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The 13th General Assembly of CORAF kicked off today, Tuesday January 25, 2022, in the Chadian capital, N'djaména. The official opening ceremony was presided over by the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Chad, Acheick Ibn Oumar, Chadian Minister of State for Dialogue and National Reconciliation.

In his opening address, the representative of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno saw the General Assembly as an opportunity to fully discuss some of the challenges facing West and Central Africa, and to identify innovative solutions.

"This is an opportunity to clarify the problems that have set us back compared with other sub-regions, and to define strategies for pooling material and financial resources for the development of our communities," said Minister Acheick.

Most of the first day of the GA will be devoted to gaining recognition for CORAF as an interstate tool for cooperation in agricultural research and development in West and Central Africa.

CORAF currently has cooperation agreements with four regional economic communities in West and Central Africa, including :

• Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)
• Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
• The Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC)

A discussion entitled "Research Leaders Forum" will enable the heads of national agricultural research institutes to brainstorm on ways of working better with CORAF. And the final event of the day would be to recognize some of the personalities who have contributed to the growth of research and development in West and Central Africa.

Validation of the Central Africa Strategy.

Increasingly, CORAF aspires to become a responsive organization, working to meet the demands of its various stakeholders. For the past two years, it has been developing a plan to increase its footprint in Central Africa.

At the General Assembly in N'djamena, delegates will examine and adopt the new strategy to enable CORAF to make a greater impact in Central Africa.

"I hope that the Central African strategy will help unlock the region's potential," said Minister Acheick at the opening ceremony.

A day to showcase innovations from Chad

The Institut tchadien de recherche agricole pour le développement (ITRAD) is Chad's leading agricultural research agency. It reports to the Ministry of Agricultural Development. It conducts research on crops, forestry, fisheries and natural resources, and works with several other institutions as part of Chad's agricultural research system.

Most organizations have been invited to present their innovations on Day II of the General Assembly. In addition, round-table discussions will enable participants to examine the progress made in developing innovations to support Chadian farmers, livestock breeders, agro-processors and businesses. 

"The exhibition is designed to showcase research results, scientific innovations and the various products resulting from the transformation of African agriculture," explains Yacine Doudoua, Director of ITRAD.

Read more :

• In pictures: CORAF's 13th General Assembly

• CORAF Chairman calls for increased R&D investment

• Researchers challenged to find solutions to climate change and COVID-19

• CORAF's 13th General Assembly to discuss plans for accelerating food security