Resolution on SAFGRAD

CM/Res.1417 (LVI)

RESOLUTION ON SAFGRAD

The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Fifty-sixth Ordinary Session in Dakar, Senegal, from 22 to 28 June 1992,

Considering the provisions of the Lagos Plan of Action, and especially Chapter One devoted to Food and Agriculture,

Convinced that the qualitative and quantitative improvement of food crop production is essential to assure food self-sufficiency on the continent,

Considering the emergence and multiplicity of research networks in Africa, which often lead to a waste of meager financial and human resources, and subsequently duplication,

Taking note of the new initiative of the World Bank and other Agencies of the United Nations to promote and strengthen agricultural research in Africa,

Referring to the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative, Budgetary and Financial Matters meeting in its 55^th Ordinary Session, relating to SAFGRAD project,

Having heard and considered the report presented by Burkina Faso on the situation of SAFGRAD Project:

1. NOTES WITH SATISFACTION the report presented by Burkina Faso;

2. EXPRESSES ITS GRATITUDE to all donors and international institutions for their support of the SAFGRAD Project;

3. REQUESTS the General Secretariat to provide the financial assistance necessary for the running of SAFGRAD as of 1 June 1993, to enable SAFGRAD to continue its activities and extend its mandate to cover other food crops;

4. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to:

1. Ensure effective coordination of agricultural research and development activities in Africa, and to that end, maintain multilateral cooperation with sub-regional, regional and international institutions in order to maximize those components of direct benefit to Africa;

2. Ensure that existing or future agricultural research networks coordinate their activities with SAFGRAD and extend them to those ecological zones not covered by SAFGRAD.