RESEARCH ECHOES
Irrigated Systems. Developing Techniques for Weeding Rice Fields
Weeds limit rice production. Weed infestation in rice paddies is caused by uneven ground, late or inappropriate
herbicide applications. Irregular irrigation and poor water management. Typha australis (an aquatic plant) is abundant
in the Senegal River valley. In the delta region, it invades irrigation and drainage systems and cultivated areas.
It is a new threat to the intensification of irrigated agriculture.
However, in Senegal, only 8% of the farms respect recommended weeding practices. In Mauritinia, 54% of rice fields
cultivated by the Association générale des groupements d'exploitants et éleveurs pour l'étude
et l'emploi des techniques améliorées agricoles et animales (AGETA) are not weeded. Tilling and harvesting
is mechanized, whereas all the other operations are done by hand. The herbicides are ineffective.
An Action Program
At the beginning of 1999 in Rosso (Trarza region) in Mauritania, the Pôle régional de recherche sur
les systèmes irrigués en zone soudano-sahélienne (PSI) organized a regional meeting to discuss
research results on: the effect of tillage followed by chemical treatment on the presence of Typha rhizomes, demonstrations
of different types of herbicides for weed control in paddies, etc.
After the meeting, a program of action was drawn up. The aim is to set up training courses on pesticide spraying
techniques and equipment maintenance for smallholders, extension workers, farmers, farm workers, supervisors, and
suppliers.
Contact: Ismael Kane, Claude Dancette
PSI , BP 3, Rosso, Mauritania
E-mail: dancette@toptechnogy.mr
Leptospirosis Appears in the Congo
Three years ago, researchers from the Centre de recherches zootechniques et vétérinaires (CRVZ) of
the Congo examined skin lesions on cows at the Centre expérimental bovin (CEB), and reported the first appearance
of leptospirosis in the country. This is a bacterial disease that affects animals who then pass it on to humans.
In animals, leptospirosis causes fever, jaundice, low hemoglobin levels, anemia, diarrhoea, hemorrhaging, necrosis
of the tegument, abortion and nervous disorders. In humans, it provokes jaundice, hepatitis, nephritis, meningitis,
adenitis, and a persistent fever accompanied by headaches.
Researchers have been working on controlling this dangerous disease, particularly because it is hard to detect
since its symptoms are identical to those of dermathophilus and eczema.
Contact: Nsouari Denis
CRVZ, BP 235, Brazzaville, Congo
Chad. Edible Plants Threatened with Extinction
Several plant species are little used, despite being appreciated by African populations. This is the case in Chad
for edible plants like Cochlosperim tinctorium, Solenostemon rothundifolius, Plectranthus esculentus (known as
"ngaboyo"), and Tacca leontopetaloïdes (known as "gueur") which are now threatened with
extinction.
These plants are not cash crops but women derive a considerable income from them. As a result, women know how to
produce, collect, and process these crops and this knowledge should be developed.
Collaborative Research
Research should examine the best ways to harvest the different species, varietal improvement, production techniques
and women's participation. The Chadian Institut de recherche agricole pour le développement (ITRAD) started
a research program on Plectranthus esculentus two years ago, and is looking for partners.
Contact: Dédjogueré Laokole, Allarangaye Moundibaye
ITRAD, BP 441, N'Djamena, Chad
Fax: +235 52 38 39
E-mail: cnaruser@sdntcd.undp
Palm Wine in Côte d'Ivoire
In Côte d'Ivoire, wine is extracted from the oilpalm (Elaeis guineensis), the rônier (Borassus aethiopium),
and from the raphia (Raphia hookeri). A study carried out in 1997 by the Centre suisse de recherches scientifiques
(CSRS) showed that palm wine is the favorite drink of rural populations, because it has a bitter-sweet taste, is
refreshing, and is very nutritious. It is highly appreciated both socially and culturally.
People earn extra income from marketing this wine. However, the extraction methods used destroy the palm trees.
