To ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and communication of Agricultural Technology Park (ATP) results, a regional training workshop was held in Dakar, Senegal, from September 25 to 29, 2023. It brought together 25 participants from countries involved in the PRSA/FSRP, iREACH, and TARSPro programs. The primary objective was to enhance the monitoring, evaluation, and communication skills of personnel responsible for operating agricultural technology parks in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, Chad, Togo, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
Agricultural Technology Parks (ATPs): Hubs of Innovation
Participants gained an in-depth understanding of ATP valorization, logical frameworks, performance indicators, and digital data collection tools. The workshop also included practical training in strategic communication, photography, success story writing, and media engagement to enhance ATP visibility. The training incorporated participatory theoretical and practical sessions, plenary presentations, interactive exchanges among participants, and group work.
This workshop aims to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and communication of ATP results. As part of the PRSA/FSRP, iREACH, and TARSPro activities, CORAF plans to promote access to and sharing of agricultural technologies. This involves establishing Agricultural Technology Parks (ATPs) in the specialized centers and intervention zones of these CORAF initiatives.
Evaluation of ATP Performance
To measure the impact of ATPs effectively, key performance indicators have been defined, along with a concerted reporting model. These indicators include the number of technologies demonstrated in the ATP, the number of individual visits and visits by farmers to the ATP, and the number of public-private partnerships established. These data are of crucial importance for assessing ATP effectiveness and guiding future decisions.
CORAF is working to ensure that these innovations are effectively scaled up. This entails creating employment opportunities for young people and transforming the agricultural industry in the region.