythrough integrated cerealproduction systems

• Integrating agriculture,livestock and forestry;

• Promote Rational GeneticResources Conservationand Management.

• Information onoptionsavailable topolicy makers;

• Information oneconomicsincentives andstrategies;

• Agricultureproduction dataavailable;

• Quality ofpartnershipamongstakeholders :farmers,extensionservices andresearchers;

• Periodical

Surveys• Data Published• Market Analysis• Private sector,

farmers’organizationsinvolvement inservicedelivery

• Role of publicsector – Levelof commitment,etc.

WECARD/CORAF103

Activity Title : 4.Regional andInternational Cooperation


Estimated Cost




Item Yr 00 -01

Yr 01 -02

Yr 02 -03

GOAL :• In accordance with

its mission andgoal WECARD/CORAFis expected to playa key role infacilitatingRegional andInternationalCooperation.

• Promote sustainableand EquitableRegional EconomicIntegration andGrowth;

• Promote and sustainthe livelihoods ofrural people.

• Exchange Economic

Flow;• Scientific

Mobility ofresearchers

• Rural incomesincrease;

• Traditional

Institutionreports (FAO,WB, etc.)

• Networks,SROs, IARCsand othersFora’sReports.

• Studies andanalysis;

• Evaluationand Impactassessment;etc.

19. Technicalbackstopping : NetworksandRegionalSupport,Monitoring andEvaluation

20. ImpactAssessment

21. InterfaceSupport

22. Participation toSFI

Sub-total 4

500.000

350.000

175.000

100.000 1.125.000

600.000

450.000

200.000

50.000

1.300.000

800.000

600.000

300.000

50.000

1.750.000

WECARD/CORAF104

PURPOSE : • Promoting creation

and managementtools such asnetworks, projectsand Centers ofexcellences

• Promoting studiesand analyses toincreaseeffectiveness,transparency andaccountability ofagriculture andrural servicedelivery at local,national andregional levels

• Quality of

results• Quality of

partnerships• Level and amount

of mobilizedfunds;

• Quantity andquality ofinformationexchanged;

See above

23.

WECARD/CORAF105

Outputs :• Promote and sustain

a scientificcommunity anddevelopmentoriented programs;

• Sharing experiencesand results.

24.

Activity Title : 5.Small Grants &Regional Competitivefund


Estimated Cost




Item Yr 00 – 01 Yr 01 – 02 Yr 02 –03

WECARD/CORAF106

GOAL : Promoting a newtool for financingscientific regionalco-operation.

• Small grantsraised;

• Technicalcommittee set-up;

• Calls forproposalslaunched

• Reports andaudits

• Technicalcommitteereports;

• Donorsreports;

19. Grants

20. MonitoringandEvaluation

21. ConsultanciesandAudits

Sub-total/Yr

Sub-total 5:13.050.000

Totalestimatedcost/Yr

1.500.000250.000

50.000

1.800.000

11.757.239

4.500.000300.000

450.000

5.250.000

15.342.372

5.000.000500.000

500.000

6.000.000

17.238.045

WECARD/CORAF107

PURPOSE :

• Support WECARD/CORAFactivities based ondefined priorities;

• Promote scientificexcellency ;

• Avoid duplication;

• Number of

projectsfinanced;

• Project reports;• Technologies

generated anddisseminated;

• Annual

reports• Impact

studies;• Financial

audits:• Etc.

Outputs :• Strengthen NARS by• Building human and

technicalcapacities;

• Improved technologygeneration byincreasing co-operation andscientificexchanges.

Same as above - idem -

WECARD/CORAF108

WECARD/CORAF109

WECARD/CORAF110

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCESAdesina, A. A., 1993 : Institutional capacity for regional co-

operation and collaboration, and agricultural researchnetworking in West and Central Africa. A consultancyreport to the Special Program for Agricultural Researchin Africa. West Africa Rice Development Association.September 1993.

Agricultural Research Strategic Plan Daft may 1996 CAP VERT

Ajibola, T. and al., 1996 : Strengthening nationalagricultural research systems in the humid and sub-humid zones of West and Central Africa. A framework foraction. World Bank technical paper, n°318.

ASARECA, 1997 : Development of a long-term strategic plan forregional agricultural research in the Eastern andCentral Africa Region. Report of the Reference Team asamended to incorporate the recommendations of themeeting of the ASARECA stakeholders held on 14-15 July1997, and those of the seventh meeting of the Committeeof Directors of ASARECA, held on 6-18 July 1997 inNairobi, Kenya. September 1997.

Cleaver, M. K. et Schreiber, G., 1998 : Inverser la spirale :les interactions entre la population, l’agriculture etl’environnement en Afrique sub-saharienne. Documenttechnique de la Banque Mondiale, n°372. Série de laRégion Afrique.

Cleaver, M. K., 1998 : Stratégie de développement agricole enAfrique sub-saharienne et rôle particulier de la BanqueMondiale. Document Technique de la Banque Mondiale,n°203f. Série de Département Technique Afrique.

CORAF, 1999 : Rapport de synthèse de la concertation zonal.Dakar, 26 au 30 avril 1999.

CORAF, 1999 : Rapport de synthèse de la concertationrégionale. Dakar, 3 au 5 mai 1999.

