Report on a Mission to the African Farming Systems Research and Extension Network on Policies for Intensive Resource-Based Agriculture for Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The President-Elect of the African Farming Systems Research and Extension Network sent a request to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa inviting Mr. G.I. Abalu, the Commission's Senior Regional Adviser in Food and Agricultural Policy and Planning to attend the Second International Symposium of the African Farming Systems Research and Extension Research Network. The Senior Regional Adviser was requested to serve as a Resource Person at the Symposium to present a Lead Paper on the prospects for intensive resource based agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and analyze the policies to be undertaken by African governments to support such a strategy. The Senior Regional Adviser was also requested to chair a Plenary Session of the Symposium and to serve as the Leader/Facilitator of number of the technical Working Group sessions. In response to these requests, the Senior Regional Adviser undertook a mission to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from August 19 to 25, 1996. The mission was in conformity with the approved Work Programme of the United Nations Regular Programme for Technical Cooperation which calls for the provision of advisory services and training to member states and inter-governmental organizations in the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies relating to food security and sustainable development.