The leaders of African CEA-Impact dedicated to training and research in the field of agriculture have as their vocation to impact the national capacities of agricultural research for the economic and social development of the countries of the sub-region;
Aware of the importance of the CEA-Impact in the construction of genuine National Agricultural Research Systems;
Concerned about addressing the persistent challenges of food security and environmental protection against climate change;
Committed to ensuring that the improvement of production, the valorization, and processing of agricultural products are at the heart of agricultural development;
Anxious to achieve the objectives of training, research, and partnership with the various components in the value chain around food security;
Decide to create a network to establish a common platform for exchanges, information sharing and collaboration on large-scale regional projects that can strengthen the capacities of actors in the agricultural sector to improve agricultural productivity and achieve food security in the sub-Saharan African region.
This vision is based on the principles that govern the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), as well as on the vision of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), which the African Union has designated as the Technical Implementation Agency for CAADP Pillar IV (Improving Agricultural Research, Technology Dissemination and Adoption).
The goal of the FOOD4WA network is to contribute to sustainable improvements in agricultural productivity in the West African sub-region through research and extension of knowledge and training of stakeholders in the field.
The objectives of FOOD4WA are:
(i) to establish a network between lecturer-researchers, researchers, and students of the various CEA Impact members;
(ii) to create a research dynamic on priority themes related to food security;
(iii) to popularize the results of research and innovation through conferences, symposiums, and open house days involving students, teachers, farmers, and key actors in the orientation of development policies like national and regional institutions such as WAEMU, ECOWAS, etc.;
(iv) to create a digital platform and to ensure communication activities;
(v) to mobilize resources.
To achieve its goals and objectives, the FOOD4WA network intends to
- The CEA Center for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) shall deal with all aspects of food technology, mainly developing and using improved technologies to reduce post-harvest losses.
- The Regional Center of Excellence in Poultry Science (CERSA) of the University of Lome shall be responsible for promoting and developing the poultry sector through research and training to consolidate food security in Africa. Its mission is to develop technical strategies to improve the quality of poultry products and strengthen the development of the poultry industry in Africa.
- The African Center of Excellence in Agriculture for Food Security and Nutrition (CEA-AGRISAN), based at Cheikh Anta Diop University, shall produce and promote biofertilizers and seedlings for clean, nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The CEA-AGRISAN hosts a doctoral training in Microbial Plant Biotechnology and Plant Improvement. It can host teachers, students, and technicians for training and research activities. This network will be supported by the other Impact agricultural centers of excellence, namely:
- The West African Centre of Excellence for Crop Improvement (WACCI) of the University of Legon, Ghana, which specializes in the development of superior food crop varieties using genomic and conventional tools, shall engage in collaborative research to build the human capacity needed to ensure food security in Africa;
- The Centre of Excellence Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, shall promote research, and development of agriculture and generate sustainable agricultural technologies to increase crop and livestock productivity in semi-arid and dry sub-humid environments;
- The African Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (CEA-CCBAD) at the University of Félix Houphouët Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire, shall generate and disseminate appropriate technologies to cope with climate variability and change, particularly through adapted land use;
- The Regional Center of Excellence on Pastoral Productions (CERPP) of the Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, Niger is involved in generating and disseminating appropriate technologies to upgrade the pastoral meat, leather and hide production chain.