CORAF, 1999 : Compte rendu de la XIIème de la Réunion plénièrede la CORAF. Bangui, du 6 au 13 juillet 1999.

Dioné, J., 1991 : Défis du développement économique et socialau Sahel : Implications pour l’agriculture et larecherche agricole. PRISAS/INSAH.

FAO, 1993 : Les systèmes nationaux de recherche agronomiquesdans les pays de l’Afrique Occidentale et Centrale.Centre du Développement de la Recherche et Bureau pourl’Afrique, Accra. Division du Développement de laRecherche et de la Technologie.

WECARD/CORAF111

Hambly, H. and Setshwaelo, L., 1997 : Agricultural ResearchPlans in Sub-Saharan Africa. A status Report. ISNARResearch Report 11.

INSAH, 1998 : Programme majeur de recherches agro-socio-économiques (AGROSOC). Projet de plan triennal 1999-2001.

Le Système National de Recherche Agricole du Congo SituationActuelle et propositions de stratégie pour le LongTerme : janvier 1996 REP. Du Congo

Manichon, H., 1996 : L’écorégionalité dans la recherche pourle développement. Propositions de la recherchefrançaise. Notes et Documents. CIRAD.

National Agricultural Research Strategic Plan : 1996-2010NIGERIA

National Agricultural Research Strategic Plan : Final report :Septembre 1994 GHANA

Orientation Stratégiques de la Recherche et Plan à moyen Terme1999-2002 de l’IRAG GUINEE (IRAG)

Plan de mise en œuvre du plan stratégique des RecherchesAgricoles janvier 1997 BURKINA FASO

Plan Directeur de la Recherche Agricole du Bénin: Pland’Action Juillet 1996 BENIN (INRAB)

Plan National de Recherche Agricole : mars 1995-2004MAURITANIE

Strengthening research-extension-framers organisation linkagesin West and Central Africa; Overview paper, June 1999

Synthèse des activités scientifiques et chiffrage Planstratégique de l’ISRA : 1993-2003 SENEGAL

Tabor, S.R., Janssen, W., and Bruneau, H. 1998. Financingagricultural research: A source book. Published by theInternational Service for National AgriculturalResearch (ISNAR), The Hague.

The National Agqricultural Research System of the GambiaAnalysis and Strategy for the Long Report : 1997 THEGAMBIA

Valverde, C.; 1988 : Agricultural research networking :Development and Evaluation. ISNAR-Staff notes.

Weijenberg, J. and al., 1994 : Revitalizing agriculturalresearch in the Sahel : A framework for action.Discussion paper n°211. Washington D.C. : World Bank.

World Bank, 1996. Achievements in development of NationalAgricultural Research Systems. Operations EvaluationDepartment. Washington, DC

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Annex IMethodological Approach

Since most of the countries had already prepared and adoptedstrategic plans at the national level, it was decided to startfrom these plans to establish mechanisms for collaborativeresearch at the sub-regional level.

International Centers and Advanced Research Institutes,partners of the NARS, were also invited to participate in theplanning exercise with the NARS. However, as a result ofinternal constraints, certain countries could not attend ororganize national, zonal and sub-regional consultations. Theseincluded Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republicof Congo, Guinea-Bissau and Liberia. Chad and Central AfricanRepublic, however, participated in the General Assemblyvalidation of the document. The General Assembly endorsed theplan as amended, and called on all partners to adhere to thedocument.

Stages of the Methodological ApproachIn order to ensure a bottom-up participatory approach, athree-tier system of consultation was adopted by the strategicplanning team. The tiers were national, zonal and sub-regional. Ideally, 24 national consultations were expected, 3zonal workshops and 1 sub-regional harmonization meeting wereorganized.

National consultations: A consensus seeking workshop on theinstitutional aspects of regional co-operation was organizedat each country level. The issues discussed at this levelincluded the mandate and mission of CORAF, its governingbodies, as well as the country’s vision for the organizationassigned to co-ordinate agricultural research co-operationactivities. These facts were expected to enable participantspropose priority programs for regional co-operation based onthe strategic plan of their respective countries. [Thenational consultation reports constitute a separatecompilation.] The national reports were the basis for thesubsequent levels of the planning process.

Zonal consultations: In order to enhance the participatoryapproach, and ease the burden of a bulky priority settingprocess for West and Central Africa (24 countries), the sub-region was divided into three zones. This comprised the Sahelzone with Niger designated as the focal point country; theCoastal West Africa with Ivory Coast as focal point, and theCentral African zone having Cameroon as its focal point. Thezoning was not necessarily along agro-ecological principles,since there were many instances of cross-cuttings betweenzones. However, most countries in each zone fell under a moreor less same agro-ecological.

WECARD/CORAF113

For Each zone, the focal point country led a workshop incollaboration with strategic member from countries in thezone, and their partners. The workshop concentrated on thedefinition of the zone's research priority co-operation areas,and development objectives. During this workshop, participantswere concerned with the negotiations and harmonization of thevarious view points proposed by individual countries. Theyalso examined opinions on the mission, mandate and theirvision for the umbrella body (i.e. WECARD/CORAF) to implementactivities in the framework of regional co-operation. Eachzone prepared a summary report on the zonal consultation.

