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Cape Verde's Minister of Agriculture and the Environment urged governments and development partners to invest more in research, given its potential to transform the continent's agricultural sector.

"Countries and partners should strive to fund more agricultural research and development," said Gilberto Correia Carvalho Silva, Cape Verde's Minister of Agriculture and the Environment.

Dr Silva was speaking in Praia on Wednesday January 15, 2020 at the opening ceremony of a learning event designed to discuss the centrality of research in the agricultural transformation of West and Central African countries.

While African countries have set an ambitious agricultural agenda through the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program and recognized the criticality of science, technology and innovation (STI), commensurate funding has often been lacking.

Welcoming the leaders of Africa's largest sub-regional research organization and their national partners to Praia for a two-day workshop, Minister Silva underlined the importance of CORAF for the development of both regions.

"CORAF is without doubt an organization of considerable importance for the western and central regions of our continent. Since its creation in 1987, this international non-profit organization has developed and delivered concrete results that have contributed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of small producers and promoting the agricultural sector," said Minister Silva.

CORAF's Board of Directors (BOD) will be held in Praia from January 16 to 17, 2020 to review and approve the essential actions needed for the organization to continue its mission.

Unlike previous GB meetings, this one will be preceded by a two-day workshop to enable CORAF players to reflect on the theme of "Research, innovation and technology transfer for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in West and Central Africa".

Cape Verde to support CORAF

"Allow me to take this opportunity to express the confidence of our country (Cape Verde) in the work of CORAF and our full support for the strengthening of this organization for the good of our regions," said Minister Silva.

The regional economic communities of West and Central Africa have mandated CORAF to coordinate agricultural research. The national agricultural research systems of 23 West and Central African countries, including Cape Verde, are members of CORAF. Over the past ten years, more than 100 million farmers have used improved technologies facilitated by CORAF. Over the same period, more than 400 improved technologies have been developed. Over 10,000 tonnes of quality seed have been produced, and some 1,200 young scientists have been trained to replace an ageing pool of researchers.

"It's no coincidence that CORAF has become ECOWAS's main scientific research arm in the field of agriculture and food security."

"Governments, the private sector, civil society, farmers and businesses place a great deal of hope and confidence in CORAF," recalled Minister Silva.

"CORAF promotes technological innovations to sustainably improve agricultural productivity and enhance the efficiency of small-scale farmers, who are the focus of their research."

CORAF challenged

The Cape Verdean government official called for greater pragmatism in the conduct of research and development activities.

"Don't undertake research just for the sake of it, but to respond quickly and efficiently to growers' needs while preserving the environment."

The Minister also challenged researchers and others working in the CORAF coverage area to :

• Facilitating producers' access to markets;
• Increase the integration of socio-cultural and socio-environmental issues into research and development processes;
• Modernize information systems and technology dissemination, while focusing on capacity building.