This carnage will continue until the extraction methods are improved.
Contact: Yavo E. Behi
CSRS, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
Fax: +225 45 12 11
E-mail: csrs@globeaccess.net
Mauritania. Rift Valley Fever Strikes Again
In Mauritania, Rift Valley fever broke out in 1987. Over two hundred people died as a result, and there were extremely
high rates of abortion in animals, as well as a drop in milk production. This viral zoonosis broke out again in
1998 in the center and east of the country (see the thirteenth edition of Coraf Action), although fewer people
(six) died.
This sinister report was made by the Centre national d'élevage et de recherche vétérinaire
(CNERV), the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Center of Public Hygiene, the Pasteur Institute,
and the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) which isolated the virus in about a dozen sheep
and goats. Sentinel herds of small ruminants were set up at the beginning of the 1999 dry season. Rift Valley fever
is a source of major concern. It is being closely monitored by the Réseau d'épidémio-surveillance
des maladies animales de Mauritanie (REMEMA) (see the thirteenth edition of Coraf Action). In fact, the national
commission for the control of zoonoses has drawn up a research project on this terrible disease.
The United States Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) also intends to support a technical cooperation project
that will be set up at the end of 1999.
Contact: Diallo Boubacar Cissé
CNERV, BP 167, Nouakchott, Mauritania
Fax: +222 25 28 03
E-mail: cnerv@pactec.org
Call for Participants. Workshop on Urban Agriculture in West and Central Africa
The Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA) is organizing a workshop on urban agriculture
in West and Central Africa in Dakar in June 2000. It is working in collaboration with a Centre de coopération
internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développedment (CIRAD) and the International Development
Research Centre (IDRC).
There will be twenty participants at the workshop, which is aimed at management/experts in the subregion who have
done at least four years of graduate study, and are working in national and nongovernmental research and development
organizations. They must have specialized in economics, sociology, geography, agronomy, zootechny, and information-communication.
Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a covering letter, and a research and development project. The
project outline (four pages maximum) should focus on the dynamics, the institutional and planning arrangements,
the vegetable crops and animal production sectors, and the waste management.
Applications should be sent to the workshop coordinator at the address below before 31 January 2000.
Contact: Abdou Fall
ISRA, BP 3120, Dakar, Senegal
Fax: +221 832 24 27
Tel: +221 832 24 31
+221 832 24 28
E-mail: abdoufal@refer.sn
A Promising Future for Sesame Seed
In Nigeria, sesame Sesamum indicum is mainly cultivated in the Guinean Savannah and Sahel zones. The seeds are
pounded and mixed with sugar. However, it still remains a minor crop with yields of three hundred kg/ha. However,
there is a high demand for good quality sesame (without chemical residues) from European and Japanese markets particularly,
which buy thirty to fourty thousands t/yr bringing in annual export earnings of USD eighty to twenty-four millions
(eleven to fourteen billions CFA fr/yr).
The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) has been responsible for research into the genetic improvement of
sesame since 1987. The aim of this research is to increase production levels to 100,000-150,000 t/yr of sesame,
which is worth USD 60-80 millions/yr. In 1998, a national workshop drew up a research program on production, extension
and marketing sesame. A network of researchers, smallholders, extension workers, decision-makers, retailers, industrialists,
and NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) has been set up.
The program organizers are looking for collaborative project that could strengthen the program.
Contact: Ademola A. Idowu, Steve M. Misari
NCRI, P.M.B. 8, Niger State, Nigeria
Fax: +234 66 462172
The Baobab: New Leaf-Drying Techniques
In the Sudano-Sahel region, the baobab Adansonia digitata is planted for its fruit and leaves. The fruit's pulp
is rich in vitamin C, and the leaves have high levels of vitamin A, iron and zinc. Vitamin A protects against night
blindness and is essential for child growth.
