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CORAF partners with ISRA to organize a national consultative workshop on the Scientific Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A).

Today, July 17, and until July 19, at the Amphithéâtre du Pôle de Recherche de Hann, at ISRA, where the workshop will last for three days, CORAF/ WECARD, ISRA and FARA set out the vision of the S3A scientific program in Africa, under the aegis of the Senegalese Ministry of Agriculture.

"S3A refers to the science, extension, technology, innovation, practice and social development that Africa must apply (...) to achieve its evolving agricultural development goals." Science, technology and innovation must accompany Africa's agricultural practice to meet its expectations. And "S3A is linked to the AU's Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)".

The ambition of the workshop is to identify: (i) areas where S3A would be invaluable in advancing agriculture in Senegal; (ii) recall S3A knowledge in Senegal; (iii) review S3A implementation; (iv) define capacity development needs; (v) suggest adequate funding for S3A; (vi) develop a platform for impacts; and (vii) develop a platform for knowledge sharing and learning. "Success has been achieved, but more needs to be done."

The traffic jam around Dakar on Monday July 17 did not prevent Senegal's agricultural research communities from weaving their way to ISRA. The workshop in Senegal, FARA's first-level country, follows those held in Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana and Egypt.

In his opening address, ISRA Executive Director Alioune FALL declared that "agricultural research should also take into account the challenges of climate change and urbanization". Following his opening address, CORAF/WECARD Executive Director Dr. Abdou Tenkouano thanked "the Senegalese government for the favorable environment granted to CORAF/WECARD, now marking its 30th anniversary." He noted that "the vision for 2030 is not just for Africa to feed itself, but to become the granary of the world." The representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Equipment draws attention to the field: source of demand and measure of success.

It remains to be seen how the fruits of S3A translate into concrete actions, at country level, to achieve food and nutrition security, scientific innovation and feeding the world.