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CORAF STC reviews 2021 achievements and guides 2022 work plan

The 17th ordinary session of CORAF's Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) is being held in Dakar with the overriding objective of reviewing the implementation of the 2021 Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) and providing technical and scientific recommendations to strengthen CORAF's capacities in 2022. The meeting lasts three days (December 1-3, 2021). This is the 17th statutory meeting of the JTS.

CORAF is currently implementing several projects. These include :

• Project to strengthen networks and institutional capacities in plant improvement for the development of resilient crops meeting the needs of West African farmers(ABEE)
• Project to anticipate and manage biological risks to strengthen farmers' resilience to climate change in West and Central Africa(Biorisks)
• Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme ex-Pillar 4(CAADP-XP4)
• Hub for the coordination of agricultural research, innovation and consultancy(iReach)
• Partnership for Agricultural Research, Education and Development in West Africa(PAIRED)
• Climate-resilient agriculture and productivity improvement project in Chad(ProPAD)
• Scaling up agricultural technologies and innovations to increase the resilience of production systems and family farms in West and Central Africa(TARSPro)
• Study of the effects of government responses to COVID-19 on food systems and livelihoods in the Sahel. 

Members of the STC monitored progress in implementing these programs, as well as the 2022 work plan. They took it in turns to provide advice to ensure that the implementation of the programs contributed to the achievement of CORAF's strategic priorities.

The STC is one of CORAF's main governance instruments. Most of the current STC members will reach the end of their mandate during the current session. The expectation is that the current members will be reappointed and a new management team put in place.

With COVID-19 at the top of the agenda for all, the current CST meeting is also expected to discuss what CORAF has done to mitigate its effects. It will also discuss CORAF's recent efforts to expand its activities in Central Africa, listen to plans leading up to the physical holding of the 13th General Assembly.

What are the expected results?

The expected results of the 17th ordinary session of the CST are as follows:

• The challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic for CORAF are examined and guidance and advice provided;
• Progress on the updated 2018-2027 strategic plan and the 2023-2027 operational plan are discussed;
• The PTBA 2022 is reviewed and recommendations are made for its effective implementation;
• CORAF's efforts to improve its visibility and activities in Central Africa are discussed;
• The organization of the 13th Ordinary Session of the CORAF General Assembly is discussed;
• The CTS bylaws are reviewed and the question of renewing the CTS membership and chairmanship is debated.

CORAF's STC is made up of twelve members, including six men and six women. The 17th STC meeting is chaired by Professor Isaac Roger Tchoumo from Cameroon and facilitated by CORAF's Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Emmanuel Njukwe.