Resource persons, regular meetings and exchanges between thezones were used to ensured a significant coherence in the out-put of the zones. The different groups had a firsthandinformation of the opportunities and constraints of the other.

Sub-regional consultation: A regional consultation wasorganized to harmonize the documents prepared in the threezones. This level of planning involved all countryrepresentatives, scientific partners, some members of theprivate sector, a cross section of NGOs, and investors.

The deliberations of the sub-regional workshop focused on thecoherence of all the three documents from the zones, and ananalysis of proposals concerning the organization and co-ordination of activities to be promoted. The sub-regionalmeeting was also expected to evaluate the proposed fundingmechanisms.

Strategy for Setting Regional Priorities

The consultations at country and zonal levels were designed togather, at each level, the various partners' contributions tothe proposed institutional framework, to prepare a summarydocument on each country's strategic plans with the list ofpriority projects for regional co-operation and proposemechanisms for the funding of such co-operation.

Methodology and Criteria Proposed for the Choice of ZonalPriorities

Since each country had prepared a national strategic plan withits priorities according to its own methodology, it wasnecessary to identify, for each zone, the objectives of thecountries and the criteria used, as well as to proposestrategies for the harmonization of procedures in order toidentify zonal priorities for research based on the nationalpriorities.

The process was organized as follows :

WECARD/CORAF114

Step I - Presentation of National Reports

The countries used different methods in setting theirpriorities so there were vast differences between theirvarious documents.

Each group identified development objectives of the given zonefrom the country documents presented.

Thereafter, each group prepared a list of priority researchprograms for co-operation at the zonal level.

These programs were then grouped into priority research areasfor the given zone. The group also defined researchobjectives on the basis of the countries' proposals.

Step 2 - Setting Priorities based on Development ObjectivesThe criteria generally used in setting national prioritieswere first identified and discussed. This enabled each zone todetermine development objectives and research areas common tothe countries of the zone. Each participating country wasallowed some time to expatiate on the development objectivesby way of emphasis.

Step 3 - Grading for harmonization purposes

Priority setting processes by the various countries were doneindependently and in a varied manner. Therefore, to facilitatedecision making in the choice of the sub-regional priorities,and to harmonize relevant data from various points,quantitative values were introduced. Therefore, the strategicplanning members representing the different countries, gradedtheir research priority program proposals as follows:

0 ------------------- non-priority1 ------------------- minor priority2 ------------------- average priority3 ------------------- top priority

This exercise was aimed at harmonizing data from the variouscountries. The "top priority" programs were assigned 3 points;the "average priority" programs had 2 points and the "minorpriority" and "non-priority" programs were accorded 1 pointand 0 point respectively. All the points obtained by thevarious country programs were added up and the totalconstituted the initial marks.

Step 4 : Weighting Marks for the Different Programs

The members of each working group scored each program from O,1, 2 or 3 according to its contribution to the achievement ofthe development objectives. The following grading scale was

WECARD/CORAF115

used:

0 -------------- no contribution to development objectives1 -------------- minor contribution to development objectives2 -------------- fair contribution to development objectives3 -------------- substantial contribution to development

objectives

The average marks obtained for each program was then weightedagainst each criterion for the development objectives. Thesum of the coefficients obtained gave the weightedcoefficient.

The final marks were obtained by multiplying the weightedcoefficient by the initial marks.

The final marks were calculated over a common denominator(/20) for the sake of comparison, (final marks over 20).

Annex IIDefinition of Development Objectives and Priority Areas for

Research

1. Sahelian West Africa Zone The dominant activities in this zone consist of the productionof two rain-based crops, namely millet and sorghum; anemergent crop, maize; an irrigated crop, rice; and two cashcrops, cotton and groundnuts. Crop and animal productionsystems are still very extensive by nature and they use fewprocessed inputs along with large quantities of naturalresources. The increase in crop yield is therefore mainlycontingent on the expansion of the farmlands. There is a highdemand for pasture lands for the large-scale farming systemswhich continue to depend mostly on meager resources.

1.2. Development Objectives of the Zone The specific development objectives and the relativeimportance attached to these objectives by countries of thezone are as follows: - Food security : 35%- Sustainable management of natural resources and

production systems : 30%- Poverty alleviation : 20%- Promotion of private investments in rural areas : 15%

1.3. Research objectives

1. Improved agricultural productivity

WECARD/CORAF116

2. Production of decision making toolsand techniques for sustainable management ofnatural resource

3. Producing information and raisingawareness to facilitate decision-making.

1.4. Priority Areas for Research

Five priority areas for search were selected:

1. Animal production2. Crop production3. Forest products4. Natural resource management

/production systems5. Sectoral economic analysis.

The elements or themes for research were selected according totheir contribution to the achievement of the developmentobjectives. The table hereafter presents the priorities forresearch in the Sahel zone and in the dry savanna region.

