As part of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), CORAF recently concluded a series of regional training workshops aimed at strengthening the skills of stakeholders in national agricultural research systems (NARS) in biotechnology and bioinformatics. These workshops, the latest of which took place at the end of 2023 at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Cheikh Anta Diop University (FST/UCAD) in Dakar, brought together a variety of players, including researchers, students and engineers from Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Togo.
These participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and develop practical skills in key scientific areas, particularly biotechnology and bioinformatics. These regional training courses are part of the strategy of CORAF and the FSRP project to strengthen the skills of researchers and stakeholders in national agricultural research systems.
With a total commitment of 50 participants for the two training courses, CORAF succeeded in reaching its target. This holistic approach aims to equip the region with the skills needed to meet the challenges of agriculture and food in an innovative and sustainable way.
The training modules covered crucial subjects such as the basic concepts and application of biotechnological methods and tools in agriculture, modern methods for diagnosing plant and animal diseases, and tools for the genetic improvement of crops and animals. In addition, sessions were devoted to the analysis of sequencing data and the use of genetic databases. Participants thus acquired in-depth knowledge of the use of modern methods in agricultural research, enhancing their ability to contribute to more resilient food systems.
Through this training, CORAF is renewing its commitment to strengthening the capacities of national agricultural research systems (NARS) in West and Central Africa and to creating a community of researchers better equipped to face the current challenges in the agricultural sector
