On 15 September 2023, a CORAF delegation led by its Executive Director, Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, was received in audience by the President of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) Commission, Mr Abdoulaye DIOP. The meeting took place in the presence of Commissioner Kako Nubukpo, in charge of the WAEMU Department of Agriculture, Water Resources and the Environment.
The main purpose of the meeting was to explore ways of strengthening the partnership between the WAEMU Commission and CORAF in the field of agriculture. Discussions focused on working together to improve food security and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The Executive Director of CORAF presented some of the results of the research programme on priority agricultural sectors financed by WAEMU. This programme has helped to modernise agriculture and improve the productivity and competitiveness of five priority agricultural sectors – maize, cotton, livestock, poultry and aquaculture – with a view to ensuring food security and improving the standard of living of producers.
Some of the achievements of the Valorization of Cotton Stalks in the manufacture of Particle Board project (VATICOPP) and the Enhancement of Local Animal and Aquaculture Genetic Resources project (PROGEVAL) project were highlighted. Both parties stressed the importance of agricultural research in meeting the challenges of modern agriculture, such as climate change, fluctuating commodity prices and the need to involve the private sector in the transformation of agriculture.
“This is an expression of satisfaction with the results achieved. These projects have produced results and there is a need to scale up the achievements” insisted the President of the WAEMU Commission, Abdoulaye DIOP.
At this meeting, Dr TENKOUANO handed to President DIOP a copy of the document of capitalization of the achievements of the Research Project on Priority Agricultural Sectors implemented by CORAF from 2014 to 2019, with the financial support of the WAEMU Commission.
In conclusion, the strengthened collaboration between these two organisations promises significant advances in agricultural research, food security and agricultural development in the region. CORAF is determined to continue working hand in hand with its partners to achieve this shared vision of agricultural progress in West and Central Africa.