WAAPP-NCoS GHANA REGIONAL CONFERENCE, 2016

About

The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) initiated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries is part of the implementation of the agricultural sector of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). WAAPP aims to support regional cooperation in West Africa agriculture that reflects the action plans for managers of agricultural policy of ECOWAS and NEPAD. It receives financial support from the World Bank and sub-regional coordination is provided by the West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD/CORAF).

The program which started as WAAPP-1 in 2008 and continued to a second phase as WAAPP-2 in 2013 aims at contributing to sustainable increases in agricultural productivity in national and regional priority sectors. These are more likely to increase the agricultural growth rate for the participating countries and provide support to regional integration as an instrument to promoting shared growth. The program has a developmental goal to intensify generation, dissemination and adoption of improved technologies in the agricultural priority commodities of the participating countries. Reaching this objective implies the strengthening of regional cooperation in the generation of technologies; scaling up dissemination and developing collaborative mechanisms.

To achieve this, the National Centre of Specialization (NCoS) in Ghana, CSIR-Crops Research Institute in collaboration with other WAAPP implementing institutions in Ghana- MoFA, CSIR-Food Research Institute (FRI), CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), CSIR-Soil Research Institute (SRI), CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI) and WECARD/CORAF is organizing a regional conference to:

• Create a platform to strengthen National and Regional multidisplinary networks;
• Facilitate the identification of common problems, planning and implementation of research to find solutions on root and tuber crops value chain development within the ECOWAS subregion.

For each root and tuber commodity, contributions pertaining to research on development for food security in the subregion are welcomed in the following areas:

• Crop improvement, Biotechnology and seed systems development
• Climate change adaptation research
• Marketing and commercialization: Value addition and post harvest management
• Crop and soil management for sustainable production

Who should attend?

We invite all root and tuber crops value chain actors including; research scientists, students and other experts addressing topics in the above fields. Women and young scientist are particularly encouraged to report on their research activities.

Conference theme

The conference theme – Research in root and tuber crops value chain: The hope for food security in the ECOWAS sub region” – seeks to promote integrated agriculture research for development that focuses on participatory research approach for a sustainable value chain development for Yam (Dioscorea spp.), Cassava (Manihot esculenta spp.), Cocoyam (Xanthosoma & Colocassia spp.), and Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). 

Conference structure

The conference is organized into four main sections based on the four root and tuber crops (Cassava, yam, cocoyam and sweetpotato) and under the sub-theme: “Towards sustainable productivity: Root and Tuber Crops value chain research and development” The conference will begin with an opening session, followed by plenary and working group sessions. The plenary session is fashioned on open keynote papers in the following areas:

1. Marketing and commercialization as a driving force for development of root and tuber crops.
2. Value addition to Root and Tuber crops: the way forward
3. Towards integrated Research and Extension delivery: a key for sustainable development.
4. Technology and innovations in R&T development.

These will be followed by four Technical sessions (oral and poster presentations) and follow up working group discussions which will be centered on a particular commodity for the day. These working group sessions will allow development of ideas, and knowledge sharing on the development, dissemination and adoption of Root and Tuber technologies generated under WAAPP.

Submission procedure

The conference language is English and French (simultaneous translation). Please ensure abstracts submitted meet international standards (content and language). Abstracts containing 250‐350 words must be submitted using the online form atwww.cropsresearch.org by March 30, 2016. Acceptance of abstracts will be sent by April 10, 2016. Contributors must confirm their participation by April 20, 2016. A panel of referees will decide if an abstract will be accepted, and if yes, as a poster or as an oral presentation. A programme committee will allocate the accepted contributions to interdisciplinary sessions. Poster contributions will be grouped into thematic clusters and addressed in guided poster sessions. Authors of accepted abstracts are encouraged to submit a full paper version of their contribution by April 25, 2016, for publication. Conference proceedings will be published as a special edition of the Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana.

Roadmap

• Submission of abstracts by March 30, 2016
• Acceptance of abstracts by April 10, 2016
• Reconfirmation of participation by April 20, 2016

• Submission of full papers by April 25, 2016

Conference location

CSIR-Crops Research Institute, off Accra-Kumasi high way, Fumesua-Kumasi, Ghana. A map indicating the venue and facilities will be posted at;

http://waapp.org.gh

http://www.cropsresearch.org

http://www.coraf.org/waapp-ppaao.org

Social activities and services

Cocktail evening on 2^nd May, 2016 to familiarize ourselves and conference dinner on 6^th May, 2016 provides the opportunity for further interactions. More detailed information will be available at; http://waapp.org.gh

http://www.cropsresearch.org

http://www.coraf.org/waapp-ppaao.org

Conference Secretariat

Lawrencia Acheampong, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana. Tel: +233 32 206 0396

Mobile: +233 20959 7578

Email: ncosgh_workshop2016@yahoo.com

Sponsor: WAAPP-Ghana