In Mali, people tend to eat baobab leaves rather than fruit. However, the conservation method (sundrying) does
not preserve the high vitamin A content. Research on another technique, drying in the shade, aims to solve this
problem. The results are clear. Sun-dried leaves have half as much Vitamin A as those dried in the shade. The latters
are also greener. As a result, dried leaves should be stored whole instead of being ground to a powder.
In addition, there is more vitamin A in a boabab with small leaves than in the large-leaved baobab.
Contact: Modibo Sidibé
IER, BP 258, Bamako, Mali
Fax: +223 22 37 75
Weeds Hinder Sugarcane Production
In Nigeria, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) production is limited by poor weed control. Smalholders cannot expect
to obtain yields of more than thirty-five t/ha. Effective weed control for weeds like Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus
rotundus, Digitaria singuinalis, Eleusine indica, Imperata cylindrica, means yields of over one hundred t/ha can
be achieved.
During land cultivation, deep and thorough soil tillage should be carried out. This brings rhizomes to the soil
surface where they desiccate and allow cuttings to grow. Planting sugarcane in narrow rows of 50-75 cm helps to
ensure early development of full canopy cover. The crop needs to be weeded 2-5 times. Intercropping annual crops
such as groundnut, cowpea, soybean, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes with sugarcane helps to smother weeds in the sugarcane.
Mixtures such as atrazine + metolachlor (9 kg/ha), or atrazine + pendimethalin (4.5 kg/ha), or atrizine + asulam
(9 kg/ha), are often used for land cultivation to lower sugarcane production costs.
Contact: A.K. Gana
NCRI, P.M.B. 8, Niger State, Nigeria
Fax: +234 66 462172
Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific. Fisheries Researchers and Experts Trained
For the past three years, the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) has been implementing
a fisheries research project with support from the European Union. The objective of the project, which ends in
2000, is to improve the management of fisheries and biodiversity in African, the Caribbean and Pacific countries.
Training has been organized for fisheries researchers and experts in three sub-regional centers in sub-Saharan
Africa: Senegal, Kenya, and Namibia.
The first training session for West and Central Africa, which brought together about fifty participants, was organized
at the beginning of 1999 in Dakar by the Centre de recherched océanographique de Dakar-Thiaroye (CRODT)
of the Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA). It gave to participants an opportunity
to discuss problems common to the different countries, and to share their experiences. Computers were provided
so available data could be processed for the benefit of the different countries.
A sub-regional network was created and a scientific publication is planned.
Contact: Taïb Diouf, Birane Samb
ISRA, BP 2241, Dakar, Senegal
Fax: +221 832 24 27
E-mail: tdiouf@crodt.isra.sn
Livestock Production: Hunting Ticks
Ticks are endemic in the Congo. They are the major cause of animal skin infections, such as dermathophilus. Ticks
irritate the animals and blood-sucking may lead to paralysis. They also transmit viruses to animals (like hemorrhagic
fever) as well as parasites (such as babesiosis and theileriosis).
The Centre de recherches zootechniques et vétérinaires (CRVZ) is using chemical control methods,
studying the biology of ticks and the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases. Chemical control involves using acaricides
to kill ticks. Farmers also use organophosphoric products (asuntol) to kill parasites.
Contact: Gabriel Abako
CRVZ, BP 235, Brazzaville, Congo
Live Hedges: High-Yielding Woody Species
In the Sahel, grazing and cropping practices are degrading rural areas. Animals left to stray during the dry season
are a hindrance to off-season crop production. Improved rural management with the use of live hedges which protect
land and pasture means that perennial crops can be grown.
Over 80% of protective barriers consist of dead hedges or mixed hedges (shrubbery). However, live hedges are not
available to all farmers. Research has been carried out to identify over ten high-yielding woody species for each
climatic zone: Ziziphus mucronata, Acacia senegal (gum arabic), Acacia ataxacantha (known as "Koroto"),
Lawsonia inermis (henna), Cassia siamea (or Acassia florida) for zones in northern Guinea and southern Sudan; Acacia
senegal, Acacia nilotica (tannin), Ziziphus mauritiana, Lawsonia inermis, Bauhinia rufescens (known as "Géssémé"
), Balanites aegyptiaca for the northern Sudan zone.
