History
Summary of the evoluton
African Heads of State and Government created the SAFGRAD office in 1977 to respond to recurrent droughts, the virtual lack of appropriate and economically feasible technologies to improve agricultural production in semi-arid agro-ecosystems, and the 1970s food security crisis.
With the advent of the AU in 2003, the Executive Council gave AU-SAFGRAD the new responsibility of addressing the particular challenges facing African countries with semi- arid zones. In addition, the Executive Council requested that SAFGRAD be institutionalised as a specialised agency for food security and sustainable agriculture, to enable the AU to streamline tasks and play a key role in improving the livelihoods of rural households by accelerating the growth of agriculture. SAFGRAD was institutionalised as a specialised technical office of the AU in 2003.
In October 2010, the Conference of African Ministers of Agriculture, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, requested SAFGRAD to work on access to and management of land and water, production, productivity, technology and innovation, interaction of climate change and desertification, market opportunities, policies and institutions; and to lead formulation of programmes to improve livelihoods in semi-arid Africa.
In 2014, AU Member States requested SAFGRAD to provide an effective platform for guidance, experience sharing and coordination among existing African centres of excellence on desertification.
As part of the 2019–23 strategic plan, SAFGRAD will focus on the promotion of agricultural research and development to build the resilience of smallholder households, and support for interventions by facilitating policy that strengthens ecosystems for sustainable agriculture in semi-arid zones of Africa.
SAFGRAD Phase 1 (1977-1986)
By 1978, SAFGRAD was fully operational in most of the 26 OAU member states. Over the following eight years, it built up its capacity to coordinate a wide range of activities. By 1986, this coordination encompassed the following activities:
- Research by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on improvements in maize and cowpea production;
- Research by the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on improvements in sorghum, millet and groundnut production;
- Farming systems research by Purdue University , USA ;
- Strengthening NARS programmes through training, workshops, conferences and other technical meetings;
- Establishing close links between national agricultural research and extension services.
Major achievements under SAFGRAD Phase 1 can be summarized as:
Generating technologies to meet food grain farmers' needs
SAFGRAD phase 1 focused on characterizing the semi-arid zone ecologies, on identifying the critical factors which constrain food grain production in these ecologies and on regional research to develop crop varieties and technologies relevant to farmers’ needs.
The results of SAFGRAD’s research coordination efforts can be divided into two main categories:
- Establishment of effective regional research coordination and collaboration between IITA, ICRISAT and the NARS in the semi-arid areas of Africa ;
- Coordination of research for improved farmers’ grain production by developing improved varieties of maize, sorghum, millet and cowpea adapted to the different agro-ecological conditions.
The improved crop varieties are drought tolerant, early maturing, resistant to the major pests and diseases, and high yielding. SAFGRAD undertook the distribution of these varieties for extensive regional evaluation trials so that NARS could identify and select varieties suitable for use in their country programmes.
SAFGRAD also coordinated research into the development of more efficient water conservation technologies in order to support sustained crop production. Soil fertility in fragile soils has been enhanced through the use of crop residues, animal manures and readily available and fertilizers, especially locally sourced rock phosphates.
To increase farmers’ productive capacity, it was necessary to look into ways of reducing their dependence on time-consuming, labour-intensive farming operations. SAFGRAD research collaborators developed several labour-saving devices which were proved to be successful. Among these are animal traction devices such as the mechanical ridge-tier. Tied-ridging is an agronomical and economically effective technology which has been shown to increase cereal production in semi-arid soils.
In a location in Burkina Faso , maize yield increases of up to 100 per cent were achieved by the adoption of this technology. Other benefits of tied-ridging include reduced soil erosion from run-off during rains, risk aversion for the farmer in the use of fertilizers, increased soil moisture which allows the breakdown of local phosphate fertilizers, and reduced losses of organic residues.
SAFGRAD also turned its attention to cropping systems. By using traditional systems, food grain farmers in semi-arid Africa produced low crop yields. Research coordinated by SAFGRAD has resulted in the development of more efficient crop combination techniques, which have helped farmers to increase yields and diversify crop production.
