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Putting NERICA on the political agenda
TICAD III Calls for Emphasis on NERICA Dissemination
 Receiving high tributes from world leaders at TICAD III, 29 September-1 October 2003, NERICA emerged as a byword for successful Asia-Africa cooperation.
The TICAD process initiated in 1993 has become a major global framework for Asia and Africa to collaborate in promoting Africa's development. Commemorating its 10th anniversary, TICAD III was one of the biggest ever conferences held on Africa with delegates from 90 countries, including 23 African Heads of State and heads of 22 organizations.
“The participants concurred on the importance of technical assistance to ... the dissemination of NERICA ... in augmenting food self-sufficiency in Africa,” summed up the TICAD III Chair, Yoshiro Muri, Former Prime Minister of Japan. Japan has been one of the foremost champions of NERICA dissemination in Africa.
“NERICA is an excellent example of how a variety of partners ... can work together on actions with potential for quick development impact,” commented Lennart Bage, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa urged that NERICA dissemination should be extended “to other parts of the continent in urgent need.”
In line with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), which has identified NERICA as “one of Africa’s best practices worth up-scaling”, the World Bank stated that it welcomed Japan’s offer to help the NERICA initiative forward as an example of the TICAD-NEPAD partnership.
Invited to participate at the TICAD III, WARDA organized a CGIAR/WARDA side event on NERICA including a display booth and a participatory Seminar, chaired by Mr Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice President and Special Representative, Japan.
“A series of high-level meetings on coordinated dissemination of NERICA, organized by the CGIAR, the World Bank and Japan earlier in 2003 had set the momentum for this Seminar. Therefore, both the quality of the participation and the level of attendance were impressive,” said Dr Kanayo F. Nwanze.
Dr Nwanze also delivered a lead-off statement on “The Challenge of Agricultural Development in Africa and the Promise of NERICA” in one of the thematically focused sessions at TICAD III. For more information, see NERICA at TICAD III on
www.warda.org.
WARDA Council of Ministers resolves to promote local rice
At its 24th Ordinary Session, the WARDA Council of Ministers (CoM) expressed deep concern over the alarming trend of the increasing dependence of West and Central Africa on imported rice at the expense of local rice. The Session was held on 18-19 September 2003, in Cotonou and chaired by Lazare Sehoueto, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fishery, Government of Benin.
Realizing that greater political commitment is needed to make high-quality local rice, such as the NERICA varieties, available on the market and better known to rice consumers in WCA, the Council passed an important resolution during the Session strongly urging WARDA member countries to promote the production, marketing, and consumption of local rice.
The Council also advised WARDA to develop a strategy to help member countries cope with issues relating to biotechnology (especially GMOs) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
As an autonomous intergovernmental research association of African member states, WARDA is unique among the CGIAR-supported Centers, to have the Council as its highest oversight body. This distinct organizational model gives a strong feeling of ownership of WARDA by the Council, making the Center’s activities highly relevant to the region.
The 24th Ordinary Session put on record its deep appreciation for the “courage and high sense of responsibility” of the WARDA Board, the Director General and staff during the Ivoirian crisis. It thanked the Ivoirian government for continuing to ensure the security of WARDA staff and properties and resolved to maintain the WARDA headquarters in Côte d’Ivoire.
The National Experts Committee (NEC) comprising the Directors of the national programs of WARDA member countries met on the first day of the 24th Session and prepared the groundwork for the CoM meeting.
The Session was preceded by a Rice Day, organized jointly by the Institut national des recherches agricoles du Bénin (INRAB) — the national program of Benin — and WARDA. This public awareness campaign on rice included participatory seminars and display booths by various organizations involved in rice R&D, production and processing.
Thanking the CoM and the NEC for having stood by WARDA during the Ivoirian crisis, Prof. Richard Musangi, WARDA Board Chair said, “Without your strong support, it would have been impossible for WARDA to continue coping with the challenge.” He urged the member states to show their support through their regular contributions to WARDA — “an institution conceived and managed by themselves.”
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