These species have more than a 90% survival rate and grow as much as two meters every two years. Cropping practices
(line, double line and row planting), that have been developed, are tested in the middle Niger, the Gondo plain
and mid-eastern Bani.
Contact: Harouna Yossi
IER, BP 438, Bamako, Mali
Fax: +223 22 37 75
Call from the British National Research Institute
The Food Security Department at the National Research Institute in Britain is offering courses in grain storage
management and post-harvest technology for horticultural products. Final year university students can either attend
lectures at the institute or follow the course by computer-mediated distance learning.
For final year degree students, correspondence courses begin on 7 January 2000. For those doing a Master's, the
course starts later. Post-graduate diploma classes at the Institute begin on 13 March 2000, and on 3 July 2000
for Masters students.
Contact: Training Officer
NRI, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue,
Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1634 883448
Fax: +44 (0) 1634 883386
E-mail: nri-training@gre.ac.uk
Internet: www.nri.org/training
CORAF- WECARD LIFE
CORAF. First Steps Taken
Dr Adama Traoré of the Comité national de recherche agronomique (CNRA) in Mali is the new president
of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD) Executive Committee
which held its first annual meeting, from 26-27 November 1999 in Abidjan. The following issues were discussed:
amendments to the rules and regulations; composition of the Scientific and Technical Committee; restructuring the
Executive Committee; sub-regional representation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).
Other issues discussed at the meeting include the formulation of a Strategic Plan for Agricultural Research and
Development in West and Central Africa, regional and international cooperation and the adoption of the draft budget
for the year 2000.
Dr. José-Gabriel Levy from Cape Verde is the new Vice-President, replacing Pr. Japhet Christian Norman who
has retired in Ghana. Dr. Tunde Oluko from Nigeria has become an Executive Committee member. New members were also
selected for the Scientific and Technical Committee. They include Bouraima Osseni (Côte d'Ivoire), Aimé
Nianogo (Burkina), Seydil Moctar Touré (Senegal), Frank Attéré (Benin), Jim Harvey (Great
Britain), Henri Valentin (France), and Lukas Brader (the Netherlands).
One of CORAF's six posts on the FARA General Assembly, which was vacant, has now been filled by Pr. Emmanuel Bennoah
from Ghana.
Lastly, the 2000 budget proposals were adopted.
Contact: Ndiaga Mbaye
CORAF, BP 8237, Dakar, Senegal
Fax: +221 825 55 69
E-mail: ndiaga@sonatel.senet.net
Contact: Adama Traoré
CNRA, BP E 1911, Bamako, Mali
Fax/Tel:+223 22 71 65
E-mail: atraoré@spider.toolnet.org
Natural Resources. The Burden of New Powers
Senegal's new decentralization policy has resulted in a transfer of power and expertise to local authorities. Local
authorities are now in a better position to manage their natural resources, and make them more readily available
to local people. In order to local authorities' capacity to manage and plan, the Institut sénégalais
de recherches agricoles (ISRA) and the Union mondiale pour la nature (UICN) have begun a joint research project
in Kolda (south-east), in Tambacounda (east), and in the sylvo-pastoral zone. The aim is to set up a database on
the market for wild resources (from wild plants especially), identify management constraints and production potential,
assess their commercial and/or economic value, and draw up natural resource maps of the area.
In Kolda and Tambacounda, considerable income is derived from non-woody plants. However, nobody knows their real
impact on the local economy, on foresters and households in particular. Research should provide data on quantities
extracted, prices, the use and distribution of income, production techniques, etc.
Although local authorities are concerned about generating more revenue to cover their ever-increasing overheads,
they still have a duty to protect the environment.
