
A stakeholder consultation & project inception workshop on Scientific and institutional capacity building to improve agricultural production and food security in partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa was held at the FARA Secretariat 9-12 January 2012. Opening presentations were delivered by Dr David S Jackson, Associate Dean & Professor, and Prof Thomas Hoegemeyer, Professor of Practice University, both of the University of Nebraska; Prof SK Offei, Provost of the College of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana – Legon; and Dr Ramadjita Tabo, Deputy Executive Director, FARA.
With a view toward addressing food security needs and escalating food prices by providing good education for current and future African agricultural scientists and producers, FARA is partnering with the University of Nebraska and the University of Ghana-Legon to pioneer a capacity building project to strengthen agricultural education and training in African countries. Click here to read the Concept Note.
published: 2012-01-19 | tagged: homepage

I was recently honoured to receive a letter from Dr Luisa Santos, President of the African Crop Science Society (ACSS), informing me that the society has awarded me, along with three other scientists, with the ACSS Council Award for Outstanding Contribution to Crop Production in Africa for my work on the development of NERICA (New Rice for Africa). I would like to share part of my response to her with you, the visitors to our portal.
I thank you and ACSS most profoundly for the
honour that you have bestowed on me. I accept the award with humility because
everything I have achieved has been in collaboration with many committed
colleagues in the scientific, technical, donor and most of all farming
communities. I dedicate the award to them.
I am aware that since 1993, ACSS has been valiantly promoting crop production and food security in Africa. In addition to the very important objectives that you indicated in your letter I would add that ACSS has been providing an outward voice for African crop science, especially through the African Crop Science Journal. This is consistent with FARA’s commitment to facilitating African scientist to contribute more to the body of global knowledge as opposed to being mere recipients of incoming information.
I congratulate you on your appointment as President of ACSS and wish you continued success.
Sincerely,
Monty Jones