Classification of research priorities per field

Field of Research Programs InitialMarks

WeightedCoefficient

Finalmarks

20

WECARD/CORAF117

1. AnimalProduction

2. Crop production 3. Forest Products 4. Natural

Resources/production systemmanagement

5. Sectoral

economicanalysis2

BroilersLayersMuttonBeefDairy cowGoat-meatDeep-sea fishingInland FishingDairy GoatDairy sheepFish farmingDairy camelCamel meat

Vegetable growingRiceCowpea (Beans)Fruit cultureGroundnutMilletMaizeTubersFodder growingSorghumCottonDate palmSesame

FirewoodSeedsTrees fodderGum arabicForest fruitsShea butter

Soil fertilityIntensification/diversificationDRS/CESIrrigated systemsmanagementCrop-LivestockIntegrationLand tenureBio-diversityAgro-forestryImpact ofcultivationmethodsNatural pasturesAgro-climatologyTree plantationsNatural ForestmanagementPeri-urbanagricultureUtilization ofwind/solar energyresources

Identification ofconstraintsRegional tradeProduction costsMarketingPreservation/processingAgriculturalpolicy impactanalysesResearch/extension impact analysis

181719191719121216111176

201716171615151513131197

21181914146

2121212019202120191819151416

17

3.73.42.92.72.72.32.72.71.92.02.02.02.0

3.73.33.23.03.02.92.72.72.92.62.92.42.4

3.13.22.93.02.9 2.7

3.73.63.53.53.7 3.53.2 3.23.22.92.73.33.22.7

2.5

66.6056.9555.1051.3045.9042.7532.4032.4030.4022.0022.0014.0012.00

74.0055.2551.20

51.00 48.0043.5040.5040.5037.0533.1531.9021.15

16.45

64.05 56.70 54.15

42.0039.9015.90

76.6574.5573.50

70.0069.3569.0066.1563.0059.8551.3050.35

49.5044.10 43.20

41.65

15.8613.5613.1212.2110.9310.187.767.767.245.243.243.332.86

17.6213.1512.1912.1411.4310.369.649.648.827.897.605.043.92

15.2513.5012.8910.009.503.79

18.2517.7517.5016.6716.5116.4315.7515.0014.2512.2111.9911.7910.510.29

9.92

WECARD/CORAF118

2This field had no special marks since it concerns various products alreadyawarded marks in the other fields.

A quantitative analysis of the coherence of the priorities wasconducted during the regional consultation. It was proposedand agreed that the dry savanna region of Central Africashould be included in the zone studied. Cotton was thereforeconsidered on account of its contribution to the variouscriteria governing the development objectives.

All the selected products were evaluated according to therequirements for collaborative research. A system-basedapproach taking account of the transversal themes was proposedfor this zone. The system-based approach was also expected tofacilitate consideration of the priority specialization in theproduction units.

Priorities for research co-operation in Sahelian and drysavanna zones

Fields ofResearch

Production Systems

Rain-basedsystems

IrrigatedSystems

Agro-pastoralSystems

Peri-urbanSystems

Animalproduction

Cattle(meat)Smallruminants

FowlsDairy cowsSmallruminants

Crop production Cowpea(Beans)MaizeCotton

VegetablesRice

Natural ResourceManagement

Soil fertility managementCrop-Livestock Integration

Agro-forestryBiodiversity

Analysis ofAgriculturalPolicies

Economic Analysis of Production SectorsProduction Costs - Marketing – ExportAgricultural product preservation/processingAgricultural policy impact analysisResearch & extension impact analysis

TechnologyTransfer

NB: The blank spaces indicate that there is no activity atthis level.

2. Coastal West Africa Zone

WECARD/CORAF119

Like the case of the Sahelian Zone, agriculture is also theprimary source of foreign exchange and employment in theCoastal West Africa Zone.

It is a fully urbanized zone with fast-developing marketnetworks spectacularly sustained through the development ofcash crops and regional supply markets. Several “pockets ofmarkets” are emerging around big towns and cities in the cashcrop producing areas. Challenge facing countries of the zoneincluding tripling agricultural production, and preservingnatural resources by the year 2025. In fact, according to manyauthors, the trend of land degradation in most of thecountries is alarming, for it affects the biodiversity of theflora and fauna in the zone which often suffers irreversiblelosses.

2.1. Development objectives

• Provide for the populations’ food security : 33 % • Improve agricultural revenues so as to alleviate poverty,

especially in rural areas : 27 % • Promote the export of agricultural products to improve

balance of payments for the States concerned :20 % • Preserve the productive agricultural base through a rational

management of natural resources : 20 %.


1. Develop and transfer technologicalsystems of reference at various levels ofintensification adapted to the socio-economicand ecological conditions of producers in thezone ;

2. Develop sustainable and environment-

friendly production systems ;

3. Develop appropriate agricultural productpreservation and processing techniques to meetnational and international market standards ;

4. Preserve biodiversity through the inventory

and conservation of different components of theflora and fauna in the zone.

5. Diversify agricultural products and enhance

WECARD/CORAF120

their competitiveness on the international market.

2.3 Priority Areas for Research

The priority areas for research selected from thenational plans are as listed in the table below.