Contact: Cheikh M'backé N'dione
ISRA, BP 3120, Dakar, Senegal
Fax: +221 832 21 18
Cotton, Land and Cattle
As long as land was available in Mali, farmers left land fallow. However, in the cotton-producing zone (Koutiala),
smallholders are constantly trying to increase their income and have abandoned this practice. In the village of
N'Goukan, the cropland is increasingly scarce; the pasture has all but disappeared; the number of cattle has increased.
In addition, livestock farmers do not feed cattle the required amounts of cottonseed cake (2.5 kg/day), which means
cattle are fatter and less fit for work. In order to improve soil fertility and cattle nutrition, the Projet régional
d'amélioration et de gestion des jachères en Afrique de l'Ouest has introduced Stylosanthes hamata,
with the support of the European Development Fund (EDF).
Smallholders, who have started growing S. hamata as a crop, have had good results. One smallholder spends about
65.000 CFA fr/yr to obtain 4-5/t of feed for 13 cattle. In 1999, crop yields were as high as 12 t/ha of dry matter.
Another smallholder has produced enough S. hamata to feed his draught oxen for the past two years. The Projet outil
de gestion du troupeau (OGT) spent 1 million CFA fr/yr borrowed from an agricultural development bank. The project
now pays out half that amount thanks to its stock of S. hamata. There is so much enthusiasm in the village that
OGT is helping smallholders develop a seedlot, mainly to ensure sustainability once the project is over. Smallholders
from neighboring villages, who visited the N'Goukan barns, have asked for seed.
Labor Requirements
Nevertheless, S. hamata is not an easy crop to grow. A third smallholder found, that hand-sowing his plot, may
explain why the first harvest was so poor. However, in the second cropping year he mixed seed with sand (ratio
1:3). He harvested 10 cartloads full (5-7 t) from 0.25 ha. In addition, using non-hulled seed seems better, because
pounding the seed to remove the hull can break the husks and prevent germination.
Cattle and small ruminants fed with S. hamata during the dry season thrive during the rainy season. Harvesting
should be carried out in September, as soon as the rains stop before leaves fall. However, since the S. hamata
harvest coincides with the cotton harvest, smallholders are forced to pay casual laborers 1 000 CFA francs for
every 0.25 ha, which reduces their income.
Contact: Harouna Yossi
IER, BP 438, Bamako, Mali
Fax: +223 22 37 75
Answer. Concerning Poultry Feed
In eleventh issue of Coraf Action, Maïmouna Cissé from the Institut sénégalais de recherches
agricoles (ISRA) reported on the findings of a study, commissioned by the Livestock Breeding Directorate in 1999,
on poultry feed manufactured by ten different producers. The article is entitled "Quality Poultry Feed".
Questions about this article have come in from Souleymane Guèye of the Centre national d'élevage
et de recherche vétérinaire (CNERV) of Mauritanie, and Eric Simon from France. S. Guèye asks
whether lysine and methionine can be analyzed at ISRA. If so, he would be interested in doing an internship there.
If not, he would like to know where he could learn these techniques. E. Simon would like to know the name of two
high-quality feed manufacturers and of the organization that can provide the most recent data on the poultry sector
in Senegal.
Maïmouna Cissé answers:
Lysine and methionine (essential amino acids) analysis has not been carried out at ISRA's nutrition laboratory,
because it does not have high performance liquid chromatography apparatus. Doses used for the purposes of the study
were provided by the Union des fabriques d'aliments commerciaux (UFAC) in France.
The names of two manufacturers of quality feed and the most recent data on the Senegalese poultry sector may be
obtained from Bousso Guèye, Industrial Poultry Department, Livestock Breeding Directorate, BP 67, Dakar,
Senegal. Fax: +221 821 91 22. Tel: +221 821 32 28.
