5. Collaborative Programmes Division

5.3 Zonal Research and Training Activities

Semi-arid Lowlands (Sudano-Sahelian zone)

Two types of activities were originally planned in this ecozone: to initiate the planning phase and recruit and train scientists for the Farming Systems Teams of SAFGRAD (Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and Development) project. The former was not carried out, as available resources had to be deployed elsewhere.

As part of an agreement with SAFGRAD, three scientists (from Ghana, Kenya and Senegal), selected from among more than 80 African candidates, underwent training at ICRAF for a period of six months. The training focused on agroforestry research, particularly on the interdisciplinary assessment of land-use problems vis-a-vis agroforestry potential and research design to generate and test sound technologies. All three trainees worked alongside the ICRAF scientific team - who provided technical tutoring - in research formulation activities conducted in the Southern Africa AFRENA programme. They also participated in the ICRAF/IDRC training course held in Zambia.