Field of Research Program InitialMarks

WeightedCoefficien

t

FinalMarks

Finalmarks/

20

WECARD/CORAF121

1. PerennialCrops

2. Annual Crops 3. Animal

Production 4. Natural,

ResourceManagement

Oil-palm Coffee Cacao Cashew Citrus fruits Mango Coconut Cola Shear butter Para rubber Pear Rice Cassava Maize Vegetables Yam Cotton Cowpea (Beans) Plantain Sorghum Pineapple Groundnut Banana Millet Sugar cane Potato Soya beans Fonio Sweet potato Cocoyam Bambara beans Poultry-keeping Cattle Small ruminants Fishing &aquaculture Pigs Autacoids Rabbits Non-conventionallivestock Soil conservation& management Livestock-cropintegrationincluding fishfarming) Agro-forestry Water management Land Management Forestry Wildlifemanagement Secondary forestproducts

15 18 14 13 13 13 13 11 8 7 6

18 17 17 16 16 18 14 15 15 14 12 12 11 11 11 9 9 9 7 5

18 18 18

16 14 10 7

5

18

18 18 15 15 13 8

8

2.79 2.15 2.25 2.36 2.27 2.26 2.19 2.15 2.21 1.76 1.66

2.99 3.00 2.96 2.97 2.96 2.44 2.82 2.56 2.45 2.6

2.48 2.29 2.27 2.17 1.98 2.27 1.8

1.78 1.67 1.62

3.01 2.71 2.64

2.92 2.1

1.67 1.54

1.76

3.23

3.21 2.87 3.33 2.78 2.81 2.07

1.93

41.9 38.7 31.5 30.7 29.5 29.4 28.5 23.7 17.7 12.3 9.9

53.8 51.0 50.4 47.5 47.3 43.9 39.5 38.4 36.8 36.4 29.7 27.5 25.0 23.9 21.8 20.4 16.2 16.0 11.7 8.1

54.2 48.8 47.6

46.7 29.4 16.7 10.8

8.8

57.8 51.6 50.0 41.1 36.6 16.5

15.5

11.64 10.75 8.75 8.53 8.19 8.17 7.92 6.58 4.92 3.42 2.75

14.94 14.17 14.00 13.19 13.14 12.19 10.97 10.67 10.22 10.11 8.25 7.64 6.94 6.64 6.06 5.67 4.50 4.44 3.25 2.25

15.06 13.56 13.22

12.97 8.17 4.64 3.00

2.44

0.00

16.06 14.33 13.89 11.42 10.17 4.58

4.31

WECARD/CORAF122

5. Socio-economic features of theproduction sectorsand systems

Markets and sectors 18 2.76 49.6 13.78

5. Input distribution 16 2.71 43.4 12.066. Physical

environment

18 2.24 40.4 11.22

7. Obstacles to theadoption of

technologies

17

2.35

39.9

11.08

8. Technologicalimpact

18 2.18 39.2 10.89

9. Socio-economicanalysis of

products

16 2.41 38.6 10.72

10. Funding policy 13 2.89 37.5 10.4211. Familiarity with

land tenure system

11 2.28 25 6.94

6.Post-harvesttechnologies andagric. Productprocessing

Agriculturalproduct processing

18 3.18 57.2 15.89

12. Agriculturalproduct

preservation

17 3.18 54 15.00

13. Processingequipment

14 2.66 37.2 10.33

14. Agricultural

product packaging

12 2.45 29.3 8.14

7. Genetic resource

management (plants,

animals and

products

Genetic resource

collection &

preservation

18 2.56 46.1 12.81

Evaluation,

characterization &

preservation by

modern techniques

17 2.31 39.2 10.89

Exchange of

information /

genetic resources

18 2.06 37.1 10.31

Techniques for

rapid

multiplication

15 2.29 34.3 9.53

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In the coastal zone, the products identified under priority

options were classified according to their contribution to the

achievement of the development objectives envisaged for the

zone. After a detailed analysis of the results obtained,

fifteen (15) products were finally selected. The conformity to

the choice of products was checked by combining all the

criteria used in determining priorities.

Six transversal themes contributing to the achievement of all

the development objectives were also selected. All the themes

were approved by virtue of their important contribution to the

achievement of the zone’s development objectives.

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Regional priorities for research in the Coastal Zone

Fields of research SystemsPerennial

cropsAnnualcrops

Stock-breeding Peri-urban systems

Crop production Oil palmCoffeeCocoa

RiceMaize

Roots &tubersCottonSorghumGrain

legumesVegetables

Vegetable crops

Animal production Poultry keepingCattle

Small ruminantsFishing/aquaculture

PoultrySmall ruminants

Natural resourcemanagement

Soil fertility managementWater managementLand management

Agriculture + stock –breeding

Agro-forestry

Crop-livestockassociation

Agro-forestry

Soil fertilitymanagement

Water managementCrop-livestockassociation

Genetic resourcemanagement

Collection / Preservation of genetic resourcesCharacterization, evaluation & utilization

Post-harvesttechnology

ProcessingPreservationPackaging

Produce Processingequipment

Processing

Preservation

ProcessingPreservationPackaging

Produce ProcessingEquipment

Technology transfer Technology adoption constraintsTechnological impact

Funding policySectoral studies Markets and sectors

Input distributionPhysical environment

Socio-economic analysis of productsFamiliarity with land tenure system

NB : The blank spaces indicate that there is no activity at this level.

3. Central Africa Zone

The Central Africa Zone has features similar to those of the

Coastal Zone. However, it has a more pronounced relief with

altitudes of more than 1000 metres. The zone is composed of

Cameroon, People’s Republic of Congo, Central African

Republic, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo.

