BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOSAFETY
ECOWAS has a programme with two technical units, one of which is under CORAF/WECARD. This Programme ensures CORAF/WECARD’s initiatives are coherent with the programme of ECOWAS. It also allows the Programme to provide a degree of cross-cutting support, since biotechnology is principally a tool at the moment. Activities will be integrated with the other animal, crop and NR programmes, where this proves appropriate. The highest priorities under this programme, identified during the consultation process, were related to policy governing biosafety.
This Programme aims to achieve, for West and Central Africa, sustainable improvements in broad-based productivity through:
- Developing appropriate technologies and innovations using biotechnological methods
- Identifying and supporting the development of strategic decision-making options for biotechnology and biosafety policy.
- Sub-regional agricultural research system relevant to biotechnology and biosafety strengthened and coordinated.
- Demand for agricultural knowledge relating to biotechnology and biosafety from targeted clients facilitated and met.
Research under this Programme will be mainly commissioned through specialist centres, although scientists with these centres will be obliged to compete for funds. Research partnerships will be involving specialized national, regional and international centres; networking in this way will be supported on a competitive basis.
Programme Manager: Pr. Abdourahamane SANGARE