News

The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development is 30 years old this year.

Representatives of farmers' groups, the private sector, agricultural policy and decision-makers, and researchers from national agricultural research systems in West and Central Africa are expected in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, at the end of November for a series of commemorative activities.

The opportunity will provide CORAF stakeholders with a moment to reflect on over 30 years of supporting nearly 400 million people in 23 countries of West and Central Africa to ensure food security. The occasion will also enable CORAF and its partners to explore new ways of tackling the urgent food problems facing these two regions and Africa in general.

Farmers in West and Central Africa, like most others on the continent, suffer significant post-harvest losses. Many lack access to high-yield seeds and fertilizers. Numerous improvements are needed in irrigation techniques and in the mechanization of the agricultural sector.

Studies show that food imports are set to reach $100 billion by 2030. At the same time, youth employment remains a major challenge in West and Central Africa.

Governments, regional and international partners have set ambitious targets to ensure food security over the next decade.

Thanks to CORAF, these partners expect high-quality research results and innovative technologies to meet some of these challenges.

A story of results

The development of new technologies and innovations to enable farmers to achieve food security has been a priority for CORAF since its creation in 1987.

Not only does CORAF disseminate relevant agricultural data and technologies, it also coordinates national agricultural research systems and provides member states with policy options to ensure food security and progress in the agricultural sector.

Over the past ten years, CORAF has stepped up its support for strengthening agricultural systems in both regions.

Thanks to the implementation of the Agricultural Productivity Program in West Africa (PPAAO), financed by the World Bank, for example, a total of 1,017 young scientists have been trained and equipped. The national specialization centers of the countries involved in this program have benefited from the renovation of their infrastructure and new research laboratories.

161 technologies have been published and adopted by 3.5 million producers and processors on around 4 million hectares. The program has reached over 7 million people directly, 48% of them women. And indirectly, the program has reached 30 million people.

By increasing yields of the main crops by between 30% and 150%, the program has had a considerable impact on food security and calorie intake. Calorie consumption rose from 2,777 kcals to 2,964 kcals, and the "hunger period" was reduced by 28-55%, depending on the commodity. The PPAAO has also improved the economic situation of farmers by 34%.

Modernizing For the future

In 2015, world leaders met in New York and resolved to end hunger, ensure food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

At regional level, leaders unanimously endorsed the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) as the main policy instrument for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all.

With this renewed urgency to fight hunger, CORAF is in the process of refining its strategy. The desired objective is not only to position CORAF to effectively address the challenges facing farmers in West and Central Africa, but also to implement the mandate given by CAADP and regional bodies.

CORAF is one of the implementing bodies of CAADP Pillar 4. In the revised plan, Pillar 4 targets a 12% growth in agriculture in member countries over the next ten years.

CORAF is the technical instrument of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

The revised strategy and operational plan are due to be adopted by the CORAF General Assembly when it meets in Dakar, Senegal, on November 28. The General Assembly is the supreme body of CORAF.