3.1. Development objectives of the Zone

The development objectives of the zone and their relative

importance to the zone are evaluated as follows :

- Food security : 45%

- Revenue increase and security : 20%

- Employment creation : 10%

- Sustainable natural resource management : 25%

WECARD/CORAF125


The following research objectives were established for this

zone:

1. Improved competitiveness of agricultural sectors ;

2. Improved quality of agricultural products ;

3. Development of referential tools and indicators

for sustainable natural resource management ;

4. Efficiency of agricultural research.

3.3. Priority areas for research

The priority areas for research selected from the national

plans are as set out in the following table.

Classification of research priorities per field

Field of research Programmes Initial

marks

Weightedcoefficien

t

Finalmarks

Finalmarks/20

1. Annuals cropsCassava 12 3.40 40.80 17.00Banana/Plantain 10 3.34 33.38 13.91Vegetables 9 3.24 29.14 12.14Maize 10 2.90 29.00 12.08Sugar cane 9 3.13 28.13 11.72Pineapple 10 2.48 24.75 10.31Potato 8 2.95 23.60 9.83French beans 8 2.73 21.80 9.08Groundnut 7 2.96 20.74 8.64Cocoyam 8 2.18 17.40 7.25Sweet potato 7 2.35 16.45 6.85Rice 6 2.51 15.08 6.28Pawpaw 6 2.25 13.50 5.63Yam 7 1.89 13.21 5.51Cotton 6 1.91 11.48 4.78Sorghum 6 1.64 9.83 4.09Tobacco 4 1.80 7.20 3.00Soya beans 4 1.56 6.25 2.60Millet 3 1.48 4.43 1.84Sunflower 3 1.35 4.05 1.69Wheat 3 1.26 3.79 1.58Cowpea 2 1.68 3.35 1.40Eleusine 2 1.58 3.15 1.31Bambara beans 1 1.29 1.29 0.54

2. Perennial crops(trees)

Oil palm 12 3.78 45.30 18.88Coffee 9 2.71 24.41 10.17Citrus 9 2.44 21.94 9.14Pear 8 2.51 20.10 8.38Cocoa 8 2.23 17.80 7.42Mango 7 2.34 16.36 6.82Para-rubber (Hevea) 8 1.75 14.00 5.83Tea 6 2.03 12.15 5.06Sapodilla 5 2.01 10.06 4.19

WECARD/CORAF126

Field of research Programmes Initial

marks

Weightedcoefficien

t

Finalmarks

Finalmarks/20

3. Animal / fisheryproducts

Cattle raising 10 3.30 33.00 13.75Deep-sea fishing 9 2.78 24.98 10.41Poultry keeping 8 3.00 24.00 10.00Small ruminants 8 2.94 23.50 9.79Aquaculture 9 2.34 21.04 8.77Inland fishing 6 3.50 21.00 8.75Non-conventional livestock 6 2.78 16.65 6.94Pig raising 4 2.24 8.95 3.73

4. Natural resourcemanagement

Sustainable management/conservation ofbiodiversity

11 3.06 33.69 14.04

Soil acidity 10 3.26 32.63 13.59Forests 10 3.13 31.25 13.02Soil fertility 9 3.21 28.91 12.05Water/soil pollution 8 2.69 21.50 8.96Soil erosion 7 3.01 21.09 8.79Water shortage 7 2.65 18.55 7.73

5. Production systemsCrop-livestock integration 10 3.65 36.50 15.21Peri-urban agriculture 10 3.36 33.63 14.01Agroforestry 9 3.48 31.28 13.03Agropastoralism (foddercrop management)

7 3.20 22.40 9.33

Post-harvest technology 6 2.99 17.93 7.47Management of inlandvalleys

7 2.55 17.85 7.44

Socio-economic studies 6 2.40 14.40 6.00Mechanization /agricultural implements

5 2.74 13.69 5.70

6. Institutionalcapacity-building

NARS institutionalcapacity-building

12 3.13 37.50 15.63

Information andCommunication System

12 2.96 35.55 14.81

capacity-building forprofessional farmersOrganizational

9 3.03 27.23 11.34

In the course of the regional consultation, the priority

products were selected in the same manner as done for the

other zones, i.e. the importance and impact of their

contribution to the achievement of identified development

objectives. The selected products were matched with the

selected transversal themes, namely :

- participatory management of natural resources ;

- peri-urban agriculture ;

- competitiveness of export products ;

- technology transfer.

WECARD/CORAF127

Regional priorities for research in the CentralAfrica Zone

Fields of research SystemsPerennial

cropsAnnualcrops

Livestock/Fishing

ForestryWater/ Soil

Peri-urbansystems


Para-rubberFruit trees

Tuber cropsBanana/Plantain

VegetablesMaize

Tuber cropsBanana/Plantain

VegetablesMaize

Animal production Deep-seaFishing

Poultry–keepingSmall ruminants

Non-conventionallivestock,Fish-farming

Competitiveness Oil palmCoffeeCocoa

Para-rubberFruit trees

Deep-seaFishing


Phytogenetic resourcesSoil

Fertility

ZoogeneticResources

ForestBiodiversit

yTechnology transfer


WECARD/CORAF128

Annex IIIDetermination of the sub-regional research

priorities

1. Amendments to proposals emanating from zonal and sub-

regional consultations

The results of the zonal and regional consultations were

presented and examined at the General Assembly held in Bangui

in July 1999. For the sake of organizational convenience, the

results are distributed according to the following three

zones.

