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Abdoulaye Touré's health may have been frail in recent years, but his unfinished mission of providing technology to poor farmers in West Africa meant he rarely missed a professional appointment. And that's why, when his death was announced on Sunday June 16, 2019, everyone was shaken.

For many, Mr. Touré's departure represents a colossal loss, not only because of the work still to be done to nurture Africa, but also because of the exceptional human qualities he embodied. Without a doubt, the adjectives used to describe the man were rich and varied: visionary, faithful, wise, humble, sympathetic, courteous, highly respectful, kind and thoughtful.

Never wallow in success

Dr Touré has been in the development field for almost three decades. But it's the last decade that has been one of the most significant in his career. Along with many other development players, Touré contributed to the development of the West African Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP). Now in its tenth year, this program is one of the World Bank's largest investments in West Africa, covering 13 countries.

With 9 million direct beneficiaries, 56 million indirect beneficiaries, over 200 technologies developed and adopted by nearly 4.5 million growers, covering some 4.8 million hectares, over 1,000 students trained and increased crop yields, many have begun to gloat.

But not Mr Touré.

He acknowledged WAAPP's contribution to lifting millions out of poverty by delivering innovations to West African farmers, while consistently asserting that the work was incomplete.

"We haven't put a lot of emphasis on extension services under the PPAAO, which partly explains the modest levels of adoption of technologies and innovations," admitted Dr Touré, at a results and experience-sharing meeting between peers from all PPAAO participating countries in Niamey, Niger in November 2018. In PPAAO jargon, these events are known as synthesis meetings.

Tribute to Abdoulaye TOURE.

His last stand

Alongside a select group of highly qualified and experienced experts from leading multilateral development institutions, including the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as well as regional and national institutions, Mr. Touré has spent the last two years preparing another version of the WAAPP.

Known as the West African Agricultural Transformation Program (WAATP), this new program, which is being developed under Toure's leadership, will focus on the new challenges facing farmers, small-scale producers, processors and the agricultural sector in West Africa.

As recently as June 2019, he was still leading the process, trying to focus on emerging and urgent issues such as climate change, nutrition, trade, regional food reserves, gender and youth issues.

He was so committed to helping others out of their difficulties, that he sometimes forgot to take care of himself. He refused to heed the many calls and advice to take a break and look after his health.

On June 12, 2019, he was flown to Paris for intensive medical care. But Almighty God, to whom Touré showed unwavering devotion, had different plans for him. And this will be his last contribution to lifting the poor out of poverty.

"This is a great loss of someone who loved Africa. Someone who nurtured many hopes of seeing a transformed, prosperous and strong Africa," wrote Dr Angela Moreno, Chair of CORAF's Board of Directors, in reaction to Abdoulaye Touré's death.

A CORAF supporter

Abdoulaye Touré trained as an economist. But in his recent development work, agricultural research has become his passion. He saw great potential in addressing some of the challenges facing food systems in West Africa.

With the WAPP regional integration model, he understood more than many others that coordination was central. That's why he became a tireless advocate of CORAF. The regional economic communities of West and Central Africa have mandated CORAF to coordinate agricultural research.

He hardly missed a mission to provide CORAF with institutional support. He also congratulated CORAF on its coordinating role within the WAPP, while urging it to redouble its efforts and do more.

"CORAF needs to do more to facilitate the exchange of technologies and innovations at country level. CORAF is also responsible for the expected results, particularly in terms of technology adoption. This means that as part of its regional coordination mandate, CORAF must play an active role in facilitating technology exchange and adoption," said Touré, during an institutional support mission to CORAF in November 2018.

"We can't dissociate the last decade during which CORAF has recorded incredible results in terms of socio-economic impacts on the people of West Africa through the implementation of the WAPP and Mr. Touré's Multi-Donor Trust Fund. He has been at the center of our history. For this and for all the people CORAF represents, we will be eternally grateful to you", said Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Executive Director of CORAF.

A few reactions

Dr Ângela Moreno, President of the CORAF Board of Directors

It's tragic to hear the news of Dr Abdoulaye Touré's death. He was one of the most respected men at the World Bank here in Cape Verde. I remember how hard he fought for Cape Verde's entry into the WAPP and I remember how great an advisor he was to CORAF. He was a man of vision, a faithful and wise man.

CORAF will send a letter of condolence to his family and to the World Bank on behalf of all its members, and will be represented at the funeral of this great man of AFRICA.

May God raise up among us in Africa another person with a heart and vision equal to that of Dr Touré. May he ascend in peace into the arms of Almighty God.

Dr Aifa Fatimata Ndoye Niane, Senior Agricultural Economist, World Bank

The World Bank has lost its best collaborator. African agriculture has lost one of its most committed sons. For CORAF, which he worked so hard to develop, this is a huge loss. CORAF is one of his legacies. He expressed his deep pride in CORAF's institutional development. He loved CORAF, and I can testify to that.

Dr Harold Roy-Macauley, Managing Director, AfricaRice

''Indeed, a revered and valued friend, brother and colleague has passed away''.

Indeed, a heavy loss for all those working in the field of agricultural research for the development of West and Central Africa in particular and Africa in general.

Let us always remember him as an incomparable humanist, an ardent worker, a humble being, a very sympathetic person, a courteous man, very respectful, loving and caring.

We are certainly devastated by this sad news, but let us celebrate the life of Abdoulaye Touré by paying tribute to him as one of the greatest ever actors and supporters of the cause of agricultural research for development in Africa.

Let's highlight his unwavering dedication, unwavering commitment and unwavering devotion. In particular, let's try somehow to make the transition from WAAPP to WAPPT a reality and a shining lamp in his name.

To all members of his immediate and extended family, relatives, friends and colleagues, we extend our deepest condolences. In this time of deep sorrow, may their pain be soothed.

Allah gave and Allah took away. Let us pray that his soul may rest in perfect and perpetual peace''.

Souleymane OUEDRAOGO, General Manager, Centre Régional Agrhymet

It is with great emotion that I learn of Mr. Touré's death. He invested a great deal in the development of research and technology transfer for the African continent. He was always jovial in our discussions; his constant concern was to ensure that research results had an impact on agricultural development. My sincere condolences to his family. Rest in peace Dr Touré".

Jonas Nwankwo CHIANU, African Development Bank

It is indeed tragic to learn the sad news of Abdoulaye Touré's death. Mr. Touré was a great collaborator and partner of the African Development Bank in the TAAT Program (Technologies for Agricultural Transformation in Africa). I remember clearly how he saw an excellent entry point for the World Bank into the TAAT program through the TAAT clearinghouse, and how he saw the clearinghouse collaborating with the various regional centers of excellence established with World Bank support. He was also kind enough to share with us the relevant concept notes they had developed at the World Bank as we discussed issues related to synergy of operations and the need to avoid duplication while promoting complementarity. It is truly an enormous loss for his family, friends, colleagues and partners, as well as for the region. We will miss his vibrant support for agricultural development in Africa, particularly in West Africa. May the Almighty Father grant him eternal rest".