News

From December 4 to 7, 2024, CORAF Executive Director Dr. Moumini SAVADOGO paid a courtesy visit to Benin's authorities and strategic partners. This initiative is part of an effort to recognize the support provided by the Republic of Benin and technical partners, while exploring new directions to strengthen collaboration.

A buoyant environment

This mission follows on from the decisive role played by Benin in the organization of CORAF's 14th General Assembly and the strategic support provided by the Head of Swiss Cooperation in the implementation of CORAF's 2018-2027 strategic plan.

"Recognizing the efforts of our partners and exploring new directions to strengthen our impact in the field is a priority for CORAF," said Dr. Savadogo, emphasizing the importance of these partnerships in achieving sustainable agricultural development goals.

The mission program was marked by key meetings with actors essential to agricultural development in Benin:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries: Minister Hon. Gaston Cossi DOSSOUHOUI welcomed Dr. Savadogo for in-depth discussions on the development of a national strategy for agricultural research, as well as on the financing mechanisms to be strengthened to support this sector.

• Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB) : Technical discussions with the Managing Director, Dr. Hervé DOSSOU, and his team, on the forthcoming organization of a visit by technical partners to the Gnaouli Technology and Innovation Park.

• Société Nationale de Mécanisation Agricole (SoNaMA): The visit to Ouidah provided an opportunity to discover innovative initiatives in agricultural mechanization, illustrating the sector's potential for transformation thanks to adapted technologies.

• Swiss Cooperation: During a meeting with Ms. Elisabeth Pitteloud Alansar, Head of Swiss Cooperation in Benin, discussions focused on the integration of agricultural research into the next cooperation plan 2026-2029. 

"We're ready to step up our support so that agricultural research can make a greater contribution to the region's sustainable development," said Ms Pitteloud.

Concrete commitments for the future

Several priority actions were defined at the end of this mission:

• Strengthening CORAF's financial capacity: Benin has begun the process of transferring the funds needed to pay the annual dues owed to CORAF, an essential gesture to guarantee the sustainability of the organization's activities.
• Promoting technological advances: A visit by technical and financial partners to the Technology and Innovation Park is planned for 2025, with the aim of showcasing the results of agricultural research and innovation.

• Improving the integration of agricultural research: Swiss cooperation has expressed its commitment to including agricultural research in its priorities for the next cooperation cycle 2026-2029.

This mission illustrates the importance of collaboration between CORAF, national institutions and international partners in meeting the challenges of food security in West and Central Africa. 

"CORAF will continue to work hand in hand with its partners to transform innovations into concrete impacts on the ground," emphasized Dr. Savadogo.

By strengthening partnerships and emphasizing research and innovation, CORAF is reaffirming its central role in sustainable agricultural development in the region.