1. The Sahel-Savanna zone;

2. The humid Coastal zone;

3. The humid Central zone.

In each of the three zones, proposals were formulated in

respect of priorities for regional research through co-

operation in scientific research between the member countries

of WECARD/CORAF, regional institutions, ARIs and IARCs

operating in the sub-region.

After examining the coherence of the approach adopted during

the zonal and regional consultations, the General Assembly

proposed some amendments to give a regional dimension to the

selected priorities for research.

The division into zones was an approach aimed at enhancing the

efficiency and smooth organization of the West and Central

Africa Sub-region covered by WECARD/CORAF. The operational

mechanism for implementing activities for the various zones

will take into account the agro-ecological complementarity of

the countries located within the three zones as well as the

necessary synergy to be established between the research

activities envisaged under the priorities identified during

the planning process.

1.1. Sahel-Savanna zone

In this zone, the methodology for establishing priorities was

based on the system-approach which made it possible to

identify four types of dominant systems: rain-fed systems,

WECARD/CORAF129

irrigated systems, agro-pastoral systems and peri-urban

systems. The various priority areas for research in this zone

were identified through this method of characterization.

Technology transfer appeared as a major theme that should be

addressed in this strategic framework as a component on

campaigns for support and services to ensure the use and

development of research results.

The priority areas for research were grouped into thematic

sectors (animal and crop production), and transversal themes

(natural resource management and analysis of agricultural

policies). Some products (sectors) and themes (transversal)

necessitating regional co-operation between the NARS and the

scientific partners were adopted for inclusion in the four

major domains. Debates on this scenario raised more awareness

about certain products and themes of prime importance to the

zone. There was emphasis on millet and sorghum in terms of

crop production, and harnessing water sources, in the area of

natural resource management. Moreover, the characterization of

agro-pastoral systems was considered very restrictive in

relation to the importance of trees in these systems. For this

reason, the General Assembly proposed that this agro-system be

formulated as “agro-sylvi-pastoral systems”.

Fruit crops also play an important role in the development of

the agro-systems (irrigated systems and peri-urban systems) in

the Sahel-Savanna zone. It was therefore decided to integrate

them in the products to be considered among the priorities for

research in this zone. Forest products make an important

contribution to food security and income generation in the

zone. Hence, it was proposed that they be restored, more

precisely, under the transversal theme of natural resource

management. The proposals on the management of biodiversity

were formulated under the “management, preservation and use of

genetic resources”.

1.2. The humid Coastal Zone

There was no major amendment to the priorities for this zone.

However, it was noticed that the priorities proposed by this

zone covered a very wide range of products and themes. This

was attributed to the diversity of the products (sectors)

identified in this zone.

WECARD/CORAF130

Generally speaking, the meeting decided to harmonize the

terminology used, particularly that relating to the sectoral

studies (analysis of agricultural policies), reorganization of

the synoptic table in order to distinguish the sectoral

products (perennial crops, annual crops and livestock), agro-

systems (peri-urban systems) and the transversal themes (post-

harvest technology and natural resource management). This was

attributed to the diversity of the products (sectors)

identified in this zone.

1.3. The humid Central Zone

Similar to the humid Coastal Zone, the humid Central Zone had

little modification made to the priorities adopted during the

zonal and sub-regional consultations. The amendments focused

mainly on the organization and classification of priorities in

the different selected systems. This consisted in integrating

perennial crops into a sectoral approach and proposing a

production system-approach while taking into account factors

such as forest, agroforestry and peri-urban agricultural

systems.

As regards the themes or products under animal production, it

was decided to extend the scope of investigation to inland

fishing, cattle and small ruminants (sheep and goats) and to

the component on crop-livestock integration. The thematic

sector on genetic resource management was harmonized for the

two other zones.

The General Assembly thereafter recommended that :

i) the sectors, main themes and sub-themes be

grouped to form the structure of the strategic

framework for the West and Central Africa region;

ii) the priorities emanating from the zonal and

regional consultations be classified according to

the priority themes for regional co-operation in

research.

The summary tables illustrating the research priorities

emanating from the zonal and regional consultations were

therefore amended as follows:

WECARD/CORAF131

1- Sahelian West Africa Zone

Priorities for research in the Sahel-Savanna Zone

Fields ofresearch

Production systems

Rainfed systems Irrigated systems Agro-sylvi-pastoral systems

Peri-urbansystems

Animal production Cattle (meat)Small ruminants

PoultryDairy cows

Smallruminants

Crop production Cowpea (beans),Millet

Sorghum, GroundnutMaize

Cotton, Fruit trees

VegetablesRice

Fruit trees

Vegetablecrops

Fruit crops


Soil fertility and water managementLivestock-crop Integration

Agro-forestry2

Biodiversity (genetic resource management, Preservation andutilization)

Analysis ofagriculturalpolicies

Economic Analysis of Production SectorsProduction Costs – Marketing – Export

Agricultural product preservation/processingAgricultural policy impact analysisResearch & extension impact analysis

