The National Centre of Specialization (NCoS) in Ghana, CSIR-Crops Research Institute is organizing a regional conference to create a platform to strengthen National and Regional multidisplinary networks and for identification, planning and implementation of common research problems and solutions on root and tuber value chain development in the different countries in the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP).
Background
The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) initiated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries is part of the implementation of the agricultural sector of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aims to support regional cooperation in agriculture in West Africa in accordance with the action plans for managers in the agricultural policy of ECOWAS and NEPAD. It receives financial support from the World Bank and sub-regional coordination of the program is provided by the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development in Africa (WECARD/CORAF). The program which started as WAAPP-1A in 2008 and continued as WAAPP-2A in 2013 aims to contribute to sustainable increases in agricultural productivity in national and regional priority sectors that are more likely to increase the agricultural growth rate for the participating countries and provide support to regional integration as an instrument to promoting shared growth. These supports have a developmental goal to intensify generation, dissemination and adoption of improved technologies in the agricultural priority commodities of the participating countries. Reaching this objective implies the strengthening of regional cooperation in the generation of technologies; scaling up dissemination and developing collaborative mechanisms.
Objectives of the workshop
The main objective of the workshop is to share knowledge on root and tuber crops value chain research and development activities in the sub region, and establish effective networking groups in the development of concept notes that addresses regional common issues. Specifically this workshop or conference will create a platform for identification of common regional agricultural research problems and develop conceptual notes for further development.
Expected results
At the end of the workshop, the following results are expected:
- Initiation of research networking groups.
- A register of technologies generated / implemented by WAAPP NCOS, ready for transfer and demonstration in other WAAPP countries.
- New conceptual notes will be drafted for fine tuning and soliciting for funds.
Call for Abstracts
The plenary session is fashioned on open keynote papers in the following areas:
- Marketing and commercialization as a driving force for development of root and tuber crops.
- Value addition to Root and Tuber crops: the way forward
- Towards integrated Research and Extension delivery: a key for sustainable development.
- Technology and innovations in R&T development.
Please ensure abstracts submitted meet international standards (content and language). Abstracts containing 250‐350 words must be submitted using the online form at www.cropsresearch.org by March 30, 2016.
Acceptance of abstracts will be sent by April 10, 2016. Contributors must confirm their participation by April 20, 2016. A panel of referees will decide if an abstract will be accepted, and if yes, as a poster or as an oral presentation. A programme committee will allocate the accepted contributions to interdisciplinary sessions.
Poster contributions will be grouped into thematic clusters and addressed in guided poster sessions. Authors of accepted abstracts are encouraged to submit a full paper version of their contribution by April 25, 2016, for publication. Conference proceedings will be published as a special edition of the Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana.
Workshop approach
The 7 day conference (travel days inclusive) will have a plenary and working group sessions in order to encourage discussions and consensus building. The operational mode of the workshop will be based on the following:
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: An opening session, which will focus on oral presentations on highlights and overview of WAAPP Ghana activities, achievements of the NCoS and partner/allied institutions in Ghana. The afternoon session will have key note papers that addresses the private sector involvement, value addition, integrating research and extension delivery and innovative technology in sustainable research and development.
Day 3 – 6: There will be 4 Technical sessions (oral and poster presentations) in the mornings centred on a particular commodity and a working group discussion in the afternoon of each day. Each days technical session will be preceded by an identified eminent scientist who will present papers in a commodity crops area of interest to the NCoS (Cassava, yam, sweetpotato and cocoyam) on the sub theme: “Towards sustainable productivity: Root and Tuber Crops value chain research and development” – These discussions will be moderated by a key discussant who will direct and set the tone for the working groups in the identification of national and regional priorities for conceptual note development for the commodity of the day. The working groups will identify common problems within the sub region and develop conceptual notes of interest. These working group sessions will allow development of ideas, and knowledge sharing on the development, dissemination and adoption of technologies generated under WAAPP.
Day 7: Closing and departure.
- This event has passed.