Technology transfer
Lack of effective transfer of new technologies from research stations to farmers in the field was a major constraint to increased food grain production. SAFGRAD responded to this weakness by establishing the Accelerated Crop Production Officers Programme . This programme served as a link between national agricultural research institutions, extension services and farmers.
Extension agents helped the transfer of improved crop varieties and crop production technologies to farmers, and with the provision of information from farmers to researchers concerning production constraints.
Training and information exchange
The training of research scientists and technicians was a major activity during this period. The primary aim of the SAFGRAD training programme was to strengthen NARS by helping to build up the number of appropriately trained researchers and technicians in food grain research. Training activities involving short-term in-service training in the IARCs provided extensive opportunities for trainees to acquire knowledge and improve their competence and skills in food grain research.
Between 1980 and 1985, SAFGRAD organized training for several national scientists at PhD levels in various aspects of food grain research. In addition hundreds of scientists and technicians participated in SAFGRAD-sponsored short term training courses on food grain production techniques.
Information exchange between researchers was facilitated through workshops, seminars, technical meetings and conferences. The publication of technical newsletters, reports, conference proceedings and books such as Food Grain Production in Semi-Arid Africa helped disseminate vital research information to all food grain research scientists working in Africa ‘s semi-arid regions.
SAFGRAD Phase 2 (1986-1994)
In 1987 SAFGRAD embarked on the second phase of operation. The organization was restructured as a regional collaborative crop network management centre . The overall goal of SAFGRAD phase 2 was to increase
the efficiency and capacity of NARS in sub-Saharan Africa to generate and transfer appropriate food grain technologies, specifically maize, sorghum, millet and cowpea.
Networking
The four crop networks operating under SAFGRAD Phase 2 were:
- The West and Central Africa Maize Network (WECAMAN);
- The East and Central Africa Cowpea Research Network (RENACO);
- The West and Central Africa Sorghum Research Network. (WCASRN);
- The East Africa Regional Sorghum and Millet Network (EARSAM).
While maintaining its original objectives and goals, SAFGRAD Phase 2 was optimizing the utilization of resources, technologies and scientific expertise which is available within national programmes to substantially improve the research capabilities of NARS through a strategy of core collaborative crop networks. SAFGRAD had by that time developed efficient and functional links within and between NARS to promote the generation and dissemination of proven technologies for high and sustained food grain production in the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa .
The SAFGRAD network model was based on strong collaboration between three principal partners, namely:
- NARS in SAFGRAD member states, which were the networks’ target group;
- The IARCs, which provide technical research to backstop the networks; and
- The SAFGRAD coordination office, which coordinates the networks and provides organizational and managerial support.
Sound management of the networks is achieved through the Council of Agricultural Research Directors from member countries of SAFGRAD. This council met to define broad policies and elect an Oversight Committee to provide technical guida nce in policy and management matters. With political support from the OAU, the committee strove to pool the infrastructural, human, material and financial resources of SAFGRAD member countries to address common food production problems.
Each network was technically supervised by a Network Coordinator and a Steering Committee which set out objectives and priorities for work programmes and implement and monitor network activities. Joint meetings between the Steering Committees strengthened the coordination of network activities, especially by helping to establish collaborative research projects on five major constraints to increased food grain production in different agro-ecological zones. Visits by Network Coordinators and members of the Steering Committees helped national programmes to strengthen their research capabilities and foster information exchange.
In addition to coordinating the activities of these USAID-funded regional networks through the provision of organizational and logistical support, between 1984 and 1989 SAFGRAD also managed a farming systems research project which was being conducted in Burkina Faso , Benin and Cameroon . Funding for this project was provided by IFAD.
Training and Information exchange
The training of’ research scientists and technicians continued to be one of SAFGRAD primary activities. By 1989, SAFGRAD had provided short-term intensive technical group training for over 200 specialists in various aspects of food grain production technology, including trial management, seed production, plant protection and research data analysis.