Technologytransfer (1)

Campaign for support and services

2Agroforestry : to be specified


2. Coastal West Africa Zone

Priorities for research in the humid Coastal Zone

Fields of research Sectors SystemsPerennial

cropsAnnual crops Livestock

breedingPeri-urbansystems


Fruit trees

RiceMaize

Roots/TubersCottonSorghumGrainlegumes

Vegetables

Vegetablecrops

Animal production Poultry –keepingCattleraisingSmall

ruminantsFishing/Fish

farming

Poultry –keepingSmall

ruminants

WECARD/CORAF132


Soil fertility managementWater managementLand management

Crop-Livestock IntegrationAgroforestry

Genetic resource management (collection and preservationof genetic resources, characterization. evaluation and

utilization)Analysis ofagricultural policies

Markets and sectors, Input distributionAnalysis of socio-economic environment

Socio-economic analysis of products, processing,preservation,

packaging and processing equipmentLand tenure systems

Technology transfer Adoption problemsTechnological impact

Funding policy


3. Central Africa Zone

Priorities for regional research in the humid CentralZone

Fields of research Sectors Systems

Perennialcrops

Annual crops Livestock/Fishing

Forest /Agroforestr

y wood

Peri-urbansystems

Crop production Oil palm

Coffee

Cocoa

Para-rubber

Fruit trees

Tubers

Banana/Plantain

Vegetables

Maize

Wood Tubers

Banana/Plantain

Vegetables

Maize

Animal production Deep-sea

& Inland

Fishing

Cattle

Smallruminants

Poultry-keeping

Small ruminants

Non-livestockbreeding

Fish-farming

Analysis ofagricultural policies

Economic analysis of production systems

Production costs – Marketing – Exportation

Agricultural product preservation and processing

Agricultural policy impact analysis

Research & extension impact analysis


Genetic resources

Soil management

Soil fertility management

Crop-Livestock integration

Bio-diversity management

Forest

Technology transfert


2. Proposal of priority themes for sub-regional co-

WECARD/CORAF133

operationThe procedure comprised identification of the majordevelopment objectives of the sub-region, transforming theconstraints into research projects, using the indicatorsavailable for the sub-region or elsewhere, and definingresearch methods and the modalities for their implementationin order to achieve the expected results. It covered thefollowing stages :

- the sectors constituted the first entry point.“Sector” means the whole set of functions (production,processing and marketing) and stakeholders involved inthe process that leads to the transformation of anagricultural product into one or several finishedproducts used by the human society (Manichon, 1996).Depending on the given cases, such sectors adequatelyprovided for the quantitative and qualitative needs ofthe rural and urban populations of the zone. The studyof each segment made it possible to identify the mainlimiting factors, the strengths and weaknesses.

- Environment is the second entry point for the sub-regional analysis. The zoning procedure used dependedon the variability of the physical, economic and socialfeatures of the zone and this made it possible tounderstand the diversity of the natural resourcemanagement processes as well as the principlesgoverning them. Note, however, that zoning was notnecessarily agro-ecological. Relations between thevarious agents, their modes of organization and thepressure they exert on space facilitated a generalunderstanding of its use and of the results achieved.

- The analysis of policies constituted the thirdentry point. The focus here was on matters concerningmacro- and micro-economic policies, pricing, credit,and the land management policies. This set of policies,as well as market operation and organization ofextension activities, helps to influence the behaviourof stakeholders and their relations in the event ofuncertainties and unexpected circumstances.

Sub-Saharan Africa in general, and West and CentralAfrica in particular, has to meet three major challengesthat permeate the development objectives of each zone:

- improving the populations’ income so as to reduce

poverty in the region. In this context, the development

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of certain agricultural sectors could contribute to theachievement of this objective;

- enhancing the competitiveness of agriculturalsectors on the world market so as to strengthen theregion’s position and provide security for the people’sincome;

- sustainable management of the natural resourcebase with a view to assuring future generations of someproduction prospects.

As part of its activities, agricultural research intervenesthrough two approaches which have so far been at variance.These are the sectoral approach, which deals especially withconstraints within the sector’s segments upstream, downstreamand at the production level; and the system-approach whichcovers the entire farm/enterprise of the producer, and all theproducts and natural resources of the farm/enterprise, forthat matter. For the sub-regional priorities, the GeneralAssembly adopted the sectoral approach and the system-approachwith a transversal theme for this strategic framework.

On the question of specifying the concepts of system-approach,sectoral approach and the transversal themes adopted for thedefinition of priority areas for regional co-operation, anexplanatory note will be issued to facilitate the formulationof the research projects.

In fact, the two approaches are essential for the achievementof the development objectives adopted for the sub-region, i.e.:

• poverty alleviation ;• food security ;• improved income for the populations ;• sustainable natural resource management ;• enhanced competitiveness of agricultural products.

The main theme on the collection, evaluation, preservation anduse of genetic resources comes within the framework of takinga better position vis-à-vis globalization. Africa is animportant centre of diversity for numerous plant and animalspecies. Hence, it is essential that the NARS take actions inrespect of this thematic concern for future generations.

Date post:	06-Oct-2020
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