The Association for Strengthening Agriculture Research in Eastern and central Africa (ASARECA) is presently implementing a project titled Comprehensive Africa agriculture Development CAADP ex-pillar IV (CAADP-XP4) project.
The 5 years’ project is being supported thru the European Union’s (EU) Development smart innovation through Research in Agriculture (Desira) initiative.
The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) manages the project, and ASARECA is one of the five partner organizations benefiting from the European Union support.
Other beneficiary organizations include, African forum for Agriculture Advisory Service (AFAAS), Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa (FARA) Center for coordination of Agriculture Research and Development for southern Africa.
According to the Interim Executive Director ASARECA –Uganda Enock Warinda says ,”the overreaching goal of the CAADP-XP4 is to contribute to the implementation of agenda 2030 and contribute to the progressive achievement of sustainable development goals on :zero hunger (SDG2),the action to migate climate change impacts (SDG 5),decent work and economic growth (SDG 8),responsible consumption and production (SDG 12)”.
The project will additionally contribute to Agenda 2063 and the Malabo Declaration of the African Union (AU), revealed report.
”Am happy that the Researchers we are hosting in this Bench marking Exercise will enable agriculture research and innovation ,including extension services ,to contribute effectively to food and nutrition security ,economic development and climate mitigation in Africa .
And this will be achieved by improving the capacity, effectiveness and positioning of the regional and sub-regional agriculture research and extension as well as National Agriculture Research systems (NARS) and promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among the organizations.”
MAJOR OBJECTIVES FOR THE BENCH MARKING EXERCISE
The overall objective of the benchmarking exercise is to build the capacities of the technical staff in ASARECA member countries which includes
- Increasing Knowledge in technical areas where participants have skill gaps
- Enhance the capacity of ASARECA partners to perform better in their duties
- Facilitate Mentorship among ASARECA partners
- Promote coordination and learning among ASARECA partners
The 5days’ bench-marking exercise `is going on at the Namulonge agricultural research centre and will involve several field visits, mentoring, training sessions and peer learning researchers are expected from 9 member countries within East and Central region of Africa. Over 10 countries including South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, Madagascar and others are participating in this year’s brain storming exercise that started Monday18th to 22sd Oct 2021. A wrap up ceremony will climax at the ASARECA headquarters in Entebbe.
(Special Report By HENRY OKECH&PEACOCK KAWEESA)