Contact: Maïmouna Cissé
ISRA, BP 2057, Dakar, Senegal
Fax: +221 832 21 28
E-mail: maïcissé@isra.refer.sn
Ghana. Organic Agriculture to Combat Poverty
In Ghana, stakeholders in development are fighting to reduce poverty. The Ghana Organic Agriculture Network (GOAN),
a national network of ecology organizations, NonGovernmental Organisations, farmer groups, and public institutions
have set up activities related to farming.
Four years after its creation in 1995, GOAN has initated an organic crop demonstration program in the ten regions
in the country. In semiurban and rural areas, the network is encouraging smallholders to grow vegetables, fruit,
cocoa and palmoil organically. To achieve this, organic products, destined for local and export markets, have to
meet standards set in 1996, and a national coordination programme has been set up. However, standardization has
been hampered by lack of funds.
Contacts have been made with Dutch trade fairs through the Eco-Fair Foundation to promote the export of organic
crops, like palmoil, cashew nuts and dried fruit to The Netherlands. The network also organizes training for smallholders,
and carries out information and awareness campaigns (publication of a newsletter, The Organic Farmer).
Contact: Emmanuel Antwi
GOAN, P.O. Box 6342, Kumasi, Ghana
Fax: +233 58 25306
E-mail: goldlink@ghana.com
Training. How to Improve Soils
In Benin, smallholders are concerned about soil improvement. The Songhaï Centre is organizing courses for
trainers, in order to improve soil management techniques and the use of organic fertilizers.
Good soil management depends on the establishment of separate breaks or plots for each crop. These separate plots
make it easier to distinguish between crops, and to determine production methods, fertilization techniques and
yields.
Recommendations for the improved organic fertilization of soils include: the use of the composting, the of cattle
waste and urine and, the cover crops.
These practices are now being used in Djougou, in Tanguiéya, in the north, in Sèmè, and especially
in Savalou, in southern Ghana.
Contact: Christophe Gbaguidi, Célestin Kinnoudo, Justin Lékoto
Centre Songhaï, BP 597, Porto-Novo, Benin
Fax: +229 22 20 50
E-mail: songhaï.benin@intner.bj
Solar Energy: The Role of Women in Drying Farm Produce
Burkina Faso has seen a sharp increase in market gardening and fruits production over the past ten years. Production
from off-season market gardening rose to one hundred and twenty thousands tons per year between 1991 and 1992.
Mangoes production increased to one hundred and sixty thousands tons between 1994 and 1995. However, there are
problems with the conservation, the marketing and the consumption of mangoes. Women dry mangoes in the open air
to conserve them, but the quality of the end product is poor. Since 1960, the Institut burkinabé de l'énergie,
now The Institut de recherche en sciences appliquées et technolmogies (IRSAT) and the Association burkinabé
d'action communautaire (ABAC) have developed solar driers for households and the agri-food industry. They have
been supported by the Groupe de recherche et d'échanges technologiques (GRET) du Burkina, the Groupe énergies
renouvelables et environnement (GERES) and the Centre écologique Albert Schweitzer (CEAS) de Suisse.
The first solar drier adapted for manual use, built in baked mud, produces 10 kg/day of dry produce using 120 kg
of fresh mangos. About twenty dryers were installed at three locations, and four tons of dried mangoes were exported
as a result in 1991. However, demand from the agri-food industry cannot be met with this type of drier (drying
during the rainy season, produce of export quality). The industry should be able to maintain production throughout
the year, and to process different types of agricultural produce (vegetables, fruit, cereals, plants, meat, fish).
In addition, the cost of the drier makes it unsuitable for households.
High Levels of Demand
To meet household needs, an improved solar drier has been developed: the shell-shaped domestic drier. Three types
of this drier have been produced. The small model can process about 3 kg of fresh produces into 0.3 g of dried
mangoes per day. It can be used by women in urban areas and costs 26 000 CFA francs. The medium-sized model dries
5-10 kg of fresh produces and produces 0.5 g to 1 kg/day of dried mangoes. It may be purchased by women in rural
areas for 35 000 CFA francs. The large model produces 1.5 kg/day from 15 kg of fresh produces. It costs 48 000
CFA francs. There is a high demand for this drier from women in both urban and rural areas, because it is a way
for them to supplement their incomes.