Workshops, seminars, conferences, symposia and other technical meetings organized through the SAFGRAD networks provided an excellent opportunity for research scientists to exchange information and share experiences.
SAFGRAD organized frequent technical meetings to create a conducive atmosphere for increased interaction between research scientists. This had been an important contributing factor to the adoption and widespread distribution of improved food grain technologies throughout SAFGRAD participating countries.
SAFGRAD Phase 3 (1994-2003)
SAFGRAD needed to redefine its mandate to cover more countries and commodities, tree crops, livestock etc., with an emphasis on processing of agricultural products and commercialization of technologies.
This adjustment was deemed necessary to address changes and evolutions in the research environment in the global and continental levels.
SAFGRAD activities and main contributions in the period can be summarized as follows:
Strengthening Agricultural Productivity: The Production Support and Financial Services Program, PSAFS.
To respond to concerns for a sustainable and efficient delivery of production support and financial services, SAFGRAD and USAID embarked on a pilot initiative for strengthening the delivery of these services in a PSAFS program. The goal of this program was to enhance the capacity of rural farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs to efficiently engage in economic enterprises through improved access and use of PSAFS to increase agricultural production and productivity, generate incomes and employment for rural populations. The general objectives of the program were,
- To develop a framework, including principles for guiding efforts to strengthen PSAFS.,
- To develop, test, and promote innovative options through strengthened partnerships and networks of stakeholders; and
- To identify and share best practices and provide program and strategy development options for supporting PSAFS.
Improving the nutritional quality of basic diets: The Micronutrient Enhancement in Staple Food Crops and their Products in West Africa Program
One important dimension of food security in semi-arid regions of Africa is that of adequate quantities of healthy, nutritionally balanced food specially for the underprivileged and most vulnerable groups. Micro-nutrient malnutrition, often called hidden hunger, diminishes the health, productivity and well being of large number of people, with impact particularly on women, infants and children from rural areas of semi-arid Africa . With assistance of partners (IDRC / The Micronutrient initiative), and taking into account its experience in food processing at community level, SAFGRAD has been engaged in a program for Micronutrient Enhancement in Staple Food Crops and their Products in West Africa .
1 In collaboration with National Food Science and Technology Units of participating countries and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, SAFGRAD has promoted dietary improvement and fortification for the improvement of the micronutrient content of basic diets based on food products of commonly consumed cereals. The Dietary Improvement projects include “Promotion of appropriate household and small scale soybean utilization technologies in two rural communities of Ghana . Introduction of soybean production into two villages in Ghana was particularly successful. The activity included soybean production demonstration and incorporation of soybean into basic diets for farmers. A total of 17 recipes with desirable nutritional qualities (energy, protein, vitamin B and B2, calcium, and iron) were developed. A variety of soybean products in the form of pastes, flour and drinks soybean wheat stews and soups were developed. The technologies are also being adopted by small scale enterprises for the production of high-protein weaning foods.
Transforming agricultural commodities into value added products: The Transfer and Commercialization Program
One major factor that holds back effective movement of agricultural development forward is the lack of incentives to enable farmers to increase production beyond their family needs. Weak linkages and orientation of research to the needs of its clients, such as responding to the needs of agro-industries, have contributed to inefficient transformation of agricultural produce into value-added products, a process that is needed to broaden market opportunities for agricultural products.
SAFGRAD’s strategy to minimize this problem was to support activities in Transfer and Commercialization Program. This program involves the regional exchange of information and experience, to enable farmers, small-scale processors, national research and extension systems and other partners to improve the efficiency of technology transfer in the area of food and other agriculture produce processing, for food security, income and employment generation.
Because gender is central to the organization of households in Africa , and because women possess extensive traditional knowledge and skills in the transformation of agricultural products, it was vital to invest in women because improving their well being also benefits family health, children nutrition, clothes and schooling, and the vitality of villages. The Transfer and Commercialization program therefore particularly targets women.
Salient achievement of this program includes:
- In Burkina Faso , Ghana and Senegal , the technology transfer and commercialization program mobilized NARS, extension and NGOs to provide training to specific organized women’s groups in post harvest and food processing technology of on-farm produce.
