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The government of Guinea-Bissau has asked CORAF to help rebuild the country's national agricultural research system.

At a brief meeting held on Saturday February 15, 2020 in Dakar, Senegal, Jorge A.S. Oliveira, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, invited CORAF to integrate Guinea-Bissau into regional research and development interventions.

Guinea Bissau has drawn up its national agricultural investment plan. Research is at the heart of the strategy. But with several years of under-investment in science, technology and innovation, the potential has been considerably reduced.

"The national agricultural research system has collapsed. We have to rebuild everything again because the infrastructure is falling into disrepair", said Jorge A.S. Oliveira.

"We want CORAF to be more present and active in Guinea-Bissau," said the senior government official.

The Institut National de Recherche Agricole (INPA) is the only public research organization in Guinea-Bissau. It conducts research on crops and livestock. INPA is also involved in the production of plant and animal materials, the dissemination of new technologies, agricultural training and the dissemination of scientific and technical information.

"Jorge A.S. Oliveira, SG of Guinea Bissau's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, visits CORAF

Possible areas of collaboration

With the implementation of essential programs now complete, CORAF set out to find new support for the further development of agriculture in West Africa.

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"It's always an honor to know that partners appreciate our solutions," said Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Executive Director of CORAF.

"I'm delighted that you've launched your plan to invest in agriculture. It's much easier to determine which partners to work with once you already have a plan. And I'm glad that Guinea-Bissau has a clear vision of what it wants to do in terms of developing its agriculture."

Through the West African Agricultural Productivity Program, fruit fly control, support for the maize, cotton and livestock sectors, and seed programs in West Africa, CORAF has made a substantial contribution to the advancement of research systems in most West African countries.

The two parties discussed completed projects and possible areas of collaboration in terms of rebuilding research infrastructure, capacity building and collaboration with other West African countries.

"Guinea Bissau is well placed to join forces with other countries in the region," said Dr. Bissau.

Four of the 23 countries in CORAF's coverage area are Luxembourg-speaking. These are Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau, as well as São Tomé and Príncipe.

CORAF has recently been active in its Luxembourg-speaking member countries. In early 2020, CORAF held its Board of Directors meeting in Praia, Cape Verde. The next CORAF General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Equatorial Guinea.

Jorge A.S. Oliveira, who is also a former official of the U.S. Agency for International Development, was accompanied by Rui Jorge Alves da Fonseca, Cabinet Director at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Bernado Cassamá, Director at the same ministry.

CORAF's Directors of Programs, General Services and Communication joined the Executive Director in welcoming the Guinea-Bissau delegation.

More photos of the meeting here