This type of improved drier, made from metal sheets, is composed with a shell-shaped, three drying racks protected
by mosquito, a netting equipped with a overhanging cover protects it from the rain. The cover is connected to the
shell by a collar, which acts as a belt to let air in. The main advantage of the drier is that it can be made by
local tradesmen.
Hands-On Training
In 1995, 1 400 driers were distributed in 60 villages and 20 provinces (out of the 30 in the country). In 1999,
4 500 of them were distributed throughout Burkina, and hundreds were available in Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Niger,
Cameroon, Benin, etc.
Women extension workers train the villages' produce groups how to use and maintain their solar drier, how to use
the drying methods for each produce, how to conserve the dried goods with packaging, how to guarantee the nutritional
qualities of the end products, how to cook recipes, how to manage and market.
Next article: are production units profitable?
Contact: Thérèse Onadja, Christian Legay
ABAC-GERES, 01 BP 4071 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina
Fax: +226 36 02 18
E-mail: geres@fasonet.bf
Answer. About Millet and Sorghum
The question from Andriantahina Rakotondralambo of the Association nationale d'actions environnementales (ANAE)
in Madagascar, about the use of millet and sorghum for human consumption (see eleventh issue of Coraf Action) has
received an answer from Daniel Bartianelli of the Centre de coopération en recherche agronomique pour le
développement (CIRAD) and a reaction from Babatunde Obilana of the International Crops Research Institute
for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Zimbabwe. Many readers continue to show an interest including Dédjogueré
Laokole and Moundibaye Allarangaye who are carrying out research on sorghum-based product development at the Institut
tchadien de recherche agricole pour le développement (ITRAD).
In Chad, millet and sorghum are staple foods. They are eaten in the form of pulp ('tô'), porridge, fermented
pancakes ('kissar'), an alcoholic beverage ('bilbil'), a non-alcoholic drink ('kunduh'), baked cakes ('nsumbi')
and doughnuts ('nakia'). Traditional cooking methods for cakes, doughnuts and fermented pancakes using sorghum
were studied. Improved cake-making methods for a more homogenous and stable finished product were found.
A training course was organized for women facilitators and sorghum-processors which included a public tasting session.
This research is supported by the réseau ouest et centre africain de recherche sur le sorgho (ROCARS) in
Mali.
Contact: Dédjogueré Laokole, Moundibaye Allarangaye
ITRAD, BP 441, N'Djamena, Chad
Fax: +235 52 51 19
E-mail: cnaruser@sdntcd.undp.org
Cattle Production. Exports on the Increase
With the devaluation of the CFA franc, there were hopes that the economies of the countries concerned would become
more competitive. In Mali, this was supposed to lead to an upturn in the Sahel cattle market that had lost market
share to European Union countries. Since 1984, there has in fact been a fall in cattle exports, which are down
by 43% between 1992 and 1993. However, according to a study carried out by the Institut d'économie rurale
(IER) and the Institut du Sahel (INSAH), the situation began to improve in 1997.
On the local market, the price of live animals rose some 55% from about 82 000 CFA francs to 127 000 CFA francs,
between 1993 and 1996. During the same period, the price of meat on the bone increased 100%, from 600 CFA francs
to 1 250 CFA fr/kg, whilst deboned meat rose 67%, from 900 CFA francs to 1 500 CFA fr/kg. On the export market,
there was also a considerable increase (157%), from nearly 41 480 head of cattle in 1993 to 106 870 in 1995. This
upturn in Malian exports was encouraged by a price incentives policy, a fewer export procedures, a drop in European
export subsidies to West African coastal countries.
