News

It was at the end of the 13th General Assembly of CORAF, held in January 2022 in N'Djaména, Chad, that it was decided that the next iteration of this important meeting would be held in Benin, in April 2024.

This dynamic is beginning to take shape, following a recent working visit to Benin by CORAF's Executive Director, Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, where he met with the country's authorities.

In particular, he met the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, His Excellency Gaston Cossi DOSSOUHUI, and the Director General of the Institut national des recherches agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Professor Adolphe ADJANOHOUN.

CORAF's Executive Director learned from the latter that the highest authorities of the Republic of Benin, including INRAB, had approved the holding of CORAF's 14th General Assembly (GA14) on Beninese soil.

"CORAF is honored and very excited that the Benin government has welcomed the idea of holding CORAF's AG14 on Beninese soil, with a focus on mobilizing the private sector to scale up technologies and innovations resulting from research," said CORAF Executive Director Dr. Abdou TENKOUANO.

"The private sector is a key player in scaling up the fruits of research and making them available to farmers. That's why it's important to find the best mechanism for mobilizing it in this direction", observed Dr. TENKOUANO. 

The theme chosen for AG14 is in line with the priorities of the Government of Benin.

"The AG14 will be an opportunity to inform the general public about the results of national research carried out by INRAB in particular, and its contribution to regional research coordinated by CORAF," said Professor Adolphe ADJANOHOUN, General Manager of INRAB.

The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries expressed his ministry's full support and offered valuable advice and ideas for a successful AG14.

A joint INRAB-CORAF committee will be set up to organize the meeting. 

INRAB is the main player in Benin's national agricultural research system, and the main sponsor of CORAF. 

As such, it will play a pivotal role in the organization of the next AG14.