- In Burkina Faso , the Ouahigouya Women’s Association was assisted to build capacities in the technology for drying mango, potato, banana, papaya, tomato, and onions for the local market and for export. This activity generated permanent employment for women and raised the income of the association. Other beneficiaries of the activity included mango farmers and transporters – who benefited from export of processed dried mango to European countries such as Germany , England , Belgium , France Italy and Switzerland .
- In Ghana , village level techniques in the utilization of soybean were introduced. A total of 17 diets with desirable nutritional quality (energy, protein, vitamin B and vitamin 12, calcium and iron) were developed. Practical training was provided to several women and men in food science and technology (development and processing skills). Technologies introduced were being used by small-scale enterprises for the production of high protein weaning foods. These products were on sale in the supermarkets and health shops in the urban areas of Ghana .
- In Senegal , the Ndame Lo Women’s Association was supported in post harvest processing of mango, other fruits, and spices. Women trainers were trained by the “Institute de Technology Alimentary” in post-harvest processing of mango and other fruits, and in harvesting spices and condiments. Acquisition of two well adapted drying units resulted in more than doubling of the fresh fruits processing capacity from 150 to 375 kg per day. The dryers also enabled the group to diversify production and increase income.
Research and Control of Parasitic Weeds in West and Central Africa
SAFGRAD with financial support from the government of the Republic of Korea took up an initiative to deliver striga control technologies and enhance partnerships, complementarity and synergy among stakeholders and to enhance the exchange of technological information among African countries.
The project started in 1999 and major activities included verification and demonstration of on-farm striga control technologies, dissemination of proven striga control technologies, community seed production and diffusion, and an increase in activities such as training aimed at raising awareness of the problem and solutions.
Over the past few years, more than 5000 farmers have been directly involved in a total of about 1000 on-farm trials involving 23 striga tolerant and resistant (STR) maize, 3 cowpea varieties and one variety each of soybean and groundnut. The various control options increased yield and reduced number of emerged striga plants on cereal and leguminous crops.
SAFGRAD Phase 4: since 2003 to Present
SAFGRAD’s role is to lead activities on resilience of rural livelihoods in semi-arid Africa. Its vision is to accelerate growth of agriculture by promoting productive-friendly technologies and by building institutional capacity. It focuses on agricultural research, technology transfer, marketing, enhancement of value chains, management of natural resources, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, combating desertification, policy development and information dissemination to rural communities.
Evolution
African Heads of State and Government created the SAFGRAD office in 1977 to respond to recurrent droughts, the virtual lack of appropriate and economically feasible technologies to improve agricultural production in semi-arid agro-ecosystems, and the 1970s food security crisis.
With the advent of the AU in 2003, the Executive Council gave AU-SAFGRAD the new responsibility of addressing the particular challenges facing African countries with semi- arid zones. In addition, the Executive Council requested that SAFGRAD be institutionalised as a specialised agency for food security and sustainable agriculture, to enable the AU to streamline tasks and play a key role in improving the livelihoods of rural households by accelerating the growth of agriculture. SAFGRAD was institutionalised as a specialised technical office of the AU in 2003.
In October 2010, the Conference of African Ministers of Agriculture, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, requested SAFGRAD to work on access to and management of land and water, production, productivity, technology and innovation, interaction of climate change and desertification, market opportunities, policies and institutions; and to lead formulation of programmes to improve livelihoods in semi-arid Africa.
In 2014, AU Member States requested SAFGRAD to provide an effective platform for guidance, experience sharing and coordination among existing African centres of excellence on desertification.
As part of the 2019–23 strategic plan, SAFGRAD will focus on the promotion of agricultural research and development to build the resilience of smallholder households, and support for interventions by facilitating policy that strengthens ecosystems for sustainable agriculture in semi-arid zones of Africa.
Structure
SAFGRAD is headed by a coordinator who reports directly to the AU Commission through the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA). A multi-stakeholder steering committee provides technical oversight and guidance.