Meat Consumption Suffers
The increase in live cattle exports led to an 18% drop in meat consumption. However, traders, butchers, farmers
and slaughterers all benefited from these price increases.
There must be policies to promote exports, specialized equipment, increased productivity, price stability, and
increased consumption, if this favorable situation is to last.
Contact: Youssouf Siaka Koné
IER, BP 258, Bamako, Mali
Fax: +223 22 37 75
Soybeans in the Ivorian Diet
Research and development projects in Côte d'Ivoire (see the eleventh and thirteenth editions of Coraf Action)
are examining how to grow and use soybeans for human consumption. The Laboratory of Food Sciences has developed
about thirty recipes of traditional dishes using soybean, which are nutritious.
Women rural extension workers and officials at the Agence nationale d'appui au développement rural (ANADER)
have been trained to use and process soybean.
Contact: Georgette A. Konan
CNRS, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
Fax: +225 45 12 11
E-mail: cnrs@globeaccess.net
IN THE FIELDS
Coraf Action. Aboubakar Ourdé Ousta, Coordinator from Chad
Aboubakar Ourdé Ousta is an agronomist at the International Convention internationale sur la lutte contre
la désertification (CLD) at the Institut tchadien de recherche agricole pour le développement (ITRAD).
He coordinates the Chad national communication network for the CORAF regional information newsletter, Coraf Action.
He is responsible for collecting and editing articles. In each network member institution, a correspondent is designated
to help the coordinator by providing articles.
Since the coordinator edits all articles for Coraf Action, authors based in Chad are requested to send articles
to his address wherever possible.
Contact: Aboubakar Ourdé Ousta
CLD, BP 447, N'Djamena, Chad
Fax: +235 52 38 39
Tél. : +235 52 50 05
Coraf Action. Accel Arnaud Ndinga-Makanda, Coordinator from the Congo
Accel Arnaud Ndinga-Makanda is the Director of the Centre national de documentation et d'information scientifiques
et techniques (CNDIST) of Congo. He coordinates the Congo national communications network for the CORAF regional
information newsletter, Coraf Action. He is responsible for collecting and editing articles. In each network member
institution, a correspondent is designated to help the coordinator by providing articles.
Since the coordinator edits all articles for Coraf Action, authors based in the Congo are requested to send articles
to his address wherever possible.
Contact: Accel Arnaud Ndinga-Makanda
CNDIST, BP 15440, Brazzaville, Congo
Fax: +242 81 29 20
Tel: +242 81 29 20
TO BE READ
Traitement des maladies du dromadaire. Guide de l'auxiliaire d'élevage = Treatment of Diseases of the
Dromadary. A Manual For Auxiliary Livestock Breeders. 1999, 60 pages. Published by the Projet de renforcement institutionnel
et technique de la filière cameline, BP 510, Niamey, Niger.
Abstract
This manual presents techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of twenty major diseases that affect traditional
dromadary breeding. It is useful for all livestock extension work.
Propagating and Planting Trees. By H. W. Schreppers, P. Paap et E. Schinkel. 1998, 79 pages, "Agrodok no.
19", ISBN 90-72746-78-3. Published by AGROMISA, Postbus 41, 6700 AA Wageningen and the Technical Center for
Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), Postbus 380, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
This publication introduces tree planting techniques (for example natural regeneration, direct planting) and plantation
material for tropical zones. Its target public is teachers, extension workers and smallholders.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
CORAF Meetings
The CORAF Executive Committee will be meeting in Praïa, in April 2000.
The CORAF General Assembly will be held in Dakar, in July 2000.
Other Meetings
The annual joint meeting of the Special Program for African Agricultural Research (SPAAR) and the Global
Forum for Agricultural Research (FARA) will take place in Conakry, from 14 to 25 February 2000.
The meeting of the Global Forum for International Agricultural Research (GFAR) will be held in Dresde in
May 2000.
